OSWEGO, N.Y. — The man who has served as deputy director of Operation Oswego County for the past five years will become the economic-development organization’s top official in just a few months. The board of trustees of Operation Oswego County Inc. (OOC) has named Austin Wheelock as its new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2023. […]
OSWEGO, N.Y. — The man who has served as deputy director of Operation Oswego County for the past five years will become the economic-development organization’s top official in just a few months.
The board of trustees of Operation Oswego County Inc. (OOC) has named Austin Wheelock as its new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2023.
In addition to his role as OOC’s deputy director, Wheelock has worked for the organization in progressively responsible roles since 2006. He will succeed L. Michael Treadwell, who in July announced his pending Dec. 31 retirement after nearly 40 years of leading OOC.
The nonprofit believes Wheelock’s 16 years of experience in economic development, “combined with a deep passion for promoting Oswego County businesses and investments, will help to further advance the mission of the organization,” per its announcement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Austin as our new executive director,” Ellen Holst, president of the board of trustees of Operation Oswego County, said in a statement. “He will bring experience, enthusiasm, great communication skills and a new vision to our organization. After an exhaustive search, the search committee and OOC board unanimously decided he was the right person to assume the role of executive director.”
When Wheelock steps into the role on Jan. 1, he will manage all of OOC’s day-to-day operations. Duties include business attraction and retention; administration of economic-incentive programs; and communication with key partners and stakeholders. As part of his role, he will also serve as the CEO of the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).
“As a native of upstate New York, who has called Oswego County home for almost 20 years, I’m thrilled to use the experience, skills and relationships cultivated here to lead this great organization forward,” Wheelock said.
OOC chose Wheelock following a national search that the Next Move Group conducted earlier this year in collaboration with a search committee made up of representatives of the OOC board, the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency, and Oswego County Legislature
Wheelock, a certified economic developer designated by the International Economic Development Council, earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Alfred State College, OOC said.
He also serves on several nonprofit boards such as the Heritage Foundation of Oswego County, Oswego Renaissance Association, and the Preservation Association of Central New York.
“Austin has been a major team player in helping to attract companies and expand businesses, encouraging entrepreneurism and providing oversight over the many properties that OOC and the County of Oswego IDA have developed to promote and encourage economic development and job creation,” L. Michael Treadwell, out-going executive director of OOC and CEO of the County of Oswego IDA, said. “We want to congratulate Austin on becoming the next Executive Director for OOC and CEO of the COIDA. He knows the area, the businesses and the elected officials well. He’s ready for this next challenge.”
OOC, which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, serves as Oswego County’s designated economic-development organization.