By Tony Farina
Acclaimed attorney Kenneth A. Manning, who recently retired after more than four-decades of much-honored and distinguished service at the Buffalo Law firm of Phillips Lytle, is retiring from the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) after 10 years as a board member following his appointment in June of 2016 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He was reappointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul after she replaced Cuomo as governor.
Manning, who is also a trained engineer, was cited by CEO Thomas A. Boyle for his decade of distinguished leadership and dedicated services to the Authority, where he served as both chairman and vice chairman of the board, holding each position five times as part of the Authority’s longstanding governance structure.
During his time on the board, the Authority successfully executed the most significant capital investment program in its history, according to Boyle, and Manning’s accomplishments included the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Peace Bridge and successfully dealing with the challenges associated with the COVID-19 border closure.
In his announcement, Boyle said Manning’s leadership and commitment to the Authority’s mission helped strengthen the Peace Bridge’s position as a critical international transportation and trade gateway.
Manning said he was honored to serve on the board and added he wanted to thank Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Hochul for the opportunity. “I certainly will proudly remember all that we were able to accomplish,” he added. “It was indeed a very important part of my life.”
It was also announced that Mark J. F. Schroeder has been appointed to the PBA board after his appointment earlier this month by Gov. Hochul and his confirmation by the State Senate on June 4. Schroeder most recently served as commissioner of the State Department of Motor Vehicles and has an extensive record of public service that includes serving as the Buffalo comptroller and as a member of the New York State Assembly. Schroeder also served as an Erie County legislator.
Manning last year joined JAMS, based in New York City, which is the largest provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) worldwide. Manning is based in the New York Resolution Center, where he is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally. During his career, Manning represented clients at the trial and appellate levels, including appeals before all four of the New York State Appellate Divisions and the state’s highest court, the New York Court of Appeals.
In announcing Manning’s appointment in September of 2025, JAMS said, “Mr. Manning’s reputation as a talented litigator and dispute resolution strategist precedes him. His training as an engineer, in particular, helps him uniquely navigate complex disputes in the energy and chemical sectors, solidifying him as a sought-after neutral for parties in these fields in New York and beyond.”