Board of Directors
2026 ELECTION
Voting by Mail Only
Complete and return the physical ballot you received by mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than July 18, 2026.
Get to know your candidates
John K. Brust
Delaware Engineering, D.P.C.
About John K. Brust
The Sullivan County Partnership is an acknowledged leader in advocating for economic opportunities for Sullivan County. Importantly, the Partnership is also known for its relentless efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges which threaten the stability of established businesses and the siting of new business ventures.
My service on the Board for the past 9 years, most recently as Treasurer, has enabled me to assist The Partnership with a number of initiatives focusing on economic development, including the development of a shovel-ready program and helping to secure grants for the installation of infrastructure along the Rt. 17 corridor. In addition, our firm's on-going work with the Village and Town of Liberty, and the Towns of Thompson, Fallsburg, Delaware, Rockland, and other communities position us to work collaboratively with The Partnership and those businesses attracted to the County. I am confident that I will be able to continue to bring personal experience and the resources of a diverse engineering business to assist the Partnership in its mission.
John is the Principal and an owner of Delaware Engineering, D.P.C, a firm with 80 professional and technical staff engaged in civil and environmental engineering throughout the eastern region of New York State. With forty years of experience in technical consulting Mr. Brust has a broad perspective regarding the economy and the environment. Much of Delaware's work involves the permitting and construction of appropriate water and wastewater infrastructure to support economic development in Upstate communities.
Mr. Brust holds BA and MS degrees in Biology and Environmental Science respectively and serves as a Board Member with the Bank of Greene County and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission. He is also the President of the SUNY Cobleskill Foundation.
Michael Catania
Mackey Catania & Whalen LLP
About Michael Catania
Michael E. Catania is a partner at Mackey Catania & Whalen LLP, a Hudson Valley law firm serving clients throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. His practice focuses on construction and commercial law, where he represents contractors, developers, business owners, and property owners through all stages of a project, including contract negotiation, risk allocation, mechanics liens, mediation, litigation, and appeals. Michael represents numerous Sullivan County businesses and has been an active member of SCP for several years. This has provided him with ground-level insight into some of the issues that affect growth, development, and investment in Sullivan County.
Michael has served on numerous local nonprofit boards throughout the years, most recently as a trustee at MSMC and Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie. Michael is a lifelong resident of the Mid-Hudson Valley and shares the Partnership's mission of supporting local businesses, promoting economic development, and strengthening Sullivan County's business community. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys cycling, skiing, hiking, and taking advantage of the outdoors whenever possible.
Dave Crumley
Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical
About Dave Crumley
I am the Vice President of Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the commercial construction industry as both a Project Manager and Job Site Foreman. Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in project management, business development, team leadership, and building strong relationships with clients, contractors, and community leaders. As a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, I am deeply invested in the future of our community and committed to promoting sustainable economic growth throughout the region. My professional and community involvement has provided opportunities to collaborate with local businesses, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development initiatives to strengthen our local economy and create opportunities for residents. I believe that strong partnerships, strategic planning, and community engagement are essential to attracting investment, supporting small businesses, and enhancing the quality of life in Sullivan County. I would be honored to serve on the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development Board of Directors and contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to advancing the Partnership's mission.
Donna Cruz
Monticello Motor Club, LLC
About Donna Cruz
I bring a broad foundation of operational and people leadership shaped by early hands-on work experiences beginning as a teen and evolving into a successful career across service, corporate travel, manufacturing, and executive human resources.
I spent 22 years with Daikin America, a chemical manufacturing company, where I advanced through the organization to become HR Benefits Manager. In that role, I led core human resources functions while also overseeing our local facilities and property operations and supporting safety initiatives at the company's manufacturing plant in Alabama. One of my most significant accomplishments was designing a four-day leadership training program that proved so effective it was adopted across domestic sister companies and by several global partners.
For the past five years, I have served as HR Director at Monticello Motor Club, where my responsibilities extend beyond human resources to include security, community relations, legal coordination, property insurance management, safety, and risk management. I am committed to helping build the strong operational foundation needed to take the organization to the next level. Having made Sullivan County my home, I value the opportunity to contribute both professionally and personally to the continued growth of the community and the businesses it supports. I am married to my husband, who retired from the military after 18 years of service, and together we have a blended family of six children, including two who are currently serving in the military.
Jerry Dunlavey
Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills
About Jerry Dunlavey
Jerry Dunlavey is the Chief Executive Officer, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills and Garnet Health Doctors, PC. In his current role, he is responsible for the clinical, financial and operational oversight of Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills' two Sullivan County campuses as well as the health system's medical group.
