JENNY GESSLER - PRESIDENT
Jenny Gessler graduated from Plattsburgh State, and moved to Malone area in the 80s. She worked at Community Action Agency (Comlinks) and started the Domestic/Family Violence Program there. She moved to Florida in '93 and worked as the Executive Director for over 25 years for a Women's Center, helping the homeless and domestic violence and sexual assault victims. She earned a PhD in psychotherapy with a specialty in sexology and had a small clinical practice. She retired in 2019 and spends time in the north country. She is an adjunct professor at Eastern Florida State College when not volunteering for Foothills Art Society.
Jenny Gessler graduated from Plattsburgh State, and moved to Malone area in the 80s. She worked at Community Action Agency (Comlinks) and started the Domestic/Family Violence Program there. She moved to Florida in '93 and worked as the Executive Director for over 25 years for a Women's Center, helping the homeless and domestic violence and sexual assault victims. She earned a PhD in psychotherapy with a specialty in sexology and had a small clinical practice. She retired in 2019 and spends time in the north country. She is an adjunct professor at Eastern Florida State College when not volunteering for Foothills Art Society.
JAMES BENWARE - VICE PRESIDENT
James Benware moved to the North Country in 1995. He currently manages Ace Hardware in Malone, following a 20 year career as a nurse. He has always loved the arts in one form or another and recently has performed with the North Franklin Theater Group. He believes strongly in the mission of Foothills Art Society and is dedicated to helping it grow.
James Benware moved to the North Country in 1995. He currently manages Ace Hardware in Malone, following a 20 year career as a nurse. He has always loved the arts in one form or another and recently has performed with the North Franklin Theater Group. He believes strongly in the mission of Foothills Art Society and is dedicated to helping it grow.
KATHY GOODWIN - TREASURER
Kathy holds a BSBA in Business/Accounting from LeMoyne College. Kathy is a retired CPA who worked as an accountant throughout the United States and in Europe for 35 years before retiring. She was born and raised in Malone, NY and returned home to enjoy her retirement. She and her husband Dave are supporters of local artists.
Kathy holds a BSBA in Business/Accounting from LeMoyne College. Kathy is a retired CPA who worked as an accountant throughout the United States and in Europe for 35 years before retiring. She was born and raised in Malone, NY and returned home to enjoy her retirement. She and her husband Dave are supporters of local artists.
SHERRY BOYEA - ASSISTANT TREASURER
Sherry was born and raised in Malone. Moving to MA and CA for 5 years, returning to Malone to be closer to her family and raise her 2 children. Sherry has worked in the Financial industry for most of her career. Sherry currently serves as VP, District Manager for Community Bank. Her volunteer work includes being a Board Member of Franklin County IDA/LDC and CDC, Auxiliary member of AHMC, American Legion, the Elks and Malone Rotary Club. She has been Past President of Rotary twice. Sherry is passionate about giving back to our great Community, helping sustain and grow upon the Arts and businesses in the area.
Sherry was born and raised in Malone. Moving to MA and CA for 5 years, returning to Malone to be closer to her family and raise her 2 children. Sherry has worked in the Financial industry for most of her career. Sherry currently serves as VP, District Manager for Community Bank. Her volunteer work includes being a Board Member of Franklin County IDA/LDC and CDC, Auxiliary member of AHMC, American Legion, the Elks and Malone Rotary Club. She has been Past President of Rotary twice. Sherry is passionate about giving back to our great Community, helping sustain and grow upon the Arts and businesses in the area.
LORRAINE CARTIER - SECRETARY AND MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR
Lorraine’s career covered the public and private sectors. Working on the board of the Wilder Homestead she organized special events, food preparation and a golf tournament that contributed significantly toward the organization’s fund raising. Lorraine is an amateur artist and enjoys working with the artistic community and other nonprofit organizations.
Lorraine’s career covered the public and private sectors. Working on the board of the Wilder Homestead she organized special events, food preparation and a golf tournament that contributed significantly toward the organization’s fund raising. Lorraine is an amateur artist and enjoys working with the artistic community and other nonprofit organizations.
TAMAR BENARDOUT
Tamar is a native of Malone. She holds a degree in French and has worked as a Hebrew instructor. She has been an Executive Assistant for Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC. She has returned home to her beloved Malone and is passionate about improving the community through art.
Tamar is a native of Malone. She holds a degree in French and has worked as a Hebrew instructor. She has been an Executive Assistant for Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC. She has returned home to her beloved Malone and is passionate about improving the community through art.
NANCY CHILD
Nancy holds both a Degree in studio arts with experience in curatorial management and a Degree in business administration; with a focus on accounting. She was the Malone Arts Council gallery director and a treasurer of a not-for profit. She is a Cofounder of Foothills Art Society.
Nancy holds both a Degree in studio arts with experience in curatorial management and a Degree in business administration; with a focus on accounting. She was the Malone Arts Council gallery director and a treasurer of a not-for profit. She is a Cofounder of Foothills Art Society.
BARRY ARMSTRONG
Barry, though a teacher by day, also works on 4 other community boards including the Malone Chamber of Commerce, Malone Revitalization Foundation, Ekrub Players and Sensational Ltd. When not traveling to Europe or the Caribbean, he loves spending time with his children and grandchildren. Otherwise, look for him sitting with his wife, Laura, next to his little brook in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
Barry, though a teacher by day, also works on 4 other community boards including the Malone Chamber of Commerce, Malone Revitalization Foundation, Ekrub Players and Sensational Ltd. When not traveling to Europe or the Caribbean, he loves spending time with his children and grandchildren. Otherwise, look for him sitting with his wife, Laura, next to his little brook in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
SUE LEVITRE
Sue moved to Malone in 2013 after serving 32 years as an administrative assistant for the University of Vermont. Sue worked for the Malone Chamber of Commerce before joining the Board of Foothills Art Society.
Sue moved to Malone in 2013 after serving 32 years as an administrative assistant for the University of Vermont. Sue worked for the Malone Chamber of Commerce before joining the Board of Foothills Art Society.
MARILYN MACABEE
Marilyn is a popular artist with a background in art and retail management. She is experienced in event planning, gallery openings and has created and facilitated children’s art workshops in Lake Placid, NY. She is thrilled to be participating with Foothills Art Society to express a vision that includes arts and creativity in our community.
Marilyn is a popular artist with a background in art and retail management. She is experienced in event planning, gallery openings and has created and facilitated children’s art workshops in Lake Placid, NY. She is thrilled to be participating with Foothills Art Society to express a vision that includes arts and creativity in our community.
NORA DE SANTIAGO
Nora is co-owner of The Focal Point in downtown Malone. She has vast experience in sales, computer systems, retail and business management. Nora is dedicated to the arts and cultural education, and believes teamwork provides good leadership for our community.
Nora is co-owner of The Focal Point in downtown Malone. She has vast experience in sales, computer systems, retail and business management. Nora is dedicated to the arts and cultural education, and believes teamwork provides good leadership for our community.
AUDRA
Audra is a native of Malone. She was born in Malone, moved around the US with her family in the Air Force, and returned while still in elementary school. Audra has been a active member in the local theater group, North Franklin Theater Group, since the early 1990s. She currently works for SUNY Empire State University as an Administrative Assistant. She’s happy to be a part of Foothills Art Society to promote the arts in the local community.
Audra is a native of Malone. She was born in Malone, moved around the US with her family in the Air Force, and returned while still in elementary school. Audra has been a active member in the local theater group, North Franklin Theater Group, since the early 1990s. She currently works for SUNY Empire State University as an Administrative Assistant. She’s happy to be a part of Foothills Art Society to promote the arts in the local community.
