Pathfinder Village leader announces retirement

EDMESTON, N.Y. — Paul C. Landers will retire as the president and CEO of Pathfinder Village, a service provider and community for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

“The board of directors, families, individuals, and friends of Pathfinder are grateful to Mr. Landers for his 15 years of service to the village, for his leadership in the intellectual-disabilities field, and for expanding community-based options that people with disabilities may access in all areas of their lives,” Pathfinder Village Board Chair William F. Streck said in a release. “During Paul’s tenure, there have been significant changes in programs and public funding for services. He has helped Pathfinder successfully navigate these challenges as well as those incurred through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Pathfinder has convened a search committee comprised of board members, parents, and trustees from the village’s foundation board to begin a search for Landers’ replacement. The committee is focusing on executive-level candidates with expertise in health care, intellectual disabilities, and nonprofit organizations.

Landers will remain in his role through the transition in leadership.

Under Landers’ tenure, the organization created Pathfinder Produce and the village’s adult day-services initiatives to provide job-skills training and work opportunities to adults with disabilities. The village also increased its footprint with the addition of the William F. Streck Community Health Center, a community soccer field, walking trails, and several off-campus group homes. Pathfinder additionally expanded its west campus with several residential homes, new facilities and maintenance buildings, and the future site of the Vocational Education Center and Pathfinder Produce operations.

Pathfinder Village and its foundation tripled its reserve and endowment funds and started Otsego Academy, a post-secondary transitions program for young adults; Camp Pathfinder, a summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities; the Self-Direction program, a residential alternative that offers adults greater autonomy and independence; and the Aging Initiative, a series of program enhancements, staff-certification courses, and capital improvements supporting seniors with cognitive disabilities who may incur dementia and mobility impairments.

Founded in 1980, Pathfinder Village provides support for individuals with intellectual disabilities along with educational, day services, vocational/pre-vocational, and outreach programs. It’s located at 3 Chenango Road in Edmeston, in Otsego County.