Connie Herzig (Board Chair) has been an active community member since 1988.  She has been a vital leader at the Oneonta Job Corps Academy and served as a Physical Education teacher and coach at Cooperstown Central School District for 27 years. She was inducted into the Cooperstown CSD Hall of Fame in 2023.

Connie is active in many community organizations including the Otsego Sailing Club and the City of the Hills Chorus. She was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Oneonta with her husband, Gary Herzig.

Sean Lewis (Vice Chair) currently serves as the President & CEO of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. This is Sean’s second stint in our region, having served as the Advertising Director at The Daily Star from 2011 through 2015. After a 25-year career in the newspaper business, he and his family returned to Otsego County in 2022.

Sara Robinson works for the LEAF Council on Alcoholism & Addictions. Prior to her employment at LEAF, she was the Town Clerk & Tax Collector for the Town of Oneonta for almost three years. Sara and her husband have been foster parents for Otsego County for five years. It is her passion to serve our community and help it become a better place.

David Hayes (Board Member Emeritus) is president of the David Hayes Art Foundation and curates museum exhibitions for the work of his late father, the noted sculptor David Hayes. He has been involved with the organization since its creation as First Night Oneonta since its. He currently serves on the Catskill Choral Society Board where he sings in the bass section and chairs the finance committee. David has been a valuable leader of many community efforts and organization over three decades.

Jennifer Hill serves as Community Engagement Coordinator for Tobacco Free Communities: Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie. In this position, she gets to do what she loves most – engaging with people to make our communities better for everyone, especially kids. Jennifer has lived in and engaged with many communities throughout the nation and the world; first as a diplomat’s daughter, and then as an academic’s spouse. Jennifer moved to Oneonta in 2018.

Gail Glover serves as the vice president for strategic communications at Hartwick College. She is responsible for developing and implementing the College’s brand vision, positioning strategy, licensing, marketing and public relations campaigns. Before joining Hartwick, Gail held leadership roles at Dutchess Community College, Bucknell University, SUNY Geneseo and Union College.

Dawn Amankwaa is a Registered Nurse with a leadership role in the Bassett Healthcare Network. Currently residing in Cooperstown, Dawn is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Leadership and Administration, while holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capella University. Beyond her professional endeavors, she takes pride in being a mother to three special needs children and finds tranquility in photography and exploring the breathtaking countryside.

Heather Ross is the owner/operator of Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream & More. Established in 1949, her family-owned business carries on tradition by producing artisan handmade ice cream along with other old-fashioned favorites. In addition to her entrepreneur experience, Heather is an agent/Director of the Franklin Fire Ins. Co. She also participates in and donates to many local community initiatives.