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

Perhaps it is appropriate that Richard Tobe, the new deputy Erie County executive, was holding court at Ashker's, a trendy bistro on Elmwood Avenue.

While others in Mark Poloncarz's incoming administration held meetings in union halls and law offices, Tobe was with people who were sipping smoothies and munching on homemade wraps, salads and sandwiches. Elmwood Avenue is Tobe's comfort zone, epitomizing a man acclaimed by many for his ability to see trends ahead of the curve and avoid knee-jerk reactions.

It was no accident that Poloncarz made Tobe one of his first appointments. Tobe is making a return to the Rath Building, a place he left 12 years ago when Dennis Gorski's three-term reign as county executive ended.

As deputy county executive, his primary role will be to direct Poloncarz's economic development plan. He's considered a top official and known for his insight, big-picture vision and intelligence.

"This position required an individual that not only had a proven track record of successfully navigating the often-turbulent local economic development process, but who could also help create a better system for tomorrow," Poloncarz said.

Tobe's plate is already filling up. His first day in the new administration was Jan. 3.

There are myriad economic development issues either in the pipeline or on the horizon, led by a widespread desire to see the county sign the Buffalo Bills to a new, long-term lease. The current lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park expires in July 2013, and the team is expected to ask for as much as $130 million in building renovations.

Tobe was point man for similar talks with the Bills in 1998, the last time the lease was renegotiated. This time around, he said he has reached out to two key Bills officials, Russ Brandon and Jeff Littman.

"In a perfect world, I'd like to get the lease done as soon as possible and have it for as long as possible," Tobe said.

Right or wrong, he knows his return to the Rath Building and Poloncarz's political future are tied in large part to the Bills lease. Until it's signed, he'll be operating in a very public fish bowl.

"The reality is the Bills may be a net loss leader but they are the psychological leader when it comes to this region," he said. "They help define that Erie County is a place to stay and move to."

The road back to the 16th floor of the Rath Building was unexpected. Poloncarz, throughout his campaign, said he wanted a deputy county executive who would focus solely on economic development.

"Richard's decades of successful and multifaceted economic development experience in the public and private sectors make him the perfect choice to lead these efforts," he said.

Poloncarz's transition team chairman, developer Michael Joseph, reached out to Tobe in mid-November. Tobe said he was impressed by Poloncarz's vision.

And the timing, it seemed, was perfect. He was an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo Law School and had been out of the public sector for three years, but Tobe had a desire to return.

"For the last thee years, I was asking myself and my students to think about what's the role of government in private-sector activity," Tobe said.

He was energized by the enthusiasm and early results of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration. He said he also was buoyed by a more regional approach to economic development that leaders have embraced, as well as new cross-border initiatives championed by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Andrew Rudnick, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, has nothing but praise for Tobe.

"It's hard to have imagined a better choice," Rudnick said. "Rich is well-aware of county government and he clearly understands the relationship between New York state and local interests. Probably nobody understands the process and all its details better."

Bills lease aside, Tobe has short- and long-term blueprints for the county and ultimately the region. He said he wants people to understand that many outsiders have a better view of Buffalo and Erie County than those who live here. The kudos for hosting such events as the National Trust for Historic Preservation convention in October should be exploited, he added.

"We have to have people believe," Tobe said. "We've got a lot of successes here. We need to talk about it. We need to cheer lead."

He intends to work more closely with local universities, colleges and area employers to retain graduates. A stronger community swagger will help, but so will meaningful jobs and opportunities.

"If we could keep 5 percent of all the college graduates instead of 1 percent, that would offset the population loss we've been suffering through," he said.

The region needs to play up its many attributes, including proximity to Canada and the abundance of freshwater. Those are economic development positives that have not been explored or exploited enough, according to Tobe.

"Economic development, to me, is really made up of a thousand different moments. We need to make it easier for more of these moments to occur."