Frank DuRoss

Frank DuRoss a proven leader with an established track record in change-management and start-up strategies. Frank’s functional competencies include outstanding skills, business development, sales and marketing, accounting and finance, public and private capital funding, human resource management, real-estate development, environmental management and higher educational settings.

Frank is the co-founder of the Utica Comets and the driving force behind relocating this American Hockey League affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks to Utica, New York, an effort that has revitalized the Mohawk Valley.  In conjunction with this, Frank DuRoss along with Robert Esche formed the Mohawk Valley Garden to oversee the complete management of the Utica Memorial Auditorium, now the Adirondack Bank Center.  Their most recent sports venture is the relocation and acquisition of the former Syracuse Silver Knights, now known as, Utica City FC; a professional soccer team playing in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).  Most recently, DuRoss, along with his partners from Mohawk Valley Garden, announced the opening of 72 Tavern & Grill, a full service restaurant attached to the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.  He also announced the purchase and relaunch of the former Babe’s restaurant in Utica, NY, Babe’s at Harbor Point, a 300 seat family themed restaurant featuring memorabilia from the Utica Comets and UCFC.

He is also the current Vice President for Community Development and the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). In this role, Frank has been instrumental in reaching out to community stakeholders and campaign donors, which has enabled MVCC to award more than $327,000 annually in scholarships to more than 550 students. Frank has recently launched Tea Leaf Ventures, LLC, a 5013c social enterprise collaborating with MVCC.

In 2015, Frank launched the thINCubator, an incubator in Utica for high-growth startups.