O&R names Deborah Patterson as the utility's economic development director

PEARL RIVER — Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., has named Deborah A. Patterson, a 40-year Con Edison veteran who most recently served for eight years as an economic development manager, as O&R's Director of Economic Development.

Patterson, a Warwick resident, is replacing Richard M. Struck who retired April 30 after 30 years with the utility.

Critical portfolio
In her new position, Patterson, who during her career a Con Edison has held management posts in customer service, construction management and energy services, will plan, manage and coordinate the Economic Development functions and staff for both O&R and Con Edison.

Her duties will include developing strategies and programs that will foster economic growth, business stability and expansion and new business attraction. She will direct the department's efforts to encourage the development of "green businesses" and behaviors within the service territories of both companies.

Patterson also will serve as the principal representative with allied business organizations involved in enhancing job growth and promoting regional business development.

"Deborah Patterson lives and breathes economic development and her rich experience, business savvy and industry knowledge ideally suit her for this new, challenging post," O&R President and CEO Tim Cawley said in a press release announcing the appointment. "This is an exciting opportunity for both O&R and Con Edison and we are confident that Deborah will make it a success."

Resume
In her economic development capacity, Patterson, who holds a B.A. from CUNY Queens, is a member of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, a nine-county consortium of economic development organizations. She also is a member of the Business Council of Westchester, the Westchester County Association, the New York Biomedical Association and a variety of local chambers of commerce and business development associations.

The utility
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, is a regulated utility. It provides electric service to approximately 200,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange & Rockland), northern New Jersey (where it's Rockland Electric Company) and northeastern Pennsylvania (where it's Pike County Light & Power Company) and natural gas service to approximately 130,000 customers in New York and Pennsylvania.

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