About the St. Lawrence County IDA

The current Chairman of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, Brian W. Staples has served on the Agency Board since 1983.

He is a Certified Public Accountant and owns/operates Brian W. Staples, CPA.

A graduate of Clarkson University, he holds a BS in Engineering and Management (1970) and a MS in Accounting (1975).  A past Lecturer and Coordinator of Pre-Management 4+1 MBA Programs
at St. Lawrence University, Chairman Staples is also a member of AICPA and NYSSCPA. He is the former Treasurer of the St. Lawrence County Solid Waste Disposal Authority and former Director of the Canton Housing Authority.

Mr. Staples resides in Canton.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in September 2026.

Ernest LaBaff has a distinguished history of public service, and is a long-time proponent of economic development for St. Lawrence County. He is President Emeritus of the Aluminum Brick & Glass Workers International Union and a former member of the St. Lawrence County Legislature (1974-1980; and 1981-1985).

First appointed to the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency in April of 1977, “Ernie” has served in various capacities, including Chairman, and is currently the Board’s Secretary.

In July of 2014, the St. Lawrence County IDA named its first industrial building in Canton the “Ernest J. LaBaff Industrial Building.” Ernie is involved in various community activities, including the Potsdam High School Hall of Fame, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW, AmVets, Moose, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and Weller Mountain Hunting Club, just to name a few.

Ernest LaBaff resides in Potsdam, New York.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in September 2026.

Lynn Blevins was appointed to the Board of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency in June 2006 and currently serves as the Agency Board’s Vice Chair. Lynn is the owner of Blevins Brothers, Inc. in Ogdensburg. He is a graduate of SUNY Canton, with an AAS in Engineering. Lynn also serves on the St. Lawrence County Workforce Investment Board and formerly held the Board’s Chairmanship. He is an active partner in economic and workforce development efforts.

Lynn resides in Ogdensburg.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in June 2024.

Mark Hall was appointed to the Board of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency in December 2009. He served as the Supervisor for the Town of Fine, New York from January 2007 until June of 2015. He currently oversees the Star Lake Water District.

Mr. Hall has served on the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages’ Executive Committee; the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation and the Board of Clifton-Fine Hospital, in addition to owning and operating a small environmental remediation business for 15 years.  Mr. Hall also serves on the Adirondack Park Agency Board, a Member since 2020.

In his spare time, Mr. Hall has served as a high school basketball coach and a men’s & women’s assistant golf coach.  Currently residing in Star Lake, Mark wants to see St. Lawrence County prosper from the St. Lawrence River to the Adirondack Mountains. He has a passion for St. Lawrence County and the North Country and wants to see continued business retention, business growth and increased employment opportunities throughout the entire County.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in December 2024.

Andrew McMahon was appointed to the Board of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency in August 2007.

Mr. McMahon is Superintendent of the Town of Massena Electric Department, one of 47 municipally owned power companies in New York State with a system that covers 131 square miles and provides power to over 9,000 customers. He worked at DuPont and also in various capacities at Duke Energy North America.

He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Union College in Schenectady and has an extensive background in the energy industry to support economic development.  He is also a member of Rotary International, Vice President for the CITEC Board of Directors, and Chairperson for North Country Savings Bank.

Andy McMahon resides in Massena.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in September 2025.

James Reagen is St. Lawrence County’s Legislative Representative to the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Advisory Board.  Legislator Reagen was appointed to the IDA Board in February 2019. His legislative district includes a portion of Ogdensburg.

Mr. Reagen worked as a local newspaper reporter and editor for 30 years. From January 2011 – December 2022, he worked on staff for New York State Senator Patti Ritchie’s office and currently owns/operates the Sherman Inn in Ogdensburg. Mr. Reagen is very involved with activities in the local communities, particularly with Kiwanis and Key Club. He is also the author of several North Country History books.

Mr. Reagen resides in Ogdensburg, New York.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in December 2024.

Steven Morrill was appointed to the Board of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency in February 2018.  He operates a family-owned dairy farm, located in Hermon, New York, and brings an extensive background in agriculture.

Mr. Morrill is a graduate of Cornell University and has been employed in the agricultural industry for 28 years. He is a basketball coach at Hermon Dekalb Central School and member of the Farm Credit Advisory Board.

Steven resides with his family in Dekalb Junction.

His current term on the IDA Board expires in February 2027.

Patrick Kelly was appointed the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency’s Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2012.  Prior to his appointment as CEO, Patrick served the Agency in various capacities, including its Economic Developer and as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer.

As Chief Executive Officer, he oversees the Agency’s planning, initiation, implementation and administration of programs to encourage and attract industries to locate or expand within St. Lawrence County. Patrick is a St. Lawrence County native and a graduate of Cornell University with a concentration in Business Management and Marketing.

He resides in Ogdensburg with his wife Jackie, a School Superintendent, and their children.

Kimberly A. Gilbert was appointed as the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency’s Chief Financial Officer on December 9, 2015. Prior to her appointment as CFO, Kimberly served
the Agency as its Fiscal Manager.

As Chief Financial Officer, she is responsible for the care and custody of all funds of the Agency, and all of the funds administered by the Agency.

Kimberly is a St. Lawrence County native and a graduate of SUNY Canton with a degree in Accounting.

She resides in Hannawa Falls with her husband, Kevin, and their children.