Nancy LaBombard smiles at a Saranac Lake Winter Carnival board meeting in April. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

SARANAC LAKE — May 25 marked Nancy LaBombard’s 30th year serving as the staff accountant for the Adirondack North Country Association. At its quarterly board meeting on June 9, ANCA’s board of directors unanimously adopted a resolution in recognition of LaBombard’s long-standing service to the regional economic development organization and to the local community.

Presented by ANCA Board President Kelly Chezum at High Falls Gorge in Wilmington, the resolution celebrates LaBombard’s contributions to the economic development nonprofit, its staff and its mission, as well as her volunteer service in the Saranac Lake area.

“Through our members, elected representatives and staff, ANCA has been a collaborative partner on many projects that matter for economic sustainability in our communities since 1955,” said Chezum. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we gratefully acknowledge Nancy LaBombard for her dedication and loyalty as an ANCA employee for the last 30 of those years and her role in making the organization what it is today. It’s employees like Nancy who care deeply about local people and businesses that allow ANCA to have such a strong impact in our region.”

“I was surprised, honored and flattered to be recognized in this way,” LaBombard said. “I’ve always worked behind the scenes, so to be recognized by the board is really special. It shows that we all play an important role in keeping ANCA the forward-moving organization it is. I have really enjoyed my time at ANCA and being part of this amazing team.”

From youth programs and sports teams to local committees, boards and events; LaBombard has been involved in a variety of volunteer efforts since she moved to Saranac Lake in 1986. Among her achievements over the years, the board highlighted LaBombard’s coronation as Saranac Lake’s 2018 Winter Carnival Queen — an honor bestowed on local citizens for their contributions to the well-being of the Saranac Lake community.

LaBombard was born in Niagara Falls and grew up in Beekmantown. After graduating from Beekmantown Central School, she attended Plattsburgh State University and Empire State College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She raised her daughter and son in Saranac Lake and currently resides in Saranac Inn with her husband.

LaBombard started working at ANCA in 1993, joining a team of just a handful of people. Three decades later, ANCA currently employs 27 staff and two summer fellows — a team that oversees a variety of programs that strengthen systems for small business, local food, clean energy, and equity and inclusion throughout the 14-county North Country region.

LaBombard said she feels privileged to have worked with three strong women executive directors during her tenure: Terry Martino, Kate Fish and now Elizabeth Cooper. She said she has seen a lot of change and growth at ANCA during those years, and its mission, programs and fellow staff have always inspired her.

“ANCA’s mission has always kept up with the times,” she said. “We have recognized the needs in the region and pursued opportunities to support residents and businesses — like when we took on clean energy, the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and housing. Look at the issues we’re tackling now.”

She said ANCA’s local food systems and entrepreneurial economy programs have also developed significantly in recent years, with staff working closely with small farms and businesses to identify their current and long-term needs and connect them with targeted services and resources.

“The caliber of the staff that we have is impressive,” she said. “It’s really an honor to work with people who are so skilled, caring and engaged.”

Since its founding in 1955, ANCA has built strong relationships with regional partners, local leaders and elected officials in order to expand economic opportunities across the North Country. ANCA strives to grow a “New Economy” by helping local farms, businesses and communities build economic resilience, create and retain jobs, reduce inequality, and increase welcoming and belonging.

“ANCA’s longevity and the impact we are having on our local communities is possible only because of the amazing staff who have built our programs and our reputation over the years,” said Cooper. “Nancy is a great example of the devotion of this staff. She has played a key role in ANCA’s story and has been a steady, thoughtful and caring leader for her colleagues and the local community. We are honored to celebrate her 30 years with ANCA and hope she stays with us for many more.”