Board of Trustees

 
Headshot-June-2017-e1579016119614-290x300.jpg

CHAIR
Seth Mandelbaum
Managing Partner, McCullough, Goldberger and Staudt, LLP

+

Seth M. Mandelbaum, Esq. is a partner in the firm of McCullough, Goldberger & Staudt, LLP. A resident of White Plains, Mr. Mandelbaum is a member of the New York State and Westchester County Bar Associations, and concentrates his practice in zoning and land use law, environmental law, and related litigation. In 2008, Mr. Mandelbaum became one of only a handful of attorneys in New York to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED® AP).

Why Support WPF? “Westchester Parks Foundation is worth your support because WPF helps support Westchester’s fantastic and varied park system, by funding and supporting programs that are important to the County at no additional cost to taxpayers. WPF also helps educate the public and advocate for the parks, which are such a critical component of the high quality of life in Westchester County.”

 
 
solnick-jane.jpg

VICE-CHAIR
Jane Solnick
Director of Public Affairs, Con Edison

+

Ms. Solnick is the Director of Public Affairs in Westchester for Con Edison. Con Edison provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County. In this position, Jane is responsible for handling government relations, community affairs and philanthropy, and serves as an official spokesperson for the company with the media. In addition to Westchester Parks Foundation, she serves on the board of The Business Council of Westchester, and The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. Jane is a lifetime resident of Westchester County and has a longstanding record of working effectively with political, business, and local community leaders.

 
 
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

TREASURER
Mark S. Tulis
Tulis & Geiger LLP 

+

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Tulis currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Westchester County Healthcare Corp. which operates the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Previously he was a Westchester County Legislator, a Town Supervisor and councilman in the Town of New Castle, has participated in numerous civic, charitable and other political endeavors. He has been afforded the highest attorney rating by Martindale Hubbell.

 
 
kamarck.jpg

SECRETARY
Martin A. Kamarck
Scarsdale

+

Martin (“Tino”) Kamarck was born to American parents in Rome, Italy and grew up and attended public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was graduated from Haverford College in 1971, and received JD from Stanford Law School in 1975.

Since June of 2017, Mr. Kamarck has been an independent director and chair of the board’s Compensation Committee of Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYSE: GPMT), a commercial mortgage REIT.

He has also been a trustee of the Brewster (MA) Conservation Trust since 2009. Since moving to Westchester County in 2016, Mr. Kamarck has been increasingly involved as a donor to, and volunteer with, the Westchester Land Trust and the Westchester Parks Foundation.

In 2010, Mr Kamarck co-founded Elanus Capital Management, LLC, a specialized alternative asset management firm with a niche strategy in “capital release trades” with commercial banks. He was a partner in that firm, directing diligence strategies and transaction structuring, until his retirement in June of this year.

Throughout his career, Mr Kamarck has been animated by an ethic of civic and community service, having been, inter alia, a board member of Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. of Anacostia; Chair of the Arlington County (VA) Transportation Commission; a board member of Einstein Medical School’s Center for Autistic Children’s Development; a trustee of the Berkeley Carroll School (Brooklyn, NY); a board member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers; a board member (and Vice Chair) of the Association of Financial Guaranty Insurers; a board member of the Appleseed Foundation; a member of the Brewster (MA) Housing Partnership and Community Preservation Committees; president and board member of the Brewster Cemetery Association; board member of the Rock Creek Conservancy; board member and treasurer of 1230 Park Avenue Inc. (a NYC co-op corporation); and volunteer with the Prospect Park and Central Park Conservancies.

Mr Kamarck is married and has 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren.

 
 

 
 
 
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Joseph V. Apicella
Managing Director of Development, MacQuesten Development LLC

+

Mr. Apicella is the Managing Director of Development at MacQuesten. He is an accomplished Senior Real Estate Executive responsible for the acquisition, approvals, financing and construction of more than 2 billion dollars’ worth of development in the tri-state area. He holds extensive expertise in managing all aspects of commercial real estate development including site compliance, legal documentation, governmental approvals/grant awards, regulatory compliance, lease negotiations and asset management. He has an established network extending to all levels of county, state and federal government. In 1998 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Yonkers Business Improvement District, in 2007 the Distinguished Citizenship Award by Yonkers YWCA and in 2009 New Rochelle Businessman of the Year.

