Born in Lockwood, MO, Gordon Coleman graduated from St. Lawrence Central School in Brasher Falls, NY. After working in the construction business for a number of years Mr. Coleman enrolled at Potsdam State University. He graduated from Potsdam in 1979 with a major in History and a teacher’s certification in Social Studies, and went on to teach Social Studies at Potsdam Central School and Franklin Academy in Malone. Following his term as a teacher, Mr. Coleman then spent the next 20 years in various capacities in Banking and Finance. He, along with a number of local businessmen is currently engaged in organizing a new bank in Montgomery County.

Mr. Coleman resides in Palatine Bridge, NY with two of his children, Ian and Keven, both students at Canajoharie Central School. Mr. Coleman’s oldest child, Andrea, is a 2001 graduate of Canajoharie Central School. She recently graduated, with honors, from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.

Dr. Peter Liljeberg

Peter M. Liljeberg is a native of northern California who has been a practicing Family Physician for over 20 years. He has been a school board member at Canajoharie Central School for over 13 years. He moved to the Mohawk valley 18 years ago because he was impressed with its beauty and the opportunity to raise his children in the small town atmosphere it offered.

Upon relocating, Peter was pleased to find a school district that offered such a wide variety of quality services as well as a dedicated staff. From the special education services to the gifted and talented program, and every level in between, Peter found enthusiastic teachers and inspired administrators.

Becoming an integral part of such an educational institution was a natural for someone who had spent so many years pursuing his own education. Peter¹s goals for his involvement on the board are to listen to the ideas of the staff, try to understand their needs, and work with them to provide quality education for the local children; building on already existing programs while supporting new efforts and ideas.

In addition to serving on the school board, Peter is a deacon in the local Lutheran Church, where he also teaches a teen Sunday School class. His hobbies include cooking, playing stand-up bass, and home improvement. He has been married for 25 years and is the father of two Canajoharie graduates.

Eric Trahan grew up on a dairy farm outside Fort Plain. He is a graduate of Fort Plain High School, Herkimer County Community College and the University at Albany. Eric came to Canajoharie in 1992 to become the Director of the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery. He lives in Ames with his wife, Lisa, and their six children, who are students in Canajoharie schools. Eric has been serving on the Board of Education since 1999.

In addition to his work at the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery and interest in regional tourism promotion efforts, Eric enjoys music, farming/gardening, and playing volleyball. He has been a cantor and music leader at St. James Church in Fort Plain for over 20 years. He maintains an active interest in his family’s dairy farm, grows a garden that is way too big, and raises several varieties of poultry, as well as Dexter cattle. He plays volleyball as often as possible, in various regional leagues and tournaments.