The Changing of the Guard: Halahan to Retire as CEO of Orange County Partnership; Eckert Appointed as Replacement

GOSHEN—A true icon in the economic development field in the Hudson Valley—Maureen Halahan—is retiring in June. The affable leader of the Orange County Partnership helped transform the Orange County economy for nearly a quarter century into a diverse, vibrant center of commerce.

The Orange County Partnership announced on March 3 Halahan’s pending retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer and also reported that its Board of Directors had voted to appoint Conor Eckert, the current Senior Vice President, as the incoming President and CEO.

Business and political leaders praised Halahan’s work since 2002 as President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership and also hailed Eckert’s appointment. Halahan joined the Orange County Partnership in 2001 as Director of Business Attraction and took over from the retiring Ann Barber as the leader of the organization the following year. She is the longest serving economic development specialist in the Hudson Valley.

Melissa Cobuzzi, Chairperson of the Orange County Partnership Board of Directors and President of M&R Energy, expressed her deep gratitude to Halahan and strong confidence in Eckert’s leadership. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Maureen for her exceptional service over the past 24 years. Her contributions to the region’s economic vitality are immeasurable, and we wish her the very best in her retirement. With Conor Eckert’s appointment, we are excited to enter a new era of economic development, confident in his ability to lead the organization to even greater heights.”

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, “I have worked closely with both Maureen and Conor throughout my administration. Maureen’s leadership has had a profound impact on Orange County, and I have no doubt that Conor will continue that tradition of excellence.”

Halahan’s leadership has been a driving force over the past more than two decades in the significant economic growth that has occurred in Orange County and the entire Hudson Valley. During her tenure, she was instrumental in securing and supporting major development projects, including Legoland New York, Amazon, Tesla, Pratt & Whitney, Medline Industries, and President Container Group, among others. These projects have led to the creation of thousands of jobs, the development of critical infrastructure, and billions of dollars in private investment.

In addition to her work at the Orange County Partnership, Halahan has served on the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for more than 13 years, providing guidance and support for business growth and regional collaboration.

“I have been privileged to lead the Orange County Partnership for 24 years,” said Halahan. “I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished, and I am confident that Conor Eckert, with his experience and vision, will continue to drive the Partnership toward even greater successes. This transition is a natural progression, and I look forward to supporting him and the organization in the coming months."

Eckert has been with the Orange County Partnership for three years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President. During his tenure, Eckert has focused on positioning Orange County as a hub for advanced manufacturing and developing shovel-ready sites to attract high-quality projects. His work has led to significant investments in the region, including projects with Poly Craft Industries, Kedem/Royal Wine, and Cardinal Healthcare.

His leadership was also pivotal in securing key funding for the development of shovel-ready tech sites through the FAST New York initiative, positioning Orange County as a leading location for technology and innovation. He came to the Partnership after serving almost two years as the Executive Director of the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency and Director of Economic Development for the Town of Montgomery. He was responsible for the business attraction, retention and expansion efforts in the Town of Montgomery, managing a growing project portfolio of more than $200 million. He also managed the public and community affairs and operations of the IDA.

“I am honored by the opportunity to step into the role of President and CEO,” said Eckert. “I am grateful to Maureen for her mentorship and vision, which have laid the foundation for the Partnership’s continued success. I look forward to building upon that legacy and taking the organization into a new chapter of growth and opportunity for Orange County.”

The Orange County Partnership is a private not-for-profit office of economic development that serves as the external marketing agency for business development in Orange County. In the past five years, her team has assisted with the attraction and/or expansion of 99 companies. These transactions have generated $902,446,000 in capital investment and created 3,146 new jobs.