Next Move NY’s goal is to encourage transitioning Soldiers, veterans, and military spouses to make the North Country their permanent home by providing one-on-one job matching, educational programs, workforce training opportunities, and community resources to make the military to civilian transition as seamless as possible.
New York’s North Country region is facing a critical shortage of workers over the next few years. The area, which encompasses the seven northernmost counties of New York State, is expected to add tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade in a wide range of industries. Unfortunately, current data suggests there won’t be enough workers to fill those and other open roles as population growth slows and residents leave.
That’s where Next Move NY comes in.
Fort Drum, the largest Army installation in the northeast and itself the largest single-site employer in New York, is home to thousands of service members, their spouses, and families. Approximately 3,600 Soldiers transition to civilian life from Fort Drum each year, many of whom would stay if they had career opportunities ready in the region.
Next Move NY aims to be a single point-of-contact to connect these experienced, talented service members, military spouses, and veterans with the career and community resources they are looking for right here in the North Country. We believe the North Country and New York State have so much to offer those who have given so much to our country.
Meet the Next Move NY Team
Meet the team working tirelessly to encourage transitioning Soldiers, military spouses, and veterans to make their next move home:
Ben Cruz
Ben Cruz is the Program Administrator for Next Move NY at the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC).
A retired U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of service, he now works to connect transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses from Fort Drum with meaningful career opportunities across the North Country while supporting local employers with workforce needs.
Ben is passionate about helping veterans translate their military experience into civilian careers and seeing them successfully build their next chapter in the region.
He is particularly excited about helping service members build a future for themselves and their families in the North Country while strengthening the local workforce.
Fun fact about Ben: He was recently named “Best & Most Annoying Dad 2025” by his daughter.
Eric Lo
Eric Lo is the Program Manager for the Next Move NY program at the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC).
A U.S. Army veteran who served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, Eric is deeply committed to his duty to support transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. Prior to his current role, he worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs, continuing his commitment to serving those who have served.
In his role, Eric enjoys connecting with new people, learning their stories, and helping them discover opportunities to thrive across New York State. What excites him most about the Next Move NY initiative is his personal connection to the mission: just a few years ago, he was a transitioning service member himself and understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with that journey.
Fun fact about Eric: He has an 11-month-old son who is his twin!
Sarah Wilder
Sarah Wilder is the Regional Business Liaison for Next Move NY.
Born and raised in Northern New York, she is a graduate from SUNY Jefferson and SUNY Potsdam where she quickly learned the value of networking and connections through the variety of opportunities each institution offered. She served as President of the JCC Business, Career Skills, and Leadership Club, studied overseas on an Erasmus Mobility Scholarship in Portugal, and participated in many other activities, all of which provided priceless skills that she has brought to her role as Regional Business Liaison.
As Regional Business Liaison, she connects with community and business leaders to strengthen professional networks for Next Move NY’s transitioning Soldiers, spouses, and veterans. Her goal is to ensure every individual feels the hospitality that the North Country has to offer within the professional workforce environment. She helps local employers and organizations connect with transitioning Soldiers, spouses, and veterans through their free job matching portal, Veteran Ambassador Program for professional mentorship, and the Employer Incentive Program.
Sarah is thrilled to help community and business leaders exhibit their amazing employment opportunities to the transitioning military community and showcase her great home state of New York.
Sarah is excited to see how Next Move NY helps the state and the military share resources to strengthen the overall workforce of the place she calls home. According to Sarah, witnessing Next Move NY’s transitioning Soldiers, spouses, and veterans find, take, and run with these opportunities makes every day exciting and fruitful.
Fun fact about Sarah: She is a published co-author for a recent textbook on Wine Tourism and Landscapes that specifically focuses on the impact climate change is having on wine tourism in the Douro River Valley in Porto Portugal.
Connect with the Next Move NY Team
Now that you’ve met the team, it’s time to connect with them! Contact us online or:
- Call: 315-661-3356
- Email: elo@danc.org
- Make an appointment to visit our office: 124 Franklin Street, Watertown, NY 13601