The Tech Garden announced today that Linda Dickerson Hartsock will be joining the organization as Vice President for CleanTech Initiatives. In this role Ms. Hartsock will lead a new series of programs aimed at incubating and accelerating the growth of clean technology startups in Upstate New York. The initiative is funded through a $1.5 million NYSERDA grant.

According to Tech Garden President Nasir Ali, "The Tech Garden has witnessed a real surge in the number of clean technology companies that are being launched across the region. A key factor in their success will be connecting them with experienced business leaders and providers of capital. The scale of this opportunity compelled us to develop a highly specialized program that would bring together the critical elements for clean tech entrepreneurial success. Linda is the ideal person for this position, bringing passion, knowledge, and experience in this sector."

Hartsock has been a founding member of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance, and a steering committee member of the "Green Team," as well as part of the task force that developed "The Creative Core" campaign. "CleanTech entrepreneurship is a team game, with business, academia, and government institutions all playing critical roles," added Ali. "Linda has a wonderful track record of building win-win partnerships across New York State and we are confident that she will continue to build new and stronger collaborations with partners across the state."

According to a report on Central Upstate New York's Green Industry by the Battelle Technology Partnership, there are already 419 firms in this sector, employing more than 10,000. This sector is expected to be a cornerstone of a new innovation economy that is built on talent, energy and entrepreneurship. The Tech Garden's CleanTech initiatives will support growth of companies in this sector, in partnership with other regional efforts under the umbrella of a "NY Loves CleanTech" brand.

Prior to joining The Tech Garden, Hartsock was Central New York Regional Director of Empire State Development Corporation. In that role, she served as a senior member of New York State's economic development team, with responsibility for a five-county region. Her responsibilities included coordinating technical assistance and structuring financing and incentives for companies, from start-ups to major corporate expansions. Some of those projects included planned expansions by Welch Allyn, Bitzer Scroll and Sensis Corporation. She led a comprehensive business outreach and lead development program, working closely with regional partners, as well as ESD's International and Strategic Business Division.

From 1999 to 2007, Hartsock served as President and CEO of the Cortland County Business Development Corporation and the Cortland County Industrial Development Agency. Previously, she was President and CEO of a Hudson Valley based nine-county regional planning, policy and development group spanning from New York City to Albany. She was also a longtime member of the faculty at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, teaching organizational studies.

The Tech Garden, is a division of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, with 2,100 member businesses that represent over 140,000 employees, is dedicated to creating an economic climate that enhances the growth, prosperity and quality of life for all who live and work in Greater Syracuse. The Chamber delivers great value and return on investment to the membership by developing flexible, tailored and tangible programs and services to our increasingly diverse group of member companies.