Management Staff

Tech Valley Center of Gravity employs a small staff that handles management and administration. The easiest way to contact staff is via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dan Falkenstrom (he/him) - Operations Director

Our Operations Director is our chief executive officer. They oversee everything necessary to keep our facility, staff, and volunteers functioning efficiently, and are the primary contact for operations, governance, communication, and finance.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elisabeth Kuchera (she/they/he) — Programming Manager

Our Programming Mangaer is responsible for developing interactive, maker-focused curriculum and programming for children, adults, and professionals. They coordinate our team of volunteer and contract educators, as well as with external educators, schools, and staff members to advertise and execute our events & classes, Maker-in-Residence program, Community Access Fund programs and youth STEAM programming. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rebecca Bliss (she/her) — Development Manager

Our Development Manger is responsible for our general fundraising, and as one of the executives responsible for the organization’s public relations & partnerships. They provide leadership around successful fund development while increasing & enhancing membership. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Greyson Musick (he/they) - Community Developer

Our Community Developer is the first point of contact for current and future members regarding general questions about the COG or customer support. They generate content for and manage our social media channels, and develop methods and events to connect members and encourage a socially active community. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Board of Directors

Tech Valley Center of Gravity's board of directors is comprised of an outstanding compilation of makers, teachers, business owners, executives and subject-matter experts who volunteer their time, wisdom and expertise to advance the organization's mission and strategically move it forward. Officers serve one year terms and are chosen from among the elected directors. Directors serve two-year terms. Both officers and directors are elected by the general membership in accordance with the organization's bylaws.

2022-23 Executive Committee

Courtney Moore 
President
Naval Nuclear Laboratory

Gordon Clement
Vice President
EMPAC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Anne Siemiginowska 
Treasurer
The Hill at Muza

Beth Bornick
Secretary
Lithoz America, Quiltboxes

Blaise Hartley 
At-large Director
General Electric Co., Inc.

 

Directors

Beth Bornick
Lithoz America, Quiltboxes

Samuel Chiappone
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

Gordon Clement
EMPAC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Kit Clemente
Trinkets of Troy

Ernest "Buddy" Cusick
Hoffman Warnick LLC

Eric Fasser
Fuzehub

Blaise Hartley 
General Electric Co., Inc.

Dan Lortie, CPA 
DALLE Accounting and Cash Management, Inc.

Courtney Moore
Naval Nuclear Laboratory

Deborah E. Nazon, Ph.D.
EcoDiverCities

Jessica Otitigbe
Creative Collaborations Consulting, College of Saint Rose

Anne Siemiginowska
The Hill at Muza

Tanya Waite
SUNY Research Foundation

 

 

 

Work Zone Coordinators

Tech Valley Center of Gravity wouldn't be possible without the help of our volunteers. If you have a question about a piece of equipment in a certain work zone, or need to ask schedule a safety orientation, you will want to reach out to the Coordinator for that specific Work Zone.

3D Printing - Dylan Theis

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Electronics - Amelia Peterson

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fiber Arts & Glass - Irene Purifcato

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IT - Sam Bonfante, Ryan Morash

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kitchen - Andrew Westcott

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Laser Cutter - Victor Davidson

 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Metal Shop - Alexander Titcomb

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    

Model Shop - Steve Nordhauser

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THINQubator - Coordinator Needed!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Welding Shop - Coordinator Needed!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Woodshop - Kris Navratil

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.