NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (March 15, 2012) – The head of a Hudson Valley investment fund was named to the board of directors of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.
Sean Eldridge is a businessman and nationally recognized political activist. He is the president of Hudson River Ventures, an investment fund focused on businesses located and growing in the Hudson Valley. He is also a renowned activist who has worked to advance conservation and environmental protection, equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, and campaign finance reform in New York State.
Eldridge serves as a Senior Advisor to Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage equality nationwide, and he played a leading role in the successful 2011 marriage equality campaign in New York State. He also serves on the board of directors of Scenic Hudson, the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. In 2012, he launched NY LEAD (New York Leadership for Accountable Government), a statewide coalition of business, civic, and philanthropic leaders advocating for comprehensive campaign finance reform.
Eldridge resides in Garrison, N.Y., with his partner Chris Hughes, a co-founder of Facebook and publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic. Together, they founded the Telos Foundation in 2011. They were featured on the cover of The Advocate’s Forty under 40 issue in May 2011, honoring forty LGBT “leaders and newsmakers” under the age of 40.
“If we are going to grow and diversify the Hudson Valley economy, we need leaders like Sean,” said Mike Oates, CEO and President of the group. “He has exceptional business skills and an incredible understanding of how to grow a business in a global economy. His skill sets will help us with our mission of growing our industry clusters and attracting investment into Hudson Valley. We are thrilled to welcome Sean to the HVEDC board.”
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region that includes Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties.
“I’m honored to be joining the board of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.,” said Eldridge. “I share HVEDC’s vision for a more prosperous Hudson Valley, and I look forward to partnering with them to empower entrepreneurs, create new jobs and strengthen communities throughout the Hudson Valley.”
“We welcome Sean Eldridge to the board of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation and look forward to his unique perspective,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “Sean will bring his experience, activism and entrepreneurial spirit to the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, which will profoundly help small businesses expand and flourish in this new economy. His vision of helping Main Street businesses, tourism, food & beverage and hi-tech ventures is exactly what we need in New York and I look forward to partnering with him and Mike Oates to help create jobs and expand economic opportunities throughout the Hudson Valley.”
“I am pleased that Sean Eldridge has joined the Board of HVEDC,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “HVEDC is vital to the economic revitalization of the Hudson Valley, and Sean will be a strong asset to help rebuild our local economies.”
Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson and a founding board member of HVEDC said, “Sean’s astute business and political acumen and commitment to investing in Hudson Valley businesses make his appointment to the HVEDC board a great coup for the region. HVEDC has a tremendous track record of creating jobs in the Valley; Sean will no doubt complement the strong leadership of Mike Oates and its current board in boosting the organization’s economic impacts into a new orbit.”
About Hudson River Ventures LLC: Hudson River Ventures, LLC is a small business investment fund focused on the Hudson Valley. Founded by Sean Eldridge of Garrison, N.Y., in 2011, Hudson River Ventures works to empower entrepreneurs and build thriving businesses throughout the Hudson Valley.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit www.hvedc.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.
