45 Professional Association CEOs in New York State

Last updated: August 2026

This is a recognition directory of 45 association chief executives, presidents and executive directors who lead organisations serving New York State. It is not a ranking. The people are listed alphabetically by first name, with one person per organisation wherever possible.

Association leadership is broad work. It can mean representing members, building professional standards, leading advocacy, growing learning communities or helping a region work together. These leaders sit across chambers, professional bodies, industry groups, cultural organisations and community networks.

How to read this list

The word CEO is used here as a plain umbrella for chief executives, presidents and executive directors. Each entry keeps the current title shown by the organisation or official source used for this package. The short note gives one practical reason the organisation matters to its members or community.

1. A.J. Baynes

President and CEO, Amherst Chamber of Commerce

The current role of Baynes is President and CEO at Amherst Chamber of Commerce. The chamber connects member businesses with advocacy, events and regional business support.

2. Alicia Skovera

Chief Executive Officer, American Camp Association New York and New Jersey

Alicia Skovera is Chief Executive Officer at American Camp Association New York and New Jersey. The association supports camps and camp professionals through standards, learning and member services.

3. AnnaLee Dragon

Executive Director, New York Library Association

AnnaLee Dragon is Executive Director at New York Library Association. The association provides professional development and advocacy for library workers and libraries.

4. Anthony M. Gaddy

Co-Founder and President and CEO, UpState New York Black Chamber of Commerce

The current role of Gaddy is Co-Founder and President and CEO at UpState New York Black Chamber of Commerce. The chamber supports Black-owned and minority-owned businesses through connection, advocacy and growth support.

5. Bob Haight

President and CEO, Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce

Bob Haight is President and CEO at Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber supports Cortland area businesses through membership, visibility and local connection.

6. Bob Provost

President and CEO, New York State Tourism Industry Association

Bob Provost is President and CEO at New York State Tourism Industry Association. The association promotes tourism through marketing, data, advocacy and stewardship.

7. Brian Cechnicki

Executive Director, New York State Association of School Business Officials

Brian Cechnicki is Executive Director at New York State Association of School Business Officials. The association supports school business officials through professional development, resources and advocacy.

8. Calvin Harris Jr.

Chief Executive Officer, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants

Calvin Harris Jr. is Chief Executive Officer at New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. The society uses member governance, professional guidance and education to support the CPA profession.

9. Carlo A. Scissura

President and CEO, New York Building Congress

The current role of Scissura is President and CEO at New York Building Congress. The Building Congress represents construction and design industries and advocates on city infrastructure.

10. Carrie Laney

Executive Director, Empire State Society of Association Executives

Carrie Laney is Executive Director at Empire State Society of Association Executives. The society provides resources, learning and connection for association professionals in New York State.

11. Casey Coleman

Executive Director, ACG New York

Casey Coleman is Executive Director at ACG New York. The association supports middle-market growth leaders through networking, learning and connection.

12. David Christopher

Executive Director, New York Association for Pupil Transportation

David Christopher is Executive Director at New York Association for Pupil Transportation. The association supports pupil transportation professionals and highlights school bus safety and training.

13. Emma Pfohman

Chief Executive Officer, Association for a Better New York

Emma Pfohman is Chief Executive Officer at Association for a Better New York. The association brings together business, government and civic leaders around New York City priorities.

14. Erin Sinisgalli

Executive Director, New York State Public Health Association

Erin Sinisgalli is Executive Director at New York State Public Health Association. The association promotes public health practice, learning and professional connection.

15. Grant Loomis

President and CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Grant Loomis is President and CEO at Buffalo Niagara Partnership. The partnership brings a regional business voice to advocacy, economic development and workforce issues.

16. Heather Bell

President and CEO, Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Heather Bell is President and CEO at Orange County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber brings Orange County businesses together through advocacy, events and member support.

17. Heather Briccetti Mulligan

President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State

Heather Briccetti Mulligan is President and CEO at The Business Council of New York State. The Business Council is a statewide association and voice for employers on policy and economic growth.

18. Jeanne Chirico

President and CEO, Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State

Jeanne Chirico is President and CEO at Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State. The association leads advocacy and professional support for hospice and palliative care.

19. Jennifer M. Sealy

President and CEO, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

The current role of Sealy is President and CEO at Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is a membership organisation serving local businesses and community development in Wyoming County.

20. Jesse Lazar

Executive Director, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture

Jesse Lazar is Executive Director at AIA New York and the Center for Architecture. The organisations connect architecture, design education, public programmes and professional advocacy.

21. Jessica Walker

President and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Walker is President and CEO at Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. The chamber page describes her work as advocacy, policy and economic development on behalf of 125,000 businesses.

22. Kathleen Brady-Stepien

President and CEO, Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies

Kathleen Brady-Stepien is President and CEO at Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies. The council works with child and family care agencies on organisational effectiveness, funding and policy.

