Gov. Cuomo names Upstate president as co-chair of CNY Regional Economic Development Council
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of President Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP, to co-chair the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council. Dr. Laraque-Arena is taking over for Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud. Dr. Laraque-Arena will serve alongside CenterState President and CEO Rob Simpson.
"Thanks to the efforts of our Regional Economic Development Council, Central New York is currently undergoing an unprecedented transformation and revitalization," said Governor Cuomo. "Under the vision and leadership of Dr. Laraque-Arena, I-m confident that the region will build on its successes and drive continued growth through Central New York Rising. I thank Chancellor Syverud for his service."
Central New York Regional Economic Development Co-Chair Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena said: "I am honored by Governor Cuomo's appointment to serve as co-chair of the Regional Economic Development Council. The Central New York region has benefited greatly from the work of the council over the past five years and I hope, in working with co-chair Rob Simpson and the entire council, to continue to strengthen the economic vitality of the region so that all who work and live here may benefit from our collective success."
Central New York Regional Economic Development Co-Chair Rob Simpson said: "By welcoming Dr. Laraque-Arena to co-chair the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, we gain an energetic advocate to build on the incredible progress achieved with Chancellor Syverud and continue to advance Central New York Rising. I am enthusiastic to bridge our talents on the Regional Council and look forward to working as one with Governor Cuomo in the weeks and months to come."
Dr. Laraque-Arena is the seventh president of Upstate Medical University. More information on Dr. Laraque-Arena is available at www.upstate.edu/president/about.php.
Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York State is empowering regional economies to maximize their potential with an innovative, bottom-up approach through the Regional Economic Development Councils. Central New York is one of ten regional councils, and is a proof the success of this approach. To date, New York State has invested approximately $3 billion in Central New York to advance the region-s housing and economic development goals, in addition to $500 million in State funding that supports Central New York Rising. The unemployment rate in Central New York has dropped from 8.4% in June 2011 to 4.5% during the same time this year, and there are more jobs today in Upstate New York than at any other time in history.
More information on the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council is available at: https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/central-new-york
Caption: Upstate President Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP, talks with Gov. Cuomo at an event held at the New York State Fairgrounds earlier this year.
