DERBY — Tina T. Ames has been named the new director of programs at SunCliff on the Lake in Derby, by owners David Johnson and Brenda Shaw.

SunCliff on the Lake is set to open the end of April 2018.

This historic mansion was built by the Schmidt and Schoelkopf families around 1914 and occupied for over 30 years as a residence. In 1947, it was sold to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. For the next 70 years, the St. Columban Center was a place where thousands have visited, dined, gathered and retreated, enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.

In the winter of 2017, when the Diocese phased out operations, the Johnson and Shaw families of Western New York, purchased the Retreat Center, visioning this as the perfect atmosphere for workshops and weddings.

Tina is well known in Western New York as an instructor, artist and business advisor. She currently teaches at 11 libraries in Erie County as well as many retreats and venues around the country. She is also the owner of tinatames.com — an inspirational art based product company and blog. Tina currently resides in Glenwood, with her husband Doug.