BUFFALO, NY (Dec. 18) – World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) is pleased to announce that Craig Turner has agreed to join the organization as interim president, WTCBN Board of Directors Chair Nancy Dempsey said today.
“Through Craig’s work regionally in economic development, and particularly trade and logistics, he is already very much engaged in initiatives that are aligned with WTCBN’s work,” said Dempsey. “We are looking forward to his leadership in strengthening the organization’s place in the bi-national Buffalo Niagara business community, and interjecting new ideas with an eye on the future.”
In addition to the role with WTCBN, Turner serves as executive director for the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Gateway Organization (ITGO), and previously was vice president for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in media, government, economic development, public relations and organizational management to WTCBN, and is president and founder of Momentum Public Affairs, headquartered in the City of Tonawanda.
“In different capacities, I have been involved as a strategic partner with WTCBN for many years, and I’m honored to be offered the opportunity to come in and work on a mission that I wholeheartedly believe in,” said Turner. “Like any service organization, World Trade Center’s impact worldwide is in providing direct, tangible value to its stakeholders, and that’s where my efforts will be focused.”
Turner has signed on in a temporary role to work directly with the WTCBN Board of Directors to evaluate the organization’s operations, fundraising models and future, and provide recommendations on a go-forward strategy – while maintaining the organization’s current momentum. Over the next several months, he will be engaging WTCBN members, partners and other stakeholders for feedback and input into this process. He succeeds John Manzella, who recently stepped down from his position as president and CEO to pursue private sector opportunities.
