Gary Henry

Bemus Point resident also serves as executive director of BESTJAMESTOWN, NY: -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is pleased to announce the addition of John Healy to the CCIDA Board of Directors, following his approved appointment by the Chautauqua County Legislature at its January 2025 voting session. By virtue of being appointed to the CCIDA Board of Directors, Healy will also assume a seat on the boards of the Chautauqua Regional Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and the Chautauqua County Capital Resource Corporation (CRC). Healy has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, including architecture/engineering; construction administration; estimating; and project management with educational, health care, commercial, utility, and infrastructure projects. He has worked for the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier (BEST) since 2021 and was recently named the Executive Director, replacing Brad Walters, who retired from that position at the end of 2024. Walters resigned from the CCIDA board on December 23, 2024 due to his recent retirement from BEST, after serving for ten years, creating the open board seat that Healy is now filling. Healy is a member of numerous local organizations including the Workforce Investment Board; Jamestown YMCA; and the Jamestown Noon Rotary Club, where he served as past president. His educational background includes an MBA from the Franciscan University of Steubenville; a BA from the University of Mount Union; and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). While playing football at Mount Union, Healy helped the Raiders to a 55-1 record and three NCAA Division III national championships. He is a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and currently lives in Bemus Point with his wife Betsy (Myott) and their four sons. “We are pleased to have John join the board of the CCIDA,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “John brings a wealth of experience to the board and has a firm understanding of its role related to growing and strengthening the local economy, thanks to involvement with BEST and his relationship with Brad Walters.” “Brad provided a lot of great insights pertaining to what was going on in the business community, so it was very beneficial having him on the board these past ten years,” said Gary Henry, CCIDA Chair. “We are confident that John will continue to provide valuable insights in the years to come and look forward to having him on our team.” “I’m excited to join the CCIDA Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to the great work the organization does in Chautauqua County,” Healy said. Prior to his resignation from the board, Walters served as vice chair. That position will now be held by board member Dan Heitzenrater, who had previously served as board secretary. The office of board secretary will now be held by board member Amy Harding.   About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.

Long-time Project Manager to Retire after 24 years of Working at County Development AgencyThe CCIDA board and staff recognized retiring Business Development Manager Carol Rasmussen during the January CCIDA board meeting on Tuesday, January 28. Rasmussen will be retiring from her position on February 1 after 24 years with the Agency. Pictured from left to right are Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel, Rasmussen, CCIDA CEO Mark Geise, and CCIDA Board Chair Gary Henry. JAMESTOWN, NY – The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is saying goodbye to one of its longest-serving employees. On Tuesday, Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, announced that Carol Rasmussen would be retiring from her position as Business Development Manager, effective February 1, 2025. Rasmussen first joined the CCIDA in 2001. Since then, she’s assisted countless businesses in Chautauqua County with retention strategies while also recruiting new business development to the county. Some of the key businesses she’s assisted with include Artone, Bush Industries / E-Solutions, Cummins, Dahlstrom’s, New Flyer of America, Phoenix Metal, Rand Machine, SKF, Southern Tier Brewing Co., Weber Knapp, and many more. “Carol has played a crucial role in building strong relationships between our agency and the business community in Chautauqua County,” Geise said. “Through her work, she’s helped to position our agency as a leader in economic development in Western New York by building strong and lasting relationships with so many of our local businesses. She’s also been a valuable team member and mentor to many of her colleagues here at the CCIDA, as well as those who work in other areas of economic development across Chautauqua County.” “Carol is respected by the business community, her coworkers and colleagues, and our municipalities. She’s been a consummate professional and has represented the CCIDA well during her many years of service. She will be difficult if not impossible to replace,” added Rich Dixon, CCIDA CFO. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Carol, both as a business owner and later during my time on the CCIDA board,” said Gary Henry, CEO of Fancher Chair and chair of the CCIDA board of directors. “Carol has shown to be an invaluable asset to the agency and to economic development in our county for nearly three decades. We all wish her well on her well-deserved retirement following her years of hard work at the CCIDA.” Rasmussen is a native of Jamestown and a graduate of Ohio Northern University, acquiring Financial Certifications from Jamestown Community College. Prior to joining the CCIDA, she worked for Key Bank as a financial consultant and commercial business loan assistant. She is a member of the Chautauqua Leadership Network, and formally served on the board of the Jamestown Boys & Girls Club. “I’ve greatly enjoyed my time working for the CCIDA and alongside our local business community,” Rasmussen said. “I’ve created many lasting friendships over the years thanks to my work with the agency and those friendships will continue. It’s been a pleasure to work with the expertise of the CCIDA Board of Directors, Loan Review consultants, and my colleges. I am especially grateful to Mark Geise and Rich Dixon, along with the past CEOs of the CCIDA who helped to make this a very rewarding and gratifying career. A heartfelt thanks to you all.” Geise said the CCIDA will consider its options on how to fill the position in the coming weeks, with an update expected by the March board meeting. About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.

Bilskie will serve as CFO upon Retirement of current CFO Rich DixonJAMESTOWN, NY -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is pleased to announce the addition of Shelby Bilskie to the position of Successor Chief Financial Officer (CFO). As Successor CFO, Bilskie will work under current CFO Richard Dixon until his retirement in mid 2025. At that time, she will then become the CCIDA’s new CFO. The CCIDA CFO position is responsible for the financial and operations management of the CCIDA, along with the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and Chautauqua County Capitol Resource Corporation (CRC). Bilskie has more than a decade of experience in financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, most recently as the Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis – Corporate Officer (Treasurer) for Erie Management Group, LLC / Hero Biodiesel, LLC, a position she’s held since 2018. She’s also held the position of Senior Financial Analyst for Bluestem Brands (formerly Orchard Brands) from 2011 to 2018. Other past positions include manager of Warren County Speedway and teller at PNC Bank. “We’re excited to have Shelby join or team as she prepares to become the agency’s next CFO in 2025,” said Mark Geise, CCIDA CEO. “She has an extensive educational background and work history in financial oversight, and we’re confident she’ll be a valuable member of our team moving forward. We’re also very appreciative of our current CFO, Rich Dixon, for staying on board over the next eight months to assist Shelby as she transitions into the CFO position.” “We had several quality candidates apply for the CFO position, but at the end of the process Shelby stood out as the top choice, due to her skillset in financial oversight and her past work experience,” said Gary Henry, CCIDA, CCPEG, and CRC board chairman who was involved in the selection process. “We look forward to working with her and are also thankful for the immeasurable amount of work and effort that Rich Dixon has provided for our agencies the past two decades.” Bilskie is a 2010 graduate of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, where she majored in mathematics with a special interest area and minor in statistics. She currently resides in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania with her family.  About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. They facilitate development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses.  For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.