e-edition | subscribe now | find and save | newsletter CLASSIFIEDS JOBS CARS HOMES FEATURED » NEWS NOW Corning Community College to host exhibit on marriage equality ... Chemung County Bar Association and Legal Assistance of Western New York to host awards luncheon ... Corning Community College to host Nature Education Action Time ... Corning Community College to host exhibit on marriage equality ... Chemung County Bar Association and Legal Assistance of Western New York to host awards luncheon ... Corning Community College to host Nature Education Action Time ... Jack Benjamin announces retirement Three Rivers president had hand in flood recovery, LPGA and more Comment It may be a cliché, but it really will be the end of an era when Jack Benjamin steps down as president of Three Rivers Development at the end of this year. His retirement was announced Thursday by the Corning-based economic development corporation. Those who have worked with him say his drive and passion for bringing important development to the community will be missed. “Jack has been the go-to guy in the Corning area for 42 years,” said Tom Tranter, president of Corning Enterprises and co-chair of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council. Kirk Gregg, chairman of the Board of Directors at Three Rivers, praised Benjamin’s service to the community. “Jack Benjamin has been a stalwart for improving the lives and economy for the people and our communities in the area for 42 years,” Gregg said. “His unswerving dedication and passion for all his constituents has been exemplary.” The board has named Betsey Hale to be the new president of Three Rivers. Hale is a graduate of Cornell University and received her Master’s Degree from Colorado State University. Since 2006, she’s been the head of the economic development department in the city of Loveland, Colo. She’ll join Three Rivers Development Nov. 9, ahead of Benjamin’s retirement. Benjamin said he’s confident in Hale, who was chosen by a search committee in a process that’s taken much of the last year. “I think she’s fantastic,” he said. “She has a planning and economic development background. It’s a great fit for Three Rivers.” Area development and government leaders said Benjamin’s influence on the Corning area can’t be overstated. Benjamin joined Three Rivers in March 1973, when the area was still recovering from the devastating Agnes flood. “After the flood, I got hired to help rebuild the community,” Benjamin said. “For the last 40 years, the community has reinvented itself many, many times.” “It started with the Agnes flood recovery, which resulted in the Corning Intown plan, which brought the parking garage and the Radisson Hotel, Dayspring Apartments and the new Centerway bridge,” Tranter said. A number of similar redevelopment plans followed. City Manager Mark Ryckman said despite always taking a behind-the-scenes role, rebuilding the community is exactly what Benjamin has done. “The community would look a lot different without Jack’s work,” Ryckman said. From the construction of the Centerway parking garage, to helping to build the Gaffer District and set the direction for what Market Street would become, to the reopening of the city library, Benjamin, as leader of Three Rivers, has played a key role in nearly every significant development in the city in the last four decades, Ryckman said. » Comment or view comments Terms of Service the-leader.com Corning Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Corning Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with The Leader Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Site Services Contact Us E-Edition Place an Ad Online Forms Archives Corning Yellow Pages Market Place Find Corning Jobs Bestride Classifieds Twin Tiers Area Newspaper Ads FindNSave Community Info Corning Area Chamber of Commerce City of Corning Corning's Gaffer District Corning Incorporated Steuben County Chemung County Addison Bath Corning Erwin Big Flats Horseheads Site Links Specialty Publications WETM 18 Guestbook Facebook Propel Marketing More Content Now BestRide.com Find&Save Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2006-2015 Gatehouse Media, Inc. Some rights reserved Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Gatehouse Media Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. The Leader | 34 W. Pulteney St., Corning, NY 14830