About Us

Board Members

Todd Hess – Chairman  (Term expires 12/31/2024)

Originally from Colonie, Todd Hess has lived in Clifton Park for over twenty years with his wife and two children. As a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, Todd started out in the civil engineering field before moving on to software. Today, Todd works as Director of Business Applications for a global manufacturer and distributor of safety products. Todd is active in the community as a Scouts BSA leader, a Rotarian and a volunteer in other civic organizations.

Dan Fariello – Vice Chairman  (Term expires 12/31/2025)

Dan Fariello has over 20 years of commercial banking experience, which has included an extensive focus on commercial real estate finance. Dan joined Capital Bank in 2013 and now serves as the bank’s Regional President, an executive of Chemung Canal Trust Company, and serves in a Co-Chief Lending Officer role for the corporation.

Dan is an active lender throughout the Capital District. In addition to building and expanding client relationships, during his time at Capital Bank, he has been instrumental in creating a dedicated CRE Lending Policy, implementing a sophisticated level of CRE underwriting analysis, and introducing new underwriting templates and management reporting.

After earning a BS from Skidmore College and a MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Dan began his banking career with TD Bank in the greater Boston area. Following his participation in a formal credit training program, Dan was promoted to a loan officer position, where he worked with businesses structuring Commercial/Industrial loan transactions.

Recognizing several career opportunities in Upstate New York, Dan returned to the Albany area in 2005 and became a relationship manager/Vice President at First Niagara Bank. He joined the Commercial Real Estate Department at the Bank and quickly became one of their leading producers. Dan’s lending experience at First Niagara included the financing of numerous asset types, including medical office buildings, hospitality projects, multi-family properties, and retail complexes.

Dan is formerly the Chair of the board of directors of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, current Vice Chair of the Town of Clifton Park Industrial Development Agency, a member of the Finance Committee of the Fort Orange Club and a board member of the Albany Police Athletic League. In 2015 he was named one of the Capital Region’s Forty under Forty community leaders by the Albany Business Review.

Dan resides in the Clifton Park/Halfmoon area with his two children.

Sheila Barkevich – Secretary  (Term expires 12/31/2024)

Sheila Barkevich has a degree from Cornell University in Industrial Engineering and a MBA from University at Albany.  She worked at Callanan Industries for 32 years in various roles including technician, manager and VP roles.  Sheila was Senior Vice President when she moved on to a Divisional role.  She is currently working directly for CRH, the parent company of Callanan.  Sheila currently serves as the President of a national association called Women of Asphalt and is also active in multiple Industry Associations.  Much of her experience has been centered on aggregate and asphalt sales and operations.

Jason Lurie, Member  (Term expires 12/31/2026)

Jason Lurie, MBA works with a variety small business owners and individuals to help achieve their financial goals.  In his practice he works with individual on a variety of financial issues including helping prepare for eventual exit from the business, retirement income, estate planning and wealth transfer, as well as key employee retention. Every day we make choices around our finances, with the potential to bring us closer to achieving our goals. Much like dropping a pebble into a pool of water, our decisions create ripples with far-reaching effects. With guidance, we can be deliberate, tossing each pebble to strategically direct those ripples. Jason helps his clients to know where to direct those pebbles to create positive ripples in their life.

Jason is a lifelong resident of the Capital district.  He went to undergraduate at University of Buffalo with a degree in Communications and concentration in advertising and public relations.  He continued on to get his MBA at Syracuse and moved back to the area in 1998.  He currently resides in Clifton Park with his wife Mary Ellen.

Mark Vena, Member  (Term expires 12/31/2026)

Mark is a Shareholder at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. (TBC). Since graduating Siena College, Mark has cultivated over 15 years experience as a tax professional with a focus on the real estate industry. Beyond real estate, Mark provides valuable insights into tax planning, corporate structuring, and compliance for a diverse range of businesses and individuals. He resides in Clifton Park with his family.

Staff & Counsel

James Trainor – Counsel

James Carminucci – Bond Counsel

Melissa Yager – CEO

Thomas Gibbs – CFO

Governance Committee

Audit Committee

Todd Hess
Dan Fariello

Finance Committee

All CP IDA Board Members