Coffey earned his Bachelors in Engineering from Boston University, a Masters in Environmental Engineering from RPI, and is a Licensed NYS Professional Engineer. He began his career as an Environmental Engineer at C. T. Male Associates, PLLC rising to the positon of President/CEO. He also held positions as the Executive Director of the University Heights Association in Albany, NY and Director/Section Manager at the Latham, NY office of Earth Tech/AECOM. Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of the City of Albany Department of Water & Water Supply, he was the Director of GEL Engineering, LLC in Charleston, South Carolina.

Coffey’s background is deeply rooted in the engineering and environmental consulting industry. Over the years, he has developed a specialized expertise in water and wastewater treatment, limnology, water resources management and strategic planning. In 2014, Coffey was appointed by Mayor Kathy Sheehan to be the Commissioner of the City of Albany Department of Water & Water Supply. To meet the city’s aging infrastructure challenges, the department needed a seasoned professional, someone with a wealth of technical expertise and solid managerial skills. In his time as Commissioner, Coffey has used his knowledge and vision to propel the Department towards new technologies and practices as part of an initiative to incorporate asset management, streamline the system’s operation and maintenance practices, upgrade its systems incorporating sustainable practices and ensuring the water and sewer infrastructure can provide the resiliency needed to face climate change and extreme weather events.

Coffey is a key player in leading Albany to become a more sustainable city, and in continuing the Water Department’s stewardship of the water source supply created by the visionary designers of the Albany water system. Coffey assembled a team of professionals in the Water Department and engaged the Albany Water Board and Mayor Kathy Sheehan to collaborate with The Nature Conservancy and the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy to lead the effort to ensure the source watershed for the city of Albany’s drinking water supply was protected in perpetuity, and will also be a financial asset through the development and marketing of carbon credits.

Coffey is a Commissioner and Treasurer of the Albany Port District Commission, and is active in several professional societies, business and community associations.