Poughkeepsie, New York– based Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) has appointed Cornelius “Neal” Moriarty III, PE, senior manager at IBM, to its Board of Directors. With more than two decades of leadership in engineering, technology and regional development, Moriarty brings a dynamic blend of experience, innovation and passion for economic growth in the Hudson Valley.
In his current role at IBM, Moriarty leads the IBM Innovation Studio team based in Poughkeepsie where he oversees the demonstration and use of cutting-edge IBM hardware and software solutions to clients from around the world. As a senior quantum ambassador, he is also a key voice in IBM’s global quantum computing initiative — educating stakeholders about its revolutionary potential and IBM’s leadership in this transformative space.
Moriarty’s career is deeply rooted in the Hudson Valley. Prior to joining IBM more than nine years ago, he spent 15 years at Central Hudson Gas & Electric in a range of engineering and leadership roles. His cross-sector expertise in energy and technology offers valuable insights into two of the region’s most critical economic drivers.
A native of Long Island, Moriarty earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He resides in Millbrook, New York. In addition to his professional endeavors, he is a dedicated advocate for STEM education and local workforce development, actively engaging with schools, community groups and regional stakeholders to build a stronger future for the Hudson Valley.
“Neal brings invaluable industry expertise and a true commitment to the region he calls home,” said Michael Oates, president and CEO of HVEDC. “His leadership at IBM — particularly in quantum computing and emerging technologies — will help position the Hudson Valley as a global hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing….”
IBM’s Poughkeepsie campus, which opened in 1941, has long been a cornerstone of the region’s technological legacy. As the birthplace of IBM’s mainframe computing systems — including those used during NASA’s Apollo missions — the site remains one of the world’s leading centers for high-volume, secure transaction processing computers.
In 2021, IBM designated the Poughkeepsie facility as the global headquarters for its Quantum Computing program — reinforcing the Hudson Valley’s role at the cutting-edge of next-generation technology.
This year marked a groundbreaking milestone with the launch of IBM’s first-ever purpose-built quantum data center on the Poughkeepsie campus. The facility houses the IBM Quantum System Two — IBM’s most advanced quantum computing system to date.
As IBM leads the charge in this technological frontier, the Hudson Valley is poised to benefit from global attention, new partnerships and a new wave of innovation-driven investment.
The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. is the region’s premier economic development organization, committed to driving business growth, supporting innovation and building a sustainable and inclusive economy and workforce across the seven counties of the Hudson Valley.
