#2007-16: October 5, 2007 Peter Manning joins Catskill Center as Regional Planner Executive Director Tom Alworth announced today that Peter Manning has joined the Catskill Center as the Regional Planner. "We are thrilled that Peter has joined us," said Alworth. "He brings enormous passion for the Catskills along with a wealth of experience and critically important planning skills that will be invaluable to our communities and the region." Mr. Manning has worked for seven years with the New York State Department of State’s Division of Local Government. He has managed the Quality Communities and Land Use Training Programs in the Albany office, developing statewide training curriculums on smart growth practices and coordinating technical assistance to local government officials. He also worked for three years in the Department’s West-of-Hudson Watershed Office in Margaretville, where he was instrumental in developing regional initiatives for rural entrepreneurship, geographic information systems, and tourism and marketing. Prior to working for the state, Mr. Manning gained an understanding and appreciation for the strong sense of community in the Catskills while working as a Planner for the Delaware County Department of Planning and Economic Development. Diane Galusha, Public Education Director at the Catskill Watershed Corporation commented, "While he was part of the Department of State’s watershed team stationed here at CWC offices, Peter provided invaluable support to economic development and community assistance projects, and helped plan and present at special events like Catskills Local Government Day. We’re so happy to have him back in the Catskills and look forward to working closely with him once again." "The Catskill Center and communities throughout the Catskills have a real partner in Peter Manning. We are very fortunate to have him with us and we are looking forward to advancing community and regional goals that will serve the future needs of the Catskills," said Catskill Center Special Advisor Deborah DeWan, adding, "Please give Peter a call and welcome him to the Catskill Center and back to the Catskills. He will be a great resource for the communities of the region." As Regional Planner he will be assisting communities with planning and revitalization efforts, facilitating cooperative approaches to strengthen a regional sense of place and will help to enhance and integrate the Center’s programs. "I am very excited about joining the Catskill Center’s talented team. The Catskill region is a very special place. I appreciate all the efforts the people of the Catskills give to their communities," said Mr. Manning. "It is a privilege for me to assist them in making their communities better places. Together, we can meet the challenges and pursue the opportunities of balancing conservation and development." Peter has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the State University of New Paltz and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. He has lived in Bovina Center, Margaretville, and Phoenicia.