Austin Wheelock
Operation Oswego County
Austin Wheelock, 27, is an economic development specialist at Operation Oswego County.
He earned a master’s degree in urban planning at the University of Buffalo. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from Alfred State College and an Associate of Science degree in architectural design from Morrisville State College. He is a board member of the Heritage Foundation of Oswego County; chairperson of “The Next Great Idea,” an Oswego County business plan competition; and is a YP Voice member. He is a member of Leadership Oswego County’s Class of 2007.
Wheelock was instrumental in developing “The Next Great Idea” project. “I helped develop a business plan competition that is aimed at filling a gap in projects that Operation Oswego County and local banks can participate in despite lack of equity from the business owner,” Wheelock said. As a key member of Operation Oswego County, Wheelock said he is part of a team that has successfully attracted business to Oswego County and has provided support to keep businesses here that may have left otherwise.
L. Michael Treadwell, executive director of OOC, nominated Wheelock for the “Forty Under 40” honor. “Because of his commitment to the economic success of Oswego County as demonstrated by his initiation of a business plan competition and his involvement with Leadership Oswego County and the Oswego Heritage Foundation, we feel that Austin is very deserving of this prestigious award,” Treadwell said. (LS)