KINGSTON, NY—This evening, lawmakers reappointed two former board members and seated five new individuals to serve on the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (UCIDA) Board of Directors.
Dr. Diane Eynon, University of Pennsylvania, resident of Accord, was reappointed to a second term, and Michael Ham, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825, resident of Kingston, was reappointed to a third term on the UCIDA Board of Directors.
New board members include Lynn Archer, licensed realtor and former Ulster County legislator, resident of Accord; Steven L. Kelley, president and chief executive officer of Ellenville Regional Hospital, resident of Highland; Rachel Silverman, Esq., business development consultant and founder of Hub6 LLC, resident of Stone Ridge; Rashida Tyler, associate executive director of outreach and program development at the Ulster County YMCA, resident of Kingston; and Kaustubh Wahal, managing partner at H2C Securities Inc., resident of Kerhonkson.
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“The Ulster County Legislature is proud to seat the most diverse board of directors in the agency’s history,” said Chair Tracey Bartels. “For the first time, four of the seven UCIDA directors are women. Diversity on the board is also expressed through race, gender, age, expertise, and world views on economic and community development.”
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Legislator Brian Cahill (Towns of Kingston and Ulster, District 4), chair of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts, and Agriculture Committee (EDPEEAAC), shares, “The selection process for new board members was extensive and far-reaching. We had over 24 applicants for seven positions. The quality and diverse backgrounds of the applicants were extraordinary.”
Legislator Thomas Corcoran (Town of Marlborough District 11), EDPEEAAC member, said, “The committee invested extraordinary time in soliciting, interviewing, and selecting the most qualified candidates to represent the best interests of Ulster County.” He adds, “Every applicant prepared thoroughly and brought their unique strengths to their interviews.”
“Choosing members from such a strong pool of applicants was very difficult,” said Cahill. "In the end, the Economic Development Committee unanimously agreed on the seven highly qualified candidates we put forward.”
“The committee was inspired to meet so many county residents who want to get involved in economic development and are keen to keep their local communities at the center of future developments," said EDPEEAAC member Legislator Megan Sperry (Towns of Esopus and New Paltz, District 17).
“The educational and business backgrounds of the seven UCIDA board members are mind-blowing,” said EDPEEAAC member Chris Hewitt (Town of Rochester, District 21). “I believe the current slate of UCIDA representatives may constitute one of the strongest Industrial Development Agencies in our country.”
Legislator Hewitt adds, “The Economic Development Committee invested tremendous time to build a strong candidate pool and rigorous interview process. We can all be proud of the depth of knowledge, passion for our people, and financial acumen of the new UCIDA board.”
“The new board is diverse in expertise, philosophies, motivations, and future goals. Each member brings complementary skills to the table,” said Legislator Sperry. “Ulster County is changing rapidly; the new board represents the county's future.”
“Our legislative committee worked very hard to unanimously select seven highly qualified members,” said Legislator Hewitt. “We collaborated in a nonpartisan fashion to find UCIDA directors who will best represent all of the people of Ulster County.” Hewitt adds, “The representatives who were selected understand that the future direction of the UCIDA centers on equity and inclusion and making decisions on behalf of the people, not just big business.”
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The Ulster County Legislature thanks the UCIDA Board of Directors for their service to Ulster County
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The Ulster County Legislature is grateful for the expertise and experience former board members James Malcolm, Richard O. Jones, Orlando Reece, Daniel Savona, and Faye Storms brought to the UCIDA board during their tenures. Their hard work and dedicated service helped to support, retain, and grow existing businesses throughout an unprecedented national crisis.
EDPEEAAC chair Cahill states, “I thank our present UCIDA board members for their exemplary service and deep commitment to our community. Their efforts have brought economic growth to multiple sectors and fostered new prosperity for our communities and residents.” Cahill adds, “Volunteers are an integral part of our County Government. Your volunteerism, time, and work are deeply appreciated. Thank you one and all.”
“I also want to thank the current members of the UCIDA board for their diligent and thoughtful work over the past term. I welcome and look forward to working with the new directors. They have a lot of work ahead of them, I am certain they will do a great job,” said EDPEEAAC deputy chair Legislator Herbert Litts, III (Towns of Lloyd and Plattekill, District 9).
