Perry's Blog

Perry Berkowitz, Ed. D.

4903 Tara View Drive

Leesburg, FL 34748

Home phone and fax: 352 326-8035

Cell phone:  607 222-1390

Pberkowitz@aol.com

Short Biography

A lifetime educator, Perry Berkowitz started teaching in 1965 after earning a B.S. from SUNY -Cortland. In 1972, he moved from the classroom to administrative offices when he became acting principal of a school in Massachusetts. At the same time, he earned a Master's Degree from Harvard University. Soon thereafter, he earned a doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Massachusetts. In 1975, he became principal of Sidney High School and in two years was promoted to assistant superintendent of schools. In 1984, he was named superintendent in Sidney, New York. Perry then served as superintendent (1991-1996) in the Nyack (NY) School District and, in 1996, became the Superintendent of Schools in Vestal, New York, home of Binghamton University. He retired from public education in July 2001. He is currently Associate Professor of Education Leadership and Chair of the Education Leadership and Counseling Programs at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. He also runs an organizational development consulting business, PLB Consulting. Lonalee, his wife of more than forty years, helps run the business.  Lonnie, also a former teacher, practiced matrimonial law in her own firm after graduating from Syracuse University Law School in 1984.  She retired from her law practice in 1999.

Perry is co-founder and former chair of the District 7170 (South Central New York region) Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) program. He has been very active in Rotary programs at both the club and district levels and was his District’s Governor in the 2003-2004 Rotary year supervising 43 clubs and 2000 Rotarians.

Perry has also been deeply involved in numerous educational activities and organizations, and has served on several state and national panels and commissions. Most recently he was chair for the National Committee on Women in Administration and was a member of the prestigious New York State Blue Ribbon Panel on Education Leadership. He currently serves on the New York State Assessments Advisory Committee for the School District Leader Certificate Program. 

Perry and Lonalee are the parents of one son, Jason. He is an animator and puppeteer with degrees from Rhode Island School of Design (BFA) and the California Institute of the Arts (MFA).  Lonnie and Perry reside in Leesburg, Florida.  They have a wonderful smart and beautiful miniature Dachshund named Roxie.