Michele's Bio

Michele M. Iannello is currently serving in her second term on the Erie County Legislature representing the Tenth District. Her district includes the Village of Kenmore, the City of Tonawanda, a portion of the Town of Tonawanda and all of Grand Island. Michele previously served for two (2) years as an elected Trustee on the Kenmore Village Board. Michele began her first term in the County Legislature by co-sponsoring a five part AGENDA FOR CHANGE. Some of the reforms included: term limits for Legislators and County Executive, transparency of government operations, accountability in the budget process, best practices, and reducing the amount of money being borrowed by the County. Michele remains committed to enacting similar reforms both in Western New York and in Albany.

Michele serves as the Vice Chair of the Community Enrichment Committee and is a member of the Public Safety Committee of the Legislature.

Michele has been actively working on major issues in the Tenth District, including the Tonawanda landfill issue and the removal of the Grand Island tolls. As someone who understands the pressures of high energy costs on the middle class and working people, Michele has been an outspoken advocate for the proposed $1.5 billion expansion to the NRG Huntley Plant in the Town of Tonawanda.

Before entering public service, Michele was a real estate paralegal and was also the owner/operator of a small business. Michele’s professional background has been a valuable asset to her service in government. She understands the challenges facing small business owners and entrepreneurs. She knows the importance of the relationship between government and business, and the particular burden that high property taxes place on working families.

Her community activities include the Romulus Women's Auxiliary, Zonta Club of Kenmore, Grand Island Historical Society, Grand Island and Tonawanda Business and Professional Women USA. She is an officer and member on the Board of Directors for Hasek's Heroes, a youth hockey organization. She serves as both a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. John the Baptist Church in Kenmore and is a member of the Kenmore West High School PSTA. Additionally, she serves on the Niagara Erie Regional Coalition and on the Tourism and Cultural Committee.

Michele is a 1978 graduate of Kenmore West High School. She received her paralegal certification in 2000 from the University at Buffalo. She is the proud mother of Jordan M. Grimaldi and is married to attorney Dennis E. Ward.