Candidates for CCE Niagara Board

Attention Niagara Country Residents: 

Voting is now open for the 2026-2027 Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors. 

You have a say in the direction of CCE Niagara and the programs in your community!

Vote Here: CCE Niagara Board Member Voting

Neil Luckman

I am a local CPA and CFO with over 5 years of experience managing financial strategy, budgeting, and risk for growing organizations. As a long-time resident of the area, I want to use my financial skills to help CCE Niagara stay strong, grow safely, and reach more people in our community. Currently I serve as Financial Secretary of the Niagara County 4-H Club Sponsors, Inc. In addition, I am a lifelong participant and supporter of Niagara County 4-H both as a member, volunteer and sponsor.

As a long-time Niagara County resident and professional CPA and CFO, I want to serve on the Cornell Cooperative Extension

Niagara County Board of Directors to give back to the community that has given me so much. I admire CCE Niagara's vital work in youth development, local agriculture, and community education. While I deeply value these educational programs, my specific goal is to apply my professional background in fiscal oversight, budgeting, and strategic financial planning to support the board. I hope to help ensure strong stewardship of resources so CCE Niagara can continue to grow, manage its facilities and events sustainably, and expand its reach safely across our region.

As a Certified Public Accountant and Chief Financial Officer, my relevant special skills, education, and experiences include financial stewardship, strategic budgeting, and risk management.

Earned a Master degree of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy and hold an active CPA license. Over 2 years of executive experience directing corporate finance, cash flow optimization, and long-term fiscal strategy. Proven track record in building robust internal controls and transparent financial reporting systems. Direct experience advising executive teams and boards on capital allocation, asset management, and sustainable growth. Skilled at translating complex financial data into clear, actionable goals to support community-driven organizations.

I am eager to apply this rigorous financial background to help Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara County safeguard its assets, optimize funding for local programs like 4-H and the Niagara County Fair, and ensure long-term fiscal health for the residents of Niagara County.

Carmen Marino

I am a Niagara County resident and business professional with more than seven years of corporate experience, including six years with Citi, where I have developed a strong background in business and finance. I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University at Buffalo and have spent more than four years managing teams, where I focus on collaboration, understanding diverse perspectives, and bringing people together to achieve shared goals.

My connection to agriculture and youth development is longstanding. I grew up participating in Erie County 4-H for nine years, showing beef, lambs, hogs, and chickens, participating in other areas of 4-H youth development, and was a member of the NY JR Beef Producers. These experiences included traveling across multiple states exhibiting livestock and shaped much of my early development. Today, I continue that connection through building a homestead with my partner. I also remain engaged in my community through Citi's Global Community Days and volunteering opportunities, and also have family and friends actively involved in Niagara County 4-H.

I am interested in serving on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Board of Directors as a way to give back to an organization that played a meaningful role in my own development. My experiences in 4-H demonstrated the lasting impact that youth programs and agricultural education can have, and I am passionate about helping ensure those opportunities remain strong and accessible for future generations.

I would bring a fresh perspective as a young professional with a business and finance background, along with firsthand experience in agriculture and youth development programs. I also bring leadership experience with a collaborative approach to problem-solving. It would be an honor to help CCE continue to reflect and respond to the needs of Niagara County while strengthening programs that support individuals, families, and the broader community.

As mentioned previously, my education, professional experience, and personal background provide me with a combination of skills that I believe are directly relevant to serving on the CCE Niagara Board of Directors. My degree and professional experience have provided me with strong skills in financial planning, record keeping, data modeling and forecasting, organization, and communication. My management experience strengthens my ability to listen to different perspectives, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively towards shared goals.

My background in agriculture and youth development is equally relevant. Being in 4-H youth programs I have firsthand experience with the value of hands-on learning, agriculture education, leadership development, and community engagement. Public speaking and communicating agriculture knowledge have also been important parts of my experiences, particularly when educating others and helping the general public understand what CCE stands for.

I also have a strong understanding of the role CCE plays within the community. From hands-on youth programs and agricultural education at the Niagara County Fair to community workshops and serving as a resource for residents on agriculture, environmental efforts, and everyday community needs, I understand the breadth of services CCE provides. My combination of professional business skills and firsthand experience as someone who benefited from youth and agricultural programs would allow me to contribute both a practical and community-focused perspective on the Board. 

Nick Melson 

I am a lifelong Western New Yorker with nearly two decades of experience in government, public policy, community engagement, and economic development. I currently serve as Manager of Government and Community Affairs for the New York State Canal Corporation, where I work with local governments, community organizations, elected officials, businesses, and residents across Western New York to advance projects that strengthen communities and expand recreational and economic opportunities.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the New York State Assembly, where I had the opportunity to work closely with farmers and agricultural organizations from across the state. Through that work, I developed an understanding of the challenges facing farmers and worked on legislation and public policy affecting New York agriculture.

Throughout my career, I have also worked on regional economic development, infrastructure, tourism, environmental stewardship, and community revitalization initiatives, including serving as a Regional Project Manager for New York State’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative.

Community service has always been important to me. I have been active with the Ancient Order of Hibernians for many years and was honored as a member of the Irish Echo’s 2024 40 Under 40 class.

