2021 Cornell TOGO Retirees

Jennifer Biloski  Jennifer Biloski served as Trustee for the Village of Cayuga Heights from 2015 to 2021, and Deputy Treasurer beginning in 2016. In addition, Jennifer has served on numerous boards including Family and Children’s Services, Ithaca Public Education Initiative, and various PTAs in the Ithaca City School District. Thanks Jennifer for your service! 

Dan Cogan Serving as Chief of Staff for the City of Ithaca from May 2016-May 2021, Dan Cogan was no newcomer to City of Ithaca governance.  Prior to serving as Chief of staff, Dan served on Ithaca Common Council for 10 years. Dan, thanks for your impactful contributions to the local community - we wish you well in your next endeavors. 

Joann Cornish Joann Cornish will be stepping down as the City of Ithaca’s Director of Planning and Development since 2009, first joining the City of Ithaca in 1997.  Joann’s many accomplishments include increasing affordable housing options within the City and bringing smart growth development and densification of housing, infrastructure, and business to the City’s core.  Thanks Joann for helping lead the City of Ithaca’s progressive growth, as the vibrant heart of Tompkins County.

Elizabeth Cree After serving Tompkins County as Republican Elections Commissioner for 24 years, Elizabeth has made the move from public elections official to real estate professional. Elizabeth’s knowledge of election law and application of best practices helped ensure fair, transparent and accessible elections. Thanks Elizabeth, and glad you are well positioned to inform new residents where to vote! 

Sue Dale Hall Sue Dale-Hall retired as CEO of the Child Development Council of Central New York in 2021.  Her retirement comes after 30 years of providing award-winning programming to support the healthy development of children and families at home, in child-care and in the community. Thanks Sue for ensuring such quality care for children throughout both Tompkins and Cortland Counties. 

 Deborah Dietrich After 15 years Deborah Dietrich plans to retire as Executive Director of Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources (OAR) of Tompkins County, a non-profit serving inmates and former inmates of the Tompkins County jail. No doubt Deb will continue her advocacy in retirement, but she looks forward to travelling the world and spending more time with her grandchildren. Thanks Deb! 

 Lee Dillon In her 36 years at TC Action Executive Director Lee Dillon developed supportive housing programs for those struggling with homelessness, addressed food insecurity with a community food pantry, and served 350 children and their families annually in the federally funded Head Start program. Lee says she couldn’t have done it without her dedicated and innovative staff. Thanks Lee for your service! 

David Evelyn After serving as Vice President of Medical Affairs at Cayuga Medical Center since 2006, David Evelyn shared that career highlights for him included the development of the Internal Medicine residency at CMC and helping to manage CMC’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks David, and may you enjoy your retirement woodworking, sailing and spending time with your grandchildren. 

Donna Fleming Donna Fleming, Third ward City of Ithaca Alderperson since 2012, will not be seeking reelection. Donna held a steady interest in local development during her tenure, and focused on creating a culture of rational and respectful public discourse. Thanks for your service Donna, and best to you as you move to new arenas. 

John Fracchia John Fracchia will step down from the Town of Caroline Board at the end of 2021, after serving as a councilperson since 2014. During Johns’s tenure he has worked to strengthen the rural character of the town, build community partnerships, and invest in the future. Thanks John for your service. 

Mike Hall Mike Hall, served as Director of the Ithaca-Tompkins International Airport from July 2014 through September 2021, capping 26 years in the US Airforce, and an active and ongoing consulting career. Hall will continue as President of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA). Thanks for your service Mike, and best wishes. 

Don Hartill Don Hartill served the Village of Lansing for 32 of its 47-year history - as Trustee, Deputy Mayor and as most recently as Mayor - before stepping down at the end of his term in April 2021. Don’s Public service overlapped with his tenure on Cornell’s Physics faculty (1968-2016). Thanks Don for your dedicated service and for pothole free roads!

TeeAnn Hunter During her 13 years as Town of Ithaca board member, TeeAnn Hunter has been engaged with environmental advocacy - chairing the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization and working on the Green New Deal - and in public infrastructure as chair of the Town’s Public Works Committee. TeeAnn will complete her service in 2021. Thanks TeeAnn for your service! 

Graham Kerslick Graham Kerslick, Fourth Ward City of Ithaca Alderperson since 2012, will complete his service in 2021. Graham has enjoyed working with his fellow alderpersons on everything from housing and social programs to chickens and dogs, and will continue his work as Executive Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Thanks Graham for your leadership and public service! 

Patricia Leary Patricia Leary, a 15-year member of the Town of Ithaca Board, will not seek reelection at the end of her 2021 term. During her tenure as board member, Pat has served on several committees including budget, codes & ordinances, personnel, planning, short-term rentals, and sidewalks. Thank you for your service Pat! 

Tim Marchell Tim Marchell, served as Director of the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell University from 2015-2021, after first joining Gannett Health at Cornell in 1998. Working in concert with community partners, Tim guided the development of a campus-wide approach to promoting the mental health and well-being of Cornell students. Tim is looking forward to spending more time with family, including his inspirational  93 year-old mother who is a retired nurse . Thanks for your contributions Tim!

