Agency Information

STAFF

James C. Johnson

Executive Director

James C. Johnson has been the Executive Director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency since March of 2011. During that time, he has led efforts in Steuben County to facilitate business expansions at companies such as Corning Incorporated, Manufacturing Automation Systems, Instant Brands, and HP Hood.

Johnson’s efforts have also led to major community redevelopment projects such as the Corning Hospital Redevelopment and conversion of the former Corning Free Academy into high end apartments to help meet workforce housing needs in the community.

In addition, Johnson and his team played a key role in attracting companies such as Upstate Niagara, Compin USA, and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation to Steuben County.

With 24 years’ experience in economic development, Johnson also sits on several local, regional, and state boards and organizations involved with forming economic development policy and programs. Those organizations include the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council, REDEC, Southern Tier Regional Planning and Development, IncubatorWorks, CSS Workforce NY, Corning Community College Development Foundation, Finger Lakes Wine Country, and the Corning Hospital. He also sits on the Executive Committee of the New York State Economic Development Council as its incoming Chair.

Johnson holds a Master of Arts in Community and Economic Development from SUNY Empire State College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Pittsburgh.

Johnson is involved with several community initiatives and organizations and lives in the Town of Caton with his wife, Melissa, and their son, Jayden.

Jill Staats

Deputy Director of Operations

Jill joined the IDA staff in September 2015 to continue the agency’s outreach to the small business community in Steuben County. She was promoted to Deputy Director in 2018 to assist in project development and oversee the agency’s solar project portfolio.

Prior to her IDA tenure, she spent 12 years in commercial lending and credit analysis in the Corning-Elmira area.

Jill started her commercial lending career in Philadelphia after graduating from Susquehanna University.

Jill earned a Master’s degree in Community and Economic Development through SUNY Empire State College in December 2023. She serves as a Director on the Town of Erwin IDA Board and on the Career Development Council Board, and is a member of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Corporation’s Loan Committee.

She enjoys spending time with her kids and partner, Don, watching sports, and visiting the many great wineries and breweries in Steuben County.

Matthew Bull

Director of Community and Infrastructure Development

Matthew Bull joined the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency in March 2024 as the Director of Community and Infrastructure Development. In this role, Matt leads and supports the IDA’s assistance to local governments to develop their infrastructure capacity and focus on community development project implementation.

Matt brings 20 years of experience in economic and community development which includes the City of Salamanca Industrial Development Agency, the NYS Dept. of State Division of Community Services, and most recently with Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. where he served as Chief Operations Officer since 2018.

While involved in the NYS Community Action network, Matt achieved certification as a Results Orientated Management Accountability (ROMA) Trainer, applying these principles in community needs assessment and strategic program development, and measuring the achievement of actionable results. Matt is also a graduate of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Leadership Institute Class of 2021, a program offering comprehensive leadership and economic development training for people who live and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive.

In addition, Matt brings experience in local government having served his hometown of Machias, NY as a member of the Town Council and then as Town Supervisor when he led the development of a $12 million wastewater project.

Matt earned a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Bonaventure University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo. He is a resident of the village of Hammondsport with his partner, Matthew.

Kelly Hortman

Administrative Assistant

Kelly Hortman joined Steuben County IDA in June of 2024 as Administrative Assistant to oversee office operations and monitor compliance for the organization. She came to the IDA with over 20 years of experience in compliance, record maintenance, and audits.

Kelly holds an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Corning Community College. She spent most of her career in service positions at Pathways Inc. including Medicaid Service Coordinator. Kelly also served as Benefits Counselor with Steuben County Office for the Aging.

Kelly is from Corning, NY and currently resides in Campbell, NY. She enjoys spending time with family, attending local events, DIY projects, antiquing, as well as multiple hobbies.

Dean Strobel

Chair

BelGioioso Cheese Inc.

Dean Strobel is the Plant Manager at BelGioioso Cheese located in Campbell, NY. He was born and raised in Cohocton, NY where he graduated from Cohocton Central School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Immediately after graduating he began what has become a 40-year career in the dairy and food industry.

He has been responsible for the oversight and management of operations in New York, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. He has been responsible for capital projects that have totaled well over $100 million over the course of his career. Dean also sits on the Board of Directors of the New York State Cheese Manufacturer’s Association. He, his wife Shelley (Olean, New York), and their two daughters returned to Western New York eight years ago when he joined the Upstate Niagara Cooperative.

