ITHACA, N.Y., January 28, 2026 – Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) appointed its 2026 Board of Directors at the first quarterly meeting of the year in January. New 3-year appointments include Bob Sprole III (Therm Inc.) and Frank Stento (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 4). Renewing 3-year appointments include Jodi Lee Denman (Knickerbocker Bed Co./Wiggins Plastics), Carrie Pollak (Hancock Estabrook), and Chris Malcolm (Wegmans). Monica Yant Kinney (Cornell University) and Deborah Dawson (Tompkins County Legislature) join as new annual appointments. A full board list can be found at IthacaAreaED.org/about-iaed.
At the same meeting, IAED’s Board of Directors selected officers Jodi Lee Denman as Chair; Tim Downs (Ithaca College) as Vice Chair; Jeff Gorsky (Sciarabba Walker) as Treasurer; and Lisa Whitaker (Beginnings Credit Union) as Secretary. All are engaged personally and professionally in the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities and bring prior leadership experience at IAED.
“It is a privilege to continue to serve as Chairperson of this dynamic, 32-member board representing the full spectrum of our local economy,” stated Denman. “I welcome the new board members and look forward to collaborating with them in the coming year to support IAED’s mission of building a thriving, prosperous Tompkins County.”
The IAED Executive Committee is comprised of the officers along with Rob Cantelmo (City of Ithaca), Greg Mezey and Deborah Dawson (Tompkins County Legislature). They 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.
“It is invaluable to have committed leaders from across our many communities and economic sectors engaged with us in moving Tompkins County and the entire Ithaca area forward. Thank you to everyone joining us or continuing their involvement. I look forward to a productive and positive year ahead,” added W. Kurt Foreman, IAED’s recently appointed President.
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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 75 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.
