University at Albany President Inducted into Capital Region Business Hall of Fame

Three people stand smiling in front of a "Business Hall of Fame" sign, the man in the center holding a trophy depicting thee people, and the woman on the right holding flowers.
Mark Eagan, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, President Rodríguez and Christine Horne, president, Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York. (Photo by Glenn Davenport/Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York)

By Amy Geduldig

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 10, 2025) — University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez was inducted into the Capital Region Business Hall of Fame on June 3 at a ceremony held by the Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York and the Center for Economic Growth. He was joined by fellow inductees Carm Basile, retired chief executive officer of Capital District Transportation Authority, and David M. Buicko, president and CEO of Galesi Group.

“Congratulations to Carm and Dave and thank you Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, the Center for Economic Growth, the Capital Region Business Hall of Fame team... for this honor,” Rodríguez said at the event. “At UAlbany, we take talented, driven students and give them the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to change the world as engaged global citizens. We are an engine for social and economic mobility not only for our students, but for our communities as well. As an anchor institution for the city of Albany and the Capital Region, we are intently focused on research and scholarship that benefits the public good. Together, we will continue to transform our region, the great state of New York and our world!”

Mark Eagan, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, and Christine Horne, president, Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, served as the Masters of Ceremonies for the ceremony, now in its 27th year.

Introducing Rodríguez, Eagan shared highlights from the president’s tenure: “He’s distinguished himself by expanding UAlbany’s high-tech programs, taking a leadership role in regional economic development and embracing education for low income, diverse and first-generation college students. Under Dr. Rodríguez’s leadership and stewardship, the University at Albany has opened two state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, launched a campus-wide artificial intelligence initiative and returned the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to campus. The University continues to play a key role in the advancement of the semiconductor industry. Dr. Rodríguez believes the University is here for both the economic empowerment of the students and the community.”

The Business Hall of Fame recognizes local champions of free enterprise for their success and dedication toward making New York’s Capital Region a better place to live and work. It is one of the Capital Region’s most prestigious business awards for outstanding contributions to free enterprise and for commitment and service to the communities in which these leaders live and work.  

This year’s honorees bring membership in the Capital Region Business Hall of Fame to a total of 80 distinguished individuals and visionary leaders inducted since it was founded in 1996. Honorees are selected by the Hall of Fame Committee, which is advised by an independent group that includes past inductees.

The Business Hall of Fame is co-sponsored by Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York and the Center for Economic Growth, an affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber. All proceeds from the dinner go towards delivery and expansion of Junior Achievement services, which provide students in grades K-12 with financial literacy, entrepreneurial, work readiness and career awareness skills.