About Us

Board Of Directors

Inspire Nyack is led by an independent all-volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board members are drawn from the community and provide diverse representation. Board members are community members who share a deep commitment to public education in the Nyack School District.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Michael D. Leifer, Millennium Realty Group LLC
President – Chairman – Executive Committee
Michael currently works in commercial real estate for Millennium Realty Group LLC, in New York City and Rockland County and is a member of the REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York). Michael graduated from the University at Michigan, Business School with a degree in Marketing and Finance. He began his career in Television Syndication distribution sales for New World Genesis Entertainment. He used that knowledge in the television business to become Co-Founder of a startup New Media Company, WorldNow.com. He enjoys coaching his son in the Nyack-Valley Cottage Little League and the JCC of Rockland soccer team. He is a volunteer at the JCC of Rockland, and is a member of the Suffern High School Alumni association. Michael serves on the board of Dellwood Country Club; where his family has a membership. He resides in Upper Nyack with his wife, son and daughter.

Michael P. Lagana, USIS Inc
Vice President
Michael Lagana graduated from Pace University with a BA in Business Administration in 1992. In 1991, while finishing his degree, Michael joined his two brothers in a start up technology infrastructure company, US Information Systems Inc. Since that time, USIS has grown into an organization with over 400 employees; serving the needs of many Fortune 500 Companies and has become one of the largest and most well respected technology infrastructure companies in the United States. USIS was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the United States for three consecutive years and in 2006, The Journal News listed USIS as one of the largest employers in Rockland County. Michael serves on the Advisory Committee of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill and is an elected Trustee of the Nyack School Board of Education. He resides in Upper Nyack with his wife and two children.

Giuseppe Pagano, Barclays Capital Inc.
Treasurer – Chairman – Budget & Finance Committee
Giuseppe Pagano has more than twenty years experience in the banking sector. He is currently a Managing Director in the Asset Securitization Group at Barclays Capital focusing on the credit card and student loan industries. Prior to joining Barclays Capital, Giuseppe worked at JP Morgan Securities and Citibank. A graduate of the Nanuet public school system, Giuseppe received an A.B. degree in Economics from the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University and an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance from New York University, Stern School of Business. An Eagle Scout, Class of 1984, he is active in the community as a coach with OMM Soccer and serves as an Executive Board Member of the Hudson Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. Giuseppe lives in Upper Nyack with his wife and their four children.

Patrick B. Mahoney, PAR Environmental Corp
Vice President – Chairman – Fundraising Committee
Patrick Mahoney is the owner of PAR Environmental Corporation; specializing in asbestos, lead and mold remediation. PAR Wrecking Corporation provides complete building demolition and select structural demolition. Both companies operate throughout the New York Metropolitan Area. He resides on several foundations and has extensive experience with charity fundraising. Patrick, his wife and their three beautiful children reside in Nyack.

Cara M. Bonomolo, Snyder & Snyder, LLP
Secretary
Cara, a graduate of Nyack public schools, is an attorney with the law firm of Snyder & Snyder, LLP in Tarrytown, NY. She has a B.S. in Communications from Cornell University. Ms. Bonomolo obtained her J.D. from Pace University School of Law with a certificate in Environmental Law. While in law school Ms. Bonomolo participated in the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic and worked at the Pace Battered Women's Justice Center. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Nyack Public Schools. Ms. Bonomolo currently practices in the areas of land use, telecommunications and environmental law. She resides in Valley Cottage with her husband and two daughters.

 

TRUSTEES

Karin J. Buchholz, MSG Sports Teams
Karin Buchholz is the Vice President of Community Relations and Field Marketing for MSG Sports Teams (Knicks, Rangers and Liberty). In her current position, Buchholz is responsible for the strategic planning, marketing, promotion and execution of all Knicks, Rangers and Liberty programs and events outside the arena. Karin has also dedicated herself to volunteer work. She serves on the National board of the US Tennis Association and just finished a 6 year term with the Make a Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. Buchholz currently lives in Nyack, NY with her partner Melody and her two children.

Michael Camacho, JP Morgan Securities Inc
Michael Camacho was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and attended the NYC public school system. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Computer Science and has an Executive MBA in Finance from NYU. Michael has worked at the investment bank JP Morgan since 1991 and is currently Global Head of the Structured Commodities business. Michael and his wife have been involved in charitable giving for pediatric health and cancer organizations. Michael lives in Nyack with his wife and two children.

