The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism elected four new board members at its annual dinner Monday, Jan. 19.
More than 125 people attended the dinner at the Whiteface Lodge, including ROOST employees, board members, businesspeople and elected officials from throughout ROOST's seven Adirondack regions.
As guests sat down for dinner, Communications Director Kim Rielly introduced the board, board Chairman Mike Beglin talked about all the good work ROOST has done over the past year, and CEO James McKenna welcomed elected officials in attendance and underscored the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in creating a sustainable tourism economy. Local jazz band Le Groove entertained the crowd throughout cocktail hour, dinner and afterwards as people got up to cut a rug on the dance floor.
New board members added for 2015 are Adam Boudreau of Tupper Lake, Marc Galvin of Lake Placid, James Lemons of Lake Placid, and Laura O'Brien of Speculator.
Boudreau has been president of the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce for the last year, and he works for Kentile Excavating in Tupper Lake, a business that has been in his family for over 40 years.
Galvin has owned the Bookstore Plus since 2005. He is also an active member, past president and current chair of the Lake Placid Business Association.
Lemons took over as executive director of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts at the start of 2013. He has vast theater experience that includes Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, and 10 years as associate artistic director and communications manager at WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas.
O'Brien is the vice president of marketing and sales and co-owner of Oak Mountain Ski Center in Speculator. She started her ski career at Sugarbush Resort — where she met Matt, her now-husband and co-owner of Oak Mountain — then moved to the Ski & Snowboard School at The Canyons in Park City, Utah.
"We're excited about the variety of background and skills we're adding to the board," said ROOST board Chairman Mike Beglin, proprietor of Beglin's Lake Placid Jewelry and Gifts. “With representation from Essex and Hamilton Counties as well as the communities of Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, the board has grown to match the organization’s evolution.”
Beglin thanked outgoing directors Debbie Fitts from the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, Mary Ann Hawley of Parajax Inc., and Sharon Piper from the Schroon Lake Bed and Breakfast for their dedication of time and expertise to the board.
The rest of the ROOST board is comprised of the following:
Chair: Mike Beglin, Beglin’s Lake Placid Jewelery and Gifts
Vice Chair: Ed Finnerty, Champlain National Bank
Vice Chair: Cristina Lussi, Vice President and Co-owner, Crowne Plaza Resort
Treasurer: Charlie Cowan, financial consultant with Janney Montgomery Scott
Secretary: Bob Hockert, owner of Little Peak Chalet and Clearwater Camp vacation rentals
Justin Smith, COO Prestige Hospitality
Beth Hill, Executive Director at Fort Ticonderoga
Kate Fish, Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
Jill Cardinale, owner of The Pines Inn
Sarah Wilson, Sarah Wilson Communications
Melinda Little, who wears a variety of entrepreneurial hats in Saranac Lake
Chris Erikson, former ROOST board chair and owner, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery
For more information about ROOST, visit www.roostadk.com.
Board Chairman Mike Beglin talks to attendees about ROOST's good work.
Director of Communications Kim Rielly poses for the camera while introducing one of the evening's speakers.
ROOST CEO James McKenna talks about ROOST's new initiatives.
Members of Le Groove jazz band listen as CEO James McKenna speaks.
Board Chairman Mike Beglin talks to attendees about ROOST's good work.
Director of Communications Kim Rielly poses for the camera while introducing one of the evening's speakers.
ROOST CEO James McKenna talks about ROOST's new initiatives.
Members of Le Groove jazz band listen as CEO James McKenna speaks.