F. Michael Tucker announced today that he plans to step down as President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) by the end of the year. Tucker has served as President and CEO since March 2007. Guiding CEG, one of the state’s preeminent economic development organizations, through a period of immense change and growth, Tucker helped to usher in a new era for the region while strengthening the organization.
”We are extremely thankful for Mike’s service to CEG, its members and our region as a whole. Mike has been a tremendous champion of Tech Valley and a dedicated servant to CEG and its membership. We respect his decision and are grateful for the opportunity he has afforded us to make an appropriate transition through the calendar year. Our Board of Directors will immediately begin the process of forming a search committee and commencing the search process,” said Michael J. Hickey, CEG Board Chair and Executive in Residence and Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Siena College.
“Economic development is a perpetual relay race,” Tucker said. “Tech Valley has no finish line, and so the torch must be continually passed as the region strives to achieve ever greater heights.”
“We have generated strong momentum and are well positioned, as a region and an organization, for the next big success. It’s an ideal time to transition to new leadership, and for me to take on new opportunities.”
“It’s been a wonderful experience to work with CEG’s members, partners, stakeholders, and talented staff to advance Tech Valley. I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to being a positive part of the transition and CEG’s future success.”
Under Tucker’s eight-year tenure:
- CEG played a key role in leveraging state and local efforts to land GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ Fab 8 in 2008.
- With that transformative accomplishment secured, CEG led a shift toward regionalism and cross-sector collaboration in economic development through partnership building and engagement.
- CEG has helped steer the region to further economic diversification, focusing on high-tech industries that offer broad, long-term economic impact potential.
- CEG has promoted the Tech Valley brand on the global stage, helped shape an environment conducive to high-tech investments and innovation, and directly boosted the competitiveness of many local manufacturers and technology companies as the Capital Region’s designated Regional Technology Development Center.
- CEG has expanded its role when it comes to growth factors like the region’s workforce pipeline, entrepreneurship ecosystem, and infrastructure needs through its work with the Greater Capital Region Workforce Investment Boards; its joint STEM initiative with GLOBALFOUNDRIES, the Tech Valley Connection for Education & Jobs; the Capital Region Creative Economy Study; Accelerate518; the new Innovate518 incubator program; and its joint initiative with National Grid, “Tech Valley & Beyond: Growing Sustainable Infrastructure at the Speed of Life.”
- CEG played a leadership role in developing the region’s economic development priorities and securing funding awards with regional impact under Governor Cuomo’s Capital Region Economic Development Council.
In a related matter, CEG has retained Convergent Nonprofit Solutions to assist the organization in securing stakeholder feedback, implementing its strategic plan and identifying new opportunities for economic development focus.
Before joining CEG, Tucker, an attorney and real estate broker, served as President and CEO of the Harriman Research and Technology Development Corp. and was a principal for more than 25 years at Mercer Companies, Inc., an Albany-based energy and real estate development firm.
About the Center for Economic Growth
CEG is the leading economic development organization in New York’s Tech Valley and serves as the Capital Region’s designated Regional Technology Development Center (RTDC). A private, non-profit, membership-based organization, CEG drives economic growth by working with partners in business, government, and education on strategic initiatives to grow local companies, attract new industry and investment, and prepare communities for future growth.
CEG receives significant financial support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, which works to facilitate the integration of innovation and technology throughout New York’s economic development efforts, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) / Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and National Grid. CEG assists local manufacturing and technology companies generate new sales, create stronger operational infrastructure, and overcome barriers to growth. Visit www.ceg.org