Donna Castellano, Masters Coverage Corporation
Donna Castellano has worked in the Property & Casualty Insurance industry for over 20 years. She is currently a Marketing Coordinator for Commercial Insurance for Masters Coverage Corporation a Subsidiary of Valley National Bank in Chestnut Ridge. She acts as a liaison between Producer, Insured and Insurance Carrier to obtain the broadest coverage available at the most economical cost with financially sound carriers. She is a member of the CNA Advisory Committee, Safeco & Travelers Agents Council. Donna has been an active member of the Nyack School District at the elementary, secondary and high school levels. Starting out as a class parent for each of her 3 children and eventually moving up to more official positions on various PTA Executive Boards. She regularly attends school board meetings, keeps up to date with all the happenings in the district and is an ardent supporter of the Nyack School District. Donna and her husband reside in Valley Cottage and are the proud parents of three children.

Dr. Jill Meyer-Hindin, The Hindin Center for Whole Health Dentistry
Dr. Jill Meyer-Hindin is a partner at The Hindin Center for Whole Health Dentistry in Suffern. N.Y. She has a B.S. in Human Development, Family Studies and Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. Dr. Meyer has a DDS degree from University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and attended a general practice residency program at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. She was an associate clinical instructor at the New York University School of Dental Medicine. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Meyer is on the Health and Wellness Committee in the Nyack School District and is an active PTA member at the Upper Nyack Elementary School. She has done annual pro bono dental screenings and presentations in several Rockland elementary schools. She is the volunteer coordinator for the non-profit group “Friends of the Nyacks.” She resides in Upper Nyack with her husband and their two young boys.

Karen P. Hughes, UBS Financial Services
Karen has spent over 20 years in Investment Banking Technology, as a Software Engineer, and has been instrumental in various diversity recruiting and mentoring initiatives throughout the industry. Karen is an active volunteer and member of the school District. She is currently a member of the District’s Student Support Group which focuses on the emotional and support needs of the District’s economically disadvantaged and at-risk kids. She was a volunteer partner for many years with VRH Children’s Literacy Charity, a UK-based program designed to help children with reading difficulties. She served as treasurer for St. Philip & St James Episcopal Church on Long Island for 10 years. Karen volunteers her time as a soccer coach in the OMM League, and coaches in the Rockland Youth Soccer Academy travel program. She also holds a Black Belt in karate. Karen was born and raised in London, England and graduated with a BS in Computer Science and Statistics from London Metropolitan University. She is a 13-year resident of Upper Nyack and lives with her partner and their two children.

Daniel M. Juechter, Hunter Financial Advisors Inc.
Daniel M. Juechter is CEO and President of Hunter Financial Advisors Inc, a Registered Investment Advisory firm who specializes in providing a broad range of financial advisory services for high and ultra-high net worth individuals, executives and business owners. Dan has been a Financial Planner for over twenty years. He has been an active member of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, Practitioner Division, as well as a member of the Pro Bono group, volunteering to assist in the financial planning for victims of the 9/11 tragedy and their families. He is a charter member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; a member of the Westchester County Council of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils; and has been in practice in the greater New York Metropolitan area since 1987. He resides in Nyack with his wife, son and daughter.

J. David MacCartney, Jr., Feerick Lynch MacCartney PLLC
David was born and raised in Nyack and is a graduate of the Nyack Public Schools. He graduated cum laude from Duke University and magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law School. In addition to being the proud parent of three children and married to another Nyack High School graduate, David is a partner in the law firm of Feerick Lynch MacCartney in South Nyack. The firm specializes in litigation (including commercial disputes, significant personal injury, real estate and land use, civil rights, and estate litigation) and also maintains an active practice in other fields, including Education and Special Education Law, Municipal Law, and Labor Law. Among other professional achievements he has achieved for residents of the Nyack community, David successfully represented local Nyack residents who blocked a pornographic video business from opening in Nyack. He also has served various charitable organizations and endeavors, including serving as Co-Chair of the Giving to Ghana Foundation’s Annual Fundraiser, and volunteers in numerous other civic activities. David and his family live in Valley Cottage.

