ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Governor Kathy Hochul named Mark Hall as the new chair of the Adirondack Park Agency Board on Friday, choosing a St. Lawrence County leader who has served on the board since 2020. The state agency oversees six million acres, protecting the Park’s nature while encouraging sustainable economic development in its 100-plus towns.
“From my earliest days, I have devoted my life to serving this Park and its people,” Hall said in a press release from the governor’s office. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and all stakeholders to ensure that the Agency continues its dual commitment to protecting the environment and supporting communities.”
A longtime resident of the Adirondack Park and the former Town of Fine Supervisor for eight years, Hall assumes the role with decades of local government and environmental experience, according to the Governor’s office. He served on the Town of Fine’s for five years before becoming supervisor, leading a cleanup effort to remove hazardous waste and industrial blight at a former iron ore facility near the town.
He improved rural telecommunication and broadband coverage and secured state grants for the town, including one from the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and a Smart Growth grant. In 2019, as supervisor, Hall led an $8.4-million water system infrastructure improvement project for the town, which won an American Water Works Association “Project of the Year” award.
Today, Hall serves as the Town of Fine’s Water Superintendent. He’s also on the boards of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency and the Development Authority of the North Country.
“Mark Hall has worked tirelessly on behalf of North Country communities and the environment for decades,” Hochul said in writing when announcing the appointment.
Hall’s appointment drew praise from Republican North Country legislators who acknowledged his local, hands-on experience. State Sen. Dan Stec, a 50-year Park resident, said he was “thrilled” by the announcement, lauding his “wealth of experience and insights necessary for this vital position.” Stec also cited Hall’s “ability to unite local, state and federal stakeholders and ensure the best outcome for the Adirondack Park.”
And Republican Assemblymember Matt Simpson, whose district includes parts of the Park, said Hall’s “proven track record of bridging environmental protection with economic vitality make him the ideal leader.” He noted that Hall’s expertise will help lead the APA through long-term planning for a changing climate and environmentally-friendly tourism, supporting local families while preserving natural heritage.
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