Michelle Caulfield

Corning-Painted Post Area School District

Michelle A. Caulfield is Superintendent of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District. She assumed that role in July 2020 after serving nine years as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. Michelle started her career in the district in 2000 as an English teacher and became Assistant Principal at East High School before moving into her district roles. She is credited with co-facilitating the merger of the C-PP Middle and High Schools.

Michelle holds a master’s degree in Special Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a CAS in Education Administration from SUNY Cortland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lock Haven University.

Kelly Fitzpatrick

Vice Chair

Steuben County Legislature

Kelly Fitzpatrick is the Chair of the Steuben County Legislature. She represents the Town of Bath and has done so for 8 years. She owns a CPA practice in Bath, NY, with her business partner. She is a graduate of Corning Community College with an AAS in Accounting and Elmira College with a BS in Accounting.

Mark R. Alger

County Resident

Mark R Alger, former Steuben County Manager, is a native of Hornell, NY, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the State University of NY at Geneseo and a Master of Arts in Geography from Western Illinois University.

Mark’s career began in 1977 as a Research Coordinator for the National Association of Regional Councils in Washington, DC. In 1979, Mark left Washington, DC, and started his employment with Steuben County as a Senior Planner in the County Planning Department, and was appointed as the County’s Planning Director in 1981. In 1984, Mark was appointed Steuben County’s first Steuben County Administrator.

In December 1995, Mark was offered the position of Deputy Commissioner for Administration with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets in Albany, NY, a position he held for three years. In 1999, Mark returned to Steuben County to serve as the County’s Social Services Commissioner.

On September 25th, 2000, Mark was again appointed Steuben County Administrator, following the resignation of the previous County Administrator. In 2013, Steuben County adopted a charter creating the County Manager position which Mark was subsequently appointed to in 2014.

Mark served on the New York State Association of Counties Board of Directors and is a Past-President of the Association. He currently serves as vice-chair of the Village of Bath Municipal Utilities Commission, President of Institute for Human Services, and Jack Lisi Youth Award Board of Directors.

Tony Russo

Treasurer

Southern Tier Provisions

Tony Russo was born and raised in Bath, NY where he also attended Bath Central School. Upon completion of High School, he began full-time involvement into his family’s business, Southern Tier Provisions. It was there he worked many years side by side with his father, James Russo. Their company specializes in Italian Food Distribution to the Northeast.

His involvement has been with every aspect including transportation, purchasing, sales, retail, commercial real estate, and management. He is very proud to have been part of their company since the age of 10 years old. His favorite thing about his career is the fellow business owners and sales people that he meets every day. Many of those people have become trusted friends. Tony and his wife Kimberly reside in Bath, NY where they raised four daughters.

Sarah Creath

BCK Partners, Inc.

Sarah J. Creath is a Founding Principal of BCK Partners, Inc., a full-service financial advisory firm in Corning, NY. She has held that role since 2015 and has been advising families in matters such as finance, tax, estate, and retirement since 2000. Prior to her work as a financial advisor, Sarah worked at Corning Incorporated, marketing optical fiber in Europe, Central and South America, China, and domestically. In addition, she was the Public Affairs Coordinator for a NYS Senator who served the Southern Tier.

Sarah holds the Certified Financial Planner® and IRS Enrolled Agent designations. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Siena College.

Sarah has served on the boards of the Corning Area Public Library, Spencer Crest Nature Center, The Corning Community YMCA (past President) and is the current VP of Finance for the Corning Country Club. Sarah and her husband Tom have four high school and college-aged children and reside in Corning.

Mike Davidson

Secretary

Davidson’s Furniture

Mike Davidson is a life-long resident of Hornell, NY and a 1973 graduate of Hornell High School. He attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. After college, he returned to Hornell to work in the family furniture business, and today, is the owner and operator of Davidson’s Furniture and the Hornell Furniture Outlet.

Mike currently serves on several Boards of Directors, including: the Hornell Chamber of Commerce, Hornell Partners for Growth, Hornell YMCA, and St. James Properties. In his spare time, Mike stays actively involved in Hornell football, enjoys fishing, and spending time at Loon Lake with his wife, Sharon, and their three grown children.

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