Sharon Dineen, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
RealtyUSA

Sharon Dineen was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. This veteran ECC continues to run her smash-hit karaoke American Idol spinoff competition, “Gallinger Idol.” With a fun theme and great prize giveaways and events, this campaign has enthusiasm to spare—and about $3,000 more in pledges this year!

Gayl Franssen, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Brookfield Power New York

Gayl Franssen was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Gayl got United Way’s message to her employees with an office-wide campaign meeting with an agency speaker, and ramped up enthusiasm by assembling a team for United Way’s Walk the Talk event. The campaign results were better than ever.

Congratulations to Gayl and thanks for running a super campaign.

Regina Lagattuta, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Sysco Food Services of Syracuse

Regina Lagattuta was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award in her very first year as ECC. Regina started by assembling an enthusiastic campaign team. She used United Way’s campaign videos to educate her coworkers at Sysco warehouses across the state and made sure to personally ask her coworkers to give.
 
Congratulations to Regina and thanks for running an excellent campaign.

Bill Perla, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Magna Powertrain/New Process Gear/UAW Locals 624 & 2149

Bill Perla was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Faced with impending layoffs, Bill did a great job educating new workers and convincing coworkers to consider giving despite being uncertain about their job security. Even with a smaller workforce than in previous years, the campaign increased.

Congratulations to Bill and many thanks for running an outstanding campaign in a difficult year.

Jodi Falcone, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Magna Powertrain/New Process Gear/UAW Locals 624 & 2149

Jodi Falcone was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Jodi did a great job educating new workers and convincing coworkers to consider giving despite being uncertain about their job security. Even with a smaller workforce than in previous years, the campaign increased.

Congratulations to Bill and Jodi and many thanks for running an outstanding campaign in a difficult year.

Jose Hernandez, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Rosewood Heights Health Center

Jose Hernandez was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Jose inspires his coworkers at Rosewood to rally around their United Way campaign by educating them on the ways their gifts can help people. “Rosewood is like a big family,” he says, “and people here really care.”

Congratulations to Jose for being a finalist for a second time in three years, and thanks for running an exceptional campaign.

Nate Andrews, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Morse Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Nate Andrews was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. The personal touch is integral in this family business—and Nate makes sure to personally talk to each of his coworkers about giving to United Way, and to let them know that the company will match each dollar. The technique worked. In his first year as ECC, the campaign more than doubled.

Denise Blowers, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center

Denise Blowers was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. With 3,500 coworkers, spreading the word about United Way is no small task. The campaign results are nothing short of outstanding: With two years of 20% increases in pledge dollars, the campaign broke six digits for the first time ever!

Congratulations to Denise for reaching a milestone, and thanks for running an exceptional campaign.

Frank Panzetta, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center

Frank Panzetta was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. With 3,500 coworkers, spreading the word about United Way is no small task. The campaign results are nothing short of outstanding: With two years of 20% increases in pledge dollars, the campaign broke six digits for the first time ever!

Michelle Clark, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
SEFA: NYS DOT

Michelle Clark was honored as a finalist for United Way’s prestigious Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. With more than 700 coworkers spread across Central New York, Michelle travels to make sure every employee gets the message. The campaign increased by 4% over last year, but the real story begins 7 years ago, when Michelle took over the campaign. Since then, it’s grown by 75%.

Kim Carfi, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
SRCTec, Inc.

Kim Carfi was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award in her very first year as ECC. Kim ran an informative campaign with small group meetings featuring United Way and United Way agency speakers. The campaign easily met its goal, and participation nearly tripled.

Congratulations Kim, and thanks for running an exceptional campaign.

Mark Ferranti, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
SRCTec, Inc.
Mark Ferranti was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award in his very first year as ECC. Mark ran an informative campaign with small group meetings featuring United Way and United Way agency speakers. The campaign easily met its goal, and participation nearly tripled.

Tim Callahan, Campaign Volunteer of the Year
Welch Allyn, Inc.

Tim Callahan received United Way’s highest honor for an individual: The Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. In his second year as ECC, Tim made sure every employee on every shift heard from a United Way speaker, and made the campaign fun and educational with a daily bingo game that shared United Way facts with his coworkers. The results? A 24% increase in pledges, and an 11% increase in participation.

