The Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting the region's economic vitality and residential quality of life. Since its inception in 1915, the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce has been recognized and respected as a strong advocate and supporter of local businesses and the community. As a membership organization, we work to create a healthy, informed and active business coalition.

The Chamber of Commerce's role is to:

• support the growth and development of local businesses
• maintain and strengthen the quality of life in our community
• keep our members informed and connected
• support our existing businesses and serve as a catalyst for new commerce and economic development
• raise awareness of the benefits of doing business in the Schroon Lake area 

Meeting Schedule

Board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month (subject to change due to scheduling conflicts). All Chamber Members in good standing are welcome to attend. Voting at these meetings is done by those Directors present and attending Members. A quorum will consist of a majority of those present. (Chamber Bylaws, Article VII, Section 1)

Upcoming Meetings:

• August 20 - Town Pavilion

Staff

Executive Director: Susan Palisano

Susan Palisano, who has called Schroon Lake her second home for 25 years, is the Chamber's executive director.

Sue has an extensive background in non-profit leadership, strategic planning, communications, economic development and grants management. Prior to coming to the Chamber, Sue served as senior director for a not-for-profit economic development organization in Connecticut for 14 years, where she was responsible for the multi-million dollar expansion of her unit. An experienced grant writer, Sue continues to pursue new opportunities to significantly increase funding for Chamber activities.

Having spent over 20 years of her professional career creating and leveraging strategic partnerships, Sue believes that this, combined with an entrepreneurial approach to business development, tourism, and cultural events, will create greater opportunities for success. Her number one priority is the sustainment and growth of the Schroon Lake area to the benefit of both businesses and the community. In addition to her Chamber role, Sue also serves as a director on the Schroon Lake Association Board.

Sue and her husband Tom have three adult children, who continue to visit Schroon Lake as often as possible.  Dedicated antiquers, Tom and Sue also buy and restore vintage clocks and collect far too many other things, according to their children.

Visitor Center Manager: Nicole Howe

Nicole was born and raised in Schroon Lake, graduating from SL Central School. She starting working at the Chamber four years ago, after volunteering in various capacities. Nicole's efforts in supporting Chamber events and activities and her strong ties to the community led to her being appointed to the position of Visitor Center manager in January 2018. In this capacity, Nicole is responsible for visitor information, oversight of summer staff and volunteers, planning and supporting events, and Chamber merchandise.

Nicole came to work at the Chamber because "she absolutely loves Schroon Lake, the closeness of the community, and the way everyone looks after one another."  She brings this spirit and enthusiasm to her position at the Chamber.

Nicole and her husband John live in Pottersville. They have two grown sons and three furry grandbabies. Nicole has served on the boards of many local organizations, including the Chester-Horicon Youth Commission and the Pottersville Fire Department Auxiliary. She was the coordinator for the local Cystic Fibrosis fundraising event for a number of years. Nicole hopes to spend many more years with the Chamber helping visitors enjoy Schroon Lake's "paradise" as much as she has enjoyed it.

Board Officers

President: Randy Garrison 

Randy Garrison, owner of Rowe’s Adirondack Cabins, serves as Board President. Randy relocated his family from Connecticut to New York several years ago, purchasing the former Rowe’s Lake Breeze Cottages, and they now make Schroon Lake their permanent home. Prior to his relocation, Randy served in increasingly responsible roles at multiple heavy highway construction companies as well as privately owned corporations.
 

Brooke Clark grew up spending her summers on Skylark Lane in Schroon Lake with her parents, eventually moving here permanently with her husband Darrell to raise their daughter Sloan. Brooke is dedicated to helping the Schroon Lake Region be a more vibrant and successful community for not only local businesses and residents, but also for visitors and travelers. 

Brooke brings a wide variety of skills to the Chamber Board. She is a licensed Associate Broker with Peak Select Properties, and has helped scores of people from throughout the region purchase their dream home or business. 

