Oates
GOSHEN – Michael Oates, who had served as president of the Hudson
Valley Economic Development Corporation before he resigned in 2013, is
back on that job.
He replaces Laurence Gottlieb, who stepped down recently. Gottlieb could
not be reached for comment as to why he resigned; however, a source close
to the organization said its board wanted to take the agency in a different
direction, more closely aligned with its original mission.
In a prepared statement, board Chairman Robert Levine said Oates’
“first-hand familiarity with the organization and his extensive
economic development background will create a continuity for this organization
while also taking HVEDC to new levels of economic development.”
The HVEDC was formed when Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation
contributed $7.5 million with the goal of establishing 10,000 jobs in
the region.
The source said the board wants to return the HVEDC’s mission back
to one of retaining and attracting jobs.
The corporation is comprised of economic development agencies in participating
counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester
and several private sector partners.
