The Board of Directors of NYSLSA is elected by the members to lead, formulate policy, and provide oversight to the operations of the association. Directors are here to serve you--so if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact any member of the Board.
Board of Directors
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Stefan Kalogridis
President
Colvin Wine Merchants
Albany, NY
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Marc Ressler
Vice President
Midnight Liquors
Tonawanda, NY
Marc Ressler has owned and operated Midnight Liquors in a Tonawanda, NY, a suburb of Buffalo, since 1994. Mr. Ressler has a background in advertising, sales, and public relations and holds a B.A. Degree from the University at Buffalo. He is the former President of the Empire Liquor Store Association and current Vice President of the New York Liquor Stores Association.
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Scott Allen
Secretary
Allen's Wine & Liquors
Watertown, NY
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Chuck Barno
Treasurer
Lighthouse Liquors
Troy, NY
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Steve Carpenter
Board of Director
Liquor & Wine Warehouse
Plattsburgh, NY
For the past 34 years, Steven has been the owner of Liquor & Wine Warehouse in Plattsburgh, NY. He is president of SLC Enterprises of Commercial and Retail Development, member of Strategic Tourism Planning Committee, and County and School Board Elections official. Steven’s knowledge in the field and eagerness to succeed has awarded him the 2006 Business Person of the Year by the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce. Outside of this demanding role, he is also a husband to Carol, and nurturing father to children Katelyn and David.
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Jamie Castellani
Board of Director
Wine & Liquor Outlet
Lockport, NY
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Lesle Heubach
Board of Director
Gates Circle Liquors
Buffalo, NY
Since high school Lesle has worked along side her father, and thus gained 20 years of experience. Her passion in the wine business started when she set off to college to concentrate in business administration. During a summer break she continued working closely with her father learning more avenues of this business. This hands-on experience was sufficient enough to where she chose to continue working rather than to returning to school.
She was mentored in the bookkeeping department by her older sister, Nicol who left the responsibility in Lesle’s hands shortly there after. Now, she is director of operations pertaining to ordering products, floor sales and bookkeeping.
In 2004, Lesle went on a wine tour in Italy where she quickly became passionate about the culture and style of wine making. Upon her return, she was inspired to increase the store’s selection of Italian wines by at least 40%. She believes that everyone should have a certain taste for wine it is only a matter of teaching your pallet. Some of her other specialties include French Champagne, Bourbons, after dinner liquors and California wines.
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Kevin Hughes
Board of Director
City Liquors
Utica, NY
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Ange Marracino
Board of Director
Passport Wine & Spirits
Clarence, NY
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Dick Kovach
Board of Director
The Liquor Loft
New Hartford, NY
Dick Kovach, president of The Liquor Loft, Inc. in New Hartford, NY has been a liquor store owner since July 1, 2003. Prior to owning The Liquor Loft, he owned a printing company (Graphics of Utica) for over 30 years and was affiliated with Brotherhood Winery of Washingtonville, NY and operated a winery outlet store for them for several years.
From the beginning, Dick Kovach has sought out ways to network and become politically active in his business. He joined the Eastern NYS Liquor Store Association (now known as New York State Liquor Store Association) in September 2003 and has been a board member since 2004. He has a near perfect attendance record for association meetings and American Beverage Association (ABL) Conventions where he washonored as a 2009 Brown-Forman “Retailer of the Year”. He consistently contributes to the Political Action Fund. In addition to his work on alcohol industry issues, he is also a member of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Mohawk Valley Advertising Club and a member of The Utica District Club of IAPHC – The Graphic Professionals Resource Network.
Dick is married to Sharon St. John, who assists in the business as his bookkeeper. They reside in Utica, NY. Together they have seven adult children and fifteen grandchildren.
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Don Bombace
Board of Director
Bombace Wine & Spirits
Farmington, NY
Don began his career in the wine industry after graduating from Morrisville College with a degree in food processing and technology. He spent 20 years with Canandaigua Wine Company (Constellation Brands), where he started as management trainee and moved from cellar supervisor, wine making, kosher wine making, sales manager, and finally to promotional director, Don has worked his way through every aspect of the wine industry. In May of 2000, Don opened Bombace Wine and Spirits in Farmington NY. The store is known for its NY wine section and will be expanding it to over 1,000 sq ft in the summer of 2009 and offering over 120 NY wineries as well as a tasting bar.
Don also has a career in radio. Since 1997 "The Wine Show" on WHAM1180am (Sunday's at 9pm/stream www.wham1180.com) in Rochester NY is a top rated show listened to in 38 states, Canada and with a listening base of up to 250,000 listeners. The one hour "call in" show looks at the lighter side of wine, spirits food with a touch of humor and quirky innuendoes. It educates listeners about what’s new, best buys, reviews, and industry issues of public interest as well as promotes the Finger Lakes wine industry.
Don has judged many wine competitions such as final judge at several state fairs and The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. He is also a life time member of the American Culinary Federation. Don spends his free time golfing, cooking, shopping, riding his Harley and Porsche around the Finger Lakes and playing guitar.
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Tom Edwards
Board of Director
Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits
New Paltz, NY
Tom is a recent member to the Wine and Spirits Industry. After selling his successful New York City Based Temporary Help Company, he moved to his Hudson Valley weekend retreat. After a year of R & R, a friend and fellow Wine and Spirits store owner, told Tom of a Store opportunity in New Paltz, NY; thus, the birth of Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits. Tom and his partner Nick Ciallelo opened their store November 1st 2007, and have since become a local destination and active members of the New Paltz community. Tom is founding and former board member of the Rondout Business Association and a current board member of his local arts council, Unison.
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