The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York is pleased to announce that Craig D. Apple, Sr., Sheriff of Albany County, and David R. Bauer, Regional Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 21st Annual Fire + Ice Gala.
“The Fire + Ice Gala is the Red Cross’ signature event in the Capital Region, and we are thrilled to be working with two true community leaders – Craig Apple and David Bauer – as we plan this special night,” said Gary Striar, CEO at the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York.
Craig D. Apple, Sr. was elected Sheriff of Albany County in 2011. He has served in the Albany County Sheriff’s Office since 1987. His career began as a Correction Officer and he became a Deputy Sheriff in 1989, an Investigator in 1991, a Sergeant in 1993 and Lieutenant in 1995 when he was supervisor of the Criminal Investigations Unit.
In 1997, he was promoted to Patrol Commander and had oversight of a Patrol Division that covered approximately 375 square miles. In 1999, he was promoted to Chief Deputy Field Commander. In that role, he was the Commanding Officer in charge of the Law Enforcement Division and the Albany County Correctional Facility. In 2009, he was appointed Undersheriff and oversaw all of the departments operations with oversight of 720 employees and an $80 million operating budget.
During his years of public service, as Sheriff of Albany County he has implemented numerous programs at Albany County Correctional Facility, which include: SHARP Sheriff’s Heroin Addiction Recovery Program, Soldier On, STAR, SHIFT and the Inmate Work Force. Over the course of his tenure as Sheriff he converted the inmate library over to digital, as well as converting paper materials into environmentally friendly products. He also began the practice of signing up eligible inmates for the Affordable Healthcare Program, at a savings of half a million dollars annually.
Sheriff Apple has served on the executive board of the United Way and continues to serve for the Boys and Girls Club. He has been a member of the Selkirk Fire Department and is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Counter Terrorism Officer’s Association. Sheriff Apple is a lifelong resident of Albany County, residing in the Town of Colonie with his wife Cheryl.
David R. Bauer joined Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (“Gallagher”) as a new merger partner with the acquisition of Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, located in Albany, New York, by Gallagher on December 28, 2011. David began his career as a producer, working at his family’s insurance agency in 1981. In 1986, he earned his Certified Insurance Counselor Designation and, in 1991, became a life-long member of the Certified Professional Insurance Agent program.
The Robert F. Bauer Insurance Agency was established in 1957. David became President of Bauer Insurance in 2001 and in 2003, Bauer Insurance and Capital Region Insurance Agency merged to form Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, providing both property casualty and employee benefit services.
After selling his business and joining Gallagher, David was appointed Regional Executive Vice President of Gallagher, which included managing the Albany branch as well as the Whippany, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Sparta, Newton, Fort Washington, and Holmdel branches in New Jersey. In January 2017, David assumed his current role of Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, Northeast Region.
Currently, David’s exclusive focus is mergers and acquisitions for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. His prior experience and expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, producer recruitment, profit and loss management, and client service organization support.
David has served in a leadership role for many industry groups and carrier advisory councils. He is committed to community service, and presently serves as a Chair of the Board for Albany Police Athletic League, Director of American Little League, and Finance Committee member of Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY.
“David and Craig are two community-minded leaders who’ve done a tremendous amount of good throughout their distinguished careers,” added Striar. “We are honored to be able to celebrate them at our Fire + Ice Gala, and we are grateful for their support of the Red Cross mission.”
The 21st Annual Fire + Ice Gala will be held at Albany Capital Center on Saturday, April 6. Guests will enjoy gourmet cuisine and open bar, live music from the New York Players, spirited live and silent auctions, and the return of the Frank Adams Jewelers “Ice Bar”. NewsChannel 13 anchor Jim Kambrich will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this black/red-tie affair. Gold event sponsors include Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., KeyBank, Lia Auto Group, Price Chopper/Market 32, and Tri City Rentals. 100% of proceeds from the Fire + Ice Gala support local Red Cross programs and services.
For more information, including ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities, please visit redcross.org/NENYgala or contact Kaitlyn Van Dyke at (518) 458-8111, ext. 5108.