Our Board

Hank Hersch, President

Hank Hersch retired in 2022 after a 37-year career at Sports Illustrated, where as a writer he covered a variety of sports — mainly major league baseball, pro and college basketball, and college football — before transitioning to editor, where he was in charge of NBA and soccer coverage. Hank finished his tenure as Assistant Managing Editor, top-editing stories, overseeing the writing staff, managing the weekly closes and handling investigations. He has served as president of the advisory board of the Princeton University Press Club and as an adjunct faculty member at City College of New York and Fordham University. In 2022, Hank moved from Bloomfield, New Jersey, and is now a full-time resident of Pine Plains.  

Dick Hermans, Vice President

Dick Hermans was born and raised in Milan. After college, where he majored in journalism, he returned to the area and co-founded Oblong Books & Records which he now co-owns with his daughter, Suzanna. He has lived on Church Street in Pine Plains since the late 70s along with his wife of 40 years, Priscilla Herdman. Dick has served on the Pine Plains School Board and currently serves on the town Planning Board. He has been a leader of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association since its founding and he has a weekly Saturday morning folk radio program on WKZE. 

Steven Neil, Secretary

Steve Neil is a retired attorney and nonprofit executive. He and his wife, Elise Quasebarth, have owned their home in Mount Ross for more than 30 years. Steve has been involved in a number of local projects in Pine Plains, including as the chair of the Town Board’s broadband committee and as a member of the steering committee of Pine Plains United, an organization that advocated for the adoption of a modern zoning ordinance. Before becoming an attorney, Steve was an editor for the Gannett Westchester Newspapers, where he was the news editor for Westchester Today, the prototype that eventually became USA Today. 

Dr. Mary Jenkins, Treasurer

Mary Jenkins is a Nebraska native and family physician who recently retired after nearly 40 years of practice in Long Island. She moved to Pine Plains in January 2022 to enjoy the beauty of the New York countryside. Dr. Jenkins is committed to community service, and is an active volunteer in several Pine Plains organizations. She brings her expertise in health care to the Herald in the form of a regular wellness column. The newspaper also benefits from Dr. Jenkins’ administrative abilities and regular reporting assignments. She lives with her husband, with whom she has two grown children. 
 

J.R. Tracy, Member

J. R. Tracy enjoyed a 30 year career in finance after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987.  He worked in London, Tokyo, Chicago, and New York, operating his own firms for the second half of his career. Since retiring from finance, Mr. Tracy has focused on writing and boardgame design, as well as active community involvement. 

Keary Hanan, Member

Keary Hanan has dedicated the past 15 years to leading digital marketing efforts for MGM+ (formerly EPIX), overseeing a comprehensive range of strategies that includes paid digital, paid and organic social media, as well as email marketing. Before joining MGM+, she honed her journalism skills at TV Guide Network, EXTRA, Inside Edition, and A Current Affair.

A proud mother, Keary  resides full-time in Pine Plains, where she enjoys life with her two children, two Labrador Retrievers, two cats, and a delightful assortment of chickens. Formerly a long-time resident of Gallatin, she embraces the joys of country living while balancing her professional endeavors.

Will Maitland Weiss, Member

A past executive director of four different nonprofits, culminating with the Big Apple Circus, Will Maitland Weiss lived part-time in Copake from 2005-2013, and became a full time resident of Ancram in 2018.  For 15 years, he has taught an undergraduate course in entrepreneurship/management.  He serves on the board of Columbia County’s nonprofit Trillium Community Land Trust and on several of Ancram’s town committees.

Tonya Pulver, Member

Tonya Pulver is a lifelong resident of Pine Plains and a graduate of Marist College, where she earned a master’s degree in school psychology. She has dedicated her life to serving her community, children, and animals. Tonya is an active member of the Pine Plains Lions Club and can often be found volunteering at every Beef Barbecue the club hosts. She has been employed by the Millbrook Central School District for nearly 30 years and currently works as a school psychologist, supporting and advocating for children in the district.