Dr. Renee Scialdo Shevat

Dr. Renee Scialdo Shevat is a true Renaissance woman with a diverse record of accomplishments in business, education, community outreach, healthcare and tourism.

Dr. Shevat earned an undergraduate degree from Nazareth College, a Master’s degree from Syracuse University and a doctorate from the University of Rochester. She has worked on several college campuses, including Syracuse University, the University of Rochester, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Cobleskill.

Currently, Dr. Shevat is President and Owner of the Herkimer Diamond Mines, an award winning Kampgrounds of America (KOA) park in Herkimer. She oversees two international wholesale businesses – Herkimer Diamonds and Out of India to Herkimer – spreading the Herkimer name and products around the globe. She also developed a regional visitor center and marina, Unlocked Legends, which incorporates 72 regional businesses at the New York State Thruway exit in Herkimer.

Dr. Shevat is deeply devoted to quality of life issues. Currently, she is a board member for Genesis, an organization focused on the Mohawk Valley community, and serves on the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council. Dr. Shevat has also served on the SUNY College Foundation Board of Directors, on the Board of Trustees of Cobleskill Regional Hospital and Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, on the SUNY Statewide Strategic Planning Committee, and as Board Member and President of the Friends of Basset.

Dr. Shevat has been honored by the Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Genesis Group, Kampgrounds of America and Gems and Lapidary Wholesalers. She was named Woman of the Year by the YWCA in Oneida/Herkimer Counties.

Dr. Shevat and her husband, Sam, maintain homes in Herkimer and Cobleskill. They are the proud parents of sons Rudolph, John, and  Samuel III.