Board of Directors
Gideon Stone
(President)
Gideon Stone is a founding member of Trade Design Build, a local Architectural and General Contracting firm which was founded in 2016. After graduating from Cornell with a degree in Architecture in 2009 he chose to stay in Ithaca where he worked for various Architectural and Contracting organizations and eventually started his own company back in 2013. Being involved in one of the most intensely waste producing industries, Gideon is very aware of the importance of the mission of Finger Lakes ReUse and is excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors.
Paul Mazzarella
(Treasurer)
Paul retired after 22 years as executive director of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services and remains active in Community Housing Capital and National Neighborworks Association, and served on our informal Planning Committee 2022-2023.. Paul brings a strong background in non-profit planning and management, an extensive network of local community leaders, and strong written and verbal skills.
Elizabeth Bodner
(Secretary)
Liz has been volunteering with Finger Lakes ReUse for more than 5 years. Liz believes in minimizing waste and creating opportunities for current and future employment. She says Liz served on the board of the History Center and the Queens Foundation, has corporate experience in people and change management, quality and regulatory control. Liz has a strong interest in helping ReUse succeed!
Phoebe Brown
JoAnn Cornish
Brian DeYoung
John Lemley
John Lemley, a recent retiree from Cornell after more than 37 years, was Administrative Manager in the (academic) Department of Communication for thirteen years and an administrator in human resources in the College of Agriculture for another 16. Specialty in later years was academic appointments and appointees, processes, procedures, and policies. John has an MBA and a doctorate from Cornell.
“I am intrigued at the concept of ‘reuse,’ as distinguished from ‘recycling.’ Seems to me that to the extent it can be achieved in various contexts, it makes immense economic sense to encourage and facilitate reuse initiatives whenever possible. The economic benefits derive not only from savings that result from avoiding the need to manufacture and craft new materials and merchandise, sometimes from costly and scarce raw materials, but also to livelihoods of current and potential employees and the concomitant benefit of the surrounding community.”
Marshall McCormick
Marshall McCormick joined the Finger Lakes ReUse Board of Directors in the Fall of 2014. He supports the organization through strategic growth and oversight of organizational financials. He is the President & Wealth Management Advisor of Fingerlakes Wealth Management where he actively encourages Socially Responsible Investing and supporting businesses that do good. Marshall was a Peace Corps volunteer in economic development and agriculture in Zambia & Madagascar. Marshall returned to Ithaca in 2011 and in 2013 received a Master’s degree in City & Regional Planning from Cornell. Marshall currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Ithaca Public Education Initiative, and is a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Ithaca.
“Creating and managing wealth is a passion of mine and it pains me to watch so many our resources flow through the waste stream. The ability of FL ReUse to reinvest in our community by creating value and wealth through effectively managing our waste is a true testament to the ways our society can change. By re-envisioning our waste, we’re able to reduce our collective impact on the environment, create jobs, and provide valuable resources to the local economy.”
Ray Schlather
Ray is a lawyer and partner at Schlather, Stumbar, Parks and Salk. He has served on a number of boards and public entities over the years, some of which include TC3, Ithaca City Common Council, Ithaca City Board of Public Works, GIAC and the Hangar Theatre.
“Reduction of waste – be it of talent, interest or materials – will only improve the quality of life in this community and on the planet.”
Dr. Maria Thomadaki
Lynn Leopold
(President 2014 –June 2019)
Lynn Leopold served as the former Recycling Specialist for the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division, providing outreach and education on reuse, waste reduction and recycling. Prior to that, she served as the Education Coordinator for 5 years for the City of Ithaca’s recycling program, Ithaca Recycles. She came to Ithaca in 1979 and in 1983 received a MS from Cornell University in Science and Environmental Education. She presently serves as a board member of Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. and is a trustee of the Village of Lansing, and in 2011 was awarded the NYSAR3 Recycler of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award.