On Sept. 3, Donna Haynes was appointed to fill the Howland Public Library trustee seat of David Lemon, who was unable to complete his term. Her term ends June 30, 2014. Haynes is a marketing professional specializing in tourism and partnership promotion. She’s married to percussionist Jeff Haynes, prominent recording and touring musician and teaching artist. They have three kids: a Lincoln University sophomore, a seventh-grader at Rombout Middle School, and a fifth-grader at JV Forrestal Elementary.
Haynes moved with her family to Beacon in 2003 from Brooklyn. They found Beacon by Googling Hudson Valley communities. Reading about Beacon’s cultural diversity and unfolding art scene motivated them to explore.
“We fell in love just driving over the Beacon/Newburgh Bridge,” Haynes said. “We sold our house and moved up less than three months later!”
She resigned from her marketing position at NYC Transit after moving, because managing the commute with a young family and Jeff’s intense touring schedule was a challenge. After freelancing, she landed a job at Dutchess County Tourism and managed group travel, promoting Dutchess County/Hudson Valley attractions to the motorcoach market.
She rejoined the MTA family in 2008 as Manager of Promotional Partnerships. Haynes promotes leisure travel to destinations within Metro-North’s service area. She works with county tourism offices, attractions, cultural organizations, and recreational companies to develop discount getaway packages and cross-marketing partnerships.
“My family is the very best part of me, but I love promoting tourism in the Hudson Valley, creating a thriving quality of life for families in the community and enriching the lives of children through the arts. To me, it’s like sharing light,” Haynes said.
The library services more than 27,000 people in the Beacon City School District, as well as those who work in or visit the community.
“Howland Public Library is Beacon’s melting pot,” Haynes said. “It serves and reflects Beacon’s tapestry – ethnically diverse, young, old, families, low income, upwardly mobile, culturally rich, high tech, disabled, new residents, multi-generational residents … I welcome the opportunity to pour in and stir Beacon’s melting pot with my talents, professional expertise, and passion for the community.”
