CenterState CEO acquires building, appoints CEO for ON-RAMP program

SYRACUSE — CenterState CEO in recent weeks has announced a few developments for its involvement in the state’s ON-RAMP program, which is short for One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Projects. In June CenterState CEO said it officially acquired the former Sears building at 1300 S. Salina St. in Syracuse as the site for New York’s first ON-RAMP workforce-innovation hub. The acquisition came a few months after Gov. Kathy Hochul had first announced the structure as the first facility that would become an ON-RAMP hub.

A few weeks after acquiring the former Sears building, CenterState CEO on July 10 announced the appointment of Carlene Lacey as the inaugural CEO of workforce program ON-RAMP Syracuse. Lacey brings extensive expertise in leadership, workforce development, grant writing, and community engagement, “all critical to advancing ON-RAMP Syracuse’s mission,” CenterState CEO said. Lacey started her new role on July 8, and her appointment followed a national search. She most recently served as director of strategic workforce development, partnership and government for National Grid. A series of community outreach and engagement events are being planned so the community can learn more about ON-RAMP Syracuse and her vision for this program, CenterState CEO said. ON-RAMP Syracuse is a newly established workforce-innovation hub focused on addressing workforce skill gaps in the advanced manufacturing and construction industries in Central New York. Its mission is to create a skilled, talent pipeline for local employers while “ensuring equitable access to training and employment for historically underserved communities,” CenterState CEO said. As CEO, Lacey will focus on building a workforce development hub that ensures local residents — especially those from underserved communities — can access the job opportunities coming to Central New York. She will oversee day-to-day operations, lead fundraising efforts, and collaborate with staff, volunteers and industry partners to advance ON-RAMP’s mission and impact. In her role, Lacey will establish a team to lead the nonprofit, create innovative collaborative programming, engage employers, and drive growth to create a “more inclusive, skilled workforce.” “Dr. Lacey emerged as the top candidate from a highly competitive national search,” Ben Sio, interim president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said in the announcement. “As a Central New York native with deep roots in the community, she represents the tremendous talent already present in our region. In hiring her we were reminded what we already know — that we have plenty of the best and brightest leaders in the country right here in Central New York. Finding such incredible local talent is a metaphor for what ON-RAMP’s all about. Ensuring that people from this community have access to new jobs and opportunity is critically important to our collective success.” Lacey holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from SUNY Empire State College, an MBA in human resource management, and a Doctor of Management degree from the University of Phoenix. “Dr. Lacey embodies the intersection of professional excellence and personal commitment to social impact that CNY ON-RAMP requires,” Tim Penix, VP at SUNY Educational Opportunity Center, said in the CenterState CEO announcement. “Her quarter-century of leadership across multiple sectors including community, corporate, health, and energy development, coupled with her authentic dedication to serving underserved populations, ensures that our organization will remain true to its mission while achieving the scale and sustainability needed to transform lives and strengthen our regional economy.” CenterState CEO partnered with New York City–based McCormack+Kristel on the nationwide search for a CEO to launch ON-RAMP. The new workforce-training nonprofit will coordinate, support, and supplement adult-workforce development programs serving Syracuse and Onondaga County.