Board of Directors and Committees

ACIDA Board of Directors

Steven Mauro (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Chairperson, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators
  • Dr. Mauro is the 13th President of Alfred State College (SUNY), bringing extensive experience in academic administration and entrepreneurial leadership. He previously served in executive roles at Gannon University, where he focused on strategy, campus operations, and the development of high-demand STEM programs. His background in biology and public health supports a vision for regional workforce development that aligns education with industrial needs.

​Joseph Hart (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Vice Chairperson, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators​
  • A resident of Wellsville and graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Mr. Hart currently serves as Client Manager for Turbo and Compression at Siemens Energy. He brings over 20 years of manufacturing and leadership experience to the IDA’s mission of growing the Allegany County economy. His background in large-scale industrial operations aligns with the agency’s goals of fostering manufacturing and high-tech jobs within the county.  Mr. Hart is a veteran who served in the US Army Corp of Engineers.  He is married to Christine, and they have four adult children, Eoin (US Army Veteran), Olivia, Aidan (currently serving in the US Army 82nd Airborne Div.), and Isabelle.
 
Douglas Frank (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Treasurer, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators
  • ​Graduated from West Valley High School.  Completed a 51-year banking career in July 2015.  Most recent position was a Commercial Loan Officer for Community Bank, NA in Wellsville, NY.  Currently a Consultant for  Annual Fund at St. Bonaventure University.
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​Terri Ross (Mar ​2026 - Dec 2028), Secretary, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators
  • ​​Ms. Ross recently retired as the Allegany County Treasurer after more than 40 years of service, including 24 years as the county’s Chief Financial Officer. She is widely credited with stabilizing the county's fiscal position and managing its record-high bond ratings. Her expertise is furthered by her leadership as the former President of the NYS County Treasurers & Finance Officers Association and her role with the NYSAC Taxation and Finance Committee.

Thomas McElheny (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Board Member, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators
  • A graduate of Rushford Central School, Mr. McElheny earned an AS in Engineering Science from Alfred State College before completing dual Bachelor’s degrees: Forest Engineering and Environmental Sciences from Syracuse University, and Civil Engineering from the University at Buffalo. A licensed Professional Engineer since 1981, Tom’s career includes 13 years with B.R. DeWitt Corp. and over four decades with Clark Patterson Lee (CPL). He is a former member of the CPL and Pavilion Central School Boards and currently serves on the Houghton University Foundation Board.​

William Meunier (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Board Member, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators
  • Mr. Meunier is a veteran of the forest products industry and currently serves as the general manager of Whitesville Wood Products. With over 45 years of experience in manufacturing, he has a deep understanding of the local hardwood industry and global export markets. He also serves as an Allegany County Legislator for District III, representing his community with a focus on fiscal responsibility and common-sense growth.

John Ricci (Mar 2026 - Dec 2028), Board Member, Appointed by Allegany County Board of Legislators   
  • With over three decades of experience in public infrastructure and local business, John Ricci brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the Allegany County Board of Legislators. Representing District 2, John’s career is defined by his 35-year tenure with the Olean DPW and a tireless entrepreneurial spirit. Alongside his wife, John has launched three small businesses and revitalized the local community by remodeling 17 housing units. He combines a deep understanding of essential services with the fiscal discipline of a small business owner.​

ACIDA Staff

Craig Clark, Executive Director
  • Dr Clark is the current Executive Director of the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency and has assisted in many clean energy and economic development projects since 2017. He currently serves on the Incubator Works board as Vice Chair, serves on the Southern Tier West board, is active on the New York State Economic Development Council, served on the board of the Community Colleges of Appalachia as Chair and has been the lead on many large federal and state grants including the current EPA Brownfields and Microenterprise grants for Allegany County. He was associated with Alfred State college from 1979 until his retirement in 2025. At Alfred State Dr. Clark served in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities, including professor and chair of the Civil Engineering Technology Department, interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dean and Executive Director of the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville. He retired as Vice President for Economic Development. He has as Associate Degree in Engineering Science from Jamestown Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado, and a Master’s Degree and Doctor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Melissa Pingitore, Assistant Director
  • ​Melissa currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA). Prior to her role at ACIDA, Melissa spent over 20 years in administrative management, including serving as the Manager of HR and Office Operations for Cimolai HY, where she was an integral member of the senior management team during the steel fabrication start-up’s scaling phase. Her diverse leadership background also includes serving as Director of Corporate Services for SolEpoxy, HR & Office Manager for Napoleon Engineering, and holding management roles at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation and St. Bonaventure University. Melissa is deeply committed to regional governance and community services, currently serving on the Board of Directors for Cuba Memorial Hospital and the Cuba Circulating Library Association. Her long-standing dedication to the regional workforce is highlighted by nearly a decade of service as an Executive Board Member for Dream It Do It WNY. She previously contributed to the local cultural landscape as a board member for the Cattaraugus County Arts Council. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Bonaventure University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Barb Benjamin, Operations Director
  • Barb is a lifelong Allegany County resident. A dedicated public servant, Barb retired in June 2022 following a distinguished 38-year tenure with the Allegany County Department of Social Services (DSS). Her commitment to the region’s economic health continues through her work with the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which she joined in November 2023. Barb’s professional foundation is built on a strong academic background in finance and management. She holds a BS in Business Management from SUNY Empire State, an AAS in Accounting from Alfred State College, and is a graduate of Alfred-Almond Central School. Raised on a local farm, Barb remains an active producer and a leading advocate for the region's farming industry. Alongside her siblings, she owns and operates her family’s sheep farm, managing a flock of approximately 200 head of adult sheep. Her leadership in the agricultural community is extensive, currently serving as Vice President of the Allegany County Agricultural Society and Treasurer for the NYBPA Region 4 Board, where she previously served as both Chair and Co-Chair. Barb is passionate about preserving local traditions while driving sustainable economic growth through her various board and committee roles, including the NYS Farm Bureau and the Allegany County CCE Livestock Committee.

Audit Committee
  • Steve Mauro
  • Joe Hart
  • John Ricci
  • Doug Frank
  • Terri Ross
  • Bill Meunier
  • Tom McElhen​y
​Finance Committee
  • Doug Frank
  • Terri Ross
  • Joe Hart​
Governance Committee
  • Steve Mauro
  • Bill Meunier
  • Tom McElheny​
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Nominating Committee
  • Doug Frank
  • John Ricci
  • ​Tom McElheny
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 Building Review Committee
  • Tom McElheny
  • John Ricci
  • Bill Meunier
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These Committees meet as required during the Regular ACIDA monthly meetings.

Related Corporations

  • Capital Resource Corporation (ACCRC)
  • ​Local Development Corporation (ACLDC)
  • Allegany Crossroads Utility Corporation (ACUC)