About Watkins Glen Promotions
Get out there. Get active. Get local!
Giving Back to the Community
Watkins Glen Promotions, Inc. is a not-for profit 501 (c) (3) corporation operated by a board of volunteers focused on the planning and management of quality special events in Schuyler County. It is our goal to bring visitors into the community to showcase the natural beauty and creative talents of the area.
Generating Local Excitement
Through special events, we aim to bring visitors into the community to showcase the natural beauty and creative talents of the area. These events also generate buzz, excitement, and enthusiasm from local residents. These events bring the village together and with the help of our hundred of volunteers, make each year’s festivals successful.
Making an Impact
We promote tourism, we have an economic impact, and we affect the quality of life for our residents. So, why are we the best kept secret in town? Because we promote our events, not our organization.
2025 Watkins Glen Promotions Board of Directors
Stacy Husted, President
Kelly Miller, Vice President
Bruce Boughton, Treasurer
Laurie DeNardo, Secretary
Tom Seem
Marianne Marts
Carole Pierce
Audrey Edmister
Michel Ray
Tina Rappleye
Team Members
Michaela Christensen, Director
Maureen Bruno, Assistant Events Coordinator
Cindee Frederick, Storefront Manager
Anne Yessman, Staff
Board Members
Stacy Husted
Stacy Husted has always had a hand in many different volunteer endeavors in Schuyler County. She has been on the Watkins Glen Promotions board since 2005 and has been President since 2022. For a long time, she was also the committee chair for the Falls Harvest Festival.
She loves volunteering for her community and is also an active member of the Montour Falls Fire Department. Stacy tries her best to assist all our festivals wherever she can to help out, as they are run entirely by volunteers. For her, nothing beats hearing from the attendees how much they enjoy the event(s) and how grateful they are. It makes it all worth the long hours on our feet all day and the work leading up to the event. Stacy also enjoys meeting new people, volunteers and attendees alike.
Stacy’s favorite season is Summer and enjoys spending her time on the lake and on her boat with her family.
Kelly Miller
Raised in Waverly, NY- she visited Watkins Glen while in college and fell in love with the beauty of the area. A few years later she moved here, met her husband in Watkins Glen and raised her 2 daughters here. Kelly has been a resident for over 30 years in Watkins Glen.
Kelly volunteers for our Promotions Board, Co-chairs for the Waterfront Festival, and Vendor Coordinator for Grand Prix Festival. When she’s not volunteering with Promotion events, she regularly attends WG and Chemung County Chamber events. She will also help with events that support her employer Arc of Chemung-Schuyler.
When she’s off the clock, Kelly enjoys being with friends, spending summers in her pool with her family and granddaughter. Watching and attending sporting events with friends and family.
Bruce Boughton
Bruce is presently employed as a HUB Manager for Chemung Canal Trust Company covering the offices in Watkins Glen and Montour Falls in Schuyler County since 2016. He is a Board Member for Watkins Glen Promotions (Chair of Falls Harvest Festival and Co-Chair of Odessa Community Day), Board Member of the Watkins Glen/Montour Falls Rotary Club, Board Member of CSS Workforce New York (Treasurer), Board Member Fingerlakes Gateway Community Development Corporation (Treasurer), Board Trustee for Montour Falls Library (Treasurer), Board Member for Economic Opportunity Program covering Schuyler and Chemung Counties; Former Board Member for Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler County, member of the Montour Falls Moose, VFW Post 8104 in Waverly NY, and the Horseheads American Legion.
Bruce retired from the United States Army Reserves in 2022 after a long 31 year career spanning different State Side assignments and overseas assignments. Bruce presently resides in Horseheads, NY with his family.
Laurie DeNardo
Laurie is a lifelong resident and Watkins Glen’s biggest champion. As the Village’s Mayor and co-Chair of the Waterfront Festival, you can find Laurie downtown pitching in at any time.
Retired HR Director from Cornell University, Laurie brings an array of experience to the Promotions Board and she jumps in and volunteers for many events. In her spare time, you can find Laurie relaxing on her boat on Seneca Lake with her partner Robin Burnett.
