GOSHEN, N.Y. (October 16, 2018) – Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) has announced the appointment of four new Advisory Members to its Board of Directors. HVEDC and its present Board members welcomed: Suzanne Holt, Director of Ulster County Executive Mike Hein’s Office of Economic Development; Mark Stellwag, Regional President with M&T Bank; Steve Turk, Owner of Turk Hospitality; and Jill Varricchio, President of the Putnam Economic Development Corporation.
Suzanne Holt is Director of the Ulster County Office of Economic Development, President & CEO of the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance (UCEDA) and staff to the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency. The Office of Economic Development is the front door for businesses needing any type of assistance in Ulster County. UCEDA helps promote Ulster County as a premier destination for businesses to locate and grow, and the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency targets tax incentives, bonding and other assistance to foster creation and attraction of new business and the retention and expansion of existing business.
Mark Stellwag is the Regional President for M&T Bank’s Albany and Hudson Valley markets. Mark carries 35 years of banking industry experience into his advisory role.
Prior to assuming his current position with M&T Bank, he served as the institution’s Market President of the Hudson Valley region since 2015, and spent 10 years prior to that as the team leader for M&T’s commercial real estate group in Albany and the Hudson Valley.
M&T Bank has consistently been the number one bank on Albany Business Review’s Commercial Mortgage Lenders List.
Steven Turk, along with his wife Shelley, own Turk Hospitality Group, which operates Rocking Horse and SplashDown Beach Water Park, both popular family adventure destinations in the Hudson Valley. Their group is also in development of a Napa-style destination to be located in New Paltz, called The Wildberry Lodge. Rocking Horse Ranch celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018, and was ranked No. 2 among the top hotels for families in the United States and No. 9 in the world by TripAdvisor. Since assuming ownership of SplashDown Beach in 2004, the Turks have invested more than $20 million in the property. They are committed to bringing the very best in destination tourism and entertainment to the Hudson Valley.
Jill Varricchio is entering her third year as President of the Putnam Economic Development Corporation, which works to drive the economic vitality of Putnam County by spreading the word that Putnam is “open for business.” The corporation fosters an environment conducive to the creation and retention of business by delivering an enhanced quality of life for its residents. Varricchio has owned and served as President of Concept Promotions for more than 30 years, as well as D&D Mailing Services, established in 1996. She has developed and implemented national marketing campaigns for companies such as Sylvania, Tamko and Cellular One. Varricchio is a member and past board member of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and also had a lengthy tenure as chairwoman of the NYS Administrative Board of the Orange County Empire Zone.
“To welcome four such proven economic development proponents and leaders to our Board in advisory roles is very exciting,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC. “Their areas of expertise align perfectly with our initiatives and vision for growth in the Mid-Hudson region. Their advisement, and the involvement of the organizations they represent, will be vital as we continue our efforts to nurture area business and attract new business to the region.”
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com.
