Standing Committees*

* Chamber Board President and Executive Director are Ex-Officio on all committees.

Benefits Committee~ This Committee is responsible for creation and review of policies, procedures, benefits and labor questions. The Committee works at understanding and implementation of state laws and working with the NYS Department of Labor, if necessary.

Benefits Committee Member ~ Corinna McKnight

Education Committee ~ This Committee is responsible for the involvement in the Chamber of Commerce in workplace skills and any educational programs that require business involvement in Allegany County.  The group may take on projects as deemed appropriate by the committee and the Board, keeping the Chambers mission in mind.  The Committee is comprised of Board members and community members, with an emphasis on educational representatives.

Education Committee Members~ Judy Hopkins, Lisa Lee, Mike Miller

Events Committee ~ This committee is comprised of Board members and Chamber members.  Its main function is to plan and implement events that the chamber will host throughout the year.  It is responsible for developing a budget for each event and getting sponsors for the event.  It will set costs, and report to the board any net profits or losses.  The Committee will maintain an even use of event facilities throughout the county. 

Events Committee Members ~ Judy Hopkins, Phyllis Gaerte, Pam Witter, Corinna McKnight 

Executive ~ Comprised of officers from the Board of Directors – President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President.  Terms are one year, with the President presiding for no more than two years.  Officers are elected from the Board of Directors.

Executive Committee Members ~ Brian Loucks, Bill Hart, Steve Havey, Girard Kelly, Lee Gridley, Lee James

Budget and Finance~ Comprised of members of the Board, responsible for reviewing the annual budget and periodically reviewing and realigning the budget throughout the fiscal year, making recommendations for adjustments, and informing the Board of any changes.  Final budget approvals are necessary from the Board of Directors.

Finance Members ~ Lee James, Executive Board, Doug Frank, Linda Hunt

Genesee River Wilds Committee ~ The Chamber is part of a larger project and is partners with the Allegany County Soil & Water Conservation District to develop a very comprehensive program that will develop the Genesee River from both economic development/tourism and environmental standpoint.  Committee is comprised of Board members, who meet with a steering committee made up of various members of interest from the community.  This committee is currently looking at avenues for a more permanent organization for the Genesee River Wilds Project and reports to the Chamber board on matters involving economic development and tourism.  Decisions of this council are not dependent on final Chamber Board approval.

Genesee River Wilds Committee Members ~ Bill Hart, Lee Gridley, Kier Dirlam, Doug Crandall, John Foels, Benjamin Gajewski, Christina Hedstrom, Allen Kerkeslager, Scott Torrey

Internship Committee ~ This ad hoc committee will research all possible internship programs available through local colleges/ universities/ and trade schools, youth employment opportunities and community service programs.  Goal of the committee is to develop a very comprehensive guideline of opportunities so that internship seekers – whether businesses or students, have the ability to find the best possible programs.  This directory can be distributed to chamber members as a service.

Internship Committee Members ~ Steve Havey, Lee James

Leadership Allegany ~ The Chamber and Houghton College have partnered together to develop a program that will foster new leaders for today and the future, ensuring a continuing growth of civic involvement over time.  The committee meets monthly to continue to coordinate all the aspects of the program.  Members are Chamber Board members, representatives from Houghton and other interested community members.

Leadership Allegany Members ~ Pam Witter, Doug Frank, Phyllis Gaerte, Gretchen Hanchett, Judy Hopkins, Corinna McKight Scott Wade,Lesley Gooch-Christman, Marty Cox, Mike Ronan, Odeney Carty, Kelly Dickerson

Manufacturing Council ~ This committee is comprised of Board members and members from the industrial, manufacturing, trades industry.  The council will meet on a regular basis to direct action that will improve the business climate, develop strategic partnerships with each other to help improve the movement of goods and services into and out of the county.  The goal of the committee will be to develop and improve a range of services for existing manufacturers, assisting expansion, and generally improving the business climate in Allegany County.  The Council may have many members, but will also have an oversight committee that meets on a regular basis and will inform all council members of any action items. 

Manufacturing Council Members ~ Tom Shoup, Chuck Brown, Michael Burke, Mike Johnson

Membership ~ Includes Marketing and Promotion - comprised of members from Board and General Assembly.  Group is responsible for organizing and executing the annual membership drive.  This group sets the annual rate for membership as well as the various levels of membership.  This group will review membership success and make recommendations to the Board.  All decisions on rate and levels must have final board approval.

Membership Members ~ Girard Kelly, Randa Harrington, Steve Havey, Lee James, Brian Reed

Nomination Committee ~ This committee develops relationships with business people in order to fill board seats and creates ballots for nominations and voting during vacancy and annual elections.  

Nomination Committee Members ~ Bill Hart, Phil Curran

Public Policy ~ Comprised of Board members and community members.  This committee reviews concerns and issues that affect the business community at large.  When a project is determined, the public policy committee will serve as advocates for the business community, at county, state, and federal levels. It routinely reviews any issues brought up by community members and businesses, and determines what action is appropriate.  The committee is responsible for reporting to the Board of Directors.  If a position statement on an issue is determined, the committee will seek approval by the Board

Public Policy Members ~ Brian Loucks, Lee Gridley, Gretchen Hanchett, Lee James, Mike Johnson, Dan Synakowski

Tourism Committee ~ Comprised of Board members and community members.  This group is responsible for determining the tourism needs that will be the responsibility of the Chamber, as well as to review and advance the tourism program for the county’s NYS Empire State Development Tourism Division matching funds program.  The Chamber of Commerce is the official TPA for Allegany County and the Executive Director also serves as the Director of Tourism for Allegany County at the State level.  The Tourism Committee reviews decisions made by the Director of Tourism and staff.

Tourism Advisory Board~ Michael Burke, Rod Beihler, Don Cameron, Mark Kate Cole, Cathy Faulkner, Nancy Fusco, Tom Green, Lee Gridley, Elaine Hardman, Steve Havey, Joel Kassirer