John was a retired residential architect and home builder. He completed his architectural training through an American Institute of Architects apprenticeship program after an earlier career in fish and wildlife management. With a passion for wildlife and photography, he was inspired to conceive the idea of the Museum in 2008 and served as Board President until 2015.

His passing in the summer of 2020 was a terrible loss for the Finger Lakes community but his memory will live on forever in the Museum.   

Paul works as Superintendent of Schools for Dansville Central School District. He earned his Ed.D. degree from Syracuse University, his MS Education degree from Brooklyn College, and his BA degree from SUNY Oneonta. Paul is a founding board member of The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY. He enjoys hunting, hiking, raising and breeding Fox Red Yellow Labrador Retrievers. He is a conservationist and sportsman who believes in the wise stewardship of Finger Lakes natural resources, especially our native fauna and aquatic species. He and his wife Nicole are raising their daughter Natasha, and four Labrador Retrievers, Sarge, Rose, Holly & Hunter, in Dansville.

 

Paul is most interested in the geologic formations of the Finger Lakes; including its eskers, valleys and lakes left from glacial retreat, the forestland, and bucolic landscape.

Laurie is owner and CEO of Broccolo Tree and Lawn Care.  She started working in the landscaping field in 1976. While working part-time at a garden store, she completed her AAS in Ornamental Horticulture at Finger Lakes Community College. Then she worked at a local landscaping company for 13 years, helping it grow from 30 employees to 90.  She then decided to start her own company. Laurie and her husband Albert live in Fairport, and have two children, Mary Anne and Vincent. Laurie’s interests include Pollinator Preservation, Storm Water Management.

 

Laurie loves everything about the Finger Lakes region, especially its diverse vegetation and topography, and the passionate people who protect and educate others to keep it green and healthy.

Bill is a retired attorney who specialized in nonprofit organizations, and he worked as a museum administrator for the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. He earned his BA degree in Art History from Syracuse University, his MA degree in Arts Administration from New York University, and his JD degree from Fordham University School of Law. He lives in Canandaigua and enjoys kayaking, gardening, hiking, cross-country skiing, and museums. 

​

Bill’s favorite aspects of the Finger Lakes region are the great outdoor activities year round, fun wineries, and the lakes.

John is President Emeritus of both SUNY Brockport and Mansfield University of PA, following a 45-year career in higher education, 35 years at the executive level. He earned his PhD from The Ohio State University, his MA degree from Michigan State University, and his BA degree from Colgate University. He and his wife Kathy live in Penn Yan, and have a grown daughter, Christine. He is interested in boating, kayaking, biking, skiing, fly-fishing, craft brews, reading, travel, and foremost family.

 

John loves living here full-time after having grown up around the Finger Lakes.  He also loves the sunsets over the bluff, Keuka Lake’s natural beauty, and fine wine!

Scott Janas is the former Outdoor Program and Outreach Coordinator for L.L.Bean in the Rochester Market. He has led hiking, paddling, fishing and other outdoor activities, and he led L.L.Bean’s community engagement efforts in the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions. Scott is currently working as Department Manager for L.L.Bean at Eastview Mall in Victor.

 

Scott lives in Clifton Springs with wife, Sarah and their two children, Aiden and Harper. He enjoys fishing and paddling the Finger Lakes, as well as playing music at breweries at wineries throughout the region with a local Americana group.

 

Scott’s favorite Finger Lakes are Canadice and Keuka.

Ali Loveys works as Chief Privacy Officer for ConsenSys Health. She went to the University of Rochester for her undergraduate degree, medical school, and residency. She practiced pediatrics for 25 years in the community.  

 

Ali is over halfway to her goal of windsurfing on every Finger Lake! She is very enthusiastic to support the Finger Lakes Museum, which highlights the very special natural beauty of the Finger Lakes Region, and is a unique gathering place for so many friends and families. 

Henry retired in 2003 after a 40-year career working in education at Brockport Central School and Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). At FLCC Henry worked in the departments of history and anthropology, and he was Director of the International Department and Director of the Teaching Center. Henry earned his BA degree and MA degree from SUNY Albany. His education also includes coursework and study at Oxford University, the University of Illinois, the University of Indiana, Syracuse University, SUNY Geneseo, The College at Brockport, and Penn State University. Henry lives in Canandaigua with his wife Patricia.  They have two grown daughters, Jennifer and Carin. Henry enjoys reading, nature/natural history, hiking, biking, tennis, and domestic and foreign travel.

 

The list of things that Henry loves about the Finger Lakes region includes: “local and regional history; the broad array of outdoor recreation activities in a beautiful natural setting; increasing multicultural opportunities from festivals to cuisines to museums; arts & theater; reasonable travel to and among communities that offer needed everyday services; tourism venues; and cultural activities.”

John is retired.  He earned his BA degree from St. Bonaventure University.  He and his wife Katherene live in Canandaigua.  His interests include local history, the Bristol Valley Theater and travel throughout the United States and abroad.

 

When asked what he loves most about the Finger Lakes Region, John says, “the beauty of the lake country—its hills, valleys, and waterfalls.”

