contents
Language Access Services
Forms
Documents
Press Room
Regulations
Public Input
State Land
Maps/GIS
FAQ's

About the Park
About the Agency
Contact Us
Access to Records

Home

Adirondack Park Agency Members and Designees

The Agency Board consists of eight commissioners hand-picked by the Governor; the other three members are the Secretary of State, Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, and Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. The Agency Board acts on Park policy issues and permit applications during Agency meetings, which are held monthly and open to the public. Currently, the Commissioners are:

First Row (Left to Right) Department of State Designee: Dierdre Scozzafava, Executive Director Terry Martino, Chairwoman Leilani Crafts Ulrich, Counsel John Banta, Department. of Economic Development Designee: Jennifer McCormick
Second Row (left to right) Frank Mezzano, Arthur Lussi, Sherman Craig, Department of Environmental Conservation Designees: Judy Drabicki, Cecil Wray, William Thomas, Bill Valentino, Richard Booth, LGRB Chair Gerald Delaney.

Agency Member Bios

Backgrounds of the current commissioners appointed by the Governor.

Chairwoman Leilani Crafts Ulrich was appointed to the Agency in November 2004 and has served as Chair of the Regulatory Programs and Park Ecology Committees. She first traveled to the Adirondacks during a Wilderness Trip for a college group dynamics Psychology class and became a resident in 1994. In 1997, Lani facilitated community visioning process, which grew into CAP-21 (the Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century), a regional non-profit community development organization serving hamlets in Long Lake, Inlet, Webb and Forestport. Striving for balance between nature and commerce by increasing communication and building partnerships, CAP-21 supported comprehensive master planning, architectural preservation and various regional planning efforts. In 2006, Ms. Ulrich co-founded the Adirondack Common Ground Alliance. The Alliance convenes diverse and some formerly adversarial groups from across the Adirondacks each summer and first published the "Blue Print for the Blueline", articulating action items commonly agreed to be of priority to the Adirondacks. The Alliance currently co-sponsors Scenario Workshops, mapping possible future paths for the Adirondacks. As members of the Wild Center's delegation, she and her husband Jim recently traveled to Finland to study responses to climate change, energy conservation and to learn of forestry management practices in Lapland. Lani sits on the Board of the Adirondack Community Housing Trust and served as a member of the NYS delegation to the four-state Northern Forest Center's Sustainable Economies Initiative. For her visioning work, she is a past recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award from the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA). Her current community service includes Neighbor to Neighbor home winterization and restoration, community transportation support, and a variety of performing arts groups. Born and raised in Connecticut, she completed her B.A. in Liberal Arts and M.Ed. in Special Education. She and her husband reside in Old Forge.

Richard Booth, elected to the County Legislature in 2001, has a long history of public service and involvement in environmental and planning issues. A professor in the City and Regional Planning Department at Cornell University, he was elected to three terms on Ithaca's Common Council (1986-1996). He chaired Common Council's Charter and Ordinance Committee for two years and its Budget and Administration Committee for six. Appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo, he served on the New York State Low Level Radioactive Waste Siting Commission from 1991 to 1995. In addition, from 1979 to 1982 he was president of the Environmental Planning Lobby, a statewide advocacy group headquartered in Albany. Booth received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College (1968) and his law degree from George Washington University (1972). A Plattsburgh native, Booth worked as an attorney for New York State's Adirondack Park Agency in Ray Brook and, subsequently, at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in Albany. His responsibilities in DEC's Office of General Counsel included wetlands regulation, forest preserve protection, coastal zone management, and reservoir releases regulation. Booth moved to Ithaca in 1977 to join the Cornell faculty, where he teaches courses in environmental law, land use law, and environmental politics. Among Booth’s interests in serving on the County Legislature are timely and thoughtful delivery of services to those with special needs, promotion of efforts that serve young people, and very careful management of the County’s financial resources. They also include intergovernmental cooperation, responsible administration of justice by County agencies, improvement of public transportation, and planning initiatives designed to protect and enhance the County's environmental and economic health. He believes open, honest, and responsible decision-making must always constitute County government's highest priority. Booth is married and has two children.

