Corning's Gaffer District Staff

Coleen serves as Executive Director of the corporation and therefore provides overall leadership of the Corning Intown District Management Association, Inc. (DBA Corning's Gaffer District) so that productivity goals and strategic objectives are met and that full accountability to the Board of Directors is maintained. She serves as the public face of Corning's Gaffer District and is therefore the key liaison with other community leaders throughout the region and the state. A key priority is the work she does with the the staff and community partners to retain and strengthen existing businesses and to motivate private investment throughout the District.

Kelli primarily focuses on bookkeeping for the District's office. She manages all financial transactions and records including check requests, invoicing, and payroll. Kelli also administers all Human Resources paperwork for the Gaffer District staff. Kelli assists Market Street Restoration Agency and many other additional office duties.

As a director for Corning, New York's Business Improvement District Kristen works with district businesses to provide them with free design service for signs and buildings, with special attention given to exterior changes and preservation. She oversees a team of designers who are responsible for the in-house collateral design and the Gaffer District's visual merchandising program, which is available to all district businesses. Kristen is responsible for building renovation project management including assistance with bidding and construction inspections. Partnering closely with the City of Corning Design Review Committee she facilitates the management and deployment of the Gaffer District sign and facade improvement grants as well as grant writing and administration of the New York Main Street Program. Kristen has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Keuka College and a Master of Arts in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from American Public University.

Sandie oversees administrative services and operational functions for Corning's Gaffer District, which includes planning, staffing and budgeting per the Business Improvement District (BID) agreement with the City of Corning. This incorporates the Centerway Parking Garage, Historic Centerway Walking Bridge, Street Enhancements (flowers, tree, lights, etc.) and the Corning Transportation Center. She supervises the Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Assistant and Office Manager positions. Sandie, who has worked in the Corning Business Community for more than 30 years, is the staff chair for the Safety and Physical Infrastructure Work Plan Group.

Ginny provides the first point of contact for the Gaffer District at our front desk, via telephone and through email. Her duties include opening new permits for Centerway Parking Garage, taking reservations for our conference rooms and processing incoming mail. A longtime business owner in the Gaffer District, Ginny brings us invaluable experience from ownership of the former Imagine That! toy store.

Curt plans, organizes, manages and provides oversight for the maintenance operations and activities within Corning's Gaffer District, including daily oversight of the maintenance staff. He also represents the Gaffer District maintenance department at various meetings with our partners and vendors and assists at events.

Barbara's primary focus is to manage brand presence and communications for the Gaffer District.  Barbara is responsible for strategy planning, coordinating and reporting budgeting of all Districts Marketing and Communications.  She collaborates closely with Corning's Gaffer District Business owners to encourage participation in promotions and events as it supports and strengthens the districts brand.  Barbara returned to the area with her two dogs Kobe and Hank to be near family and brings many years experience in Marketing, Sales and Communications.  She is passionate about promoting small business and small town experiences that will invite and entice tourists to come to our beautiful area.  

Annie is responsible for the Visual Merchandising program available to all businesses within the Gaffer District. She designs and implements engaging seasonal displays in the storefront windows and public spaces within the District. Annie enjoys working with merchants and community organizations to create designs that promote their unique products and services while strengthening the Gaffer District Brand. A former Gaffer District Visual Merchandising Assistant, as well as Gaffer District Merchant with over 25 years of Visual Design and Retail experience, Annie is ideally suited to work with the Preservation and Design Team to enhance the overall visual look of the District. A Corning native, she is excited to work in our vibrant downtown district.

Tara works with Kristen to design in-house marketing collateral for Gaffer District events, and manages the Gaffer District website. She also designs logos and signage for businesses in the District, working closely with the City of Corning Design Review Committee on behalf of the District business owners. She has her Associates' in Advertising Design from Cuyahoga Community College and her Bachelor's in Graphic Communications from Notre Dame College, and over 15 years' experience in design throughout Ohio and Texas. A native of Corning, she is happy to finally be home doing what she loves.

My name is Nate Basch and I am the Events Director for Corning's Gaffer District. The Gaffer District is a not-for profit-organization that strives to make the historic downtown of Corning, NY a vibrant, attractive, and dynamic area for people to do business, live, shop, explore, and enjoy. One of the ways we achieve this goal is by hosting several large festivals throughout the year. Our largest festival is the Glassfest which takes place over Memorial Day weekend each year. This four-day arts festival brings in over 10,000 attendees over the course of the event.

Cara's role is to assist with the logistics and execution of several events throughout the year in downtown Corning. Her primary responsibilities include the Corning Farmer's Market and Music in the Square, but she also works alongside Nate to put together annual favorites, such as Glassfest and Harvest. Cara has a degree in Communications and English, Creative Writing from the University of New Haven and brings past experience working at higher-education level events, as well as the fast-paced TV broadcasting industry. A native of New Hampshire, she's now thrilled to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community here in the Southern Tier!