Robert Simpson serves as president of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), based in Syracuse, New York. CenterState CEO is an independent nonprofit committed to creating inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth in Central New York. Simpson is responsible for overseeing the organization’s administration and governance, while leading and executing on its vision to be an effective advocate, exceptional employer and a force for positive outcomes for the community.
Through this work, Mr. Simpson is focused on improving the capacity of organizations and individuals to identify and meet their strategic objectives, and is involved in several initiatives to build vibrant and sustainable communities. In 2022, Simpson was confirmed by the New York State Senate as a director of the New York State Urban Development Corporation. He was previously appointed by the Governor to serve as co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, from 2011 to 2018. He has also served as an adviser to the Brookings Institution as part of the Global Cities Initiative.
Simpson currently serves in leadership roles across CenterState CEO’s partner organizations, including: the NUAIR Alliance; CenterState CEO’s Foundations, and ON-RAMP Syracuse.
Simpson also serves on numerous community boards, including the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, the Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Manlius Pebble Hill and others.
Accolades include 40 UNDER 40 recognition by CNY BizEvents (2006); the Salvation Army’s Community Team Spirit Award (2010); Onondaga Citizens League Citizen of the Year (2010), Boy Scouts of America Boypower Honoree (2016), Loretto Health System’s Legacy Award (2019), The Salvation Army of Syracuse’s Community TEAM Spirit Award (2022), and the Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE) 2024 Community Builder Award.
Before joining CenterState CEO, Mr. Simpson worked for Defenders of Wildlife, in Washington, D.C.; served as policy director for the State Environmental Resource Center, Madison, Wisconsin; and served as assistant legislative director for the Office of John D. Rockefeller IV, in the United States Senate.
Mr. Simpson graduated from Colgate University in 1997, and earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He and his wife, Corinne Ribble, and son, Ben, reside in Syracuse.
