Board of Directors

• David F. Shaffer, Chairman
• James C. Dawson, Vice Chair
• Robert J. Kafin, Vice Chair
• Judith C. Mower, Secretary
• A. Joseph Scott III, Treasurer
• Kent L. Barwick
• Robert F. Bristol
• David Bronston
• Jane Clark Chermayeff
• Mary L. Clotter
• Edward Doherty
• Charles E. Dorkey III
• John Hunter
• David Grome
• M. Peter Lanahan, Jr.
• J. Scott Lewendon
• Douglas R. McCuen
• Richard P. Morse
• Arthur V. Savage
• Jeffrey P. Swain
• Michael Tannen
• Alan N. Vincent
• Stephanie H. Wacholder

Advisory Council

• Edward A. Ames
• Paul M. Bray
• Anne Perkins Cabot
• Joan K. Davidson
• Henry L. Diamond
• Douglas Durst
• John Hanna, Jr.
• Joseph J. Martens
• Barnabas McHenry
• Lynden B. Miller
• Peter L. Rhulen
• Larry Rockefeller
• Anne Sidamon-Eristoff
• Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff
• David Sive
• Diana Taylor

Staff

• Robin Dropkin, Executive Director
• Martin Daley, Project Director
• Wally Elton, Project Director
• Martha L. Gershun, Director of Development
• Frances S. Gotcsik, Director of Programs & Policy
• Al Hastings, Bike Tour Director
• Heidi Knapp, Administrative Assistant
• Shawn McConnell, Campaign for Parks Director
• Margaret McGivern, Director of Administrative Services

Robin Dropkin has been Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York since 2003.  Previous to that she was the organization’s Conservation Director for many years.  Robin knew early on that the environment was the field she wanted to work in, and she pursued both an undergraduate and graduate degree in environmental studies.  Her first professional job was with the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks, then Massachusetts State Parks, followed by a stint at a Berkshire County, Massachusetts land trust.  She is passionate and deeply committed to environmental issues, particularly those concerning land use.  After more than two decades of working in the environmental field, that commitment has only strengthened.  Most of her “fun” activities involve the outdoors: hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, and gardening.

Bicycle related projects intern Lauren Alpert joined PTNY in January 2010 to complement her graduate studies in transportation planning at the State University of New York at Albany. Before starting graduate school Lauren worked for the Capital District Community Gardens (CDCG) on the Veggie Mobile and as a Project Coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).  Outside of work and school Lauren enjoys playing dodgeball, bicycling, hiking and attempting to grow vegetables. 

Martin Daley has been with Parks & Trails New York since May 2006. He previously assisted the organization in the research and development of their on-going safety study Road and Trail Intersection Safety; An examination of present practice Recommendations for future actions.  Martin was the Assistant Ride Director for Parks & Trails New York’s Cycling the Erie Canal and Great Hudson Valley Pedal bicycle tours in 2006 and 2007. Martin is recently married and he and his lovely wife purchased their first home. When not working he is an avid traveler; on a mission to visit every national park and major league baseball stadium in the US. Martin enjoys backpacking, riding his motorcycle, skiing, spending time with his dog Murphy, and basejumping.

Project Director Wally Elton came to PTNY in January 2008 from his previous position as Executive Director of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), a coalition of trail groups, landowners, and trail users that promotes, protects, and connects trails in the Upper Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.  At UVTA, Wally directed a multi-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson's Active Living by Design program.  Prior to joining UVTA, Wally spent 20 years with the Student Conservation Association, most recently as National Director of Conservation Internships. Although a Vermont resident for almost 25 years, he grew up in the canal town of Brockport, NY.

Shawn McConnell has been with Parks & Trails New York since January 2010.  Previously, Shawn worked with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) as a campus organizer, canvass director, and their Statewide Higher Education Organizer. He then dabbled in national politics during the 2004 presidential campaign, and returned to New York to work for the New York State Assembly. Shawn recently graduated with a Master’s in Information Sciences from the University at Albany, and is currently working to complete his second master’s in History. Shawn is an avid hiker, biker, runner, and photographer, so parks and trails are central to his life.  He is excited to have the opportunity to advocate on their behalf. 

Martha Gershun, Director of Development, has been an advocate for and supporter of nonprofit organizations for more than 20 years.  Before joining Parks & Trails New York in 2005, she worked as a fundraising and communications consultant and served as Director of Policy and Communications at the ProChoice Resource Center.  She also worked as a program officer at the Rockefeller Family Fund, focusing on women’s economic development.  A native New Yorker, she has a law degree from New York University and a B.A. from Smith College.

Frances Gotcsik, Director of Programs and Policy, has worked with non-profits, local governments, and community groups for more than 25 years.  She began her trails work in 1991 when she became the Local Coordinator for the newly launched 90-mile Genesee Valley Greenway in western New York.  In 1993, Fran helped form the non-profit Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway to work in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, five counties, and 17 towns on the development and promotion of the Greenway trail.  In 1996, she became the organization’s Executive Director and served in that capacity until joining Parks & Trails New York in 2003.  Fran has also served as an environmental communications consultant and a local elected official.  She received a B.S. from Cornell University, an M.S. from the University of Rochester, and an M.B.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Heidi Knapp is a graduate of Mildred Elley Business School with a Diploma in Executive Secretarial Studies. Heidi has been with the organization since 2004 and enjoys being part of the team. Heidi plays an integral role in the administration of our membership program and fundraising initiatives, Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour and Great Hudson Valley Pedal. Heidi enjoys developing her graphic design skills through local college courses and practicing her skills on the job.   In her spare time Heidi plays the piano and listens to music.

Margaret McGivern is a graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s in Advertising, a minor is Psychology and an Associate’s in Business Administration. Margaret has been working in the non-profit sector for the last 15 years and enjoys being a part of a team whose underlying mission is to make a change for the better. She thrives on being creative and is the designer of our website. As director of administrative services, Margaret oversees many of the functioning aspects of the organization including human resources, finances, and information systems. In addition, Margaret oversees the membership program and works closely with the Director of Development on fundraising activities. In her free time, Margaret enjoys gardening, dancing, swimming and music.

29 Elk Street w Albany, NY 12207 w (ph) 518-434-1583 w (fax) 518-427-0067 w ptny@ptny.org

Parks & Trails New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization as defined by the IRS.