Rockland Resident Named Power Authority's Honoree at National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry

Contact
Connie M. Cullen
914-390-8196
connie.cullen@nypa.gov

March 24, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHITE PLAINS—Eugene W. Zeltmann, president and chief executive officer, of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), has announced the selection of Lorna Constable, associate information specialist in the Public and Governmental Affairs business unit, as NYPA’s Black Achiever in Industry for 2003. Constable will be honored Thursday (March 25) evening at the Harlem YMCA’s 34th annual National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry gala black-tie dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in New York City. She was also acknowledged for this achievement on Feb. 3 in Albany by Governor George E. Pataki’s Tribute to African American Leaders in State Service.

“Lorna Constable brings many benefits to the New York Power Authority, especially in the areas of better communications both internally and externally,” said Zeltmann. “A major benefit of her contributions is that it highlights the excellence that diversity brings to the workplace. Lorna is truly deserving of this recognition as Black Achiever for her dedication to improving how NYPA communicates.”

In 2003, Constable earned these distinctions as she led the media relations division in NYPA’s Public and Governmental Affairs business unit in a revolution in the use of electronic systems. Using her considerable expertise in media relations resources, research, organization and team-building, Constable directed every aspect of the development and implementation of the use of electronic systems including electronic storage for the media library, desktop distribution of NewsClips (the daily reading file of important news articles) and e-distribution of news releases to media across the nation. These major accomplishments have significantly improved the timely and critical dissemination of information both inside and outside of NYPA.

Constable joined the NYPA staff in 1975 as a secretary in the legal department and subsequently moved to the Public Affairs department, now known as the Public and Governmental Affairs business unit. During her tenure, she has held positions of increasing responsibility. In her current position, Constable’s major responsibilities include all operations of the Media Relations Library, and research, development and distribution of NewsClips.

Responding to her selection as NYPA’s Black Achiever in Industry, Constable said, “Achieving recognition such as this shows that hard work and persistence are worth pursing in all of life’s endeavors.”

Constable received her bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from the City University of New York, Manhattan campus. She has twice been named Employee of the Quarter at NYPA, most recently for the use of electronic technologies in media relations.

Constable is an active member of her church, and as an accomplished pianist and organist, has served as choirmaster. Her charitable efforts include sponsorship of the education of a young woman in Jamaica and support for a young girl in Bangladesh. She also helps fund a program supplying bicycles to pastors in two churches in Malawi, Africa.

As devoted mother to her teenage son Philip, Constable is actively involved in his many academic, athletic, church and cultural pursuits. She is most proud of his musical talent. Philip plays cello and has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall as part of the highly competitive Westchester Youth Orchestra. He recently helped adapt a musical score for a school production while also playing in the production’s orchestra.

The fundamental aims of the National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry is the recognition of African Americans who have made outstanding contributions as members of the corporate community and showing how their energies would provide inspiration and motivation for young adults.

Constable, a resident of Nanuet in Rockland County, is a native of Jamaica and she became an American citizen in 1977.