Leadership Team
Unshackle Upstate is a coalition, led by an executive director who reports to a managing board. This board is made up of statewide and regional business leaders - including the two co-founders of Unshackle Upstate - who have a clear understanding and experience with the unique economic challenges of New York state and Upstate in particular.
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Brian Sampson | Executive Director
Executive Director, Unshackle Upstate
As executive director of Unshackle Upstate, Brian Sampson is responsible for coordinating its political and policy agenda, advocating for reform in state government, and promoting the overall growth of the coalition and engagement of its partners. Prior to joining Unshackle, he was with Empire State Development (ESD as Upstate Director for Business Outreach and served as vice president of the Builders Exchange of Rochester, a 550-plus member association in the construction industry.
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Sandra A. Parker | Co-Founder
President and CEO, Rochester Business Alliance
Sandra A. Parker, president and chief executive officer of the Rochester Business Alliance since 2005, leads a chamber of commerce recognized as the "Voice of Business" in Greater Rochester. An active community leader, Parker serves on a variety of boards and is currently co-chair of the Committee to Save New York. Read more.
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Andrew Rudnick | Co-Founder
President and CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Andrew Rudnick is the President of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, having served as the chief executive officer of the organization since its formation in 1993 and as CEO of one of its predecessor organizations - the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation - from 1986 to 1993. Prior to joining the Partnership, Rudnick was chief operating officer of the Houston Economic Development Council in Houston, Texas. Read more.
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Garry F. Douglas | Leadership Board
President and CEO, North Country Chamber of Commerce
Garry Douglas has been President and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce - which serves 4,100 companies across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and northern Warren County, since 1992. Prior to that, he served for 14 years as executive assistant to U.S. Rep. Gerald Solomon.
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Dave Rakvica | Leadership Board
Project Executive, Tetra Tech Construction
Dave Rakvica is a Project Executive for Tetra Tech Construction a major upstate employer based northwest of Albany which performs $250M of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects nationally. Dave has served on the board of directors for the Empire Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors between 2007-2012 and became the ABC state chairman in 2011. He is active representing construction industry needs at the local, state, and national levels.
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Lou Santoni | Leadership Board
President and CEO, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
Lou Santoni is president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as president of the Greater Binghamton Convention & Visitors Bureau and a member of the Broome County Arena Board of Directors. Read more.