The View From Here
March 15, 2007
My thanks to the Search Committee, the Executive Committee and the entire Board for your dedication and commitment to the Center for Economic Growth. The extensive and deliberative process that led to my selection as President and CEO is a testament to the strength of this great organization. And I simply say: THANK YOU!
As we heard at the 20th anniversary Gala in December, CEG is an organization that brings a business focus to the practice of economic development - a business focus with measurable results and direct impacts on the vitality of our community. This focus, and the strong foundation that's been built over the past two decades, clearly positions CEG and Tech Valley for an exciting and vibrant future.
My thanks and congratulations to Kelly Lovell for her relentless energy and vision --- and her many accomplishments over more than 14 years at CEG --- that resulted in transformational change throughout our entire region. I met with Kelly yesterday and I know we all wish her much success in her new position with the International Business Development Group.
One of Kelly's greatest successes and indeed one her many legacies at CEG is the very talented staff of professionals she assembled and nurtured, who do all the heavy lifting and bring life to the programs that are the cornerstones of CEG.
I am looking forward to working with Jeff Lawrence, David Rooney, Brian Hannafin and Kelsey Kohler, along with all of the outstanding professionals on CEG's staff. We have had several informal conversations and we will hit the ground, running together, with the regularly scheduled weekly staff meeting tomorrow morning.
In addition to a super staff, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with each of you - an extremely committed Board, together with more than 300 dedicated member organizations and many engaged partners in business, government and education – all of us – working together to help drive our Grow, Attract and Prepare agenda.
And with Governor Spitzer and his focused economic development agenda that addresses both the unique challenges facing Upstate and the larger competitive issues across New York, this is truly a dynamic time to be joining CEG.
I am personally committed to working hand in hand with our new governor, with Senator Bruno, Speaker Silver, Majority Leader Canestrari, along with Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton, Congressman McNulty, Congresswoman Gillibrand, and all our federal, state and local elected officials, to advance economic prosperity for this region and our entire state.
With all these dynamics in place, as I look out to the next 20 years, "ANYTHING" -- really does seem possible.
On a personal note, I am delighted that OGS Commissioner John Egan serves on the CEG Board. As you know, John has also served as the Chairman of the Harriman Research and Technology Development Corporation since its inception in 2004. I am extremely proud of the collaborative redevelopment process that has evolved at the Harriman Campus and John, it has been an honor and privilege for me to serve under your great leadership.
In my view, economic development revolves around several core principles. Business climate issues, site preparation and infrastructure, quality of life, workforce training and development and focused targeted, marketing. At CEG, all these factor into the equation.
The important work done a few years back by Rensselaer's Lally School, identified five growing, global industry sectors that match well with Tech Valley's strengths. Also, we are making headway in our Clean Technology sector - an outgrowth of our original energy cluster. And we will continue to take strides to support biotechnology, advanced material and information technology, as well.
Finding the convergence points of these clusters, especially as they relate to the leading initiatives underway in homeland security through our Watervliet Innovation Center, is but another area of significant opportunity to expand our focus to grow local companies incrementally to complement the exponential opportunity AMD presents.
The AMD announcement showed the world what Tech Valley could do when we abandon regionalism and parochialism and we work together as one team, with one voice and one vision.
And working through our industry partners and affiliate networks, specifically CEN, Bioconnex and Techconnex, along with the Tech Valley Roadmap, Smart Start Venture Fund, Tech Valley Angles Network, Venture B Plan and the Advancing Tech Valley initiative in partnership with the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber, CEG focuses significant energy and effort to helping these firms compete globally while growing and expanding right here in Tech Valley.
And on the global front, I would be remiss not to mention that Brian Hannafin and Deb Scarpinati, will leading a 20 person delegation attending Semicon China. Brian is already in China and Deb leaves to join the group in Shanghi on Saturday.
We also look to expand partnering opportunities on multiple fronts with our colleges and universities to capitalize on the impressive quality and diversity that exists on the many campuses throughout the region.
And finally, I am also excited with the "PREPARE" component of the CEG Agenda. I look forward to working with our local government leaders, along with community groups and local residents, as we work together on smart growth initiatives. I plan to meet with Mayor Jennings and County Executive Jimino, as the co-chairs of the Local Government Council, to continue to explore ways to enhance the quality of life for ourselves, our family and our neighbors and to be ready for the attraction and growth we are all working so hard to achieve. We must strive to insure that the tensions that often accompany growth, do not result in social, educational or economic disparity amongst neighbors or communities.
So, today is my Day One and I pledge to do a little "STEAMROLLING" myself. Actually, it's been several weeks since the announcement that I would be joining CEG, and I have had a chance to schedule a few meetings and make a few phone calls in preparation for this exciting challenge and opportunity.
Over the next 90 days I will continue my outreach efforts to gather your input, your concerns, your vision, not just of CEG but of your company and our region. And I look to work closely with each of you as Board members.
The staff and I are committed to provide you with an updated assessment of both the current state of the region and the organization, including a review of our internal administrative, financial and programmatic functions.
And as an organization, we will embark on a Strategic Planning process that will engage you as Board members, along with the entire membership and our CEG partners and stakeholders, taking a look at where we are, were we want to be, and how best to get there.
Let me conclude with this.
CEG is a vital representation of what is so encouraging and dynamic about living and working here in Tech Valley. And I truly believe that if we each close our eyes, for just a split second, we can all begin to imagine that "anything is possible".
Thank you again, I am delighted to join the CEG Team.
