Duffy announces Mid-Hudson Council while at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ – The state’s new Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council was formally launched Wednesday with the announcement of its members at a New Paltz event.

Lt. Governor Robert Duffy announced that Marist College President Dennis Murray and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Dr. Leonard Schleifer would be co-chairs.

The council will coordinate the economic development of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.

Regional councils are being established across the state under a plan by Governor Cuomo. Each council will develop a plan for the development of their region. The state will work with the councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help them carry out their plans for development.
The councils will be able to apply for part of $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy.

The Hudson Valley Regional Council membership includes:

Regional Co-Chairs
Dennis Murray, President of Marist College
Leonard S. Schleifer, MD, PhD, President & CEO, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

General Members
Teri Ward, President & CEO, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce
Carol Fitzgerald, President & CEO, Life Medical Technologies Inc.
Ned Sullivan, President, Scenic Hudson, Inc.
James Bernardo, President & CEO, Candela Systems Corporation
Payal Malhotra, Vice President of Marketing, Café Spice GCT, Inc.
Mary Rodrigues, Owner, A.J. Rodrigues Group Inc.
Tom Endres, President & COO, Continental Organics
Wiley C. Harrison, Founder & President of Business of Your Business, LLC
Paul Ryan, President, Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body
Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, SUNY Rockland Community College
Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress
Aleida Frederico, Chair of the Board, Commerce Bank
James Taylor, III, CEO, Taylor BioMass, LLC
Ken Kleinpeter, Director of Farm and Facilities, Glynwood Farm
Robin L. Douglas, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce Westchester &
Rockland Counties
Vincent Cozzolino, President & CEO, The Solar Energy Consortium
Marsha Gordon, President & CEO, Westchester Business Council
Al Samuels, President & CEO, Rockland Business Association
Maureen Halahan, President & CEO, Orange County Partnership

Elected Officials
Westchester County Executive
Rockland County Executive
Orange County Executive
Dutchess County Executive
Putnam County Executive
Ulster County Executive
Chairman of Sullivan County Legislature
Mayor of the City of Yonkers
Town of Ramapo Supervisor
Town of Monroe Supervisor