This step in the organizational reshaping includes a staffing makeover that will impact 41 positions and eliminate 20 open roles that were redundant or that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization.
The annual Albany Lobby Day serves as a critical forum for real estate professionals to press legislators on issues that impact homebuyers, renters and property owners across New York.
Sarah Lee, the CEO of Think Dutchess and the Executive Director of the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency, will join HVEDC in April as its new Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
POUGHKEEPSIE—Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. has added two executives to its team, one who is well-known regionally and also as a leader in economic development in Dutchess County and the other is a young talent well versed in the construction and development sectors in the region.
Real Estate In-Depth has learned that Sarah Lee, the CEO of Think Dutchess and the Executive Director of the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency, will join HVEDC in April as its new Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
On March 24, HVEDC announced that Brigham Farrand, formerly of Baxter Building Co., has joined the organization as Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Development.
Lee is well known in real estate and economic development circles in the Hudson Valley and is currently responsible for overall strategic planning, program development and delivery and budget preparation for the Think Dutchess and the Dutchess County IDA. She also oversees administration resource management, organization linkages and staff supervision of Think Dutchess and its departments, including the Business Attraction, Business Retention and Expansion and marketing as it relates to economic development.
She joined the former Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation in July of 2013 as a Business Development Specialist. Less than a year later, she became Director of Business Development. Ms. Lee previously held the position of Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning for Health Quest. Lee holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and is a graduate of SUNY Albany.
Among her career highlights in Dutchess County was helping facilitate the more than $600 million in financing for Vassar Brothers Hospital’s recent expansion, as well as providing assistance for the Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park project to name just a few.
Farrand brings over a decade of experience in business development, real estate and construction to HVEDC, with a track record of building collaborative partnerships and delivering impactful projects that enhance regional communities. His expertise in navigating the intersection of economic development, private investment, and public initiatives makes him an ideal fit for HVEDC’s mission of driving sustainable growth and opportunity across the region, HVEDC officials explained.
Prior to joining HVEDC, Farrand was the Director of Business Development at Baxter Building Co. in Poughkeepsie, where he led growth initiatives and strategic partnerships for the firm. During his tenure, Baxter, in collaboration with regional developers, helped deliver more than 1,000 units of housing, construct world-class hospitality destinations such as Inness and the Klocke Estate, and advance several prominent projects including the Regional Food Bank of New York’s Distribution Center in Montgomery and the Galvan Foundation’s Depot District in Hudson.
Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC, said, “We are very excited to have both of them join our team. I have worked with both, Sarah, especially for many years and Bringham over the past few years at Baxter. They have great talent. We as an organization are looking to bring the right people into the organization so that not only to help our members but help the entire Hudson Valley region achieve their economic goals.”
He added that Lee’s and Farrand’s particular expertise will help HVEDC fulfill its mission of assisting in the attraction of new companies to the region as well as the expansion and retention of existing businesses in the Hudson Valley.
Lee told Real Estate In-Depth that what drew her to join HVEDC was her strong belief in regionalism. In her new role at HVEDC said she will be “helping developers and government in doing economic development and reducing the friction points in terms of doing business in New York State, which in general is very difficult for a number of reasons.”
Farrand noted that his experience in dealing with developers on both the construction management and development sides in the Hudson Valley will be beneficial in his new post at HVEDC.
“I look forward to working alongside business leaders, developers, and municipalities to continue building a vibrant and resilient Hudson Valley economy,” Farrand said. “This region has incredible potential, and I’m excited to be part of the effort to unlock new opportunities for investment and development.”
This step in the organizational reshaping includes a staffing makeover that will impact 41 positions and eliminate 20 open roles that were redundant or that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization.
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