Barbara Rice has served as the Adirondack Park Agency’s Executive Director since March 2022. She is responsible for the administration of the Adirondack Park Agency Act and the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. Executive Director Rice oversees a staff of 44 employees and works closely with the Agency Board on regional land use planning policy.
A native Adirondacker, Barbara Rice has extensive background in local government administration, land use planning and community development. She served in Governor Hochul’s Executive Chamber as Assistant Secretary for Economic Development where she oversaw expansion of broadband internet in unserved and underserved areas of New York State through the implementation of the $500 million dollar New York Broadband Program, supervised $265 million in capital projects through the Olympic Regional Development Authority in preparation for the 2023 World University Games, and helped launch the Upstate Cellular Task Force which identified solutions and policies to improve cellular communication in upstate New York.
Executive Director Rice gained invaluable local government experience in her roles as a Franklin County Legislator/Chair and as a Saranac Lake Village Trustee. She has also served as: Adirondack Park Agency Board Member; North Country Regional Economic Development Council Member; Adirondack Health Foundation Trustee; and Saranac Lake Local Development Corporation Director.
Executive Director Rice earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, from SUNY Plattsburgh; an Associates of Science, Physician Assistant Program from Albany Medical College; and a Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program from Bennington College.