 
 
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Marc J. Berman
Managing Director, Macquarie Capital

+

Marc Berman, a West Harrison resident, is a Managing Director at Macquarie Capital and has 30 years of experience in financial services focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and providing strategic and financial advice primarily to insurance industry clients and investors. Previously, Mr. Berman was with J.P. Morgan, RBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs and started his career as an insurance broker with Marsh McLennan.

Mr. Berman graduated with an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Berman also is on the Board and a Past President of Temple Israel Center of White Plains.

 
 
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Keith R. Betensky, Esq.
Managing Partner, Law Offices of Keith R. Betensky

+

Keith R. Betensky, Esq. is the managing partner at the Law Offices of Keith R. Betensky and Of Counsel to McCullough Goldberger and Staudt, LLP. Since 2002, he has successfully closed a wide variety of residential and commercial real estate deals throughout the New York Metropolitan area including purchase and sale, leasing and financing. Mr. Betensky also specializes in telecommunications law, environmental law, commercial contracts, equestrian estates, land use/zoning/municipal law, and trusts & estates.

Mr. Betensky’s community involvement has included coaching youth soccer and baseball, co-chairing the Environmental Law Committee of the Westchester County Bar Association, teaching at the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, serving as Treasurer of the Board of Managers of a Condominium, and acting as President emeritus of the Bedford Village Business Association.

A native New Yorker, Keith earned his bachelor of arts, cum laude,from Tufts University and his juris doctor from Northeastern University.

Why Support WPF? “I support Westchester Parks Foundation because I regularly use and enjoy the County parks system and I believe in preserving and improving this great resource for generations to come.”

 
 
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Nanette Bourne
NHB Planning

+

Nanette Bourne is head of AKRF’s Hudson Valley office and is the principal-in-charge for many of the firm’s assignments, providing planning and environmental consulting to such municipalities as the Village of Mount Kisco and the Village of Pelham Manor. Ms. Bourne’s more than 25 years of experience include a broad background in planning and managing or directing numerous planning studies as well as environmental studies and permit applications for large-scale development projects. Ms. Bourne has managed environmental review projects prepared under New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and California’s Environmental Quality Act and under federal and local guidelines.

 
 
LizBrackenThompsonHeadshot-1-scaled-e1578665873413-150x150.jpg

Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson
Partner, Thompson & Bender

+

Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson served as Westchester Parks Foundation’s board chair from 2008-2014. She brings to WPF her years of public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Under Liz’s leadership, WPF accomplished many successful projects, including fundraising award receptions and, in cooperation with the County Parks Department, the creation of the Bronx River Walk audio tour on the Bronx River Pathway between Valhalla and Bronxville.

Why Support WPF? “Westchester Parks Foundation is my personal passion. Anyone who lives, works, or spends any time outdoors in Westchester should support WPF to keep our unique and unparalleled 18,000 acres of County parkland green and growing. Our parks help make the quality of life in Westchester special. There are so many choices of Westchester parks to choose from that it’s impossible to select just one. Our parks offer something for everyone, from open space to beautiful pools, from golf courses to hiking trails, from bike paths to special events, there’s a park to power anyone’s personal pursuits. From Yonkers to Yorktown and from the Hudson to the Sound Shores, our Westchester County Parks are our treasure.”

 
 
cawley.jpg

Christopher Cawley
Real Estate Broker, Corcoran Legends Realty

+

Mr. Cawley is a licensed real estate broker in New York. In addition to his professional career, he is an active member of many local business and community associations and has done extensive work with volunteer management and staffing for various charitable organizations.

 
 
Joanne-Fernandez-headshot-e1578497033471-275x300.jpg

Erica Child
Director, Barclays Bank

+

Erica Child is a Director in the Public Finance department at Barclays Bank. Ms. Child has nearly 10 years of experience working with public sector and not-for-profit clients to develop risk management and structured debt issuance solutions. Ms. Child’s client base spans not-for-profit healthcare organizations, higher education institutions, and state and local municipal agencies. Ms. Child holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida.