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Ulster County Industrial Development Agency 2022 Board of Directors
UCIDA board members are appointed by the Ulster County Legislature.
Board member terms commence on June 1, 2022, and end on December 31, 2023.
Lynn Archer—Accord, NY
Lynn Archer has worked as a licensed realtor for Mary Collins Real Estate, Inc., based in High Falls, NY, for seven years. Archer brings over 20 years of banking and financial experience to the UCIDA board and deep expertise in mortgage banking. As senior vice president of human resources at JPMorgan Chase, Archer worked with senior management teams to develop long-term business strategies, analyze complex people challenges, and align organizations to meet new business directions. She has extensive experience working in team environments, mediating conflicts, and is an experienced problem solver. Additionally, Archer is a longstanding public servant. She served six years as a councilwoman in the Town of Rochester and six years in the Ulster County Legislature. As a legislator, Archer chaired the Ways & Means Committee and worked to build greater transparency into county budgeting and to provide the legislature with an independent means of fiscal analysis. Archer also chaired the Audit Committee and was a member of the Economic Development, Tourism, Housing, Planning and Transit Committee. She currently sits on the board of directors of the D&H Canal Society and has previously served on the Rondout Valley Business Association and SUNY Ulster College Foundation boards.
“As a former three-term legislator and longstanding member of the Ulster County Economic Development Committee, I can offer unique insights to help strengthen agency relationships with county administrators, municipal governments, and the public,” Lynn Archer shares. “I am eager to help UCIDA expand its focus toward green and renewable businesses, healthcare, and housing, and also, to collaborate to develop a unified economic development strategy that will increase wages and offer county residents greater opportunities for advancement.”
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Diane Eynon, MBA, Ed.D.—Accord, NY
Diane Eynon is a senior fellow and the director of the Executive Doctorate Higher Education Management Program in the Graduate School of Education, Higher Education Division, at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a proven track record of impact, entrepreneurship and innovation with a 25+ year career in the creation and administration of companies, programs, and global business initiatives in the healthcare, technology, and education sectors with a focus on workforce development, adult education, and the adoption of new technologies. During her career, Dr. Eynon has partnered with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Economic Forum, the International Monetary Fund, and several United Nations agencies, as well as governments in Europe, China, Central, and Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Eynon holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Master of Business Administration degree in Global Management from the University of Phoenix. She also has a Master of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education & Physical Education from West Chester University. Dr. Eynon was appointed to the UCIDA board in 2020 and served as the board vice chair and treasurer. She also chaired the audit committee. Eynon is serving her second term on the board.
“It has been a privilege to serve on the IDA the past two years and I look forward to serving another term,” said Diane Eynon. “I’m committed to the mission and work of the IDA and welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues and other key stakeholders, as we continue to carry out the important work of bringing jobs to the county, through new and existing businesses.”
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Michael J. Ham—Kingston, NY
Michael Ham has worked as the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825 Business Representative for the past 11 years. In addition to his role as Business Representative, Ham served as a Lead Engineer and managed the day-to-day operations of large-scale construction projects for over 17 years. He also worked as an equipment operator for more than a decade. Operating Engineers run heavy equipment—such as bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, cranes, surveying and lay out—to execute large construction projects. Local 825 also represents union members who work in quarries and rental shops as heavy equipment mechanics and operators. IUOE Local 825 represents more than 7,500 members throughout New Jersey and five counties in the Hudson Valley region, including Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Delaware. Ham was first appointed to the UCIDA board of directors in 2018 and is currently serving his third term. Presently, he serves as the agency Secretary, Chairman of Governance, and as a member of the Finance and Audit Committees.
“As a local labor leader, I am excited to continue to serve on the IDA Board,” said Michael Ham. “I want to bring my knowledge, energy, and expertise to the table to benefit Ulster County and to foster greater economic growth.” Ham adds, “Shovel-ready opportunities, affordable housing and workforce housing are priority areas for business development in Ulster County.”
