Elected Officials

Like many of Peekskill’s residents, Councilwoman McGowan moved here 14 years ago because of the potential the city had to offer — first as a condominium owner at The Woods, and then as a single-family homeowner in 2002. Marybeth brings a unique perspective as someone who has lived here long enough to appreciate Peekskill’s proud history, yet is new enough to have a fresh outlook on the city’s future needs. Her number one priority is bringing business to the downtown and promoting Peekskill as the cultural hot spot of the region. In 2008, Marybeth worked as a local organizer for Barack Obama’s presidential election registering voters in New York and Pennsylvania. She is Director of Medical Billing Services for a Manhattan financial management firm and currently serves on Peekskill’s Human Relations Committee.

Councilman Torres was first appointed to the Council to fill a vacancy in 2008 and successfully ran for election to that position in 2009. Andy and his parents moved from Puerto Rico to New York in the 1950s to give their family greater opportunity. He holds a Master’s degree in Community Economic Development and has used that expertise to help push and develop the city’s commercial tax base. For the last decade he served as Coordinator of the Lower Hudson HIV Care Network, which is responsible for organizing HIV service providers in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties. Andy and his wife, Margery, are involved members of the faith community. He is a congregant and two-term vestry member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Margery is the minister at the Stony Point Presbyterian Church in Rockland County.

Kathleen E. Talbot brings managerial and strong interpersonal and communication skills to the challenges faced by Peekskill. A life-long resident of Peekskill, her father, Bill Smith, also grew up on Highland Ave. She graduated from Assumption School and Mary Immaculate H.S. Following a 25-year award-winning career in graphic design, she returned to Fordham University where she received a Master of Social Work degree in 2005. She holds a NYS clinical license. She was Director of the Women’s Center at VIP Community Service in the Bronx providing clinical services to women and served a mental health internship at NY Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains. Kathie is a founding member of the Peekskill Education Foundation and has served on numerous community and professional boards including the Paramount Center for the Arts, Women in Communication Inc. and Women in Management. Professional memberships include the National Association of Social Workers and the NYS Society of Clinical Social Workers. She was elected to the NYS Democratic Committee in 1974 and served two terms. Kathie is a homeowner living in the Fort Hill section of Peekskill and has one son, Bryan, who is married with two children.