We are extremely pleased to introduce three new members of our Board of Directors and two new members of the Development Committee. These vibrant, hard-working, creative, community champions will add significant experience to that provided by the dedicated members already serving.
Kevin Allen, who has managed Dooney Aviation at Westerly Airport for 33 years, is well-versed in the important services provided by the Olean Center staff. His wife, Christina, has been a special education teacher in Westerly for nearly 30 years and their daughter, Erika, has participated in Special Olympics for more than 20 years.
A big supporter of Special Olympics, Kevin has coached a variety of sports including skiing, softball, basketball, volleyball, and golf. Erika competes in each of these events in addition to tennis, soccer and track and field. They have earned invitations to the annual New Hampshire State Winter Games at Waterville Valley for years.
Kevin said he looks forward to learning more about the operations of the Olean Center and lending his business expertise where necessary.
Leslie Bartholomew’s connection to the Olean Center goes back several years when she and Executive Director Ruth Tureckova worked at Westerly Hospital together. A colleague’s daughter received services from the agency and Leslie attended events in support of the family.
Fast forward a few years and Leslie had started her own strategic planning and process improvement consulting business, Synergy Glue, and Ruth was leading the Center. Leslie also had become ingrained in the Westerly-Stonington community as a resident of Stonington Borough, and said she “felt it was time to contribute as a way to give back.” She long felt the Olean Center was among the most important in the region, so when Ruth asked her to join the Board it was an easy decision.
Leslie said she hopes to contribute where needed and specifically by lending her strategic planning skills to the process of updating the Center’s mission and values statements and to better reflect all of the support and good work provided.
Jeff Frenette may have just joined the board, but it will seem as though he’s part of the staff. Anyone who knows Jeff knows he is Westerly’s consummate volunteer. And there’s more. “When you get me, you get Beth too,” he said, referring to his wife, who has several similar commitments that Jeff also supports.
“I know Ruth and what she has brought to the community, and I strongly believe in the mission of the Olean Center,” Jeff said. “It’s a great place so I just had to get involved.”
As for his thoughts about contributing to that mission, he hopes to support fundraising efforts and grant requests to help strengthen the Center and further support programs, staff, and facility improvements – all of which make the Olean Center’s vital services a reality.
The Development Committee also welcomes new members Shannon Haeseler of Professional Planning Group, and Jason Stevenson, owner of Precision Fitness.
Shannon said she is happy to support the Olean Center as a way to give back to the greater Westerly-Pawcatuck community in general. She said she believes in the mission of the Olean Center and looks forward to contributing ideas and lending a hand at events in furtherance of that mission. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but if I can help make the wheel go a little smoother then I want to be a part of it,” she said.
Jason has already been a big supporter of the Olean Center by initiating the popular Trivia Night over the past few years. This fun fundraiser has grown thanks in large part to Jason’s efforts, and this year’s event, scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 26, will be held in the large Activities Room at the Olean Center in order to accommodate the growing crowd. Thank You Jason!
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