United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area appoints three board members

UTICA — The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area recently announced it has appointed three new members of its board of directors. 

The three new members are Phyllis A.H. Breland, John Eckmair, and Hanka Grabovica.

Breland is a 1980 Opportunity Program (HEOP) graduate of Hamilton College and holds a master’s degree in instructional design. She is currently director of opportunity programs at Hamilton College. Breland is also president of the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Programs Professional Organization, and works closely with colleges in the upstate New York region. 

Eckmair is currently a VP and the director of underwriting operations at Utica National Insurance Group, where he oversees various support and production departments. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Le Moyne College, and two master’s degrees from Quinnipiac University, including an MBA. Eckmair has been an active volunteer with the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area since 2008. 

Grabovica moved to Utica from Bosnia in 2001, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2007. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and master’s degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University. Grabovica is currently the student affairs officer at the Utica Academy of Science Public Charter School. She has been a member of United Way’s marketing & communications committee for two years. She is bilingual and has a black belt in karate.