Adirondack Initiative Leadership Team

Kelly O. Chezum
As Vice President for External Relations at Clarkson University, Kelly O. Chezum leads the institution’s integrated marketing communications and long-range planning activities as well as advances public understanding of the University’s educational opportunities, its research and innovation agenda, and the accomplishments of graduates.  She also serves as Assistant Secretary of the Clarkson University Board of Trustees. Read More...

Anthony G. Collins
Clarkson University President Anthony G. Collins is a regional and national advocate for higher education - industrial partnerships that couple research discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise for commercialization and economic development. Read More...

Marc S. Compeau
Marc Compeau, Director of the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship at the Clarkson University School of Business, drives the strategy of the Entrepreneurship Center, delivers the cornerstone course, My Small Business 101, works with affiliated faculty and staff to increase engagement and visibility of the Center, and assists individual entrepreneurs. Read More...

Michael M. Ellis
Michael M. Ellis was born and raised in New York City and has been a part time resident of North Creek since he was six months old. He was educated at the Lycée Français and the Browning School in New York and earned a BA in Economics and Business from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA., as well as an MBA from Pace University in New York. Read More...

Elizabeth Folwell
Elizabeth Folwell is creative director of Adirondack Life, Inc.,publishers of the regional magazine, books, maps and calendars. She lives in Blue Mountain Lake and often works remotely for the magazine office in Jay. Read More...

Elmer Gates
Elmer Gates was born in 1929 in Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y. A mechanical engineering graduate from Clarkson University, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Korea during the Korean conflict after college. He then enjoyed a rewarding 31-year career with General Electric prior to joining Fuller Company, a manufacturer of large equipment for the cement industry in 1982 as president and chief operating officer. Read More...

Matthew E. Draper
Matt Draper is the Deputy Director of the Shipley Center for Innovation.  As the leader of business development, he oversees the identification of emerging technologies and builds and maintains a support network for entrepreneurs. Read More...

Sherry Nemmers
A Brand Magician, Sherry Nemmers (www.sherrynemmers.com) blends over two decades of strategic thinking and creative talent with business acumen and outstanding marketing skills, building the world’s best brands for Mars, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, General Mills, Coke, Ad Council, and others. Read More...

Stephanie Ratcliffe
Stephanie Ratcliffe became Executive Director of The Wild Center in June 2007 after joining the launch team four years before its opening in 2006 as the Director of Operations and Programs.  She was recruited to join the Museum team from her position of Senior Director for all exhibitions at the Maryland Science Center, where she worked for 13 years. Read More...