2018-2019 Committee Members

Membership Committee

Goals: Recruit and Retain! Investigate student dues structure. 

Chair: Gina Potfora, CMP, Director of Meetings & Programs, American Council of Engineering Companies
Stephanie Bugos, Section Liaison, The NYS Bar Association
Michele Endries, Senior Sales Manager, Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
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

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 Division, Capitol Hill Management
Vice Chair: Ashley Ranslow, Manager of Government Affairs, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association

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 NY
Jeff Keller, CAE, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
Randy McCullough, CAE, Deputy Executive Director, NYS Funeral Directors Association
Megan Osika, Vice President, Park Strategies, LLC
Timothy Thate, CAE, Senior Director Information Technology, LeadingAge New York
Todd Vandervort, The Vandervort Group

Association Leadership Academy (ALA)

Goals: Design and implement ALA

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 2017 or 2018 Program – to be determined by Committee Chair.

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 Fund

Goals: Launch the inaugural fundraising campaign and review scholarship 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 current awards structure and provide improvements. Investigate online resources. 

Chair: Evelyn Neale, President, Successful Change
Jennifer Bruce, CMP, Association & Meeting Management Consultant, CCi Consulting
Amber Carpenter, NYS Association of Professional Land Surveyors
Aurelia Lazzari, The Desmond Hotel Albany
Deidre Hungerford, NYS Council of School Superintendents 
Tim McCullough, The Sagamore Resort

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
James Page, Director of Information Technology and Project Planning, NYS School Boards Association

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.
James Page, Director of Information Technology and Project Planning, NYS School Boards Association

Nominating Committee

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

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