Leadership Team

Superintendent of Schools

Carl Albano joined the Garrison Union Free School District in July 2020 bringing with him over 30 years of experience in public education. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Superintendent of the Tuckahoe Union Free School District. One of his noteworthy accomplishments was leading the district through a comprehensive strategic planning process, resulting in a revised K-12 curricula, new and innovative course offerings, expanded co-curricula programs, and increased student achievement. Additionally, Mr. Albano successfully planned and managed a $9,987,000 capital project, which added instructional space, repaired infrastructure and enhanced overall safety. He was Tuckahoe’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Pupil Personnel Services from 2012 to 2016, and the Middle School Principal from 2003 to 2012. Earlier in his career, Mr. Albano served as an elementary assistant principal, high school assistant principal and fifth grade teacher.

Mr. Albano earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint John’s University and his Master of Science in Education from Pace University. He continued his graduate studies in School Administration and Supervision at Iona College and Fordham University, and holds a permanent certification as a NYS School District Administrator.

Mr. Albano lives in Larchmont, NY with his wife and two children. His wife, Maria, is an assistant principal in the Mamaroneck Union Free School District where their two children, Ava and Carl, attend high school.

Building Principal

Allison Emig joined the Garrison Union Free School District as the school’s new principal in November 2020.

Mrs. Emig came to GUFS with over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience. She spent four years as a principal at Southern Westchester BOCES leading highly specialized elementary and middle school programs. Mrs. Emig’s work as a principal with Southern Westchester BOCES centered around creating successful educational programs to fulfill students’ needs across the region.

Mrs. Emig began her teaching career at Katonah-Lewisboro School District where she spent 15 years covering most elementary grade levels, including special education, as well as middle school.

Mrs. Emig’s skills and experiences are invaluable to the Garrison School. Her focus is always on supporting the students, families and teachers at GUFS. She continues the work required to execute the District’s goals, driven by Garrison’s Vision of the Graduate, by challenging herself and others to strive for excellence. Mrs. Emig’s warmth and dedication is reflected in her daily interactions with the students and staff.

Mrs. Emig holds a bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education from Mount Saint Mary College. She earned her Master of Science in Special Education from the College of New Rochelle and her leadership diploma from Manhattanville College. Mrs. Emig, her husband and two children live in the Wappingers Central School District.

Director of Technology and Innovation

Mr. James Yap was appointed as the Director of Innovation and Learning in Garrison in the fall of 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Yap was the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Warwick Valley Central School District from 2014 to 2022. During his time in Warwick, over 50 new course offerings were added at the Middle School and High School levels. Additionally, Mr. Yap implemented a one to one Chromebook initiative, brought kinesthetic labs to the elementary level, and facilitated the placement of rich classroom libraries throughout the district. Through his guidance and assistance, the Warwick Valley School District received a sustainability award from the federal government, the Green Ribbon Award, for all four schools.

Mr. Yap was appointed as the Director of Technology in July of 2012 at the Byram Hills Central School District where he established the presence of Google Apps and positioned the district to become fully cloud based. In 2004, James became the Director of Instructional Technology and Data Management at the Ramapo Central School District where he remained for 8 years. While at Ramapo, he was named one of the nation’s top Education Innovators by Converge Magazine and helped to create numerous technology-rich units across multiple curriculum areas.

In 2006, Mr. Yap received the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award from Apple Computer for his assistance in implementing a one to one laptop initiative at the New York School for the Deaf. Prior to his time in Ramapo, James was an educational consultant, helping teachers infuse technology into their curriculum and create problem based units. Mr. Yap began his professional career at American School for the Deaf, teaching History and English in American Sign Language. James has been a speaker at several national and statewide conferences, including speaking at the National Press Room in Washington DC on the importance of Data Interoperability. He served on the board for DATAG (NY Schools Data Analysis Technical Assistance Group) and was the chair for the North American Advisory Board of Standard Interoperability Framework (SIF).

Mr. Yap earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Michigan State University, his Master of Arts in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University, his Master of Arts in Educational Computing from the University of Hartford, and his Master in Educational Administration and Leadership from Fordham University. He holds his permanent certification as a NYS School District Administrator.

Business Administrator

Mr. Joe Jimick was appointed by the Garrison Board of Education in December of 2020 and assumed the role as Garrison’s School Business Administrator in February of 2021. Mr. Jimick immediately hit the ground running as he worked to collaborate with school and district administration to efficiently formulate a school budget proposal for voter consideration.

Prior to his arrival in Garrison, Mr. Jimick served as the School Business Official for the Catskill Central School District. During the 2016-2017 school year, he worked in the Poughkeepsie City School District as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. From 2010 to 2016, Mr. Jimick began his career in public education as Deputy Treasurer and was later promoted to Assistant Business Manager in the Brewster Central School District.

Mr. Jimick possesses a broad knowledge of both financial and facilities operations, skills that have been invaluable as Garrison has undergone a substantial capital improvement project that began in June of 2021.

Mr. Jimick earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Marist College. Additionally, he earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership from the State University of New York at New Paltz and holds his permanent Professional Certificate as a NYS School District Business Leader.