Five members re-elected

Olean, N.Y., January 31 – The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation board of directors recently elected Theresa Raftis to its board for a three-year term and named its slate of Foundation officer for 2024.

Raftis, a retail services officer at Community Bank, last served on the CRCF board in 2023.

CRCF board members are allowed to serve three consecutive three-year terms so long as they are re-elected after each term. After three consecutive terms, board members are required to take one year off, said Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director.

Lucy Benson, who has served as the board President since 2022, has since termed off the board following her third-consecutive three-year term as an elected board member. Benson will continue to serve the board as immediate past president.

Wendy Brand will be taking over the duties as board President. Brand began her service on the CRCF board in 2010. She prior served as board president from 2017-2020.

Brand, now retired, formerly worked in NYS Assemblyman Joe Giglio’s office.

Also serving as officers of the board in 2025 are Sharon Myers, vice president; Mary Freeman, 2^nd vice president; Audra Stevens, secretary; and Mike Kasperski, treasurer.

“We are lucky to have such strong board leadership here at the Community Foundation, and to have so many capable individuals that are willing to share their time and talents with our organization,” said Windus. “The board believes in our mission and their expertise is a huge part of the reason that CRCF has grown so much over its 30-year history.”

Five current board members who were re-elected for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 include Wendy Brand, Mike Kasperski, Doug Price, Tyler Threehouse and Skip Wilday.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).