Who We Are

Board of Directors

ACAF board members represent a variety of Allegany County communities and occupations. The board meets monthly, September through June.

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

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 serves on the Scholarship Committee. She is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia.

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.

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, and manages Angelica Community Angels, a community group that provides food, hygiene supplies, and baby items to those in need.

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

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

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

Cuba, NY – A long-time teacher and school administrator, Jon works as Director of EPPC for St. Bonaventure University (SBU), helping students and grads with teacher 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.

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, where she is very involved with students and school activities.

Lois Whitney

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

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.

John Flurschutz

A Wellsville resident, John is retired from Dresser-Rand, where he spent his career in accounting and management positions . He holds degrees from SUNY Alfred, Alfred University and his MBA
from St. Bonaventure University. John has held leadership roles with several not-for-profit organizations. He joined the ACAF board in November 2024 and will serve as VP for Finance and Investments.