New Central Hudson CEO will head HVEDC board

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. President and CEO James P. Laurito has been named chairman of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. board of directors, the New Windsor-based regional agency announced. His appointment takes effect Jan. 1.

Laurito in November assumed the CEO post at Central Hudson following the retirement of Steven V. Lant. The former president of New York State Electric & Gas Corp. and Rochester Gas & Electric Corp., Laurito had served five years as president of the mid-Hudson Valley utility before his promotion to the dual posts.

Laurito also succeeds Lant as board chairman at HVEDC. Attorney Robert J. Levine, partner at Cuddy & Feder LLP in White Plains, has served as interim chairman.

“HVEDC provides a critical leadership position for our regional business community, presenting companies across the Hudson Valley with opportunities to connect, do business and collaborate in ways that otherwise would not be possible,” Laurito said in the announcement. “It is an honor to be selected as the next chairman of this organization, and I look forward to working with all of the businesses, organizations, institutions, executives and entrepreneurs who contribute to HVEDC and its wide-reaching economic development initiatives.”

Laurito also serves on the advisory board for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and on the boards of directors of the Orange-Dutchess United Way, Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress and UNS Energy Corp. in Tucson, Ariz.

HVEDC directors also announced the promotions of Brian Gates from vice president to senior vice president at the nonprofit agency and Gina Domenico from general manager to vice president of operations.