― DIRECTORS ―
JERUSALEM
STEPHEN R. HELLER
A native of Penn Yan, I consider myself very fortunate to reside year-round on the shores of Keuka Lake at Hart-Scott Point on property purchased by my grandparents in the 1930’s. Over the years I have spent countless hours swimming, playing, boating, fishing, sailing, water skiing, and ice skating on Keuka. There have been many changes during that time….from square stern canoes pulling Seth Green copper fishing rigs to Penn Yan tunnel drives to large wake boats. It is my hope that I can contribute to KLA’s mission of preserving and protecting these precious waters for future generations.
I received a BA in history and economics from Allegheny College and furthered my education with an MBA from the School of Management at SUNY Buffalo. After graduation my wife and I lived in the Buffalo area where, for the first several years, I was a market research analyst and product line manager for The Carborundum Company. I then worked for the next nine years as Vice-President of Marketing Administration for a division of Hart, Schaffner, and Marx - a manufacturer of mens tailored clothing. In 1989 we made a major lifestyle change and “moved home” to Penn Yan. We wanted our young children at the time to experience the opportunities and the quality of life that the Finger Lakes area offers all of us. My brother-in law and I founded Keuka Appraisal Services, a full- service real estate appraisal firm that covers an eleven county area. Though semi-retired, I still maintain my NYS real estate appraiser’s license and continue to work part-time as an independent contractor for Keuka Appraisal. I also had the pleasure of teaching part-time at Keuka College for thirteen years as an adjunct in their adult education program where I taught marketing, strategic planning, and communication courses to students seeking their BA and MA degrees in business management.
Family, the Finger Lakes Region, and Keuka drew my wife and me back to the Penn Yan area where we are both active supporting our local community. I volunteer or have been involved with a number of organizations and boards including The Keuka Comfort Care Home, The Yates County IDA, The Yates County History Center, Keuka College’s Business Advisory Board, Yates County Medical Reserve Board, Penn Yan United Methodist Church, Yates County Drug Court, and Yates County Tomorrow.
My wife, Susan, and I have been married for fifty years. We have two grown children and four grandchildren. Our spare time is spent enjoying traveling, camping, music, running and hiking, and teaching our grandchildren how to skip stones on Keuka Lake.
JERUSALEM
ROBERT K LAMBERT
Growing up in the Southern Tier, my wife, Maribeth, and I knew and loved the Finger Lakes from an early age. Following lengthy educational journeys, we were both delighted to find our way back to this region. I practiced internal medicine in the Elmira/Horseheads area for most of my career, gradually segueing into increasing administrative positions with Arnot Health, eventually finishing my career there as CEO.
We bought our first lake home in the mid 1990s and were fortunate to have spent many wonderful weekends there with our four children. With retirement came the opportunity to be full-time residents of Keuka Park. And now it’s our grandchildren’s turn to fall in love with this incredible place!
We feel strongly that protecting our lake for future generations is a huge priority. My wife and I have been members of the Keuka Lake Association for many years and have long admired the good work done by it. I am honored to serve as a board member.
MILO
ROBERT KARCZWESKI
Bob and his family have owned on Keuka Lake in Penn Yan for the past 10 years and have recently completed construction of a
new home on the property. Now semi-retired Bob and his wife Lesley are looking forward to living at the lake and getting involved in the community. Bob has been familiar with Keuka Lake for many years since he frequently visited his in-laws who had owned a cottage on the lake in
Hammondsport since the 1940s. Bob’s background is in marketing and communication. Until recently he was the principal at a healthcare communication company located in New Jersey that he co-founded 15 years ago, RealityRx Communication (realityrx.com). He continues to consult with the company on a part-time basis. RealityRx specializes in advertising and promotion for the pharma and related healthcare industry. Prior to starting RealityRx Bob spent many years working at various advertising agencies in NYC, in the pharmaceutical industry, and as a registered pharmacist earlier in his career.
Bob and his wife have two adult children living on opposite coasts who enjoy visiting and boating on Keuka Lake. In his spare-time you may find Bob bicycling around the lake or on the local golf course.
MILO
BILL LAFFIN
Bill was born and raised in New England and spend many of summers on lakes throughout that region. His love of lake life and its varied and diversified activities was kindled there. After several years of weekend live aboard sail boating on another Finger Lake, he and his wife, Mary-Ellen, expanded their recreational options and acquired property in Milo in 1993. What was an early 1900’s cottage served them well for many years. Following his retirement from Mobil Oil in late 2001, they began planning for and building a permanent home in Milo. They became full time, year round Milo residents in the spring of 2006.
Prior to joining Mobil, he graduated from The University of Pennsylvania and Florida Institute of Technology. He also spent over 6 years as an officer in the US Army’s artillery and logistics branches to include a tour of duty in Vietnam.
During his years at Mobil, Bill worked primarily in manufacturing and supply chain management. He has experience in global plant start ups, process and business reengineering, total quality management, global integration of supply chains and international joint venture operations.
Since moving to Milo, he also has served on the (former) President’s Advisory Council for Keuka College and currently serves on the Board of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County. Bill was active on the Land Use and Lake Committees of Milo’s first update of its Comprehensive Plan in over 25 years. He has served on the Town of Milo’s Zoning Board of Appeals and chaired it for 2 years.
