bringing experience

Sam Hoyt

Throughout his career, Sam Hoyt has played an active leadership role on legislative, budgetary, and regulatory matters. Hoyt is an experienced government professional, having served in the NYS Assembly for nearly two decades, as the regional president of Empire State Development under Governor Andrew Cuomo and as the regional director of the Western NY office for then Senator Patrick Moynihan.

Having served in both the legislative and executive branches of New York State government, Sam has the firsthand experience, knowledge, relationships, and insight to advance projects and issues with important policymakers and leaders. He is uniquely positioned to help clients successfully navigate legislative, policy, political, and administrative issues. Sam was recently recognized in City & State’s 2024 Who’s Who in Government Relations.

With over three decades of government service,
Sam Hoyt has garnered extensive experience
in public and private sector matters.

View Accomplishments...

Major Accomplishments:

Authored NYS’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program which has transformed downtowns and allowed the repurposing of hundreds of historic buildings across New York State.

The Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program has resulted in one of the most successful economic development programs in New York State history. The tax credit has spurred $12 billion in investments and revitalized more than 1,000 historic properties since 2011.

Authored NYS’s first comprehensive Smart Growth Law, resulting in dramatic reinvestment in cities and urban centers.

Authored NYS’s Landbank Law allowing municipalities to better address housing abandonment and urban blight.

Spearheaded effort with national recording artist, Natalie Merchant, to protect tens of thousands of acres of forest in Allegany State Park from commercial logging.

Considered NYS’s Leading Champion of Urban Education Reform.

Positions Held:

Regional President, Empire State Development Corporation (ESD)
Member, New York State Assembly, 144th Assembly District (encompassing much of the City of Buffalo and Grand Island, NY) where he served on the following NYS Assembly committees:
Majority Whip
Chair, Local Governments
Chair, NYS Reapportionment Commission
Chair, Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Chair, State and Federal Regulations
Chair, High Speed Rail Sub-Committee
Member, Ways and Means
Member, Transportation
Member, Energy
Member, Tourism, Arts, & Sports Development
Member, Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force
Regional Director, U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Representing 21 counties in upstate NY)

Statewide Leadership Positions:

Chair, Economic Development Power Allocation Board (NYPA)
Chair, Buffalo Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA)
Board Member, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.
Board Member, Empire State New Market Tax Credit Corp.

Well Established and Here for You

Meet The Team

Alexandra Grose

Vice President & Counsel

Alexandra Grose (Alex) is a policy professional with more than a decade of experience advancing public policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Based in Western New York, Alexandra brings a strong background in government affairs, legislative strategy, regulatory advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Upstate Strategic Advisors, Alex served as Senior Policy Counsel at Consumer Reports, where she led state and federal advocacy campaigns focused on clean energy, homeowners insurance, consumer protection, sustainability, and climate policy. Alex previously held senior policy roles with now Mayor, Sean M. Ryan, in the New York State Senate and Assembly, where she drafted and negotiated legislation, advised on complex policy matters, and managed legislative strategy and stakeholder outreach.

Jessica Marinelli

Marketing & Business Development Consultant

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