LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Kenneth M. Tompkins upon the occasion
of his retirement after nine years of distinguished service as Empire
State Development Mohawk Valley Regional Director

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Kenneth M. Tompkins upon the occasion of his retirement after nine years
of distinguished service as Empire State Development Mohawk Valley
Regional Director; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Kenneth M. Tompkins earned his Bachelor's degree in
Political Science from the State University of New York College at
Plattsburgh; he furthered his education by receiving his Master's degree
in Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
at Syracuse University in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth M. Tompkins began his illustrious career as a busi-
ness reporter for the POST STANDARD in Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the newspaper, Kenneth M. Tompkins served as
Director of Corporate Communications for Niagara Mohawk Power Corpo-
ration, which was acquired by National Grid in 2002; he was then
promoted to the position of Vice President of Business Services for
National Grid; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth M. Tompkins' responsibilities at the electricity and
natural gas delivery company included the overall management of National
Grid's large-customer, community and municipal relationships in the
company's Mohawk Valley and Northern Region; he was also charged with
mobilizing company resources to assist with the region's economic and
community development needs; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Kenneth M. Tompkins was appointed to the title of
Empire State Development (ESD) Mohawk Valley Regional Director, a posi-
tion from which he will officially retire in June of 2016; and
WHEREAS, Empire State Development is New York State's chief economic
development agency, encompassing business, work force and community
development; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Kenneth M. Tompkins and his staff
worked with companies, local economic developers and municipal leaders
to create and retain jobs in a six-county area through the use of loans,
grants and technical assistance; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth M. Tompkins has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth M. Tompkins was a vital Board Member of the Mohawk
Valley Regional Economic Development Council (MVEDGE), which was formed
in August of 2011, to serve as an engine of economic and community revi-
talization; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work with MVEDGE, Kenneth M. Tompkins has
served as President of the Board of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Onondaga County and graduate from the Leadership Greater Syracuse
program in 2007; and
WHEREAS, A man of many interests and passions, Kenneth M. Tompkins
also holds the position of Vice President of the Central New York Commu-
nity Arts Council, Second Vice President of the Upstate Cerebral Palsy
Association, and Assistant Treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of
Commerce, as well as a board member of the Rome Industrial Development

Corp, the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, and the School
and Business Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Kenneth M. Tompkins served
Empire State Development - Mohawk Valley regional office with intelli-
gence and caring dedication, continuously striving to effectively
fulfill the duties of his position; and
WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with whom
he worked, Kenneth M. Tompkins will be remembered for his honesty,
integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of
human problems in his official acts; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Debra, and his three
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kenneth M. Tompkins upon the occasion of his retirement after
nine years of distinguished service as Empire State Development Mohawk
Valley Regional Director, and to wish him continued success in all his
future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kenneth M. Tompkins.