Jessica Lasda, Campaign Volunteer of the Year Finalist
MetLife Greater Syracuse Agency

In her very first year as Employee Campaign Coordinator at MetLife Greater Syracuse Agency, Jessica Lasda was honored as a finalist for United Way’s prestigious Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Jessica made MetLife’s charitable giving campaign fun and educational, and the proceeds more than doubled as a result.

Nancy DiFlorio, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
Transitional Living Services of Onondaga County, Inc.

Nancy DiFlorio was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. This is the second time in four years that Nancy has been nominated for this prestigious award. Nancy focuses her efforts on educating her coworkers learn about other United Way agencies, with great results.

Congratulations Nancy, and thanks for running a great campaign year after year.

Paul Marconi, Campaign Volunteer of the Year finalist
CFC: US Probation Office

Paul Marconi was honored as a finalist for United Way’s Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award. Each year, Paul puts heart into this campaign by sharing uplifting stories of people who have been helped by charity, cooking tasty treats for his coworkers, and thinking up unique promotions. “The people here are already so generous, you have to be a little creative to inspire them to give more,” says this veteran ECC.

Joe Lebediker, Loaned Executive
Syracuse City School District retiree

We’re grateful to welcome back Joe Lebediker for his 10th year as a Loaned Executive at United Way. Loaned Executives serve as Account Managers during campaign season, helping companies run great charitable giving campaigns

“I like the openness of the organization,” Mr. Lebediker said. “It’s a lean organization. The money gets spent on the programs, not the administration.”

Bob Vavonese, Loaned Executive

We welcome Bob Vavonese as a 2007 Loaned Executive at United Way of Central New York. Loaned Executives serve as account managers during campaign season, helping companies run great campaigns.

Bob has a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s in business administration, both from Canisius College. He is a native of Syracuse.

David Ridings, Community Impact Volunteer
Pass & Seymour retiree

We’re grateful to have David Ridings as a member of United Way’s Fiscal & Management Assessment team. This team of trained volunteers has been hard at work assessing the operations and finances of non-profit agencies that wish to apply for funding next year.

Carol Crossett, Account Manager for New Business

We welcome Carol Crossett as an Account Manager for New Business at United Way of Central New York. In this position, Ms. Crossett will work to establish new charitable-giving campaigns at businesses around Onondaga County.

Previously, Carol was employed by the Girl Scout Council of Central New York, where she served as Membership Manager. She resides in Syracuse.

E. P. Rogers, Community Impact Volunteer
AXA Financial Retiree

We’re grateful to have E. P. Rogers as a member of United Way’s Fiscal & Management Assessment team. This team of trained volunteers has been hard at work assessing the operations and finances of non-profit agencies that wish to apply for funding next year.

Sarah Layaw, Finance Specialist

We welcome Sarah Layaw as Finance Specialist/Accounts Receivable and Administration in United Way’s Finance and Operation Department. In this position, Sarah is responsible for processing payments, general accounting and human-resource duties.

Sarah was previously employed by the Central New York Community Foundation as a program associate, where she reviewed grant applications received by the non-profit. Ms. Layaw graduated from Bryant and Stratton College in 2004 with an associate’s degree in accounting and business.

Karen Bryant, Finance Specialist

We welcome Karen Bryant as Finance Specialist/Donor Choice in United Way’s Finance and Operations Department. In this position, Karen is responsible for processing donor pledges and corporate gifts to United Way.

Vito Lovecchio Jr., Loaned Executive
UPS Retiree

We welcome Vito Lovecchio Jr. as a 2007 Loaned Executive at United Way of Central New York. Loaned Executives serve as account mangers during campaign season, helping Employee Campaign Coordinators run great campaigns at their workplaces.

Kelly Bayne, Associate, Community Impact/Success by 6

We’re pleased to announce that Kelly Bayne has joined United Way’s full-time staff as a Shared Associate for United Way’s Community Impact and Success By 6 departments. In this position, Kelly keeps very busy by assisting both departments with administrative duties.

Kelly is no stranger to double duty - she first came to United Way in the fall of 2007, where she (simultaneously!) held two positions for several months: Speakers Bureau Coordinator and Loaned Executive. In those positions, she handled all the scheduling when companies request United Way agency speakers during campaign season. And as a Loaned Executive, she helped non-profits run great United Way campaigns.

