Board of Directors – IDA

The Town of Colonie is the appointing authority for the Colonie Industrial Development Agency. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

The approved meeting dates for 2026 are as follows:

        January 26                     February 23

        March 16                       April 20

        May 18                         June 15

        July 20                           August 17

        September 21                October 19

        November 16                December 21

Board meetings typically begin at 6:00 pm at the Town of Colonie Public Operations Center located at 347 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110.

Carm Basile

Chairperson

Carm Basile has served as a member of the Town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency since 2016. He is the Chief Executive Officer for the Capital District Transportation Authority, an Albany, New York-based mobility management company with an annual operating budget of $100 million and more than 725 employees. The company’s programs and services are spread throughout Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties. The company has an extensive list of mobility options including buses, a regional bike share program, an electric scooter program, and a micro-transit service. Carm serves on a number of boards and civic organizations including the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, Christian Brothers Academy; Discover Albany, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the New York Public Transit Association. Carm graduated from Worcester State College in Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies.

Peter Gannon

Vice Chair

Peter Gannon has served as a member of the Town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency since 2017. Peter is President and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Prior to that, he spent nearly ten years as President of the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership, where he was responsible for all strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, and tenant management. Prior to joining the Partnership, he served as Director of Operations in the Town of Colonie and Director of Communications to Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari. He was a member of the inaugural class of the Leadership Tech Valley and, in 2011, was named one of the Business Review’s Forty Under 40. He is active in various community organizations including the Board of Associates at the College of St. Rose, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, and Albany Pop Warner. Peter was recognized for his successful leadership role in the 2015 Friendship Walk for Best Buddies. In addition, he works as a member of the adjunct faculty at SUNY Schenectady County Community College. Peter earned his undergraduate degree in public communications from the College of Saint Rose and his MBA from the Lally School of Management at RPI.

Thomas Despart, III

Secretary

Tom Despart has been a member of the Industrial Development Agency since 2023. He has built his whole life around Colonie– growing up here and starting a life with his wife Elizabeth in the hamlet of Loudonville. Additionally, Tom attended SUNY Albany, receiving a Bachelors in History. From there he began building up his career, working at Destex, Inc.– a manufacturing company in Albany– for over the next thirty years, accomplishing the role of President in 2015. While he also served as a Board President for the Albany Rowing Center for 3 years.

David R. Yule, CPA

Treasurer

David Yule has served as a member of the Town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency since 2022.  David is a certified public accountant with over 30 years of experience in public accounting and is an equity partner at Leyden & Yule, CPAs, LLP.    His experience in public accounting includes services of audits, reviews and compilations as well as tax return preparation for individuals, businesses and non-profits.  David currently serves as Treasurer for two non-profit groups, Capital District Youth Soccer Association and The South Colonie Dollars for Scholars.   David was also the President of the Colonie Soccer Club and  Colonie High School Soccer Booster Club and Treasurer for the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center and West Albany Athletic Assoc.  David graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Bentley University (College).

Donna Karrat Ryan

Donna Karrat Ryan has served as a member of the Town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency since 2024. As a mother and lifelong resident of Colonie, she has established deep roots in the community. She is an active member of both St. Pius Church and St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church, and has been involved in various local and national charities, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Albany Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital. Donna has extensive experience in Business Management and Development. She has over 25 years of experience in the construction and healthcare industries. She currently serves as Regional Coordinator for Summit Senior Living, where she oversees both the operational and facilities management for five communities in the Capital District and Saratoga.

Lisa Walters

Lisa joined the Industrial Development Agency in January 2026. Originally from East Greenbush, she returned to the Capital Region in 2012 with her husband and son after spending 25 years living and working in New York City.  Lisa is the founder and principal of an equity research firm specializing in the retail, consumer, and REIT sectors, providing strategic and financial insights on these sectors to institutional investors. She spends much of her time visiting stores and malls across the U.S. In addition to her professional endeavors, Lisa serves on the President’s Council of Cornell Women and is a long-time member of the Junior League of Albany and volunteer for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Lisa earned her B.A. with distinction from Cornell University and her M.B.A. with honors from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Michael Kwarta

Michael Kwarta has been appointed by the Town Board to serve as a member of the Town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency, effective January 2026.  A lifelong resident of the Town of Colonie, Michael attended the South Colonie Central School District and has maintained deep roots in the community. He lives in the Town of Colonie with his wife of 22 years, Gina, and their daughter, Julianna. Michael is currently one of the three majority owners of the Albany Firebirds, and Arean Football One team. He is also the founder of TechEast Fire and Water Restoration, Inc., which he established in 2008. In 2023, he sold the company to Belfor Property Restoration, where he now serves as General Manager. Previously, Michael was the majority owner of Albany Empire football team and oversaw the organization during its championship in 2021 and 2022.