Department Staff
Department staff can be contacted at (607) 274-5560 or by emailing a specific staff person (by clicking on their name).
Our offices are located in the Old Courthouse, also known as the Daniel D. Tompkins Building.
Eliot Benman, AICP -- Housing and Community Development Planner
Eliot's core work areas are housing and community development.
Katherine Borgella, AICP -- Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability
Katie oversees all department operations and activities, with a focus on implementing the County Comprehensive Plan.
Terry Carroll -- Chief Sustainability Officer
Terry oversees internal efforts to implement the County’s Energy Strategy, including ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions generated by County facilities and vehicle fleets.
Abigail Conner -- Environmental Planner
Abigail's core work areas are natural resources, climate adaptation, and community planning.
Hailley Delisle -- Sustainability Coordinator
Hailley's core work area involves supporting externally focused efforts to implement the County’s Energy Strategy, including managing the Business Energy Advisors Program.
Frank Doldo -- Chief Transportation Officer
Frank oversees federal- and state-funded transit projects, developing and implementing programs and services designed to break down transportation barriers in Tompkins County.
Nick Helmholdt, AICP -- Principal Planner - Tourism Program Director
Nick's core work area is tourism planning and management.
Joan Jurkowich -- Planning Administrator
Joan's core work areas are community planning and departmental budget and administration.
Darby Kiley -- Associate Planner
Darby's core work areas are water resources and community planning.
Jennifer Luu -- Principal Account Clerk/Typist
Jennifer manages all accounting activities in the department and plays a role in a variety of administrative functions.
Kristin McCarthy -- Administrative Assistant
Kristin provides support to the advisory boards associated with the Department of Planning and Sustainability as well as to the Tourism Program.
Megan McDonald -- Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability
Megan plays a major role in all department activities, with a focus on housing and sustainability.