Ms. Child is passionate about the environment and early childhood development and served as a volunteer with the New York Junior League for several years to support such causes. Ms. Child is proud to join the Westchester Parks Foundation to support its many initiatives, particularly those that promote the benefits of connecting children with nature.

Ms. Child is a native of Florida and lives in Armonk with her husband and two young daughters. Ms. Child enjoys spending time with her family exploring the unique towns and outdoor spaces that make Westchester a special place to live.


Joanne Fernandez

Life Trustee

+

Ms. Joanne Fernandez is the Manager of Government Affairs Entergy. Joining Entergy in 2006, Ms. Fernandez has direct responsibility for managing Entergy’s day-to-day state and local government relations including legislative affairs, advocacy and political activities within New York State. She is responsible for issue management, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, trade organizations, lobbying and political action for the Entergy business organization. Joanne’s work in the community helps to support important local community programs and not-for-profit organizations. She has been recognized for achievement and outstanding corporate citizenship by numerous organizations including: as an “Outstanding Women Business Leader” by the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; as a “Rising Star” by the Business Council of Westchester; as a “Visionary Leader” by Kids Xpress Magazine; “Best Green Friend” by Westchester Parks Foundation; and the Volunteer Center of the United Way. In addition, Joanne serves as an Executive Board Member of Westchester Parks Foundation and the Greater New York American Red Cross.

Her professional associations include the New York Building Congress, the Business Council of Westchester, the New York League of Conservation Voters, and the Business Council of New York State. She is also a member of the Brooklyn Technical High School Alumni Association and 100 Hispanic Women.

Ms. Fernandez brought extensive public policy experience to Entergy. She served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor George Pataki; as a legislative assistant in the New York State Assembly Majority and in the New York State Senate Majority.

A native New Yorker, Joanne graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Latin American Studies with a minor in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy.

 
 
geist.jpg

Herman Geist, Esq., 
Life Trustee

+

Herman Geist, Esq. served on the County Board of Legislators, and its predecessor Board of Supervisors from 1966-1973. He served as the first Chairman of the County Board of Legislators.

Herman was, in 1977 a co-founder of the Friends of Westchester County Parks, now the Westchester Parks Foundation. Herman not only founded the WPF, he kept it alive through many years of dormancy when people didn’t always see the value of citizen engagement in parks. He was instrumental in the revitalization of the organization in 2003 and since then the WPF has donated and invested well over $15 million dollars’ worth of goods and services to support our parks. He is still active with us today, more than 40 years later, still helping chart the course for the great opportunities that PRC provides to all residents.

He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Foundation in 2013

Herman was the Chair of the Westchester County Bi-Centennial Commission and has been on the Board of Trustees of the Westchester Medical Center for many years.

 
 

Steve Gifford
Mohegan Park Construction 

+

Steve Gifford owns and manages multiple apartment buildings in Westchester and specializes in affordable housing. He also owns Mohegan Park Contracting, Inc., a construction company that works primarily with school districts and housing authorities throughout Westchester. Community involvement has always been a priority to Steve. He has been a volunteer for the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department for 20 years and is currently the treasurer of the Livingston Hose Company. He has also served on the Dobbs Ferry Recreation Board for 26 years, the Children’s Village Community Board and is a member of the Apartment Owner Association of Westchester. Steve also currently holds leadership positions serving as Chairman of the Board for Community Housing Innovations and Vice President of the New Rochelle Police Foundation. Steve is a native New Yorker born in the Bronx. He moved to Dobbs Ferry in 1988 where he raised his three beautiful daughters.

Why support WPF? - I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible bike riding, hiking and playing tennis.

 
 

Joseph Graziose
RXR

+

Joseph Graziose serves as Executive Vice President, Development Services at RXR. RXR is an innovative investor, developer and place-maker committed to applying a customer and community-centered approach to building properties, services, and products that create enduring value for all stakeholders. Headquartered in New York, NY with a national platform strategy, RXR is a 500+ person, vertically integrated operating, and development company with expertise in a wide array of value creation activities, including ground up real estate, infrastructure, and industrial development, uncovering value in underperforming properties, repurposing well-located iconic properties, incorporating cutting edge technologies and value-added lending.

