Zerbian Named Alumnus of Year

Tina Zerbian has been named the 2008 Leadership Cattaraugus Alumnus of the Year.

The annual award is presented to an alumnus who best represents the mission and vision of the LC program. Zerbian, chief executive officer, Cattaraugus Community Action, was selected because she is a leader and helps to make Cattaraugus County a better place to live, according to LC administrator Jesse Gugino.

Zerbian is past president of the New York State Community Action Association. She was also named Woman of the Year by the Enchanted Mountain Business and Professional Women’s Club. She serves on numerous state and area boards.

“She brings an air of integrity to everything she touches,” said LC alumna Sharon Mathe.

Past recipients include Wendy Bourgeois, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services, and Len Riker, formerly of Cytec Corp.

Leadership Cattaraugus was established in November 2003 as a joint effort of Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, The ReHabilitation Center, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, and St. Bonaventure University. The founding partners include: Alcas Corporation, Cattaraugus Empire Zone Corp., Cooper Power Systems, Cytec Industries, Dresser-Rand, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, The Iroquois Group, Jamestown Community College, Olean Advanced Products/AVX, Olean General Hospital, The ReHabilitation Center, and St. Bonaventure University.

An inaugural class of 21 members completed the program in 2004, with a second class of 20 participants in 2005, 20 participants in 2006, and 18 in 2007 and 2008. All graduates participated in sessions on economic development, education, tourism, media, government, health and medical issues, human services and a full day of board member development.

For more information, visit the Leadership Cattaraugus website at www.leadershipcattaraugus.org or call 716-376-7572.