Ben Spear

Zak Constantine was raised in Orange County and is a proud graduate of Goshen Central High School, where he was the President of the State Championship winning Mock Trial Team, a member of the Varsity Cross Country Team, and the Student Representative to the Board of Education. Currently, he is finishing his studies in Public Policy and Management at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs. Throughout his schooling, Zak has lived and worked full time in Orange County–focusing on community development and activism.

Zak is the President of the Young Democrats of Orange County and a Vice-Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee. Previously Zak served as Community Outreach Coordinator to NYS Senator Jen Metzger, where he oversaw her office’s robust events and awards programs while specializing in connecting constituents, organizations, and community leaders with their representative in Albany. He served as her Deputy Campaign Manager for her 2020 re-election campaign, and he has also managed several county-wide and local campaigns throughout the Hudson Valley. Currently, Zak serves as a strategic advisor to candidates and organizations that seek to uplift and empower the working families of New York State. His true passion is helping his fellow young leaders find a passion for public service. Keeping with his commitment to our next generation of leaders, Zak served as a Project Manager for the Leadership Orange Class of 2021’s class project, where they developed the Larkin Family Young Professionals Program. He currently serves on their advisory committee.

In his free time, Zak is an avid hiker, runner, cyclist, and coffee enthusiast who frequently enjoys exploring new corners of the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions. You can follow his travels on Instagram @zakconstantine; or reach him by email at zmconstantine@gmail.com.

Cassie is originally from Sullivan County, New York and came to Albany in 2011 when she started her undergraduate degree at UAlbany. She majored in history and business and got involved in politics when she joined the UAlbany College Democrats in 2013. In 2018, she received her Masters in Public Administration from Marist College and graduated with honors. She is now the Executive Assistant at a government relations firm in Albany. Cassie previously worked for the Assembly Majority as a researcher in the Communication and Information Services department. She has volunteered and been involved in many local campaigns and also worked as a field coordinator for the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee in 2016. She currently resides in the city of Albany and is an active member of the Albany County Democratic Committee. Outside of campaigning and politics, Cassie enjoys spending quality time with her two corgis, Cora and Simon, traveling, and Crossfitting.