Wendy is Executive Director of Camp Good Days & Special Times, Inc. in Branchport. She earned her BA degree from Colgate University, and her BS, MA, CAS degrees from SUNY Brockport. She and her husband Gary live in Rochester. Her interests include athletics, animals, nature, and wine.

 

Wendy loves the geography, history, and attractions of the Finger Lakes Region.

Natalie is the Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Museum. She earned her MS degree from Keuka College, and her BA degree from St. John Fisher College. She and her husband Alex live in Canandaigua with their two sons, Roland and Huxley, and two Springer Spaniels, Tali and Noma. Natalie is interested in the great outdoors, traveling (as long as she can bring her dogs!), cooking, gardening, reading, and the locavore movement.

 

When asked what she loves most about the Finger Lakes Region, Natalie says, “Do I have to pick? The lakes have to be my number one.  Next would be the diverse landscapes and cultures surrounding each.”

Mike is an Executive Vice President at The Flanders Group, a commercial insurance broker in Pittsford, NY.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology and a minor in business from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  Mike also earned the professional designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).  Mike is a past President and Hall of Fame member of the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association. 

 

Mike is connected to the Finger Lakes through his cottage on Keuka Lake and the limitless outdoor activities he enjoys across all 11 lakes. 

Edward F. Premo, II is a partner at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in Rochester, NY where his practice focuses on environmental and business litigation at all levels of state and federal courts. Ed is a former attorney for the Town of Brighton, New York, a member of the Environmental Law Section and Executive Committee of the New York State Bar, and he served as a member and vice-chair of the Finger Lakes Land Trust Board of Directors. He earned his J.D. from Columbia University and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

 

His interests include boating, biking, skiing and hiking. He lives in Brighton with his wife Diane. They also own a cottage on West Bluff Drive on Keuka Lake that they love to enjoy with their family and dog Molly.

Tim is the Associate Provost of Academic Innovation, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, and the Director of the Center of Aquatic Research at Keuka College.  He earned his Ph D (Environmental Biology) and MS (Biology) from the University of Louisville and his BA in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  After completing his PhD, he was a postdoctoral fellow in mathematical modeling in oceanography at Texas A&M University. His interests include aquatic biology, skiing, sailing, diving, running, and music (piano, guitar).  He has two children (Lily and Owen) and currently resides in Avon, NY.

​

Tim’s favorite aspects of the Finger Lakes area are “the lakes and everything and everyone that the lakes attract. It's an amazing place."

Mark is the production manager at Fahy-Williams Publishing in Geneva, New York, where he is also part owner. Along with his duties at the publishing company, he is also the editor and part owner of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. Art plays a huge role in his life, and an art gallery and studio at his home is where he feeds his creative side. Mark’s interests include outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, camping, hunting, and skiing. He also enjoys working out at the gym, reading, watching movies and listening to various bands in the Finger Lakes Region. Visiting different restaurants, wineries and craft breweries is also high on his list. 

Mark says that the Finger Lakes Region “has so much to offer. There is such a variety in geography – such as lakes, rivers, mountains, woods and farms. There are many interesting and cute villages and hamlets with lots of history. There’s always something to do, even in the dead of winter.”

Martha Swift grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree at Dartmouth College in religion and philosophy, she studied medicine at Harvard Medical School and completed her residency at the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital Family Medicine Program.  She joined the teaching faculty at the Family Medicine Residency Program and served as Medical Director for the Residency’s clinical practice until she moved with her husband David and their son Michael to Shanghai, China.  During her Rochester years, Martha was active in the medical community and served on the board of the Monroe Plan for Medical Care.  Although they have subsequently lived in numerous places, Martha and David have kept a home on Keuka Lake which has served as the family gathering place for nearly two decades. 

 

Martha loves the peacefulness of Keuka Lake, the beauty of its setting, and the available surrounding activities that make the area a sought-after destination.  She is thrilled that the Finger Lakes Museum will preserve and highlight the area’s culture and history, will educate visitors about its wildlife, and will provide in-the-field experiences on the lakes, the wetlands, and the surrounding countryside.

Rolf is an adjunct faculty member at Keuka College, and has been a member of the FLM board since 2008. He earned his BS degree from Ohio University, his MA degree from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. degree from Cornell University. He has many interests, not the least of which includes supporting others who are promoting a more sustainable environment and humane society. Rolf lives in Keuka Park, and spends the winter in Carmel, CA. He and his wife Lynda have three grown sons, William, Brian and Andrew.

 

Rolf’s favorite aspects of the Finger Lakes region are the lakes, the peacefulness, the topography, and most of all, the people.

George loves the Finger Lakes region as attested by his seasonal home and farm in Aurora, NY. His primary residence is in Houston, TX, where he spent over 30 years in the energy business retiring as CEO of Transco Energy (now part of Williams Cos.), and then going on to participate in various pro-active investments in private equity funds and venture capital. He has been an active alumni supporter of Cornell University. He is married to his wife of 50 years, Priscilla, and they have three grown children.

 

George particularly loves the scenic beauty and the frontier history of the Finger Lakes region.