ITHACA, N.Y., January 30, 2025 – Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) appointed its 2025 Board of Directors at the first quarterly meeting of the year in January. New 3-year appointments include Kate de la Garza (Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services), Mike Horan (Taughannock Aviation), Robert Lewis (SHIFT Capital), Carly Norton (NYSEG), and Tam Marion Warren (Warren Real Estate). Shawn Wilczynski (Cargill) was reappointed to another 3-year term.
New ex-officio members Korsah Akumfi (Tompkins County) and Peggy Coleman (Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce) are joined by annual appointments Randy Brown (Tompkins County Legislature) and Jennifer Tavares (Cornell). A full board list can be found at IthacaAreaED.org/about-iaed.
“IAED’s board members represent every sector of our economy, from education and healthcare to government, non-profit, and industry. They contribute to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates. Their insight and oversight are invaluable,” said IAED President, Heather McDaniel.
At the same meeting, IAED’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to elect as officers Jodi Lee Denman (Knickerbocker Bed Co./Wiggins Plastics), Chair; Tim Downs (Ithaca College), Vice Chair; Jeff Gorsky (Sciarabba Walker), Treasurer; and Lisa Whitaker (CFCU Community Credit Union), Secretary. All are engaged personally and professionally in the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities and have past leadership experience at IAED.
“I am delighted to be starting my second year – and IAED’s 60th anniversary – as chair of the board. Working with Heather and her team is an honor. I welcome the new board members and look forward to collaborating to strengthen our local economy in the year ahead and into the future,” added Denman.
The IAED Executive Committee, which includes the officers along with Katie Borgella (Tompkins County), Rob Cantelmo (City of Ithaca), Dr. Greg Galvin (Past Chair), and Greg Mezey (Tompkins County Legislature), serve in the same capacity for IAED’s 501(c)3 subsidiary, TCAD Foundation. The TCAD Foundation was established in 2013 to advance economic development in the Finger Lakes region and currently oversees administration of the organization’s federal and community grants.
About Ithaca Area Economic Development
Ithaca Area Economic Development is a private non-profit economic development organization serving Ithaca and Tompkins County. It is New York State’s premier Accredited Economic Development Organization, one of about 70 across North America. Since 1964, Ithaca Area Economic Development has worked to grow, retain, and attract companies that provide high-quality employment opportunities and strives to create a supportive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit IthacaAreaED.org.