In his role, Joseph is responsible for day-to-day management, execution, and strategy for RXR’s development company. During his tenure at RXR, Joseph has been responsible for managing and oversight of ground up development with a focus on multi-family, mixed-use and master planning in the New York metro, along with spearheading RXR’s national expansion including new development opportunities throughout the country.

Since joining RXR in 2011, Joseph has been responsible for building out RXR’s multi-family platform across Westchester County including serving as Project Executive for RXR’s master development partnership with the City of New Rochelle, NY. Through the master development partnership, Joseph is responsible for the creation and implementation of a revitalization plan to transform downtown New Rochelle into a center for job generation, market rate and affordable housing, dining, retail, and arts & culture. The mix of uses now entitled across the downtown, including sites controlled by RXR include over 10 million SF of commercial, retail, institutional and hotel space as well as over 7,000 residential units.

Joseph is an active participant of the Business Council of Westchester and in 2020 was awarded the Council’s Rising Stars 40 under 40 award. He currently serves on the Board of the Westchester Parks Foundation, New Rochelle Business Improvement District and Stamford Downtown Special Service District.

Joseph is a native of Glen Cove, NY and received a degree in finance from Boston College where he was a member of the BC Football Team. Joseph and his wife, Anastasia have two children, Joseph, and Avelina.

 
 

Shelby D. Green
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

+

Professor of Law, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, White Plains, N.Y. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. She teaches and writes in the areas of property, real estate transactions, housing and historic preservation. She is chair of the Legal Education Group of the Real Property Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar Association, editor of the Keeping Current-Property column in Probate & Property magazine, and an organizer, occasional presenter and regular moderator for the monthly webinar, Professors’ Corner, offered by the same section. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Jay Heritage Center, which manages the John Jay Estate, a National Historic Landmark in Rye, N.Y.

Bill Greenawalt
Law office of William S. Greenawalt

+

 

Thomas R. Heaslip, Jr
BJ Adams RE Mgmt

+

 
 

April Horton
Verizon

+

April D. Horton is a Government and External Affairs professional. She leads all government affairs and legislative activity in the NY Midstate region, The Bronx and Manhattan. In this capacity, she is responsible for securing Verizon’s short-term objectives and advancing its long-term legislative goals by communicating with key internal and external stakeholders and positioning the company’s strategic direction in public policy, along with progress towards targeted goals and advances in products and services. She is also responsible for philanthropic strategy, grant-making and initiatives in the Foundation’s issues areas of education, healthcare, and sustainability. ​ Ms. Horton is a native of the Bronx, graduated from Cardinal Spellman and received her Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University. Shereceived her Masters Degree from Columbia University. During her more than 20 years of service for Verizon, Ms. Horton has served in a variety of positions ranging from Customer Service, to Wholesale Markets and External Affairs. She has also managed a multi-million dollar Verizon NY Foundation program. Prior to joining Verizon, Ms. Horton worked at Waterhouse Securities, a brokerage firm where she oversaw mutual fundscompliance. ​ Ms. Horton is active in civic and community affairs. She is a member of the Bronx Democratic County Committee, serves on the Board of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Hostos Community College Foundation, Bronx Children’s Museum, She is also a member of The Greater Bronx Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She has served as the Co-Chair for the Young Professionals Advisory Group of A Better Chance, which under her leadership exceeded its targeted financial goals. She has been honored by the Bronx Democratic County Party, Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA. April has been recognized as one of the 25 Influential Women in the Bronx by the Bronx Times Reporter. She is actively involved with the Government Action Committee of the Business Council of Westchester where she was also recognized as one of the 40 under 40 Rising Stars. Ms. Horton’s diversified experience in the private sector has fueled her passion for “giving back”. She is passionate about mentoring young women and issues impacting women. She believes public and private partnerships are the key to healthy and thriving communities.

 
 

Jan Johnsen
Johnsen Landscapes & Pools

+

Jan Johnsen is a professional landscape designer and a principal of the established design/build firm, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, in Westchester County, NY.

She is also an award-winning instructor at the New York Botanical Garden and a contributing editor for Garden Design Magazine. For the last several years, Jan has written the popular garden blog, ‘Serenity in the Garden’ and Facebook page, ‘Serenity in the Garden blog’.

