RJ Ball is a Senior Director of Industry Development and Foreign Trade with the Strategic Business Division of Empire State Development in New York. RJ has spent the last thirteen years focused on the attraction, growth, and retention of companies across multiple industry sectors throughout New York State. More specifically RJ also leads ESD’s efforts in growing the Optics, Photonics, Imaging and Laser Industry sectors. RJ has a proven track record with assisting companies at every stage of a project and taking on challenges that fall outside of the scope of his designated responsibilities.