Brendan O’Bryan, the new executive director of the Cortland County BDC/IDA.
Press release from the Cortland County Business Development Corporation.
Brendan O’Bryan, a top official with Broome County’s leading economic development organization The Agency, has been appointed to succeed Garry L. VanGorder as executive director and CEO of the Cortland County Business Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency (BDC and IDA).
VanGorder is retiring after 14 years of service, and O’Bryan will come in after a nationwide recruitment process that featured 22 applicants. Pracademic Partners, a public sector consulting firm, assisted with the search.
Garry VanGorder, the former executive director of the Cortland County BDC/IDA. (Photo via the Cortland County Business Development Corporation).
“I am honored to have been selected to lead these important organizations and I am excited to join a great team and a dynamic board of directors in the work to move Cortland County forward,” said O’Bryan. “I think we are well-positioned for growth and to attract new investment to help support that goal. I look forward to working with our local, state, and regional partners to do amazing things in the years ahead.”
At The Agency, O’Bryan helped secure nearly $2 million in state and federal grants to support small businesses and has been heavily involved with the preparation of shovel-ready development sites. He has played a key role in project development for Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) competition winners in Johnson City and Endicott and is a leader in myriad other economic programs and initiatives for the Broome County version of the BDC and IDA. O’Bryan previously served as Director of Government relations for the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, and currently sits on the board and serves as the treasurer for the Rural Health Network of South Central New York.
“We are excited about this transition and are thrilled to have someone of Brendan’s caliber join our organization as Executive Director and CEO,” said BDC/IDA board chairman Mike McMahon. “Brendan will hit the ground running. He knows the working mechanics of the county-focused economic development industry, the various players in the field and the collaborative relationship-building that is critical for success.”
McMahon also expressed his appreciation for the work VanGorder has done since he joined the BDC/IDA in 2009. “I wish to convey my thanks to Garry for his steadfast service to our boards and to the community, as well as for collaborating with us on a well-defined and organized succession strategy, assuring a seamless shift in this vitally significant role.”
