ZERUIAH JONES was recently appointed business client membership manager at CenterState CEO. In this role, Jones supports and engages programmatic clients through the various resources, programs, and opportunities across the organization. She also connects programmatic staff to the broader membership. Jones previously worked as a membership manager. She joined CenterState CEO in 2021 after serving as a community liaison for Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter.

EMAD RAHIM has joined CenterState CEO as Syracuse Surge entrepreneurship manager. In this role, Rahim manages a competitive program that helps BIPOC entrepreneurs launch a tech-related startup in Syracuse and oversees program participants’ progress. He is also responsible for planning and assembling workshops, events, and conferences for the program. Rahim serves on the board of directors of the Good Life Youth Foundation, CNY Community Foundation, OCC Scholarship Foundation, and Upstate Minority Economic Alliance, and volunteers with 100 Black Men and Vera House. He’s a graduate of the Syracuse City School District and completed his post-doctoral studies at Tulane, Harvard, and University of Maryland Global Campus.

MEGAN REICHEL has joined the organization as director of marketing and graphic design. In this role, she develops and implements brand strategies and leads the creation of marketing content, including collateral material and graphics at CenterState CEO. Reichel most recently led the graphic design and marketing at Sheltair Aviation. She brings 12 years of creative marketing experience to this role, including design and branding strategy. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from SUNY Oswego.

BRITTNI SMALLWOOD has come aboard as VP of marketing. She leads and manages marketing functions at CenterState CEO, including strategic planning and program, project, and event marketing. Smallwood will also lead cross-department marketing projects to support internal and external marketing needs. She has 13 years of marketing and communications experience. After serving as an award-winning anchor and reporter in Buffalo, Smallwood founded a marketing and communications company helping clients in the nonprofit and private sectors make a difference in their communities. She earned her master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and her bachelor’s in English/communications from Saint Francis University.

DYLAN WERTS has joined CenterState CEO as a membership manager. He is responsible for ensuring members receive valuable support and engagement. In this role, he identifies opportunities for increased membership involvement, and supports members through networking events and community involvement. Werts graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in economics. He previously worked at Syracuse University, where he was responsible for fostering relationships with students and parents on campus.

KATIE ZILCOSKY has been hired as director of communications. She manages and executes internal and external strategic communication projects and initiatives at CenterState CEO. This includes member/stakeholder communications, podcasts, blogs, reports, website content, presentations and remarks. Zilcosky most recently served as a reporter and host at 88.3 WAER. She brings five years of communications experience to this role including feature writing and audio production. Zilcosky earned her bachelor’s in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University.