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Our Board of Founders

Tanya Lipinski

Tanya has a passion for teaching and serving in her community. She has been an entrepreneur for 9 years and in her business, she educates families in finance and supports their long range financial goals with planning and advice.

Currently, Tanya is serving as an elected official in the Town of Pittstown, is a founding member of Community Life Support and still active on their board, and now a key strategist and Trustee for the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance. When asked why take on another leadership role Tanya’s response was direct, “To fill a void. Entrepreneurs in our greater community are looking for opportunities to network and engage with more customers and clients. We need to create pathways and vehicles that make the best use of their limited time and resources. Local people helping local businesses’ it’s an ideal environment to have a positive impact in more people’s lives!”

Lish J. Chase

Lish owns Chase-Smith Family Funeral Hones in Schaghticoke. As a small business owner, she knows how important support is for small businesses and actively works to walk her talk by shopping with small businesses whenever possible.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Mechanicville-Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Alisha brings experience in community business organizations with her to the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance. She believes in supporting our local businesses in all aspects and working together to further the development of small businesses in our area.

Lynne Hardy

Lynne has been a pastor for The Presbyterian United Church of Schaghticoke for the past 9 years. She is also a co-designer, developer, director for Community Life Support Inc of Schaghticoke, a community focused non-profit organization. Through her work with Community Life Support, she has gained an understanding of the inner workings of the non-profit start up process and is using that knowledge to once again start another community focused group. This time, she is moving her focus from the individual to the local small businesses.

With her Community Life Support team, Lynne has created several community building events, groups and activities that are now a regular part of the yearly cycle of events in Schaghticoke. Lynne is also a retired RN, BSN, retired MH educator and counselor.

Ericka "E" O'Hara

Ericka is the founder of Main Street E-Market and an active volunteer in the community since moving to Schaghticoke in 2020. A year ago, she set out to help small businesses when she opened hers and quickly discovered that many of the folks that she wanted to help were unable to afford her services.

She is excited to contribute to the increased success of local small businesses through the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance in a non-profit structure. This additional role was a clearly values aligned choice alongside of her business that remains focused on small business support and visibility through her Podcast Tiny But Mighty on YouTube and socials.

Ericka is a scientist by education and training, "retired" teacher, leader, coach, and officially a serial entrepreneur with this 3rd startup addition.

Christine Barton

Christine is a lifelong member of the community and a Hoosic Valley Graduate. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare Management. She has worked at the Center for Disability Services for 28 years, currently as director sharing the oversight for over 50 residential

homes throughout the Capital Region.

Christine also has experience in freelance photography and journalism, and for the past 12 years she has been a freelance writer/reporter for the Express Newspaper covering the Towns of Schaghticoke and Pittstown as well as the Hoosic Valley School District.

Christine's family owns and operates G&D Commercial Refrigeration which has been in business since 1991. Recently, they also became the owners of LaPosta's Deli and Market in Speigletown. They are proud to continue to be a part of the small business community in the Towns of Pittstown and Schaghticoke.

Christine has joined the board of the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance to work to strengthen and support local small businesses in the community.

Debra Barton

Debra is a proud Hoosic Valley graduate who studied Business Administration at Dutchess County Community College. With a rich career spanning over 35 years, she recently retired from her role as Director of Compliance in HUD Affordable Housing. Debra is also a Notary Public and a Licensed Real Estate Broker specializing in both commercial and residential properties.

A homesteader at heart, Debra cherishes nature and its bounties. Currently, she is dedicating her time to her micro bakery, where she crafts sourdough, traditional breads, rolls, muffins, and more. Her passion extends to growing fruits and vegetables, making jam, and preserving foods.

Volunteering and helping others is a significant part of Debra's life. She loves seeing others succeed and is always ready to lend a hand. She played a critical role in the startup of Community Life Support and is now one of the founding trustees of the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance.

