Gates Town Supervisor Mark Assini will be returning to his corporate roots as chief administrative officer at American Rock Salt.

He met with staffers of the Livingston County-based firm Monday afternoon.

Assini said he will step down as supervisor at the November town board meeting. The board may approve an interim supervisor before the next election in 2019. Town board member Steve Tucciarello has tossed his hat in the ring to become the next supervisor.

American Rock Salt is the largest operating salt mine in the United States, with the capacity to produce up to 18,000 tons of road salt each day for clients in 12 states. Assini had previously worked at the company from 2005 to 2009 as manager of marketing and customer service prior to being elected supervisor in 2010.

Assini had been mulling over an exit from public service after nearing a decade in his current position. He decided to not move forward with a fourth run for Congress earlier this year after the Conservative Party nominated James Maxwell. Assini, 59, said he did not want to split the vote.

"This (job) offer came to me at a time when I was struggling with a decision," Assini said.

He consulted with his wife, Mary Ann Clarno, who backed his decision.

In this move, Assini is utilizing the expertise he gained as a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology in production management. He studied to become a plant manager and along the way entered politics, initially serving as a Monroe County legislator from 1995 to 2005. In 2004, Assini attempted his first run for Congress in a Republican primary against Randy Kuhl. He lost the race for the 25th Congressional District to stalwart Louise Slaughter by less than 900 votes in 2014, only to be soundly defeated by Slaughter in the rematch in 2016.

Assini said he sought a position in Congress because even though it is a federal position, it carries the ability to impact local communities.

Assini said he is proud of the fiscal stewardship during his tenure as supervisor, including selling an empty building to finance the building of the new library.

"We are a modest, working-class community," Assini said. "We try to be smart with our money."

Assini plans to stay active in the local community with his work with Gates To Recovery and Gates Amita Club.

Nellie DiCesare, president of Gates Amita Club, said Assini's energy as supervisor will be missed.

There is more to life than politics, Assini said, such as being a good husband and good family man. Just because he's out of politics doesn't mean he will disappear from the scene, he added.

"I'll always be involved in the local community," Assini said. "Gates-born. Gates-bred and will die in Gates."

MCHAO@Gannett.com

More:Assini to resign as Gates Town Supervisor

More:Gates town board member Steve Tucciarello to run for Gates supervisor