Sullivan County Deputy Treasurer Kathleen Lara, left, and Treasurer Nancy Buck
Syracuse, NY – Sullivan County Treasurer Nancy Buck and Deputy Treasurer Kathleen Lara are being honored by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) for graduating from the NYSAC County Government Institute. The ceremony will be held at the NYSAC Fall Seminar in Syracuse on Wednesday.
The County Government Institute is a collaboration between NYSAC and Cornell University to provide training to county government officials. The curriculum includes required courses on building consensus, financial management, ethics, management, and the foundations of county government.
“The NYSAC County Government Institute has helped me tremendously in learning the role of the Treasurer’s Office and its many facets in county government,” said Lara.
NYSAC President William E. Cherry, the Schoharie County Treasurer, said “the County Government Institute equips county officials with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to address the challenges and opportunities of leadership, and to engage in civil dialogue with constituents as well as fellow leaders.”
Buck served as Deputy County Treasurer in the Sullivan County Treasurer’s Office from December of 2000 to November of 2014 when she was unanimously appointed to the position of County Treasurer by the county legislature.
In addition to her work with the county, Buck serves on NYSAC’s Economic and Development Committee Board, and on the Executive Board of The Women’s Leadership Council. She is also a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the NYS County Treasurers and Finance Officers Association and a Board Member of NY Alliance for Donation, Inc.
“It is so great that NYSAC is a partner with the County Government Institute in encouraging Government Officials into continuing education that will only enhance our knowledge and helping us in moving forward to a better tomorrow,” said Buck.
After working as a paralegal for 17 years, Lara was appointed Deputy Sullivan County Treasurer in December 2014 by Treasurer Nancy Buck. Lara is actively involved in all aspects of the Treasurer’s Office, including accounting and real property taxes. She also assists with the annual village and county foreclosure proceedings.
“Coming from the private sector and being a newcomer to county government, the County Government Institute was an invaluable and irreplaceable resource for me,” said Lara.
Lara also serves as the President of and actively volunteers for Nesin Cultural Arts, Inc., a not-for- profit corporation specializing in bringing the arts to the children of Sullivan County.
“The Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county officials with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the increasing demands of local government leadership now and in the future,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
CGI courses are offered at all NYSAC conferences. Courses are also offered regionally throughout the year, and enable county leaders to stay up-to-date on timely issues and opportunities in local government.
For more information about the County Government Institute, visit www.nysac.org/cgi.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving the counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for Member Counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
