Mike Oates Named New Leader of HVEDC
Real Estate In-Depth | June 4, 2018
GOSHEN—Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation Board Chairman Robert J. Levine announced on May 31 that Mike Oates was named the organization’s new president and CEO, effective June 4.
Oates replaced Laurence P. Gottlieb, who recently resigned from the position after serving as head of the economic development agency since 2013.
Oates has been the managing partner of Bellefield Development Partners, the team behind Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park and an affiliate of T-Rex Capital Group, LLC. Prior to that, he was CEO of Hudson River Ventures, a small business investment fund that works to empower entrepreneurs and build thriving businesses in target industry sectors in the Hudson Valley.
The appointment is a homecoming of sorts for Oates, who served as president and CEO of HVEDC from 2009 to 2013. Before his initial work with HVEDC, he was Vice President/Regional Director at Empire State Development Corporation. In that position, he was responsible for managing New York State’s economic development initiatives in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam counties—the same seven counties represented by HVEDC. Oates serves on the boards of the Walkway Over the Hudson (Chairman), Abilities First, Pattern for Progress, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and Topfield Equestrian Center.
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC started the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance.
“We are excited to have Mike Oates lead HVEDC,” Levine said. “His first-hand familiarity with the organization and his extensive economic development background will create a continuity for this organization while also taking HVEDC to new levels of economic development. His strategic vision and key initiatives in this world are proven and we are looking forward to what Mike brings to this position.”
“I am excited to return to HVEDC and to help focus our mission of attracting, retaining and expanding businesses opportunities in the Hudson Valley. Diversifying our economy, building our industry clusters and encouraging entrepreneurship and investment is at the core of our work. I look forward to working with our partners in the public and private sectors to achieve our mutual goals,” said Oates. “We will work hard to make sure the Hudson Valley is known as the region where deals are made and opportunities are plentiful.”