The Tompkins County Legislature, by unanimous vote, confirmed County Administrator Jason Molino’s appointment of Daniel Cornell as Tompkins County’s Director of Probation and Community Justice.
Cornell has served in his current position of Deputy Director of Probation since 2018. He began his career as a probation officer with Delaware County in 1995 and came to the Tompkins County Department of Probation in 1999, where he has served in the positions of probation officer, senior probation officer, and probation supervisor, before assuming the position of Deputy Director. Mr. Cornell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Ithaca College, with a focus in Juvenile Justice. While in college, career he also interned with the London Borough of Ealing Probation Services.
Administrator Molino told the Legislature Mr. Cornell was selected as the result of a productive interview process and discussion involving two excellent internal candidates. Cornell has had the fortunate opportunity to work with outgoing Director Pat Buechel over the past 20 years, and I feel he will serve us well as the new Director, Mr. Molino said.
“I am honored and humbled to be offered the position of Director of the Tompkins County Department of Probation and Community Justice,” Mr. Cornell said. “I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities and mentorship afforded to me by Director Buechel and former Deputy Director David Wolf. I am grateful to have such a phenomenal team of colleagues to work with in our department, and to have access to a wealth of resources provided by the County Legislature and our many community partners. I am confident that working together we will continue to provide high quality services to our courts, and keep Tompkins County a safe and desirable place to live by addressing the needs of crime victims and the people in our justice systems who need support and assistance to live healthier and more productive lives.”
Dan Cornell’s appointment as Director of Probation will take effect January 31.