Leading with Compassion
Our team is made of dedicated, committed, and compassionate individuals who genuinely believe in the work they do each and every day. The tenure and strength of our leadership team and Board; the unfailing dedication and commitment of our staff; and our ability to consistently deliver high-quality, results-oriented programs have helped position us as one of the region’s premier and most trusted service providers.
Board of Directors
As a private, not-for-profit organization, Connecting Communities in Action, Inc., is locally governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. In accordance with federal law, the CCA Board is comprised of three sectors: the Community Sector, the Public Sector, and the Private Sector. Our Board carries out the original themes of the Community Action movement and is certain to represent low-income families and individuals in policy-making decisions on the local level.
COMMUNITY SECTOR
Jolene Longley - Via Public Election - Serving on Program Planning Committee
Cathy Mackay – Via Public Election – Serving on Executive, Finance, and Board Development Committees
Anne Miles - Via Public Election - Serving on Personnel Committee
Kerrie Parr (Board Vice-President) – Via Public Election – Serving on Executive, Finance, and Board Development Committees
Amber Wick - Vic Public Election - Serving on Program Planning Committee
PUBLIC SECTOR
Kathleen Monroe – Representing Mayor of City of Olean – Serving on Personnel Committee
Melanie Churakos (Board Treasurer) – Representing Cattaraugus County Sheriff – Serving on Executive, Finance, and Board Development Committees
Jesse Blakeslee – Representing Mayor of City of Salamanca – Serving on Executive and Personnel Committees
Rachel Nine – Representing Commissioner of Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services – Serving on Program Planning and Board Development Committees
Dr. Kevin D. Watkins – Representing Chairman of Cattaraugus County Legislature – Serving on Executive and Program Planning Committees
PRIVATE SECTOR
George Fillgrove – Representative of Veteran Interests – Serving on Personnel Committee
Rachael Wolfe – Representative of Native American Interests – Serving on Program Planning Committee
Donald Jones (Board President) – Representative of Industry – **Ex Officio on All Committees
Nancy Phillips (Board Secretary) – Representative of Human Services – Executive and Personnel Committees
Dana Cornell – Representative of Technology – Serving on Finance and Board Development Committees
Subsidiary Board of Directors
Community Action Enterprises, Inc. is a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary corporation formed in 1998 by its parent organization, Connecting Communities in Action, Inc. (formerly Cattaraugus Community Action) Community Action Enterprises, Inc. (CAE) was formed for the purpose of holding an ownership position in the limited partnerships that control tax-credit funded properties.
CAE Board Members
Corey Wiktor (Board Secretary/Treasurer) – Representing Business/Industry
Amy DeTine (Board President) – Representing Real Estate
Andy Pascarella (Board Vice-President) – Representing Insurance
Larry Cassidy – Representing Senior Citizens’ Interests
Justin Chudy - Representing Public Utilities
Patrick T. Fuhr - Representing Senior Citizens & Persons with Disabilities
Tarra Griffin - Representing Senior & Disabled Housing
Susan Hannon - Representing Persons with Disabilities
Gina Ward – Representing Persons with Disabilities