Empire State Development confirmed Thursday afternoon that its president and CEO, Howard Zemsky, is stepping down.

A spokesperson said he will likely become the board chair for ESD and help with the search for his replacement. Zemsky officially was confirmed to the position in March 2015.

“Heading ESD and being Governor Cuomo’s head of economic development has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said in a text message. “I look forward to continuing our work together growing the economy in Buffalo and across the state as ESD Board Chair.”

Zemsky has become a fairly well-known figure across the state, often traveling with the governor or serving as his proxy at public events. He has helped lead Cuomo’s signature economic development initiative, the Buffalo Billion.

Prior to joining ESD, Zemsky worked with the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. He also heads Larkin Development Group which revitalized an old factory in Buffalo’s Larkin District into a one million square foot office space.