MELISSA O’CONNOR

The Retail Council of New York State’s board of directors recently voted unanimously to select MELISSA O’CONNOR as its next president and CEO. She was elected formally at the Nov. 12 board meeting and will be the first woman to serve in this role since the organization was established in 1931. O’Connor previously served as executive VP and director of government relations for the Retail Council of New York State. She will continue to oversee the Retail Council’s advocacy efforts, while also focusing on her vision for the organization over the next few years. O’Connor succeeds Ted Potrikus, who retired after 31 years with the organization. O’Connor brings more than 15 years of experience to her new role. She joined the Retail Council as government relations associate in 2005 and was promoted to assistant director of government relations in 2010. She has served as executive VP and director of government relations since 2014. O’Connor holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MBA from the College of St. Rose.