Sherman Craig is a retired teacher and school administrator, currently operating his own business, Wanakena Woodworks, which makes rustic and fine furniture by using local resources within the Adirondack Park. He is an active outdoors traveler and volunteer, and is a current member of several organizations including the Clifton-Fine Economic Corp, Adirondack Mountain Club, and the Waterfront Revitalization Project. He is a member and past Chairman of the 5 Ponds Partner subcommittee, managing relationships with groups associated with trail development and maintenance. The committee developed the Cranberry Lake 50 hike and assisted in opening the Alice Brook snowmobile trail and bridge. Previously, Mr. Craig held several positions in Pittsford, New York schools including principal, teacher, building administrator and district administrator. During his tenure as principal of a middle school, his building and district won several honors including a National School of Recognition and the New York State Governor’s Excelsior Award for quality and efficiency. From 1973 to 1975, he served as Director and Headmaster of the International School of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. He retired in 1999 as Assistant to the Superintendent for Technology. Mr. Craig was raised in Rochester, New York and currently resides in Wanakena with his wife, Annette. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from SUNY Brockport and a M.A. from University of Rochester.

Arthur Lussi was appointed to the Agency in June 2006. Mr. Lussi hails from Lake Placid where he received a well-rounded education at the Northwood School. He attended Dartmouth College graduating with a degree in English. While at Dartmouth, Lussi was very activity on the Tennis and Ski teams. Highlights include All-East, Captain and Dartmouth Carnival Championship honors. Mr. Lussi went onto Syracuse University to study Law. While at Syracuse, he participated in the World University Games in Jasna, Czechoslovakia and was named Alpine Captain in 1987. Lussi joined the New York State Bar in 1989 and the District of Columbia Bar in 1990. Mr. Lussi spent time coaching ski racing in Vail, Colorado returning in 1991 to help his family manage and operate the then Holiday Inn now Crowne Plaza Hotel. He encouraged his family to purchase the Lake Placid Club in 1996 and managed the restoration of 15 historic cottages. Lussi worked on the Village of Lake Placid's Comprehensive Plan in the mid 1990’s. He has coached ski racing for the New York Ski Education Foundation since 1991 serving as Chairman for the past 5 years. Art loves the Adirondacks, is a 46er, and appreciates the balance between economic development and conservation. His grandfather, Art Draper, demonstrated thoughtful balance by building ski areas in economically depressed areas in the 1950's and 60's while serving as a New York State Conservation Officer/Forest Ranger. Mr. Lussi serves on the Adirondack Park Agency Board as the Essex County representative and believes that continued investment in the Park is the best way for the Agency to achieve its mandate. Lussi resides in Lake Placid with his wife Martina, daughters Danielle, Nina, and son Miles.

Frank Mezzano was appointed to the Agency in February 1998. Mr. Mezzano attended Moses Brown Prep School in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated Wells High School in Hamilton County. He attended the University of Arizona. Prior to 1999 he and his family owned the Speculator Department Store. From 1993 until his appointment to the Agency in 1998, Mr. Mezzano was Supervisor of Lake Pleasant, a member of Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, and President of Speculator/Lake Pleasant Consolidated Health District. During that time he also served as the County representative to Region 5 Open Space Committee, a member of the Local Government Review Board and InterCounty Legislative Committee of the Adirondacks and Director-at-Large of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, as well as an advisor to the Agency's Economic Affairs Committee. Prior to 2003 he served as Director of Colonial Health Care Corporation of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. He was recognized as the Review Board's 1996 Outstanding Local Government Official. His community activities include, among others, Village of Speculator Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman from 1977-1992; member of the Chamber of Commerce; member of the Speculator/Lake Pleasant Fish and Game Club; and member of the community marching band. Mr. Mezzano and his wife, Bette, have a daughter and granddaughter.