Erin Marteal Erin Marteal stepped down from 10 years as the Executive Director and CEO of the Ithaca Children’s Garden in 2021. Under Erin’s leadership, the Ithaca Children’s Garden  has expanded the ways it connects children to nature to create a more beautiful, resilient, and just world, while growing its regional and national impact. Thanks Erin!

​​Leslyn McBean-Clairborne Leslyn McBean- Clairborne will be leaving the Tompkins County Legislature after serving more than 20 years, including as chairwoman,  to,  in her words, allow someone else the opportunity to serve. Leslyn has lived in Ithaca for more than 26 years and serves as the Executive Director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. Thank you Leslyn!

Beth Mcgee Beth McGee has concluded 6 years of service with the Town of Enfield government. Beth served on the Town Board beginning in 2014 and served as supervisor from 2018 through 2020. She will continue her work as the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Fingerlakes. Thank you Beth!

Dave McKenna After serving three terms, legislator Dave Mckenna will not seek re- election. This former mechanical engineer was first elected to the legislature in 2009 and representing Legislative District 8, which encompasses the Town of Newfield & a portion of the Town of Enfield. Thank you for your service Dave! 

Deb Mohlenhoff After serving the 5th ward on the Ithaca Common Council since 2009, including as  acting Mayor since 2014, Deb Mohlenhoff will not be seeking re-election. Deb has lived in Ithaca since her undergraduate days at Ithaca College and currently serves as the Associate Vice President for College Relations at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Thank you Deb for your service!

Glenn Morey Glenn Morey did not seek re-election to the Tompkins County legislature after serving since 2015. Morey is a former Cornell employee, Town of Groton supervisor, and village of Groton trustee. He has lived in Tompkins County for 42 years. Many thanks for your service Glenn!

Seph Murtagh Second ward City of Ithaca Alderperson Seph Murtagh will not be considering a fourth term on the Ithaca Common Council. After 10 years, Seph feels the time is right to move on. A Cornell PhD recipient, Murtagh serves as the Director of Development at Catholic Charities of Tompkins County. Thank you Seph!

Dennis Nayor Ithaca Chief of Police Dennis Nayor, has retired from his role as chief after serving since 2019, capping off a 25-year career in law enforcement. Dennis is looking forward to a new role as a faculty member at the University of San Diego and to explore new avenues of service. Thank you for your contributions Dennis!

Scott Purcell Scott Purcell will no longer be serving as Lansing fire chief- a role he’s held since 2005 and which he left in 2020. Scott first joined the department as a junior firefighter in 1985 and has been serving the Lansing community since that time. Thank you Scott for your service!

Martha Robertson Martha Robertson is not seeking reelection after serving the Dryden community as a Tompkins County Legislature for nearly 20 years. During her legislative tenure Martha has served as chair for 6 years. We wish this Cornell graduate well with her future endeavors- thank you Martha!

Lucia Sacco After 9 years of service at Lifelong, first as the Program Director and most recently as executive director, Lucia Sacco retired at the end of 2020. Prior to Lifelong, Lucia spent 21 years working in long term care. Lucia, we wish you well and hope you fulfill your retirement dream with travel adventures! Thank you.

Karen Schachere Karen Schachere, President and CEO with the Family and Children’s Services agency, has left her position after more than 30 years with the organization. During her tenure, Karen was involved with the expansion of psychiatric and counseling services for both children and adults. Thank you, Karen, for your service and enjoy your travels and time with family! 

Ken Schlather After 18 years as Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, Ken has stepped down from his role. Among his many local contributions, Ken has served as a Faculty Fellow with the Cornell Atkinson Center. Ken, thank you for your service and we wish you well with future endeavors!

 Stephen Smith Fourth Ward alderperson, Stephen Smith, served nearly 8 years as a member of the Ithaca Common Council. Stephen continues his works in development at Cornell University, though he and his family have left the area to pursue new opportunities in New York City. Thank you Stephen for your service!

Gregg Thomas Greg Thomas has served as Director of the Ithaca office of Legal Assistance of Western New York (formerly LawNY) since 2004 and will be leaving after a career devoted to equity in legal representation. Gregg attended Cornell as an undergraduate.  Gregg, we wish you well and thank you for your service!

 Irene Weiser After serving as a council person in the Town of Caroline since 2012, Irene Weiser concluded her service with the board at the end of 2020. In addition to her town board work, Irene has been an active member of Fossil Free Tompkins and has engaged in many local sustainability efforts. Irene, many thanks for your service and contributions!

Jonathan Wood After nearly 30 years, Jonathan Wood, will no longer serve as attorney for Tompkins County.  Jonathan’s responsibilities included acting as chief representative for the County, the County Legislature and County departments on all legal matters. We wish this Cornell Law school alum all the best- thank you for your service Jonathan! 

*A special Town-Gown Award to Cornell Vice President Mary Opperman, who recently announced her plans to leave Cornell in June 2022, and seek, “one more adventure.”

Mary, whose Cornell career has spanned 25 years, oversees the Division of Human Resources, the Office of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity, the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX, and the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, which she helped establish. 

What has been equally impressive is her steadfast off-campus engagement with several community institutions and non-profits, which over the years has included Challenge Workforce Solutions, Ithaca Area Economic Development, the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County, the Paleontological Research Institution, and the Ithaca College Board of Trustees.

Thank you Mary for being a champion of both Cornell’s workforce and the greater Ithaca community. You are and always will be a tremendous role model, for the common good.