The Crandell Theatre’s Board of Directors announced Jan. 28, the election of Lydia Kukoff as its new president. Kukoff succeeds Fred Ulrich, who is stepping down from his role as president, but will remain a member of the board. "I am very excited to have been elected President of the Crandell Theatre Board of Directors,” said Kukoff. “The Crandell has always played an important role in the life of Columbia County and beyond, and the board and staff are focused on preserving it as a movie house that can serve all members of our community." Other officers selected during the board's annual meeting include Sara McWilliams as Vice President for Theater Operations; Peter Biskind as Vice President for Programming; Lael Locke as Secretary; and Viki Sand as Treasurer. Kukoff has been a resident of Columbia County since 1998, and a member of the Crandell Theatre board since January 2016. She is the author of “Choosing Judaism,” and the creator of the first national program for intermarried couples and Jews-by-Choice. Kukoff is also a former member of the board of the Spencertown Academy Arts Center. The Crandell has a number of special events planned for 2019, including Farm Film Fest 11 on March 24, The After School Filmmaking Project on May 18, and the 20th annual FilmColumbia festival, starting on October 18.