Ralph serves as the Director of Corporate and Business Development at Michael Best, leveraging his extensive background in law, public service, and organizational leadership to drive the firm’s strategic growth initiatives. Ralph has built a reputation for fostering strong client relationships, exploring innovative business opportunities, and delivering impactful results.
Prior to joining Michael Best, Ralph served for 20 years as a judge in the Utica City Court, where he presided over criminal and civil matters. He also created and presided over the Utica Mental Health Court and served on regional and statewide court system projects. Before his judicial tenure he served as Oneida County Executive, leading a workforce of over 1,800 employees in providing effective and efficient services for the communities and businesses of the county. Special projects included repurposing an abandoned Air Force Base into a thriving high-tech business park, creation of the Griffiss Institute for high-tech commercialization, talent recruitment and training, and more. Ralph also worked on unique initiatives in child services, child abuse prevention and prosecution, rebuilding community downtowns, and ending a local arson crisis.
Earlier in his career, Ralph was a member of the New York State Assembly, including leadership roles on the Committee on Housing and the Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Special projects included redevelopment of the state's canal system as a tourism and recreation resource. He also practiced law for 15 years, after beginning his legal career in municipal finance law at a New York City law firm.