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. Our mission is to attract visitors, strengthen community spirit, support local businesses, and stimulate economic growth through meaningful, inclusive experiences that celebrate our area’s unique character and charm.
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 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.
Annual Reports
Watkins Glen Promotions remains committed to transparency and accountability in all we do. We extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors, partners, and volunteers who contribute to our growth and success. Please click below to view our annual report information.
2026 Watkins Glen Promotions Board of Directors
Kelly Miller, President
Laurie DeNardo, Vice President
Bruce Boughton, Treasurer
Audrey Byers, Secretary
Stacy Husted
Carole Pierce
Audrey Byers
Michel Ray
Tina Rappleye
Hannah Stanton
Brian Kenney
Team Members
Michaela Christensen, Director
Maureen Bruno, Assistant Events Coordinator
Cindee Frederick, Storefront Coordinator
Anne Yessman, Staff
Julian Soule, Staff
Board Members
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.
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.
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.
Audrey Byers
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!
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.
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!
Hannah Stanton
Hannah has lived in Schuyler County her entire life and plans to spend many more years calling it home.
Hannah completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Social Work through a hybrid program with Keuka College. She is currently a Licensed Master Social Worker at Watkins Glen Elementary School, where she values meaningful connections, supports social-emotional growth, and happily embraces the fun, giggles, and energy that come with working alongside kids each day.
A few years ago, Hannah began volunteering with Watkins Glen Promotions as a member of the Waterfront Festival Committee. She quickly fell in love with the fun, fast-paced nature of festival planning and seeing hard work come together to create memorable experiences for the community. Being part of a dedicated team and watching neighbors and visitors enjoy events together is what makes the work so rewarding for her.
Community means everything to Hannah, and Watkins Glen holds a very special place in her heart. Outside of work, Hannah can often be found enjoying local establishments with her husband and friends. She also appreciates quiet moments cozied up with a good book, her three pets and a fancy coffee—or the occasional beach getaway when she can squeeze it in.
Hannah is thrilled to be part of Watkins Glen Promotions and looks forward to contributing to such an amazing group of people.
Team Members
Michaela Christensen
Michaela is a big coffee fan, a dedicated to-do-list checker, and someone who genuinely loves pitching in to make the community a little brighter. She gets a ton of energy from working with the incredible volunteers who show up, care deeply, and make the good stuff happen.
Born and raised in Geneva, she moved to Watkins Glen 13 years ago and it quickly became home. She lives here with her husband, their spirited 7-year-old, and a very cherished 13-year-old pup. Michaela’s goal is simple: keep helping her organization grow in ways that bring people together and make the community feel even more connected.
When she’s not balancing parent life or planning community happenings, you can usually find her on her indoor rower, out exploring the outdoors, or relaxing with a good drink at a favorite local brewery or winery.
Maureen Bruno
Maureen 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 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 fur babies 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. Cindee grew up sailing on Seneca Lake and is thrilled to be living and working in one of the best places in the world.