Kingston, NY , September 22, 2014 – The regional housing agency, RUPCO, Inc. based in Kingston, announced this week the appointment of Tara Collins to its senior staff as Director of Communication & Resource Development. Collins comes to RUPCO after serving as Communications Director at the Watershed Agricultural Council (Walton, NY) where she touted the Council’s farm and forest clean water programs within the New York City Watershed and the buy local branding campaign, Pure Catskills. With nearly 25 years’ experience in communications, writing, and marketing, she has also worked with Ski Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury, NY), Robert A. Stanger & Co. (a NJ-based real estate investment banking firm), and publications such as Catskill Mountain Region Guide (regional New York arts-culture-tourism magazine), Dow Jones Investment Advisor (a national publication) and Two River Times (a local newspaper in Red Bank, NJ). She holds a B.A. in Communications Electronic Media from the College of New Jersey.
“RUPCO is committed to enhancing our staff with professionals who have the skills, attitudes and expertise that best serve our constituents,” said Kevin O’Connor, CEO. “Tara has a passion for storytelling and brings with her an enthusiasm for sharing the housing-for-all message. She will be an asset to our marketing team as RUPCO continues to do great work across all its programs in community development, homeownership, senior services, and the greening of New York. I see Tara playing an integral role in connecting our programs with more people as we continue to impact the communities we serve across the region.”
Now an Ulster County resident, Collins is originally from Asbury Park, NJ. “I am eager to put my skills in nonprofit technology, outreach and resource development to work for RUPCO and the community it serves. As a new resident to Saugerties, I’m excited to get to know the area, connect with my neighbors, and discover the gifts of Hudson Valley living. For me, working with RUPCO is another puzzle piece in the Good Living master plan. Clean air, water and food serve as the basis for survival, but when you have reliable shelter, a place to hang your hat and call home, all things blossom from there. Together, we can address the challenges of creating wonderful living spaces through smart, pro-active community planning. For me, it’s about creating a sense of community: belonging, thriving and living well.” Collins also volunteers for the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society, Farm Catskills and Habitat for Humanity-Delaware County and served on the Farmland Protection Planning Committee which created the Town of Meredith’s Farmland Protection Plan, the first in Delaware County.
