The “Crew”
Matthew Steen, Founder
Matthew Steen is the Business Development & Marketing Manager for Margaretville Telephone Company (MTC) which he transitioned to after a 12-year tenure in the hospitality industry as both a Hotel Manager and Marketing Manager. Mr. Steen’s responsibilities at MTC include product and service development, creating advertising & sales campaigns, collateral design, project management and formulating pricing & go to market strategies. With a commitment to community, Mr. Steen is and has been involved in various boards and committees including the Margaretville Central School Board of Education, the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce, Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board, and in 2019, the I Love NY Tourism Advisory Council.
Leigh Melander, Founder
Leigh Melander, Ph.D. has a doctorate in cultural mythology & psychology, with a background in the arts, marketing & strategic planning, and strengthening communities nationally and internationally. She and her husband founded Spillian: A Place to Revel, a regenerative center for imagination and creativity on the historic Fleischmanns Yeast family estate in Fleischmanns, NY. Leigh has served on a range of local to international organizations on a board level, including The California Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the Joseph Campbell Foundation, and the Academic Advisory Board of Spring Journal and Books. Locally, she has served as president of the board of Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, and the MARK Project. In 2018, Leigh spearheaded a regional tourism development campaign funded by Market NY: Catskills Trout Tales, that attracted over 3000 visitors to 50+ events in the Catskills in the spring. Leigh has been featured on the on the History Channel as an expert on myth and story, and hosts the Myth America podcast. She was the founding editor of the MythBlast essay series for the Joseph Campbell Foundation, and has been published in a range of academic publications, including Spring Journal and the the award-winning Routledge International Handbook of Jungian Film Studies. She is the author of Psyche’s Choice: The Frivolous Revolution.
Chris Hensley, Founder
Chris brings over 40 years of experience in Entertainment Marketing and Project Development for EMI, Elektra and RCA Records As General Manager for N2K Encoded Music, he oversaw start-up for the first internet positioned recording label and was part of the management team the led N2K, Inc. to a successful IPO less than 12 months after inception.
For 13 years, Chris was President of MusicDisc-covery – an internet marketing and research company that helped expose, familiarize and grow hundreds of music artists and projects for major recording labels and managers. He was a founding partner for Mediagraphics, International, a company that developed and marketed high concept advertising and imaging vehicles for US and International clients including Coca-Cola, the United Nations, Ogilvy-Mather, the Columbus Pavilion in Genoa Italy and Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport.
After retiring to the Catskills in 2014, Chris spent 3 years developing an underwriting foundation for WIOX Community Radio, produced Spillianfest I, II and III, 9 Emerson Supergroup Jams, the Gibson Brothers, the Catskill Food Truck Festival and the Hudson Food Festival for Columbia Green Media. As an avid fly-fisherman, Chris is also proud of his role as a Board member for the Ashokan-Pepacton Trout Unlimited Chapter.
Jezz Harkin – Director of Sales
Jezz Harkin is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and came to New York in by way of London, England. He was a DJ, club promoter and record label talent coordinator in his early years in the music industry. He is a survivor of the record industry, working at Richard Branson’s V2 Records in New York from its inception in 1997. After V2, Jezz managed a number of bands, including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Kashmir. Jezz has produced and presented his radio program, The Brilliant! Show, for Breakthru Radio New York City, WIOX Roxbury, and Portobello Radio London, for over two decades.
Mark Marshall, Program Director
In a media career that has spanned over three decades, Mark has worn many, many hats – from award-winning multimedia producer to radio host/producer, videographer/editor, animator, voice-over and character voice actor, audio producer and engineer, multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter and more.
He has two sons, and resides in Kingston, NY with his wife and two very vocal cats.
Janel Bladow, Content Director
With more than 35 years in both print and broadcast journalism, Janel Bladow still gets excited about making TV. She has created, executive produced and written breaking news, true crime, celebrity, fashion, lifestyle, travel and more, and her articles have appeared in newspapers and national magazines.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the CatskillsAir team, bringing information to our upstate community and learning more about our beautiful mountains and the people who live here.”
Contributors
Mary A. Crisafulli, Host – Delaware County News Update
Mary A. Crisafulli is a local journalist focusing on informing the public about how state legislation affects the local community. The culture of the Catskills region is unique in that there is a mix of individuals calling it home. In addition, water quality seems to be at the core of the community leading to wonderful programming and diverse conversation. Mary found this intriguing and is one of the driving forces behind her journalistic career. Mary hopes that by informing the public of issues, she can give the rural communities a voice in larger politics. Besides her anchor duties at CA, She writes for the Mountain Eagle, Hancock Harrold, and A Time and A Place magazine.
