Patrick Kelly elected NYSEDC board chair
ALBANY, N.Y. » Patrick J. Kelly, chief executive officer of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency ( IDA), was elected to serve a two-year term as chair of the New York State Economic Development Council ( NYSEDC) at its 2020 annual meeting held virtually earlier today.
In his role at the IDA, Kelly works with a team of New York State, St. Lawrence County, regional, and local developers to plan, implement, and administer programs to assist and attract industries to locate, remain, expand, and succeed in St. Lawrence County. Kelly also served as NYSEDC’s chairelect for the past two years.
For more than 30 years, NYSEDC has been the state’s principal organization representing economic development professionals, colleges and universities, and public- sector enterprises. Its members include IDAs, local development corporations (LDCs), banks, underwriters, bond counsels, utilities, chambers of commerce, real estate developers, business incubators, workforce organizations, and private corporations.
“I am honored to be selected to chair the NYSEDC during these historically challenging times for economic development in New York State. My fellow officers, leaders, and members of this organization represent the best and most dedicated developers in the profession. Together, we must focus to create an environment that best helps New York State and its communities to protect, rebuild, and broaden job opportunities and economic prosperity now and into the future,” Kelly said.
“During his time on the board, Patrick has shown himself to be a true leader, someone who understands how to create economic opportunity and knows how to build consensus to move initiatives forward,” said Ryan Silva, NYSEDC executive director. “I look forward to working more closely with him as chair of the NYSEDC.”
Other officers elected to two-year terms include:
• Chair- Elect: James Johnson, executive director, Steuben County IDA
• Vice Chair: Thomas Kucharski, president and CEO, Invest Buffalo Niagara
• Vice Chair: Laurie Villasuso, chief operating officer and executive vice president, Orange County IDA/The Accelerator
• Vice Chair: Sarah Lee, executive director, Think Dutchess
• Treasurer: Kipp Hicks, executive director, Madison County IDA
• Secretary: Sarah Reginelli, president, Capitalize Albany
• Immediate Past Chair: Marnie LaVigne, CEO, Launch NY
Additionally, six others are new appointees to the board, each serving a twoyear term:
• Dr. Roger Ramsammy, president, Hudson Valley Community College
• Heather McDaniel, president, Tompkins
County Area Development (TCAD)
• Brittany Davis, executive director, Lewis County Economic Development
• Harry Coghlan, CEO,
Nassau County IDA
• Elena Garuc, executive director, FuzeHub
• Luiz Aragon, commissioner for development, City of New Rochelle