Board of Directors
Anne Bernat – President
Joe and I had vacationed at the Parker’s cabins for many years before we purchased 159 Garnet Lake Rd. in 2014. In 2016, I became treasurer and worked towards increasing membership, recognition of GLCA as a 501(c)3 organization and compliance with federal and state tax laws and NYS charities requirements. In 2018, we became full time residents. In 2019, I became President of GLCA. Since then I have worked to develop collaborative relationships with various stakeholders. With the help of many we have developed and implemented a cooperation agreement with the Town of Johnsburg for maintenance of the dam/bridge/road complex for the next 50 years. We applied and have been approved by the NYS Grants Gateway to be eligible to apply for NYS grants. This June our first grant application was submitted to the DEC for high hazard dam rehabilitation design work. Future goals include increasing participation in GLCA, continued collaboration with stakeholders to find a long-term solution to our dam deficiencies, and development of a fundraising strategy to support the implementation of a dam remediation plan.
Roy Keats - Vice President
Sue and I bought our property on Garnet Lake in 1983. We spent as much time as possible here with our children at all times of year. It was and still is our favorite place. Since 1983 some of my responsibilities have been:
• Chair (1985-1987) this was during the tumultuous years leading up to installing the Auxiliary Spillway in 1989
• Dam Committee member (2006-present) - Chair or Co-chair since 2015.
• Director (2008-2018)
• Responding to DEC Biennial Inspections of Dam (2016 and 2018)
• Vice President (2018-2022)
• Updating our Emergency Action Plan Annually (2014-present)
• Helping monitor for invasive plant species in Garnet Lake and Japanese Knotweed in the Garnet Lake Watershed since 2009
Louis Notarangelo – Vice President
I was born and raised downstate in Mamaroneck.
Graduated SUNY College at Cortland with a BA in Political Science.
Began my career as a Banker in 1979.
Have been visiting the Bova camp at Ross Mountain Rd. since 1995.
Moved to the capital region in Aug. 1999, purchased current home in Ballston Spa in March 2000.
Purchased property on Garnet Lake Rd. from Doc Fay in November 2018.
Have been happily retired since July 2000.
Hobbies include going to the movies, reading, and attending as many concerts as possible.
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Marianne Siniapkin-Director
When Ed and I first paddled on Garnet Lake nearly 20 years ago we fell in love with it and never dreamed we would own a home by the lake. We bought 341A Maxam Road in October of 2020. We only live about an hour away so we have the luxury of day trips or longer weekends on the lake. We have more time now as I’m a retired RN and Ed recently retired from Clinical Research.
I have been on the Fundraising Committee for GLCA since its inception in the summer of 2021. I currently serve on the Saratoga History Museum Board and have been a member of a private school board in the past.
I enjoy any type of paddling (boat, board), horseback riding, hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Diane Burgess – Treasurer
John and I (and later our 3 kids) have been coming to Garnet Lake since the late 1970s as guests of the Wolfes and in 1997, we built our house on property subdivided from the Wolfes (on the “road” past the Lodge!). Since I retired from being an IT Program Manager, I've enjoyed more time at the lake and getting to know more of our neighbors. Our 3 children have enjoyed time at the lake since they were small and our 5 grandkids now look forward to their time at the lake. I've performed the GLCA financial audit in the past and served as Treasurer for the past 2 years. I love everything Garnet Lake has to offer in all seasons; it truly is a special place!
Judy Thomson - Secretary
Steve and I bought our place at 31 Cross Road on the west side of Garnet Lake in 2014 and have been increasing the time spent at the lake every year. This past year we were here about 80 percent of the time. I retired from New York State government after working in many areas of public administration and human resources. I have served on several boards for 30 years. I have been secretary to GLCA since 2015.
I enjoy kayaking, canoeing and swimming at the lake and hiking, skiing and snowshoeing nearby. The Adirondacks and Garnet Lake are truly special places.
Stephen Weymouth – Director
I first visited Garnet Lake in 1987 when I visited my friend Robert Zilch and his wife, Anne at their home at 16 Ross Mountain Drive. I immediately fell in love with the area. Beginning in 1988 my sons and their friends and I began spending two weeks at Garnet Lake every summer. Every visit was filled with happiness and joy.
In 1997 I purchased 16 Ross Mountain Drive from my friends. My family and I have continued to vacation at the house every summer and in other seasons as well. I still own the house. And I have spent a great deal of time improving and maintaining the property.
My son Andrew and his wife Meaghan have three children. My son Brian and his wife Geneva have two children. Spending time at Garnet Lake with my family continues to bring our family happiness (especially being able to spend time with my grandchildren). It is my plan to keep the house and pass it to the next generation. I also enjoy sharing the house with my family and friends. We enjoy hiking, canoeing, kayaking and exploring the surrounding area.
My wife and I live in Dorchester, Massachusetts. I am an attorney and have my own firm in Boston.
Alan Walters - Director
My father-in-law, Louis Bova of 22 Ross Mountain Road, has ties to Garnet Lake for over 70 years and has owned his camp for over 50 years. He bought the hunting cabin from Lester Ross himself. I've been coming up here since my teens when I started dating my wife Christine. That’s over 35 years and our daughter Rylee has been coming to the lake her whole life.
We recently bought 142 Garnet Lake Road from Bob Fay with my brothers-in-law Jeff and Lou. We have been putting in lots of long weekends renovating and rehabbing the camp. So it's safe to say I plan on being around Garnet Lake until we pass it on to the next generation.
Paul Beer – Director
We have been coming to the lake from Albany since 1996 when we purchased the “Blue House” at 215 Garnet Lake Road. In 2006 we purchased the “Scotts Cottage” at 219 Garnet Lake Road. I am a retired retinal surgeon and Professor of Ophthalmology at Albany Medical College. In addition to practicing medicine I have founded and presided over a nonprofit research foundation and started a small biotech company, Z Lens LLC, which had a successful exit in 2020. I am fully retired and spend the cold months in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Bob Manning – Director
Tomoko and I have lived in the white house by the dam full time since 1997. During that time my activities with the Garnet Lake Civic (now Conservation) Association have been:
· Vice Chair (2 years)
· Chair (2 years)
· Dam Committee member (14 years)
· Lake sample taker (20 years)
· Water invasive plants monitor (5? years)
· Knotweed control coordinator (9 years)
· Auxiliary spillway overflow monitor and incident report submitter (12 years)
· Unofficial photographer (21 years)
Bob Wiltenburg – Director
I retired several years ago from Washington University in St. Louis where I was an English professor and dean. I have been coming to the lake since I was 10 years old (1957) and have owned a place here since 2004 and built a new place in 2018. I particularly enjoy boating—canoe, kayak, sailing. And, of course, lawn mowing! I look forward to working with such a great group of people on GLCA business.