October 17 Luncheon

Steven W. Weathers, President of the ECIDA (Erie County Industrial Development Agency) will be the distinguished speaker at the Ken-Ton Chamber's October luncheon.

When: Friday, October 17

Where: Amici's Italian Restaurant, 2516 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore 

Time: 11:30 -registration & networking

           Noon- Program begins

 Cost: $20 (includes salad, Chicken parm w. pasta, dessert, coffee tea & soda)

You do not want to miss this opportunity. Mr. Weathers will present a brief background on the ECIDA, followed by remarks about the financial tools they have to support small and medium size businesses here in Erie County, and efforts in relation to workforce development. He will touch on changes they are making to deliver a better customer experience for their business clients. Steven is eager to speak with you to hear your ideas, needs and concerns with regards to the best way the ECIDA can be of support to our member businesses. You don't need to be a chamber member to attend, so please plan to join us for this informative and exclusive event!

This months Luncheon Sponsor is Lynx Technologies 

About Steve-

Steve Weathers was appointed President & CEO of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) in December of 2013.  Prior to his appointment at the ECIDA, Steve served as President & CEO of the World Trade Center San Diego.  Prior to his role at the World Trade Center San Diego, Steve was President & CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) in Georgia.  While at SEDA Steve lead the effort to create the World Trade Center Savannah, serving as its first President & CEO.  He has also served as President & CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) where he created and led the pre-seed venture capital fund Rocket Ventures as its President & Managing Director.  During his time at RGP in Toledo, Ohio, the organization assumed a leadership role that led to the creation of more than 7,200 new high-paying, high-skilled jobs in the region.  Rocket Ventures, the region’s first ever pre-seed venture capital fund grew to become a $22 million early-state investment fund, launching and supporting more than 80 new technology start-up companies in a three-year period.

Steve has more than 20 years of economic development experience, with 11 of those years in San Diego, California as Vice President of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.  Through the years, Steve has been involved in the attraction, retention, growth and start-up of more than 500 companies.  Some of his most significant and notable successes during his economic development career have been the attraction of the Novartis Genomic Research Center, Gateway Computers Headquarters, the LEGO Theme Park and the SPAWAR Defense Headquarters in the San Diego region, as well as the attraction of GEICO, Citigroup and Intuit Software National Service Centers to the Tucson region.

Steve has been awarded certifications in both community and economic development (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.  He has also held positions as adjunct instructor, where he taught university courses in economic development at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Currently, Steve serves on the following Board of Directors:  American Red Cross, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE), International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Workforce Investment Board (WIB).