23. Kathy Suchocki

Executive Director, New York State Bar Association

Kathy Suchocki is Executive Director at New York State Bar Association. The association is a statewide professional body with member services, education and advocacy.

24. Kyle Stewart

President and CEO, Alliance of New York State YMCAs

Kyle Stewart is President and CEO at Alliance of New York State YMCAs. The alliance supports YMCAs and community wellbeing across New York State.

25. Laura Lane

President and CEO, Livingston County Chamber of Commerce

Laura Lane is President and CEO at Livingston County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber supports county businesses through member connection, visibility and community development.

26. Linda Baran

President and CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Linda Baran is President and CEO at Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. The chamber supports Staten Island businesses through member services, advocacy and community connection.

27. Lisa Lounsbury

President and CEO, Big I New York

Lisa Lounsbury is President and CEO at Big I New York. The association helps independent insurance agents thrive through member services and advocacy.

28. Luis A. Vazquez

President and CEO, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The current role of Vazquez is President and CEO at Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is a Long Island business network focused on Hispanic and Latino business connection and advocacy.

29. Mark Dorr

President, New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association

Mark Dorr is President at New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. The association advocates for hospitality and tourism businesses across the state.

30. Mark Jaffe

President and CEO, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce

Mark Jaffe is President and CEO at Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. The official page says the chamber represents 30,000 business and civic leaders and runs networking, seminars and trade support.

31. Marsha Gordon

President and CEO, Business Council of Westchester

Marsha Gordon is President and CEO at Business Council of Westchester. The council represents Westchester business interests and contributes regional policy and economic research.

32. Melissa Fleischut

President and CEO, New York State Restaurant Association

Melissa Fleischut is President and CEO at New York State Restaurant Association. The association represents restaurants and hospitality businesses across New York.

33. Michael A. Lanotte

Executive Director, New York State Funeral Directors Association

The current role of Lanotte is Executive Director at New York State Funeral Directors Association. The association supports funeral directors through member services, education and related organisations.

34. Michael J. Elmendorf II

President and CEO, Associated General Contractors of New York State

The current role of Elmendorf II is President and CEO at Associated General Contractors of New York State. The association represents construction contractors and provides industry advocacy and support.

35. Michael M. Chamberlin

Executive Director, Educational Media and Technology Association of New York

The current role of Chamberlin is Executive Director at Educational Media and Technology Association of New York. The association supports educational media and technology leaders through professional resources and connection.

36. Nicholas Dirks

President and CEO, New York Academy of Sciences

Nicholas Dirks is President and CEO at New York Academy of Sciences. The academy is a scientific membership and convening organisation with programmes for researchers and the public.

37. Randy Peers

President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Randy Peers is President and CEO at Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. The chamber combines business advocacy with small-business support and economic development work in Brooklyn.

38. Robert J. Duffy

President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

The current role of Duffy is President and CEO at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. The chamber gives regional businesses a collective voice on relationships, community issues and economic growth.

39. Sarah Ravenhall

Executive Director, New York State Association of County Health Officials

Sarah Ravenhall is Executive Director at New York State Association of County Health Officials. The association supports local health officials through governance, membership services and advocacy.

40. Sebrina Barrett

President and CEO, LeadingAge New York

Sebrina Barrett is President and CEO at LeadingAge New York. The association advocates for organisations providing ageing services and supports the sector across New York.

41. Stephen J. Acquario

Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties

The current role of Acquario is Executive Director at New York State Association of Counties. The association represents counties and supports county government through policy, education and advocacy.

42. Thomas J. Quatroche Jr.

President and CEO, Healthcare Association of New York State

The current role of Quatroche Jr. is President and CEO at Healthcare Association of New York State. The association leads advocacy and runs education, policy, data and quality improvement programmes for health care providers.

43. Tim Atkinson

Executive Director, New York State Veterinary Medical Society

Tim Atkinson is Executive Director at New York State Veterinary Medical Society. The society supports veterinarians, professional standards and animal health advocacy.

44. Tom Grech

President and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce

Tom Grech is President and CEO at Queens Chamber of Commerce. The chamber describes itself as Queens' oldest and largest business association.

45. Vince Watchorn

Executive Director, New York State Association of Independent Schools

Vince Watchorn is Executive Director at New York State Association of Independent Schools. The association supports independent schools and works with heads, boards and school leaders.

A practical leadership takeaway

The strongest association leaders make membership feel useful. They connect strategy to the daily needs of members, keep the organisation close to the people it serves and turn collective voice into practical action.

If your organisation needs a keynote or leadership workshop that people can use on Monday morning, I help leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. The work is practical rather than motivational, with a clear path from insight to action.

Related Reading

For a practical leadership framework, see Working Genius. For ideas on building stronger teams, see leadership development.