December 11, 2025
Lake George, NY (December 11, 2025) – The Lake George Association (LGA) is continuing a strong period of growth and transformation, with several key additions to its senior leadership team and Board of Directors. These appointments come as the LGA finalizes a new five-year strategic plan designed to expand capacity, strengthen science-based solutions, advocacy and partnerships, and enhance the long-term protection of Lake George’s world-renowned water quality and clarity.
The LGA has appointed Jennifer Collins-Foley, JD, as its new Chief of Staff and Bridget Buckley as its new Chief Financial & Operating Officer, two pivotal roles that will help strengthen the organization's internal operations and strategic alignment. Both joined the LGA under the leadership of Dr. Brendan Wiltse, who was recently named President and Chief Executive Officer to reflect expanded organizational needs and executive responsibilities following his appointment as Executive Director in December 2024. Additionally, Tim Behuniak, who joined the LGA in April 2025 as Director of Communications & Marketing, has been promoted to Vice President of Communications, overseeing strategic communications and community engagement as the organization continues to expand its reach.
Collins-Foley brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across government, nonprofit and corporate sectors, including senior roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Buckley brings extensive experience in financial planning and operational management, including leadership roles at Beyond6 and consulting firms supporting solar, wind and clean-fuel initiatives. Together, they will strengthen Board and staff alignment, enhance internal processes and ensure strong fiscal and operational stewardship as the LGA expands its impact to ensure that Lake George, and the Lake George Association, remain models for freshwater protection in the Adirondacks, New York State and beyond.
The LGA also welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors: Edward Linekin and James (Jim) Tierney. Linekin, Senior Vice President of Investment at WR Berkley Corporation, brings decades of finance and investment experience to the Board and a lifelong personal connection to Lake George, which he has visited since the 1970s. Tierney, a respected environmental policy leader, brings more than 30 years of experience, including service as a Deputy Commissioner with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and as an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau, where he oversaw statewide watershed and water resource initiatives. These new additions bring invaluable guidance to the LGA Board and staff.
This team expansion reflects the LGA’s commitment to remaining a high-performing organization dedicated to advancing science, solutions, community engagement and advocacy for the enduring protection of Lake George water quality and clarity.
For more information about the current LGA board and staff, visit https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/about/staff-board. For any media questions, please contact Tim Behuniak at: [email protected].
About the Lake George Association
Founded in 1885 as the first lake conservation organization in the country, the Lake George Association is the preeminent lake protection entity dedicated to protecting the Queen of American Lakes in Upstate New York. Through cutting-edge science by way of the Jefferson Project — a collaboration between the LGA, RPI and IBM — the LGA protects the largest lake in the Adirondack Park from five key threats: Invasive Species, Road Salt, Nutrient Pollution, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Climate Change. To learn more, please visit https://lakegeorgeassociation.org.
Board and staff leadership share their perspectives on their new roles and the LGA’s growth:
Dr. Brendan Wiltse, LGA President and Chief Executive Officer:
“Each of these leaders brings exceptional expertise and a shared dedication to protecting Lake George. Their experience strengthens our ability to deliver science-driven solutions, deepen community partnerships, and expand the LGA’s impact across the watershed. Together, we are building the organizational capacity needed to protect the Lake for generations to come.”
James Tierney, LGA Board of Directors:
“The Lake George Association serves as a national model for the practice of maintaining and improving lake water quality and ecology. I am so pleased to join the LGA team in its mission to protect our treasured Lake George, and to show the way for other lake associations and advocates around the state and nation."
Edward Linekin, LGA Board of Directors:
“Lake George holds deep meaning for my family and me. Its natural beauty, ecological importance and exceptional water quality are second to none, and I am honored to work alongside this group of dedicated leaders to help preserve its beauty for future generations.”
Jennifer Collins-Foley, JD, LGA Chief of Staff:
“Lake George has long held a piece of my heart, and it is a privilege to join an organization so deeply committed to its protection. The LGA’s mission is more urgent and important than ever, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support Dr. Wiltse and this exceptional team as we enter a new era of growth, alignment and impact.”
Bridget Buckley, LGA Chief Financial & Operating Officer:
“I'm thrilled to join an organization so deeply committed to science and community trust, and to be a part of the Lake’s community that is so close to my family and our memories. Together with this talented team, I’m committed to ensuring the LGA remains a model of transparency, effectiveness and long-term sustainability.”
Timothy Behuniak, LGA Vice President of Communications:
“Lake George’s beauty and water clarity have a way of bringing people together around something larger than themselves. It’s a privilege to be part of the LGA's impactful 140-year history and to help communicate the organization’s scientific research, solutions and advocacy to audiences across the watershed and beyond. I’m excited to continue supporting our team as we strengthen our community engagement and spotlight stories of the people who make our work possible.”
