Lori Dzielski Becomes New ACAF President

The Allegany County Area Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Dzielski as their new president. Dzielski will replace Carolyn Miller, who is stepping down after serving as president of the foundation for more than five years. Miller, a member of the foundation for more than thirty years, will now serve as the vice president of the Foundation and chair of the development committee.

Carolyn Miller, out-going president of the Foundation, stated, “I have had the privilege of serving on the board of this foundation for upwards of twenty years, and what a dedicated and upbeat group it is! It’s my opinion that an exceptional board of directors is made up of long-time members who remember an organization’s history and enthusiastic new members with lots of energy and ideas.  I hope to be a part of that former group for a while yet.  It has been an honor to serve as president, and I am sure that Lori will find it as fulfilling an experience as I have.”

Mrs. Dzielski has been a member of the ACAF Board of Directors since 2008. She has served on the foundation’s Investment and Grants committees.

“Serving on the board has been a great experience. I get to interact with so many wonderful people, both on this board and the people we get to help,” said Dzielski. “I am proud to work for an organization that does so much good for so many people throughout Allegany County and surrounding communities.  With the two primary goals of grants and scholarships we have a positive influence on a lot of lives. I want to help make sure that continues.”  

For the last twenty-five years Dzielski has worked for the Community Bank, NA in Olean, Cuba, Houghton and the Wellsville Branch.  Lori is currently the branch manager of the Community Bank on the Bolivar Road in Wellsville. One of her first jobs was with WMNS/WBJZ in Olean.

Dzielski is a graduate of the Leadership Allegany Class of 2014.  She also serves on the Allegany/Cattaraugus Legal Services Board. In her spare time she enjoys photography, scrap booking, spending time with her family and traveling with her husband.

“I look forward to many more years with this wonderful organization and I hope I can do as well as my predecessors,” Dzielski said. Her term as President officially began on January 1, 2015.

Dzielski has lived in the town of Genesee for the last twenty-five years with her husband Kevin. They have two grown children: Victoria (Bruce) Gayton of Olean and Brittany (Jay) Williams of Portville. They also have seven grandchildren.

The Allegany County Area Foundation holds assets of over 8 million dollars and continues to add new funds each year. The endowed funds continue to grow in perpetuity to enrich and improve the lives of our citizens here in Allegany County. If you would like more information on how you can create a scholarship or create a legacy for a loved one, please contact the Allegany County Area Foundation at 585-808-8444.

In the picture (L to R): Lori Dzielski and Carolyn Miller.