The New York State Probation Officers Association Conference
“The conference was the brainchild of Gerry Zimmerman (Cattaraugus County, retired during 2019 as Director of Cattaraugus County Probation Department). Gerry Zimmerman felt the conference should be held at an educational institution to emphasize to Department heads that we were there to learn (although we certainly had a good time doing it).” The First Conference was held in 1993 in Olean, New York.
The NYSPOA’s Annual Conferences:
1st – 1993 Conference – Jamestown Community College, Olean, New York
2nd – 1994 Conference – Jamestown Community College, Olean, New York
3rd – 1995 Conference – Jamestown Community College, Olean, New York
4th – 1996 Conference – Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York
5th – 1997 Conference – Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York (July 30, – August 1, 1997)
6th – 1998 Conference – Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York
7th – 1999 Conference – Co-sponsored with the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) for its Training Institute held in New York City at the Marriott Marquis
8th – 2000 Conference Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York
9th – 2001 Conference – Broome County Community College, Binghamton, New York (August 1-3, 2001)
10th – 2002 Conference Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York (July 31, 2002 – August 2, 2002). There were items sold at this conference and folders printed indicating “9th Annual” conference.
11th – 2003 Conference – Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York
12th – 2004 Conference – Sovereign Hotel, Albany, New York
The Association left behind its conferences being held at the colleges and branched out to organize and host them on our own in Albany, New York. We collaborated with a national association, and worked with Art Leonardo of the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents to walk us through the steps to run the conference and Joe Marchese, who was working at New York State Parole, at the time provided additional assistance. Kevin McKay (Albany County), Jennifer Ball (Monroe County), and Frank Timko (Westchester County) as being a large part in working with Karen Birch (NYSPOA President) on bringing our conference to the Sovereign Hotel from the college. This year was a test run for us and it was a success as we actually made a small profit and had a large attendance.
13th – 2005 Conference – Partnered with the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) for its Training Institute in New York City at the Marriott Marquis
- NYSPOA garnered a deal with the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) to participate as a partner, without the risk of losing money to the Association. This agreement allowed us, as an association to promote our group and give awards at the conference as well. The NYSPOA also delivered workshops at this conference. The NYSPOA President Karen Birch was the Local Track Chair for this APPA NYC Training Institute.
14th – 2006 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (August 2-47, 2006)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
15th – 2007 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (August 1-3, 2007)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
16th – 2008 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (August 13-15, 2008)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
17th – 2009 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (August 12-14, 2009)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
18th – 2010 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (August 11-13, 2010)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
19th – 2011 Conference – Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York (June 5-8, 2011)
- The Mid-Atlantic States Correctional Association, the New York State Probation Officers Association, and the New York State Corrections and Youth Association partnered for this conference.
20th – 2012 Conference – Hotel Albany, Albany, New York (August 8-10, 2012)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
21st – 2013 Conference – Hilton Albany, Albany, New York (August 7-9, 2013)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
22nd – 2014 Conference – The Event and Conference Center at Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York (August 6-8, 2014)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
23rd – 2015 Conference – Genesee Grande Hotel, Syracuse, New York (August 5-7, 2015)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
24th – 2016 Conference – The Event and Conference Center at Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York (August 2-5, 2016)
- Kevin McKay (Albany County) and Jennifer Ball (Monroe County) Conference Co-Chairs
2017 Conference – No exculusive NYSPOA conference held (August 27 – 30, 2017)
- The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) hosted its Summer Training Institute at the NYC Marriot Marquis and the NYSPOA hosted its 50th Celebration/Awards Ceremony during the Institute on August 27, 2017. Westchester County Probation Commissioner Rocco A. Pozzi and Westchester County Deputy Commissioner Francine Perretta assisted NYSPOA with these arrangements. Veronica Glueck, NYSPOA Region 4 Co-Regional Vice President and Publications Chair served as Local Track Program Chair, coordinated the 50th Celebration/Awards Ceremony, and co-planned the Community Corrections Chase workshop for APPA.
25th – 2018 Conference – Hotel Ithaca, Ithaca, New York (July 25-27, 2018)
- Pamela Cole (Orange County), Gladys Larson (Tompkins County), Laura Provost (Clinton County) Conference Tri-Chairs
26th – 2019 Conference – Resorts World Catskills, Monticello, New York (July 31 – August 2, 2019)
- Pamela Cole (Orange County), Gladys Larson (Tompkins County) Conference Co-Chairs
New York State Department of Probation and Correctional Alternatives / New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives Support of NYSPOA Conference with Scholarships:
Throughout the years DPCA/OPCA has submitted workshop proposals to be presented at the annual training conference, presented awards during the NYSPOA Awards Ceremony, and offered registration scholarships to departments and also has provided registration scholarships to its awardee(s).