Deputy Village Manager Stephen Shallo Looks Forward to Meeting You!

Stephen Shallo was appointed Deputy Village Manager of Scarsdale in December 2024. He comes to us with years of experience in city and muncipal government and is eager to assist the retail community to thrive in town. Learn more about Shallo below:

Tell us about your education and how you became interested in municipal government.

I am a proud University of Delaware Blue Hen! I received my Bachelor’s degree with a dual major in History and Political Science with a concentration in Public Law. I had initially envisioned a career in law, but during my time as an undergraduate, I pivoted to government following an internship with the New York State Battery Park City Authority. During this internship, I worked on a variety of projects including the use of innovative energy solutions such as the use of solar, geothermal heating and cooling and the harvesting and recycling of rainwater—all in a small-scale municipal setting. These were emerging technologies at the time and redefined how we tackle the problems impacting our communities. It taught me to embrace innovation to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and transform customer service.

During my junior year, I had the privilege to serve on the University of Delaware Undergraduate Student Government Association as co-chair of the government affairs board. In this role, I served as a student representative to the City of Newark, Delaware at their municipal meetings. This work allowed me to develop a unique understanding of municipal operations, budgeting, good governance, active citizen engagement, and community planning. My extracurricular experiences solidified my interest in government and set me on my current path.

Upon graduating from the University of Delaware, I began what would become a twelve-year career with the City of New York. Eager to expand my knowledge and abilities further, I attended Pace University Graduate School to pursue a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in local government. My classes were during the evening which allowed me to balance my professional and academic responsibilities. During my time as a graduate student, I had the good fortune to take a course in municipal management taught by the talented Patricia Dwyer who—at the time— was the Village Manager of Pleasantville, New York. Professor Dwyer would become my mentor and guide over the years and was instrumental in introducing me to her municipal colleagues in Westchester. Little did I know at the time that this connection would result in a new career trajectory in the council-manager form of government.

What are the responsibilities of the Deputy Village Manager? What do you handle?

I am primarily responsible for assisting the Village Manager with the day-to-day operations of the Village including preparation of the Village Board agenda, participating in the annual budget process, and working with the Village departments to implement the policies of the Board of Trustees.
In addition to this work, I manage parking operations within the Village in coordination with our Village Clerk, Court, and Police Department. I also serve as the liaison to the Scarsdale Business Alliance and as the liaison to our scouting organizations throughout the Village.

We see that you spent many years working for the City of New York. Tell us about what you did there and how it may be applicable here.

I began my career with the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office. My responsibilities included providing investigative and trial support to several Assistant District Attorneys. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and a privilege to work with so many dedicated law enforcement and justice officials.

After several years with the District Attorney’s Office, I accepted a role within the Office of the Mayor where I joined a new multi-agency unit known as the NYC Business Acceleration Team. This unit consisted of staff brought together from several City agencies and tasked with developing innovative solutions to help small businesses open faster. Together we identified redundant regulations, introduced multi-agency inspections, and created several inspection guides and resources. As a result of our work, we helped business owners open an average of four weeks earlier than they would have without our assistance, guidance, and education.

After several years with the Office of the Mayor, I accepted a role with NYC Department of Small Business Services where I continued to innovate and improve how small businesses open and operate in the city.

During my time with the City of New York, I honed the skills that I feel are necessary to manage complex projects across multiple teams, deliver excellent results in a timely manner, effectively communicate with elected officials, and assist the public in resolving their concerns. I believe these professional experiences—along with the knowledge I gained working with the Village of Bronxville—will allow me to effectively support our business districts, manage complex projects such as the Scarsdale Pool and Freightway redevelopment, and address the needs of our community.
I am excited to continue leveraging my personal and professional skills within the Village of Scarsdale and I look forward to meeting our residents, merchants, and community members in the coming months.

You also worked with small businesses in the city. Did you have experiences there that can help Scarsdale to drive the growth of local business?

Certainly! While working with the City of New York, I became well versed in common bottlenecks entrepreneurs encounter when opening a small business. I intend to leverage these experiences in my evaluation of internal operations by collaborating with department heads to explore opportunities for improvement. Similarly, I look forward to working with the Scarsdale Business Alliance in support their incredible efforts and find new, innovative ways to aid our merchants throughout the Village.

For the last five years you worked in Bronxville. What are some differences you noted between the way Bronxville and Scarsdale operate?
While I have found many similarities between the two municipalities, I was immediately struck by the size of Scarsdale in both geography and personnel. In Bronxville, I was familiar with each street and the challenges/needs of the different neighborhoods. I also interacted with all staff on a regular basis. I am confident I will achieve the same familiarity in Scarsdale and I look forward to providing competent and dedicated service.
Another unique feature of Scarsdale is its oversight of its own water distribution and infrastructure. Previously, I had worked closely with a water utility company to address any delivery or maintenance concerns for residents. I will leverage new experiences such as this to learn as much as possible from my Village colleagues.

My mentor and previous manager in Bronxville—James Palmer—always taught me the importance of being a visible presence in the community. In Scarsdale, you can expect to see me throughout the Village through my day-to-day responsibilities as well as my work with the Scarsdale Business Alliance and Farmers Market. Please don’t hesitate to say “Hello!” I look forward to meeting you!

What opportunities do you see here to enhance operations in Village Hall and the experience of residents?

The Village of Scarsdale has an exceptional team of staff members; each department is run competently and efficiently. I intend to continue to deliver this same level of service and encourage members of the public to contact me should they have any questions, comments, or concerns. There is always room for improvement, and it is important that we remain engaged with the public in a productive and collaborative manner.
What are some possible impacts on Scarsdale from the uncertainty and upheaval in the Federal Government?

The Village Manager and I continue to monitor the changes being implemented by the federal government. While we anticipate modifications to federal programs such as grant funding, we continue to work with our elected officials at all levels of government to ensure continued access to appropriate Federal resources.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

As someone who is behind a desk many hours of the workday, I find it important to get outside into nature to refocus and recharge. I regularly hike throughout the Hudson Valley including the Catskill and Taconic Mountains. I also enjoy canoeing and kayaking; during summer weekends, you can find me offering kayaking lessons on the shores of the Long Island Sound.

When I’m not enjoying the great outdoors, I am busy in the kitchen trying new recipes, cooking for my lovely wife, or spending time with my adorable nieces and nephew. Watching them learn, grow, and laugh always brings me happiness.

I also volunteer my time with several organizations including—Board Member of the University of Delaware Alumni Association, Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America – Troop 2 Scarsdale, and co-founder of Midland Avenue Green Association in Yonkers, NY.
I like to stay busy!

What else?

I find municipal governance to be a fulfilling and rewarding career. It provides me with a unique opportunity to ensure the long-term success of the community, help members of the public, promote economic development, and find creative solutions to solve problems. I am grateful to the Village of Scarsdale for selecting me for the role of Deputy Village Manager and look forward to a long and productive career of service.