WILMINGTON – The Ausable River Association recently welcomed two new members to the AsRA board of directors.

Kathryn Reiss is president of Roanka Attractions Corporation, operators of High Falls Gorge in Wilmington. In 2001, she purchased Roanka from Robert Reiss and the real estate of High Falls Gorge from New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, thus consolidating High Falls Gorge’s future. Since that time she has developed the business into a sustainable year-round operation reportedly doubling its attendance and income. Additionally, she has collaborated with other natural attractions to create the Adirondack Natural Wonders group.

Reiss has served on the board of St. Agnes Church and the Shipman Youth Center in Lake Placid. When she isn’t working, she can be found painting, kayaking or hiking in the Adirondacks. She currently resides in Lake Placid with her two children and her dog, Simon.

AsRA expects Reiss will bring operation and budgetary experience to the board, as well as the perspective of a business owner that is intimately tied to the Ausable River.

Neil Levine is a partner, former member of the Executive Committee, and former chair of the Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use, and Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Practice Groups at Whitman Osterman & Hanna where he has been an attorney since 1989. Whitman Osterman & Hanna is one of the most prestigious environmental law firms north of New York City.

Levine brings experience in strategic planning and fundraising to the AsRA Board. He led the strategic planning process as a member and then Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Schenectady museum, creating a new mission and vision for the Museum as the premier source for interdisciplinary STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

In his free time, you will find Levine at his home in Lake Placid. He can often be found on the Ausable River fly fishing with his son and the guides from the Hungry Trout Fly Shop.