I live in Niagara County with my wife and our two young children and have a strong personal and professional commitment to the future of our region.

I am interested in serving on the CCE Niagara Board because its mission intersects with issues I have worked on and cared about throughout my career: agriculture, strong communities, youth and families, environmental stewardship, food access, and nutrition.

During my time working in the New York State Assembly, I worked closely with farmers and agricultural organizations from across New York and on legislation and policy affecting agriculture. That experience gave me a firsthand appreciation for both the importance of agriculture to our state and the challenges farmers face. I am also particularly interested in issues surrounding food access and nutrition and in the role organizations like Cornell Cooperative Extension can play in connecting people with practical, research-based information and resources.

Professionally, much of my career has involved bringing together state and local government, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, businesses, and residents to solve problems and move projects forward. I believe that experience in government, public policy, community engagement, and partnership-building would allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the Board.

As someone raising two young children in Niagara County, I also have a personal stake in the long-term strength of this community. I would welcome the opportunity to help CCE Niagara support our agricultural community, expand opportunities for young people and families, improve access to healthy food and nutrition education, and continue serving as a trusted resource throughout Niagara County

I bring nearly two decades of experience in government, public policy, community engagement, and economic development. My work has required me to build partnerships among state and local government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, community groups, and residents, and to help move complex projects from discussion to implementation.

During my time working in the New York State Assembly, I worked with farmers and agricultural organizations from across the state and on legislation and policy affecting New York agriculture. That experience gave me an understanding of the challenges facing farmers as well as the importance of agriculture to local economies, food systems, and communities.

In my current role with the New York State Canal Corporation, I regularly work with municipalities, elected officials, community organizations, and the public on economic development, recreation, environmental stewardship, tourism, and community revitalization initiatives.

I also bring experience in policy analysis, government relations, public communication, coalition building, and working with diverse stakeholders to find practical solutions. I believe those skills, along with my strong interest in agriculture, food access, nutrition, youth, and community development, would allow me to contribute meaningfully to the CCE Niagara Board.

Brian Waters 

I am a retired dairy farmer. I am married to Cindy and have 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. I have served on the Board of

Directors on and off for 40 years. I served as secretary and am presently treasurer and building and grounds chair. I serve on the fair committee and have been chairman. I volunteer at many 4-H functions and have received the Grace Herr award and the distinguished service award. I was also on the Ag Committee for many years.

I would like to continue serving in this organization that I am passionate about promoting

I have helped the last 3 facilities managers with learning about the grounds because of my experience and now we have just hired a new one to train.

William Wyles 

I am a lifelong Niagara County resident, raised in the Town of Pendleton and a graduate of Starpoint Central School and SUNY Niagara. Professionally, I serve as Director of IT & Systems Management at Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, where I oversee technology operations, cybersecurity, strategic planning, and organizational initiatives that support employees and members across the region.

I bring more than 25 years of professional Information Technology experience and over 8 years of leadership experience, with a career that has included service with Niagara County Data Processing, LocalNet Corporation, and Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union. Throughout my career, I have focused on responsible stewardship, collaborative leadership, and helping organizations adapt to evolving challenges while remaining committed to the people they serve.

Serving on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Board of Directors has been both an honor and a rewarding opportunity to support an organization that makes a meaningful difference in our community. CCE's programs positively impact the lives of Niagara County residents through youth development, agriculture, nutrition, environmental education, and community engagement.

I am seeking reelection because I believe strongly in CCE's mission and would welcome the opportunity to continue supporting the organization and the communities it serves. During my time on the Board, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the dedication of CCE staff, volunteers, and community partners who work every day to improve the quality of life throughout Niagara County.

I believe effective governance requires thoughtful decision-making, responsible stewardship of resources, strategic planning, and a commitment to serving the community. My professional experience and board service have helped me develop these skills, and I strive to bring a practical, collaborative perspective to Board discussions and decisions.

I would be honored to continue serving alongside my fellow Board members to help ensure CCE remains strong, responsive, and well-positioned to meet the needs of Niagara County for years to come.

Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am actively involved in community and civic organizations and am completing my third year on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Board of Directors. I value opportunities to support programs that strengthen local families, youth, agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community development throughout Niagara County.

I hold an Associate's Degree in Computer Science from SUNY Niagara and bring more than 25 years of professional experience in Information Technology, cybersecurity, operations, and organizational leadership.

As Director of IT & Systems Management at Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, I am responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, risk management, vendor oversight, policy development, and technology governance. These responsibilities have provided valuable experience evaluating complex issues, managing resources responsibly, and supporting long-term organizational objectives.

In addition to my professional experience, I am completing my third year on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Board of Directors, where I have gained firsthand knowledge of the organization's mission, programs, governance responsibilities, and strategic priorities. I am also active in community and volunteer organizations, which has strengthened my connection to the people and communities CCE serves.

I believe my experience in leadership, governance, strategic planning, and community service allows me to contribute effectively to the continued success of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County.

       

 

Vote Here: CCE Niagara Board Member Voting

   

Last updated September 18, 2026