People news: Adirondack North Country Association adds Smoke as board member

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced the recent addition of Edward Smoke of Akwesasne to its board of directors.

Smoke, who joined the board in June, currently serves as business services specialist for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

“ANCA and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have been developing a strong partnership over the last several years,” Kate Fish, ANCA’s executive director, said in a release. “The community at Akwesasne is proactive in identifying initiatives and opportunities that benefit its businesses and residents.”

“Ed’s addition to ANCA’s board will amplify these efforts, particularly in terms of small business development and clean energy adoption,” Fish said. “We’re glad to have him on our team.”

Smoke has held several leadership positions that support indigenous small business development, including a recent temporary tenure as acting director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Office of Economic Development. In his role as business services specialist, he works directly with the tribe’s business community to support new and expanding businesses and to connect business owners with support services, programs and events.

“ANCA’s work with small business development is an asset to the Akwesasne community and the North Country region as a whole,” Smoke said in the release. “My experience supporting small business owners and building relationships with stakeholders throughout the region complements ANCA’s work connecting entrepreneurs and communities with the resources that can benefit them the most.”

Smoke holds a bachelor’s degree in human service studies from Cornell University and an associate degree from SUNY College of Technology at Canton. He also serves on the North Country Regional Development Council and the St. Lawrence Economic Development Board and currently works closely with the Akwesasne Tourism Working Group that is implementing a new tourism initiative within Akwesasne.

ANCA says it is an independent nonprofit organization growing the new economy in northern New York. Using an integrated approach to sustainable economic development and prosperity where economic health, community vitality, and ecological stewardship are equally important outcomes, ANCA says it focuses on creating opportunity for people with diverse backgrounds, experience, and education levels.

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Photo credit: ANCA