Directors

Contact Us:
To reach any GARNER Arts Center Staff or Director,
please contact us by phone at 845-947-7108
or via email at info@garnerartscenter.org

We appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you!

Robin E. Rosenberg – President

Robin E. Rosenberg founded and has served as President of Garnerville Arts Project, Inc. (GAP), also known as GARNER Arts Center, since 2003.

While serving as director in the mid-1990s of the Garnerville Arts & Industrial Center, the 19th century former mill complex where GARNER Arts Center is located, Ms. Rosenberg had the idea of dividing underutilized second floor manufacturing spaces into artist studio spaces.  The success of this venture led to the creation of additional studio spaces and the birth of a thriving and creative industrial and arts community within what is now known as the GARNER Historic District.  Ms. Rosenberg’s vision and efforts have helped to preserve the industrial-age facility, now listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, and create an artistic oasis for artists, artisans and the community.

As President, Ms. Rosenberg has organized and promoted GARNER’s annual arts festivals, exhibitions and student programs, attracting as many as 10,000 visitors, tourists and students each year.  It is Ms. Rosenberg’s goal and passion to see the adaptive re-use of the complex into a thriving center for art, commerce and tourism in the 21st century.

Ms. Rosenberg, an attorney, formerly practiced with the Manhattan law firm of Sive, Paget & Riesel, P.C., where she was a partner.  Appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2019, Ms. Rosenberg serves as a member of the Mid-Hudson Region Economic Development Council for New York State; serves as a Board member for the Rockland Business Association and serves as chair of its Women’s Leadership Council.  Ms. Rosenberg is a founding member of Suffrage Forward, organized in 2019 to celebrate the ratification of the 19th amendment.  Ms. Rosenberg has served as Vice-Chair of United Way of Rockland, as President and Director of the North Rockland Chamber of Commerce and as a Director of the Arts Council of Rockland.  Ms. Rosenberg has also been a member of the Rockland Rivertowns Coalition and the Rockland Cultural Collaborative.   Ms. Rosenberg has served on many business and arts-related panels, and is the recipient of numerous business and arts awards and recognitions.

Ms. Rosenberg is the third generation of her family to lead the Garnerville Arts & Industrial Center.  She follows her father, Robert, President from 1990 to 1998, and her grandfather, Louis, who was one of its founders in 1934.  After the textile mills fled the northeast in the 1970s-80s, the mill fell into substantial disrepair until Ms. Rosenberg’s vision to transform the complex into a center for working artists and public visual and performance art took hold.

Jared Rodriguez - Vice President

Combining expertise in sustainability, urban planning, and real estate, Jared has extensive experience leading regulatory and advocacy programs for energy- and climate-related initiatives. 

His firm Emergent Urban Concepts is a policy and sustainability consultancy that partners with businesses, organizations and state and municipal governments on issues related to decarbonization, sustainable technology, real estate development and management, and transportation. In addition to its work with clients, Emergent Urban Concepts advises the Empire Building Challenge, a program that fosters public-private partnerships with leading commercial and multifamily real estate owners to recruit best-in-class equipment manufacturers, solution providers, and other businesses to invest in low carbon retrofit technology development here in New York State. The firm engages with clients to develop approaches to complex problem solving and assists with identifying appropriate solutions and prioritizing actions to make difficult changes over time.

Previously, Jared was a Director at the LeFrak Organization, a leading, family-owned real estate company with an extensive portfolio of properties concentrated in New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida. During his eight years at the company he led initiatives focused on every aspect of real estate development and management across residential, hotel, retail, and office properties. Jared helped lead lobbying efforts related to city and state level regional transportation planning initiatives, energy policy, and utility and environmental regulations. He also developed all of LeFrak’s sustainability programs and clean energy initiatives including the firm’s Energy Conservation Master Plan and a portfolio-wide energy and water monitoring system as well as renewable energy development initiatives. 

Jared serves as proxy Citizens’ Representative, a Governor appointment, on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), a federally authorized Metropolitan Planning Organization for the 13-county northern New Jersey region. He is heavily involved in the Hudson Valley region, having served as Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan for Village of Haverstraw, Trustee of the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and board member of several nonprofits in the region including Garner Arts Center. Jared was recently confirmed by the New York State Governor and Senate as a member of the Taconic Regional Commission of the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

He holds a BS in Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies from Tufts University and an MS in Real Estate Development from New York University. He lives in Sleepy Hollow, New York with his family. 

Donald Karlewicz - Treasurer

Don is a founding partner of GKG CPAs and has provided consulting and guidance to individuals, family-owned and closely-held businesses for over thirty years.  Don has helped clients navigate the challenges of cash flow, rapid growth, consolidation, financing, cost control and budgeting, while always paying close attention to tax savings opportunities.  Don is a graduate of Pace University’s Lubin School of Business and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and a graduate of the Leadership Rockland Program.  

Cheryl Schwartz - Assistant Treasurer

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre 
Master of Professional Studies in Teaching English as a Second Language
Yoga Teacher Certification

Raised three glorious sons.
Worked at Yoga Mountain Yoga Studio (Currently Lucky Elephant) for eight years, teaching yoga classes.
Taught ESL in the public school system for three years.
Has been an ESL teacher for adults at Rockland BOCES for eight years.