Marcelo D. Reggiardo, Alianza Services LLC
Chairman – Nominating Committee
Marcelo D. Reggiardo is the founder of Alianza Services LLC, a full-service office furniture dealership that represents several premium lines. His company services the entire tri-state region and is a certified Minority Business Enterprise. He graduated from New York University in 1988 with a BS in Finance and International Business and minored in Latin American Studies. He is an active member in the Rockland Business Association, the Hudson Valley Chapter of IFMA (International Facilities Managers Association), CORENET (Corporate Real Estate Network), the New York New Jersey and Connecticut Minority Supplier Diversity Development Councils. He is a coach in the NVC Little League and the OMM Soccer League. He is a member of the Upper Nyack PTA. Marcelo also serves on the Saint Ann’s Parish Council; it’s Executive Committee and is a Catechist in their Religious Education program. Marcelo resides in Upper Nyack with his wife and their three sons.

Terence Rock, Juniper Networks
Terence Rock attended the New York City and Mount Vernon Public School Systems. He graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and is a Certified Network Engineer from the University of Toronto. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of Telecommunications and is currently the Director of Headquarter Sales and Operations at Juniper Networks. He has held various positions in sales and engineering at Nortel Networks. Terence was a previous board member for INROADS -Fairfield-Westchester Counties serving the Fairfield, Westchester, Stamford, and Rockland communities. The Mission of INROADS is to develop and place talented underserved youth in business and industry, and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. Terence volunteers his time locally at St. Paul's Athletic League as a coach for both Boys & Girls Basketball, and as an assistant coach with the Nyack Valley Cottage Little League. He also supports various parent volunteer groups at Nyack High School and Liberty Elementary School. Terence currently lives in Valley Cottage with his wife and two children.

Noel Vazquez, Private Banker, Wealth Management
Noel Vazquez attended the New York City Public School system and graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Long Island University. He has over 13 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Private Banker assisting his clients with their financial planning and credit needs. He also was part of JP Morgan Chase Mentoring program at George Washington HS, encouraging incoming seniors to attend college, and give them an insight into the banking world. Noel currently lives in Valley Cottage with his wife and two children.

Jeffrey Wanamaker, Clarkstown Police Department
Chairman – Alumni Committee
Jeffrey M. Wanamaker is employed by the Clarkstown Police Department with the rank of Sergeant. He has also been an adjunct professor at Rockland Community College for the Behavioral Science Department. Jeff is a Nyack School alumnus, having graduated from Nyack High school class of 79. He received a BS in Economics from SUNY Oneonta, and an MA in Education from Seton Hall University. Jeff lives in Valley Cottage with his wife and three children.

Michele Whalen, Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis
Michele Whalen is a Managing Director of Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis, an investment management company that specializes in investing in distressed securities. Michele has worked at MWV for 13 years and is responsible for managing and investing the firm’s capital. Some of her duties include marketing, managing a team of analysts and risk management. Previously, Michele worked at Stechler & Company, where she was a senior portfolio manager and led a US equity research joint venture with Credit Lyonnais. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economics from Ithaca College and her Masters in Business Administration degree form Fordham University. Michele has served on several boards and has affiliations with the Upper Nyack PTA, the Nyack Field Club and St Ann’s. She grew up in Rockland County and lives in Upper Nyack with her husband and three young children

Annie Hekker Weiss, FOX One/News Corporation
Annie has worked in the broadcast sales marketing field for more than twenty years. At News Corporation, she is currently the Vice President of Marketing and Integrated Sales for a newly formed division called FOX One. Over the past several years, she has been tasked with pulling together all of News Corporation's domestic and international assets (FOX, FOX Sports, FX, 20th Film, IGN, Wall Street Journal, HarperCollins, BSkyB, FOX LATAM, etc.) for multiplatform sales marketing opportunities. She also plays an active role in News Corporation's Global Energy initiative. Prior to her current position, Annie was the Vice President of Marketing and Integrated Sales at the FOX Network, receiving industry awards for her work on American Idol, the Simpsons and other network programming. Before joining FOX, she worked at Price Waterhouse, CBS Television, Sports Channel, the NY Post, and Chiat Day advertising. Annie was born and raised in Nyack, is a graduate of Nyack HS and holds a BA in English from Manhattan College. She lives in South Nyack with her husband Paul and their three children.