The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Lew Allyn

Lew Allyn is a retired executive and former chairman of the board at Welch-Allyn, which manufactures medical diagnostic equipment at their facility in Skaneateles.  Lew is an active fly fisherman, canoeist, and hiker.  Lew and his wife Dawn are Florida residents, but spend their summers on Skaneateles Lake.

Barry Boyer, J. D.

Barry has helped the Conservancy shape our strategic vision since he was elected to our board in 2002. His background in both education and law—he is a professor of environmental law at SUNY Buffalo—has been especially useful to our work in the Great Lakes. He lives in East Aurora and enjoys history, travel, gardening, hiking and photography.

Lina M. Echeverria, Ph.D.

Dr. Echeverria joined the board in 2010. She is a resident of Corning, where she recently retired as VP, Science and Technology from Corning, Inc.  Her background in geology, her experience in different countries and her love of field work and hiking mountains have given her an important perspective on the need for conservation of nature worldwide, driving her to join the International Committee. She cultivates her own creativity through textile arts.

John W. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.

Formerly a national governing board member of The Nature Conservancy, we are pleased that Dr. John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick now serves the Central & Western New York Chapter. Fitz is a leading authority on bird conservation and is Director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Fitz will help guide chapter initiatives to protect vital avian habitat and to partner with the Cornell Lab and other conservation organizations. Fitz lives near Ithaca and enjoys hiking and watercolor painting and, of course, bird watching.

Paul Fuller

Paul Fuller joined the Board in 2009. A resident of Rome, he is currently Professor of Pediatrics and Family Medicine and Medical Director at University Pediatric and Adolescent Center and Upstate Pediatrics. Paul enjoys hiking, skiing, reading, studying nature, traveling and has recently taken up fly-fishing.

Bruce Gilman

Bruce Gilman, PhD, is a member of the faculty at Finger Lakes Community College. Bruce is a longtime supporter of TNC. He is involved in many aspects of conservation, including several watershed boards. He has been a Board member of the Honeoye Lake Watershed Taskforce, and a consulting scientist for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council. Bruce was a Governor-appointee for the New York State Open Space Committee, and a Finger Lakes Community College appointee to the Ontario County Water Resources Council. Bruce’s doctoral thesis was researched at our own Chaumont Barrens Preserve.

Richard S. Hill

Dick is a resident of Utica and a Trustee Emeritus of our chapter. He is retired from 22 years at General Electric in engineering, consulting, and management positions. Dick was a director of the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust for 10 years and is an avid birder.

D. Bruce Johnstone, Ph.D.

Bruce was elected to our board in 2005. He is a retired chancellor of the State University of New York, and is now a professor at the University of Buffalo where he specializes in higher education financing. Bruce has served on many collegiate boards and is an avid camper and canoeist.

Victoria Kennedy

Victoria has been a member of the Central & Western New York Board since the early 1990s, Victoria’s 40-year environmental career has repeatedly brought us fresh and valuable perspectives. Victoria helped found the US EPA in Washington, D.C. and the Environment Finance Center at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She is also a former board member of the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation. She lives in Fayetteville.

Deb Koen

As CEO of Career Development Services, Deb brings a broad expertise in non-profit management and leadership development to our chapter. Deb is interested in issues relating to fresh water, sustainable development, and global conservation, and in her spare time enjoys art, haiku, birding, travel, and kayaking.

Tony Lee, J.D.

Tony is a recent addition to our board. He is a partner in the law firm of Underberg & Kessler where he focuses on estate planning and trust and estate administration. Tony also has a keen interest in and experience with land preservation through acquisitions and conservation easements. He has also dedicated many hours to other non-profits. Tony enjoys bicycling, skiing, fishing, white-water canoeing, camping and other outdoor pursuits.

Tom Lunt

Tom was elected to our board in 2006, and is no stranger to community involvement. He has brought his experience in finance and non-profit management to our chapter and to several Buffalo-area organizations. He has special interests in birding, volunteer recruitment, and land acquisition and stewardship.

Clayton Millard

Clayton is a resident of Rochester and has lent his expertise in finance and geology to our board since 2004. He’s interested in broad topics such as global climate change, invasive species, and land acquisition. He loves to be outside, where he tends his gardens, and goes hiking, fishing, and camping.

Brian O’Shea

Brian O’Shea resides on a forested property along a brook in Barneveld. A lawyer by trade, Brian provides legal expertise on matters such as corporate partnerships, public policy, and land acquisitions. Brian enjoys art, architecture, biking, camping, sailing, and other outdoor pursuits.

John Palmer, Ph.D.

John has taught and administered at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University for the last 20 years. His strengths in government, education, and non-profit management will greatly contribute to our strategic planning, public policy, and fund development. John enjoys bicycling, camping, history, travel, and hiking.

Bob Papworth

Bob Papworth joined the Board in 2009. A successful businessman, he hails from Syracuse, where he is a management consultant. Bob became an Adirondacks 46er in 1972, and is passionate about conservation near his home, especially on Tug Hill.

Stephen Rosenfeld, M.D.

Dr. Rosenfeld has served on our board since 2005 and lives in Pittsford. A graduate of University of Rochester School of Medicine, Steve was an immunologist, allergist and rheumatologist on the faculty of the UR School of Medicine before retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2005. A bird and music enthusiast, he also enjoys canoeing, sailing, travel, and other outdoor pursuits.

Sandra Rothenberg, Ph.D.

Dr. Rothenberg is a professor at RIT’s College of Business and shares her expertise in education, non-profit management, and management consulting with our chapter. She is interested in issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and land acquisition. Sandra enjoys travel and hiking.

Chuck Ruffing, Ph.D.

Chuck is the Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability for Eastman Kodak Company, where he is also a divisional Vice President.  His organization is responsible for compliance support to both operations and products worldwide, as well as for the coordination of sustainability initiatives throughout the company.  Chuck’s training is in chemistry, with a B.S. from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

Susan van der Stricht

A Rochester native, Sue joined our board in 2007 and continues the legacy of her late husband, our former board chair, friend, and colleague, Rob van der Stricht, who passed away in 2006. Sue’s experience in business, government affairs, and real estate makes valuable contributions to our board. Sue enjoys travel and many outdoor activities.

Susan Suwinski

Susan Suwinski is a conservation-minded land owner and longtime Chapter donor through her family foundation. She is an international traveler with a global vision, and aligned with TNC’s mission. She and her husband, Jan, live in Ithaca on a horse farm.

For More Information about the Central and Western New York Chapter:

• The Central & Western Chapter Homepage
• Visit a Preserve
• Meet the Staff
• Become a Member!