Enjoys power walks, exercising, swimming, yoga, reading, music, nutrition and epicurean delights.
Supports local and sustainable agriculture.
Passionate about conservation and ecology.
Respects and reveres mother nature!

Angela Sullivan - Secretary

Hi, my name is Angela Sullivan and I am a life-long member of the North Rockland area. I have 35 years experience as an educator. I've worked as a classroom teacher and an administrator in the North Rockland School District.  I've been a college professor for the past fifteen years and at several universities as an adjunct professor. I am happy to announce that currently I have attained a full time professorship as an Associate Professor in the Graduate Department of the College of New Rochelle.  

I am married to Patrick and we have two grown sons, Richard is a Financial Analyst for the MTA in New York City and Patrick is an Assistant Principal in Monticello, NY.

Marion Breland - Director

Marion Edra Breland  was born in the Bronx, New York, and has lived in Rockland County since she was two years old. Her love for family and community, learned as a child, has always been at the heart of her work.  It was always her dream to share this by creating a space where “everyplace is home and everyone is family.” She has been very fortunate to have had the opportunity both in her personal and professional life to realize this dream in so many ways.

 Marion began her career in human services at the age of 17, when she worked as a part-time counselor at the Town of Orangetown’s community-based drop-in counseling center for teens and parents. At the age of 19, she was hired as the first full-time counselor and became one of the founders of the Haverstraw Counseling Center Reachout.  She went on to become the director of the program in 1984.

 Marion is currently the Director of Youth and Family Services for the Village of Haverstraw, and has been working in a similar capacity with local government for more than fifty years.  She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, and is a New York State Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor/ Gambling Specialist and Certified Prevention Professional.  She currently has a private psychotherapy practice in Nyack, New York.  Marion had a lead role in County Executive Ed Day's 2014 Commission on Community Behavioral Health, charged with designing and completing a comprehensive county-wide behavioral health needs assessment and with re-designing the entire County service delivery system and was chosen in 2015 by the County Executive’s office as Coordinator of Behavioral Health Implementation to actualize the Commission's findings.

Marion has served on a number of not-for-profit and governmental boards. She has been a member of the Rockland County Community Services Board for the past thirty-five years, serving as the Chair since 2020.  She is the founding and current chairperson of the Haverstraw Collaborative, established in 2001 with the mission to “unite…efforts and resources for the health, safety, and well-being of the children, youth, elders, adults and families of Haverstraw, and to raise the quality of life for all people of (Haverstraw’s) diverse community.” Marion is also the Co-Chair of the Rockland County Continuum of Care, charged with working to end homelessness in our community.

Marion’s love for the arts is lifelong. She was classically trained as a pianist as a child and engaged in both musical and theatrical productions since grade school. She toured in one season of summer stock after college and returned to acting locally during COVID through her connection to Elmwood Playhouse, where she has performed in both virtual and live venues. She is a published author of several manuals related to her work and writes poetry as a creative outlet and hobby. Marion has also created a number of short documentary films and believes that this medium has a unique capacity to engage an audience effectively and on multiple levels. Marion’s sister Kathleen is a visual artist whose paintings and sculptures have been on display both locally and in New Jersey.

Marion’s love for Garner is also lifelong. As a child growing up in Garnerville, she was always fascinated by the Garner complex and has been thrilled to see it become reimagined as a center for art and culture that is not only located in, but also part of the greater Rockland community.

The driving force behind Marion's work is her love for the children and families of Rockland County, and her dedication to issues of social justice both in and out of the workplace. She believes that the arts must be available, accessible and embracing of all people, and it is one of her goals as a member of the Garner board to foster even deeper connections between the local community and Garner Arts.

Marion is the proud and loving mother of Jonathan Breland, and lives in Nyack, New York with her wonderful husband Alex Bursztein.

Deborah Darbonne – Director

Deborah Darbonne has years of experience providing strategic advice to nonprofit and arts organizations and corporations. She has served as a board member and/or chairperson of several corporations and arts organizations, including locally Friends of the Nyacks and ArtsRock.

Francisco Garcia-Quezada - Director

Francisco Alberto García-Quezada, known to his students as “El Profe”, has been an educator for over 30 years, earning a BA/BS in Spanish Literature and Bilingual Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, and a MS in Education Administration and Supervision from Fordham University, where he has continued his postgraduate education. He is a Humanistic Education Practitioner.

El Profe has worked as an independent curriculum developer of educational materials, a youth leadership developer, a writer and a poet. Mr. García-Quezada recently retired from the North Rockland Central School District, where he was the World Language Department Chair, and taught college and AP level Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture. He is an Adjunct Professor for SUNY Rockland Community College, as well as an educational consultant in the areas of Social Emotional Education, English Language Learners, Newcomers, and Youth Leadership Development. He received Fellowships, Fulbrights and Educational Grants for postgraduate studies from Columbia University, Cornell University, Universidad de Salamanca in Spain, New York University, and Yale University’s Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies.

