Ithaca Area Economic Development appointed its 2025 Board of Directors and elected officers during its first quarterly meeting of the year, the organization announced Thursday.
Newly appointed members to three-year terms include Kate de la Garza (Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services), Mike Horan (Taughannock Aviation), Robert Lewis (SHIFT Capital), Carly Norton (NYSEG), and Tam Marion Warren (Warren Real Estate). Shawn Wilczynski (Cargill) was reappointed for another term.
Ex-officio members Korsah Akumfi (Tompkins County) and Peggy Coleman (Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce) were also named to the board, alongside annual appointees Randy Brown (Tompkins County Legislature) and Jennifer Tavares (Cornell).
“The board members represent every sector of our economy, from education and healthcare to government, non-profit, and industry,” said IAED President Heather McDaniel. “Their insight and oversight are invaluable.”
At the meeting, the board unanimously elected Jodi Lee Denman (Knickerbocker Bed Co./Wiggins Plastics) as chair, Tim Downs (Ithaca College) as vice chair, Jeff Gorsky (Sciarabba Walker) as treasurer, and Lisa Whitaker (CFCU Community Credit Union) as secretary.
Denman expressed excitement about the upcoming year, which marks IAED’s 60th anniversary. “I welcome the new board members and look forward to collaborating to strengthen our local economy,” she said.
IAED’s Executive Committee, which includes Denman and other officers, will also oversee the organization’s TCAD Foundation, a subsidiary established in 2013 to manage federal and community grants for regional economic development initiatives.
Founded in 1964, IAED serves Ithaca and Tompkins County, aiming to foster business growth and provide quality employment opportunities. The organization is accredited as one of approximately 70 economic development organizations across North America.
For more information, visit IthacaAreaED.org.
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