The Tech Garden has new leadership after Rick Clonan, CenterState CEO vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship, recently stepped down from his role with the organization to pursue his own startup venture. Members of the portfolio staff will jointly lead operations and programing of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship portfolio: Caitlin Moriarty, Tech Garden director of operations; Jeannine Rogers, Tech Garden director of programs; Kara Jones, Tech Garden director of communications; and Jeff Fuchsberg, director of GENIUS NY. ​

During Clonan’s five years with CenterState CEO and The Tech Garden (TTG), he oversaw a significant expansion of the organization’s innovation programming and helped position TTG as a leading voice in the tech and incubation space in Upstate New York. Clonan was instrumental in overseeing the successful GENIUS NY program, expanding Tech Garden membership, growing The Clean Tech Center, and developing improved and consistent processes for regional entrepreneurs to navigate not only CenterState CEO startup programs and resources, but the regional innovation ecosystem at large. CenterState CEO is grateful for the leadership and expertise that he brought to the organization.CenterState CEO is eager to advance its support of entrepreneurs and startups through a number of ongoing and new initiatives in 2021, including the expansion of The Tech Garden, development of new innovative lending and funding models for regional startups and other firms, and targeted events and programs.