The Smithtown Historical Society welcomed a new Board President, Kathryn Tusa, this month.
“Although I do not believe that it is possible to fill Brad’s shoes, I am grateful for his stewardship of the Society,” Tusa said. “I am pleased to be part of the new leadership guiding the Society through continued growth and change making it more relevant to today’s Smithtown and greater Long Island.”
Tusa grew up on her family’s farm in Pennsylvania, the eldest of four children. She was busy with three younger brothers and her chores around the farm, but she grew to be an avid reader and could often be found with her nose in a book.
While her family was in the business of farming, she left home after high school to attend Wilson College, where she earned her B.A. in American Civilization. After graduating from college, Kathy worked at Wilson for a year to save money for law school. She then attended Quinnipiac University School of Law where she made Law Review and met her husband of thirty years. She started her legal career in 1986 at a small firm in Smithtown, and by 1990 she was a partner in the Bay Shore Law Firm of Plotka and Tusa.
Just four years later, with two young daughters, she opened her current practice. Kathy’s firm specializes in matrimonial and family law, real estate, wills, trusts and estates, and other general practice needs for her clients. Tusa has sat on the Planning Board for the Village of Head of the Harbor, and is member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association. As a Trustee and Secretary for the Smithtown Historical Society, she has volunteered for the many programs that support the Society and the town.
“I couldn’t be more happy to have Kathy as our incoming Board President,” Executive Director Marianne Howard said. “Not only does she have over fifteen years of experience on our board of directors, but she also is familiar with all of our events, programs, staff and members. I hope that if you haven’t had the opportunity to meet her, that you will take a moment to introduce yourself to her at our next event.”