POTSDAM --SUNY Potsdam will recognize Judge Eugene L. Nicandri with the 2016 Leadership Through Service Award, one of the college's highest honors, during commencement Saturday, May 21.

SUNY Potsdam established the Leadership Through Service Award to honor those outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment of service to the Potsdam community. Each year, recipients are acknowledged for demonstrating a special commitment to the betterment of the North Country through dedicated service.

Judge Nicandri has been a respected leader in the North Country community for many years. In 2013, he was confirmed by the New York State Senate to a second five-year term on the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees, following his reappointment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. A retired judge and attorney, Nicandri was recently appointed as Vice Chair of the NYPA Board, overseeing the country's largest state-owned utility. He first became a trustee in 2008, after being nominated by Governor David Paterson. He is also a member of the Seaway Private Equity Corporation Board of Directors.

As a trustee, Nicandri has been at the center of key NYPA decision making. This has included major endeavors to modernize and upgrade the state's electricity infrastructure, protect and create jobs through allocations of lower-cost electricity to businesses and enterprises, and bring about investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies.

Nicandri served as President of the New York State County Judges Association from 1999 to 2000, when he retired. Previously, he was a partner in the Massena law firm of Lavigne & Nicandri from 1966 to 1985, and served at various times as the attorney for the Towns of Massena, Brasher, Louisville and Lawrence; for the Village of Massena, and for Massena Memorial Hospital.

Nicandri represented the Town of Massena in landmark litigation involving the establishment of the Massena Electric Department, a municipal electric system that benefits from low-cost hydropower from NYPA as a preference customer under federal law. He served as the department's attorney from 1981 to 1985.

SUNY Potsdam has named Michael Galane '74 as the recipient of its 2016 Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award, the highest award bestowed by the college. Galane will be recognized as the recipient of the award during the College's Commencement, on Saturday, May 21.

The annual recognition is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated steadfast support for SUNY Potsdam and the region through their leadership, advocacy, stewardship and service.

Galane earned his bachelor's degree in computer science at SUNY Potsdam in 1974, and went on to complete his Master of Science degree at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Galane is a Vice President for the Hewlett-Packard Company, where he leads Technology Services for the Americas Enterprise Group for the Indirect Channel. His responsibilities include investment, compensation and overall design of the go-to-market structure for HP's indirect sales motion for distributors, resellers and system integrators.

Galane was previously the fulfillment operations manager for Enterprise Storage & Servers, Americas, where he led forecasting and planning. Prior to this, he managed supply chain operations for the company. Galane has also served as worldwide manager for remarketed systems and worldwide marketing manager for professional services. He began his career at Eastman Kodak, and has also held executive positions at HP in both research and development and in consulting. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Galane was the 2004 recipient of the Minerva Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association.

Galane has represented HP on the board of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, as well as several educational, human services and arts organizations, including KidsFirst, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, the PowerHouse Science Center of Sacramento, Cupertino Community Services, DeAnza College and the Cupertino Division of the American Heart Association. He led three United Way Campaigns for HP's Cupertino campus, is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum and was a founding director of the Industrial Computing Society of the Instrument Society of America.

On top of his professional accomplishments and service to his community, Galane is also a dedicated and generous supporter of his alma mater. He is the Vice President of the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees, where he helps to steward philanthropic giving to support SUNY Potsdam. In addition to his service on the Foundation Board, Galane is also a founding member of the SUNY Potsdam Computer and Information Sciences Board of Advisers. Galane is also a generous contributor to SUNY Potsdam, and has been instrumental in securing significant computer equipment donations to the College from HP.

In support of SUNY Potsdam, Galane serves as the National Co-Chair for Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam. His service to the College in this capacity has been significant, as he has provided constant leadership to help position the campaign for success.

Under his leadership, the Take the Lead Campaign has exceeded all expectations -- breaking records for generosity again and again. So far, the campaign has raised $33 million for scholarships, programs and unrestricted giving to support strategic priorities and the greatest need of the College. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/campaign.

More info: www.potsdam.edu/commencement.