The Kingston Land Trust is thrilled to announce and congratulate Board Director and Chair of the Kingston Land Trust Rail Trail Committee Gregg Swanzey who is now the City of Kingston’s new Director of Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships.

Gregg, who lives in Kingston’s Rondout, spent years at sea aboard sailing research and education ships including a Humpback whale research program aboard a barkentine in Arctic waters off Greenland and as captain for a Soviet-American cultural exchange transAtlantic from Leningrad to New York via Iceland and Newfoundland.  He logged tens of thousands of miles at sea and now still regularly finds his way out onto tidal waters in a kayak launched from the docks at the Strand.

Gregg’s background includes grants management and corporate relations for Mohonk Preserve, Executive Director for a gubernatorially appointed commission in Massachusetts, and Executive Director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. He has served as advisor to The Boston Foundation, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and has extensive background in maritime preservation, education, and management of public and private organizations. Today, he serves on the Kingston Conservation Advisory Council, Complete Streets Advisory Council, and the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Gregg holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MBA from UMASS Dartmouth.

It is a privilege to work with Gregg who has helped the Kingston Land Trust secure grants working towards a Midtown Hub Rail Trail system from the Land Trust Alliance,  PTNY (Parks & Trails NY), the Hudson Valley Greenway, National Park Service and CDBG (Community Development Block Grant).

The City of Kingston is fortunate to have this Kingston resident at their service in this way, and we expect to see great things in the future with his expertise.

* In Today’s Daily Freeman:  Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo names new head of Economic Development.