Jeff Killeen recalled as a key advocate for Lake George's protection

DIAMOND POINT | Jeffrey Killeen, an eminent entrepreneur who later in life was a devoted advocate for Lake George's environmental health, was remembered after his death Dec. 14 at the age of 69 by his friends and associates for his character and achievements. Killeen was an internationally renowned digital media and information services pioneer who after his retirement refocused his bis energies on protecting Lake George's ecological health. Most recently, Killeen was vice chairman of the Lake George Association after serving as chairman of the board of The Fund for Lake George. The LGA issued a statement on Dec. 15 describing Killeen and his legacy. "Tireless of vision, spirit, and commitment, Jeff gave all of himself to the lake he loved," the statement said. "His deep passion for Lake George was contagious and inspiring, and united our community behind the Lake as only Jeff could — with grace, humor, and a steadfast belief in our shared ability to keep Lake George clear and clean." In his prior role as chairman of The Fund for Lake George, Killeen co-founded The Jefferson Project, a collaboration between IBM, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and The Fund which featured world-class scientific data collection and research in examining Lake George's evolving ecology in real-time. In 2021, Killeen led the merger of The Fund with the Lake George Association, creating one of the most preeminent lake-protection organizations in the nation. During his years as an entrepreneur and corporate executive, Killeen was the founding CEO of forbes.com as well as barnesandnoble.com — which within two years of its debut earned $250 million in annual revenue. Beforehand, Killeen had formed a digital multi-media joint venture with the Los Angeles Times and had served as CEO of Pacific Bell Interactive Media after his executive role with a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet. Also, Killeen had served as president of American Insurance Services Group, where he led the company's transformation from publishing insurance claims in print form to dispensing the information digitally. Throughout his career, he earned international recognition as a business-to-business digital information industry leader in the U.S. and internationally, earning such awards as "Most Visionary CEO" and recognition as a "Top 50 Digital Industry Leader." This week, Lake George Mayor Robert Blais recalled Killeen as a close friend. The two of them, various leading environmental advocates, and area municipal officials founded The S.A.V.E. Lake George Partnership. This organization launched a boat inspection and washing program to curb the spread of aquatic invasive species — a protocol that has since been adopted elsewhere in the state and across the U.S. "I know of very few people that loved Lake George and contributed more to its stewardship than Jeff Killeen," Blais said. "He was a giant among men, yet he was one of the kindest, most generous individuals that you'd ever meet." Killeen's love of Lake George stemmed from living for many decades in his home on Lake George at Diamond Point, a residence owned by his family since 1908. Killeen served in various volunteer community service roles including being a board member and former chairman of the Center for Disability Services in the Capital Region, a trustee of St. Lawrence University, and a member of North Country Public Radio's executive council. In 2019, Opera Saratoga honored Killeen and his wife Judy for their contributions to art and culture in the Capital Region. Mark Behan of Behan Communications in Glens Falls said Killeen had a profound impact on the lives of area residents. "Jeff was a big thinker, and energizer and a catalyst who brought urgency and excitement to every business and social cause he touched," Behan said in an email. Lake George Association's chairman of the board Peter Menzies offered his thoughts about Killeen in a message to the Times Union. "We all lost a friend, a leader, and the greatest champion for Lake George that we'll ever know," he said.

Signup for our newsletter

Jeff Killeen recalled as a key advocate for Lake George's protection

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS