Steve Sconfienza, Ph.D., works for the New York State Office for Aging in the Bureau of Policy, Analysis, Research, and Management as the Chief Research Scientist. His current work is devoted to research and demographic analysis, especially concerning the aging of the Baby Boom generation. His previous work involved the implementation of a statewide case management and data collection & reporting system for the many service providers and local agencies providing services to the elderly and their caregivers in New York State. His work also involves assistance to the local agencies on technical and research-related issues.

Steve is the President and Chairs the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Consortium on Aging and Disability, and in the past has held leadership positions in the Civil Air Patrol, the Jaycees, the Holy Name Society, and other community service organizations. He is a graduate of the 1998 "Capital Leadership" class sponsored by the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Steve received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the Graduate School & University Center of the City University of New York, where he researched the structure and management of government agencies. He continues to write on issues of organizations, the state, and public policy.

Prior to joining the State Office for the Aging, Steve taught sociology at Marist College and at the City University of New York's Graduate Center and at Hunter College, where he taught both traditional undergraduate and graduate students as well as many mature students who were returning to academic studies. He also has experience as a small business owner, having operated a flying school, air-taxi, and aviation consulting business for several years.

In his leisure time, Steve enjoys telemark and cross-country skiing in the winter, hiking and rock climbing in the summer, and travelling at any time. He has successfully completed various triathlons and marathons, including four New York City Marathons. He is an avid railfan and can often be found, camera in hand, near the various railroad tracks in the capital region and beyond. He developed the extensive on-line resources of the Mohawk & Hudson Chapter, National Railway Historical Society (unfortunately, no longer maintained by the chapter but now available, in large part, on his own Steve's Railroad Pages) and is also a presenter for Operation Lifesaver, the national railway safety organization.

Steve holds an Extra Class amateur radio license and a General commercial radio operator license. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot license, Flight and Ground Instructor Certificates, and has over 6000 hours of flight time. He regularly flys out of South Albany Airport. He has held positions of Chief Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor, Director of Operations, and Director of Maintenance, and has held a Gold Seal flight instructor certificate.

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Steve's Thoughts to Live By

(From Great Works of Literature)

On the meaning of life:

"[T]he most persistent principles of the universe [are] accident and error."

From Dune by Frank Herbert

More on the meaning of life:

Wisdom for the Ages

" . . . it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

From Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5) by William Shakespeare

Still more on the meaning of life:

Wisdom in Music

"Why are we here? Because we're here, Roll the bones;
"Why does it happen? Because it happens, Roll the bones."

From Roll The Bones by Rush

(Words by Neil Peart, music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson)

"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke."

From All Along the Watchtower by Bob Dylan

Variously covered, including by Jimi Hendrix & Dave Mason (Electric Ladyland), Jimi Hendrix, Dave Mason, and a pagefull of others.

More?

See more of what Steve thinks makes the world funny or interesting on the Notes and Rants page, and read his blog as President of CACAD.