GOWANDA – Follow-ing the announcement of Sharon J. Mathe’s retirement and a vigorous search for a new chief executive officer, Gowanda-based rural health network Healthy Community Alliance (HCA) has selected a successor. Starting May 31, Ann Feightner will be the new CEO.

“It is an honor to have been selected to lead Healthy Community Alliance, one of the most respected agencies among the non-profit human service organizations in our area,” Feightner said. “I am looking forward to working with the board of directors and staff as well as our community partners so that we can continue the important work of improving the health and quality of life for our rural neighbors.”

Feightner has an extensive background in healthcare and human services, as well as operational and administrative expertise.

For the past seven and a half years, she has served as the program officer for Total Senior Care Inc. PACE, a program designed to provide seniors with the best in health and long-term care. In addition to leading start-up operations at the PACE Center in Olean, Feightner developed two new PACE alternative care sites in the Southern Tier.

Predating her time with Total Senior Care, Ann was the director of the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging, where she led the development of the local NYConnects aging and disability resource center, which was recognized by the New York State Office for Aging and the Association of Counties as the best practice within the state initiative.

Ann has also served in an advisory capacity for the past 14 years with the Standards for Excellence, a national program which promotes best practices in ethics and accountability in non-profit management and governance.

“I am delighted to see Ann has accepted the position as Healthy Community Alliance’s new CEO,” stated current CEO Sharon Mathe. “She has been a wonderful partner to HCA, and I am confident that under her leadership, HCA will continue to grow and build quality of life in our communities to its fullest extent.”