Jim Halios, CEO of the Schoharie County IDA since last August, and prior to that, the county’s deputy administrator, is leaving the post effective June 6.
Mr. Halios submitted his resignation in an executive session at Thursday’s IDA Board of Directors’ meeting; he said Monday he’s leaving for personal reasons.
IDA chair Chester Burton said they’ve already launched a search for a new CEO.
Mr. Halios said he’ll continue as a consultant for the IDA–much as his predecessor Fonda Chronis, who’d also served in the County Administrator’s Office--had done when he’d started eight months ago.
Sarah Nickle will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the IDA and Capital Resource Corporation as acting director.
Mr. Halios was just the second fulltime IDA CEO and Dr. Burton said he accomplished a lot in his short tenure.
“We are very sorry to see him go,” Dr. Burton said. “He was a very personable guy with a great presence and got a lot of things done. He leaves in us is a good position as we get ready for another search.”
Dr. Burton praised Mr. Halios for moving the Shad Point project forward and for his work on renegotiating expiring PILOTs.
Mr. Halios said he leaves the IDA in the hands of a “great Board of Directors.”
“Things are going to be fine,” he said.
“They’re a great board…very supportive. I’m grateful for having had the opportunity. I think we’re on the cusp of great things here.”
Meanwhile, the county is also looking for its own CEO.
Administrator Korsah Akumfi left in December to become administrator for Tompkins County.
He’d also served as deputy county administrator under Steve Wilson, the county’s first administrator for four years prior to that.
Mr. Wilson is now administrator in Otsego County; Mr. Chronis is city manager for the City of Ogdensburg.
In January, the Board of Supervisors hired consultant Ian Coyle of Pracademic Partners to help fill the $150,000 post.
Recruitment remains open.