Christina "Chrissy" Newton

Chrissy is the proud owner and operator of Chrissy’s Cravings, and a life-long resident of Schaghticoke. She is also a dedicated mom, loving grandma (Kiki) and wife to her best friend. She credits some of her success to her dedication to getting to the gym every morning before the start of each busy day as an entrepreneur.

The best decision Chrissy ever made was believing in herself. Which hasn't always been easy. When she started her business 18 years ago, she knew nothing about ice cream, but her extensive experience in the food industry as a waitress since she was 16 helped give her the foundation she needed to get started.

Chrissy never imagined that her business would grow into what it has become today - THE hometown place to visit, but her tenacity and willingness to work hard and learn on the fly have created more than "just a business".

As a trustee for the GHV CBA, Chrissy hopes to share her business experiences with others, believing that together, everyone can succeed.

Peggy Gray

Peggy loves fashion and supporting small businesses. After working at Ursula of Switzerland for 16 years, she started her own fashion line and business called 22 Shades of Gray. Since 2000, Peggy has designed women's clothing that is made locally and sustainably in Buskirk, NY. She also offers tailoring and custom orders for her clients.

Peggy has been an active member of the Valley Artisans Market in Cambridge, NY for the past 10 years and serves on their board. Her time there inspired her to help startup this Community Business Alliance as a founding Trustee.

Peggy is dedicated to supporting other small businesses. She regularly promotes them on her personal and business pages. Peggy truly embodies the community spirit that our alliance aims to foster.

Paul Strasser

Paul found his passion for cooking later in life. After training in Culinary Arts at Schenectady County Community College, he worked in various local restaurants and retirement communities. Paul volunteers with Rally Sound, running the food tent at The Ramble, a music festival supporting unhoused veterans.

Before becoming a chef, Paul had a successful career in Computer Science. Starting as a programmer, he eventually managed a team of 25 people across the country, supporting 5,000 computer users. This experience gave him a solid understanding of business principles.

In 2019, Paul launched his own business, SeasonInn. He offers his favorite seasoning blends online, at vendor fairs, and in local shops like The Rustic Rabbit in Valley Falls. Paul has joined the board of Trustees for the GHV CBA for a similar reason to starting his business: to inspire and teach. Whether it is teaching a small business something that he knows has helped him, or teaching people to cook delicious, healthy meals at home, the core values remain the same.

Liz Baker

Liz moved from Hyde Park, NY, to Schaghticoke 22 years ago. Her dedication to community service started young, inspired by volunteering alongside her mother in local food pantries and animal shelters.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Champlain College and an Associate’s from Dutchess Community College, Liz opened her own childcare business 14 years ago.

As Co-Founder of Community Life Support with Lynne Hardy, Liz organizes community events that uplift small businesses and local nonprofits. "Watching these events become traditions for families brings me so much joy," she says. "The collaboration and growth among vendors fills my heart."

For the past six years, Liz has also served as an elected official for the Village of Schaghticoke, continuing her commitment to supporting the community she loves.

We are so excited to welcome her to the founder board!

Dawn Knauss

Originally from Cooperstown, Dawn made Schaghticoke her home in 2018. She enjoys gardening, cooking, canning, and dehydrating, and has a deep appreciation for locally grown foods and products.

As an active member of the Community Life Support (CLS) board, Dawn plays an essential role in supporting initiatives that uplift the community. She also works at Trustco Bank in Schaghticoke, where she loves connecting with local residents and businesses.

An enthusiastic advocate for small businesses, Dawn brings valuable insights and dedication to her role on the founder board of the Greater Hoosic Valley Community Business Alliance.

Small Business Owner in the Hoosic Valley Area?

We are a community business alliance dedicated to promoting and supporting local small businesses. Join us in building a strong and vibrant business community.

To find out if you business is eligible to participate, fill out form below and we will get back to you to set up an introductory chat!

Contact Us

Contact us for inquiries or partnership

info@ghvcba.com