Contact:  Michael Saltzman 914-390-8181
 

New Chairman of State Economic Development Power Allocation Board
to Preside at Meeting on Tuesday

July 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

ALBANY—Kenneth Schoetz, a leading economic development specialist and a life-long resident of Western New York, will preside this morning at his first meeting as chairman of the New York State Economic Development Power Allocation Board (EDPAB). 

Schoetz, who is the acting upstate chief executive officer of the Empire State Development Corp. (ESDC), was named by Gov. David A. Paterson to head the power allocation board.  The board makes recommendations to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for allocations of lower-cost power to qualified businesses and not-for-profit organizations, in return for their job commitments.  

 “I’m looking forward to the contributions that Ken will make as head of the Economic Development Power Allocation Board, for protecting and creating jobs in New York State,” Governor Paterson said. “He has shown great abilities in his leadership role at Empire State Development in encouraging the growth of businesses and working to revitalize the upstate economy. I’m confident he’ll show the same proficiency in heading the power allocation board, in addition to continuing to carry out his duties at ESDC.” 

EDPAB reviews applications and makes recommendations in connection with various statewide economic development power programs administered by NYPA. The programs, which are provided for under state laws, are linked to about 340,000 jobs at hundreds of enterprises. NYPA provides the power for the programs, known as the Power For Jobs, Economic Development, High Load Factor and Municipal Distribution Agency programs, from purchases in the state’s wholesale electricity marketplace. 

Schoetz replaces Dan Gundersen in overseeing the activities of EDPAB, which was established by a 1987 state law. The chairman and the three other members of the board are unpaid.   

Last month, Schoetz was promoted to acting upstate CEO of ESDC after serving as the upstate chief operating officer of the development corporation.  He also serves as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the state Department of Economic Development.   

Over the years, he has served in numerous senior positions in public service and as an attorney in private practice.  He has government experience at both the state and local levels, including serving as Assistant Attorney General, from 2003 through 2006, at the New York State Attorney General’s Buffalo Regional Office. While in that position, he was one of New York’s representatives on the Peace Bridge Authority. 

From 1988 to 1999, Schoetz worked in county government, including seven years as Erie County Attorney.  He received a B.A. in political economics from Williams College, and earned his J.D. from the University at Buffalo Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Law Review.  

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