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By Ray Finger
Star-Gazette
The newest staff addition to Southern Tier Economic Growth was introduced Thursday to Elmira City Council.
James Johnson, vice president of STEG, introduced Sherri Geary, an experienced specialist in economic development, who will focus her efforts on the city.
She comes to the region with extensive downtown experience, most recently as interim executive director of the Geneva Business Improvement District, he said during the council's biweekly workshop.
Council member Susan Skidmore, D-1st District, said she is very excited about Geary's hiring.
"I hadn't been to Geneva in quite a while, and just recently I went up to the outlets in Geneva and was just totally amazed at the transformation of the old downtown district. I got lost," she said with a laugh.
"It's totally different," Skidmore said. "It's bright. It's cheery. It's dressed up. It's just amazing, just absolutely amazing. I hope you can do something similar here."
Geary said the success in Geneva was a group effort.
"A lot of folks worked on that together, and hopefully I can bring a system that way here as well," she said, adding that she looks forward to working with the great infrastructure and teamwork already in place.
Geary replaces Ean Johnson, who left STEG at the end of August to work in Chicago with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
Since the city expanded its partnership with STEG, especially through this position, it has paid off well, Mayor John Tonello said. He is very excited to have her pick up where Ean Johnson left off, he said.
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