Group: Board of Directors

Helen Brooks is a seasoned government affairs professional with over 18 years of experience as a Senior State and Local Government Affairs Representative at FedEx. In this role, Helen has been instrumental in building relationships with government stakeholders, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and advancing strategic initiatives that support organizational growth and community engagement. Helen’s breadth of experience also includes a more than 15 year stint as a Legislative Director in the New York State Assembly. Helen holds a Master of…

Michael Cassidy is a partner at Brown & Weinraub, a leading government relations and management consulting ?rm. Prior to joining the ?rm, he served as Assistant Director of State Operations under Governor Andrew Cuomo, overseeing New York State’s $135 billion budget and 130,000 employees. In this role, he coordinated policy, managed public ?nance, and was a senior member of the Hurricane Sandy Recovery & Mitigation Working Group. Michael’s career includes leadership roles as Legislative Director for the New York State…

Laura Zeliger is the Executive Director and CEO of the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA), where she leads the organization’s operations, overseeing a $7 million budget and a team of 50 employees. She ensures a wide range of services and employment opportunities for individuals with visual impairments. Prior to joining NABA in December 2021, Laura served as the Executive Director of the Burlington Housing Authority, where she managed a $25 million budget and provided housing solutions for…

Michael is the owner and principal of Genium, a small business and government relations firm located in downtown Albany. He has worked in Albany for over 16 years representing various interests before federal, state and local governments. His advocacy spans across multiple areas including labor, business regulations, procurement, infrastructure and tax law. A longtime resident of Albany County, Michael has a passion for the economic development and local revitalization that this organization encourages. Recognized as both a Trailblazer in Clean…

Richard A. Rosen is a Partner and President at Columbia Development Companies, where he has been an integral part of the team for 38 years. Throughout his three decades of experience, Richard has been instrumental in developing over 7.5 million square feet and more than $1 billion worth of healthcare facilities, commercial office space, retail, hospitality/restaurant, mixed-use and housing properties. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and specializes in site evaluation, project design, construction, project approvals and…

Alan Alexander joined NBT Bank in September 2015. He has worked in the Banking Industry since 1993 and has over 27 years of commercial banking experience. He is currently the Regional Commercial Banking Manager for NBT’s Capital Region footprint. Mr. Alexander is responsible for high-level development, implementation, and oversight of Capital Region commercial lending strategies at NBT Bank. Prior to joining NBT Bank, he served as senior relationship manager for Key Bank’s Commercial Banking Division and Vice President at KeyBanc…

With extensive board service including roles with publicly traded companies such as First Albany Companies, MTI Inc., SatCom Technology Corporation, and Beacon Power, Alan Goldberg is the retired President and CEO of First Albany Companies. He has served as Chair of the Watervliet Arsenal Partnership, the Palace Theater, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and currently serves as chairman of MVP Health Care’s Board of Directors, as well as a trustee of the Howard & Bush Foundation. Alan’s commitment to community and…

Mr. McCoy has served as Albany County Executive since January 2012, following 12 years as a County Legislator representing the 10th District. During his tenure in the Legislature, Mr. McCoy was unanimously elected Chairman, serving in this capacity for two years. He held the position of Chairman of the Albany County Democratic Committee, becoming the youngest person to do so. As County Executive, Mr. McCoy has prioritized fostering economic development, launching the Advance Albany County Alliance to support emerging companies,…

Albany County’s Chairwoman of the Legislature, Joanne Cunningham, is a seasoned executive with nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare policy, advocacy, and organizational leadership. As the CEO of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, Joanne drives strategic initiatives to advance federal healthcare policy, achieve regulatory and legislative successes, and foster program innovation. Her leadership has strengthened coalitions, introduced bipartisan legislation, and implemented impactful advocacy campaigns targeting Congress and the Biden administration. Previously, Joanne served as President and CEO of…