Background An Urban Planner & Economic Development Strategist Irwin L. Davis has been involved in planning and economic development in the Central Upstate New York region for 40 years.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, and completed his graduate studies in Urban Development and Public Administration at American University, in Washington, DC.  Davis is the past President and CEO of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York and the Metropolitan Development Foundation. The MDA, now called CenterState CEO, is Central Upstate New York’s primary private-sector vehicle for the implementation of key development projects. Representing the area’s business leadership, the CenterState CEO is instrumental in undertaking economic development projects and providing immediate access to the people who can make things happen. The MDF is a 501 (c) 3 public foundation that serves as the CenterState CEO 's vehicle for the funding and implementation of projects of importance to the region. Davis is a member of the Upstate Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Board of New York. He is a Senior Associate for Economic Development at Cornell University. Davis also serves as a Special Consultant to Dairylea and DFA Cooperatives. Most recently, Davis has served as a director on the following Boards: The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance; The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, and the Manatee Economic Development Council. Davis joined the MDA as Assistant to the Executive Vice President in July 1968 and became President and CEO in 1976. From May 1970, to October 1971, he served as site office director of the New York State Urban Development Corporation's 3,000-acre New Community, Radisson, located 12 miles from Syracuse, in the Town of Lysander. From 1976-2009, Davis was the Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc. which was the first Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) in New York State. In addition, he was President and C.E.O. of the University Hill Corporation (UHC), from 1973-2009. The UHC represents all of the public and private institutions surrounding and including Syracuse University. The University Hill, a “town within a city,” includes 15,000 employees, 21,000 students and 15,000 residents. The UHC is responsible for coordinating all planning and economic development activities in this most vibrant sector of the city of Syracuse. In Washington, prior to his role with the MDA, Davis served as an Assistant to Dr. Royce Hanson, President of the Washington Center for Metropolitan Studies, and a nationally-known political scientist.  Davis was a Consultant to the Commission on Human Resources, Washington, DC.  Upon his return to Syracuse, Davis became a Special Consultant to the Commissioner of Urban Improvement. Davis served two terms as Chairman of the International Downtown Association, an organization of development professionals in 400 cities worldwide.  IDA is the only international organization that directs its entire efforts to the revitalization of central business districts. Davis served for a number of years as President of the New York State Urban Council.  The Council is comprised of public and private-sector officials directly responsible for the implementation of economic development and urban revitalization projects throughout New York State.  Davis is the former Chairperson of the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency.  SIDA is a non-profit corporation created in 1979 to enhance the City's economic development capabilities and is empowered to finance the acquisition, construction or reconstruction of a manufacturing, warehousing, research, commercial, industrial, and pollution control projects within the city limits. He is a former Vice-Chairman of the City of Syracuse Planning Commission.  Davis was Co-Chairman of the New York State Jobs Bond Act initiative.  He was Co-Chairman of the New York State delegation to the White House Conference on National Growth & Economic Development.  He is a former member of the New York State Board of Architecture. 

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