Soon after retirement from North Rockland, El Profe joined the Administration and Faculty at Fordham University Graduate School of Education, developing teachers’ & administrators’ training initiatives for the NYS/NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network.

Francisco is married to Yoselin Durán-García, a Social Worker and women’s rights advocate. They live in North Rockland and are the proud parents of Isabel, Gabriela and Ana María, as well as grandparents to Leonardo and Luna Alejandra. He serves on various Board of Directors related to the arts, education, family services, and languages in Rockland County, the NYC Metropolitan area, State and National Associations.

Ellie Kassner - Director

Ellie Kassner is the third generation business owner of W.H. Kassner, Inc., a commercial ironworking company, and a lifelong resident of Tomkins Cove, New York. She is a community advocate and is involved on the boards of many organizations including the Tomkins Cove Public Library, the Rockland Riverfront Communities Council, the Palisades Institute of Dominican College and more. Ellie received her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College and her Master of Business Administration from Marist College and has completed Fellowships with the Good Work Institute and the Tory Burch Foundation. 

Mort Korn – Director

Born in Nyack, NY. Mort was raised in New City and attended Clarkstown Schools, graduating from Clarkstown North High School in 1976. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1980 and then returned to the Hudson Valley where he currently lives in Upper Nyack with his wife, Kim Coons. They have two children, Ben and Hannah. Mort’s children are the fifth generation of his father’s family to live in Rockland County. The Korn family arrived in Haverstraw in the late 1890’s, part of the community of Jewish merchants and business people living there. Mort’s family has a long connection with the Garnerville site. His father worked there in his youth and served on the Board of Directors of The Garnerville Holding Company (GHC). Mort is proud and honored to serve on that board since his father’s passing.

Mort’s interest in the Garnerville Arts Project came not only from involvement with GHC, but also from his life long involvement in the arts. Mort has made a living in film, television and photography. He has exhibited photographs in group and solo shows. His wife, Kim, is a painter.

The GARNER Arts Center, Mort believes, can be a powerful force in the Rockland and Hudson Valley arts community, providing educational resources for local schools as well as gallery and studio space for local artists. Most importantly, GARNER Arts Center can create an arts community where the exchange of ideas and inspiration can enrich us all.

Working in the film and television industry Mort is accustom to working collaboratively with groups of people who bring different skill sets to a project. He is also use to completing projects on tight deadlines and finding the most efficient way to allocate resources to complete tasks.

Jen Laird-White, Director

Jen Laird White is the Director of Community Relations for the renewable energy project Champlain Hudson Power Express. Before her transition to the renewable energy field, Laird White served three terms as Mayor of the Village of Nyack. Prior to her service as Mayor, Laird-White served as Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village and began her service to the Nyack community as a Nyack Park Commissioner and a volunteer for everything under the sun. Mayor White founded the Nyack Park Conservancy and is an active and passionate believer in social justice, equality for all, the power of the arts and women’s rights. Prior to entering public life, Jen spent many years at CBS News first as a producer for Charles Kuralt, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Connie Chung, Dan Rather and others and then as a correspondent for the news magazine Coast to Coast. She also reported pieces for 48 Hours, the CBS Evening News and did some anchoring for the CBS Overnight. She has been a casting director, a documentary film maker, an actor, a waiter and she is always looking for a next adventure. The thing she is most proud of is her family, husband Rich, sons Jack, Luke, Pierre, Clay and daughter Caroline. She has so many wonderful friends, some awesome pets and, despite her love of NY, she is a passionate Patriots and Red Sox fan.

James Tyler - Director

A professional artist for over 30 years, Tyler is perhaps best recognized for his monumental Brickhead Series of sculptures. His artwork can be found in both public venues and private collections across the country. Public artworks include: The Davis Square Subway Station [Boston’s MBTA], Midtown Tower in Miami’s Design District, downtown Indianapolis Arts and Design District, Linden House Sculpture Park, State Land Commission Building, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mozaic Plaza in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the new Union Plaza in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska.

My ceramic sculptures are inspired by an enduring fascination with the artistic constructs of humankind. The colossal stone heads of the Olmecs, wood carvings of West Africa, the Temple of Angkor Wat, Michelangelo’s David, the spires of Manhattan…what it is that drives us to create these beautifully improbable objects?

Tyler serves as a leading curator of GARNER Arts Center visual arts programming and served as the Executive Director of the Garner Arts Center from 2008 - 2017

In Loving Memoriam: Lance Redford – Director
(1958 - 2017)

Lance Redford served as the Director of Development at Columbia University Medical Centers, Center for Radiological Research. Redford held a BA in Psychology and a BA in Sociology from St. John’s University and earned his Master’s Degree (MPS) in Health Services Policy/Management from the New School. For 24 year he worked as a fundraiser and non-profit specialist and while performing his duties at Pratt Institute he became a government fundraising specialist securing over $10 million from local State and Federal government entities for Institute initiatives, for both capital and program operations. A long-time resident of New York City, Lance’s professional focus was always guided by his personal interest in supporting the Arts, Educational initiatives, and Youth Services.