Steven Tekulsky ’74 Selected for Bette A. Mammone Memorial Academy

Elmira College alumnus Steven Tekulsky ’74 has pursued many passions. Throughout his career in law and the judiciary, and for nearly 40 years as a volunteer with the East Hampton Fire Department, Tekulsky has made a difference in his community. His career success and dedication to service will earn him a place among the distinguished alumni selected for the Bette A. Mammone ’78 Memorial Academy.

Early on, Tekulsky demonstrated academic leadership. He began his academic career with an associate's degree with honors from Mitchell College. At Elmira College, he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. His grades earned him an induction into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States. His fellow students invited him to give the acceptance speech on behalf of the other inductees. He was also selected to give the male student speech at Candlelight the night before his EC Commencement.

Tekulsky’s career goal was to get into law, so he went on to attend St. John’s University School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor. Soon after graduating, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. With his career in hand, Tekulsky was excited to learn he passed the bar examination on his first try.

Initially, Tekulsky handled low-level crimes, but he quickly began managing serious felonies, including homicides. After a few years, Tekulsky decided to leave the Attorney's Office and joined a private law firm where he eventually became a partner. Although he continued to provide counsel to the firm, Tekulsky left Manhattan and moved to East Hampton on Long Island. There, he set up his own general practice and often helped organizations and individuals with free legal counsel.

Tekulsky went on to become a judge, winning a contested campaign to become one of two Justices in the East Hampton Town Justice Court. During his campaign, the Judicial Screening Committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association gave him its highest rating, and he has been reelected to the role three more times.

In addition to his role within one of the busiest Justice Courts in Suffolk County, he has been appointed to several other justice positions, including as Associate Village Justice of Sag Harbor and one of four justices on the East End Regional Intervention Court, a treatment court for defendants with significant substance use issues. Most recently, he was appointed to a five-year term as the first Director and Chief Administrative Judge of the East Hampton Town Bureau of Administrative Adjudication.

He also became a volunteer firefighter, serving on the governing council, including a two-year stint as the Chief of the East Hampton Fire Department. His passion earned him Fireman of the Year in his company and in his department in 2015. Beyond his work, Tekulsky makes time for his community and family. He has been married for 42 years, and his two adult children and their growing families live nearby. When his kids were younger, he coached Little League.

For the past eight years, music has become an important pastime. He first joined a five-piece band. He played acoustic and electric guitars while he sang, or a lap steel guitar if he wasn't singing. He now leads his own five-piece band as well as a trio, covering vintage country and Americana music.

As part of the Mammone Academy, which was established in honor of alumna Bette A. Mammone ’78, Tekulsky will share lessons about his success with students. He will also be honored during Reunion and Family Weekend, giving a keynote from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 16. See the schedule of events for more details and to register. You can also learn more about the Mammone Academy and nominate a future recipient.