CenterState CEO Announces New Board of Directors Leadership

CenterState CEO announced it has elected new board leadership to support the organization’s mission and vision. Stephen Fournier, Market President for KeyBank in Central New York, was unanimously elected as the organization’s new chair by CenterState CEO’s board of directors. Fournier brings expansive business and community leadership experience, as well as his deep engagement in the organization and a strong understanding of its strategic priorities to the role.  

“Steve is a longstanding, committed partner to CenterState CEO,” said Robert Simpson, president, CenterState CEO. “Through his leadership, KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation have been heavily involved in our programmatic work, investing in initiatives to provide assistance to entrepreneurs and small-business owners, and supporting equitable growth within in our community. We’re incredibly fortunate to have him step into this new role as chair as we work to advance our mission-focused work at a period of profound growth and opportunity in our region.” 

Fournier was a member of the Strategic Partnership Committee that led to the founding of CenterState CEO in 2010 and has served as a member of CenterState CEO’s board of directors for the past 15 years. During that time he has held roles on the board’s Executive Committee and as past treasurer, and served on the Finance and Sustainability Committee, Audit and Risk Committee (past chair), Compensation Committee, as well as the CenterState CEO Foundation Board. 

 “It’s an honor to be selected as CenterState CEO’s new chair,” Fournier said. “I’m eager to step into this role at a time of such growth potential in the region. Central New York is full of promise, and I look forward to continuing to drive economic prosperity and development through CenterState CEO’s transformative programming and resources.” 

Fournier has served as president of KeyBank’s Central New York Market for more than two decades. In this role, he is the senior representative and spokesperson and leads the organization’s economic and community development efforts in Central New York’s 14 county footprint. He also oversees KeyBank’s branch network along the I-90 corridor including the Buffalo, Rochester, Central New York & Capital Region markets. He leads efforts to promote steady business growth, strengthen relationships and deliver the breadth and depth of the bank’s financial services across Upstate New York.  

Fournier earned a bachelor’s degree in management and finance from the University of Dayton. He is a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware and KeyBank’s Executive Leadership program at the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management. An active member of the community, Fournier also serves as Board Chair of Golisano Children’s Hospital, and is on the boards of United Way of Central New York and Central New York Community Foundation, and has previously served on the boards of numerous local nonprofits. 

Fournier succeeds David Schneckenburger, president and CEO of Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc., who served as chair since 2022. 

Also re-elected as officers are:  

• Vice Chair: Evelyn Ingram, Director of Media and Community Relations, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. 

• Secretary: Margaret O'Connell, Executive Director, Allyn Family Foundation 

• Treasurer: Susan Crossett, Chief Executive Officer, Sapphire Recruitment, Inc.  

Additionally, the election of new and renewed members of CenterState CEO’s board of directors were confirmed at the organization’s Annual Meeting on April 23, 2025. View CenterState CEO’s board of directors.