Former HGAR Official Named Newburgh Deputy City Manager
NEWBURGH—Newburgh City Manager Todd Venning announced on Dec. 19 the appointment of Mike Neppl as Deputy City Manager for the City of Newburgh, following confirmation by the City Council. Neppl served back in 2022 as Government Affairs Director for the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors based in White Plains.
The Deputy City Manager was formally established through the city’s 2026 Budget process and corresponding local law, creating a new chartered executive role to support Newburgh’s expanded operational and development agenda, city officials stated.
“This appointment reflects the scale and momentum of what’s happening in Newburgh,” said Venning. “Mike has been instrumental as Chief of Staff, and his leadership, judgment, and operational discipline make him the right choice as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Newburgh is experiencing one of the most significant public–private investment periods in its history, with more than $500 million in development underway, including: the North Interceptor Sewer Separation & Improvement Project, the new Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center, the African American Burial Ground Reinterment Project, bridge and roadway replacement projects at Lake Street, Lake Drive, and Walsh Road and citywide water, stormwater and sewer system upgrades.
The city is also embarking on a host of housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, including a luxury boutique downtown hotel, more than 800 units of new residential housing citywide and nearly 700,000 square feet of new commercial and industrial construction citywide.
The city is also moving forward with the revitalization of Newburgh Landing, which will reactivate one of the only deep-water ports between New York City and Albany, capable of serving industrial, commercial, recreational, and passenger uses.
“Together, these public and private investments represent a comprehensive development strategy that will generate jobs, increase foot traffic for local businesses, expand commercial activity, enhance neighborhood quality, and create new opportunity across the entire city,” City Manager Venning added. “With institutional leadership to match our scale of investment, we are delivering the future of the Queen City of the Hudson.”
Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey said, “I’ve served through multiple stages of Newburgh’s growth, and each stage has required the City to do more — to coordinate better, lead more decisively, and hold itself to a higher standard of accountability. I’ve made it a priority to meet that responsibility head-on, which is why I strongly support strengthening our executive structure through the Deputy City Manager role.”
As Deputy City Manager, Neppl, who takes on the position after serving as Chief of Staff, will act as a key operational leader working alongside the City Manager to oversee strategic operations, align departments, advance major initiatives, and implement long-term priorities in infrastructure, public safety, housing, and government modernization.
“I am humbled and honored to step into this role and serve my hometown at such a pivotal time,” Neppl said. “Newburgh is generating remarkable momentum, and I look forward to supporting the City Manager and the Council as we deliver the projects and services that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.”
Mr. Neppl will be sworn in at a public ceremony on Monday, Jan.12, 2026.
Neppl is a fifth-generation Newburgh native, attorney, and a 25-year veteran of New York State government and politics. As Chief of Staff, Mr. Neppl directly supports the City Manager in the administration of daily operations for the city’s departments and program implementation for the city’s $100-million annual budget. Neppl serves as chief press officer and manages the city's strategic partnerships, with additional responsibilities as chair of the Newburgh Industrial Development Agency.
He began his career as Assistant Counsel to the Governor, where he managed a broad portfolio that included housing, health, economic development, and criminal justice issues affecting all New Yorkers. Mike left the Governor’s Office to join the New York State Senate’s counsel and policy team prior to serving as Research Director for back-to-back successful Attorney General campaigns. Neppl then joined the New York State Office of the Attorney General, where he served as Assistant Attorney General. After transitioning out of state government, Mike became a nonprofit executive with the New York Library Association, where he served as General Counsel and Director of Government Relations for advocacy campaigns that secured more than $800 million for public library services statewide. Immediately prior to joining the City of Newburgh, he served as Government Affairs Director for the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors from April 2022 to August 2022.
Neppl attended Newburgh schools before graduating from SUNY Albany and Albany Law School.
