Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development/Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA & CREDC
As the newly-appointed Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, I will be overseeing the County’s economic development initiatives and will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of both the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). I couldn’t be more thrilled to serve in this capacity, and I can’t wait to dig in and employ my problem-solving skills to figure out better ways to deliver programs and services to businesses currently located in the County, as well as those we wish to attract here. I strongly believe that Chautauqua County’s future is very bright, and that a host of significant projects currently underway, and those yet to be realized, will raise Chautauqua County to the next level. It is my job to work with County Executive Wendel, key stakeholders, service providers, businesses and the public to ensure that we collectively capitalize on this positive momentum, and that we create new opportunities that take advantage of our plentiful assets to spur private investment and create jobs. My ultimate goal is to assume a key role in developing an economic development approach that is more inclusive, transparent, practical, proactive, and successful in order to fulfill our mission.
I couldn’t be more excited and grateful about returning to Chautauqua County to apply my energy, experience, and skills to continue building on the good work that is underway here, and I feel fortunate to possess the appropriate public and private sector experience, along with the suitable skillsets, to help fulfill County Executive Wendel’s progressive vision for business and economic development. I served Chautauqua County between 2009 and 2015 as its Deputy Director of Planning & Economic Development, under the Edwards and Horrigan administrations, so I hit the ground running as I settle into my new role. In our quest to keep the positive impetus going and elevate the County, we need to re-think how we do economic development here. We can’t afford the status quo as the competition for private sector investment amongst competing interests continues to increase, and as we fall prey to the whims of the regional, state, and national economies. We need to be proactive and smart as we develop and implement economic development approaches that capitalize on our physical and intellectual assets. I’m thrilled to again be working closely with the CCIDA team and County Executive Wendel. I share his desire to rethink how we market and deliver our services so that we can send a strong message to the business community and the public that we mean business in Chautauqua County.
Mr. Geise started in his position on March 5, 2018.
