A pack of retirements, departures cause group changes
By James M. Odato
Several nonprofits and key institutions in the Adirondacks welcomed new leaders and parted ways with veteran directors this past year.
Among the changes:
The Adirondack Council appointed Raul “Rocci” Aguirre, as executive director. The environmental lobbying and activist organization replaced Willie Janeway, who announced his plans to step down earlier this year.
Olympic Regional Development Authority Protect Chief Executive Officer Mike Pratt ended a nearly 38-year career with ORDA in September and was replaced by former Olympic bobsledder Ashley Walden. She had headed the group that organized the World University Games in Lake Placid in January.
Protect the Adirondacks named Claudia Braymer , attorney and Warren County supervisor, as the new deputy director and successor to Peter Bauer, the executive director, who is preparing to transition to another role in the organization in the next year.
Josh Wilson, executive director of Barkeater Trails Alliance, decided to join family in Virginia, paving the way for a new head of BETA, Glenn Glover of Washington
James McKenna (pictured at top), chief executive officer of ROOST – the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism – announced today that he is retiring from his current position. His final day will be two weeks after the April 8, 2024 eclipse.
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) hired a new director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative – Tiffany Rea-Fisher – with a background in the arts, activism and community organizing . She became the second director of ADI, an ANCA program that aims to make the Adirondack region a more welcoming and inclusive place for residents and visitors, replacing Nicole Hylton-Patterson.
Paul Smith’s College let go Nicholas Hunt-Bull, it’s provost who had been interim president, after the school’s graduation in May. Interim President Dan Kelting assumed both positions as the college pursued a strategy to get leaner in the administrative ranks while dealing with enrollment and financial challenges.
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Thanks to Jim Odato for this recap of 2023 “movers and shakers”. The passage of time makes a “changing of the guard” inevitable, and year’s end is a good time for all of us to reflect on the new leaders as well as those who came before and paved their way.
Growing up, my father would tell my sister and I, ” be a builder of something”. Jim’s article recognizes a cross section of some of the past, present and future “builders”, who are all part of what makes the Adirondacks the place we love and the place that many of us call home.
These words by Renee Britt seem appropriate:
“Are you a builder or a breaker? Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.” The coach that inspires his team to make a come-back in the last half of the game is a builder. The teacher who encourages their students that they can achieve their dreams is a builder. The parent who reminds their child how proud they are of them for trying their best is a builder. These are people who are using their words and the weight they carry to build others up. To inspire others. Are you a builder?”
To builders everywhere, may you have a happy, healthy, safe New Year!