Leadership Greater Syracuse graduates its 29th class

SYRACUSE — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) announced that 53 area citizens are ready to take on high-level community roles in Central New York after graduating from the LGS Class of 2019 on Nov. 13 at The Rail Line event venue in downtown Syracuse.

“The Board of Directors, staff and I are very proud of this class. They have been immersed in the issues and achievements of our community and now have the tools and the connections they need to give back to CNY,” Pam Brunet, LGS executive director, said in a news release. The participants represent a cross-section of local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 1991, LGS is a nonprofit organization that says its mission is to inspire current and future leaders to make a difference in the community in which they live and work. 

Each year, the DeWitt–based organization selects a new class of about 50 to 55 people to participate in its year-long training program to expose them to key community leaders and organizations and the most important issues facing the community. The program teaches participants about community leadership, empowerment, group dynamics, community opportunities, and trends. 

“The future is bright for the organizations that will benefit from their knowledge and involvement as the LGS Class of 2019 is made up of very enthusiastic and capable leaders,” Brunet added. About 80 percent of all LGS graduates remain in Central New York, and a recent survey shows that they have held more than 800 volunteer positions. 

Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. LGS says it is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Community Bank, and VIP Structures. Media sponsors include Charter Communications and The Central New York Business Journal.

Class of 2019 graduates:

• Ishrat Ahmed, Pathfinder Bank

• Cheryl Ascenzi, Bristol-Myers Squibb

• Trevor Balstra, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center

• William Bass, Fisher Associates

• Stephen Benson, Northeast Information Discovery

• Shira Boschan, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture

• Robert Bucklin, West Onondaga Street Alliance (WOSA)

• Joe Bufano, OCM BOCES

• Nicole Carfi, OBG/Ramboll

• Christopher Caver, National Grid

• Josh Cradduck, Spectrum News

• Deka Dancil, Syracuse University

• Liane DeSantis, EA Engineering, Science & Technology, Inc.

• John Michael Duby, Hueber-Breuer Construction

• Amy Dugliss, Advocates Incorporated

• Danielle Gerhart, Bankers Healthcare Group

• Leland Guillaume, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office

• Cheryl Holdrege, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists

• Sarah Hood, CenterState CEO

• Ernest Lancto, 174th Attack Wing

• Jan Lane, CNY Community Foundation

• Kerry Langan, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

• Samantha Linnett, Full Time College Student

• Andrew Lunetta, A Tiny Home for Good

• Tim Macko, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

• David Marobella, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

• Laura McCranie, Dairy Farmers of America

• Nicholas Meskos, AmeriCU Credit Union

• Stephen Messina, Brown & Brown Empire State

• Alan Mokay, Lockheed Martin

• Melissa Moore, Bryant & Stratton College

• Caitlin Moriarty, CenterStateCEO - Tech Garden

• Adrianne Morton, Blue Lotus Consulting, LLC

• William Nicholson, AccessCNY Inc

• Penny Parisi, KeyBank

• Casey Prietti, Welch Allyn

• Jeff Renk, SRC Inc

• Tom Resch, BR Johnson

• Tracy Resch, Bousquet Holstein PLLC

• Denise Rhoads, Community Bank N.A.

• Victoria Russo, City of Syracuse

• Tabitha Sebastino, Cryomech Inc.

• Marcus Smith, Helio Health

• David Smith, Saab Defense and Security USA

• Joni Steigerwald, C&S Companies

• Carl Thomas, SUNY Upstate Medical University

• Nick Tryniski, Pathfinder Bank

• Joseph Vetere, Empower Federal Credit Union

• Julie Walas, Syracuse University

• Kathleen Weaver, The Hayner Hoyt Corporation

• Mary White, Women’s Opportunity Center

• Allison Whittles, OneGroup NY, Inc

• Cynthia Woods, SUNY Upstate Medical University