Six years ago, Marilyn Rivers’ birthday dinner was interrupted by a crisis—a lightning strike had hit Saratoga Town Hall, setting off a chain of events that would help shape her career. In the midst of the celebration, Marilyn—then the Director of Risk and Safety for the City of Saratoga Springs—was called into action. As town officials began to assess the immediate aftermath, all eyes turned to her for guidance. 

Thanks to her meticulous planning and expert strategies, the damages were minimized, avoiding a potential catastrophe. Today, Marilyn channels that same expertise into her own venture, Rivers Risk Consulting, where she helps businesses navigate the unpredictable waters of risk management.

Despite her impressive achievements, Marilyn never thought she would go into the risk management industry. Initially, she set out to be a science teacher, earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Clarkson University and her master’s degree in secondary education from Tufts University. She then began working at a local insurance company where she had an experience that motivated her to begin
a career in risk management. 

“An individual made the mistake of telling me that I did not know what I was talking about relative to an insurance issue,” Marilyn explained, “I decided then and there to undertake the very long road of obtaining my globally recognized credentials in Insurance and Risk Management.” 

Over the next few years, Marilyn spent hours working towards expanding her credentials and building an impressive resume in the risk management field. She earned her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute of CPCU. She also received her associate’s in risk management (ARM) and in claims (AIC) from Insurance Institute of America as well. 

“Those designations, coupled with my Bachelors in Chemistry and my Masters in Secondary Education, enable me to triage analytically – kind of like Columbo in risk,” Marilyn said. 

In addition to her educational development, Marilyn also has years of work experience adding to her credibility and expertise in the field. She worked for the City of Saratoga Springs for 20 years, during which she managed the city’s operations relationships with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. She also helped create and implement employee health and safety programs and much more. Throughout her career, Marilyn’s passion for risk management has continued to grow. 

“Risk management is a tremendously rewarding profession. No one day is ever the same,” she shared, “Risk management is a wonderful four-dimensional spinning ball full of energy, ideas, and opportunity.
Learning how to effectively practice, mitigate, and manage risk enables us to seize opportunities as they present themselves, maintain a healthy and safe working environment, and cost-effectively conduct our businesses.”

As her career progressed, Marilyn achieved success at the national level. In 2007, she was nominated and chosen by the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) as the Public Risk Manager of the Year. That same year, her son was graduating from Virginia Tech— a campus that was recovering from the recent tragic shooting. 

Affected by the emotion from her son’s experience, Marilyn was able to channel those feelings in a positive way as she gave her acceptance speech to a full room of people in Boston. To this day, she reflects on that moment as a defining point in her career. 

“I asked for our profession to do better, reach higher and unite in the common goal of excellence in understanding and appreciating that our differences make us stronger. I received a very lengthy standing ovation and many new friends. My national journey began that day and has expanded across ‘the pond,’ as they say. To this day, I teach webinars, produce podcasts and provide education for public risk managers across the country. My PRIMA Family keeps me grounded and teaches me new risk ideas every day,” Marilyn shared. 

Her reputation and expertise led many people to call on her for help, even after a brief retirement in April, 2023. She realized that because she was still helping so many people, it made sense to start her own business. In July, 2023, Rivers Risk Consulting began, and Marilyn has loved continuing her work. 

“Folks don’t understand what risk is and often don’t find any value in its practice. That in itself is what makes risk management an amazing career. Each business interaction is an opportunity to change the course of business and governance in a positive way,” she said. 

When Marilyn helps any business, she always takes the time to learn about where they are currently and makes the most out of the resources they already have. She recognizes that every situation and business is different, and develops her plans accordingly. Going forward, she hopes to continue educating and helping people. 

“I hope to expand risk management educational opportunities nationally and internationally. I use LinkedIn as a teaching tool and get quite a lot of positive feedback when I take an issue and break it down for discussion so folks can begin to understand risk, how it’s mitigated, and the opportunities that present themselves in the most difficult of circumstances,” she shared. 

When Marilyn is not working, she spends a lot of her time volunteering, as she has a passion for helping others. She serves as the President of the Glens Falls Lions Club. 

“We are embarking on a new vision program for the underserved, working with the United Way on the ‘Kids with Packs Program’ and Family Services ‘Feet First Program,’” she shared. 

In addition to the Lions Club, Marilyn spends every Wednesday morning feeding and caring for the cats rescued by the North Shore Animal League. She also loves seeing her grandchildren and is very proud of her son. 

“He’s a super smart gent with a wonderful family. He now practices strategic risk management as the Chief Functional Engineer for Rolls Royce in Indianapolis. That in itself makes my risk journey the most rewarding of all,” she said. 

For more information about Rivers Risk Consulting, please visit: RiversRiskConsulting.com. 

Photos courtesy of Tubby Tubes River Co.

