President: Sean M. Maguire AICP, CEcD

Sean is the Executive Director of the Albany County Land Bank. He is a dual certified planner and economic developer, and a public administration professional with nearly 20 years of community development, local government management and public affairs experience.

  • Experienced administrator with supervisory and financial management expertise.

  • Forward-thinking professional with a passion for research and developing innovative solutions for sustainable, successful communities and organizations.

  • Accomplished speaker on topics such as government efficiency, intermunicipal cooperation, community engagement, economic development, and planning.

  • Effective communicator with experience in public outreach, crisis communications and networking.

  • Dedicated volunteer with a long history of public service, philanthropy, and community involvement. 

    Meet Sean M. Maguire, AICP CEcD on LinkedIn

Vice President: Sarah Gatti

Sarah Gatti is excited to run for a second term as Vice President of the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association (NYU APA). Prior to her tenure with NYU APA, Sarah served as Event Coordinator and Treasurer for the Western New York Section, gaining valuable experience along the way.

As a Principal Planner at the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning in Western New York, Sarah focuses on agricultural and food systems planning, working to create sustainable and vibrant communities.

During her time as Vice President, Sarah has prioritized exploring the future of the Chapter and is eager to explore new initiatives, such as an advocacy day in Albany. One of her favorite aspects of the role is recognizing the outstanding contributions of planners and innovative projects at the annual conference.

In her spare time, Sarah volunteers at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and Slow Roll Buffalo.

Sarah looks forward to the opportunity to continue her service to the Chapter and collaborate with members to drive positive change in our communities. 

Meet Sarah Gatti on LinkedIn

Treasurer: Mark A. Castiglione, AICP

Mark is Capital District Regional Planning Commission’s fifth Executive Director, having joined the Commission in 2016.  Mark has worked with both public sector and nonprofit organizations to advance regional planning, economic development and environmental protection goals.   His collaborative approach, focus on leveraging assets and finding common ground underpins his work at CDRPC.

Mark is a certified planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and currently serves as the Treasurer of the American Planning Association (APA) – New York Upstate State Chapter.   He holds a BA in U.S. History and a Master Degree in Regional Planning from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Mark is a native of New York State, originally from the Kingston area. He, his wife Elizabeth and their family reside in the City of Albany.

Meet Mark Castiglione, AICP on LinkedIn

Professional Development Officer: Rich Guarino, AICP

Richard Guarino is a Senior Transportation Analyst at the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council where he specializes in information technology, freight planning and capital programming. He holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Rich is a graduate of the I-95 Corridor Coalition’s inaugural Freight Academy and currently serves as the Infrastructure co-chairman of the International Trade Gateway Association. He has served as Membership Officer for the Upstate NY APA Chapter for the last four years and previously served two terms as Director and one term as Deputy Director for the Western New York Section of APA. Rich has had the honor to serve as chairman of the Michael J Krasner Memorial Scholarship Fund for the last 5 years.

Meet Rich Guarino AICP on LinkedIn.

Membership Officer: Angela M. Keppel, AICP

Angela is excited to run again for the position of Membership Officer on the Upstate APA Chapter Board.  I have been an active member of APA since 2007.  She served on the WNY Section board from 2009 to 2015 and chaired the WNY APA Awards Committee in 2017 and 2018.  Angela currently work as a Project Planner at Buffalo Place Inc in Downtown Buffalo. 

Meet Angela M. Keppel, AICP on LinkedIn

Education Officer: George Frantz, AICP ASLA

After 3 decades of professional practice in Upstate NY and 15 years as an adjunct lecturer, in 2017 George was appointed as full-time assoc. professor of the practice here in City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.  His popular planning field workshops here have placed students in communities throughout Upstate NY, from the Hudson River valley to the Allegany Territory of the Seneca Nation of Indians.  George is in a unique position to work with the students at the three Upstate accredited planning programs to better engage them in the NY Upstate Chapter, and with each other. 

Meet George Frantz on LinkedIn

Member at Large: Nina S. Peek AICP

Nina is a long time resident of the Hudson Valley in the Town of Amenia, Dutchess County; a Board Member (and past president) of the New York Planning Federation, a Board Member (and former Chair) of the Town of Amenia Planning Board and Vice President and Director of AKRF's Hudson Valley office - based in White Plains, NY.

She has been working in the field of planning for more than 25 years, first in NYC where she was born and raised, then (mostly) in Westchester County and for the past 15 years, have expanded her work to communities throughout NYS and in CT. She understands the roles and responsibilities of APA Board Members. Her interest in, and experience with, land development and regulation for public and private clients combined with her role on the planning board in a small rural community of 4,000 persons, has provided perspective on best planning practices and how to convey complicated concepts in language that everyone can understand.  She remains current on trends in planning, not only for communities in the northeast, but also farther afield to understand innovations and new approaches that can be applied locally. Nina regularly presents at conferences on topics ranging from "how to read a site plan" to the ins and outs of SEQRA.

For more than ten years, through the NYPF Board of Directors, Nina has collaborated with professional and amateur planners, zoning and town board members, land use lawyers and code enforcement officers - both on the Board and at conferences and related events.  She also worked with the CDRPC as part of their awards committee and as a presenter at their conferences.  The educational and support services that organizations like the NYPF, CDRPC and the APA provide are so very important to maintaining the integrity of the profession. It is a privilege to be part of the leadership for organizations like these.

Meet Nina Peek, AICP on LinkedIn

Officer Emeritus: Mike Long, FAICP, ICMA

Mike has served on the APA New York Upstate Board beginning as Treasurer in 1999, then served as President beginning 2004/5 until 2010 and Immediate Past President until 2012.  He currently serves in the Officer Emeritus Position on the APA New York Upstate Board and would like to continue to serve in that position during the next election cycle.  Mike currently serves on the FAICP Committee and Finance Committee.

He is a graduate of SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY with both Bachelor’s and a Masters of Landscape Architecture (MLA) and a Master of Public Administration (MaPA) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.  He began his professional working career at the Cayuga County Planning Board in 1980, then various positions at the City of Auburn, NY Dept. of Planning and Economic Development as the Director of Capital Projects and Grants / Acting City Manager.  Next, he served as Administrator of the City of Poughkeepsie, NY then City Manager in Oneonta, NY.  Then formed the consulting firm of the Finger Lakes Planning and Development to service communities and not for profits in Central New York.

Meet Mike Long FAICP on LinkedIn