PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp. formally recognized a long-time colleague at Monday's Board of Directors meeting.

C. Randall Beach retired as the North Country regional director of Empire State Development Corp., effective March 28. He was also chairman of the PARC Board of Directors for more than five years, until he resigned on July 31, 2001, to take the Empire State position.

A resolution to commemorate his years of service was read by his son, Randall Beach, a lawyer with Albany-based Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna, which also represents PARC in legal matters.

He noted that as regional director, Beach "provided guidance and encouragement on the pursuit of state support for vital economic-improvement initiatives -- not only to the Board of Directors and management (at PARC from 1996 to 2001) but also to myriad communities in a six-county region ... and held office at a time when the region he represented outperformed proportionately all others in New York state in terms of business growth and development."

PARC went on to recognize the elder Beach's 30-year career in the finance and banking industry and his service to more than 25 local organizations and boards.

Beach was presented a framed copy of the resolution by Board of Directors Chairman Gilbert Duken and PARC CEO Bruce Steadman.

Beach credited his family, as well as the PARC Board and staff members.

"You can't make anything happen unless you have a fantastic team behind you and with you."

He said that team brought in the diversified businesses that have made redevelopment a success.

"I'd rather have 50 companies with 10 to 12 employees than one company with 300 employees," Beach said.

It was sad to hear Pratt & Whitney's plan to relocate its Plattsburgh test facility to a new location at Mirabel International Airport, he said.

"That was one of the major wins we've had out here. It's easier to market something when you have a Fortune 100 company as a tenant."

Duken also addressed the Pratt & Whitney departure in his opening remarks. He said anyone involved with PARC remembers when the company delivered a signed lease on Christmas Eve 1999.

"PARC had landed its anchor tenant in aviation. It meant brand-name recognition for PARC -- throughout the aviation industry -- in its bid for additional tenants and investors. We wish the county good fortune in filling the void."

PARC will soon unveil a four-color, direct-mail piece to help market about 24 remaining properties. Duken said it will emphasize PARC's proximity to air, rail, highway and telecommunication service, as well as the region's attractions.