
Meet the Team
Get to Know Us
Meet the Team
Get to Know Us
Our team of experienced economic development professionals is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Franklin County by assisting current and potential business organizations secure a better future through location, investment and quality jobs.
Chief Executive Officer
- Develop and implement a focused strategy to enhance the economic vitality of Franklin County
- Oversee overall administration and operations of the organization
- Represent FCEDC in matters related to economic development, locally and regionally
Chief Financial Officer
- Oversee all fiscal operations of the organization
- Provide accounting analysis and reporting to improve strategic decision making
- Ensure compliance with financial and administrative reporting requirements
Director of Economic Development
- Lead, support and promote Franklin County economic development goals, particularly direct business grants, broadband expansion, and workforce development
- Develop relationships and engage with existing and developing businesses, entrepreneurs, partners and stakeholders to connect and develop resources for growing, retaining and attracting businesses
- Provide support and promote awareness of resources for business ownership transitions
- Provide technical support, data and expertise to entrepreneurs and stakeholders
Marketing & Communications
- Help attract, retain, and expand businesses, talent and entrepreneurs through execution of the FCEDC marketing strategy
- Improve the county’s image both inside and outside the community using the Adirondack Frontier brand
- Market and promote FCEDC and its programs
Community Development
- Identify and pursue funding resources available to assist small business owners, municipalities and developers with proposed or active projects related to community development
- Administer community development grants on behalf of municipalities and property owners throughout Franklin County
- Provide support to municipalities for community development activities, including outreach, expertise and project development
- Project manager for community development related projects
Operations Manager
- Manage day-to-day operations of the organization
- Support finance, HR and records management activities
- Ensures agency compliance with policies and regulations

Chief Executive Officer
Jeremy S. Evans
jeremy@adirondackfrontier.com (518) 483-9472
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Jeremy Evans was appointed CEO of the County of Franklin Industrial Development Agency in June 2017. Jeremy has over twenty years of experience in economic and community development. He is a certified planner (AICP) and is working towards certification in economic development (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.
Jeremy lives in Saranac Lake with his family. He holds Masters Degrees in public administration and urban & regional planning.

Chief Financial Officer
Paul J. Ellis
paul@adirondackfrontier.com 518-480-7077
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Paul Ellis is the CFO for the Franklin County Economic Development Corporation. His past governmental experience includes serving as the School Business Official in Tupper Lake, Village Treasurer/CFO for Saranac Lake, and for the Village of Lake Placid. He is a former middle school math teacher and has taught various post-secondary business courses over the last three decades.
Previously he has served as a Village Trustee in Tupper Lake, and as a School Board member for the Tupper Lake School District. His past community service includes Treasurer for the Tupper Lake Rotary Club, President for Adirondack Habitat for Humanity, and as a board member of the former Saranac Lake American Red Cross Chapter. At the state level, he has been a board member for the NYS Society of Municipal Finance Officers and for the NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association.
Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from SUNY Plattsburgh, and an Associate’s
Degree in Business Administration from North Country Community College.

Director of Economic Development
S. Russ Kinyon
russ@adirondackfrontier.com (518) 651-2957
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Russ Kinyon serves as Director of Economic Development. His experience includes over 20 years of leadership and management of economic development projects, small businesses, non-profits and retail organizations. He currently leads our loan and business assistance programs and is focused on improving the resources for entrepreneurship and business growth, business transitions, workforce, downtown revitalization and tourism destination development.
Russ has international experience leading economic development and education projects in Latin America. He has served as a board member for the Franklin County IDA, a regional healthcare network, a state homelessness prevention agency and an arts organization.

Marketing & Communications
Kelly Brunette
kelly@adirondackfrontier.com (518) 651-2866
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Kelly Brunette is a wife, mom, dog lover, vegetarian, planner, and traveler of cool towns from Bar Harbor to Bend. Kelly has lived in each village of the Tri-Lakes, and decided to put roots down in Saranac Lake 15 years ago. She is passionate about the Adirondack Frontier, and has in-depth knowledge of its assets and dynamics; serving on the Downtown Advisory Board, Pendragon Theatre Board, Music on the Green Committee, and other local volunteer projects. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Studies: Environment, Communication & Society.

Community Development
Rachel Child
rachel@adirondackfrontier.com (518) 481-8211
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Rachel Child has been working as a Community Development Specialist with the FCEDC since January 2022. Rachel has worked in community development and project management for both domestic and international non-profits in North, Central and South America. She currently leads the Franklin County NY Main Street Program and is passionate about downtown revitalization. Rachel grew up on a farm outside Malone, where she lives today, and is now involved with local arts and revitalization organizations.

Operations Manager
Maria Bourgeois
maria@adirondackfrontier.com (518) 483-9472
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Maria Bourgeois started with the FCEDC in 2013, she is currently the Operations Manager.