Growing Your Own: Building the Capital Region Economy

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, the New York State Association of Counties and the New York State Department of Labor invite you to join top elected officials, business leaders, educators and policy experts for a special Policy Forum on February 11, 2009 from 9:00 – 4:30 at The Desmond in Colonie. The topic is "Growing Your Own: Building the Capital Region Economy Through Targeted Workforce Development.”

There is no charge for this event, and lunch will be provided. You are welcome to join us for the entire day, or any individual sessions of particular interest. Please RSVP to Arraya Anderson, aanderson@nysac.org.

Growing Your Own:
Building the Capital Region Economy
Through Targeted Workforce Development

February 11, 2009
The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Colonie

Agenda

9:00 – 10:30 The New York State Economy: What Does the Future Hold? (Plenary Session, NYSAC Legislative Conference)
Hon. Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller
James Orr, Assistant Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Reaction Panel
Frank Mauro, Executive Director, Fiscal Policy Institute
Ken Pokalsky, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Business Council of New York State
Hon. Thomas Santulli, Chemung County Executive
Moderator: Robert Ward, Deputy Director, Rockefeller Institute of Government

10:30 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 4:30 Greater Capital Region Workforce Policy Forum – Town Hall

11:00 – 11:10 Welcome and Introductions
Steve Acquario, Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties
Hon. Mike Breslin, Albany County Executive
Hon. Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive

11:10 – 11:40 Regional Industry Sector Strategies: A Good Approach?
Bruce Herman, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, New York State Department of Labor

11:40 – 12:40 – A Capital Region Promising Industry Sector: A Case Study
Susan Christopherson, Cornell University Research Group
Ned Rightor, Cornell University Research Group
Isabelle Andrews, New York State Association of Counties
Peter Neenan, Director, NYS Department of Labor, Division of Research and Statistics (invited)
Moderator: Susan Arbetter, Host, New York Now, WMHT-TV

12:40 – 1: 30 Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 Business Leaders Speak Out: Our Workforce Needs, Now and in the Future
Kevin Lake, Philips Medical Systems
Peg Murphy, Espey Manufacturing
Larry Treen, Sixnet
Ed McGrath, AMD (invited)
Moderator: Peter Wohl, Regional Director, Empire State Development.

2:30 – 3:20 Elected Leaders Panel: Our Priorities for our Communities
Hon. Mike Breslin, Albany County Executive
Hon. Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive
Hon. Jerry Jennings, Mayor, City of Albany
Hon. Earl Van Wormer, Chair, Schoharie County Board of Supervisors
Moderator: Susan Arbetter, Host, New York Now, WMHT-TV

3:20 – 4:10 Workforce Preparation Panel: Our Plans to get the Workforce Ready
Dustin Swanger, President, Fulton-Montgomery Community College
Karen Coleman, Director, NYS Department of Labor Division of Employment and Workforce Solutions
Gail Breen, Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie Workforce Investment Board
Charles Dedrick, District Superintendent, Capital Region BOCES
Ed Murphy, Workforce Development Institute
Moderator: John Twomey, Executive Director, NYATEP

4:10 – Wrap- up, Next Steps: Robert Ward, Deputy Director, Rockefeller Institute of Government

4:30 – Adjourn