Adrian I. Hale
Biography
Adrian Hale is a proud son of Rochester, NY, and a civic leader throughout the greater Rochester community. He is the Municipal & Community Relationship Manager at Rochester Gas & Electric. Previously, Adrian was the Director of Economic & Community Development at Foundry and served as the Senior Manager of Workforce Development, Talent Strategy, and Education Initiatives at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He is driven by a deep belief in leadership through service and remains a passionate advocate for advancing equity and opportunity for all.
Adrian's life in public service began in the United States Marine Corps, where he served five years of active duty, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After his honorable discharge, Adrian re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he served for three additional years.
His commitment to personal growth continued through education. Adrian began his collegiate journey at SUNY Monroe Community College (MCC), graduating with an A.S. in Liberal Arts with distinction while concentrating on the Social Sciences. During his time at MCC, Adrian became a leader in student government and maintained a 4.0 GPA, earning the 2014 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. He later transferred to Yale University, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science and studied politics.
On March 1, 2023, Adrian was elected to represent New York's 7th Judicial District, encompassing the Finger Lakes region, on the New York State Board of Regents. On the Board, he co-chairs the Adult Career & Continuing Education Services Committee, which focuses on serving the education and employment needs of New York State’s adult citizens. He is also a member of the Technology Policy and Practices Council, which advises the Board of Regents on issues related to digital capacity, content, and usage across the state and is the co-chair of the National Association for State Boards of Education (NASBE) EdTech Advisory Council.
Adrian's leadership in the Rochester community has garnered numerous accolades. In 2019, he received the Center for Teen Empowerment's Champion for Youth Leadership Award. The following year, he was named to the Rochester Business Journal and ACCE's 40 Under 40 list. In 2024, Adrian was honored with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Ignite Award, recognizing young professionals who achieve excellence in their fields.
Beyond his professional achievements, Adrian remains deeply engaged in community initiatives. He has served as co-chair of the NYS FLREDC Regional Economic Development Council's Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the NYS Governor's Workforce Development Initiative Committee.
Adrian lives by the ethos: "Do what you can today until you can do more tomorrow," and continues to be an unwavering advocate for a better future for Rochester and beyond.