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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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