Our Nominating Committee recruits and evaluates potential Board candidates. Read the position description to learn more.
People support decisions they help to make, and Cornell Cooperative Extension believes strongly in shared leadership through our locally elected Board of Directors.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County is governed by a
16-member Board of Directors that consists of 13 elected community volunteers, a representative from Cornell University, a representative from the Ulster County Executive's office, and a liaison to the Ulster County Legislature. It includes people from towns throughout Ulster County who bring their knowledge of community needs and concerns to the governance of this organization. Our Board sets policy, hires the Executive Director, prioritizes educational programs and works with Extension's educational staff to ensure program effectiveness.
Board Members represent each of our issue areas, guide the direction of the workshops, classes and other services that we offer the residents of Ulster County, and review the effectiveness of our efforts. Our programs have evolved over the years to reflect changes in values, ethics, community norms, family structures, mobility, and the economy in direct response to this grassroots community involvement.
CCE Ulster is delighted to have an active and diverse Board of Directors, which is key to achieving strong and meaningful community impacts! If, as you read more about how we are governed, you believe you have a contribution to make to our programming as a volunteer, please get in touch with us; we welcome your input and ideas!
Office | First Name | Last Name | Member Through | Representing | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elected Members | |||||
Blake | Arrowood | 2025 | Accord | ||
Lisa | Berger | 2027 | New Paltz | ||
|
Tanya | DeWitt | 2026 |
Accord |
|
Frances | Gonzalez | 2027 | Gardiner | ||
Secretary | Shanna | Gonzalez | 2027 | Napanoch | |
|
Alana | Hueston | 2026 | Kerhonkson | |
Alexandra | Julson | 2027 | Wallkill | ||
Karli | Kopp | 2026 | Kingston | ||
Lyra | Leigh-Nedbor | 2027 | Olivebridge | ||
Vice President |
Alfred | Mainetti | 2025 | Kingston | |
Julie | Noble | 2027 | Gardiner | ||
Treasurer | Edward | Norman | 2026 | Kingston | |
President |
Tara | Talaber | 2025 | Highland | |
Kim | Wagner | 2027 | Marlboro | ||
Appointed Representatives | |||||
Dennis | Doyle | appointed | Ulster County Planning Department | ||
Adam | Hughes | appointed | Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration | ||
Megan | Sperry | appointed | Ulster County Legislature, District 17 |
If you are interested in joining the Board or a program advisory committee, please contact Melanie Forstrom at maf357@cornell.edu
Our Board meetings are held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at our Kingston office at 232 Plaza Road.
Melanie Forstrom
Executive Director
maf357@cornell.edu
845-340-3990 ext. 320
Last updated January 28, 2025