The 2017 Leadership Cattaraugus class gathered for its final program day on Dec. 12. The day focused on education, with the class visiting several area educational institutions and hearing from those in charge.
The leadership cohort started its day in higher education with a trip to St. Bonaventure University. The group heard from Dr. Lisa Buenaventura, dean of the School of Education. Afterwards, the class visited Archbishop Walsh Academy and saw a presentation from its administrative team on the school and its operations.
The class later toured Cattaraugus–Allegany BOCES, getting a first-hand view of its various vocational programs such as animal science and auto-tech.
The final program day concluded at Jamestown Community College’s Olean campus with a presentation by the superintendents of several local school districts, including Rick Moore of Olean, Thomas Simon of Portville, Thomas Manko of Archbishop Walsh, and Robert Breidenstein of Salamanca.
The class reconvened later that evening for its graduation ceremony held at the Old Library Events Center. Steve Jackson, who was elected the class’ representative, gave the keynote address and urged his classmates to take what they have learned through Leadership Cattaraugus and use it to serve the community.
Graduates of the 2017 Leadership Cattaraugus class include: Ardyth VanScoy of the Cattaraugus County Arts Council, Christopher Michel of Olean Business Development, Nichole Zink of Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services, Marie Wilson Torrey of St. Bonaventure University, Tammy Skroback of Jamestown Community College, Steve Jackson of Olean General Hospital, Allen McConnaughey of Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, Shauna Keesler of Cutco, Darrell Neal of Cutco, Heather Faulkner of Zito Media, Beth Palumbo of St. Bonaventure University, Josh Miller of Olean Area Federal Credit Union, Sue Brisky of Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging, Molly Marsh of Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services, Mary Van Damme of Dresser-Rand-Siemens, Paul Gonzalez of Dresser-Rand-Siemens, Mary Deegan-Collins of SolEpoxy, Jenice Simpson of Cutco, and Jillian Cole of Community Bank.