Lasting connection

When Bill Hart’s daughter was honored for her prowess as a basketball player, Hart’s coach and mentor from SUNY Adirondack was there to celebrate with the family — three decades after Hart played for the Timberwolves.

“SUNY Adirondack is something that meant a lot to me and does to this day,” said Hart, vice president of U.S. Business Operations at Irving Tissue.

When Hart was looking at colleges, the South Glens Falls basketball standout was recruited by then-SUNY Adirondack coach Ben Davis and longtime Business professor Nick Buttino. “It was them who talked me into giving a look at SUNY Adirondack,” Hart said.

“I found myself academically and personally,” said Hart, who graduated with a degree in Accounting, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Utica and an MBA from The College of Saint

Rose. “It all began at SUNY Adirondack for me.”

In the years since graduating, Hart has shown appreciation for the impact SUNY Adirondack has on him and the broader community. In his third term as a SUNY Adirondack Foundation board member — during which he was involved in fundraising campaigns — he is president.

“SUNY Adirondack is what kept me driving toward my future,” Hart said. “I have always felt that tie back to the college.”

Outside the boardroom, Hart also works with the college in his role at Irving, developing curriculum to ensure the region’s manufacturing needs are met with an educated, innovative workforce.

Officers

Bill Hart, president; vice president of North American Business Operations, Irving Consumer Products Inc.

Erinn C. Kolligian, president-elect; manager, McGregor Village Development Corporation

Paul Dowen, ’79, treasurer and CPA; partner, Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP

Kristine Duffy, Ed.D., SUNY Adirondack college president

Rachael Hunsinger Patten, secretary and executive director of the Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patrick Canavan, ’91; vice president, Commercial Lending, Trustco Bank

Jim Casaccio, owner/licensed real estate broker, Premier Properties

Russell E. Danforth, ’76; owner, MEC Consulting LLC

Richard Ferguson; Chairman, Community Advisory Board, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company

Edward L. Hanchett; executive director, Adirondack Radiology

Chad Mallow, ’97; Employee Benefits practice leader, Upstate Insurance Agency

Shelly Marcantonio; vice president, Employee Benefits Practice Leader, NBT Insurance Agency

Michael Murray, ’01; vice president, Commercial Lending, Adirondack Trust Company

Robert Nemer; co-owner, Nemer Auto Group

James R. Nolan, Ph.D.; professor of Quantitative Business Analysis and Computer Science, Siena College

Naftali Rottenstreich; professor of English, SUNY Adirondack

Sue Trumpick, immediate past president; retired chief information officer, SUNY Adirondack

Jessica Hugabone Vinson, Esq.; Vella, Carbone & Associates, LLP.

Robin Wadleigh, ’11; CPA, CFE, Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP

FOUNDATION STAFF

Liz Lastowski, ’00; director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations

Carrie Griffen-Yakush, ’00; office specialist