Craig Witmer Hired As CenterState CEO's Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Posted On
August 26, 2026

Image
Craig-Witmer-WEB 2026

CenterState CEO is pleased to announce Craig Witmer as its Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In this role, Witmer oversees CenterState CEO’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business programming to support founders, early-stage and growth focused businesses across multiple industry verticals. Witmer is a part of CenterState CEO’s Inclusive Growth leadership team and helps to design program strategies that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the organization and the startup, entrepreneurial and innovation clients it serves.  

He also manages collaborations and relationships with strategic partners in Central New York’s innovation ecosystem and internationally across a network of incubators, startup accelerators, small business technical assistance providers and economic development organizations. 

Witmer has more than a decade of broad experience working in startups, law and international relations in New York and Europe. Before this role, Witmer worked as a leader in the city of Syracuse’s Office of Analytics, Performance and Innovation and serves as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University.  

Witmer holds a master’s degree in management with a specialization in public policy and economics from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris and a Master International Business with a specialization in international trade and investment from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business along with a certificate in global strategy. He previously graduated from Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations and the University Honors Program. He is a member of Foreign Policy for America’s NextGen Initiative. 

He hails from Western New York’s Southtowns. And, therefore, asked us to include this to end his bio: Go Bills.  

Other
CEO News

Image
IIH 1 Year Celebration
CEO News | 09/17/2026

INSPYRE Innovation Hub’s First Year Fuels Growth, Connections and Entrepreneurial Success

In its first year, CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub has become a cornerstone of Central New York’s innovation ecosystem.

Image
2026-09-10-convo
CEO News | 09/11/2026

CenterState CEO Chief Executive Officer Rob Simpson Receives Upstate Medical University’s President’s Award for Distinguished Service

The award recognizes Rob’s longstanding service to Central New York and his commitment to building strong, collaborative partnerships across the region.

Image
GNY10 Finalist Graphic
CEO News | 09/09/2026

Empire State Development Announces GENIUS NY Round 10 Finalists

Finalists from around the world will compete in this milestone year for GENIUS NY, the world’s largest accelerator for drones and robotics.

Image
Whiz Kidz Group
CEO News | 09/01/2026

Whiz Kidz Summer Program Inspires the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Students spent a week at CenterState CEO's INSPYRE Innovation Hub turning everyday problems into business ideas, building brands and pitching their solutions.

Image
GNY9 Group graduation photo
CEO News | 08/20/2026

GENIUS NY Cohort 9 Graduates Yearlong Accelerator

The five companies making up GENIUS NY’s ninth cohort finished their time in the yearlong accelerator for uncrewed systems in August.

Image
Rob Simpson Power 100
CEO News | 07/27/2026

Rob Simpson Named to City & State's Upstate Power 100

The list by City & State New York recognizes 100 leaders who are driving new projects across Upstate New Yrk.

Image
Syracuse panoramic skyline
CEO News | 07/23/2026

CenterState CEO Selected to Take Part in Opportunity@Work and Brookings AI Readiness Lab

CenterState CEO is one of six regional economic development organizations that will participate in the the AIRLab.

Image
Kelly Tyrone Collage
CEO News | 07/20/2026

CenterState CEO Announces New Staff Roles

CenterState CEO's Kelly Fumarola and Tyrone Dixon take on new roles in the organization.

Image
Economic Champions Nominations 2026
CEO News | 07/15/2026

Be recognized as an Economic Champion!

Now accepting submissions for Economic Champions! Nominate your company or others for contributing to the growth of the Central New York economy in the past year.