Welcome to our new, fresh, “green” newsletter!

Message from the President and CEO

Just about eighteen months ago, NYSID’s Board of Directors asked me to accept the position of President and CEO of this great organization. I was enjoying my retirement from government immensely, but this new challenge was something I could not turn down. In my previous capacity as Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services, I was well aware of the good work that NYSID does. The opportunity to come in and work with this great team to address current challenges and plan for the future was exciting, and had the potential of being very rewarding. I have not been disappointed. Working with Ron Romano and the NYSID staff has not only been professionally satisfying, but great fun as well!

From time to time, every business and organization must take time to step back and look to see where it is and where it should be going. We have done that. This has resulted in a multi-year Strategic Plan, which I’m sure many of you have already heard about. The implementation of this plan is well underway. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has led to diminished opportunities for people with disabilities, yet we still have a goal of creating a total of 10,000 jobs by the year of 2014. We think we have built the foundation to do that as we come out of this recession. As part of our plan, we are working to get people to better understand what NYSID does for New Yorkers and for our state. We are talking to the media, educating legislators, increasing compliance, and more. We’re going to do more research and development; we have set a goal of increasing our local government business by 3% a year, and during the past year this business segment increased by 16%. We’re looking to increase the number of corporate partnerships, and we have developed better relationships with OGS and Empire State Development Corporation.

When I came on board, I did not know how long I would be here, but I knew that when I left I had to feel that the organization was moving in the right direction. After much thought and discussion with my wife, I have decided to resume my retirement at the end of September. The Board of Directors has accepted my resignation, and I’m pleased to tell you that Ron Romano, our Executive Vice President, will take over as President and CEO effective October 1st. Ron has been my partner in charting a course for the future, and he will now take the helm and continue the course. I know that under his guidance and leadership, NYSID will continue to flourish and will continue to provide jobs for those who need the help the most. I take great pride in what we as a team have accomplished over the past year and a half, and while there is much more left to be done I know that Ron, working with a wonderful group in this organization, will succeed.

I truly appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to be the President and CEO of NYSID. Again, thank you and best wishes!

Best regards,

Kenneth J. Ringler

President and Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth J. Ringler, President and CEO

Ronald P. Romano, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Jennifer Lawrence, Editor

518-694-0225

fax: 518-455-0325

e-mail: JLawrence@nysid.org

Preferred Sourceline Contents

Message from the President and CEO

OGS Honored at Preferred Source Expo

Seventh Annual Joslin Awards Program

2010 Joslin Outstanding Performers

New TIP Tools

Fourth-Quarter 2010 Programs

Preferred Source Champion

NYSID is People Like