Richard Erickson passes the gavel to Dr. Dawn Columbare after she was elected chair of the board of directors during The Resource Center’s general membership meeting.

Dr. Dawn Columbare was elected the chair of The Resource Center’s board of directors during the agency’s general membership meeting, held at TRC’s administrative office building on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

Also elected as officers for the board’s 2025-26 term were Dr. Todd Jacobson, vice chair; Lisa Goodell, secretary; and Marie Carrubba, treasurer.

Elected to two-year board terms were Mary Alison Burt, Richard Erickson, Scott James, and Kristie Peppy. Erickson and James are continuing their board service, as Erickson had served the previous three years as board chair, while James had been appointed to fill a board vacancy in December. Burt and Peppy joined TRC’s board for the first time.

Elected to the nominating committee for The Resource Center’s 2026 election were Kathy Field, Laurie Goold, Dr. Jessica Gugino, Mary Jo Hamilton, and Rebecca Hamlet Kapple.

In his final report as chair, Erickson said it had been a privilege leading the board for the past three years. He thanked his fellow board members, and he praised Executive Director Denise Jones and TRC’s leadership team for maintaining the agency’s financial stability. He also commended TRC’s employees for the excellent support they provide.

“It’s been a great three years. It’s been wonderful. This place has changed me,” Erickson said.

In her treasurer’s report, Carrubba noted that for the 10th straight year, The Resource Center ended 2024 with a positive financial result that included no audit adjustments.

In her report, Jones highlighted some of the successes that have been realized across TRC.

The meeting began with a presentation about TRC’s Health Homes Programs given by Kait Curtis, director of behavioral health and care coordination, and Thad Lund, who manages the programs. A woman who attended the meeting with her guide dog spoke about the positive impacts Health Homes has had on her.

The meeting was the final one as a board member for R. Michael Goldman. He had served on the board for 21 years and was chair from 2016 to 2019.

The Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization that has been supporting people with disabilities in Chautauqua County since 1958. For more information, phone 716-483-2344 or visit resourcecenter.org.