Jan was awarded a 2014 Merit Award by the Association Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

Ever since she worked in Japan as a college student, she has been an advocate of the transformative power of Nature upon our well-being. Her initial experiences of walking through ancient Japanese gardens made her aware of the power that serene outdoor spaces have to calm and refresh us. Jan went on to study landscape architecture at the University of Hawaii and was further influenced there. Her travels took her back home to New York State, where she worked under a Versailles-trained French gardener at Mohonk Mountain House, learning the secrets of French horticulture and its rigorous, all-natural standards.

 
 
Kirkpatrick_john-1.jpg
curtis.jpg

John Kirkpatrick, Esq.
Emeritus Trustee*
*deceased

+

John B. Kirkpatrick is an award-winning attorney, rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell, a White Plains City Councilman, and a principal in the White Plains law firm of Kirkpatrick Law, LLC. A trustee with Westchester Parks Foundation since 2003, he actively contributes his time, expertise, and resources to WPF. Also a city planner and member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), he concentrates his practice in the areas of land use and environmental law, and has over forty years of experience in land use planning and development.

Why Support WPF? “I support Westchester Parks Foundation because the County Parks are extremely important to the County’s economic well-being and quality of life!”

Carolyn Curtis Moriarty
Bronxville

+

Carolyn Curtis Moriarty spent her career on Madison Avenue working for such advertising giants as Alka-Seltzer Brands, Proctor & Gamble and the Miller Brewing Company. She also spent several years at Wells, Rich, Green, the advertising agency responsible for the memorable “I Love New York” campaign. After a stint in publishing, she became a stay at home mother to her daughters Kathleen and Michelle. Now, Carolyn channels her creative energies into volunteer work and has helped boost the visibility of such pet causes as The Junior League, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Iona College. Daughter of well-known Parks and Recreation visionary Joe Curtis, she is proudest of her work with the Bronxville Beautification Council, a non-profit, volunteer-staffed group of “green believers” in her hometown of Bronxville, New York.

 
 
JHNeale-e1581437220455.jpg

J. Henry Neale, Jr.
Scarsdale

+

Henry has been a leader in public policy advocacy supporting progressive causes for a long time. He attended the famous 1973 gathering in Ardsley when representatives of environmental organizations allied by past support for effective State legislation revised the structure of a citizens/ coalition named Environmental Planning Lobby (“EPL”) . Henry soon became an EPL Director. Al though the name was later changed to Environmental Advocates of New York (“EANY”) , he is still a Director, after being, variously: Chair of almost every EPL/EANY Committee, Secretary, Treasurer and President. Henry led an alliance which advocated relentlessly during nine years to obtain adoption of the Returnable Beverage Container Act (“the Bottle Bill”), a rare legislative victory by citizen advocates who defeated vigorous opposition by industry lobbyists. Governor Mario Cuomo appointed Henry, representing the environmental constituency, a Member of the State Commission which studied “Bottle Bill” results and reported it successful.

Except for Amherst College, NYU Law School, uneventful U.S. Marine Corps service and two years in New York City Mayor/s Office, Henry lived his entire life in Westchester County.

 
 
Glenn-Pacchiana-e1593375320627-200x225.jpg

Glenn Pacchiana
Chief Executive Officer, Thalle Industries

+

Glenn Pacchiana is the Chief Executive Officer of the Quarry and the Asphalt facility of family owned and operated, Thalle Industries in Fishkill, New York. Through Glenn’s long commitment to a serious and concrete partnership between environmental and business forces, Thalle Industries has long been at the forefront of environmentally friendly policies and practices in its industry. Thalle is proud of its role in keeping Hudson Valley and Big Apple projects supplied with green friendly materials. Glenn is a life-long resident of Westchester County. He lives with his wife Alina and their four children in Briarcliff, NY. Glenn is on the Board of the Business Council of Westchester, Associated General Contractors – New York State, Westchester Parks Foundation and the Briarcliff Public Library.

