A community leader and former Fine Town Supervisor has been designated Chair of the Adirondack Park Agency Board.

Mark Hall will serve as the APA board’s next chair, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday, Oct. 3.

The newly-appointed Hall said, “I am pleased and honored to serve as Chair of the Adirondack Park Agency. I thank Governor Hochul for this opportunity and for her outstanding support for the Adirondack Park and its communities. The Adirondack Park Agency has grown under her leadership and today is well positioned to achieve its mission. From my earliest days, I have devoted my life to serving this Park and its people. 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.”

Hall was originally appointed to the APA Board in 2020. As a board member, he chaired the Public Awareness and Communication and Economic Affairs committees and served on the Local Government Services and Park Policy and Planning committees.

In addition to serving on the Adirondack Park Agency board for the last five years, Hall has previously served 13 years with Fine Town board, including eight years as Town Supervisor, where he spearheaded an environmental cleanup effort to remove hazardous waste and industrial blight at a former iron ore facility near the town. He also successfully improved rural telecommunication and broadband coverage and secured Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and Smart Growth grants for the town.

Today he works as the Town of Fine’s Water Superintendent.

In 2019, he led an $8.4-million water system infrastructure improvement project for the town.

He also serves as a board member for the St. Lawrence County IDA and the Development Authority of the North Country.

“The Adirondack Park is one of New York’s crown jewels and a cornerstone of the North Country economy,” Governor Hochul said. “Balancing environmental protection while promoting sustainable economic development is key to the Park’s long-term success. Mark Hall has worked tirelessly on behalf of North Country communities and the environment for decades. He will excel as the next Chair of the Adirondack Park Agency and help build a better and brighter future for the North Country.”

 Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice said, “The Adirondack Park Agency is thrilled to have Mark Hall serve as Chair of the Agency Board. We thank Governor Hochul for her decisive leadership and commitment to the Adirondack Park. Mr. Hall has consistently brought strong leadership to the board since his appointment in 2020. We look forward to his continued contributions.”

State Senator Dan Stec also cheered Hall’s appointment, saying,

“I’m thrilled by the announcement of Mark Hall as the new Chairperson of the Adirondack Park Agency Board. As a 50-year resident of the Adirondack Park, former Town of Fine Supervisor and appointee to the board since 2020, he brings the wealth of experience and insights necessary for this vital position. Whether it’s leading the brownfield remediation efforts for the former J&L Iron Ore Processing Facility or his numerous other actions, Mark has an ability to unite local, state and federal stakeholders and ensure the best outcome for the Adirondack Park. He’s going to do an excellent job as the new chairperson and I can’t wait to work with him.”

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush also celebrated Hall’s appointment. “Mark Hall is exactly the kind of leader the Adirondack Park needs,” Blankenbush said. “I’ve worked closely with Mark for years, and I can tell you he brings unmatched knowledge, dedication and integrity to everything he does. Whether it was his time as Town of Fine Supervisor, his leadership of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, or his work overseeing critical water infrastructure upgrades, Mark has always put the people of the North Country first. He understands the delicate balance between protecting our environment and promoting the sustainable economic growth our communities depend on.”