Kelly has bachelor’s degrees in economics and Spanish from Union College.

Allen Naples, 2007 Community Campaign Chair
M&T Bank

We welcome Allen Naples as chair of the 2007 Community Campaign and thank him for leading us in our effort to raise $9.7 million this year. He’ll work with a cabinet of community leaders to help us run a highly successful campaign this fall.

“M&T Bank is deeply vested in the neighborhoods and communities in which we do business,” Mr. Naples said. “The broad reach of United Way’s impact into every corner of our community coincides with our mission and values. I’ve been personally involved with United Way for many years and was honored to serve as Vice Chair for the 2006 Campaign, and now as Chair in 2007.”

Mr. Naples is Regional President of M&T Bank.

Tom McKeown, United Way Board of Directors
ARISE, Inc.

Tom McKeown was recently elected to United Way of Central New York’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Mr. McKeown is the Executive Director of ARISE, an agency for people with disabilities.

“I have been committed to United Way for many years,” Mr. McKeown said. “I appreciate that United Way helps to support many small agencies that do not have the resources to mount major fundraising campaigns. United Way assures that the needs of people most at risk are taken seriously.”

Mr. McKeown has worked in the not-for-profit arena in Central New York for 30 years. He was affiliated with Transitional Living Services for many years, as well as the Rape Crisis Center before it merged with Vera House.

Kimberly Townsend, United Way Board of Directors
Welch Allyn, Inc.

Kim Townsend was recently elected to United Way of Central New York’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Ms. Townsend is Senior Counsel in Government Affairs for Welch Allyn, Inc.

“United Way’s programs and partnerships serve as a catalyst for growth in our community,” Ms. Townsend said. “Simply put, United Way changes lives, and I am proud to be part of its work.”

Ms. Townsend is an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. She received her BS and MBA from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University and her JD from the Syracuse University College of Law.

Kathryn Ruscitto, 2007 Community Campaign Vice Chair
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center

Kathryn Ruscitto has joined United Way as Vice Chair of the 2007 Community Campaign. She will work with Campaign Chair Allen Naples and a cabinet of community leaders to help us run a highly successful campaign this fall.

“St. Joseph’s has a rich history of providing health care services for those who need it the most,” said Ms. Ruscitto. “We further recognize that there are many among us who need not only health care, but all kinds of basic services. As a leading employer in Syracuse, St. Joseph’s is committed to helping those in need, one life at a time.”

Ms. Ruscitto is Senior Vice President of Strategy, Development and Government Affairs at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

David Wall, United Way Board of Directors
Onondaga Community College

David Wall was recently elected to United Way of Central New York’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Mr. Wall is Director of Corporate and Public Partnerships at Onondaga Community College.

“I’m thrilled to be able to serve my community through United Way,” Mr. Wall said. “Simply put, United Way improves lives of people in need in this community. That helps create a better community for us to live and work in.”

Mr. Wall was previously Chief Deputy for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, before retiring after 25 years of service. He has a BA from Syracuse University and a Master’s in Management Science from Keuka College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Richard Hole, United Way Board of Directors
Bond, Schoeneck & King

Richard Hole was recently elected to United Way of Central New York’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Mr. Hole is a senior partner at Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

“Over the years, I have had a strong interest in helping people,” Mr. Hole said. “That is why I became a lawyer, and why I have invested time and energy in community activities that can make a difference in the quality of people’s lives. I look forward to contributing to the United Way’s mission.”

Mr. Hole has served on the boards of numerous local organizations, including the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and the East Area YMCA. He received his BA from Hamilton College and his JD from Syracuse University School of Law.

Shari Constantine, United Way Board of Directors
Wegmans

Shari Constantine was recently elected to United Way of Central New York’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. Ms. Constantine is Senior Vice President of the Syracuse Division of Wegmans.

“At Wegmans, we want to make a difference in every community we serve,” Constantine said. “I am committed to helping others, both inside and outside of the organization. I believe that United Way is the most efficient, knowledgeable agency that provides assistance to our community.”

Constantine has been employed by Wegmans since starting as a cashier 30 years ago. She lives in Liverpool with her husband and four children.