Neuhaus Taps Two Partnership Staffers For Key County Government Positions

Bill Fioravanti

GOSHEN—Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus announced recently that he had named two top staffers at the  Orange County Partnership as the directors of economic development and tourism.

On May 24, Neuhaus announced that Bill Fioravanti was named to the newly created position as the county’s Director of Economic Development. The same day he reported that Amanda Dana was named Orange County’s Director of Tourism.

Fioravanti, a City of Newburgh resident, is taking the post after serving for more than four years as the Orange County Partnership’s Director of Business Attraction. Dana, a Town of Wallkill resident, worked as the Orange County Partnership’s Director of Business Retention and Expansion prior to the appointment. Both are expected to join county government at the end of this month. Dana replaces longtime Director of Tourism Susan Hawvermale who retired after serving 25 years as head of the county department.

“Bill has vast and impressive experience in business, community and economic development and I know that he will be an asset to Orange County,” Neuhaus said. “During his career, Bill has demonstrated a commitment to economic development in our region and has diligently pursued new opportunities which deliver well-paying jobs that benefit our economy. I’m sure that Bill will help Orange County remain a leader in business attraction and economic development. He is the right person to take on this new position.”

In regards to Dana’s appointment to head the county’s tourism efforts, the County Executive stated, “Amanda brings a strong and diverse background to this important position. The tourism industry is growing in Orange County and I know that she will work hard to continue that positive growth. Amanda has developed working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the Hudson Valley, which will serve her well as she steers the County’s tourism department forward.”

Prior to joining the Orange County Partnership, Fioravanti was the Associate Executive Director of the YMCA of Middletown. He was previously the executive director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Orange and Sullivan Counties. Fioravanti received his Bachelor’s degree in Management and Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2001.

The Director of Economic Development’s responsibilities will include developing policies, procedures and programs, which enhance economic growth and activities in Orange County. The director will also implement programs to retain, restore and expand the commercial and industrial tax base, while facilitating their expansion. In addition, he will direct and monitor program activities, including business attraction, entrepreneurial development, film and video location, tourism and international trade promotion and project financing. Fioravanti will work with existing economic development agencies to capitalize on and further develop Orange County’s economic development position.

Prior to joining the Orange County Partnership, Dana ran a successful real estate practice in Orange County. She has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1992. Dana’s responsibilities will include planning, developing and implementing programs and projects aimed at promoting tourism. The Director will also assist various county and government agencies and private sector businesses in developing strategies to increase visitor volume as well as sales tax revenues in Orange County.

Officials with the Orange County Partnership wished both Fioravanti and Dana well in their new positions. Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of the Partnership said, “I am happy for Amanda and Bill and recognize that they will apply the skills honed at the Partnership to great success in their new roles. They follow a long list of alumni who have left the Partnership to further promote progress in our economy and the quality of life for our residents.”

The partnership has turned out to be a very fruitful training ground for a host of economic development and business organization executives in the Hudson Valley over the years.

Three former Orange County Partnership staffers who served as Director of Business Attraction later moved on to higher economic development and real estate positions for the region—Meghan Taylor, currently serves as the regional director of the Mid-Hudson Empire State Development Office; Mike Torelli, who now serves as NY Stewart International Airport’s Director of Business Development and John Lavelle, who is now a commercial real estate broker/site selector with Rand Commercial Realty, who has helped facilitate major corporate attractions to our area.

Two of the Partnership’s former marketing directors, Nancy Proyect and Andy Komonchak, are also now leading major business organizations in the region. Proyect serves as the president of the Orange County Citizen’s Foundation, while Komonchak helped organize the team and resources necessary to make the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor a reality. Opening in 2010, the hall is a major tourist attraction and is followed nationally by military and associated organizations.