Former CEO Halahan and CCA Executive Director Seidman Honored as Most Valuable Partners
Newly appointed President & CEO, Conor Eckert; Former President & CEO, Maureen Halahan & OCP Board Chair, Melissa Cobuzzi
A packed house at the MVP Dinner
OCP Board Chair, Melissa Cobuzzi; Longest-serving OCP Board Member, Alan Seidman & Newly appointed President & CEO, Conor Eckert
Longtime business and economic development executives Alan Seidman and Maureen Halahan were honored by the Orange County Partnership on June 3 as the organization’s 2025 Most Valued Partners event.
Halahan retired as President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership earlier this month, while Seidman, the executive director of the Construction Contractors Association, will be retiring from his post at the end of this year.
A host of business dignitaries praised Halahan and Seidman at the event held at the Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown for their contributions over more than two decades in advancing business growth and economic development in Orange County. The program included a tribute to both executives by Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Melissa Cobuzzi, Board Chair of the Orange County Partnership, and newly appointed Orange County President & CEO Conor Eckert. More than 500 business executives, civic leaders and guests attended the MVP dinner.
Halahan, who retired after a 24-year tenure with the Orange County Partnership, has been a transformational leader in economic development. As the longest-serving President & CEO of the organization, she has successfully attracted, retained, and expanded major businesses in Orange County, securing its reputation as a premier destination for industry and investment. Under Halahan’s leadership, the Partnership has played a crucial role in shaping the county’s business environment, securing vital infrastructure, and positioning the region for sustained economic success.
Under her leadership the Partnership transformed from a public/private funded not for profit to a 100% privately funded organization. She modeled the Partnership’s corporate attraction strategies to mirror that of International Site Selectors Guild and the formula has brought considerable success with more than 300 major attractions of new companies that created more than 11,000 new jobs to Orange County. These development projects have generated billions of dollars in capital investment. In addition, 318 companies that were already located within Orange County, expanded their operations during her tenure at the Partnership that created an additional 8,884 new jobs.
Halahan has served on the Board of the Governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council since its inception (14 years) and currently is an Executive Member of the council. She is also co-chair of the Stewart Air Service Development Committee (SASDC), which is charged with growing the operations at New York Stewart International Airport. Currently, Halahan Co-Chairs the Board for 17-Forward-86 LDC which is a multi-county collaborative initiative to add a third lane to Route 17/I-86 through designated areas of Orange and Sullivan counties. Her efforts have borne fruit as Gov. Kathy Hochul has earmarked $1 billion for the project. In addition, she joined the Orange County FoodTEC Board, focusing on the regional workforce needs of the food and beverage industry and aligning SUNY Orange educational programs with the sectors growing employment and skills demand.
Her other leadership driven achievements include being one of the founding members of the Orange County Capital Development Corporation and one of the first Board Chairs of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. She was also one of the first members of the Warwick LDC, which resulted in the extremely successful redevelopment of the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility—the first ground-up corporate park to be built in Orange County in decades. Halahan also served on the Board of Directors of the Horton-Arden LDC, which was charged with ensuring both hospital properties were sold in time for the opening of the merged facility (Orange Regional Medical Center) in the Town of Wallkill.
Seidman has been a steadfast advocate for economic growth and construction activity in Orange County and the broader Hudson Valley region. Since 2009, he has served as Executive Director of the CCA, playing a pivotal role in advancing the construction industry and fostering opportunities for skilled labor. He is the longest-serving Board Member of the Orange County Partnership, with an impressive 19-year tenure, including a stint as Chairman from 2010-2012. Seidman has been instrumental in driving major development projects that have shaped the region’s economic landscape.
After earning both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech from Emerson College, Seidman began his professional journey with the 3M Company before becoming a successful entrepreneur and small business owner. He later served as Regional Manager and Principal with the engineering firm Clough, Harbour & Associates, LLP. He also holds leadership roles with the Fabricators, Erectors, and Reinforcing Contractors of Hudson Valley and SMACNA Southeastern NY.
Seideman served with distinction as an Orange County Legislator from 1990 to 2009, including four years as Chairman. He has been a dedicated advocate for smart economic development, transportation, and infrastructure, earning appointments to numerous regional bodies such as the Hudson Valley Regional Council, Stewart-Newburgh Foreign Trade Zone Board, and the Orange County Executive’s Economic Advisory Commission.
He has also served on the boards of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Temple Beth Jacob, and the Cornwall Fire Department, among many others. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including lifetime achievement honors from the Boy Scouts of America, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, and Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.
“Alan and Maureen’s unwavering dedication to economic development has positively impacted everyone in Orange County,” said Cobuzzi. “Alan has been a tireless champion for growing the construction workforce, helping to create high-quality job opportunities across the region. Maureen’s inspiring leadership has propelled Orange County forward, attracting top-tier businesses, developers, and attractions that fuel a thriving and dynamic economy. We are proud to honor their incredible contributions to the community we proudly call home at this year’s MVP event.”
Halahan ended her acceptance speech saying she “could not be prouder,” passing the baton of leadership to Conor Eckert. She also described her dedication to the important work of the Orange County Partnership, saying: “Economic development matters. Invest in it. It’s not just about big buildings and ribbon cuttings. It is about people. It is about changing lives, creating opportunities and building a better tomorrow. We did that. Together we did that. Thank you for this beautiful honor, and I love you all.”
