LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Peter Gillies upon the occasion of his
designation as the recipient of a 2013 Capital District YMCA President's
Award on April 23, 2013

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
esteemed citizens of the State who have distinguished themselves in
their community; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Peter
Gillies upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient of a 2013
Capital District YMCA President's Award; the award will be presented at
the Annual President's Award Dinner to be held at the Albany Marriott on
Tuesday, April 23, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The President's Award is a tribute to recipients from each of
the branch service areas of the Capital District YMCA, honoring the
individual for outstanding volunteer service to both the association and
the community; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies, Managing Partner of Woodward Connor Gillies &
Seleman Architects, was selected for this prestigious award, the highest
recognition the Capital District YMCA confers each year, by the Bethle-
hem YMCA; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies began his career in architecture as a summer
intern working for Gregory J. Seleman, Architects; his first summer
involved making prints of drawings and running errands for the office;
in August 2000, Greg Seleman, founder of the firm, added three partners
and the firm grew into Woodward Connor Gillies & Seleman (WCGS) Archi-
tects; and
WHEREAS, WCGS Architects is an award winning, local architectural firm
which has designed several landmark corporate headquarters, provided
land planning and building design for premier office and technology
parks in the Capital District region, designed notable residence halls
and academic buildings at many area colleges and universities and
designed the first Green Building in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies specializes in technologically sophisticated
projects with complex phasing in the Mission Critical Market; he has
recently become WGCS's Managing Partner; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, in an effort to become involved in the community, he
joined the exploratory group which helped plan the Bethlehem YMCA; WCGS
Architects designed the transformation of the Big Arena into the Bethle-
hem YMCA; in doing so, its project team successfully overcame many
hurdles, including figuring out how to put a swimming pool inside a
metal building; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies is active in the YMCA's annual support campaign
through golf, President's award and local board activities; he has
continued his support of the YMCA through his involvement in the Board
Development and Property Committees; he chaired the Property Committee
for several years and participates as a valued member of the Associ-
ation's Property Committee; and
WHEREAS, He applies many of his talents on behalf of the Property
Committee, including leading the development of a master plan for the 14
acres of land behind the Bethlehem YMCA and participating in fundraising
for a pavilion; and

WHEREAS, Under his guidance, WCGS Architects designed a pavilion,
multi-purpose field and camper drop-off/pick up area and, in addition,
firm members and their consultants provided in-kind services to complete
the pavilion design; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies was also instrumental in initiating the Bethle-
hem YMCA's annual Day of Caring at the branch to get its grounds ready
for the summer campers, this past year focusing on the assembling of
picnic tables for the new pavilion; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, he also participated in the Association Strategic
Plan update as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee; he current-
ly leads the YMCA Bethlehem's Board of Managers as its Chairman and is
an active member of the Capital District YMCA Association Board; and
WHEREAS, Peter Gillies has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Peter Gillies has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Peter Gillies has displayed through-
out his life; he has exhibited the true spirit of this esteemed award
through his tireless dedication to the YMCA and his community; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Peter Gillies upon the occasion of his designation as the recip-
ient of a 2013 Capital District YMCA President's Award on April 23,
2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Peter Gillies.