Steady outdoor recreation entrepreneurship makes riding the rapids a breeze. 

During the heart of the summer, July and August, when the tourist season is in full swing, Jamie Johnson is constantly tracking the weather. 

As the owner of two outdoor attractions in Warren County, he’s ridden out the storms, and helped the region’s popularity as a tourist destination. Now, at Tubby Tubes River Co., in Lake Luzerne, he’s making improvements to its campus and overall customer experience. 

From Aerial to Aquatics

Adventure travelers seek out the Adirondack region for authentic outdoor experiences in a natural setting. Tubby Tubes, which has been bringing families together since 2002 for unforgettable excursions on the picturesque Hudson River, was acquired by Jamie Johnson in 2021. 

Back in 2007, Jamie founded Adirondack Extreme, a treetop obstacle course and zipline park in Bolton Landing. It was the first outdoor aerial adventure park of its kind in the U.S. and he has since launched his investment in other recreational opportunities. 

Well-positioned to take advantage of the regional tourist traffic during the summer months, both businesses have a similar ability to promote personal growth, strengthen team building, and encourage family time in beautiful surroundings. 

Beginning in 2019, Adirondack Extreme and Tubby Tubes collaborated to offer combined outdoor recreation adventure ticket options, so Jamie already had a well-developed relationship with Tubby Tube’s previous owners, Eric and Heather Hamell, when they decided to sell in 2021. 

“I looked at the numbers and away we went,” said Jamie. 

A New Gateway Glides In

After changing the name slightly to Tubby Tubes River Co., and rebranding, in June of this year they celebrated the ribbon cutting of their new welcome center. 

“When I first purchased the property, there were a few older wooden buildings but the accommodations were not sufficient. So the first thing on my agenda was a new welcome center,” said Jamie. 

The new metal structure, located on ten acres in Lake Luzerne, invites those wanting top-notch tubing experiences to enjoy a comfortable lounge area, new restrooms, and changing rooms. 

Serving as a gateway to a great day out on the water, the center provides easily accessible water sports equipment storage and items for sale. 

This fall, Tubby Tubes River Co. will be working to acquire the necessary licensing and permits so that by the 2025 summer season, they will be able to serve hot convenience foods, like pizza and hot dogs, as well as beverages, including beer and wine. 

Offering Exhilarating Adventures

Because they are a weather-dependent business, there are good days and there are bad days, but every day is definitely fun, said Jamie. 

“Since 2021 we haven’t had a normal summer in Lake George,” he said. “Every day is different and that’s part of the fun at Tubby Tubes.” 

During his first season, the weather was wet. In 2022, it was extremely dry. Last year, Lake George received more rain than they have in recent history, causing the river’s water level to be so high at times that it wasn’t possible to safely venture out. 

This year, there have already been two and a half weeks of 90-degree heat with intense humidity and storms rolling in during the evenings. 

Located five minutes from Lake George, a light rain won’t stop them from operating on the Hudson River, whose average summertime temperature hovers around a pleasant 70 degrees. Knowing that weather can change quickly, and drastically in the region, they make the call to cancel as early as possible and provide refunds or reschedule river time for those registered. 

The Tubby Tubes River Co. and the weather aren’t the only things that have been changing in Lake George. During the last two decades, the way we recreate has, too. 

“Nowadays, families are seeking to reconnect more than ever,” shares Jamie. “We strive to create experiences that multi-generational families can enjoy together. Tubby Tubes offers friends and family members (ages two and up) the ability to enjoy an authentic Adirondack outdoor adventure they’ll remember forever.”

Open from Memorial Day until Labor Day, Tubby Tubes River Co. excursions are fully-guided lazy river trips suitable for ages two and older. Exclusively working with staff ages 18+ brings a level of maturity to the experience that visitors won’t find with other companies, said Jamie. 

Providing their river rescue guides with training and requiring physical assessments is “fundamental” he said, and because trained staff is always present, Tubby Tubes River Co. avoids the safety situations that other tubing companies (offering self-guided sessions) can encounter.  

During their peak season they are capable of launching six trips daily (running four of their buses, each accommodating 60 people) from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

For more information, follow @TubbyTubes on Facebook and Instagram, and visit Tubby Tubes River Co. at tubbytube.com

In an expansive land rich with natural resources and physical beauty, education and enterprise are given the freedom to flourish.

Traditionally, people living among the Adirondacks’ pristine lakes and thick forests have developed ingenious ways of using what was available to make what they needed. By “making do” they became experts at reinventing and repurposing. Working in concert with their surrounding environment, they crafted unique and useful items by hand, while building a foundation of skills that benefited them and their community. 

Since the pandemic, people have been flocking to folk schools around the nation, eager to nurture their creativity, work with their hands, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere that prioritizes relationships, culture, personal growth, and community empowerment. 

