2019: A pivotal year for the SLA
As the Skaneateles Lake Association, Inc. (SLA) celebrates its 5oth anniversary it’s clear that this could be a pivotal year with programs, activities, and personnel in place to help propel our efforts to the next level. As a not-for-profit (501c3), SLA’s sole agenda and only mission is to preserve Skaneateles Lake. “CLEAR LAKE. PURE WATER” says it all, right on our logo!
For almost a year, the SLA has had Rachael DeWitt, as its first executive director, do an outstanding job with public relations, regularly communicating with the membership and community at large. Also, under her direction, collaboration with vital municipal stakeholders, such as the City of Syracuse, the village and towns within the watershed, and all three counties, was bolstered. In addition, Rachael worked closely and cooperatively with organizations such as the County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, The Nature Conservancy, Finger Lakes Land Trust, and CNY Land Trust in an all out collaborative effort to help preserve beautiful Skaneateles Lake.
As anticipated, the time for Rachael to leave for graduate school draws near. She will be fulfilling a life-long dream of studying at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The entire CNY community thanks Rachael for “setting the bar high” and wishes her the best as she leaves in mid- June.
The SLA welcomes our second executive director, Frank Moses, starting his tenure on May 15. He is looking forward to advancing SLA’s mission even further through his strong background in water ecology, conservation, community engagement, and non-profit management.
Moses concentrated in water and lake ecology studies at Paul Smith’s College, where he researched the impact of aquatic invasive species on local lakes in the Adirondacks. He completed his undergraduate education at SUNY ESF in Syracuse with an emphasis on environmental policy and management. During this time he spent his summers as an environmental educator for the NYS DEC.
Prior to joining SLA as its new executive director, Frank was the director of community engagement and organizational advancement for FOCUS Greater Syracuse, and served as assistant director of the SUNY ESF Alumni Association. In both roles, he connected and engaged with a network of dedicated community members.
Earlier in his career, Frank served as the director of the Montezuma Audubon Center. While there, he helped broker a transfer of over 600 acres of enhanced and newly established habitat in Seneca County, and with Honeywell established the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, a national award winning conservation program.
Frank still continues to spend time providing feedback to the NYS DEC and Onondaga Cleanup partners through volunteer leadership with community work groups, and currently serves on the SUNY ESF Alumni Association Board. He enjoys swimming, fishing, paddling, bird watching, and spends as much time as possible with his wife, Kelly and young son Harrison.
The CNY and Skaneateles Lake community will have the opportunity to meet and welcome Frank Moses and his family at the SLA Legacy Fund kickoff event over Memorial Day Weekend on Sunday, May 26 at the point at Skaneateles Country Club.
Plenty of food, live music, information, raffles and free parking. Everyone and anyone are invited-very family friendly. Also, plenty of opportunity to speak with many volunteers, lake stewards, divers and SLA Board members about current and future plans for remediation of the lake and watershed.
Another opportunity to meet Frank will be at the SLA Annual Meeting at Lourdes Camp on Saturday, June 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. Please join the SLA Board of Directors in welcoming Frank Moses to the position of its next executive director.