Mr. Dunlavey has 27 years of healthcare leadership experience with the most recent years spent working within an integrated health system. Prior to his current role, he served Chief Operating Officer of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills and Vice President of Operations for Garnet Health. Prior to that role, he was Vice President / Executive Director of Garnet Health Doctors, the health system's employed medical group. As part of his role with Garnet Health Doctors, Mr. Dunlavey also served as the senior executive responsible for the development and accreditation of seven ACGME accredited Residency Programs including Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Transitional Year, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Neurology. Prior to his role as Vice President / Executive Director of Garnet Health Doctors, Mr. Dunlavey was Vice President of Clinical Program Development and Operations at Garnet Health. In this capacity, he was responsible for the growth, development, and operations of several hospital based clinical service lines including cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, neuroscience and medical rehabilitation. He led numerous business and clinical development initiatives including the growth of the orthopedic department's Total Joint Program, the development of a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, implementation of Primary Coronary Intervention, and the development of a Pediatric Emergency Department.
Mr. Dunlavey earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration degree from Iona University in New Rochelle, NY. He also holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA.
Corey Gips
Prestige Energy Solutions / Silverman Heating Plumbing A/C Electric
About Corey Gips
Prestige Energy Solutions
Owner and operator Corey Nash Gips came from humble beginnings, starting the company as a one-person operation with just a single helper. Through hard work and dedication, the business has grown to a team of 20 employees who take pride in serving our customers. We've helped create more energy-efficient homes and more comfortable commercial spaces across the tri-state area by using proven building science and the industry's best materials. Our top priority is, and always has been, the customer.
Born and raised in Sullivan County, NY—near the historic Woodstock site of 1969—we've grown into a company with two warehouses and a full-service facility equipped to handle any project that comes our way. Specializing throughout the tri-state area and beyond, we are your one-stop shop for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and weatherization needs.
Silverman Heating Plumbing A/C Electric
Silverman Heating Plumbing AC has been proudly serving Hudson Valley with dependable home comfort solutions backed by a customer-first approach. Our team of skilled professionals delivers high-quality workmanship with plumbing, heating, cooling, and disaster restoration solutions to ensure every job is done right the first time. With 24/7 emergency service and a commitment to honesty, we give our customers peace of mind.
See how we provide reliable solutions with service that truly shines. Schedule a free estimate to learn more. We serve Middletown, Wallkill, Newburgh, Monticello, and
surrounding New York areas.
- 24/7 Emergency Service: We are always ready to respond when you need help most, day or night.
- Full-Service Home Comfort Solutions: One call to Silverman Heating Plumbing AC handles it all, with comprehensive services designed to keep your home running smoothly.
- “Service That Shines” Promise: Our friendly and professional crew is ensures quality workmanship and customer satisfaction every time.
Anthony Griffith
Transportation Safety & Training
About Anthony Griffith
Anthony W. Griffith has proudly served as an appointed member of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development Board of Directors for the past two years and has also been an active member of the organization's Membership Committee during that time.
Anthony is a transportation safety and training consultant with over 45 years of experience operating and supporting the transit bus, school bus, trucking, and motorcoach industries. For decades, his work has helped drivers and organizations operate with professionalism, safety, and confidence—so families, students, and communities can move safely and businesses can thrive.
Why I'm Running
I'm running for the board of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development because strong communities grow when they have:
- dependable transportation,
- safe and well-prepared workers,
- and opportunities for the next generation to build rewarding careers.
What I Bring to the Board
- Real-world expertise in business development, commercial driver training, and safety
- Deep experience as a New York State 19-A Examiner and Driving Instructor
- Leadership recognized across the national transportation industry, including Transportation Safety Leader of the Year (2015)
- Hands-on involvement judging and supporting commercial driver safety competitions (including 34+ competition wins)
Driver Wellness + Stronger Workforce
I believe transportation safety starts with people. That's why I actively champion driver wellness, understanding that the wellbeing of drivers directly impacts performance, safety, and service quality.
Business Owner + Community Commitment
I'm the owner of businesses and a not-for-profit based in Sullivan County, committed to the recruitment, training, health, wellness, and advocacy needed to bring the next generation into all aspects of the transportation industry. I also serve as a KCBS BBQ judge as part of our community involvement efforts.
Community Impact
If elected, I will continue to focus on practical steps that help Sullivan County:
- attract and develop talent,
- support employers with safe and trained workforces,
- and strengthen transportation as a key part of local economic vitality.
My work connects safety training, workforce readiness, and employer confidence—helping strengthen the transportation sector as a foundation for community opportunity and economic growth.
Carly Norton
New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) / Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E)
About Carly Norton
Carly Norton is a Senior Economic Development Specialist with New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), where she leads business attraction and expansion efforts, develops strategic economic development programs, and works closely with regional partners to drive growth. In this role, Carly directly supports businesses considering investment in New York State. With prior NYSEG/RG&E experience as a Municipal & Community Relations Manager, she has built strong relationships across government, business, and community organizations throughout New York State.
Carly's previous roles include Southern Tier Representative for the NYS Governor and multiple roles with The Agency (Broome County IDA/LDC), supporting business development, finance programs, and regional marketing efforts.
Carly holds professional certifications in Economic Development Finance and Business Credit Analysis from the International Economic Development Council and National Development Council. She is actively engaged in the community, currently serving on the board of Ithaca Area Economic Development and previously on the Three Rivers Development board.