“People come here and discover their creative passion. They explore and create with their hands and minds, and have fun doing it. By working together, it creates a sense of community. During COVID, people were really feeling that loss, and were spending a lot of time on their computers. That’s when the folk school really blossomed – people wanted to learn new things and be with each other,” said Terri Cerveny, Executive Director of the Adirondack Folk School.

Giving Rural Entrepreneurs a Boost

The Adirondack Folk School, in Lake Luzerne, was founded by Jim Mandle in 2010. Since then, they’ve graduated more than 6,000 alumni. In 2023, their 60 instructors offered 250 classes to approximately 1,000 students. Through a variety of programs, including woodworking, blacksmithing, ceramics, fiber arts, basketry, photography, crafting, and more, the school’s courses build skills, create jobs, and help develop a more diplomatic and just society for rural entrepreneurs.

More than just a flight of fancy for back-to-the-earth enthusiasts and tourists, the Adirondack Folk School plays an important role in the local community’s economic development. By salvaging, harvesting, and purchasing products locally, natural materials like birch bark, branches, and balsam needles are used to create Adirondack-style rustic furniture, décor, and accessories. The slow economics of reuse and upcycling are utilized in courses including quilt-making (where old shirts are repurposed into wonderfully patterned one-of-a-kind quilts), and blacksmithing (where students work to achieve master smith certification using regionally-sourced steel). 

By employing instructors and educating artists, the Adirondack Folk School
is ensuring the traditional customs of this region are kept alive while
simultaneously enriching its people’s characteristic practice of sustainable, intentional, resourcefulness. 

“Luckily for us, our artisans have devoted their lives to their craft and are willing to teach others, which helps preserve these traditions for future generations,”
said Terri. 

Finding ways for these talented teachers to benefit beyond the classroom, three times a year the artists meet, mingle, and form future collaborations at the Adirondack Folk School’s Instructor’s Gathering. 

These gatherings help to nurture a pipeline of talent flowing through the school. New workshops for kids (such as gardening, weaving, letterboxing, and birdhouse building) include children as young as six years old. The school is expanding its programming to ensure the next generation will not miss out on their opportunity to experience this unique cultural education, and can potentially pass it on to others in the future.

Falling in Love with Learning

After retiring from a successful career in education administration, Terri Cerveny moved from Schenectady to Lake Luzerne in 2019. Like so many others looking for comradery in a relaxing environment, she took a class. In addition to meeting new people, she was also able to find her passion – jewelry making. 

“I just fell in love. I fell in love with the location, the people, the school,” she said.

Last year, Terri became the folk school’s Executive Director, a job she was happy to take on because since the Adirondack Folk School isn’t an accredited college (like other institutions she’s be a part of), they have the freedom to include an astonishingly vibrant range of instructors and courses within their curriculum.

“The exceptional people here care deeply about the school and want to preserve their art, hone their skills and crafts, and share them with others. It’s really a beautiful thing, and I get to be a part of that,” she said.

Taking it Up a Notch

The Adirondack Folk School’s eclectic selection of courses includes opportunities to learn about the lifestyles and crafting traditions of the Eastern Woodlands’ Native Americans, and the clever homesteading hacks European settlers employed in this area three centuries ago. Through the Adirondack Folk School’s partnership with the Thunderhawk Living History School, students learn traditional beading, moccasin-making, or can choose to go on the overnight camping trip of a lifetime, immersing themselves in the lives of those who lived there in the 1700’s. They enjoy storytelling and drumming around the fire, with reenactors dressed in historically accurate attire. 

Because of the public’s surge in interest since the pandemic, the Adirondack Folk School expanded to an annex in Lake George’s Route 9 outlet mall. The Alfred Z. Solomon Weaving and Woodworking Studio houses their exceptional 11 day cedar strip canoe-making class, and more than a dozen looms in a variety of sizes. 

Currently in the beginning stages of a Capital Campaign that will allow them to expand their facilities and bring these activities back to their Lake Luzerne campus, the school, a 501c3 non-profit organization, has already raised more than $300,000 in cash and pledges toward their new building project. 

“I’m very excited about the momentum we’re building. Our enrollment has been growing steadily since the pandemic. People continue to want to learn how to create things that can make them more self-reliant and to do so in a safe, welcoming community with others who have similar interests. We are running out of space to accommodate this growing demand. The time is now for us to expand,” said Terri. 

Visit the Adirondack Folk School’s Summer Festival, July 27th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for FREE family fun featuring craft demonstrations, storytelling, music, food, and magic.

Course gift certificates and finished pieces by mostly regional artists, students, and instructors are available in the Adirondack Folk School gift shop. Get something special for the ones you love at their remarkable Holiday Sale, November 16th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For updates, follow them on Facebook @ADKFolkSchool, on Instagram @ adk_folk_school, and go to adirondackfolkschool.org