Tom Connolly retires from BIDA, Catherine Hedgeman to serve as Executive Director and Counsel

Tom Connolly has retired after over twenty-five years’ service to the BIDA. At the December 17, 2021 Regular Meeting, current and former BIDA members expressed their appreciation and admiration for Mr. Connolly’s extraordinary contributions, noting in particular his commitment to and deep knowledge of the Agency, and his adeptness at navigating both organizational and regulatory changes with understanding and patience.

Appointed in October 1995, Mr. Connolly served as executive director, assistant secretary, and counsel of the Agency. Mr. Connolly previously practiced law with McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C. since 1966, representing financial service institutions and corporations in commercial transactions and litigation. He has been bond counsel, issuer’s counsel, and disclosure counsel for tax exempt and taxable municipal financings.

Mr. Connolly was vice president and a member of the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association, a fellow of the New York State Bar Association, chairman of the Real Property Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, and president of the Albany County Bar Association. Mr. Connolly is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and National Association of Bond Lawyers. Mr. Connolly is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York, and the United States Supreme Court. He received an LL.B degree from Yale University and a BA degree from Williams College.

Catherine M. Hedgeman, Esq. replaces Mr. Connolly as Executive Director and Agency Counsel on a contract basis after an RFP process this past November. Ms. Hedgeman is a former IDA member, serving briefly as Vice Chair, before resigning to assume the Executive Director and Counsel role.

Ms. Hedgeman received her Juris Doctorate degree from Albany Law School where she served as Associate Editor of the Law Review and also received a B.A. from Union College. In 2007, she founded the Hedgeman Law Firm, a New York State Certified Women Owned Business Enterprise with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Ms. Hedgeman represents Public Authorities, Not-For-Profit Corporations and Businesses. She specializes in Real Estate, economic development projects, and serves as General Counsel to several area economic development and nonprofit corporations.

Chair Storrs said of Mr. Connolly, “We are indebted to Tom for serving the Agency year in and year out, first as our Agency Counsel and then as Executive Director as well. We are now recognized for a professionalism and transparency that will continue to benefit our work in the future.”

Kate Hedgeman, BIDA’s new Executive Director and Agency Counsel, said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the BIDA in this new capacity and to have learned from such esteemed counsel as Tom Connolly.”

Bethlehem Town Supervisor David VanLuven said, “Tom Connolly’s exceptional service to Bethlehem over more than two decades will be greatly missed, and we are so fortunate to have had the benefit of his insight, technical expertise, and dedicated leadership over the years. I am heartened, however, to know that Kate Hedgeman will be serving as the IDA’s new Executive Director, as she will also bring great professionalism, expertise, and vision to this important position.”

Rob Leslie, Director of Economic Development and Planning, said, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Tom. His knowledge and expertise are truly a great asset to the Town of Bethlehem. I wish him well on his retirement.”

BIDA Assistant Executive Director Robin Nagengast said, “It’s been a distinct pleasure to work with Tom for the past 10 years. He taught me much about the processes and responsible administration of an Industrial Development Agency. We will miss Tom and wish him the best.”