2018-2019 Committee Members

Membership Committee

Goals: Recruit, Engage, Retain! 

Chair: Gina Potfora, CMP, Director of Meetings & Programs, American Council of Engineering Companies
Tim Atkinson, Executive Director, New York State Veterinary Medical Society
Stephanie Bugos, Section Liaison, The NYS Bar Association
Melissa Burke, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
Michele Endries, Senior Sales Manager, Discover Albany
Tim James, Senior Sales Manager, Visit Rochester
Angela Kelly, Association Manager, Capitol Hill Management Services
Liz Mancini, Manager of Information Technology, Member Relations and Retention, Business Council of NYS
Gina Mintzer, CMP, MHA, Executive Director, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and CVB
Melanie Seiden, Membership Services Associate, NYS Council of School Superintendents
Sam Toscano, Sales Manager, 1000 Island Harbor Hotel

Program Committee

Goals: Create a vibrant, relevant learning community, develop cutting edge, timely content & strategy.

Chair: Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, New York School Nutrition Association
Rita Ferris, President, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
Kathy Gormley, CMP, Director of Conference Management, LeadingAge New York
Lindsay Miller, MPH, Executive Director, New York Association on Independent Living
Terri Murphy, CMP, Director, Events & Training, New York Credit Union Association
John Nicoletta, Senior Application Consultant, (c) Systems Global
Donna Stelling-Gurnett, President/CEO, Association of Proprietary Colleges
Addy Waldie, CMP, Adjunct Professional, Schenectady County Community College

Trade Show Committee

Goals: Evaluate 2018 program and prepare for 2019.

Co-Chair, Amanda Grace Wing, Deputy Director, NYS Association of School Business Officials
Co-Chair: Adam Jacobson, Director of Sales, Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center

Meagan Bowker, Association Manager, Capitol Hill Management Services, Inc.
Gina Calisi, Manager, Convention Sales, Visit Binghamton
Mark Davis, Sales Manager, Gideon Putnam Hotel
Jay Cloutier, Director of Sales, Discover Albany
Jerry Keohane, Director of Association Sales, Marriott Syracuse Downtown
Shannon Licygiewicz, CEM, Director of Sales, Albany Capital Center   
Cindy Sullivan, CMP, Sales Executive, Lake Placid Conference Center & Visitors Bureau
Alex Tancredi, Business Development Associate, Overit
Sarah Wheeler, Director of Sales, Lake Placid Conference Center & Visitors Bureau

Strategic Partnerships Committee

Goals: Expand partnership opportunities and sponsor network. Design sponsorship packages around special programs and events. Explore new avenues to secure advertising revenue.

Chair: Jennifer Van Ort, Executive Director, NYS Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Jill Delaney, President and CEO, Discover Albany
Todd Garofano, Executive Director, NYS Salon and Spa Association

Government Affairs Committee

Goals: Monitor legislation and inform members of pertinent issues affecting industry.

Chair: Brian Buff, Vice President, Association Management Operations, Capitol Hill Management Services
Vice Chair: Ashley Ranslow, NY Assistant State Director, NFIB  

Johnny Evers, Ph.D., Director of Government Affairs, The Business Council of NYS, Inc.
Kathy Febraio, CAE, Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York
Jeff Keller, CAE, Director, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
Carrie Laney, Executive Director of the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers Who Are Blind (NYSPSP)
Randy L. McCullough, CAE, Deputy Executive Director, NYS Funeral Directors Association
Megan Osika, Vice President, Park Strategies, LLC
Timothy Thate, CPHIMS, PMP, CAE, Senior Director, Information Technology, LeadingAge New York
Margaret Vandervort, Legislative Director & Business Manager, The Vandervort Group
Todd Vandervort, President & CEO, The Vandervort Group
Lori Rehm, Director of Sales & Conference Services, The Sagamore Resort

Association Leadership Academy (ALA)

Goals: Design and implement ALA (Level 1 and Master's)

Co-Chair: Rita Lashway, CAE
Co-Chair: Barbara Bradley, CAE, Deputy Director of Online Communications and Project Planning, NYS School Boards Association
Vanessa LaClair, CMP, Executive Director, ESSAE

CAE Committee

Goals: Reach out to current and new CAEs to secure study group leaders and develop a comprehensive 2019 Program.

Chair: OPEN

Marketing & Engagement Committee

Goals: Enhance the visibility of ESSAE through media and communications. Promote association events and benefits. Assist with packaging all society efforts. 

Chair: OPEN

Rita Lashway Scholarship

Goals: Market scholarship program and review applicants

Chair: James Page, Director of Information Technology and Project Planning, NYS School Boards Association
Rita Lashway, CAE (retired)
Kathy Febraio, CAE, Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of NY
Kathy Gormley, CMP, Director of Conference Management, LeadingAge New York
Chip LaCure, Business Development, CMI Communications
Gina Mintzer, CMP, MHA, Executive Director, Lake George Chamber of Commerce and CVB

Awards Task Force

Goals: Review nominations/submissions and determine award recipients 

Chair:  Aurelia Lazzari, Sales Manager, The Desmond Hotel Albany
Jennifer Bruce, CMP, Association & Meeting Management Consultant, CCi Consulting
Deidre Hungerford, Assistant Director for Business Development, NYS Council of School Superintendents 
Patricia Wood, Senior Director, Membership, NYS Bar Association
Dory Fisk, Membership Education & Events Director, NYS Restaurant Association
Chloejean Tedford, Director, Convention Services, Discover Saratoga

Finance Committee

Chair: Michael Borges, Executive Director, NYS Association of School Business Officials

Jim Calvin, President, NY Association of Convenience Stores
Jeff Keller, CAE, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
Maura Ryan, Executive Director, NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc.
Bob Schneider, CAE, CPA, Associate Executive Director & COO, NYS School Boards Association
Donna Denley, Director of Finance, NYS Academy of Family Physicians

Audit Committee (Sub-Committee of Finance)

Chair: Michael Borges, Executive Director, NYS Association of School Business Officials

Donna Denley, Director of Finance, NYS Academy of Family Physicians
Maura Ryan, Executive Director, NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc.

Nominating Committee

Chair: Thomas Cote, MBA, CAE, Vice President of Association Management and Strategic Development, Capitol Hill Management

Kathy Febraio, CAE, Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of NY
Jerry DeLuca, Executive Director & CEO, NYS Association of Fire Chiefs
Mary Jo Janis, Vice President/Convention Sales and Services, Discover Saratoga

By-Laws Committee

Chair: Brian Buff, Vice President, Association Management Division, Capitol Hill Management

Jim Calvin, President, NY Association of Convenience Stores
Kathy Febraio, CAE, Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of NY
Rita Ferris, President, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association