Catherine Price has been hired as the new executive director of the Corning Gaffer District.
Price, the current executive director of the Geneva Business Improvement District, called the downtown Corning area beautiful and said the business owners are nice, friendly and welcoming. She will officially start at the position Aug. 11, taking the place of long-time Executive Director Coleen Fabrizi, who retired in June.
“I’m really excited,” Price said. “I think the Gaffer District does pretty much everything right. The previous executive director, Fabrizi, did an amazing job for 17 years. She was fabulous and I’m very honored to take over her legacy. I can’t wait to be part of the team.”
Jennifer Miller, Gaffer District Board of Directors President, said Price brings more than two decades of experience in hospitality, economic development, and nonprofit leadership to the Gaffer District.
“On Behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Price as the new Executive Director of Corning’s Gaffer District,” Miller said. “Catherine brings a proven track record of leadership, a deep passion for downtown revitalization, and a remarkable ability to cultivate strong public-private partnerships.”
Miller said combined with an accomplished career in the hospitality industry, Price offers the vision, energy, and expertise needed to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.
“We are excited for the future under Catherine’s leadership,” Miller said.
Miller said most recently, she has served as the Executive Director of the Geneva Business Improvement, where she doubled the organization’s budget, launched new community events, and secured significant grant funding.
Price started as Geneva Business Improvement District Executive Director in the spring of 2022. Prior to that, she worked for FLX Hospitality, opening Quincy Exchange and Provisions, on Market Street.
“That’s when I fell in love with Corning,” Price said. “Going through the holiday season, Sparkle, it was like something out of a postcard. I just loved it.”
Price said when she transitioned from hospitality to working for the Geneva Business Improvement District, the chance presented a tremendous opportunity.
“Instead of just promoting a restaurant group or an organization, I promoted all the downtown in Geneva,” Price said. “When the position opened in Corning, I wasn’t actually looking for a new position, but a friend of mine sent me a job posting and I thought, wow, I love Corning and I’m going to reach out to them.”
Price said when she met with the Gaffer District Board of Directors and the hiring committee, she couldn’t believe how much she liked them and how engaged they were as board members.
“I could suddenly really see myself in Corning and I guess they like me as much as I like them,” Price said.
Miller said Price’s resume was exactly what the Gaffer District was looking for, as her collaborative work with regional tourism organizations, civic partners, and local businesses has supported economic growth, strengthened local partnerships, increased community engagement, and advanced strategic placemaking.
Price is a Certified Sommelier, WSET Level III, and holds a BA from Hollins University.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: Corning Gaffer District hires new executive director. Why Price was right fit for the job
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
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