About Joe

Joe and his Mother

Dear Neighbors, 

I am honored to introduce myself as a candidate for the New York State Assembly in District 130. 

I am the proud son of Italian immigrants who came to the United States when I was six years old, searching for opportunity and a better life. My parents believed deeply in hard work and personal responsibility. My father began as a barber and eventually opened his own shop. My mother worked long hours as a punch press operator. Their sacrifices taught me the value of perseverance and the dignity of work. I started school in Solvay, NY. After class, I would head to my father’s barbershop to shine shoes and sweep floors. That small shop was my first classroom. It taught me the importance of showing up, earning respect, and taking pride in a job well done. 

At age 18…just one month before graduation…I was forced to leave home. Instead of giving up, I went to work. I opened my own automotive repair shop (Lamanna’s Auto) while studying for my GED at Holy Family Church in Camillus, NY. That experience shaped me for life. I learned resilience, humility, and what it means to build something from nothing. 

Joe and his granddaughters

My professional career began on the shop floor at New Process Gear, a Chrysler facility, where I worked second shift as a machine operator. During the day, I worked as a Quality Engineer at CR Manufacturing. I held two jobs because Chrysler provided the health benefits my young family relied on. That period gave me a deep respect for blue-collar workers and the sacrifices families make to get by. Over time, I worked my way up at New Process Gear (Chrysler Corp.) as an Engineering Development Technician, Quality Analyst, Quality Engineer, and later Manufacturing Engineer. When the plant was sold in 2009, I transferred to Chrysler’s facility in Trenton, Michigan. There, I served as a Tool Engineer and later Assembly Engineer for three engine platforms. After a year, I was promoted to Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager at Toledo Machining in Toledo, Ohio, and soon after to Corporate Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager, and finally to Strategic Planning Manager. In these roles, I traveled across the country and around the world, improving efficiency, standardizing processes, consolidating equipment, and supporting American jobs. After 34 years, I retired from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2018, overseeing hundred-million-dollar projects and programs. 

Throughout my career, I also served in leadership roles with several UAW locals, representing hundreds of engineering, clerical, and administrative professionals. I negotiated labor agreements at both local and national levels and served as a union steward, chairman, and ultimately president…standing up for workers and helping bridge the gap between labor, management, and government. I have also worked closely with local, state, and federal officials in Syracuse, Albany, and Washington, D.C., as a UAW C.A.P. chairman, advocating for economic policies that strengthen communities and protect American jobs.

Joe at UAW negotiations

Public service has always been personal to me. As a volunteer firefighter, I have responded to calls alongside neighbors to protect lives and property. That experience reinforced my belief that strong communities are built by people willing to step up for one another. 

While working full‑time, I earned degrees in Engineering, Political Science, and a Master of Business Administration…education that deepened my belief in thoughtful planning, collaboration, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Today, I remain active in civic life. I serve on the Williamson Town Planning Board, as Chairman of the Board of Assessment Review, and as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. I am also the founder and president of Advanced Innovative Solutions, an engineering consulting firm focused on solving complex technical challenges. These roles have given me a clear understanding of how local decisions shape the future of our families and communities. 

Joe and his wife Suzie

Although my career took me around the country and the world, I have always been a New Yorker. I grew up in the Syracuse area, and for the past decade, my wife Susan and I have proudly called District 130 home. We were drawn here by the rural character, the strength of our communities, and the beauty of Lake Ontario…values worth protecting. I believe New York’s greatest strength is its people: farmers, small business owners, teachers, first responders, town workers, mechanics, construction crews, and shop workers. You are the backbone of this district. You deserve representation that respects your work and listens to your voice. I am not a career politician. I am a problem solver who cares deeply about this community. I will fight for responsible development, stand up for every voice, and work to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe, vibrant places where families can thrive. 

With your support, I will make sure District 130 is neither forgotten nor left behind by Albany. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous, and more united future for our communities. 

Respectfully,

Joe