Board of Directors

ACAF board members represent a variety of Allegany County communities and occupations

Rodney K. Bennett

Rodney K. Bennett

Board President

Short Tract, NY – Rod assumed the ACAF presidency in February of 2021. A Cornell University graduate, he recently retired from a long and successful career in dairy farming. Rod has served as an Allegany County legislator and enjoys hunting and archery, and serves on the board of the Fillmore Wide Awake Club library.

Carolyn J. Miller

Carolyn J. Miller

Development Committee Chair

Scio, NY—Retired from a career working for the New York Court system, Carolyn pursues various interests. She has been involved in ACAF since its founding, and is a past-president of the board. She is also very involved with the Scio Library. Carolyn chairs the ACAF Development Committee and also serves on the Scholarship Committee. She is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia.

Dawn A.  Wildrick-Cole

Dawn A. Wildrick-Cole

Scholarship Committe Chair

Almond, NY – Dawn is a graduate of Cuba Central school, Smith College, and Indiana University School of Law. She serves as principal attorney for Allegany County Courts. Dawn’s community involvements include the Allegany Bar Association, Almond town board (former town supervisor), St. Jude’s Paris, and the Almond Historical Society. Her interests and hobbies include medieval history, gardening, spending time with her husband and young adult sons … and asking them to reach for objects on tall shelves.

 
 
 
Leslie Haggstrom

Leslie Haggstrom

Grant Committee Chair

Angelica, NY—Leslie grew up in Brockport and ‘married into Angelica.’  She is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and University of Buffalo School of Law. She retired as First Assistant Allegany County Attorney in 2016, but recently has been serving the Allegany County DSS on a part-time basis. She has been a part of ACAF since its founding, including a stint as board president. Leslie is very involved in the United Methodist Church, regionally and locally, and manages Angelica Community Angels, a community group that provides food, hygiene supplies, and baby items to those in need. She enjoys painting, quilting, gardening and reading, travel, and concerts.

Dr. Dan Acton

Dr. Dan Acton

Investment Committee Chair

Alfred Station, NY— Dan Acton is a retired professor of accounting. He first served on the ACAF board in 2003. Dan chairs ACAF’s Investment Committee. Dan serves as supervisor for the Town of Alfred.

Thomas P. Brown

Thomas P. Brown

Cuba, NY—Tom Brown is the senior judge for the Allegany County Superior Court, and likes to ride his Harley in his spare time. He serves on the Foundation’s Finance/Investment and Scholarship committees. He is also on the board of Cuba Memorial Hospital.

Carrie Flanagan-Watson

Carrie Flanagan-Watson

Belmont, NY – Carrie Flanagan-Watson is a science teacher at Belfast Central School. She also serves as a board member for the Town of Ward.

Julie Hall

Julie Hall

Fillmore, NY— Julie is a senior regional manager for Community Bank, NA, overseeing the activities of several branches. She is very involved in the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department.

Jon Morris

Jon Morris

Cuba, NY – A long-time teacher and school administrator, Jon works as Director of EPPC for St. Bonaventure University (SBU), helping SBU students and grads with certification.  Jon’s community involvements have included Literacy West and Cuba Friends of Architecture. He has a master’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College and a school administration credential from SBU. Jon enjoys the outdoors, hobby farming, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Jasmine Shephard

Jasmine Shephard

Caneadea, NY— Jasmine earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University and master’s degree from Acadia University. She is a special education teacher for Belfast Central School.

Lois Whitney

Lois Whitney

Bolivar, NY – Lois is retired from a long career in nursing spent with Jones Memorial Hospital.

Karen Williams

Karen Williams

Fillmore, NY—Karen and her husband Herb operate the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home in Fillmore. She rejoined the board in the spring of 2012 after having served previously. Karen grew up in Friendship, NY.

 

Founded: 1983
Assets: $10M
Staff: 1 half-time, 2 part-time
Oversight: 12 member volunteer board

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Allegany County Area Foundation
6087 State Rt 19
Belmont, NY 14813
585-296-5616

 

 

Endowed Scholarships

Designated Grant Funds

Donor-Advised Funds

Unrestricted Grant Funds