What We Do

The Center for Economic Growth is a nonprofit, regional economic and business development organization that serves as the primary point of contact for businesses interested in growing in or moving to New York’s 8-county Capital Region. Whether you are looking for incentives, real estate or comprehensive demographic and business climate information, in need of entrepreneurship or workforce training services, or want to relocate or expand anywhere in the Capital Region, CEG knows the way.

History/Mission

Since its founding in 1987, CEG has played a vital role in creating a rich economic development environment throughout the region by creating world class transportation and logistical hubs, investing in our anchor institutions, making the region an international gateway and helping to advance major economic development projects.

From working to turn Albany International Airport into a world-class facility to helping lay the groundwork for GlobalFoundries’ chip plant in Saratoga County, CEG champions the region not only within the boundaries of its eight counties but around the globe as well. Our mission is to market the Capital Region to attract new business and encourage new investments, enable existing businesses to be more competitive in the global marketplace, and promote collaboration and enhance partnerships among the region’s stakeholders.

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Investors/Partners

CEG’s work and vision is supported by more than 250 investors in business, government, education, and the not-for-profit sectors. Additionally, CEG serves as a regional technology center under the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which is facilitated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and New York Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). Call CEG today to learn more about how we can help your business.

Connect with us: 518.465.8975

Mark Eagan
President & CEO
marke@ceg.org | 518.431.1424

Tom Bell
Project Director, Technology Services – Business Growth Solutions
Manufacturing Extension Partnership – Capital Region
tomb@ceg.org | 518.431.1484

Ellyn Davis
Program Manager
Manufacturing Extension Partnership – Capital Region
ellynd@ceg.org | 518.431.1489

Carlos Flores
Vice President, Business Development – Business Growth Solutions
Manufacturing Extension Partnership – Capital Region
carlosf@ceg.org | 518.431.1483

Executive Board

Board Chair: Stephen Obermayer
Chief Financial Officer, BBL Companies
President & CEO: Mark N. Eagan
Center for Economic Growth
Secretary/Treasurer: David S. DeMarco
President & CEO, Saratoga National Bank
Immediate Past Chair: Dr. John Bennett
President & CEO, CDPHP
Richard J. Hendrick
CEO, Port of Albany
Francis O’Rourke
Market President, Key Bank
Roger A. Ramsammy, Ph.D.
President, Hudson Valley Community College

Leadership Board

Members of Executive Board serve on Leadership Board

Thomas L. Amell
President & CEO, Pioneer Bank
Carm Basile
CEO, CDTA
David M. Buicko
Chief Executive Officer, Galesi Group
Steve Bulger
County Administrator, Saratoga County
Philip Calderone
CEO, Albany International Airport
Bryant Cassella
Regional Vice President & Market Leader, Wells Fargo
Michael Castellana
CEO, Broadview Federal Credit Union
Antonio Civitella
President & CEO, Transfinder
J. Gregory Connors
U.S. Government Affairs, GLOBALFOUNDRIES
Gerald Conway
General Council, Plug Power
David Cornell
Albany/Hudson Valley Market President, Bank of America
Ken Countermine
Senior Vice President, Commercial Group Manager, Community Bank
William Dehmer
Market President, Upstate East/New England Region, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Chris Del Vecchio
President & COO, MVP Health Care
J. Tyler Desmond
General Manager, Crowne Plaza Albany, The Desmond Hotel
Christopher Dowd
President & CEO, Ballston Spa National Bank
John Eberle
President & CEO, Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
Paul Fahey
Vice President, Overit
Patricia Fusco
President, Fusco Personnel, Inc.
Jennifer Garvey
New York Market Affairs Manager, Ørsted
Eileen Guarino
President & COO, Guarino Industries, Inc.
James Harris, Jr.
President & CEO, Janitronics
John S. Harris, Esq.
Partner, Brown & Weinraub, PLLC
George R. Hearst, III
Publisher, Times Union
Michael Hickey
Executive Director, Stack Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Siena College
Scott Houghtaling
Senior Vice President, Commercial Leader, Berkshire Bank
Robert Hull, Ph.D
Acting Vice President for Research, RPI
Paul Kelly
Chief Operating Officer, NY CREATES
Kesh Kesavadas, Ph.D
Vice President for Research and Economic Development Executive Council, University at Albany
Ashley King
Vice President, Executive Financial Management with Goldman Sachs Ayco Personal Financial Management
Josh Kowalski
VP, Sales & Business Development, Carver Companies
Dennis P. McKenna, MD
President & CEO, Albany Med Health System
John McManus
Managing Partner, Harris Beach, PLLC
Marlene McTigue
Board Member, Albany County IDA
Paul A. Milton
President & CEO, Ellis Medicine
Philip Morris
CEO, Proctors
John J. Nigro
President, Nigro Retail Properties
Kevin O’Connor
CEO, Advance Albany County Alliance
Michael Paparian
Senior VP, Middle Market Banking, Citizens Commercial Banking
Robert Pasinella
President, Rensselaer County IDA
Charles Pinckney
Regional President, M&T Bank
Kevin J. Quaranto
Director Sales & Retention, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
Rick Richards
Vice President & General Manager, Rivers Casino & Resort
Andrew C. Rose. Esq.
Office Managing Partner, Nixon Peabody, LLP
Brian Sano
Director, Customer and Community Engagement, National Grid
Robert Schofield
Co-Partner, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna
Thomas A. Selfridge
President, Swagelok
Peter D. Semenza
Vice President, Philanthropy, St. Peter’s Health Partners
Hon. Kathy Sheehan
Mayor, City of Albany
Jim Siplon
President & CEO, EDC, Warren County
Richard P. Sleasman, SIOR
President & Managing Director, CBRE Albany
Carl E. Stewart, III
Vice President, Operations Manager, Turner Construction
Cricket Thomas-O’Dell
Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Coordinator / Director of Community Engagement, Workforce Development Institute
Walter Thorne
Market President & Publisher, Albany Business Review
Toyin Tofade
President, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Michael J. Uccellini
President, United Group of Companies
Dan White
Partner, KPMG Audit

What We Do

History/Mission

Investors/Partners

CEG Staff

Connect with us: 518.465.8975

Board of Directors

Executive Board

Leadership Board

Funding Partners