William Roege, President

Pure Waters Member since: 2017

Residence: Seneca Lake Northwest Quadrant

Bill Roege retired to Seneca Lake in 2017 after a career as an Air Force officer and then as a federal government civilian in the Departments of Defense and Energy. He and his spouse, Peggy Focarino, came from the Washington, DC area and were immediately drawn to Pure Waters because of its citizen science programs—both becoming HABs volunteers, and Bill also a Stream Monitoring volunteer. By 2018, Bill was leading the HABs program.

In 2019, Bill and Peggy joined the Pure Waters board. Bill volunteered to co-chair the Finance Committee and has been a strong advocate for disciplined budgeting and performance assessment, helping the organization manage its growth. He also spearheaded efforts to publish a comprehensive Annual Report that highlights Pure Waters’ many accomplishments each year. Before joining the board, Bill helped facilitate a strategic planning project, which has produced 3 iterations over the last 5 years and continues to evolve.

Bill and Peggy believe the lake, and the surrounding area, is a jewel that they appreciate every single day. They both want to do whatever they can to make it even better for future generations and believe Seneca Lake Pure Waters is the best way to make an impact.

Mark Petzold, Vice President

Pure Waters Member since: 2021

Residence: Geneva

Mark Petzold is a retired professional with a strong background in engineering and extensive experience in the aerospace industry. Having served as the Chief Engineer for VH-92 at Lockheed Martin Owego, he brings valuable technical expertise to his role as a board member. Mark's commitment to environmental conservation led him to actively participate in the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, contributing his time and effort to protect the watershed. His involvement in various community activities reflects his dedication to youth development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Mark actively contributes to the protection and preservation of the Seneca Lake watershed through his involvement with the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association. As of 2021, he has been volunteering for the Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) program, helping to monitor and address the issue of harmful algae in the lake. In 2022, Mark participated in the Fishery Initiative, further showcasing his dedication to preserving the lake's ecosystem.

Mark's extensive engineering background, coupled with his commitment to environmental conservation and community involvement, make him a valuable board member. His experience as a Chief Engineer in the aerospace industry, as well as his active participation in the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association and community activities, reflect his proactive approach to making a positive impact. Mark's dedication to youth development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement will contribute to the success of the organization.

Mark Gibson, Secretary  

Pure Waters Member Since: 2019

Residence: Himrod

Mark Gibson is a retired small business owner who has lived in Western New York his whole life. He is a graduate of RIT and co-founder/president of Xelic Inc. a designer of custom integrated circuits focused on the high-speed fiber optic communications. Mark and his wife started vacationing on Seneca Lake in 1998 and purchased property on the lake in 2012. Mark and his wife Marie have been living nearly full time on the lake since 2023. 

Mark joined Pure Waters in 2019 and became a board member in 2023. Mark is the chair of the membership and fundraising committee as well as the HABs volunteer coordinator. Mark’s experience running a successful small business and engineering background provides the Association with a wide range of skills to address the challenges we are facing. 

Jill Ritter, Treasurer 

Pure Waters Member Since: 2014

Residence: Northwest quadrant

Jill grew up on a small dairy farm in western New York, attended Corning Community College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communications from Ithaca College. She worked for over 18 years as a Trainer/Technical Writer for companies catering to the College/University market.  After leaving the corporate world, Jill was a board member and bookkeeper for St. Peter's Community Arts Academy and served as the NYS Director of the Parkinson’s Action Network.  

Jill and her husband Jeff have lived in the Seneca Lake watershed for over 30 years. In 2012, they purchased a small parcel of land on the western shore of Seneca Lake for their family to enjoy.  After experiencing high water levels during in the spring of 2014, Jill wanted to learn more about how the lake level is managed and started attending Pure Waters Lake Level committee meetings. By the fall of 2015, she joined the Pure Waters Board of Directors and has served on various committees including the Communications, Events, Marketing, Finance and Membership.