CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Cortland County is getting a new economic development leader.

Deputy County Administrator Melanie Vilardi will leave her current post to become director of the county’s Business Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency. In a statement, IDA Board of Directors chair Mike McMahon touted the choice.

“We spoke with a lot of people, but ultimately we found someone in our own backyard with the talent and the interest for this kind of work,” McMahon said. “We have a lot going on and in the transition to her leadership we don’t expect to miss a beat.”

McMahon added Vilardi, who’s served as the deputy Cortland County administrator since 2023, brings good experience to the job.

“She has a skill set that is uniquely suited to this, and that is incredibly important in our work to facilitate a major expansion at Byrne Dairy, transition brownfields into suitable development sites, facilitate significant capital investments in renewable energy, support local municipalities in their own development initiatives, and providing support for the development and growth of small business in Cortland County,” McMahon said.

Former director Garry VanGorder stepped in as temporary leader after the sudden resignation of Brendan O’Bryan in March. He’ll remain with the group to help Vilardi transition into her new role, which she’ll begin on May 5.