Ted Wightman

The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency is pleased to announce the addition of Ted Wightman to the CCIDA Board of Directors, following his approved appointment by the Chautauqua County Legislature at its April 2025 voting session.

By virtue of being appointed to the CCIDA Board of Directors, Wightman will also assume a seat on the boards of the Chautauqua Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Chautauqua County Capital Resource Corporation.

Wightman works for the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. He is also Business Representative of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, Millwrights Local 1163, which includes 600 skilled members from across Upstate New York.

With his appointment, Wightman returns labor union representation back to the IDA board. Previously, Steven Thorpe, the business representative of Sheet Metal Workers Local no. 112, represented organized labor on the board for six years. However, Thorpe retired from that position in July 2024 and his seat had been left vacant until another representative from organized labor could be appointed.

“We are pleased to announce that once again we have organized labor represented on our board of directors,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “Projects we support often require skilled trade workers to undertake the work. By making sure labor has a voice at the table, these workers can be assured their interests are represented in any decision made by our board.”

“Through his work in labor, Steven Thorpe provided a unique business sense to our board that we greatly appreciated during his time with us,” said Gary Henry, CCIDA Chair. “We are confident Ted will have the same approach and help to represent all types of labor when deciding on projects and businesses supported by the CCIDA.”

“Last year, there was legislation approved in Albany that would have required labor unions be represented on all IDA boards across the state, but that effort was vetoed by the governor. Still, we understand the important role that labor plays in economic development in our county and wanted to make sure it continues to be represented in the CCIDA board room,” explained Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel, who appointed Wightman to the board with unanimous approval by the County Legislature during its April meeting.

Wightman attended college at The Ohio State University. He is a native of Plain City, Ohio, and currently lives in Sinclairville. He is a member of the Nature Conservancy and his hobbies include skiing, hunting, and fishing.