About NRDC

During NRDC’s 40 year tenure, we have worked in administrative partnership with local, regional, state, and federal governmental agencies. NRDC also effectually partners with local community-based organizations, business groups, and residents to identify:

North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) is a New York State Rural Preservation Company. NRDC relies on annual operating support from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, technical assistance contracts, consultant services, grant administration income, and membership contributions to carry out its mission driven goals.

Nicole Justice Green

Executive Director

Nicole Justice Green has worked in the non-profit and education sector since 2014, most recently with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Virginia. She has administered historic preservation and freelance competitive grant programs since 2007. Green is a former Fulbright-Gilman scholar who holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in History and Teaching from Christopher Newport University. She lives in Ticonderoga with her husband, Cameron, and their five children.

Green is a passionate advocate for her community and is committed to tackling public health issues locally, specifically lead-based paint remediation and food insecurity. She has reaffirmed NRDC’s long-standing commitment to address the affordable housing crisis regionally and to support continued Ticonderoga’s economic development through historic preservation as well as by assisting local businesses.

Jeanene Wilson

Grant Programs Manager

Jeanene Wilson has over 30 years of organizational management experience. Wilson holds an Associate degree in General Studies and a certification in Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintenance. She has a strong working knowledge of housing restoration, lead-based paint remediation, assistance programs application processes, and repair project completion. She was promoted to Housing Program Specialist in September 2022. She and her husband, Darrell, live in Putnam.

Holder of an Associate degree in General Studies and a certification in Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintenance, Wilson’s diverse background equips her with a unique skill set to address the complex challenges faced by the Land Bank. Her strong working knowledge of housing-related processes and programs allows her to navigate intricacies with ease, ensuring efficient project management and successful outcomes.

Katie Long

Senior Grant Programs Manager

Katie Long holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Albany, SUNY and has primarily focused on topics of family sociology, gender studies, environmental justice, and demography. Originally from Pennsylvania, Katie completed her BA in Sociology at Kutztown University before relocating to Albany for graduate school. Following the completion of her master’s degree in 2017, she moved to the Adirondacks where she currently resides with her husband, Zach, and their daughter, Brooklyn.

Dr. Long is extremely passionate about community development and is dedicated to promoting socioeconomic equality within the community. With a background in teaching and research and over 15 years of customer service experience, she is uniquely positioned to meet the diverse needs of the community through the implementation of grant programs.

Nicki teRiele

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Nicki teRiele, with over twenty-four years of customer service experience, brings a wealth of expertise in ensuring client satisfaction and delivering exceptional service. Nicki holds an associate degree in human resources, which is complemented by her licensure as a cosmetologist. Her unique combination of skills allows her to provide personalized care to her clients while effectively managing her business’s operational aspects.

Beyond her professional commitments, Nicki is involved in serving her local community. She is an active member of the Ticonderoga Farmers Market, where she volunteers to support local vendors. Additionally, Nicki serves as an ambassador for TACC, advocating for the growth of local businesses. One of Nicki’s passions is advocating for affordable and safe housing. She believes that access to housing is a fundamental right and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that address this critical need.

Nicki, along with her husband Steven, has been a longtime resident of the Ticonderoga area, where they have deep roots and a solid commitment to contributing to the well-being of their community.

Glenn Swajger

Construction & Codes Manager

Glenn Swajger has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry from a direct hands-on approach to the management of Global Corporation Manufacturing. With graduate and postgraduate degrees of high honors from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in International Marketing Management and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Glenn strives to succeed with National recognition of 4 United States Patents and held positions in Engineering, Marketing, and Sales for Global Corporations like Pfizer, Stryker, and Johnson & Johnson. Glenn lives in Ticonderoga with his wife,
Jennifer, and 3 college-bound sons, Matthew, Benjamin, and Alexander.

Swajger has been an active member of Ticonderoga for over seven years. From Ti Little League Baseball to Ticonderoga School District Science Teacher, he advocates for the younger community. Glenn founded Better Bones and Joints, Inc. and MBA Pro-Home services, DBA, which manages a contractor business and a NYS Licensed Home Inspection service for 24 years.

Hope Carroll

Grant Administrator

Hope Carroll is a recent graduate of the University of Maine, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication. During her time there, she cultivated a passion for community engagement and outreach, which now shapes her approach to building connections and working toward positive change. After graduating, she relocated to Ticonderoga with her partner, Isaac, where they are excited to explore all the Adirondacks have to offer.

Hope is committed to supporting housing security and revitalizing downtown spaces in her new community. Her fresh perspective and enthusiasm align with the mission of fostering vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods. Hope looks forward to creating meaningful connections and making an impact in the place she is excited to now call home.

Green and Wilson work collaboratively to provide excellent customer service, office management, and project management. Their efficient teamwork helps NRDC respond appropriately to referrals, prospective client inquiries, program education, eligibility requirements, and documentation review. NRDC employs several contractors to assist them with accounting, inspections, environmental reviews, and housing rehabilitation.

Tom Schaffer, Chairman
Retired IT Executive

Chuck Gijanto, Vice Chairman

Former Chief Executive Officer, now retired, with a history of managing multiple healthcare facilities

Allison Kaupelis, Treasurer

Regional Director Of Operations, Milya llc

Nicholas Fitzgerald, Secretary

Actor/Interpreter at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

James Monty, Director

Supervisor for the Town of Lewis, Vice Chairman of the Board for Essex County

Dr. Katie Alexander, Director

Owner/Veterinarian at Ticonderoga Animal Hospital

Fair Housing – Equal Opportunity- Affirmative Marketing Policy