Courtesy Warren & Washington IDA
With a goal of expanding and enhancing services to existing and prospective new businesses and fully capitalizing on opportunities at its Canalside Energy Park in Fort Edward, the board of directors of the Warren & Washington Industrial Development Agency appointed Charles R. “Chuck” Barton as its first chief executive officer.
The IDA began considering such an appointment earlier this year as interest in its services and the park have been steadily growing and requiring greater levels of staff attention, officials said. IDA Chairman David O’Brien, town of Hampton supervisor in Washington County, has been serving as de facto CEO for several years in a volunteer capacity. But he and his fellow board members felt that a full-time chief executive could take the organization to new levels of success.
“The opportunities for the IDA to help retain and expand existing local businesses and help new businesses start or relocate here have never been greater than in today’s economic climate, and we are thrilled that Chuck will lead us into this new era of service to our region,” O’Brien said.
“Chuck’s vast experience in business management, finance, and manufacturing gives him a deep understanding of the challenges faced by companies today and how the IDA can best serve them. Chuck also brings to his new role a strong commitment to community service in general and economic development in particular, as evidenced by his service as a volunteer board member with our IDA and before that with EDC Warren County.”
“Regional cooperation and coordination on economic development are essential to our counties’ long-term success, and I can say from personal experience that Chuck epitomizes that collaborative spirit,” said Jim Siplon, president of EDC Warren County. “It was my pleasure to work with Chuck when he was a board member at EDC, and I look forward to collaborating with him in this exciting new role.”
Barton said he is “beyond excited to get started, and grateful to the IDA board members for placing their confidence in me. When I made the decision earlier this year to pursue new opportunities outside of our family business, I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario—working with business leaders and local communities right here at home to grow our region’s economic base and provide good-paying jobs for local people today and for our children in the future.
“I look forward to meeting with business leaders across both counties to ensure they are familiar with our services and to working with elected officials and our colleagues in the economic development world to retain existing businesses and bring new businesses and jobs to our region.”
“Chuck speaks the language of business and will be an invaluable leader as we take our service to the region’s business community to new levels,” said IDA Vice Chair Craig Leggett, supervisor of the town of Chester. “We are fortunate to have him, and our board looks forward to working with him to grow our regional economy.”
Barton joins Executive Director Michael Ostrander and Office Administrator Alie Weaver on the IDA staff.
The IDA is overseen by a volunteer board made up of O’Brien; Mike Wild, Warren County At-large Supervisor from Queensbury; Nick Caimano; Leggett; Dan Bruno, Glens Falls supervisor; Brian Campbell, Hebron supervisor; Virginia Sullivan, Mary King and Juan Gonzales. Tim Robinson also serves the IDA in a volunteer capacity as chief financial officer.
In addition to his IDA responsibilities, Barton will continue to serve as a senior advisor to Barton Mines, the Glens Falls-based international garnet mining and abrasives manufacturing company established by his great-great grandfather in 1878. In that role he is actively involved in the state permit renewal process for the company’s garnet mine in the town of Johnsburg, Warren County.
Barton is also a shareholder in the family-owned business and served as chief operating officer from 2007 until June 30 of this year when he resigned from his day-to-day role to form an independent mining consulting firm.
He served on the board of directors of EDC Warren County from 2010 to 2016, including three years as chairman, and was appointed to the IDA board in February. He and his wife, Kim, live in Queensbury and have three daughters.
Businesses with questions about IDA services are encouraged to call (518) 792-1312.