Christian Valentino Esq., '95 (SUNY Geneseo/Matt Burkhartt)
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Christian Valentino Esq., ‘95, as the chair of SUNY Geneseo’s College Council. Valentino has served on the College Council since 2008 and succeeds Robert Wayland-Smith, who served in the position for 24 years before resigning in August.
Valentino, a 1995 Geneseo graduate, majored in sociology and minored in legal studies before earning his JD from Dayton Law School in 2000. He currently works as a litigation attorney at Pullano & Farrow PLLC, in East Rochester, NY.
Valentino has received numerous professional awards and recognitions. He was named twice to Western New York’s Daily Record’s Litigation Power List. Among other accolades, he has been included on The Best Lawyers in America list for the past seven years, including being named as their Lawyer of the Year in Trusts & Estates Litigation in 2019.
In addition to serving on the College Council for nearly 18 years, Valentino also served as a member of the presidential search committee in 2014–15, which resulted in the appointment of Denise A. Battles as president of the College, and served as chair for the college’s most recent presidential search committee, which brought Melinda Treadwell to SUNY Geneseo. Valentino’s other volunteer work includes serving on the board of the Rochester Spinal Association and as the chair of the board for Fairport Baptist Homes Caring Ministries.
“Christian led the recent presidential interview process, and I was immediately impressed with his warmth and welcoming personality,” says SUNY Geneseo’s President Melinda Treadwell. “I am grateful that he will continue to serve on the College Council and assume the responsibilities as chair. I look forward to working with him in support of our students, faculty, and staff and in fulfilling our mission as New York’s public honors college.”
The College Council, established under New York State Education Law, serves as an advisory and oversight body for the College, with responsibilities that include recommending candidates for president, reviewing major plans and policies, and fostering strong connections between the College and the community.