Gov. David Paterson has completed the changeover at the Empire State Development Corp., merging the agency back together after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer split it into upstate and downstate divisions.
In a prepared statement, Paterson named two economic directors to work under the new head of Empire State Development Robert Wilmers, chairman and CEO of Buffalo-based M&T Bank.
Marisa Lago and Dennis Mullen will report to Wilmers directly on economic development both in New York City and all points north and west of the five boroughs, as well as reach out to all local economic development corporations statewide.
Prior to joining Empire State Development, Lago was global head of compliance for Citi”™s Markets and Banking division, overseeing matters for the company”™s capital markets, investment and corporate banking and transaction services businesses. Her resume includes service as chief economic development officer for the city of Boston, director of Boston”™s Redevelopment Authority and general counsel of the New York City Economic Development Corp. Lago will report to Wilmers on New York City and Long Island economic development initiatives.
Mullen will be based in Rochester and oversee all upstate EmpireState Development offices. Previously, he was president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise and focused on marketing Rochester”™s core assets ”“ alternative energy, biotechnology, food and beverage manufacturing and optics ”“ to attract new business there. Prior to GRE, Mullen worked for nearly three decades in the food industry, which included a decade with Birds Eye Foods where he was CEO and chairman.
Lagos will earn an annual salary of $215,000, while Mullen will earn $200,000. Wilmers declined a salary for his position.
The news that Paterson was putting Empire State Development back under one chairman was met with enthusiasm. “We are one New York and we need one (agency) to lead us,” Jonathan Drapkin, president of Pattern for Progress, said at the time of the announcement of Wilmer”™s appointment. “When you start splitting up the state, you sow seeds of discontent ”“ who is ”˜upstate”™ and who is ”˜downstate?”™”
Wilmers was unavailable for comment at press time. Lago and Mullen are scheduled to begin their new jobs Sept. 15.
