The Growth of Advanced Industry Clusters Across New York State

Resources

Presentation

Michael N’dolo, CEcD
Director of Economic Development
MRB Group
michael.ndolo@mrbgroup.com
(518) 301-5428

Michael leads MRB Group’s economic development practice. He is a nationally recognized expert on economic development trends and programs and has supported communities in over half of the states in the U.S., across a range of community typography, from diverse, multi-county regions to individual rural villages. He is skilled in strategic economic development planning, market analysis, real estate development, economic and fiscal impact modeling, tax incentives, and grant funding. Michael holds a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and is a Certified Economic Development Professional.

Seth Mulligan
Senior Director of Innovation and Partnerships
Griffiss Institute
smulligan@griffissinstitute.org
(315) 356-2412

Seth Mulligan specializes in developing innovation, growth and management disciplines and developing business systems, to grow organizations. In his career, Seth has been a partner to innovators as a startup incubator director, an agribusiness business development consultant, and technology transfer seed-fund operator. Additionally, Mulligan has been an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship and a professional trainer of entrepreneurship for transitioning US Military service women and men. When not being supporting partner for innovators and entrepreneurs, Seth has been an executive in two venture-capital backed startups: TCGplayer.com and StorySlab, Inc. contributing to overall corporate strategy and launching customer success, business development, and e-commerce services.

Seth’s education background is focused on public systems where he has two Masters degrees in public sector administration and a Bachelor degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Seth enjoys live music, travel, and following professional sports. When not at work, Seth spends time with his family and hails from Syracuse, NY.

Merideth Andreucci
Assistant Director of Economic Development
NYSERDA
Merideth.Andreucci@nyserda.ny.gov

Merideth Andreucci is the Assistant Director of Economic Development at New York Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). Based in NYSERDA’s Buffalo office, Merideth provides a broad range of economic development, external partnership-building and business development for NYSERDA. She works closely with the state and regional economic development stakeholders to develop and promote NY’s position as a premier location for clean energy manufacturing. Prior to joining NYSERDA, Merideth held business and economic development positions at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability and Empire State Development with a focus on advanced and sustainable manufacturing. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany, and a master’s degree in environmental management and policy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Erica Olsen
Membership Development Manager
NewYorkBIO
erica.olsen@newyorkbio.org

Erica Olsen is an accomplished professional in the life sciences field, with a career spanning academia, research, and industry. With a strong educational foundation, she currently serves as the Membership Development Manager at NewYorkBIO, supporting companies in the New York life science, biotech, and med device ecosystems.

Erica’s journey began at Stanford University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering in 2021 and her Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from the Stanford University School of Medicine in 2022. Her academic achievements have provided her with a solid framework in a broad range of disciplines, from molecular assays to data science. She values need-led innovation, which aligns with her Biodesign efforts in both academic/industrial settings and reflects her strong commitment to ethical considerations and responsible innovation.

In her current role, she is dedicated to empowering ventures within the biotech and life science sectors, with a particular focus on academic spinouts in the state of New York. Her extensive experience enables her to serve as a guiding force, facilitating connections and helping early-stage companies navigate the intricacies of the life science ecosystem. Erica’s passion for responsible innovation and her commitment to advancing the life science community make her an indispensable asset to NewYorkBIO’s members and stakeholders.

JULIANNE OEHLBECK, Esq.

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Julie is a business-minded and solutions focused Chief Legal Officer with extensive in-house experience. She is known for being a trusted and strategic advisor in fast-paced growth environments. Julie has a proven track record of building strong relationships and delivering creative and value-add solutions that grow the business, enhance company culture, minimize risk and build efficiencies. She has worked in a multitude of industries including food and beverage, consumer products, internet/e-commerce and telecommunications on domestic and international matters. She is also passionate about the Board service she offers to Chenango Memorial Hospital as executive on the Board, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committees.

Timothy Carpenter, P.E.

Syracuse Operations Manager (Management Team)

Tim Carpenter, P.E. delivers more than 35 years of experience as an engineer and project manager in a number of capacities across military, construction, facilities management, environmental, and manufacturing industries. Proven leader in the design, construction administration, and operations of water and wastewater treatment plants, anaerobic digestion facilities, design and permitting of chemical systems, petroleum system and stormwater management systems, preparation and ongoing management of air emissions permits.

DIANA M. SMITH

Business Development Director

As Former Mayor of the Village of Seneca Falls, and Past-President of New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), Diana Smith has years of direct experience in state and local government, municipal strategic planning, budgeting, service delivery, and operations. Her focus on municipal efficiency resulted in the creation of Strategic Municipal Initiatives, an award-winning project that led to the development of SmarterLocalGov, the Municipal Services Division of MRB Group.

THOMAS J. FROMBERGER, P.E.

Team Leader

Tom Fromberger is an experienced engineer and innovative design professional, recognized for successful, cost-effective solutions that resolve issues in challenging environments. He possesses a wealth of industrial, commercial, residential, municipal, and recreational design experience, with a unique ability to expedite regulatory permitting and approvals.

SCOTT BOVA, A.I.A., NCARB

Architecture Team Leader

Scott Bova is a creative, solution-oriented professional architect with hands-on project management experience. His team leadership involves coordinating the talent of several creative architects, who each compliment the team’s unique ability to transform abstract visions into a tangible, functional, aesthetically pleasing—and affordable—end product.

BILL DAVIS

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (Ex Officio & Management Team)

With years of direct experience, Bill Davis is often sought out by peers as a leader in civil and environmental engineering. He is a leading wastewater expert. His focus includes evaluation of wastewater operations, system design, construction-phase services, and troubleshooting process challenges in water and wastewater treatment facilities and system components.

PATRICK A. NICOLETTA, P.E.

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (BOD & Management Team)

Pat Nicoletta’s leadership involves hands-on engineering, field expertise, and operational experience. His diverse background in water and wastewater includes analysis, planning, funding, system design, and construction phase services. Pat’s strength is in finding innovative ways to solve utility issues in a manner that’s cost-effective and affordable for rural communities—and he is driven to far exceed client expectations.

JAMES J. OBERST, P.E.

Executive VP & COO

Jim Oberst’s leadership focuses on streamlined and efficient operations, for both MRB Group’s internal functions and external client support processes. His extensive expertise in engineering, project and team management, LEED/environmental principles, and strategic planning benefits communities and private sector clients who rely on his trusted counsel.

RYAN T. COLVIN, P.E.

President/CEO (BOD & Management Team)

Ryan Colvin is a dynamic and driven engineer and organizational leader, with a long history of serving as trusted advisor to municipal officials across the State of New York. His practical and realistic focus on helping local governments achieve long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability has earned MRB Group the reputation of serving as a partner to client communities. Many have worked with Ryan and MRB Group for decades.

DAVID M. DOYLE, P.E.

Vice President (BOD & Management Team)

Dave Doyle is a respected civil engineer, project team leader, and operations expert. His extensive involvement in the study, planning, and design of municipal infrastructure projects includes both water supply and sanitary sewer improvements. He has assisted many rural communities with developing, funding, and implementing critical projects which have resolved significant environmental challenges and infrastructure needs.