Gaby Amos

Research and Systems Analyst

Gaby Amos joined GRE first as an intern and then as a Business Development Associate in 2019. In her current role as a Research and Systems Analyst, Gaby is responsible for supporting requests for information responses, generating leads for the Business Development team, and maintaining up-to-date information on the Greater Rochester region.

While in school, Gaby completed a three-month internship with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France where she worked to assist American companies’ efforts to export to France and the European Union.

Gaby graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in French and statistics. While in college, Gaby was a student-athlete on the university’s Division I women’s golf team and a student in the South Carolina Honors College (really—ask her about her thesis!).

As a Florida native, Gaby has enjoyed getting to experience all that the Rochester region has to offer from hiking the beautiful trails through Letchworth in the fall to ice skating downtown on her lunch break in the winter. In her spare time, you can find Gaby out on the golf course, listening to a podcast, or reading up on just about anything.

Katie Bresnan

Managing Director, Business Development

Katie Bresnan serves as Managing Director, Business Development at Greater Rochester Enterprise. In this role she supports the team’s efforts to attract and grow business in the Greater Rochester, NY region. Before joining GRE, Katie served as Executive Director of Grateful Patient and Clinician Engagement at Rochester Regional Health Foundation, Senior Director of Advancement for Heart and Vascular at the University of Rochester, and Director of Development at Columbia University Medical Center.  

Katie is an experienced executive with a specialty in non-profit management, building fundraising programs, and leading strategic planning for health care and academic organizations. She has a successful record of accomplishment in fundraising, board governance, and volunteer management. She is committed to strengthening our community through relationship building, advocacy, and volunteerism. 

Katie received her bachelor’s degree in English from St. Bonaventure University and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University. She currently resides in Victor with her husband, Brian, and three children, Maddie, Johnny, and Nora. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, gardening, and reading.    

Winona Dixon

Manager, Research & Information Systems

Winona Dixon joined GRE in June 2003 as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. She currently serves as Manager, Research and Information Systems. In addition to these duties, Winona also manages numerous site search requests and development of proposals for national site selectors.

Winona holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Management and Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, and is a graduate of the United Way’s African American Leadership Development Program.

David Grome

Senior Managing Director, Business Development

David Grome currently serves as Senior Managing Director, Business Development at Greater Rochester Enterprise. In this role, David fosters collaboration to drive investment and growth in the nine-county Rochester region, one of the world’s most innovative economies.

David spent the past 13 years helping companies achieve growth through product launches, geographic expansions, and customer acquisition.

Between 2014 and 2019, David served as account director at Butler/Till, one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in the U.S. In this role, he managed enterprise client relationships and directed advertising campaigns that grew brand and market share. During his tenure, David’s leadership contributed more than $19 million in agency revenue.

Between 2007 and 2013, David worked at Mower, a top 3 B2B agency and top 50 PR agency. As a business strategist, he helped clients use brand strategy, market analysis, and strategic public relations to strengthen their competitive advantage.

David is a past board member of the Small Business Council of Rochester and remains active on non-profit boards focused on community issues such as women’s health, job creation, and young professionals. He earned a dual-degree in political science and public policy studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

David resides in the Town of Brighton with his partner Janine.

Staci Henning

Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

Staci Henning brings more than 30 years of marketing experience to her role as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. She is responsible for all aspects of GRE’s marketing strategy and creative development, including advertising, corporate communications, internet marketing, and public relations. Staci also produces a biweekly TV segment in partnership with WROC TV and a weekly radio segment in partnership with WHAM1180.

Before joining GRE in 2004, Staci served as Vice President, Corporate Advertising and Branding Manager for The PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh, PA. During her tenure at PNC, Staci managed marketing programs to reposition PNC’s brand and promote the company’s personal banking, corporate banking, and investment services.

Before her venture into the financial services sector, Staci worked as a Marketing Manager and Advertising Manager at MCI WorldCom in Arlington, VA. She managed numerous broadcast advertising campaigns for MCI Friends & Family as well as other MCI branded services. Staci’s marketing campaigns have garnered industry awards for creativity as well as generating business results.

In 2024 Staci was named one of the Rochester Business Journal’s Circle of Excellence honorees in recognition of her community service contributions, leadership accomplishments, and commitment to mentoring others. Staci’s other notable honors include the Rochester Business Journal’s 2018 Women of Excellence Award, the 2015 JCC Young Leadership Award, and the Jewish Federation of Rochester’s 2012 Raye K. Aiole Young Leadership Award. 

A Rochester native, Staci holds a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Adriana Henry

Marketing Manager

Adriana Henry stepped into the role of Marketing Manager at GRE in February 2024. She is responsible for social media strategy, creating compelling design materials, and crafting impactful presentations to assist in business attraction and expansion across the region.

Prior to joining GRE, Adriana honed her skills as a Graphic Designer within the dental industry at Hybridge Dental Implants, and as a versatile Freelance Designer collaborating with various small businesses.

Adriana is a Rochester native who attended Nazareth University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications and Design. She currently resides in East Rochester. When not immersed in creative endeavors, she cherishes moments with her loved ones and furry companions.

Matt Hurlbutt

President & CEO

Matt Hurlbutt serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) with responsibility for supporting business attraction and expansion in the Greater Rochester, New York region. Matt guides regional marketing, business growth strategies and outreach efforts to position Rochester as a destination of choice for business investment. Matt works directly with corporate executives and national site selectors as they consider locations for investment and job creation.  Before assuming this leadership role in 2017, Matt served as GRE’s executive vice president and chief operating officer for nine years.

