Astorino Makes Two Economic Development Appointments

WHITE PLAINS-Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino has appointed Eileen Mildenberger as the county's new economic development director and Jim Coleman as the executive director of the county's Industrial Development Agency.

Mildenberger, the current head of the county's IDA, replaces Laurence Gottlieb, who left the post in January to become president of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., a regional economic development organization based in New Windsor, NY. Coleman, who will take on his new post on April 8, has 25 years experience in the public and private sector and is currently chief of staff to New York State Senator Greg Ball.

“These moves strengthen our outstanding economic development team,” Astorino says “Eileen and Jim both share my commitment to promoting economic growth and creating an environment for job creation. They bring talent, experience and a continuity to our economic development efforts.”

Mildenberger has been executive director of the county's IDA since April 2011 and since then has helped attract $500 million in private sector capital investment to Westchester. Among those firms that have been provided assistance from the IDA have included PepsiCo and IBM. Prior to the IDA, she worked 12 years at the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), the final three years as the agency's chief operating officer.

In addition to managing the county's economic development efforts, Mildenberger will also oversee the county's Office of Tourism and Film. Coleman also has the added responsibility of running the county's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program.