Election Day is Wednesday, March 18
The Hilton Village Election is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Community Center, 59 Henry Street. There are seven candidates across four party lines: three candidates are vying for the office of mayor, and four are vying for two open trustee positions. All are to serve a four-year term.
CITIZENS PARTY
Larry Speer, Candidate for Mayor
Speer says, “Experience matters when it comes to leading our community.” He served for 22 years on the Village Board, acting as liaison to the Zoning Board, Building Department, Recreation Department, and Fire Department. A 34-year volunteer firefighter for the Hilton FD, Speer served 14 years on its board of directors. During his career, he spent 38 years as a Senior Engineering Technician at Eastman Kodak and L3Harris, 20 years with a family-owned construction company, 30 years as a part-time employee at Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, and 40 years as the owner/operator of a snowplow business. He has volunteered with the Hilton school sports teams, served as chairman of the Hilton Rotary Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast, and served on the board of Parma Union Cemetery. Speer’s vision is to utilize his problem-solving and collaboration skills to deliver high-quality services for Hilton residents, promote local businesses, and establish a community-based ambulance service within the Hilton Fire Department.
HILTON FIRST PARTY
Michael Sengillo, Candidate for Mayor
Sengillo is a longtime resident of Hilton, a proud father and grandfather, and a dedicated local business owner. Working in one of the most demanding businesses in NYS, Sengillo believes the Village of Hilton should be run with the same responsibility, efficiency, and accountability as a successful business. He has a deep passion for his community and says he wants to bring fresh, practical ideas to the table. He holds an associate’s degree from Monroe Community College and has given back to the community through volunteer work with the Hilton Lions Club, Hilton Apple Fest, Habitat for Humanity, and as a Cub Scout leader. Sengillo is committed to protecting what makes Hilton special—its close-knit community, public safety, and local businesses—while leading with transparency, common sense, and integrity. Sengillo said, “I am ready to lead Hilton with honesty, dedication, and a clear focus on what matters most: our families and our future.”
Joe Lee, Candidate for Trustee
Lee has served as Hilton’s mayor since 2014, and in March 2025, announced that he would not run for another term in that office. He hopes to continue serving the community, albeit in a different capacity as trustee, a position he held for a decade before being elected mayor. Lee is a long-time village resident and a member of Hilton High School’s Class of 1970. He worked for Eastman Kodak, retiring after 36 years of service. He is an active member of several organizations, including the Hilton Lions Club, Knights of Columbus Council #9461, and the Hilton Apple Fest Committee, and volunteers with the Salvation Army and Foodlink. “It has been an honor to work on behalf of our community,” Lee said. “I remain committed to continuing the work we’ve started together — focusing on public safety, quality of living, growth, and supporting our newly elected Mayor.”
HILTON FORWARD PARTY
Christine A. Brower, Candidate for Trustee
A village resident for 33 years, Brower says her decision to run for trustee is driven by a desire to ensure that Hilton continues to thrive, thoughtfully balancing progress with the preservation of its unique character. She served on the Planning Board from 2007 to 2011 and continues to attend Zoning Board meetings to stay current on local development and policy matters. “I understand the importance of thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and transparent governance,” Brower said. She is a longtime employee of the University of Rochester, where she earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Local involvements include Quest PTSO, Hilton Heat Soccer Club, and the Hilton Apple Festival Board. Brower says she wants to bring a dedicated, experienced, and community-focused perspective to the village board. “I am committed to being a strong advocate for our residents and a responsible steward of our village’s future.”
John E. Steinmetz, Candidate for Trustee
Steinmetz has lived in Hilton for over 30 years, raising his family and starting a business (Steinmetz Planning Group) in the community. With a degree in City Planning, he has worked with local governments across the state as a community planning consultant. He was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2020 and is currently Principal Planner and Regional Discipline Leader at Colliers Engineering and Design. Steinmetz says he is running for trustee to utilize his professional and personal experience to benefit the community. “I believe Hilton deserves leadership that is proactive, forward thinking, and focused on the things that matter most to residents – keeping our village financially sound and not only maintaining, but elevating the quality of life we all value, and ensuring everyone has a voice in decisions that affect our community.” He previously served several years on the Hilton Planning Board and has completed multiple consulting assignments on behalf of the Village.
HILTON’S FUTURE PARTY
Andrew Fowler, Candidate for Mayor
A lifelong Hilton resident, Fowler has served three terms as trustee, with experience as vice mayor and as liaison to the Town of Parma, Hilton CSD, and Hilton-Parma Fire Commission. He has been the sitting board member on the Village’s Budget Committee since 2018. Noting the Village’s fiscal responsibility, Fowler said, “Being a debt-free municipality is one of our community’s greatest accomplishments.” He is a Special Education teacher at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES, where he teaches career readiness skills to high school and postsecondary students with diverse abilities. At BOCES, he is a member of the BOCES 2 United Professionals Executive Board, a liaison to administration, and a Curriculum Team Leader. His wife, Samantha, also teaches Special Education at BOCES. Their sons both attend Hilton schools. “My family is the reason I do the work I do,” Fowler said. “I want my children to grow up in a community that they are proud of, similar to the way I was raised.”
Jamie Attoma, Candidate for Trustee
Attoma has lived in Hilton for the past ten years, and her husband is a lifelong resident. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in finance, and has worked in strategic sourcing as well as talent and human resources across various industries. “My background has provided me with a strong understanding of budgeting, financial responsibility, strategic planning, and people-centered leadership—skills that are essential for effective local government service,” Attoma said. She is a volunteer and commissioner with Hilton-Parma Recreation and supports its Friends group. She believes in supporting local businesses and that community engagement is essential to building trust and making informed decisions. “As a village trustee, I would advocate for transparency and accountability by ensuring village budgets, meetings, and decisions are accessible and easy for residents to understand. I also believe in maintaining safe and welcoming neighborhoods and supporting the public safety and emergency services that keep our community strong.”
