Arc of Onondaga names Gutmaker its new executive director

SYRACUSE — Arc of Onondaga has named Ellen Gutmaker as its new executive director, starting this September. Gutmaker will replace Stanfort Perry, who was with the nonprofit for nearly 15 years and is leaving for a position with AHRC Nassau, a fellow chapter of NYSARC, Inc.

Arc of Onondaga is the largest provider of services to people with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County, serving 3,000 individuals and their families and employing over 500 people.  

Gutmaker joined Arc of Onondaga in 1999 as the director of day treatment and was instrumental in helping Eastwood Day Habilitation regain certification, the organization said in a news release. She served as director of quality assurance and corporate compliance for 10 years, and in 2010, was appointed assistant executive director for quality and compliance services. She also oversaw all agency training, incident management, record retention, HIPAA privacy, agency policy manuals, new employee orientations, and the implementation of electronic records, according to Arc of Onondaga.

“Myself, as well as the entire agency Board of Directors are extremely proud to announce this new appointment,” Perry said in the news release. “She brings extensive knowledge and practical application to the position — two key elements which are crucial in ensuring that the success of the organization continues.”

“I’m honored to not only be taking on this new role, but also to follow such outstanding leadership,” said Gutmaker. “Arc’s presence in the community and scope of services provided has improved exponentially since Stanfort took over the position 14 years ago. He will be greatly missed. Our sister chapter, AHRC in Nassau County, Long Island, has much to anticipate as he gets ready to join them this September.”

Gutmaker has been working with and for people with disabilities for more than 30 years. Before joining Arc of Onondaga, she worked at Ontario ARC for almost 20 years in both direct support and management roles, according to the release. During her tenure, she served as both director of residential services and as habilitative services director, where she oversaw day treatment, day habilitation, recreation, and at-home residential habilitation.

Gutmaker has a bachelor’s degree in psychology & sociology from William Smith College, is certified in health-care compliance, and lives in Jamesville with her family.

Contact Carbonaro at mcarbonaro@cnybj.com