History of the NYS Assessors Association
The New York State Assessors Association (NYSAA) was incorporated February 14, 1940. The founders of the NYSAA established bylaws that require a 12-member Executive Board to oversee the operations of the NYSAA. The treasurer and executive secretary are employed by the NYSAA and are automatic non-voting members of the Board. The remaining 10 seats are elected from the membership.
In the mid-1950’s, the NYSAA Executive Board recognized the need for more professionalism in the industry. One way to achieve this goal was to formalize the education and training process. Knowing that the tasks of developing curriculum, training instructors, writing text books, etc. were extremely time-consuming, they decided to establish a subsidiary organization to handle all education for the NYSAA. The Executive Board would tend to the operations and this new organization would be solely responsible for education.
In 1958, this dream became a reality as the NYSAA established a subsidiary organization known as the Institute of Assessing Officers (IAO). The IAO is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and has been handling all NYSAA education since its inception. Appraisal courses, one-day seminars, the Cornell Seminar on Appraising, and the Annual Fall Conference comprise most of their offerings.
In 1984, to honor two dedicated past executive secretaries of the New York State Assessors Association, the John H. Way - John M. Costello Memorial Educational Fund (otherwise known as "The Fund") was established. Advancement of assessor education was a primary focus of both men, and the Association recognized the need to begin a fund to help defray the costs associated with education.
The Fund has thrived over the years thanks to the leadership and dedication of past trustees who are appointed by the president of the New York State Assessors Association and the chair of the Institute of Assessing Officers. The term of office is five years.
Our Structure
The New York State Assessors Association is composed of two boards. They are the NYSAA Executive Board and the Institute of Assessing Officers (IAO) Board of Trustees.
The Executive Board consists of the president, first vice president, second vice president, past president (called line officers), six NYSAA members, and two non-voting NYSAA employees (treasurer and executive director). Each line officer serves a one-year term. The past president position is automatically filled by the outgoing president at the completion of their presidency. The remaining six Board members each serve a two-year term, with three up for re-election each year.
The Institute of Assessing Officers (IAO) is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees. Each seat is a four-year term with two seats expiring each year. The Board of Trustees elect, amongst themselves, a trustee who will serve as chair of the Board of Trustees. The chair serves a two-year term.
The Fund is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees. Each seat is a five-year term with one seat expiring each year. The Institute of Assessing Officers and the president of the NYS Assessors Association jointly appoint one person each year to serve as a Trustee of The Fund.
The current Executive Board members are:
President Scott J. Shedler, IAO, Town of Ramapo, Rockland County
First Vice President Lloyd P. Tasch, IAO, City of White Plains, Westchester County
Second Vice President Jeneen Hill, Town of Evans, Erie County
Past President Rochelle A. Harris, IAO, Towns of Hamilton, North Norwich, Sherburne; Chenango and Madison Counties
Maggie Alix, term expires October 2021, Albany County Director
Robert Bick, AIA, term expires October 2020, Towns of Clay, New Haven; Onondaga and Oswego Counties
Thomas Donato, IAO, term expires October 2020, Villages of Amityville, Great Neck, Lake Success; Nassau County
Christine Hayes, term expires October 2020, Towns of Bolton, Horicon; Warren County
Dave Marrano, SCA, term expires October 2021, Town of Amherst, Village of Williamsville; Erie County
William Purtell, IAO, term expires October 2021, Town of Glenville, Schenectady County
Laverne Tennenberg, Treasurer, Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County
Warren J. Wheeler, IAO, Executive Director, Towns of Amboy, Constantia, Minetto, Richland; Oswego County
The current IAO Trustees are:
Anne Sapienza, IAO, Chair, term expires October 2020, Town of Stafford, Genesee County
Larry G. Quinn, IAO, term expires October 2020, Town of Arcadia, Wayne County
Thomas Frey, FIAO, term expires October 2021, Orange County
Dennis Ketcham, IAO, term expires October 2021, Towns of Montgomery, Mt Hope, Forestburgh; Orange and Sullivan Counties
Edye McCarthy, IAO, term expires October 2022, Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County
Teri Ross, IAO, term expires October 2022, Town of Queensbury, Warren County
Brian Phelps, IAO, term expires October 2023, City of Watertown, Jefferson County
Denise J. Trudell, IAO, term expires October 2023, Towns of Salina, Osceola, Montague; Lewis, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties
Laverne D. Tennenberg, IAO, Treasurer, Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County
Warren J. Wheeler, IAO, Executive Director, Towns of Amboy, Constantia, Minetto, Richland; Oswego County
The current Fund Trustees are:
Robert A. Criddle, IAO, Chair, term expires October 2024, Town of Ogden, Monroe County
James J. Molinaro, Jr., IAO, term expires October 2020, Town of Clarkstown, Rockland County
Timothy A. Sheares, IAO, term expires October 2021, New York City
Denise M. Spaulding, IAO, term expires October 2022, Towns of Candor, Nichols, Tioga; Tioga County
Patrick J. Duffy, IAO, term expires October 2023, Town of Manlius, Onondaga County