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Steven L. Kelley, FACHE—Highland, NY
Steven Kelley has served as the president and chief executive officer of Ellenville Regional Hospital since 2006. He is a celebrated leader in change management, rural health, and the execution of innovative programs. Under Kelley’s leadership, Ellenville Regional Hospital has been named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States for Quality. The hospital is also a recognized statewide leader in Quality Management and Rural Health. Kelley currently serves as the Institute for Family Health treasurer, president of the Catskill-Hudson Area Health Education Center, and vice president of the Rondout Valley Business Association. In addition to being a member of the Health Association of New York State and the New York State Rural Health Council, he is a member and former chair of the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State/Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association. Kelley holds a Master of Science degree in Health System Management from Union College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I am a driven executive known for innovation, collaboration, leadership, and creating value. I am keenly interested in smart economic development and excited to serve on the UCIDA board," says Steven Kelley. "I look forward to helping existing successful organizations expand and recruiting new companies to provide opportunity and promise for our communities."
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Rachel Silverman, Esq.—Stone Ridge, NY
Rachel Silverman, founder of Hub6 LLC, is an advocate, consultant, and coach. She is a trusted advisor to attorneys, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, with more than two decades of experience designing and executing programs in business development, leadership, communications, employee engagement, and diversity. In addition to practicing law, Silverman has led business and marketing initiatives for both AmLaw 100 and boutique firms and has managed teams at large media corporations and technology start-ups. She writes and speaks about the benefits of strategic programs, individual coaching, and workplace culture modifications. Silverman also works with executives to integrate business development and communications for competitive advantage and financial growth. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehigh University.
“I'm excited to serve on the IDA and hope to help businesses in Ulster County not just survive, but thrive,” said Rachel Silverman. “I look forward to being actively involved in identifying and incentivizing new business opportunities to come to Ulster County.”
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Rashida Tyler—Kingston, NY
Rashida Tyler currently serves as the associate executive director of outreach and program development at the YMCA of Kington and Ulster County. Previously, she worked as the director of research and operational programming at the Ulster County Attorney’s Office; research intern at New York State Association of Counties; public policy graduate intern at Hunger Action Network NYS; program coordinator at Project Citizen, New York State Bar Association/Girls Inc.; and a fellow on Women in Public Policy at the Center for Women in Government. Tyler founded The REAL Kingston Tenants Union and Black Women At Work. In addition, she serves as a state board member of Citizen Action of NY and an executive committee member of Move Forward NY. Tyler also represents Ulster County in the Upstate Black Chamber of Commerce. Tyler holds a Master of Public Administration degree specializing in nonprofit management, a Master of Arts degree in Africana studies with a concentration in political economy from the University of Albany, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Marist College with minors in international affairs and political economy of Eastern Asia. She is also a graduate of the Yale Women’s Campaign School.
“I believe in inclusive community development that enables everyone to fully contribute, reach their full potential, and share in Ulster County’s greater prosperity,” says Rashida Tyler. “Businesses of all sizes play important roles in ensuring a healthy economy. I look forward to partnering to explore opportunities to provide greater assistance to existing and small businesses.”
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Kaustubh Wahal—Kerhonkson, NY
Kaustubh Wahal brings nearly two decades of deep experience in Strategy and Finance to the UCIDA board. He currently serves as a managing director at H2C Securities Inc. (a part of the Investment Banking division of Fifth Third Bank) and provides healthcare companies with strategic advice related to mergers & acquisitions and other corporate matters. Wahal's investment banking career has been focused on companies in the healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors, where he has advised C-Suite level management teams and Boards of Directors of both public and private companies. Prior to joining H2C, Wahal led the healthcare effort of the Corporate Advisory Group at MUFG. He began his investment banking career at Citigroup and further developed his expertise and skills in client engagement at Lehman Brothers, Lazard Frères, and UBS Investment Bank. Wahal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from Barrett Honors College and W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He also holds a degree in Zoology from the University of Delhi.
“I am pleased to join the UCIDA Board of Directors. I appreciate the opportunity to help guide and grow the diverse communities of Ulster County, said Kaustubh Wahal. “I will strive to provide prudent advice directed towards equitable results and to enhance the opportunities available to our residents.”
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