Robert M. Simpson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Rob Simpson serves as president & chief executive officer of CenterState CEO, and as the executive director of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance and president of Syracuse’s business incubator, The Tech Garden. He previously served as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York (MDA).
Rob was a driving force behind the creation of CenterState CEO, which resulted from the 2010 merger of the MDA and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Through his efforts, this historic partnership is leading a new, more effective approach to regional economic development and business services.
Since joining the MDA in 2003, Rob directed efforts to guide and accelerate the transformation of the CenterState New York economy from its primary reliance on traditional manufacturing to a globally competitive knowledge-based economy. He was largely responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the Essential New York Initiative - a comprehensive regional development strategy whose programs largely led to the framework for CenterState CEO’s core focus areas.
Rob has also been a strong advocate of partnerships and coalition building to promote effective regional economic development, most notably through the creation of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance, with members representing business, academia, and economic development organizations from each of the twelve CenterState New York counties.
Tom Blanchard
Senior Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer
Tom Blanchard serves as senior vice president and chief economic development officer for CenterState CEO. In this role, Tom plays a central role in administering and coordinating the four lines of business that comprise the organization’s Economic Development portfolio, including business attraction and retention, innovation and technology, infrastructure and urban initiatives, and advocacy and government relations. Tom also serves as deputy director of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance, working with partners throughout 12 counties to advance the region’s efforts to brand itself as New York’s Creative Core and cooperatively identify and pursue opportunities for growth.
Frank Caliva
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Frank Caliva serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer for CenterState CEO. Additionally he serves as the Director of Talent Initiatives, focusing on workforce and regional development issues in the 12 county region.
Jane Amico
Vice President of Chamber Services
Jane Amico takes a hands-on role to deliver an enhanced set of programs, services and benefits to CenterState CEO’s 2,000 members - helping build a 21st century chamber with programs designed to save members money, help them connect with customers, and create visibility for their business. Jane acts as principal advocate for small and mid-sized business members, helping them succeed, and provide meaningful opportunities to engage members in the growth of the region.
Lori Dietz
Vice President, Operations
Lori Dietz, P. E. serves as vice president of operations at CenterState CEO, and is the executive director of two of its affiliates, the Hancock Field Development Corporation (HFDC) and Electronics Park, LLC (EPLLC). She is responsible for property management, lease and land sale transactions, subdivision, budgeting, contracting, grant administration and supervision of staff, consultants and contractors.
David Holder
President, Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau
David Holder serves as president of the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau for CenterState CEO. He is responsible for leading tourism marketing and sales initiatives for Onondaga County, with the goal of growing visitor interest, converting interest into sales, and encouraging customer satisfaction through visitor services.
David Mankiewicz
Senior Vice President, Infrastructure & Urban Initiatives
David Mankiewicz serves as senior vice president of Infrastructure and Urban Initiatives for CenterState CEO, responsible for coordinating center city revitalization projects. Additionally, he serves as president of the University Hill Corporation and also oversees the operations of the Crouse Marshall Business Improvement District, one of the city of Syracuse’s business improvement districts.
Anthony Marzolino
Senior Financial Officer
Anthony Marzolino serves as senior finance officer for CenterState CEO. In his role, he is responsible for the financial and risk management of all CEO’s subsidiaries and affiliates. These include multiple non-profit 501© type corporations, an LLC, and a for profit insurance subsidiary.
Kevin Schwab
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Vice President, Air Service Development
Kevin Schwab serves as vice president of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing for CenterState CEO. Additionally, he serves as vice president of air service development, which interacts with airlines across the industry and, together with the City of Syracuse, operates the Fly Syracuse initiative.
Merike Treier
Executive Director, Downtown Committee of Syracuse
Merike Treier serves as executive director of the Downtown Committee, an affiliate of CenterState CEO. She oversees all of the Downtown Committee’s programs, including efforts to improve downtown Syracuse's image, strengthen its economic base, increase its attractiveness and assure that it is clean, safe and accessible.
Deb Warner
Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations
Deb Warner serves as vice president of public policy and government relations for CenterState CEO. She is responsible for local, state and federal advocacy on behalf of CenterState CEO’s more than 2,000 members.
Dan Young
Vice President of Engagement and Community Relations
Dan Young assists CenterState CEO's mid- to large-size members with key projects and community outreach.