Bill has previously been on the KLA’s Board, beginning in 2003 and served as KLA President.
Throughout his earlier tenure with the Keuka Lake Association, Bill was involved in many activities to include the start up Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance; the Asian water chestnut pull; co authoring the DEC AIS Spread Prevention Grant and managing the grant for three years.
PULTENEY
DOUG DEFRANCO
Doug is a native of Cleveland Ohio and came to New York to attend RIT. Doug and his wife Megan are both RIT graduates where they met. Doug and Megan found their spot on Keuka Lake in the town of Pulteney back in 2000, and since then have enjoyed spending summers on Keuka along with their two sons, and now with their daughter in laws and two grandkids.
Doug has returned to the Board of the KLA in 2019 after previously serving from 2010-2016. In Doug’s previous tenure, he chaired the communications committee, and is still doing so today.
PULTENEY
JAMES HOWITT
Jim was born and raised in Corning, NY. In 1970 his parents purchased a cottage on Keuka Lake. His vacations since then have been living on the lake every summer. He graduated from Corning East High School then went onto Penn Tech College in Williamsport, PA and holds a Master
Plumbers License. He recently retired from Corning Incorporated with 30 years of service. Jim holds a class 2B Water Operator license from
the Southern Tier New York Water Works and is a lifetime member of that organization. He is also a certified scuba diver. He currently serves as a member of the Pulteney Planning Board. In his spare time he heads to the woods to deer hunt and lake trout fishing on Keuka Lake.
URBANA
DARRYL HECKLE
Darryl was born and raised in Rochester, NY, where he spent many summers on Canandaigua Lake at his family cottage. He and his wife Chris now reside in Corning, NY and spend summers and many weekends at their place on Keuka. When not running, cycling around or swimming Keuka Lake, Darryl works at Corning Incorporated, where he has had a variety of roles in IT, procurement, and business leadership. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University. Darryl joined the KLA board in June 2023.
URBANA
NOLAN SMITH
Nolan has been a year-round resident in Hammondsport since 2016 and is an ongoing volunteer for the Shoreline Monitoring Program. Nolan is a leader in Corning Inc.'s Global Supply Chain and has a background as a Controls Engineer and an MBA. He is passionate about protecting Keuka's water quality and ensuring lake levels are managed for the benefit of the residents and area wildlife. Nolan and his wife, Kimberly, are often found cycling around Keuka and the Finger Lakes area.
WAYNE
WAYNE HAND
Wayne, and his wife Chris, have been regular visitors and boaters on Keuka Lake for more than 40 years, owned lakeshore property since 2004 and been full time residents on the lake in the Town of Wayne for the past 10 years.
They have two grown sons who currently reside in New Mexico and Vermont, but return regularly with their families to vacation at one of their favorite places, Keuka Lake.
• BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from University of Buffalo and Rutgers University.
• Retired from Corning Inc. after lengthy career in engineering, manufacturing, consulting, and project management working in many worldwide manufacturing plant locations throughout the US, Asia, Europe, and Mexico with many diverse types of manufacturing processes.
• Previously served on KLA Board of Directors, participated as chair and member of various sub-committees.
• Currently chairs the Town of Wayne Zoning Board of Appeals and regularly volunteers for other town and community initiatives.
• Strong supporter in preserving the health and beauty of Keuka Lake and the surrounding watershed area.
AT-LARGE
JEANNE ESTEP
Jeanne grew up in Elma, NY and moved to the Finger Lakes area nearly 40 years ago. Residing in Ithaca, Horseheads, Elmira and now in Pulteney. She and her husband, Matt, have enjoyed Keuka Lake for many years, sailing, boating and waterskiing with their five children. She’s excited to share the wonders of the lake with her new grandson this summer. In 2017, Jeanne and Matt bought a home on the west side of Keuka Lake and moved there permanently several years ago. You’ll often find Jeanne and Matt walking or boating with their 2 golden doodles, Stella and Lucy. Jeanne is an avid gardener, traveler, skier, and enjoys being outdoors around Keuka Lake.
Jeanne retired from Corning Incorporated 2 years ago after more than 30 years. Her most recent role was Director of Sustainability and Compliance for the Global Supply organization. Prior to this she held a variety of roles in project management, sales and marketing for Corning and World Kitchen and worked for 5 years as a residence director at Ithaca College. She is currently a member of the board for the Fund For Women of the Southern Tier and serves as the Grants Committee Chair. She holds an MBA from Syracuse University, and Med, Higher Education Administration from Kent State University.
AT-LARGE
RORY LONG
Rory was born and raised in Penn Yan, and attended high school at Dundee Central School. Rory grew up on Keuka Lake boating, fishing, and enjoying the natural lake beauty. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Oswego State, Rory moved back to Penn Yan and took over his father's commercial SCUBA diving business. While running Fingle1,LLC, Rory has specialized in installing and maintaining lake water systems including the filtration of Zebra Mussels. In Rory’s off time, he enjoys snow skiing, playing golf, and working his part time job selling real estate.
