Mildenberger & McCormack Appointed to Mount Vernon's Industrial Development Agency

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals, both with governmental and private sector experience, to the city’s Industrial Development Agency.

Eileen Mildenberger, an attorney, is assuming the role of executive director of the IDA. Prior to coming to Mount Vernon, Mildenberger served as director of Economic Development for Westchester County, and before that as executive director of the county’s IDA, where she helped attract more than $750 million in private sector capital investment, assisting businesses such as PepsiCo and IBM. Her earlier experience includes 12 years at the Empire State Development Corporation, the final three as chief operating officer, and years as a bankruptcy attorney in private practice.

The mayor also reported that Edwin J. “Ned” McCormack will serve as communications director of the IDA and senior adviser to the mayor. Prior to his Mount Vernon appointment, McCormack held a similar position in county government, working for the last eight years as director of communications for Westchester County and senior advisor for County Executive Robert P. Astorino. Prior to that he worked on Wall Street as a senior communications executive with J.P Morgan, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. He began his career as a journalist, which included working at The New York Times and predecessor newspapers of the Journal News, such as the Mount Vernon Daily Argus, where he served as city editor.

Mayor Richard Thomas said, “Moving Mount Vernon forward requires having the right people in place. Mildenberger and McCormack have the skills and experience to navigate challenges and deliver results. We are excited to have them join us in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is open for business as the gateway to New York City, Westchester and the region. No other place in Westchester is served by as many train, subway, bus and highway options. The job of the IDA is to get that story out to grow the tax base and create job opportunities for the future. The time is now.”

Thomas said the appointments come at a pivotal time, as a strengthening economy and focus on transit-oriented development provide momentum for key city initiatives, such as the creation of a downtown arts district centered around the old YMCA, the restoration of Memorial Field, the development of the Mount Vernon greenway, and other transformative projects. As the home of legends from the sports, entertainment, and business worlds – including Dick Clark, Gus Williams, and Lillian Vernon – Mount Vernon has a long-time track record of producing economic champions. A recent study indicates that Mount Vernon can grow these economic sectors.

Mildenberger and McCormack will both report directly to Thomas, who is chairman of the IDA. Sean McIntyre will continue to serve as deputy director. Mildenberger is a graduate of Hofstra University with a degree in Finance, and has a law degree from the Jacob Fuchsberg School of Law at Touro College. McCormack is a graduate of Georgetown University and has an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.