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CONY Hall of Fame & CONY Fellows

CONY recognizes exceptional campground operators and partners in the outdoor hospitality industry that have made great contributions not only to the association, but also to their own communities and professions.

The CONY Hall of Fame recognizes campground operators and association staff, and nominees are considered by the Board of Directors.

A nominee for the CONY Hall of Fame could be a current or past member or staff person. Nominations can come from CONY directors on behalf of their regions, or the Executive Committee. More than one person can receive designation to the CONY Hall of Fame in the same year.

Hall of Fame members welcome Randy Lehman

The board considers the following criteria:

  • Individual has been or was a CONY member at least 8 years.
  • Individual has been or was a Board of Director member or Alternate Director for at least 3 years.
  • Individual is or was an owner/operator of a quality campground.
  • Individual made/makes contributions to CONY and the outdoor hospitality industry.
  • Individual is/was involved in the New York tourism industry.
  • Individual had/has community involvement, such as their local chamber of commerce, civic/service organizations, political service, etc.
  • Individual is past/present paid personnel of CONY.

CONY Hall of Fame Honorees

1985
Olga “Ollie” Mizerak
Shadow Brook Campground

1985
Roger Anderson
Camp Chautauqua

1987
Bob London
Skyway Camping Resort

1991
John VanHassent
Camp Bell Campground

1995
Barbara Lighthall
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mexico

1995
Edwin Lighthall
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mexico

1999
Merrill L. Bull
Arrowhead Camping Area

2003
Ford Gilbert “Gil” Paddock
Deer River Campsite

2004
Robert C. Klos, Sr.
Sugar Creek Glen Campground & CONY Executive Administrator

2007
Albert G. Kaufman
Upper Delaware Campground

2008
Vera Eddy
Woodstream Campsite & charter member of CONY

2008
Mildred Yaniszewski
Conesus Lake Campground & charter member of CONY

2009
Mark Anderson
Camp Chautauqua

2011
Randy S. Lehman
Hickory Hill Camping Resort

2012
Janine Paddock
Deer River Campsite

2021
Gina Lenhard
Adirondacks Jellystone Park

2021
Mike Lenhard
Adirondacks Jellystone Park

2023
Donald Bennett, Jr.
Past President & CEO of CONY
Conesus Lake Campground
Conesus Lake RV Park

Hall of Fame members pose with CONY 50th cake
Gregg Nicholls, Charlie Daley, Don Bennett, Jr.
Vera Eddy and Mildred Yaniszewski

The CONY Fellow of Distinction recognition was created in 2016 by the CONY board of directors to honor individuals or companies that support CONY’s mission of promotion, growth, improvement, and development of independently owned campgrounds in New York State, and its vision to be the model campground association by providing professionalism and diversity in our programs, education, services, advocacy and support for continued growth and collaboration within the outdoor hospitality industry.

Nominations for Hall of Fame and Fellow of Distinction recognitions are considered upon nomination submission to the CONY Board of Directors by members, affiliate members, or staff, and not strictly on an annual basis.

CONY Fellow of Distinction Honorees

2017
Clyde Taylor
President, Taylor Communications

2017
David “Scout” Thornton
Founder and Owner, Destinations of New York State

2018
Charlie Daley, CTIS/CTP
Founder and Owner, Destinations of New York State

2019
John Doldo III
Owner, Jones & Doldo Agency, LLC

2021
Peter B. O'Connell
Attorney at Law

Contact the CONY office for more information or to submit a nomination.

John Doldo & Don Bennett, Jr.
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