Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties welcomes new board members, chair

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. recently announced some changes to its board of directors.

Lauren E. Bull, president of Bull Bros., Inc., steps down as chair, as Keith Fenstemacher, retired CEO of Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital, takes over as chair for the next two years.

Laura Casamento and Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner have joined the Community Foundation board. Casamento is senior vice president and chief advancement officer at Utica College. VanWagoner is president at Mohawk Valley Community College. Each brings with them significant experience in education and development, the foundation said in a news release.

The foundation also bid good bye to two long-time board members. “Don Carbone and Georgiana Roberts Ide served the board with passion and dedication for nine years in various capacities,” the Community Foundation said in the release. Ide acted as chair from 2009 to 2011, while Carbone was secretary/treasurer from 2012 to 2013. They each also served on various foundation committees.

The Community Foundation’s other 2013-2014 board members include: Mary Lyons Bradley, Richard Callahan, Linda Cohen, Ron Cuccaro, Dr. Burt Danovitz, L. Michael Fitzgerald, David Jones, Susan Matt, Mary Morse, Dr. Ann Marie Murray, Judith Sweet, Richard Tantillo, the Rev. Robert Umidi, Eve Van de Wal, and Bonnie Woods.

The Community Foundation says it has promoted philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. It has made more than 5,200 grants totaling more than $41.3 million in support of causes ranging from education, health care, the arts, and the environment, according to the release.

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