About Us

Founded in 1919, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance is recognized as one of the oldest destination marketing organizations in the United States.  We are an association of private-sector attractions, tourism-related businesses and county tourism offices working together to enhance and promote visitor businesses for the 9,000 square-mile Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Mission:
Lead economic growth and development through exemplary promotion of the Finger Lakes region as a world class tourism destination.

Vision:
Be the recognized leader for destination marketing strategies and resources in the Finger Lakes region.

FLTA Staff

Cynthia Kimble, President cindyk@fingerlakes.org
Cynthia Kimble, the former President of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, was selected as FLTA's President in November of 2007. Kimble brings years of experience in marketing and financial management to her new post. She spent nearly 14 years at the Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce as Vice President, Financial Manager and BlueCross/Blue Shield Administrator. She also served as a Risk Management Supervisor for Paychex. Kimble holds a B.S. degree in Business Management from St. John Fisher College.

Mark Illig, Director of Sales marki@fingerlakes.org
Before joining the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, Mark worked for Corning Inc. for 25 Years as a Sale Manager in the Specialty Glass and Ceramics area.  He also worked in the public service arena as a District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America in Steuben County.  Mark holds a MS from the Rochester Institute of Technology.  He and his wife Chris live on the West side of Keuka Lake and enjoy the many wonders of the Finger Lake Region.   

Jessica Robideau, Marketing Coordinator  JessicaR@fingerlakes.org

Jessica, a Penn Yan native, realized after working in a Finger Lakes winery that marketing was something she wanted to learn more about and a field in which to establish a career. Jessica has had the opportunity to visit and work in a wide variety of areas and before joining the FLTA team, worked with organizations establishing marketing departments as well as assisting and consulting from a marketing perspective. She is excited to join the team at FLTA in order to promote the beautiful and diverse area she's proud to call home with highest level of commitment and excellence. Jess graduated with a B.S in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from LeMoyne College.

Jack Carlson, Manager of IT 
Jack has over 25 years of experience as an IT Professional in both large and small corporations as well as IT experience in Direct Marketing with Catalyst Direct of Rochester, NY.  He also has other unique, tourism & marketing related work experience with the wine industry, Ski resorts in Killington, VT, and an Atlantic City hotel and casino.  

Karen Colizzi Noonan, Office Manager karenn@fingerlakes.org
Before joining Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance Karen was an Executive Assistant to a New York State Senator for nine years.  She is a life-long resident of Geneva, New York and has a special interest in the protection and preservation of historic theaters.  She serves as the current president of the Theatre Historical Society of America and also serves on the Sampson Theater Advisory Committee in Penn Yan. 

Kristy LaManche, FL-LOWPA Program Coordinator klamanche@ twcny.rr.com
Kristy comes to FL-LOWPA with 6 years experience as a Senior Planner on the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board in Syracuse, NY. Before that she was a laboratory & field technician with the Upstate Freshwater Institute in Syracuse, NY.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY she moved to CNY to attend college. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. She also earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY.

FLTA 2013 Board of Directors

Onondaga County 
Susan Dove – Chair

Steuben County
Debbie Meritsky – Vice Chair
Black Sheep Inn

At Large Representative
Sarah Wiles - Secretary
Mid-Lakes Navigation

Yates County
Gene Pierce – Treasurer
Glenora Wine Cellars

Seneca County
Joe Gober – Past Chair
Americana Vineyards Winery

Cayuga County
Hilary Ford
Seward House

Chemung County
Sheila Thomas
Holiday Inn Elmira                                                          

Cortland County
Sam Kryger
Hope Lake Lodge & Resort

Livingston County Representative
Mary Alice May
Beachcomber of Conesus Lake

Monroe County Representative
VACANT

Ontario County
Dave Bunnell
Annie Walker's, LLC

Schuyler County
VACANT

Tioga County Representative
Eva Mae Musgrave
The Edge of Thyme Inn

Tompkins County
Laura Winter Falk
Experience the Finger Lakes

Wayne County Representative
Bonnie Hays
Historic Palmyra

At Large
Barb Kolonoski
Hilton Garden Inn - Horseheads

At Large Representative
VACANT

At Large Representative
Mike Bristol
Seaway Trail

Ex-Officio
To Be Determined        

FLTA President
Cindy Kimble
Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance