Mayor names Redon, retired businessman, deputy mayor

Leonard E. Redon, 59, of Perinton, speaks at a press conference in which Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards named him the city’s deputy mayor. Vasiliy Baziuk

The city’s new deputy mayor is a successful businessman with no government experience.

“He doesn’t know a lot about government and that’s a good thing,” Mayor Thomas S. Richards said Wednesday after appointing Leonard E. Redon, 59, of Perinton, to the post.

Redon, who held managerial positions at Paychex Inc. and Eastman Kodak Co., was immediately sworn in by Richards. Redon said he and his wife Denise, who held the Bible during the ceremony, plan to move to the city soon.

“Len’s an outstanding addition to our staff,” Richards said, speaking from the City Hall atrium. “He brings with him impressive credentials as a manager, as well as a long record of community service.”

He said the two met while working together on a board.

Redon joined Paychex in 2001 after a 28-year career at Eastman Kodak, where he held several managerial positions including president of Qualex Inc. and Customer Equipment Services. His last position was director of Rochester Area Operations, vice president Eastman Kodak.

Leonard E. Redon, 59, of Perinton,, center is sworn in as the city’s new deputy mayor on Wednesday by Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards. Redon’s wife, Denise, held the Bible during the ceremony. Vasiliy Baziuk

Richards said he views the deputy mayor post as a chief executive officer that will be very important in running the city, which is constrained in terms of revenue.

Redon said he was “really honored” for the opportunity to help move the city forward. He said he has no agenda except for that of the mayor, the city and City Council.

Redon is also involved with several civic organizations including serving on the boards of Lifetime Healthcare Inc. and Lifetime Homecare Inc., but will resign because of a potential conflict of interest with the deputy mayor position.

According to Richards, the deputy mayor post will report less often to the mayor than the prior deputy mayor and will eventually increase his responsibilities to include supervising the Department of Recreation and Youth Services and the Bureau of Human Resource Management.

That completes the management team, with the exception of corporate counsel, an appointment Richards, who formerly held the post, said he expects to announce soon.

Redon, who will be paid $130,000 a year, has two children: a son in the Navy and a daughter who just graduated from St. John Fisher College.