About NYS TAAC

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About NYS TAAC

Who We Are

The New York State Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NYS TAAC) is a non-profit regional center that provides assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NYS TAAC provides assistance only for New York State firms. For a list of all regional centers that provide assistance under the TAA for Firms program, please visit our TAA centers page

The NYS TAAC is administered by The Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Binghamton University. Since 1978, the NYS TAAC has helped over 1200 New York firms and provided them with more than $53,000,000 in assistance.

Assistance Provided

The NYS TAAC offers assistance in strategic areas of importance including management, marketing, finance, information technology, manufacturing/engineering, and ISO/QS/TS/UL/CE certification. This assistance is provided by both NYS TAAC professional staff and by independent industry specialists and consultants. The cost for assistance is shared with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which can underwrite up to 75% of the cost.

There is no cost to determine qualification for the program and all inquiries are confidential. For more information, please contact us.

The Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Binghamton is a private, nonprofit educational corporation that administers externally funded contracts and grants for and on behalf of the State University of
New York.

Since its establishment in 1951, the Research Foundation has facilitated research, education, and public service at 30 state-operated SUNY locations. The Foundation carries out its responsibilities pursuant to a 1977 agreement with the University.

To view the web page for The Research Foundation of the State University of New York, please select this link.

NYS TAAC Staff

Louis G. McKeage
Director

Lou has over 20 years of experience with the NYS TAAC. He is responsible for the successful day-to-day operations of the NYS TAAC and leadership of an experienced staff of professionals.

Lou has a number of years of experience managing his own manufacturing company. He serves on the board of the Broome County Council of Church's and is a member of the American Business Council. He has a MBA from Binghamton University.

E-mail: lmckeage@nystaac.org

Gary Youmans
Director, Client Development

Gary has over 20 years of marketing and business development experience with the NYS TAAC. Gary is proficient in the requirements of the TAA program and assists a wide variety of manufacturers interested in the program. He travels extensively throughout New York State and is an advocate on behalf of firms with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Gary has a Bachelor of Science degree from Kutztown University, in Kutztown PA.

Prior to joining the NYS TAAC, Gary worked as a marketing consultant for a health maintenance organization and as a sales consultant for a telecommunications firm in Phoenix, Arizona. He also worked as an investigator for the Broome County Public Defender's Office.

E-mail: gyoumans@nystaac.org

Michele Francisco
Administrative Assistant

Michele has 10 years of prior experience as an Administrative Assistant. She is a skilled professional in office administration, with responsibility for all aspects of budget/finance, administrative operations, and program/policy compliance for the NYS TAAC. She also acts on behalf of the Director in his absence.

E-mail: mfrancisco@nystaac.org