Tom Seem
Watkins Glen Promotions board member Tom Seem has been a part-time and permanent
area resident since he was born. Tom worked as a reporter and anchor for
WENY-AM-FM-TV.
Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arctic League in Chemung County, an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats, a board member of Watkins Glen
Promotions and a member of the Grand Prix Festival Management Committee, He is
also president of the Glen Eldridge Club.
Tom and his wife, Pat, have two children and five grandchildren, all enthusiastic visitors to
Seneca Lake and Schuyler County!
Carole Pierce
Carole, who served as Director of Events at Watkins Glen Promotions for a span of 16 years, retired in 2020. Carole remains actively involved, joining the Board of Directors in 2021 and taking on the
role of Volunteer Coordinator of the Grand Prix Festival. Additionally, she
contributes her time to various committees, including the Waterfront Festival, Grand Prix Festival and Village Christmas.
Prior to her career at Watkins Glen Promotions, Carole owned and operated
Orchard Ovens In Dundee, NY. When she is not volunteering, Carole enjoys being retired and spending time
with her three (incredible) children and five (amazing) grandchildren and family.
Michel Ray
Michel has lived in Schuyler County all her life. She has been the Branch Manager for Visions Federal Credit Union for over 18 years, and in Banking for 30 years. Michel loves helping and connecting with locals to make this community a great place to live and raise a family.
Michel loves spending time with her children and grandbabies. They enjoy camping and all the other great things this area has to offer together. When Michel is able, she loves to travel to other places and experience new things. he is always up for new adventures!
Audrey Edmister
Audrey was born and raised in rural Watkins Glen. She went on to complete her undergrad work in Education at SUNY Geneseo, and graduate work through Grand Canyon University. Audrey has been employed by Schuyler County for over 10 years; where she supervises an amazing team of case workers, making a difference in our community every day.
Audrey began volunteering with us for the Waterfront Festival and is excited to join the other volunteers on our Promotions Board.
In her free time, Audrey is known to be walking her handsome German Shepherd, Phelix. Audrey loves spending time with her friends and family, and she is always up for an adventure. She loves to camp, especially at Fair Haven Beach State Park. She is known for her laugh, occasional snort and love of a good story. Audrey is obsessed with iced coffee and lattes, fountain “sodies”, and a white sandy beach.
Audrey is excited for the community events this year!
Team Members
Michaela Christensen
Michaela is a coffee enthusiast and to-do list conqueror who thrives on making a positive impact in their community. She finds inspiration working alongside dedicated volunteers, each driven by a shared commitment to community betterment.
Having called Watkins Glen home for over 13 years, Michaela is a parent to a vibrant 6-year-old and a cherished 12-year-old pup. With a vision to elevate their local organization to new heights, Michaela dreams of fostering connection through impactful community events and initiatives.
When not busy juggling parenthood and community endeavors, you'll find Michaela indulging in indoor rowing, exploring outdoors, or unwinding at local breweries and wineries.
Maureen Bruno
Maureen has recently joined us as the new Events Assistant at Watkins Glen Promotions.
She grew up in Buffalo but has been living in the Finger Lakes with her husband and daughter since 2021. With her background in education, nonprofit work, and program organization, Maureen now brings her expertise to our events team.
When she's not at her desk she's enjoying the lake with her family and friends or cozying up with her cats at home.
Anne Yessman
Anne retired from Insurance in 2021, and joined the Watkins Glen Promotions team. Her years of customer service help put a smile on our storefront customers' faces!
Anne enjoys meeting tourists and locals alike, and takes pride in helping them choose just the right gift or souvenir that we carry, so that they can remember their special time in our area.
Watkins Glen Promotions organizes many events throughout the year, and Anne can be found at a few of them working the Information Tent, slinging festival merchandise, or helping direct people the right way.
When Anne is not working, she is spending time with her loving grandchildren and reading.
Cindee Frederick
Cindee has been with the Watkins Glen Promotions Team since 2016. She’s recently been promoted to store manager, a position she has attacked with zeal. Cindee grew up sailing on Seneca Lake and is thrilled to be living and working in one of the best places in the world.