Business Incubator at Calverton Names New Associate Director
Chris Kempner, a leader of economic and community development initiatives in Riverhead for 25 years, set to expand momentum of business ventures and economic development on East End
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| Chris Kempner has been named Associate Director of Stony Brook University’s Business Incubator at Calverton |
STONY BROOK, N.Y., May 4, 2017 – Chris Kempner, former Executive Director for the Town of Riverhead Community Development Agency (CDA), has been named Associate Director of Stony Brook University’s Business Incubator at Calverton, effective May 15, 2017. Selected from a pool of highly qualified candidates, Kempner will oversee the operations of a large R&D facility that provides an optimal environment for the development of emerging business ventures compatible with the unique setting of Long Island’s East End for its agricultural, aquaculture, environmental and high-tech industries.
Kempner comes to Stony Brook University with more 25 years of experience in economic development, legal, and political experience. Kempner was named Executive Director of Riverhead’s CDA in January 2008. In this capacity, she was responsible for projects designed to improve the environment, economy and quality of life for town residents, visitors and businesses via economic development, environmental restoration, affordable home ownership/repair and creation of workforce housing. Projects included downtown business district revitalization, Calverton Enterprise Park redevelopment, historic restoration, environmental programs (open space, remediation, alternative transportation, habitat restoration), business development incentives, urban renewal programs, and grant procurement/administration for capital projects. These projects included downtown waterfront revitalization, hotel construction, rail rehabilitation, infrastructure development to encourage business growth, low to moderate income homeowner-occupied home improvement programs, and senior citizen emergency home repairs.
“I am looking forward to joining the Stony Brook University Economic Development team and to work closely with Dr. Yacov Shamash, VP for Economic Development, who has accomplished so much for the region. Together, we can undertake a concerted effort to reach out to eastern Long Island economic development officials and political leaders to accomplish the goals of creating more jobs and economic growth for the region.” “Furthermore, I want to thank the Riverhead Town Board for the opportunity to work on many interesting projects that have helped transform Riverhead. In my new role at the business incubator, I look forward to continuing that close relationship and fostering new ones on the east end.”
“Appointing Chris Kempner as Associate Director of the Business Incubator at Calverton will greatly strengthen Calverton’s contributions to the East End economy, creating new economic opportunities with sensitivity to the region’s unique heritage,” said Ann-Marie Scheidt, PhD, Director of Economic Development. ”Her network of regional connections, as well as her outstanding skills and talents, will provide an invaluable resource for the Calverton program.”
Kempner is admitted to both the Hawaii State Bar and the New York State Bar. She is a licensed real estate broker and former elected Trustee of the Village of Greenport Board. Kempner previously worked for the Hawaii Community Development Authority as an Asset Management Specialist in 2004. Prior to that she was an Associate Attorney in the Finance and Real Estate Department for Cades Shutte, LLP, in Honolulu.
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About the Stony Brook University Business Incubator at Calverton
The Business Incubator at Calverton opened in 2005 as an economic engine to enhance Eastern Long Island’s agricultural, aquaculture, environmental and high-tech industries. As one of Stony Brook University’s Economic Development Incubator Facilities, the Calverton Business Incubator is helping to create a new base of industries by promoting the growth of tenant companies. The Incubator provides the opportunity for businesses to collaborate with researchers, other scientists, faculty and professionals from Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the New York State Small Business Development Center who can guide and advise them from a product or business concept to commercialization.
The Incubator’s nearly 24,000 sq. ft. facility comprised of offices, conference rooms, and laboratories with both fresh and salt water access, as well as a state-of-the-art food processing facility, provides an optimal working environment to help build business models designed to succeed on Long Island’s East End.
About Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University is going beyond the expectations of what today’s public universities can accomplish. Since its founding in 1957, this young university has grown to become one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system with more than 25,700 students, 2,500 faculty members, and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs. Our faculty have earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. The University offers students an elite education with an outstanding return on investment: U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 40 public universities in the nation. Its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. As part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University joins a prestigious group of universities that have a role in running federal R&D labs. Stony Brook University is a driving force in the region’s economy, generating nearly 60,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $4.65 billion. Our state, country and world demand ambitious ideas, imaginative solutions and exceptional leadership to forge a better future for all. The students, alumni, researchers and faculty of Stony Brook University are prepared to meet this challenge.