Mary Studied history at the University of Buffalo where she wrote her graduate thesis on death practices of the Nahua people. After graduating, Mary worked at archeological dig sites and in museum education before reaching local news. She came to Delaware County in February 2020 from Schenectady County. Mary and her partner Michael McLaughlin fell in love with the area due to its beautiful mix of forests and open pasture and sought to make it their home. They now live in an old hunting cabin in Bloomville with their daughter Inula, two dogs, chickens, and ducks.
Matthew Avitabile
Matthew Avitabile is the publisher of the Mountain Eagle newspaper, covering Delaware, Schoharie, and Greene Counties. He is a history professor at SUNY Oneonta and was Mayor of Middleburgh between 2012 and 2020. He contributes to the CatskillAir’s Delaware County News Update each week.
Lori Fairbairn
Lori is Catskill Mountain born and raised, and a self-described tree hugging born-in-the-wrong-era Hippie! She loves her family & friends, her grandson is her sunshine, and she loves the forest and all of its inhabitants – and kind people are a perk too!
Being out in the elements and at one with Mother Nature is where she’s happiest and that’s probably why she loves the weather! A fan of weather from a young age, her inspiration came from betting on school closures with her neighbors – and having to watch and understand the weather to win!
Sonny Rock
Sonny Rock is a touring/session drummer who has played behind well-known musicians including Bryan Adams, Kiss, Peter Frampton, Heart, and members of The Who. In addition to his work on the drums, Sonny is an author, record producer, drum teacher, and kickboxing instructor, and was a concert promoter for “Concert for the Catskills,” a 35-band, two-day benefit for victims of Hurricane Irene. He can regularly be seen on CatskillsAir interviewing area musicians and artists.
Elizabeth Mami
is a Magical Realism artist and fantasy writer, living in the Catskill mountains of New York. A lifelong animal rescue person, working with local animal groups and the ASPCA. She is a lifelong hospice and healthcare worker, community and climate advocate. Gaia First Art and Graphics (formerly Art By Beth), is her business of more than 30 years, creating signage, murals and fine art portraits. Elizabeth is an author of four books and creator of the graphic art and literary magazine, “The Legions of Light.” As a cultural journalist for CatskillsAir, Beth provides information about community cultural events, openings and exhibits in Delaware County and surrounding areas.
Artie Martello
Artie Martello, is the host of Mostly Folk, a one hour music program originating in the Catskill Mountains NY. Artie has worked as a Speech Pathologist and Supervisor of the Speech Department at Saint Francis De Sales School for the Deaf (32 years), adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s College (16 years) as well as at NYU and Hunter Colleges (6 years). In addition, after retiring from the above positions, he served as the Chairperson of the Committee On Special Education in the Margaretville School District for 9 years. Artie is also an accomplished magician and performs, mostly for charity in his local area.
Ashton Grocholl
Ashton Grocholl is the Guest Service Supervisor at Belleayre Mountain. She has also been very active in the Arkville Fire Department for the last 20 years. Currently, she holds the line officer position of Captain, as well as President. Ashton is very active in 4H with her kids and is an avid gardener. She contributes a regular homesteading show to CatskillsAir.
Ray Pucci
Ray Pucci is optimistic about the future of the Catskill Mountains. Throughout his over thirty-year career working with regional nonprofit, education, government, and business groups, Ray has demonstrated a straight-forward approach coupled with strategic thinking that has contributed to his reputation as an honest partner and advocate. During his two tenures as president of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce–in the late-1990s and today–Ray has initiated successful efforts to re-brand the Catskill Mountains to new audiences of visitors. Understanding that environmental stewardship, agriculture, natural resources, and main street retail development contribute to regional promotion, Ray continues to facilitate connections among business owners, government, advocacy groups, and residents to create a shared future for the Catskills. Ray hosts the Delaware County Chamber Check-in on CatskillsAir
Candace Rudd
After practicing yoga for 25 years, Candace committed to making a community space for teachers and providers that is fair. That became Twisted Sister Yoga in Arkville, where they offer yoga, meditation, sound healing, living room style concerts and various workshops. Candace hosts the Twisted Sister Yoga segments on CatskillsAir.
Lee Reich, PhD
Lee is an avid farmdener (more than a gardener, less than a farmer) with graduate degrees in soil science and horticulture. After working in plant and soil research with the USDA and Cornell University, he shifted gears and turned to writing, lecturing, and consulting.
His books include A Northeast Gardener’s Year, The Pruning Book, Weedless Gardening, Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden, Landscaping With Fruit, Grow Fruit Naturally, and Growing Figs in Cold Climates. He writes regularly for a number of gardening magazines and his syndicated gardening column for Associated Press appeared biweekly from coast to coast.
His farmden has been featured in such publications as the New York Times and Martha Stewart Living, has won awards from National Gardening and Organic Gardening magazines, and has been included in “Open Days” tours of the Garden Conservancy.
