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The Empire State Association of Assisted Living (ESAAL) is a not-for-profit organization that since 1979 has
been dedicated to strengthening New York State’s assisted living industry and promoting the best
interests of providers and residents. It is the only association that exclusively represents the
assisted living industry, serving more than 240 Assisted Living Residences, Adult Homes and Enriched
Housing Programs throughout New York State. These member residences are home to more than 20,000
elderly people.
The Association provides education, governmental and legislative advocacy services for its member
assisted living owners and administrators. It is widely recognized by government and other
stakeholders as the voice for assisted living, and is committed to ensuring access to assisted
living for all New Yorkers that choose it.
The Association promotes the assisted living cause for its member providers and their residents by:
Lisa Newcomb has been the Empire State Association’s Executive Director since 1998. In that capacity, she represents the Association and its members by serving as an appointee on the Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living Residence Task Force created as part of the Assisted Living Reform Act passed into law in 2004, as well as numerous other Department of Health workgroups and committees addressing assisted living and home care topics. Before becoming the Executive Director in 1998, Lisa served as the Association’s Director of Member Services, growing the Association’s membership by enhancing membership value through personalized customer service and the development of high quality and cost saving member programs. Board of Directors Officers:
President: Jim Kane Jr., Syracuse Region Executive Vice President: Jim Vitale, Syracuse Region Vice President: Charles Scharf, New York City Region
Phone: 718-881-9100 Ext. 3107 Secretary: Beverly Paparo, Long Island Region
Phone: 631-715-8500 Treasurer: Jim Connelly, Buffalo Region
Phone: 716-871-1814 Board Members:
Janet Boehm, Mid-Hudson Region Sal Ferreri, Buffalo Region Wayne Kaplan, New York City Region Mark Bienstock, New York City Region Shimon Lefkowitz, New York City Region Michael Levine, Albany North Region Maryellen McKeon, Long Island Region MaryJo Besitka, Long Island Region DJ Raux, Rochester Region Azzy Reckess, Mid-Hudson Region Eric Mendel, New York City Region Robert Snyder, New York City Region Kara Vollmer, Albany North Region Honorary Members:
Phyllis Bryne
James Kane, Sr.
Vince Sirangelo
Judy Vollmer Staff
Lisa Newcomb, Executive Director
Anita Russo, Executive Assistant
Trude Wilson, Administrative Accounting Associate
Flo DeLaRosa, Administrative Assistant Government Relations
Hinman Straub, P.C., a legal and lobbying firm, has led the Association’s government relations
efforts since 2001. Hinman Straub provides legislative and state agency representation to a wide
variety of clients, from Fortune 500 Companies to trade associations to local governments. The
firm has four decades of experience in government relations that they put to work for their clients. On behalf of the Empire State Association and its members, the firm was instrumental in effecting passage of the new Assisted Living law, as well as the first State increase of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in seventeen years.
Hinman Straub representatives who work with the Association are Mr. Sean Doolan, Esq., Mr. Jon Federman, Esq., Ms. Lori Sievers, Esq. and Ms. Kelly Ryan, Esq.
Sean Doolan, Esq. is a principal with the law firm in its legislative law practice. He joined the firm
in 1987 after receiving his J.D. from Albany Law School and has extensive experience working with
Department of Health officials on behalf of his clients.
Jon Federman, Esq. is a principal with Hinman Straub. He is experienced in all stages of
government relations, including legislative and regulatory issues with a particular emphasis on
health care. Before joining Hinman Straub in 2003, Mr. Federman served for five years as Assistant
Counsel to Governor George A. Pataki in the areas of Health and Human Services.
Lori Sievers, Esq. joined Hinman Straub in 2003. Her practice is focused on state and
federal regulatory compliance issues before the State Department of Health. She represents assisted
living facilities in legislative and regulatory matters, licensure and certification and business
organization issues.
Kelly Ryan, Esq. is a member of the firm's Health Law Department. Her practice focuses on representation of health care facilities and providers before the Department of Health. Prior to joining Hinman Straub, Ms. Ryan served as Counsel to New York State Senator Marty Golden, Chair of Senate Aging committee.
Media Relations
ESAAL’s public relations and marketing professionals at
Corning Place Consulting (CPC)
assist Association members in a variety of ways. Whether creating media opportunities or responding
to media inquiries, CPC helps to raise positive public awareness about ESAAL and the Assisted Living
Industry.
CPC's comprehensive public and media relations program promotes ESAAL's agenda to political
decision makers and the public at-large through targeted outreach to key media, development of
background materials, coordination of press conferences and formulation of op-eds and letters to
the editor.
In addition, when necessary, CPC prepares ESAAL members to respond to media inquiries. From
preparing talking points to assisting members in preparation for media interviews, CPC works
closely with ESAAL's members to ensure that strong, positive and consistent messages are
communicated to the media, elected officials and the public.
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| The Empire State Association of Assisted Living - 646 Plank Road Suite 207 Clifton Park, NY 12065 - (518) 371-2573 - Email ESAAL |