Hello! My name is Bryan Whitaker, formerly "Bernardi," and I am the Municipal Historian for the Town and Village of Greene here in scenic Chenango County, New York. I succeeded Peg Ross and was appointed by the Greene Town Board in May of 2021. I am a member of the Association of Public Historians of New York State.

 I am a native of Fort Myers, Florida where I spent the first 19 years of my life. I moved to Greene in 2014 after having dreamt of moving to Greene as long as I could remember. My mother and maternal family are from Greene, and having spent summers up here, I knew this was home. What did I do? I made it happen!

I have gained a wealth of experience in my 31 years on this Earth, starting my career in Mental Health, working for the NYS Office of Mental Health. I started at the Elmira Psychiatric Center as a Mental Health Technician, specializing in Pediatric Psychiatry with an emphasis on Adolescence. I also spent time on the Acute Adult Psych and Geriatric wards. I then transitioned to the Binghamton Psychiatric Center (Greater Binghamton Health Center), continuing in Pediatric Psychiatry. I then made my way to Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center where I followed the "family business" and got into law enforcement, serving as an officer with the New York State Mental Health Police, covering the Borough of Manhattan.

 I then returned home and made my way back out to Elmira where I served as Historian and served on the Board of Directors for the Near Westside National Historic District. At this time, I also worked with the NYS Division of Cemeteries and the City of Elmira and became the first Superintendent of the Historic Second Street Cemetery. At the ripe age of 23, I purchased by first home, which of course, was a 3,000 sqft. Queen Anne which was placed on the National Historic Registry.

Life took a turn and I ultimately ended back up out here where I became a Corrections Officer with the Chenango County Sheriff's Office and spent two years doing this. In 2021, I was at the Congregational Church on North Chenango Street practicing on the Organ when my friend Peg asked if she could stop by because she had "something important" she wanted to ask me. The question finally came: "I am retiring and would like you to take my place as Historian." I was elated and proud to fill such large shoes! I was appointed by the town in May of 2021 and started this amazing journey. 

I then moved out to Groton (Tompkins County) where I met my wonderful Husband, Matthew, and continued to serve as Historian for Greene. I became a member of the Groton Fire Department and got my NYS EMT (long-time passion) and served the community out there for a while, when we decided to move back to Chenango County because... there's no place like home! 

We finally got our beautiful Victorian home in the Village of Oxford where we currently reside (and will for years to come). For other employment, I am the Captain and Administrator of the New Berlin Ambulance Service, and I currently serve on the Oxford Fire Department and EMS Squad. I am continuing to help build Greene's largest chapter in its history! One page at a time.