By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority named David State general counsel.

State, 48, previously was with the New York State Attorney's Office, where he has been assistant attorney general since 2007.

He is expected to start in mid-April after he concludes some pending legal work for the state.

"I am looking forward with great anticipation to working at the NFTA as it gives me an opportunity to continue my involvement in public service, which has been such a big part of my life," he said.

State was among four finalists and last week was unanimously selected by the NFTA board of commissioners.

Former general counsel David Gregory retired last year. Vicky-Marie Brunnette served as interim general counsel and was a finalist, as well.

"In Dave, we have someone who is very levelheaded and stable," said Henry Sloma, NFTA interim executive director. "Dave is familiar with the Buffalo landscape and he certainly understands all the dimensions and dynamics of the community."

State, a resident of Buffalo, will have an annual salary of $125,000. A South Buffalo native, he graduated from Bishop Timon High School and Buffalo State College. After attending Syracuse University College of Law for a year, he transferred to the University at Buffalo School of Law and graduated in 1991.

He has been an administrative law judge with the New York State Office of Temporary Disability and a JAG officer (Major) for the Trial Counsel, 42nd Infantry Division.

State also has experience as legal counsel to numerous boards and agencies. They include the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Preservation Board, the city's Elevator Safety Review Board and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

An Iraq veteran, he served from May 2004 to January 2006 when he was mobilized to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served with the Army Judge Advocate General Corps in Iraq.

In addition, he holds faculty positions at the University of Buffalo, where he teaches urban development law and policy, and at Erie Community College as an instructor of business law.