William H. Thomas was appointed to the Agency in December 2006. After graduating from Pottersville Central School, Mr. Thomas received an associate’s degree in business administration from Adirondack Community College in its first graduating class of 1963. He went to work at Montgomery’s Department Store in Pottersville after graduation then was employed at the State Bank of Albany. In 1968, Mr. Thomas was employed at NL Industries in Newcomb for 21 years before the plant closed in 1989. In 1990, Mr. Thomas was elected Supervisor of the Town of Johnsburg, a post he will continue to hold until his retirement on December 31, 2007. He has served as the Warren County Budget Officer from 1996-2000, then in 2001, was elected by his fellow supervisors as Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, a position he will also hold until his retirement. Mr. Thomas spent six years in the Army Reserves, 25 years as a member of the North Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad (including eight years as Captain and 18 years as an Emergency Medical Technician. Mr. Thomas has also been a member of the North Creek Volunteer Fire Company since 1970, and also serves as Secretary-Treasurer on the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Thomas has also served on the Johnsburg Central School Board from 1983-1989, as Johnsburg Town Justice from 1986-1989, a as a member of the Adirondack Tri-County Home Board of Directors form 1984-1992.

Bill Valentino was appointed to the Agency in May 2010. Bill served in New York State government for 25 years the last nine as President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). He was also Chairman of the New York State Energy Planning Board. He served as a member of The New York State Environmental Board; the Water Resources Planning Council and the State Disaster Preparedness Commission.

Nationally he was frequently asked to provide expert testimony before Congress on energy, environmental, and research issues. He also spoke by invitation before the National Academy of Sciences as well as the President's Advisory Council on Science and Technology at the White House. He served as Chair of the National Association of State Energy Research Organizations; Chair of the Government Advisory Board to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and President of the Board of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. He was the New York State Liaison Officer to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and was a Member of the Aspen Institute for the Humanities' Energy Forum.  He was a member of the boards of: The Alliance To Save Energy; the National Advisory Board of the Electric Power Research Institute's Community Environmental Center, the Advisory Council of the Gas Research Institute as well as other national boards and university panels.

Bill is a former Marine Corps Captain and aviator who flew over 200 combat missions as a pilot and flight leader in Viet Nam. As a reservist he commanded the helicopter squadron based at Albany Airport. His education includes the Program for Senior Executives, JFK School, Harvard University; he is a graduate U.S. Armed Forces Command and General Staff College; he has a Masters of Public Administration, University of West Florida and a BA in Business Administration, Long Island University. In retirement Bill has worked as a licensed guide volunteering his time leading groups of people on mountain hiking, paddling, rafting and back country ski trips in the Adirondacks. He and his wife Kay reside in Albany County.

Cecil Wray was appointed to the Agency in June 1999. He is Of Counsel with the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, having retired as a full-time senior partner in 1997. His practice has focused on general corporate matters, including domestic and international corporate finance transactions, securities matters and acquisitions. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Law Clerk to United States Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark. He is also an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School, where he teaches Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Wray received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1956 and his LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1959, where he was the Managing Editor of the Yale Law Journal. He is a member of the New York City Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Law Institute, and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He was a founder, and later President, of the American College of Investment Counsel, an organization of lawyers engaged in major institutional financing transactions. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Wray is presently President of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York and a Trustee of the Board of Foreign Parishes of the Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Search and Care, Inc., East Side Community Center, Inc., Hudson Highlands Music Festival and the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, and was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Adirondack Council. Mr. Wray resides in New York City, with weekend and vacation homes in Garrison and Keene Valley, New York.

Agency Divisions, Units and Teams

Regulatory Programs
Legal
Park Policy and Planning
Resource Analysis and Scientific Services (RASS)
Economic Services
Local Government Services
State Land
Administration