Matt was directly involved in bringing Alpina Foods, Amazon, Coca-Cola/fairlife, Edwards, FedEx Freight, Foundation Financial Group, GreenLight BioSciences, Li-Cycle, Love Beets USA, Muller Quaker Dairy, OFD Foods, Omni-ID, Quintel Solutions, Panasonic and Security Risk Advisors to the region.  He also worked with Aerosafe Global, American Packaging Corporation, Bausch + Lomb, Brand Networks, Cantel, CloudCheckr, Envative, IEC Electronics, Intergrow, LiDestri Food & Drink, Maximus, Optimax, Plug Power, ProAmpac, Rochester Precision Optics and Zweigles as the companies expanded in the region.

In addition, Matt directs GRE’s Economic Gardening effort and collaborates with state and local partners to leverage the region’s assets in order to support innovation and economic growth of local companies. 

Matt was named to the “40 under 40” list by the Rochester Business Journal, an award given to recognize individuals with outstanding leadership and accomplishments for service in their profession and the community at large. In addition, Matt was named to the RBJ’s Power 100 List in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Matt serves on the Board of the New York State Economic Development Council, Center 4 Hope, and is a member of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the State University of New York College at Brockport and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, State University of New York College at Geneseo.

Jared Jones

Business Development Manager

Jared Jones joined the GRE team in 2024 as a Business Development Manager. In this role, Jared focuses on GRE’s efforts to both support growing business and attract new business to Rochester, and the surrounding Finger Lakes Region. Connecting companies with the key people and vital resources they need to succeed.

Prior to joining GRE Jared worked in the consumer sporting goods industry for Implus LLC. As a Director of New Product Development out of Durham, NC, Jared focused on the commercialization of new product lines for brands including Sof Sole, Spenco, Forcefield, Trigger Point, and Yaktrax. Then as Director of Global Sourcing, out of San Diego, CA, Jared focused on the international supply chain efficient and integrity for the Footwear Accessory and Outdoor divisions of the company.

Jared received his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History from SUNY Geneseo. Jared is currently enrolled in the Professional MBA program at the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester.

Jared enjoys living in the city with his wife Taylor and young son. As a Rochester native and “boomerang” couple Jared and Taylor enjoy promoting the great quality of life in the region.

Seraphinah Qureshi

Business Development Manager

Seraphinah Qureshi serves as a Business Development Manager at Greater Rochester Enterprise. In this role she supports the team’s efforts to attract and grow business in the Greater Rochester, NY region. Prior to joining GRE, Seraphinah was a talent acquisition manager in the advertising technology industry. She grew her skill set recruiting for the two global media holding companies and serving as a Talent Acquisition & Engagement Consultant at Cornell University. Her specialties are relationship management, stakeholder engagement, strategic partnership, project leadership and talent attraction/retention.

Seraphinah was raised in Fairport NY. She is a lifelong learner and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Salisbury University, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Buffalo School of Law. Her passions include family time, gardening, running, yoga, and entrepreneurship. Her deepest commitment is to be of service to the greater good of all.

Cindy Schmidt

Executive Office Administrator

Cindy Schmidt joined GRE in October 2023 as the Executive Office Administrator. She is responsible for office operations, accounts payables/receivables, coordinating company events, and supporting the GRE president and CEO and the rest of the GRE team.

Before joining GRE, Cindy served as the Principal’s Administrative Assistant at West Irondequoit Central School District for 4 years. Earlier in her career, Cindy worked for 23 years as a Legal Administrative Assistant at Eastman Kodak Company.

Cindy lives in Irondequoit with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, gardening, traveling, and watching her kids’ sporting events.

Leah George VanScott

Executive Vice President, Business Development & Strategy

As the senior member of GRE’s business development team, Leah manages relationships with corporate executives, site selectors, and regional economic development officials to attract private capital investment and new jobs to the 9-county Greater Rochester, NY Region. GRE is often described as the concierge to the region, providing critical and confidential information and connectivity to key business partners to support growth. Leah works tirelessly internally to implement continuous process improvements and externally to successfully guide companies through the economic development process.

Leah was directly involved in the attraction of Edwards, Plug Power, Li-Cycle Corp., Security Risk Advisors, VIAVI Solutions, Ocean Insight, and the expansion of JCS Process & Control Systems, Greenlight Networks, Zweigles, Vuzix Corp., Corning, Carestream Health, Pactiv Corporation, Durst Image Technology US, and ITX Corp.

Leah serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and St. John Fisher’s School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.

Leah received the Rochester Business Journal’s 2023 Women of Excellence Award, 40 Under 40 award, the ‘Victor E. Salerno Award for American Enterprise’ and Excellence in Management and the Rochester Women’s Network Up & Coming Businesswoman’s Award.

Prior to joining GRE, Leah spent more than a decade as a broadcast journalist. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a B.A. in communications, public relations and business and earned an M.B.A. from St. John Fisher College.

Raymond Zayas

Business Development Manager

Raymond Zayas joined the GRE team in 2022 as business development manager. In this role, Raymond supports GRE’s efforts to attract and grow businesses in the nine-county Greater Rochester Region.

Prior to joining the GRE, Raymond served as a Credit Analyst at Qualitrol Corp. In this role, he was responsible for assessing the creditworthiness of a global portfolio of firms, ensuring compliance within assigned credit limits, and evaluating risk using regional, sector-specific, environmental, and other relevant data.

Between 2017-2020, he served as a financial analyst in a variety of organizations, developing his skills in financial data analysis to help inform better business decisions and make recommendations for process improvement.

He graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 2015 and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Saunders College of Business at RIT in 2021.

Raymond is active in organizations focusing on ecological awareness, environmental conservation and is a Rochester Hispanic Business Association member. He enjoys exploring traveling, photography, and watching Arsenal Football Club in his free time.