Learn more about the Sullivan County Resort Facilities Local Development Corporation. Here, you’ll find detailed information about the dedicated individuals and structure behind our organization.
Certificate of Incorporation
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of SCRFLDC
Certificate of Incorporation of SCRFLDC
Officers and Committee Members
List of Committee Member and Agency Officers
Howard Siegel — Chairman, Treasurer, and CFO
Kathleen Lara — Vice-Chairperson and Secretary
Philip Vallone – Assistant Secretary
Scott Smith – Assistant Treasurer
Paul Guenther – Member
Sean Brooks – Member
Ira Steingart – Member
Jospeh Perrello – Member
Edward T. Sykes – Member
Organizational Chart
Board and Staff Members
Board of Directors Biographies:
– Howard Siegel – Chairman, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of the SCRFLDC. Mr. Siegel is the past president and CEO of Irwin Siegel Agency, Inc., and actively serves on multiple boards including Metro Community Health Centers and the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. His past leadership includes roles with the Monticello Rotary Club (past President), Rock Hill Business Association, and NYSARC Trusts. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2025.
– Kathleen Lara — Vice Chairperson and Secretary of the SCRFLDC. Ms. Lara is the Deputy County Treasurer for the County of Sullivan and Chair of the Town of Thompson Planning Board. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2025.
– Philip Vallone – Assistant Secretary of the SCRFLDC. Mr. Vallone was appointed to the SCRFLDC Board effective May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2027.
– Scott Smith – Assistant Treasurer of the SCRFLDC. Mr. Smith is the Council Representative for the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2026.
– Paul Guenther – SCRFLDC Member. Mr. Guenther was the former chairman of the New York Philharmonic and Fordham University boards and retired in 1995 as president of Paine Webber Group. Mr. Guenther currently serves on the boards of Bethel Woods and SUNY Sullivan. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2027.
– Sean Brooks – SCRFLDC Member. Mr. Brooks was appointed to the SCRFLDC Board effective May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2027.
– Ira Steingart – SCRFLDC Member. Mr. Steingart served as Sullivan County Legislator for District 8 for twelve years from 2012 through 2023. As a lifelong resident and dedicated business owner in Sullivan County, Ira is unwaveringly committed to driving economic development in his local community. In his role as Chairman of the County of Sullivan IDA from January 11, 2012, to March 21, 2021, Ira played a pivotal role in spearheading projects that significantly contributed to community progress. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2026.
– Jospeh Perrello – SCRFLDC Member. Mr. Perrello is the Sullivan County Legislator for District 7, serving as Vice-Chair of the Legislature and Chair of the Public Works Committee. He works at and co-operates Brother’s II Auto Body and is co-owner of Fallsburg Service Center, Fallsburg Car Rental, and J & G Home Developers. Previously, he worked for many years as co-owner of Perrello Limousines before selling the company. Appointed May 5, 2025 by sole appointing member of the Corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2025.
– Edward T. Sykes – SCRFLDC Member. Mr. Sykes is the Vice Chairman of the Board at Jeff Bank and the Chairman of Callicoon Cooperative Insurance Co. Board. He owned Mike Preis Inc. for 25 years, and is the former Chairman of Southern Tier Title Agency and former Town of Delaware Supervisor. Mr. Sykes is also a member and past President of the Callicoon Kiwanis Club, a retired member of the Callicoon Vol. Fire Dept. and a founding member of the Callicoon Business Association. Mr. Sykes served on the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors from 1996 to 2016, 2017 to 2023, and July 2025 to present. Appointed July 23, 2025 by the sole appointing member of the corporation, the Sullivan County Manager. Current term expires December 31, 2026.
Staff Biographies:
– Ira Steingart – Chief Executive Officer.
– Jennifer Flad – Executive Director, FOIL Officer, Contracting Officer for Property Disposition, and Procurement Officer of SCRFLDC. Ms. Flad serves as a liaison with the County of Sullivan and local and regional economic development agencies, in an effort to promote and administer the work of SCRFLDC. She previously worked for the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management, focusing on agricultural land use planning and economic development. Jennifer holds a BA in Peace, War and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MA in Social Science from the Environment and Community Program at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. Appointed by the Board on May 5, 2025.
– Julio Garaicoechea – Project Manager of SCRFLDC. Mr. Garaicoechea provides the necessary administrative, budgeting and financial reporting support to enable TSCILDC to make responsible and prudent policy and programmatic decisions, and maintains strong working relationships with private stakeholders, elected officials, public agencies, community partner organizations and the business community. Julio holds a MA in Economics from Hunter College in New York City, focusing on the effects of microfinance.
– Bethanii Padu – Economic Development Coordinator of SCRFLDC. Ms. Padu assists with the administration of the IDA’s tax abatement programs, loan and lease programs, grant programs, and maintains relationships with the agency’s Board, project representatives, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the IDA in 2023, Ms. Padu was in commercial banking industry for three years. Bethanii holds a BA in Finance from Georgia State University.
Professional Service Providers
Auditors: UHY, LLP
General Counsel: Walter F. Garigliano, P.C.
Bond Counsel: Harris Beach Murtha PLLC
Accountant: Cooper Arias, LLP