Picente Taps Catalfamo for Director of Economic Development

UTICA — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced David M. Catalfamo as Oneida County Director of Economic Development.

Catalfamo, a 20-year veteran of New York State government with extensive experience working in both the legislative and executive branches, has spent the last dozen years working as a communications and economic development consultant with the Dilenschneider Group, Capitol Public Strategies and Park Strategies.

He will be the lead on all of Oneida County’s economic development efforts, working with community partners to forge an integrated approach that includes downtown
development; small business expansion, creation, innovation and incubation; tourism; education; cybersecurity; Unmanned Aircraft Systems; Griffiss International Airport and more. 

“Dave Catalfamo brings a level of experience and expertise to the table that will greatly benefit Oneida County, and quite frankly, we are lucky to have someone of his caliber joining our efforts to move this community forward,” Picente said. “He is just the person we need to expand and execute my evolved vision of economic development and bring this region to the next level.”

Catalfamo, a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, first came to know Oneida County in 1995 as Governor George Pataki's liaison to the community for the successful effort to stave off the closure of Rome Labs through BRACC.

From 1997 to 2004, he served as Senior Vice President at the Empire State Development Corporation where he primarily directed the state's business development efforts working with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, including projects such as Global Foundries, GEICO and Delphi.

As an adviser to the Olympic Regional Development Authority, he helped to secure the Goodwill Games and the Great Outdoors Games in Lake Placid.  In addition, as Executive Director of the New York Science and Technology Foundation, Catalfamo managed the State’s $30 million high tech venture fund and the state's Center's for Advanced Technology.  

In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11th, Catalfamo was primarily responsible for leading a team that developed, negotiated and implemented the State's successful business and tourism recovery efforts in Lower Manhattan.  From 2004-2007, he served as Director of Communications for former New York Governor George Pataki.  

"I'm excited and honored to join County Executive Picente's team and look forward to working with the community to help bring investment, jobs and opportunity to Oneida County,” Catalfamo said.