We wanted to take a moment to share with you the reasons behind the creation of Upstate Independence and why we are so passionate about its mission.
We founded Upstate Independence to take a positive, proactive step toward the creation of a political order that genuinely serves our families and communities. Our vision is a future where Upstate becomes a thriving hub of opportunity, attracting businesses, fostering economic growth, and offering a high quality of life to its residents. We envision Upstate Independence as the acorn that will eventually grow into a new state with a fundamentally different and improved political order. While it may seem unconventional in a political context, we envision Upstate Independence as akin to a startup company. We have identified an underserved market and idea within a ripe-for-disruption monopoly—the New York State government. Like the best startups, Upstate Independence will remain agile, lean, innovative, and disruptive. We will be scrupulous stewards of our donors’ funds, utilizing them efficiently to achieve our ultimate goal of an independent Upstate.
It has pained us to witness the dysfunction and incompetence displayed by the New York State government over the past several decades. Despite its remarkable cultural and economic potential, Upstate has been overlooked and underserved for far too long. Year after year, corruption scandals erupt in Albany, our cities rank near the bottom of national economic rankings, and a growing number of people are compelled to leave. Faced with this ongoing catastrophe, the response of our political class and institutions has been to perpetuate a failed status quo.
This frustration with the status quo, coupled with the realization that New York State is structurally broken and no longer serves the interests of Upstaters, has led us to the firm conviction that reform is no longer possible. Instead, our only chance at a brighter, more dynamic future is to start anew, govern ourselves, and seize ahold of our destiny. We are equally tired of the defeatist mindset that often pervades our communities—a world-weary pessimism that dismisses any possibility of improvement, uplift, and victory. This defeatism must be rejected along with the stale status quo of New York State.
Our co-founders, Jon and Alina Pierowicz, have a unique appreciation for what makes Upstate distinctive. Jon’s upbringing in Orchard Park, a stone’s throw from Buffalo, has deeply woven him into the community’s fabric where he remains active to this day. Alina’s arrival from Ukraine at the age of 6 has bestowed upon her a unique perspective, illuminating the boundless possibilities and latent potential of Upstate. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to call Upstate our home and feel a profound duty to help our region reach its full potential.
At its core, Upstate Independence was founded out of an abiding love for Upstate. This love will permeate everything we do and serve as the guiding light of our movement. We invite you to join us on this journey toward an independent Upstate
Bio
Our founder, Jon Pierowicz grew up in Orchard Park, just south of Buffalo. He attended Wesleyan University before pursuing his legal education at the UCLA School of Law. Jon served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Today, he practices law in Buffalo, leveraging his expertise to contribute to the growth and flourishing of Upstate.
Alina Pierowicz came to Buffalo from her native Ukraine. She attended the University at Buffalo obtaining a degree in Biological Sciences graduating with honors before pursuing a career in real estate investment and management. Alina is an active philanthropist and the founder of Verax Real Estate, a premier real estate company serving Upstate.
