Our Board & Staff
Our Board and Staff
The board members of the Troy Community Land Bank consist of residents, business owners, school district educators and local developers.
Jamie Magur
Board Chair
Mayoral Appointee
Jamie Magur – Board Chair
Jamie Magur serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Troy Community Land Bank, where he is dedicated to fostering sustainable, owner-occupied housing opportunities in Troy’s North Central neighborhood. As a lifetime resident of Troy, Jamie is passionate about revitalizing the community and ensuring accessible housing options for its residents.
In addition to his role with the Land Bank, Jamie is a member of the Troy BID Board and a successful business owner in Troy. As a real estate developer, he has renovated multiple properties and actively manages a diverse real estate portfolio, contributing to the preservation and enhancement of Troy’s neighborhoods. His commitment to community development and housing equity drives his leadership and advocacy efforts.
Suzanne Spellen
Vice Chair
Board Appointee
Suzanne Spellen
Brian Barker
Board Secretary
Troy City School District Appointee
Brian Barker
Brian Barker, AIA, Brian is an alumnus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Architecture who, upon his graduation, settled in the city of Troy to answer the call to urban ministry and church planting. He has served as an elder of Victorious Life Christian Church since 1988 and is currently a Principal with architecture+, a Troy architectural firm with a national practice where he has been practicing for over 38 years. Brian serves on the board of directors for Arise & Build Community Ministries, the Troy Community Land Bank and formerly served as board chair for Habitat for Humanity Capital District. Brian has a strong desire to see Troy’s neighborhoods renewed and restored through building community partnerships and providing affordable housing opportunities. Brian and his wife, Dena, have seven adult children and three grandchildren and reside in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood.
Monica Kurzejeski
Board Treasurer
City Council Appointee
Andrew Cooper
City Council Appointee
Andrew Cooper
Andrew brings 30 years of experience working with local and state government agencies as part of his work within New York State’s child welfare system to his position on the board of the Troy Community Land Bank. He values and works to support the physical and social fabric that builds strong communities.
Seamus Donnelly
Mayoral Appointee
Bob Connolly
Mayoral Appointee
Bob Connolly – Board Member
Bob Connolly brings decades of experience in public service, real estate, and community involvement to the Troy Community Land Bank. A lifelong resident of Troy, Bob dedicated over 30 years to working for state and county agencies, where he developed strong leadership and problem-solving skills. During his tenure at Hudson Valley Community College, he served as Vice President of the union, advocating for workers’ rights and fostering positive labor relations.
With deep roots in Troy, Bob has been actively involved in revitalizing the city’s housing stock by rehabbing and selling tax lien foreclosures and managing rental properties. His hands-on experience in the trades, particularly in electrical work, began in his youth and has informed his approach to property maintenance and improvement.
Bob’s commitment to the Troy community extends beyond housing—he devoted many years to supporting youth sports, especially local softball and baseball leagues, where he played an integral role in mentoring and coaching young athletes. He and his wife, Tracy, a highly accomplished labor attorney, have been married for 35 years, raising their family with a shared dedication to improving their community.
Bob’s broad expertise in property management, labor relations, and community engagement makes him a valuable asset to the Troy Community Land Bank’s mission of revitalizing neighborhoods and creating sustainable, affordable housing options
Brian Sano
City Council Appointee
Brian Sano
Brian Sano is the Director of New York Quality and Compliance Assurance at National Grid. In this role, he leads a team that is accountable for the development, implementation, and successful delivery of the gas quality and compliance assurance programs across National Grid’s NY territory and ensures compliance with Federal DOT, and state specific pipeline safety regulations.
In his 23 years with National Grid, Brian has moved up the ranks of the company since he was initially hired as a meter reader. For the first eight years of his career with National Grid, he worked the front lines performing electric and gas work as a member of IBEW Local 97. Since then, he has served as a supervisor, manager of customer meter services, director of operations and director of external affairs, prior to assuming his current role. Brian believes his work on the front lines of the company provides him with a unique perspective in leading his teams.
A dedicated and engaged community volunteer, Brian is board chair of United Way of the Greater Capital Region and has served on the boards of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and Center for Economic Growth in Albany. In addition, for the past six years he has served as President of the Frear Park Conservancy, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving Troy’s Frear Park’s beauty, accessibility, and historic integrity.
Tamara DeMartino
City Council Appointee
Tamara Demartino
Tamara is a full time licensed realtor in the Capital Region. She is originally from CNY and has resided in Troy for over 25 years and has raised her family here. Educated as an artist she has taught art at The Art Center and various schools in our community as well, has done many public art projects. She is also on Troy’s Zoning Board of Appeals and is happy to serve her community.
Kim Ashe-McPherson
Mayoral Appointee
Vacant
Lansingburgh City School District Appointee
Staff
Staff are employed to support the work of the Board, serve at the Board’s pleasure, and do not hold voting authority.
Brad Lewis
Executive Director
Brad Lewis – Executive Director
Brad Lewis is the Executive Director of the Troy Community Land Bank, where he leads efforts to transform vacant properties into vibrant, affordable housing. With over 20 years of experience running a successful construction business specializing in masonry and building maintenance, Brad has developed deep expertise in property rehabilitation and financial management. His long-standing business success reflects his strong fiscal abilities, including managing budgets, overseeing financial planning, and navigating the complexities of large-scale renovation projects.
In 2009, Brad earned his MBA from the College of Saint Rose, with a concentration in finance, financial planning, small business, and entrepreneurship. His keen financial acumen, combined with his ability to plan and manage housing projects from start to finish, has enabled him to restore over a dozen vacant properties in the City of Troy, all of which he now owns and manages. These properties have been transformed into habitable, high-quality homes.
Brad’s commitment to historic preservation has earned him widespread recognition. In 2023, he was honored with the Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award by the Historic Albany Foundation for his exemplary work in restoring historic homes while preserving key architectural details.
In addition to his role at TCLB, Brad serves as the president of the Mount Ida Preservation Association, which focuses on restoring the historic church at 548 Congress Street and fostering community engagement.
Brad’s combination of fiscal discipline, housing expertise, and community focus continues to drive his mission to revitalize neighborhoods and create sustainable housing opportunities.
Paul Donnelly
Project Manager
Paul Donnelly
Paul Donnelly is a native of Troy, New York, and a dedicated business leader with a strong commitment to the local community. He serves as Project Manager for the Troy Community Land Bank, where he oversees and administers a grant program designed to facilitate the improvement of the Land Bank’s properties. In this role, Paul brings his extensive experience in real estate development and business operations to support the revitalization of Troy. He is also the owner and operator of several Troy-based companies, including Tyler James Construction, Tyler James Properties, Tyler James Commercial Properties, and Collaborations Advertising and Marketing Inc. A graduate of Catholic Central High School and The School of Radio and Television, Paul combines his education and entrepreneurial expertise to drive impactful projects that benefit the community and contribute to the continued growth of Troy.