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Planning - Contact Us

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.