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.
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 is studying for a master’s degree in Community and Economic Development through SUNY Empire State College. She enjoys spending time with her kids, watching sports, and visiting the many great wineries and breweries in Steuben County.
Stacy L. Housworth,
Finance and Compliance Manager
Stacy joined the IDA as the Finance and Compliance Manager in July 2021 to oversee financial operations and government reporting. She came to the IDA after spending 12 years working as the Director of Finance and Controller at Corning Community College. Additionally, Stacy has held finance positions with other local municipalities, giving her the skills and knowledge needed to successfully oversee the IDA’s finance and compliance obligations.
In her free time, Stacy enjoys spending time with her family, being active in the community, and enjoying all the Finger Lakes region has to offer.
JC Smith
Community Infrastructure Specialist
James “JC” Smith joined the IDA staff on a part-time basis in the spring of 2018 to provide guidance for Steuben County municipalities seeking upgrades to their water and sewer infrastructure. JC retired in January 2018 from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), a New York State agency that provides low-cost capital, grants and technical assistance to communities engaging in water infrastructure projects.
Prior to his tenure at EFC, JC served as the first Watershed Manager for Keuka Lake, and as Manager of the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark R. Alger
Chairman
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.
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.
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.
Scott J. Van Etten
Vice Chairman
Steuben County Legislature
Scott Van Etten is a life-long resident of Steuben County. A 1983 graduate of Corning West High School, Scott continued his education and received an AAS in Business Administration from Corning Community College and a BS in Finance from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Over the course of his professional career, Mr. Van Etten began investing in income properties and established several successful businesses including Park Avenue Storage and Park Avenue Laser Wash in South Corning, Erwin Laser Wash in Gang Mills, and Market Street Laser Wash in Corning. He still owns and operates these businesses today.
On the political front, Mr. Van Etten has the distinction of being the youngest resident of Steuben County to serve on a Town Board, when he was elected as a Caton Town Councilman as a senior in high school. He served as a Councilman on the Caton Town Board until he resigned in 1985 to attend R.I.T. In 1991, he was elected as the Caton Town Supervisor and served in that position until 2007, when he was elected as a Steuben County Legislator for District 13, representing the residents of Caton, Corning and Hornby. Over the course of his tenure on the Steuben County Legislature, he has served as the Vice Chairman of the Legislature, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of the Administration Committee, member of the Insurance Committee, Chairman of the Steuben County Land Bank Corporation, member of the County Charter Committee, member of the Ad Hoc Office Space Committee and member of the Health Services Review Committee.
In January 2020, Mr. Van Etten was elected Chairman of the Legislature by his peers. In addition to his position of Chairman, Mr. Van Etten continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Steuben County Land Bank Corporation; the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors; and the Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board of Directors.
Mike Davidson
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.
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.
Christine G. Sharkey
Corning Enterprises
Christine G. Sharkey is President, Community Engagement and Corning Enterprises, the community, economic development, and philanthropic arm of Corning Incorporated. She has been a Corning Incorporated employee since 1980 and served in a variety of financial roles prior to her work with Enterprises and the Corning Incorporated Foundation.
Chris and her husband, John, have two grown sons, reside in the town of Erwin, and have a farm in Troupsburg.
Dean Strobel
Secretary
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.