Breakfast Symposium
Putnam County Economic Development Corporation’s 4th Annual Breakfast Symposium
Tuesday, September 30 | 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
At the Putnam County Golf Course ballroom, 187 Hill Street in Mahopac, N.Y.
About the Event:
Following a networking breakfast, there will be a keynote presentation from Ryan M. Silva, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC).
The program will include a panel discussion moderated by Walter Recher, principal management consultant at SmallBall Marketing, and includes industry professionals Adam Bosch, president and CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, Johnnieanne Hansen, CEO of the Council of Industry of Southeastern New York, and Chelsea Lemon, Director of Government Affairs for The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Tickets for the event are $45 per person.
Ticket sales end September 28, 6:00 pm.
About Our Speakers
Our 2025 Keynote Speaker: Ryan M. Silva
Ryan M. Silva is Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC).
Ryan has served in this role since August of 2017. During his tenure Ryan has helped NYSEDC achieve several landmark policy development wins including passage of The New York State Green Chips Act the Federal CHIPs and Science Act, the Federal Onshore Act, the creation of the Fast NY (Shovel Ready) Program, reauthorization of $250 Million for the RESTORE New York Program, the development of the $100 Million New York Forward Program, and creation of an emergency loan/grant program for Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) during the pandemic. Prior to joining the NYSEDC, Silva served as Vice President of Regional Economic Development for Empire State Development (ESD) and Deputy Director of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative, and helped develop several economic development policies and programs including the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Ryan has been recognized for his professional achievements throughout his career, most recently being recognized on the Albany Power 100 list and as an Economic Trailblazer by City and State Magazine in 2025, 2024 and 2023. He was also appointed to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors and to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Prison Redevelopment Commission in 2022. Ryan was recognized by Development Counsellors International (DCI) as a Top 40 under 40 awardee and City and State’s Upstate Power 100 in 2021. He resides in East Greenbush, N.Y. with his wife, Sandra and their three children.
Walter Recher, panel moderator
Walter Recher is a strategic marketing and communication expert
with over 25 years of experience as an innovative business leader, management consultant, marketing executive, entrepreneur and educator. Walter is the principal management consultant at SmallBall Marketing, a firm that specializes in developing new market strategies and communication for entrepreneurs, start-up companies, small
businesses, nonprofits, and high growth organizations. He is also Adjunct Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Marist University.
Over the course of his career, Walter has led the successful launch of new businesses as a founder and managing partner at InTouch Media, HomeBuyers Network, and Diamond Sports Careers. Earlier in his career, he held senior management positions at pioneering Fortune 500 companies, including MCI, University of Phoenix, Cablevision and Izod LaCoste.
Walter has served as a management consultant and member of a public/private sector partnership team working with employers and job seekers on a $9.8M Federal Return to Work Grant that assisted in helping over 80% of long-term unemployed find employment. As an educator, Recher served as Internship Director of the Manhattanville College Sport Business Management during the launch of the fastest growing sport business management program in the U.S. He has designed curricula
and led courses in entrepreneurship, marketing, emerging technologies,
communication, leadership and global markets at Fordham University, Manhattanville College, Marist University and Pace University, and led the development of a Putnam County Veterans Job Development event.
Walter serves as Secretary and Marketing Chair on the Putnam County EDC, as Chair of the Lake Carmel Advisory Board, and on the Kent Beautification Committee. He is a graduate of Carmel High School, earned an MBA at Fordham University, and BA in Psychology at State University of New York at Oswego. Walter lives in the Town of Kent with his wife Ellen and son Jack.
Adam Bosch, panelist
Adam Bosch is the president and CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a policy, planning and research organization that was founded in 1965. Pattern focuses its regional planning and studies on topics that are important to the growth and vitality of the region, including housing, downtown revitalization, infrastructure, transportation and community planning. Bosch began his career in journalism, working as a reporter and editor at publications, including the Times Herald-Record, The New York Times and Scientific American. He earned six Associated Press awards. He also served as an adjunct professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz. He earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz and his master’s degree from Columbia University in the City of New York.
Johnnieanne Hansen, panelist
Johnnieanne Hansen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Industry of Southeastern New York, the manufacturers association of the Hudson Valley. In this role, she leads the organization’s strategic direction to promote the success of its member firms and their employees and, in doing so, contributes to the economic growth of the Hudson Valley.
Since joining the Council in 2017, Ms. Hansen has spearheaded a number of strategic initiatives designed to strengthen the regional manufacturing sector and support business expansion. These include streamlining member experience, launching new training programs, expanding public-private partnerships, and developing workforce development resources to help manufacturers recruit, retain, and upskill talent. Under her leadership, the Council has grown its apprenticeship program, created the Manufacturing Career Hub, and relaunched GO MAKE IT, a K–12 initiative designed to build early interest in manufacturing careers.
Beyond workforce development, Ms. Hansen has led efforts to increase member value and impact by strengthening programs around energy, cybersecurity awareness, peer-to-peer networking, and advocacy. She has helped facilitate grant funding, business outreach, and programming to connect manufacturers with elected officials and community partners to amplify the industry’s role in the region’s economy.
She also serves as Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Manufacturing Workforce Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports workforce and economic development initiatives across the region.
Ms. Hansen serves on numerous regional and national boards and committees, including the National Association of Manufacturers Workforce Committee, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s Workforce Committee, the SUNY Orange Foundation Board, and the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board. She plays an active role in shaping education-to-career strategies and strengthening public-
private collaboration.
A proud community college graduate, she holds degrees from SUNY Orange, Dominican University, and Marist College. She also teaches leadership and human resources courses as an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz.
Chelsea Lemon, panelist
Chelsea Lemon, Director of Government Affairs, is responsible for issues related to Healthcare, Insurance, Financial Services, and Anti Trust.
Prior to joining The Business Council, Chelsea served as Legislative Director to NYS Senator Jim Gaughran and Committee Director to the Senate Standing Committee on Local Government. In that role, she oversaw the Senator’s policy agenda and managed all
aspects of the committee. In addition, Chelsea has held various roles within the Senate Democratic Conference, serving as a senior advisor to key members, and worked on numerous campaigns. Ms. Lemon’s career has crossed both public and private sectors,
previously working at J.P. Morgan on leveraged finance deals and secondary market trading.
Chelsea received a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and History from St. Lawrence University. She resides in the Capital Region with her husband and is the proud mom to two sons.