The Business Council taps Hughes as VP of communications

The Business Council of New York State, Inc. announced it has appointed Gary Hughes as its vice president of communications.

Hughes has more than three decades of experience in public relations and corporate communications, including more than 15 years at MVP Health Care.

During his time at with Schenectady–based MVP, Hughes was responsible for the health insurer’s public and media relations across upstate New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Hughes has also directed communications for the College of Saint Rose and provided public-relations counsel to numerous clients of the former Albany–based Wolkas Communications Group.

Hughes specializes in communication surrounding health care, health insurance, government, public policy, education, and economic development, according to the Business Council.

Gary Hughes will be a “tremendous” addition to the group’s leadership team, Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council, said in a news release.

“Gary’s skills and deep experience will be major assets to the Business Council going forward,” Briccetti said.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc. describes itself as “the leading business organization” in New York, representing the interests of large and small firms throughout the state, according to its website.

Its membership is made up of thousands of member companies and local chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations, the website says.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com