Staff

Jason Merwin

Executive Director

Jason was appointed CWC Executive Director in March, 2021. Prior to his appointment Jason worked for seven years in the Economic Development Department and spent the past two years as the Assistant Director. Jason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s Degree from Marist College in Public Administration. Jason was born and raised in the Catskills, graduated from Gilboa-Conesville Central School and currently lives with his family in the Town of Jefferson, Schoharie County.

James Martin

Business Manager & Finance Director

A New York State-licensed accountant, Jim was an internal auditor for Sealed Air Corporation, Ernst & Young and KPMG before joining the staff at the CWC. He is a graduate of Rockland Community College and SUNY Oneonta. Jim is responsible for maintaining the corporation’s finances, and for financial reporting. He lives in New Kingston.

Timothy Cox

Corporate Counsel

Tim joined the CWC in 2003. He previously practiced law in Connecticut. He also served as court clerk for two years in Bridgeport, CT. He received a B.A. from SUNY Plattsburgh and his juris doctorate and environmental law certificate from Pace University School of Law. Tim grew up in the Adirondack region and now resides in Olive where he was elected as a Town Justice in 2005.

Lindsay Ballard

Administrative Assistant

Lindsay graduated from SUNY Broome with an A.A.S. Degree in Marketing and Sales Management, as well as an A.A.S Degree in Travel and Tourism. After living in the Albany area and working in the hotel industry for thirteen years, Lindsay returned to her hometown of Roxbury, where she worked at Roxbury Central School. Lindsay enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends.

Donald Brown

Deputy Finance Director

Prior to joining the CWC, Donald worked for 11 years in the Central Business Office at ONC BOCES as an Accountant/Assistant School Business Manager. He Graduated from Charlotte Valley CSD and then SUNY Delhi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Information Systems/Audit Control. Donald now lives in Gilboa with his wife and two dogs.

Racheal Burger

Stormwater Program Specialist

Racheal joined the CWC in May 2021. She moved to the Catskills full-time from Long Island in 2021, but has been a part-time resident since birth. She has two Bachelor’s Degrees, one in Geological Science from the University of Colorado-Boulder and the other in Business Management from Manhattan College. Before joining CWC, Racheal had worked in marketing, construction, and most recently as a Geologist in New Hampshire. She loves the outdoors and traveling, along with all the exciting adventures the Catskills have to offer.

Charles Bush

Building Maintenance Manager

Charles graduated from Margaretville Central and received a Master Technician degree from Ohio Technical College in 1992. Charles is a 30 year diesel mechanic. Charles is an avid outdoor sportsman and resides in Margaretville.

Samantha Costa

Communications and Education Coordinator

Samantha joined the CWC staff in July 2017. She graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with an Associates in Liberal Arts in 2012 and then graduated from SUNY Oneonta in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Studies. Samantha is a lifetime resident of Arkville and previously found employment in the local business community

Kyle Faraci

Program Specialist-Septic

Kyle grew up in Roxbury, he graduated from Roxbury Central School in 2015, and went to college at SUNY Oswego for Geology. He graduated in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree in geology. Prior to joining CWC, Kyle worked for a local contractor and also volunteered his time during the winters with the Plattekill Ski Patrol.

Marie Ferraro

General Maintenance

Marie is a life long resident of Arkville. She loves hunting, hiking and sports. She is a volunteer firefighter for the Arkville Fire Department. Before joining the CWC in March 2020 she was a self employed house cleaner and caretaker for NYS Campgrounds before that.

Jessica Fiedler

Administrative Assistant

Jessica joined the CWC in July of 2020. Originally from East Schodack, New York, Jessica has lived in Arkville with her family for six years. Jessica earned a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University at Albany in 2007 and a M.S. in Information Science from the University at Albany in 2020. She previously worked for 12 years at the University at Albany Libraries as a cataloger. Jessica enjoys camping, and running around outside with her dogs and young children.

Todd Henderson

Program Specialist-Septic

Todd joined the CWC in May 2007 and works with the Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement Program. He previously worked at Delaware County ARC as a Program Coordinator for 19 years. He is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

Mitchell Hull

Environmental Engineering Specialist-Septic

Mitch joined the CWC staff in May 2017 and works with the Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement Program. He graduated from SUNY ESF in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Natural Resources Management. Mitch is a lifetime resident of Margaretville and is also an avid outdoorsman.

John Jacobson

Program Specialist-Septic

John assists in the Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement Program. He holds a psychology degree from SUNY Oneonta, and formerly managed homes for developmentally disabled adults. A former self-employed fishing guide, John lives in Andes.

Lynn Kavanagh

Economic Development Specialist

Lynn joined the CWC in July of 2017. She moved to the Catskills from Long Island in 2002. She received an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2010. Before joining the CWC, she worked for Cobleskill Stone Products as a secretary. She currently resides in Roxbury.

Eric Lane

Program Specialist – Stormwater/Septic

Eric grew up in Prattsville and graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Physics Degree and concentration in Engineering in 2014. He has worked for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals for the past 6 years and now lives in Andes with his Family. He is also an avid outdoorsman.

Martha Martinez

General Maintenance

Martha comes from a small town east of the state of Puebla, Mexico but has lived in the Catskills and resides in Fleischmann’s for over 30 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and doing sewing projects. Before joining CWC, Martha worked at Hanah Mountain Resort and Country Club for the last eight years.

Sonia Martinez

Administrative Specialist

Sonia joined the CWC staff in July 2017. She works the front desk and is also our IT communicator. She’s a local resident, graduated from high school in 2013 and has worked her way around the community. She enjoys going on hikes, spending time with family and friends and loves to help as many people as see can.

John Mathiesen

Environmental Engineering Specialist

John graduated from SUNY Broome in 1983 with an A.A.S. degree in Fire Technology and Building Construction. He has been involved in NYS Code Enforcement for many years and has also been a self-employed building contractor. He joined CWC staff in July of 2015 and manages the Community Wastewater Management, Future Stormwater, Stormwater Retrofit, Local Technical Assistance and Flood Hazard Mitigation Programs.

Barbara Puglisi

Economic Development Director

Barbara returned to the Catskills in 1997 from Huntington, LI, where she was accounting supervisor and paralegal for the law firm of Jacoby and Meyers. She formerly worked as a lab technician at Deltown Chemurgic in Fraser, Delaware County, and now lives in New Kingston. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. She has served on the Town of Middletown Board of Assessment Review and is a licensed Notary Public. She has been with the CWC since 1998 and is responsible for the Catskill Fund for the Future.

Skylie Roberts

Bookkeeper

Skylie came to the CWC in 2019. Originally from Gunnison, Utah, she moved to New York in 2005 where she finished elementary/high school at Gilboa-Conesville CSD. She then attended SUNY Delhi for 3 years to get a bachelors degree in Business Admin: Information Systems Auditing and Controls. She resides in Prattsville.

Charlie Schafer

Program Specialist-Septic

Charlie joined the CWC in May of 2008. An auto technician for GM for 36 years, he enjoys restoring old cars and is also an avid outdoorsman. Charlie lives in New Kingston.

Rory Smith

General Maintenance Manager

Rory graduated from Red Hook Central. He served in the military as mechanized infantry in Fort Irwin, California. He is a 3rd generation carpenter with over 25 years experience. Rory has his own contracting business of 16 years and has resided in the Town of Olive since 2002, where he and his family enjoy all that the Catskills have to offer.