Brian Willink, current Town Supervisor of Clymer. Submitted photo

Since taking over the role of Clymer town supervisor, Brian Willink has been busy.

Born and raised in Clymer, Willink graduated from Clymer Central School in 1992. He attended college first at Alfred State, and then ended up graduating from West Virginia University, first in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and then returning later for his MBA. He met his wife, Christy Willink, at West Virginia University, and they married and moved back to Clymer in 2000. They now have two adult boys, Lucas and Micah Willink.

Willink is also executive vice president and vice president of marketing at Chautauqua Patrons Insurance.

The new town supervisor began his local government career as a town council member in Clymer in 2016 and was appointed deputy supervisor not long after. More recently, he moved into the role as town supervisor.

“I was appointed Town Supervisor when Travis Heiser moved from Supervisor to County Legislator in December 2022,” Willink said. “I was elected to fill the unexpired term at the January board meeting. I guess the position found me, rather than me finding it so to speak.”

Officially filling the role in January, WIllink will be up for reelection in November.

Willink said while he’s only been in the position for a little while, it is special to him.

“Being supervisor means an incredible amount to me,” Willink said. “I have always had an interest in government, clear back to high school and Student Council. I am honored to give back to the community that has given me and my family so much pride and joy over the years.”

So far, Willink said he has been fortunate to work with great town board members and employees that have made the job rewarding for him. He has also enjoyed being able to tackle many projects already.

“Also, I’m very fortunate that the prior administrations have been very fiscally responsible which in addition to the ARPA monies, has allowed us to take on quite a few public works projects in my time on the board including new vehicles for the highway crew, new trash compactor, sidewalk improvement, a new playground at the town park, as well as a renovation of the office at the town building,” Willink said. “While we certainly feel that we have done a lot, there is always more to do. We are looking at additional sidewalks, a municipal building project, as well as an upgrade to the aging water system. Fortunately once again, all of these are at a point where we don’t have to do anything immediately, but we do have to start to think about replacement.”

Willink did not think he was doing much different from those who had been in the town supervisor role before him. For the most part, things have been running smoothly for him, and he said he enjoys being more involved in the community.

“I just really like being involved, and enjoy the interaction with the public,” Willink said. “It is also pretty rewarding seeing some of the various projects that we have completed go from concept, to planning, to reality.”

Willink encouraged everyone to come out to the Clymer Town Board meetings and see the new office and equipment. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Highway Building, and the public is always welcome.