FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Garry VanGorder April 15, 2025 607/756-5005
Melanie Vilardi to Lead County Economic Development Groups Cortland –
Cortland County Deputy County Administrator Melanie Vilardi is stepping down to lead the county Business Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency. Vilardi has provided primary support to county administrator Rob Corpora since 2023 and will join the BDC/IDA on May 5, says Board Chairman Mike McMahon. Vilardi, a Preble resident, was named to the post by the BDC Board of Directors Monday after an extensive search to replace Bendan O’Bryan, who resigned in March. Former BDC/IDA Executive Director Garry VanGorder has been serving in an interim capacity since April 1 and will remain with the organizations to assist in the transition to Vilardi’s leadership. He had held the post for more than 14 years before retiring in 2023. “We spoke with a lot of people, but ultimately we found someone in our own backyard with the talent and the interest for this kind of work,” McMahon said. “We have a lot going on and in the transition to her leadership we don’t expect to miss a beat.” Vilardi, a Certified Public Accountant, has extensive experience in government aside from her work in Cortland County. She’s been Village Administrator in Hamilton, NY, Deputy Clerk of the Onondaga County Legislature, supervisor and mayor in the town of Fabius, and the 19-year owner of Orchard Vali in Lafayette, a public golf course, banquet facility, and restaurant. Vilardi holds an MS in Business education from LeMoyne College, a BS in accounting from Clarckson University, and an AAS in accounting from SUNY Cobleskill. “She has a skill set that is uniquely suited to this, and that is incredibly important in our work to facilitate a major expansion at Byrne Dairy, transition brownfields into suitable development sites, facilitate significant capital investments in renewable energy, support local municipalities in their own development initiatives, and providing support for the development and growth of small business in Cortland County,” McMahon said.
