Lutheran Social Services

Long-time CFO to Retire after 19 years of Working at County Development Agency(Pictured) The CCIDA board and staff recognized retiring CFO Richard Dixon during the May CCIDA board meeting on Tuesday, May 27. Dixon will be retiring on June 1, 2025, after 19 years of service with the Agency. From left to right: Shelby Bilskie, CCIDA CFO; Mark Geise, CCIDA CEO; Dixon; Paul “PJ” Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive; and Gary Henry, CCIDA Board Chair. JAMESTOWN, NY – The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is saying goodbye to its longtime Chief Financial Officer. On Tuesday, Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, along with the rest of the CCIDA staff and Board of Directors, recognized outgoing CFO Richard Dixon for his decades of work with the agency. Dixon first joined the CCIDA in 2006. Since then, he's had primary responsibility for financial management and human resources of the Agency, including the development of the CCIDA annual budget and cost allocation plan, oversight of the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. He has also worked closely with Chautauqua County Government, Empire State Development, and area industry leaders to develop and fund expansion and retention projects within Chautauqua County. According to Giese, Dixon has played a major role in all economic development activities in Chautauqua County as a behind-the-scenes orchestrator of many high-impact deals that have had reoccurring impacts for the local economy.  “During his time with the CCIDA, Rich has had an unmatched track record as an accomplished economic developer with extensive financial and operations management experience,” Geise said. “His leadership and dedication are directly related to the creation and retention of thousands of jobs and the investment of billions of private dollars in Chautauqua County. From achieving an A+ risk rating with our loan portfolio, to securing a $10.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, to developing our industrial parks, to saving companies like SKF and assisting those like Cummins, Wells Enterprises, Southern Tier Brewing and Maplevale Farms, Rich has proved effective at every turn. Put simply, it would be impossible to list every single project he was involved with during his time with the CCIDA.” While working as CFO of the CCIDA, Dixon has also been associated with several regional and state organizations. He has served on the NY Power Authority’s Economic Development Power Allocation Board and the Southern Tier Extension Railroad Authority Board. In Chautauqua County, he has been a board member of both Citizens Opportunity for Development & Equality (CODE), Inc. and Chautauqua County Patrons. He is also a past President and current member of the Chautauqua Leadership Network. In 2022, Dixon received statewide recognition for his work when he was the recipient of the New York State Economic Development Council’s Brian T. McMahon Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Community-Based Economic Development.  “While Rich’s efforts in local and regional economic development are unmatched, his compassion and friendship are also equally unmatched,” Geise said. “Through his leadership, mentorship, and friendship, he has created a culture of excellence within the CCIDA. Needless to say, his professional knowledge and friendly demeanor will be sorely missed at our offices.” “It’s been a pleasure to work with Rich during my time on the board of directors, including as board chair these past two-and-a-half years” said Gary Henry, CCIDA Board Chair. “Rich has provided strong financial oversight and guidance for the CCIDA and has helped to position our Agency as an economic development leader in Western New York. His historical knowledge and wisdom will be missed and difficult, if not impossible, to immediately replace. That said, the entire board wishes him a long and happy retirement. It is well deserved.” “Having worked with Rich for many years while at the CCIDA, I’ve found him to be the ultimate professional. His passion and dedication for our business community is equally matched by the community’s love for him and his easy-going personality. Congratulations to him on his well-deserved retirement,” said Mike Metzger, former CCIDA Board Member and Chair, who worked with Dixon for 16 of his 19 years at the Agency. "Even though Rich has worked primarily behind the scenes when it comes to Economic Development in Chautauqua County, his hard work and tireless efforts have resulted in major wins for the economy and, as a result, the people of Chautauqua County. I want to thank Rich for his years of service to the CCIDA and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement," said Paul "PJ" Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. Upon being recognized during Tuesday’s meeting, Dixon shared his appreciation for being recognized by the CCIDA staff and board members. “I was playing baseball the day after I turned 16. My father drove up in the car and I thought we were going to go get my driver's license. Well, we went out and got my working permit at the high school, and I ended up on Blackstone Ave., working at Jamestown Metal Products. I immediately fell in love with manufacturing,” Dixon said. "Everything I've done since then, and especially here at the CCIDA, is for those people who get up and work 7 to 3, 3 to 11, and 11 to 7 and make some amazing things in this County. Through this job, I've been fortunate to go see all the amazing things we build here, and the people who help build them. Thank you everybody. It's been a great run." Prior to joining CCIDA, Rich served as Director of Finance for Chautauqua Works and the Private Industry Council of Chautauqua County. He has also served as Director of Human Resources for Chautauqua Opportunities and the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services, and as Assistant Administrator/Accounting Supervisor for Lutheran Social Services of Upstate New York. A native of Jamestown, Dixon received his BS degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Fredonia, with a concentration in Financial Management. He also holds an Associates in Business Administration from Jamestown Community College and is a NYS Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Dixon informed the agency of his pending retirement in the spring of 2024. At that point the CCIDA began the process to find his successor. In September 2024, the CCIDA announced that Shelby Bilskie would ultimately replace Dixon and since that time, Bilskie has transitioned into the CFO position, under Dixon’s guidance. In March during the CCIDA organizational meeting, Bilskie fully assumed the title of CFO. With a new CFO in place and the transition complete, Dixon will officially retire from the Agency, effective June 1, 2025. Following retirement, Dixon plans to spend the majority of his time with his family, which includes his wife Carol, two daughters, and three grandchildren. About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.