Quality Assurance Specialist Joins Peekskill IDA Board

PEEKSKILL, NY — Peekskill resident Janice Thompson has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency.

City officials are seeking applicants to fill additional positions on the PIDA Board of Directors. Those who wish to apply may send a letter of interest and resume to the City Clerk, Debra Petrosky, 840 Main Street, Peekskill, N.Y. 10566 or via e-mail at DPetrosky@cityofpeekskill.com, by July 31.

The PIDA is a governmental agency offering financial incentives to economic development projects.

A Peekskill native, Thompson became interested in joining the PIDA after learning about the organization’s involvement in the financing which allowed for the construction of the Fort Hill project.

"I grew up on John Street and used to ride my bike up to Saint Mary’s with the neighborhood kids during the summer and sleigh down the hill in the winters,” she said. “Even as a kid, I thought that location had the best views of the Hudson River. Now it has developed into a gorgeous project which is a showcase for the whole City thanks to the IDA – one of Peekskill’s many beautiful gems."

Thompson’s goal is to help Peekskill, its residents and particularly its youth to be able to benefit from the unique, memorable and enriching experience Peekskill is, just as it was for her as a child.

"Peekskill is a small city full of walkable sidewalks, beautiful homes with front porches and many wonderful local businesses. As a teenager I worked at Howland’s department store. I was so proud because I just had to walk to work, no transportation needed," she said. "In my youthful eyes, Peekskill was a big city. Now this beautiful town is emerging into a destination for arts, high tech and music; and people are relocating back from all over into the City."

A Quality & Risk Management Analyst and Computer Systems Compliance & Development Empowerment Ambassador for the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, Thompson has 23 combined years of experience in software quality assurance for the life science industry. She was previously an Associate Director, IS Compliance for Pfizer and has held positions at Schering-Plough (Merck), Hill-Rom, Inc. and construction company Bovis, Inc., currently trading as Lendlease.

“We welcome Janice to the PIDA,” said Peekskill IDA Chairperson Deborah Post. “Her years of experience in the IT and compliance field in a wide range of industries – from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to the financial and construction industry – brings a fresh knowledge-base and perspective to the PIDA Board. We are looking forward to Janice joining our efforts to keep Peekskill moving forward."

The PIDA's aim is to strengthen Peekskill’s economy through job creation and workforce development.

“I am very enthusiastic about the Peekskill City Council’s appointment of Janice Thompson to the IDA Board of Directors,” said Peekskill IDA Executive Director Matthew Rudikoff. “Ms. Thompson’s vast work experience in related fields is matched with a lifelong commitment to the City of Peekskill and a desire to contribute to the important economic and workforce development work of the agency.”

Thompson holds an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information System from SUNY Cobleskill, a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Technology from Mercy College.

"I'm beyond grateful that the Peekskill IDA will have Janice Thompson on the board,” said Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. “The IDA is one of the boards that focus on execution and effective planning. Janice will only enhance the ability of the IDA to think outside of the box and prepare us for a successful future, now. Janice's background, work ethic and creative thinking will create so much more for our city and this is what keeps Peekskill so unique. I look forward to working with her and I'm glad this vital board is moving forward."