Paul Tokasz

Paul Tokasz brings more than twenty years of experience in state and local government, to PLA having served as New York State Assembly Majority Leader and as an elected official representing the 143rd Assembly District, which includes the Town of Cheektowaga, the Town of Lancaster and the Villages of Depew, Lancaster and Sloan. He has also held the position of Deputy County Clerk in Erie County. As an elected official, Paul served as a Member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). He was honored by this organization for his contributions to its success and continues to provide regular counseling to the organization as it works with State Legislatures in training new members of state legislative bodies across the country. Paul has also been an active board member for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), a national organization of legislative leaders from all fifty states. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Paul was Deputy County Clerk in charge of the Erie County Auto Bureau from 1977 to 1986 and Clerk of the Erie County Legislature during 1977. He served as First Deputy County Clerk in the Erie County Clerk's Office from 1987 to 1988. Paul was an elementary school teacher in the City of Buffalo from 1968 to 1977. Actively involved in many civic and social organizations, Paul currently serves as a member of many organizations including the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce and the Fireman's Association of New York State. A past member of the Buffalo State College Council, he was also a member of the World University Games Founding Committee and a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Stabilization Committee. He has also worked with many arts, cultural and tourism groups from Western New York and throughout the State. Paul received his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in History from Hobart and obtained his Master's Degree in Education from Buffalo State College. Passionate about education, Paul has completed courses in Education at Canisius College and Business Administration at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In April 2005, while an Assemblyman, Paul served as Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo’s School of Law. With his in-depth understanding of both the process and politics that motivate public policy decisions in state and federal government, Paul brings immense value to all of PLA’s clients.