Joan Tarantino

executive director

Joan began her position as the Executive Director of The Conkling Center, formerly The Glens Falls Home in April 2012. She has 40+ years of not-for-profit leadership, management and direct program experience.  

“I am fortunate to work with an incredible team at The Conkling Center. Each person brings skills and years of experience to their position. The level of commitment and interest shows through our work with senior community members and other community organizations.”

Joan has served on a number of boards over the past 40+ years, including the NYS Community Action Association, Washington County Empire Zone, Kingsbury/Fort Edward Area Senior Center, Greater Glens Falls Senior Center, Tri-County United Way and WSWHE BOCES Advisory Council.  Joan currently serves on the Wiawaka Board, Southern Adirondack Childcare Network Board, Glens Falls Rotary Foundation Board, Haynes House of Hope Board and the Alzheimer’s Walk and Leadership Committees.

She received her Bachelors in Social Work from Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont in 1980.

She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.

Tricia Golden is the Program Manager with The Conkling Center. In this role, Tricia researches topics of interest to seniors, develops ongoing program schedules, marketing programs, registering program attendees, overseeing in-person and virtual program offerings and other job related duties. 

Tricia has joined our team after 24 years of experience working at a non-for-profit with families and younger children.  In her spare time she volunteers on a committee and fundraises for events involving seniors.  

Tricia is a proud Aunt of two nieces, and will travel out of state to visit family as often as she can, noting her friends are also family. Tricia says the only thing good about winter is, “hockey season!” often going to the Adirondack Thunder games. Summer is her favorite season, where she loves the lakes, oceans, campfires, kayaking, and concerts!

Tricia golden

Program Manager

Michael Gleason

Transportation Coordinator

Michael came to The Conkling Center in February of 2016. Prior to coming to The Conkling Center, he was employed at McCanns Pharmacy in Hudson Falls for forty-five years.  

Michael’s personality and customer service skills are a perfect fit for his position as transportation coordinator for the On The Go program. Community members using this program say; Michael is kind, helpful and a gentleman.

Michael has served on the board of the Washington County Cancer Society, served as chairman of the renovation committee for St. Mary’s/St. Pauls Church in Hudson Falls and has been a member of the Glens Falls Community Theatre.

Michael says, “I enjoy helping people. Being the transportation coordinator gives me the opportunity to do this each day.”

Michael has traveled extensively through Europe.  He enjoys cooking and gardening.

Terry Barber

On The Go Transportation Program

Terry came to The Conkling Center in September of 2013 as a Transportation Concierge.  

Prior to coming to The Conkling Center, Terry taught grade five in the Fort Ann School District for 33 years. He has worked as courier for both, the local BOCES and Glens Falls Hospital.

He has served on the Washington County Traffic Safety Board, Fort Ann Village Board, and Fort Ann EMS, and as a Saint Ann’s Church Trustee.

Terry says, “Concierge work at The Conkling Center is very rewarding.  Assisting seniors with their transportation needs to/from appointments brings smiles to their faces and to mine.  They’re a joy to work with!”

Kathi came to The Conkling Center in August of 2020 as a Transportation Concierge.

Kathi was aware of the On The Go Transportation program prior to applying to be a Concierge. She felt her interest in working with people and her skills were a good fit for the position.

Prior to coming to The Conkling Center, she worked as an assistant manager at the Bonnie View Resort in Bolton Landing.

Kathi lives in Glens Falls and has two adult sons.  She plays saxophone in the North Country Jazz Project, the Lake George Saxophone Quartet, and Lake George Community Band, where she has also held various positions on the board and committees.  

Kathi says, “I love to drive, and I enjoy meeting and helping people. This job allows me to do both and has been very rewarding.”

Kathi DiMauro

On The Go Transportation Program

Gary Edie

On The Go Transportation Program

Gary Edie came to work at The Conkling Center in January of 2017 as a Concierge.

Gary has traveled thousands of miles transporting community members 55+ to various destinations. Gary is no longer driving but will substitute for our Transportation Coordinator when needed.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Management from Siena College. Prior to coming to The Conkling Center, Gary was a Commercial Insurance Producer (Sales) at Cool Insuring Agency, Inc., Queensbury for over 29 years, retiring in May 2016.

Gary was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve from 1972 – 1978.

He previously served on the Prospect Center Board, Queensbury (a Division of the Center for Disability Services, Albany) for 14 years, including terms as President and Vice-President. In his free time, Gary enjoys boating, kayaking, cross-country skiing, gardening, and exercising at the YMCA.

Gary stated, “I was fortunate to have The Conkling Center, as well as their previous entity, The Glens Falls Home, as a client for most of my 29 years at Cool Insuring Agency.  It is rewarding to be on the other side now – to be a part of what they actually do for the community.

Gary and his wife, Mary Anne, a retired teacher from St. Mary’s/St. Alphonsus School, reside in Queensbury and have two children, Shawn and Courtney, along with five grandchildren.

Joe joined the On-The-Go team as a Transportation Concierge in March of 2023. Born and raised in New Hampshire, Joe moved to Glens Falls in October of 2011 and instantly fell in love with the area.

He is a graduate of SUNY Adirondack—Summa Cum Laude—and was awarded Academic Excellence and Parnassus.

Joe stated, “I thoroughly enjoy my position at the Conkling Center. It’s beyond rewarding to do my part for the community. To our riders, what we do means the world. We give them a bit of their independence back. What the Conkling Center does for the greater Glens Falls area is truly remarkable/important and to be a part of that is an honor and a privilege.”

Joe Thompson

On The Go Transportation Program