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Poughkeepsie, NY (March 31, 2025) - Hudson Valley Economic Development (HVEDC) is pleased to announce that Sarah Lee will be joining the organization as Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Her appointment is part of HVEDC’s effort to enhance membership engagement and expand services.
Mike Oates President & CEO stated, “Sarah’s appointment underscores the tremendous momentum at HVEDC in terms of accelerating who we serve and the breadth of services we offer. By bringing on leaders like Sarah we will strengthen our capacity.”
Sarah Lee will be head of Strategic Initiatives at HVEDC where she will be responsible for continued program development and regional expansion. HVEDC provides its members with economic growth opportunities, including networking events and business solutions. With nearly 100 members, HVEDC helps to facilitate economic growth within the Hudson Valley. In this role, she will better enable HVEDC to serve as a comprehensive, multi-solution provider to investors and service providers looking to engage with the region.
Nick Preddice, Chair of HVEDC, said” Sarah is a proven leader who has played a pivotal role in building and scaling economic development projects in Dutchess County. She will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand how we serve our members and investors in the Hudson Valley.”
Tim Dean, Chair of the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency and Dutchess County Local Development Corporation remarked, “The Board is profoundly grateful for Sarah’s leadership and growth of our organization. Under her guidance, the organization benefited immensely from her strategic vision, patient execution and focus on economic development. I wish her great success as Executive Vice President of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.”
Prior to joining HVEDC or Sarah Lee currently the Chief Executive Officer of Think Dutchess and the Executive Director of the Dutchess County IDA), where she oversaw the economic development programs for Dutchess County, New York. She led the organization on impactful work, including recognition from national and international organizations including the International Economic Development Council, New York State Economic Development Corporation, Trade & Industry Magazine, Business Facilities and Public Relations Society of America. As CEO of Think Dutchess she has facilitated over $5 billion in private investment resulting in the retention and creation of over 15,000 jobs in Dutchess County. She is currently Chair of Board at the New York State Economic Development Council and Chair of the Future Trends Committee for the International Economic Development Council.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino praised Ms. Lee’s contributions, stating “Under Sarah’s leadership over the past 10 years, Think Dutchess has become a top-tier economic development organization enhancing the high quality of life and economic success of Dutchess County.”
Ronald Hicks, Assistant County Executive Dutchess County, added “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Sarah over the years to transform the County’s economic development program, establish an award-winning organization, and effectively eliminate the county’s industrial vacancy rate. Under Sarah’s leadership, Think Dutchess has annually exceeded its goals, and she has made the organization synonymous with business friendliness and innovation, while maintaining the highest compliance standards. I look forward to working with Sarah in her new capacity at HVEDC.”
Ryan Silva, Executive Director New York State Economic Development Council, “Sarah’s contributions to the economic growth in Dutchess County have been extraordinary. I have seen first-hand what Sarah has accomplished not only in her local community but throughout NYS as a board member and chair of the New York State EDC. I have no doubt she will continue HVEDC’s strong trajectory to even greater heights and new successes in the years ahead.”
Tom Mulroy, President of T-REX / Bellefield Development, said “Sarah has been instrumental in attracting and facilitating the development at Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park. Her guidance and assistance allowed us to attract new investment and mitigate risk.”
Ms. Lee added: “I couldn’t be more excited to work with Mike and the team as we continue to scale the organization and help investor unlock access to economic development opportunities in the Hudson Valley.”
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation
The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) is the leading economic development organization in New York’s Hudson Valley region. HVEDC is the comprehensive resource for businesses locating to or expanding within Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan counties.
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