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Photo:  E. Virgil ConwayE. Virgil Conway, Thruway Board of Directors

E. Virgil Conway was confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in December 2006. Mr. Conway will serve in a term that expires on January 1, 2008.

A financial consultant and corporate director for more than 50 years, Mr. Conway had served most recently as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA serves as the umbrella organization for the various agencies that operate the public transportation systems in the 14-county metropolitan New York area.

Prior to serving as MTA’s Chairman, Mr. Conway served as the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council Chairman from 1992-1995; from 1968-1988, Mr. Conway served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director of The Seaman’s Bank for Savings, PSB.

Mr. Conway received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and his LLB from Yale University Law School in New Haven, Connecticut. He resides in Bronxville, New York with his wife, Elaine.


Erin M. Crotty, Thruway Board of Directors

Photo:  Erin M. CrottyErin M. Crotty was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2006. Ms. Crotty is the President of The Crotty Group, LLC., located in Troy, New York, a management consulting firm that assists corporations, governments and non-governmental organizations with the complex issues relating to the environment, energy, economic development and land use. The corporate practice area focuses on corporate social responsibility: the integration and alignment of the environmental and social aspects of a company into its business strategy to gain competitive advantage.

Ms. Crotty served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation from March 2001 through February 2005. Her responsibilities included the strategic, policy, legislative, public and media relations development and implementation of the executive agency charged with environmental protection and natural resource conservation.

Prior to that, Ms. Crotty served as Director of State & Local Government Relations for Plug Power, Inc. a leading provider of stationary fuel cell systems. Ms. Crotty also served as Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Water Quality & Environmental Remediation for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as the Director of Special Environmental Projects for Governor George Pataki and as a policy analyst for the New York State Senate.

Ms. Crotty presently serves on the Board of Trustees of Emma Willard School and the Board of Directors for Audubon New York. Ms Crotty has received several awards for her work in protecting the environment, including the Conservationist of the Year award from The Adirondack Council, the Environmental Law Section Award from the New York State Bar Association and the Long Island Sound Guardian Award.

Ms. Crotty received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Russell Sage College and a Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She resides in Brunswick, New York.


Photo:  Frederick M. HowardFrederick M. Howard, Thruway Board of Directors

Frederick M. Howard was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in September 2006. Mr. Howard, a Licensed Professional Engineer currently serving as County Engineer in Rensselaer County, New York, has 40 years of public and private sector engineering experience.

Prior to serving on the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board, Mr. Howard gained 22 years of experience with two architectural engineering firms. His responsibilities included the design and implementation of highway and bridge rehabilitation, replacement and upgrade projects; as well as planning and implementation of building renovation and expansion. Mr. Howard also served on the Board of Directors for the Sear-Brown Group of Rochester, New York. In addition, he held the title of project manager on many projects including the preliminary assessment and design for the reconstruction of the Niagara Thruway (I-190), initial diving inspection and surveying of the Tappan Zee Bridge and design of Gateway Information Centers with NYSDOT.

Mr. Howard has also served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany and Vietnam holding positions as platoon leader and a company commander in heavy construction and combat engineer companies. Additionally, he was an Assistant Professor in Military Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Mr. Howard received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He currently resides in Valley Falls, New York.


Kevin J. Plunkett, Esq., Thruway Board of Directors

Photo:  Kevin J. PlunkettKevin J. Plunkett, Esq. was confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Boards in December 2006. Mr. Plunkett is serving in a three-year term that will expire in December 2009.

Mr. Plunkett is currently a partner in the international law firm of Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, representing public and private sector clients. Mr. Plunkett was also an equity member in the regional law firm of Plunkett & Jaffe, P.C. from April 2000 through June 1979.

Prior to that, Mr. Plunkett served as the Assistant District Attorney for the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. Mr. Plunkett was assigned to the felony trial division and local court bureau where he was responsible for conducting jury/non-jury criminal trials, including "A" felony cases; administration of criminal cases and investigations; and the coordination of investigations with local, county and State Policy, and federal law

Mr. Plunkett brings 27 years of legal experience to the Board, including background related to land use, environmental issues, and zoning and planning representation.

Mr. Plunkett received a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University, College of Law in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He resides in Tarrytown, New York with his wife, Rosemary.


Jeffrey D. Williams, Thruway Board of Directors

Photo:  Jeffrey D. WilliamsJeffrey D. Williams was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the New York State Senate as a member of the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board in June 2006. Mr. Williams also holds the position of Partner in Lewiston Management Group, LLC and Niagara Falls Properties, LLC, and Associate Broker with Great Lakes Real Estate.

Prior to serving on the Thruway Authority Canal Corporation Board, Mr. Williams served as Manager of Local Government Affairs for National Grid where he managed local government issues and assisted in State government issues for the former Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. He also served as Clerk of the Niagara County Legislature from 1998 to 2000. His responsibilities included managing and handling all aspects of County Government.

Mr. Williams received a Bachelor's Degree from St. John Fisher College. He resides in Lewiston, New York with his wife and their three children.


All Board members, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. The members of the Board receive no salary in connection with the performance of their duties. Vacancies in the Board occurring other than by expiration of the term are filled for the unexpired term in the same manner. Pursuant to the Public Officers Law, members of the Board whose terms have expired continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.