20 Association Executive Leaders in New York State
A practical directory of current association leaders whose work connects with New York State organisations, professions and communities.
These leaders work across law, education, tourism, hospitality, finance, health, libraries, housing, economic development and more. The list is a starting point for learning who is doing this work across the state.
1. Katherine Suchocki
Executive Director, New York State Bar Association
Katherine Suchocki is Executive Director of the New York State Bar Association. The association serves New York lawyers statewide, so her work sits at the intersection of professional membership, public trust and the legal community.
2. Vince Watchorn
Executive Director, New York State Association of Independent Schools
Vince Watchorn is Executive Director of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. His official profile records 30 years of work with boards of trustees, along with experience as a head of school and editor of the NAIS Head Search Handbook.
3. Stephen J. Acquario
Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties
Stephen J. Acquario is Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties. The role connects county leadership with shared public policy work across New York, where practical advocacy has to serve many different local contexts.
4. Robert Provost
President and CEO, New York State Tourism Industry Association
Robert Provost is President and CEO of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. His official biography describes work representing New York tourism interests, a reminder that association leadership often combines member service with sector advocacy.
5. Brian Cechnicki
Executive Director, ASBO New York
Brian Cechnicki is Executive Director of ASBO New York. The association work spans school finance, data, advocacy and practical support for school business officials across the state.
6. Robert S. Schneider
Executive Director, New York State School Boards Association
Robert S. Schneider is Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association. His current public messages show the role of a statewide school board association in policy communication and support for local governance.
7. Jesse Lazar
Executive Director, AIA New York
Jesse Lazar is Executive Director of AIA New York and the Center for Architecture. The association serves architects and the wider architecture community in New York City, linking professional practice with public-facing civic work.
8. Mark Dorr
President, New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association
Mark Dorr is President of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. His leadership sits within a sector where member advocacy, tourism policy and the everyday visitor experience all need to work together.
9. Melissa Fleischut
President and CEO, New York State Restaurant Association
Melissa Fleischut is President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association. Her association work represents restaurants and restaurant leaders across New York, where policy, workforce and member support are closely connected.
10. Paul Leone
Executive Director, New York State Brewers Association
Paul Leone is Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association. His official biography records that he became the association’s first executive director in 2013, giving him a long view of the state’s brewing community and its changing needs.
11. Ryan M. Silva
Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council
Ryan M. Silva is Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council. He has served in the role since August 2017, with the council’s work spanning policy development, education and reports for economic development professionals.
12. Calvin Harris
Chief Executive Officer, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
Calvin Harris is Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. His role leads a statewide professional association serving the accounting community and the standards, learning and public voice around that work.
13. William J. Mellin
President and Chief Executive Officer, New York Credit Union Association
William J. Mellin is President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Credit Union Association. His official biography describes responsibility for the Association and its affiliates, building on earlier senior leadership and operating roles.
14. Kenny Burgos
Chief Executive Officer, New York Apartment Association
Kenny Burgos is Chief Executive Officer of the New York Apartment Association. The official page identifies him as the association’s inaugural CEO, bringing public policy experience to a housing organisation representing providers in the New York metropolitan area.
15. Vijay Dandapani
President and CEO, Hotel Association of New York City
Vijay Dandapani is President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City. The association describes its work through advocacy, education, communication and innovation for New York’s hotel industry.
16. Noah Ginsburg
Executive Director, New York Solar Energy Industries Association
Noah Ginsburg is Executive Director of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association. His current profile describes work across policy, advocacy, public education, member capacity-building and strategic initiatives for the state’s solar industry.
17. Sarah Ravenhall
Executive Director, New York State Association of County Health Officials
Sarah Ravenhall is Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials. Her work connects county health leadership, local public health delivery and the advocacy needed to support both.
18. AnnaLee Dragon
Executive Director, New York Library Association
AnnaLee Dragon is Executive Director of the New York Library Association. The association represents libraries and library workers across New York, so her role sits within a statewide professional and public-service network.
19. Clare M. Cusack
President and CEO, New York Bankers Association
Clare M. Cusack is President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association. Her role gives New York’s banking industry a statewide association voice across member, policy and public conversations.
20. Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD
President and CEO, Healthcare Association of New York State
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD is President and CEO of the Healthcare Association of New York State. HANYS announced that he joined after leading Erie County Medical Center and noted his long service on the association’s board.
A practical next step.
Association leadership is practical work. It connects people, policy, professional standards and the everyday experience of members.
If you are planning an association leadership event or want a written proposal for practical leadership work, email jonno@consultclarity.org.