ABOUT GREG

Gregory R. Ball was born in Pawling, New York on September 16, 1977. Elected in the fall of 2006, the new Assemblyman represents the 99th Assembly District, comprised of the town of Pawling in Dutchess County, the towns of Patterson, Carmel and Southeast in Putnam County and the towns of North Salem, Somers and Yorktown in Westchester County.

The first in his family to graduate from college, Greg is a fifth generation New Yorker and the hardworking son of a postal worker. Greg graduated from public school and sent himself through college. Greg first attended Valley Forge Military Academy, the last all-male military academy in the nation. At Valley Forge, Greg was granted a Congressional Nomination from Rep. Sue Kelly and with that honor Greg was accepted to and attended the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) where he concentrated in government and political studies receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001. In addition, Greg is currently completing his thesis in International Affairs at Georgetown University.

After the Air Force Academy, Greg served as an Air Force protocol officer working for many four star generals, including the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff. Greg also has experience working in the White House Drug Policy Office, where he served as an intern. Over the course of his military career Greg has received numerous awards including an Achievement Medal for outstanding service by General John P. Jumper, the Air Force Chief of Staff.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from Active Duty in January of 2005, Greg returned home to New York with his focus on helping better the community. He went to work for an American family-owned redevelopment and construction company that focuses on environmentally friendly smart growth, a job that he left to focus his efforts as a full time Assemblyman. Greg is involved in many community organizations including his service as a board member for the New York chapter of the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, a member of the Putnam Lake AMVETS post, a member of the Putnam County Fish & Game Association, an honorary member of the United Taxpayer's of Yorktown, and a member of the Yorktown, Mahopac and Brewster chambers of commerce, respectively.

Assemblyman Ball is a committed advocate for reform in Albany who has gained national attention as a bi-partisan and outspoken reformer. Greg has also earned a reputation as a budget hawk by voting against every unnecessary tax increase that has crossed his desk and by bringing the fight for school property tax reform to the Assembly floor. Assemblyman Ball made national headlines while fearlessly leading the fight against the Governor’s failed plan to issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. As a proponent of legal immigration and secure borders Greg has raised the level of debate over illegal immigration statewide and even nationally by promoting comprehensive immigration reform and spearheading a local crackdown on illegal immigration. Lastly, Greg has been a leading architect of serious legislation promoting the use of alternative fuels to cut our dependence on foreign oil.

He currently resides in Carmel, New York and spends his 'free' time fly fishing, trap shooting, jogging, gardening, hiking, swimming and horseback riding.