SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The man who leads CenterState CEO in Syracuse says he plans to step away from his duties for three months in the third quarter of this year. Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, announced his intention in a May 9 email note to members. “After thoughtful consideration, and with the […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The man who leads CenterState CEO in Syracuse says he plans to step away from his duties for three months in the third quarter of this year.
Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, announced his intention in a May 9 email note to members.
“After thoughtful consideration, and with the full support and involvement of the CenterState CEO Executive Committee, I’ve made the decision to take a sabbatical and will be stepping away from work beginning June 30 and returning Sept. 29,” Simpson said in the email.
The past several years have brought “immense professional pressures, borne of so many exciting opportunities for our region,” Simpson said in the email.
He went on to say, “The intensity of that work is visible to everyone. And easy to talk about. What is harder to vocalize, and far less comfortable to show, are the personal impacts including exhaustion and struggles with my own mental health.”
Simpson also noted that it wasn’t an easy decision because he loves the job, the organization, and the people and partners that make up this “amazing regional community.”
“This is, however, something that I need. This sabbatical is about hitting reset and restoring my emotional well-being and creative energy so that I can return with the perspective needed to continue leading through a time of tremendous growth and opportunity for Upstate New York,” he said.
In Simpson’s absence, Ben Sio will serve as acting CEO of CenterState CEO. “I have every confidence in Ben’s leadership, and he will be well supported by our outstanding Corporate Leadership Team and staff,” Simpson said.
Sio currently serves as CenterState CEO’s chief of staff and senior VP of strategy, policy and planning, per the organization’s website.
Simpson ended his message by saying, “I’m deeply grateful to Ben and the entire CenterState team for their support, and to each of you for your trust. I look forward to rejoining you in late September, reinvigorated and ready for all that lies ahead.”
Simpson has been president and CEO of CenterState CEO since its formation in 2010 — through the combination of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York (MDA) and Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. He was named president and CEO of the MDA in early 2009. Before that, Simpson served as assistant to the president at the MDA from 2003-2009.