 
 
shirley.jpg

Shirley A. Phillips, Life Trustee
Mount Vernon

+

Shirley A. Phillips is a retired Vice President Emeritus of Westchester Community College and former Director of the Westchester Community College Foundation where she worked from 1988 to 2010. Prior to 1988 she was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Katonah Museum of Art, Associate Director of the Westchester Arts Council, Co-founder and Vice President of the Women’s Enterprise Development Center, and consultant to the New York State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, among other not-for-profit groups.

 
 
E681459_b-copy.jpg

Dorothy Plechaty
J.P. Morgan Asset Management

+

Dorothy Plechaty is a marketing and writing professional with 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. In her current role, she writes, edits and project manages content for J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Outside of work, Dorothy is passionate about sustainability and believes parks play an integral role in a healthy environment! Growing up in Katonah, NY, she attended the Young Farmer’s camp at Muscoot Farm and nature camp at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, and these experiences led her to love and appreciate nature. She enjoys going outside to ski, bike, trail run and hike locally and abroad.

Dorothy received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College and spent a semester abroad in New Zealand with the School for International Training. She also has an MBA in marketing and management from the Stern School of Business at NYU, where her coursework included classes on sustainability and business.

 
 
MNR Headshot 2020 (2).jpg

Anthony Rizzuto
Financial Advisor, President of Pell Wealth Partners

+

 

Michael N. Romita
President and CEO, Westchester County Association

+

Michael is an experienced business leader with an extensive background in economic policy and the law. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Westchester County Association, the region’s leading professional organization dedicated to advancing smart growth and a robust economic environment. Michael formally worked as the Executive Vice President of Castle Oil Corp., the largest independent fuel terminal and commercial distribution company in the New York Metropolitan area. Previously, Michael served with distinction in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the U.S. Department of Justice where he represented the United States in major federal litigation against corporate polluters. He has written and lectured extensively on matters relating to economic development, sustainability management, and energy law and policy. In addition, he has served on the boards of numerous charitable and civic organizations, including the Westchester County Commission of Parks and Recreation, and he recently co-chaired the County Executive’s Transition Committee on Economic Development.

Michael is a graduate of Tufts University and holds law degrees from the University of Michigan and the London School of Economics. He lives in Harrison, NY with his wife Melissa and their teenage daughter.

 
 
Sullivan_john.jpg

John P. Sullivan
Owner, Sullivan Architecture, P.C.

+

John P. Sullivan has over 28 years of experience operating his own firm. His work is diversified having designed numerous building types from master planned small and large scale residential developments. Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the New York State Department of Education Board of Architecture and serves on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Licensure Task Force Committee. His firm has been the recipient of 12 Design Awards from the American Institute of Architects, including civic and recognition awards.

 
 
wilson_larry.jpg

Larry Wilson
Owner, Lawrence Landscape Design

+

Mr. Wilson is a Landscape Contractor. His firm, Lawrence Landscape Design, based in Yonkers, is a full service landscape company serving lower Westchester. His volunteer service includes eleven years with the Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board, and leadership of government affairs and industry advocacy projects for the landscape industry throughout New York State. He is President of the Hyatt Association of Southeast Yonkers, and has established numerous volunteer credentials for work with local community organizations in Yonkers.

 
 
oconnor-150x150.jpg

Kathleen O’Connor
EX-OFFICIO (non-voting)
Commissioner
Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation

+

Kathleen O’Connor has more than 30 years experience in the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation (PRC). Starting out in 1980 as a program specialist in camping, she has held several job titles throughout her career with Parks, including recreation supervisor, assistant manager of the Westchester County Center, director of recreation programs and services, deputy commissioner and acting commissioner. She is the first woman commissioner of PRC. As commissioner of Westchester County Parks, O’Connor oversees an operating budget of $50 million and a capital budget of $250 million. She supervises a staff of more than 250 full-time employees, 1,000 summer staff, and the operation of 50 parks and recreation facilities encompassing over 18,000 acres of parkland.

A resident of Mount Pleasant, O’Connor is a past president of Westchester Recreation and Parks Society (WRAPS), a recipient of the organization’s Peter J. Mayer Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement in Recreation and past vice president of the New York State Recreation and Parks Society (NYSRPS). She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and holds a B.S. in Leisure Sports and Services.