Darla Schields
Catskills Provisions / Pollinator Spirits
About Darla Schields
Darla Schields is a lifelong resident of Orange and Sullivan County who has spent countless hours floating along the Delaware River, often in tubes from her family's tire business based in Port Jervis, NY.
Darla had a 28-year career in the federal prison system and retired as a human resource manager. She was a regional and national trainer for human resources best practices, employee development and employee resilience. She was the recipient of the 2015 Supervisor of the Year at FCI Otisville as well as numerous recognitions of excellence throughout her career. After retiring from the federal prison system, Darla continues to serve in a part-time Human Resources role in the municipality of the Town of Montgomery.
Throughout her life, Darla has been active in various community-based organizations, spending many years as a member of the Town of Lumberland Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. More recently she has been a member and officer at the Port Jervis Elks BPOE 645, devoting energies toward annual events that support scholarships, veterans, and support for families in need.
Darla is a founding partner of Catskill Cocktails and Cannoli's, a unique mobile bar experience serving handcrafted cocktails and artisan sweets.
She is currently a regional sales representative for Catskills Provisions, Pollinator Spirits, a Sullivan County-based, woman-owned, award-winning distillery and bespoke spirits company.
Darla's experience in many different roles would be an asset to the Sullivan County Partnership.
Steven Vegliante
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
About Steven Vegliante
Attorney Steven Vegliante, of counsel to Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, has built a practice dedicated to helping owners and developers of land identify the value in their property and maximize it. As a seasoned real estate attorney, he handles negotiation, acquisition, contract and financing issues for sellers and purchasers. Steven regularly appears before planning boards, town boards and zoning boards advocating for the special needs of each project or property.
With a diverse background including serving as an Assistant County Attorney, Conflict Counsel for the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency, and member of the Town of Fallsburg Planning Board, Steven ran for the office of Supervisor of the Town of Fallsburg in November of 2009. He served 12 years as the Supervisor, overseeing over 50 million dollars in infrastructure upgrades. Steve uses the experience gained in each of these positions to assist clients through the oftentimes confusing entitlement, financing and development processes.
Steven maintains a diverse private practice. For the better part of a decade, in addition to his private practice clients, he served as chief operating officer and general counsel to several local corporate developers. In these positions, he has overseen the development of hundreds of residential housing units, a regional hotel/conference center and three restaurants. He is proud to have worked with the Resnick Group to redevelop the hamlet of Mountain Dale, NY where all available buildings have been rented with ten new operating businesses and all residential apartments filled. Most recently, Steven has served as local counsel to a group seeking to build over 560k square feet of commercial space in Sullivan County and currently represents several large projects pending in the Hudson Valley.
During law school, Steven opened and operated a bar/restaurant adjacent to the campus, igniting a life-long interest in and passion for business. Knowing what it takes to operate under regulatory and financial challenges gave him insight into many of the issues and challenges felt by his clients.
Steven is married to his partner, Dali Levy, a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Hudson Valley United and has two grown children, Morgan, a development officer with a national cannabis brand and Cody, a graduate of SUNY Buffalo and Legislative Aide to an Assembly Member. An active golfer, skier, and outdoorsman, he enjoys the lifestyle that the Catskill Mountains offer and bounty and opportunity that abounds in Sullivan County.
Michael Zalkin
Birchwood Lodge, Inc.
About Michael Zalkin
I am a native of Woodridge in Sullivan County. I graduated Fallsburg High School, Ithaca College (B.A., Economics), and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (M.A. and Ph.D., Economics). I am a native English speaker, fluent in Spanish and conversational in Brazilian Portuguese.
I have travelled widely and worked in the local travel industry. I taught Economics at the University of Notre Dame from 1985-1990, receiving a congressional Fulbright grant for research in Nicaragua. In 1990, I took over our family camping resort, joining the Jellystone Park Camping Resort franchise system in 1993, and winning various franchise system awards over the next 20 years. I belonged to the Sullivan County Partnership, Chamber, and Visitors Association, and our state and national campground associations. I served on the Fallsburg School Board for twelve years, including time as Vice President and President.
In 2013, we sold our resort to Sun Communities, a NYSE-traded REIT. I now oversee real estate and other investments for our sub-chapter S corp., Birchwood Lodge, Inc. I am semi-retired and pursue other interests as well.
I have served on the Partnership board for nine years and am now chair. In addition, I chair the Finance Committee and serve on the Revolving Loan and Strategic Planning committees. Prior to being Board chair, as Membership Committee chair I supported improved member services, member events, the creation of our In the Know publication, the revamp of the Partnership website, increased member recruitment and outreach, and a significant growth in Partnership membership and dues. In 2019, I was honored with the Partnership's Distinguished Service Award.
The Partnership has a great staff and is contributing significantly to Sullivan County's development, creating opportunities for our businesses and residents. If re-elected, I will continue to support the Partnership and its mission in as many ways as possible.