George Scharr, Chairman of the Workforce Investment Board, which oversees RochesterWorks!, announced that Connie Felder, Deputy Director of RochesterWorks! will be appointed Acting Executive Director effective April 25, 2008.

Felder will succeed Matthew C. Hurlbutt, Executive Director, who has accepted a position as Managing Director of Business Development for GRE and will leave
RochesterWorks! on April 25.

“On behalf of our entire board and the staff we thank Matt for his many years of outstanding and dedicated service to RochesterWorks!” said Scharr. ”Under his leadership from RochesterWorks’ inception in 2000 to the present, the organization has consistently delivered innovative, quality services, attracted millions of dollars in grant funding, and provided employment opportunity to tens of thousands of job seekers and businesses in Monroe County. We wish him continued success in his new position and are sorry to see him leave.”

“Connie Felder has provided exceptional management of RochesterWorks! as Deputy Director and throughout her eight years with the organization,” added Scharr.” She will
provide for a seamless transition.”

Felder has also been with RochesterWorks! since its inception in 2000 first serving as Business Services Manager from 2000 to 2004. She was appointed Director of RochesterWorks! Downtown Career Center in July 2004 and subsequently was named Deputy Director in 2006.

As Deputy Director, she has been responsible for multiple career center operations
including services and programs for youth, adult job seekers and businesses and has overseen enhancement and expansion of services to an increased number of customers annually. Under her management, RochesterWorks has also been honored with statewide recognition and has forged numerous collaborative relationships with area organizations and businesses.

Felder holds a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from SUNY Brockport, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, cum laude, from Alfred University.

Before joining RochesterWorks, Felder served for five years as program coordinator/career counselor for adult and community education, and job training
programs for Monroe #1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), in
Fairport, New York.

RochesterWorks, Inc. Board of Directors will establish a process to appoint a permanent Executive Director.