Brooke has also served as outreach coordinator for Essex County Public Health, program director for the Schenectady ARC, worked in clinical services for Mountain Lake Services, North East Parent and Child Society, Mental Health Association of Essex County, CWI and Citizens Advice Bureau in the Bronx NY.  In addition, Brooke has worked for Essex County Social Services, served as a substitute teacher for the Schroon Lake, Ticonderoga and Crown Point school districts, and worked as a corporate trainer for Capital Restaurant Concepts in Washington, DC.  

 

Treasurer: Ginny Kern

Ginny Kern hails from southern New Hampshire via northern Vermont, and chose to settle here in Schroon Lake with her mom two years ago. Ginny has one daughter, Caellie Kern, who is currently attending medical school in the Pittsburgh area.

Ginny brings a diverse background, starting in the mid-1980’s when she worked as a business analyst, moving to internal financial auditing, then computer security, and finally into teaching. She is currently an artisan-entrepreneur, as owner of ADK MTN Pillows, where she produces handmade, hand-painted art pillows which are sold both via wholesale and retail. 

In the past, Ginny served as treasurer for the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition and on the Board of Directors and finance committee for both the Temple Wilton Community Farm and Support Tutorial For Youth in New Hampshire.

 

 

 

Secretary: Shauna Ross

Shauna and her husband Dan Ross moved to Schroon Lake from Chestertown in 2014, to fully embrace their love of the outdoor activities that Schroon Lake offers.

Shauna has been employed at a number of local businesses, including as shipping and transportation manager for Reliable Racing/Inside Edge in Queensbury, International Paper- Ticonderoga Mill, BMW Construction, Glens Falls National Bank, and Mountain Petroleum. Shauna is currently employed at the Schroon Lake Pharmacy.

Dear to her heart is advocacy for the developmentally disabled, being the legal guardian of her handicapped older brother. She and Dan are also passionate about the welfare of animals and currently have a total of six pets - two dogs and four cats - of which four are rescues. 

Shauna joined the Chamber Board to become more involved in the community and give back some of the joy and even a semblance of the appreciation she feels toward Schroon Lake and its surrounding areas.

 

Directors

 

Matthew Curren

 Matthew R. Curren is Branch Manager of Glens Falls National Bank in Schroon Lake.

Barry Pitkin

Barry Pitkin has deep roots in Schroon Lake. Pitkins have been in Schroon Lake since 1804 and have a long history of service to the community which Barry wishes to extend. His father, Ronald Pitkin, grew up here and his mother, Phyrne, is an alumni of the Seagle Music Colony. Barry has fond memories of summers spent here at his "Gramma & Pop-Pop's" camp on Pharaoh Road and at their house on Main Street behind the Barber Shop (which is now the Chamber of Commerce). 

Barry' commitment to service started when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After the military, Barry leveraged his electronics training, working for numerous government agencies in and around the Washington DC area. In addition, he worked in the family business started by his father and uncle, Pitkin's Home Center.

Barry has a passion for food, which was passed down from his parents. A northern father, a southern mother and world travel made for a well-rounded appreciation for all cuisines. He also loves wood working and high performance cars. Barry and his family moved to Schroon Lake in 2018 when they purchased the former Drake's Motel and Restaurant. Re-branded as "Trail Break at Schroon Lake", the fully renovated restaurant and refurbished motel are now open and contributing to Schroon Lake's business community.

Darren Woods

Darren was appointed General Director of the Seagle Music Colony in the summer of 1996. Since that time, the Colony has experienced incredible growth in almost every aspect including budget, production quality, facilities and faculty/staff. Because of this extensive growth and the need for a full-time presence in Schroon Lake, Darren transitioned to part-time Artistic Director in January 2008, but then returned to full-time in February 2017 and is now also leading the Colony’s development and fundraising efforts.

Darren was General Director of the Fort Worth Opera from 2001 to 2017. Prior to that, he was the General Director of the Shreveport Opera in Louisiana. While in Shreveport, he founded Shreveport Opera Express, or SOX, a touring, arts in education program that involved school children working with professional artists in the schools. Darren is committed to the growth and well-being of the Schroon Lake community. As an experienced fundraiser, Darren was instrumental in helping to raise record-setting funds for the 2019 Fourth of July celebration and will bring those and other leadership and development talents to the Chamber Board.

Ex Officio

Town Supervisor Jeff Subra