There’s new leadership within Leadership Cattaraugus.
Leadership Cattaraugus officials named Kathleen Martel as the program’s administrator. In this position, she’ll oversee running the 15-year-old program in concert with its Board of Directors.
“I am excited to accept the challenge of directing the Leadership Cattaraugus organization,” she said.
“There are so many vibrant leaders in our community and participating in Leadership Cattaraugus allows them to enhance their skills while learning how they can help make our community an even better place to live and to do business,” Martel said. “I am looking forward to working with a great Board of Directors who are committed to this organization and our area. I am also excited to meet the many Leadership Cattaraugus alumni and invite all of them to contact me with any suggestions on how we can strengthen our presence in the community.”
The 2014 Leadership alumna succeeds Jesse Gugino, who served as the program’s administrator since its 2003 inception. Gugino retired from the post at the end of the 2018 program year, stepping into an advisory role with Leadership Cattaraugus to offer insights and guidance as Martel takes the helm.
“We are incredibly sad to see Jesse step down and grateful that he will remain with us in an advisory capacity,” said Jodi Fuller, Leadership Cattaraugus Board Chair. “At the same time, we welcome Kathleen and are excited about the next chapter in the evolution of our program.”
Martel, an Olean native and St. Bonaventure University graduate, has enjoyed a long career in the greater Olean area, working mostly in the local industrial sector. In 1990, she began working at Dresser-Rand in Olean as a computer programmer/ administrator in engineering. While at Dresser-Rand she oversaw development of the Southern Tier Advanced Manufacturing Initiative and its eventual merger with Dream It. Do It. Western New York. After 22 years at Dresser-Rand, Martel became Dream It. Do It’s coordinator for a brief stint before starting at Jamestown Community College as a project coordinator for Continuing Education in January 2014. At JCC, Martel organizes workforce training for area businesses, develops and oversees youth programming and manages workforce development grants to assist businesses in meeting their training goals.
Launched in 2004, Leadership Cattaraugus is designed to identify future leaders of the area and help them develop the skills they will need to work more effectively for the betterment of all the people in Cattaraugus County, fostering an impact on community development and quality of life for years to come.