ONEIDA & HERKIMER COUNTIES – United Way of the Mohawk Valley welcomed six community members to its Board of Directors over the past several months.
The six members appointed to the board are Norma Chrisman, Pat Harrington, Dale Seaton, Millie Occhionero, Hilarie Lynn, and Tyler Brennan.
A 29-year IBEW member, Pat Harrington comes to the United Way MV Board with decades invested in his community. Pat is currently the president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 43. He has held many elected and appointed positions within the union and is an active volunteer for local non-profits.
“The area that I hope to help with as a board member is getting people involved in the community,” said Pat Harrington, new United Way MV Board Member. "I have volunteered for numerous local area non-profits and will use this experience to assist in carrying out the work of United Way.”
Born and raised in Little Falls, Norma Chrisman never strayed from her hometown roots. She started her career in banking before taking her position as the Educational Technologies Manager at Mohawk Valley Community College. Norma is also the president of the MVCC Professional Association (MVCCPA) for the college. The MVCCPA has been a proud supporter of the United Way in supporting initiatives with sponsorships and volunteers.
“When hired at MVCC in 2002, I learned about United Way and began supporting their work via payroll deduction. Then I learned about volunteer opportunities and was totally hooked,” said Norma Chrisman, new United Way MV Board Member. “One initiative comes to mind: the June 2013 flooding that occurred in the Mohawk Valley. Personally, my home sustained damage but not nearly as bad as others. United Way stepped up to host a telethon, with WKTV, to help support those impacted. The MVCCPA was a proud supporter of this event where we presented our donation during the telethon. It really stuck out to me that the United Way is there in your time of need and willing to support those in the Mohawk Valley. I want to continue to help my community, through my involvement with the organization.”
Dale Seaton’s journey from GE to International Paper is decades-long, and so is his love for this community. He shares that through his volunteerism, not only with United Way of the Mohawk Valley but through sports! From his role as United Way’s Workplace Campaign coordinator, Dale learned of other events and volunteer efforts through the organization. He joined a committee, and eventually made the leap and joined the board. Beyond coaching girls’ softball, Dale races motorcycles – turning pro in the last two years, and running is a passion he will always hold close.
“As a kid, I’ve always been the one that other kids came to for help knowing they could count on me,” stated United Way MV’s new Board member Dale Seaton." As an adult that urge to help others was always present inside me – United Way allows me to fill that urge on a broad scale!”
Millie Occhionero has held several positions in the marketing and communications field and is currently working at Adirondack Financial Services (AFS) in Utica. Prior to AFS, she worked at Assured Information Security (Rome) and Mohawk Valley Health System (Utica). She served on United Way’s Emerging Leaders United and the organization’s Marketing Committee prior to joining the Board of Directors.
Occhionero stated, “Our community has enormous needs and United Way MV is a leader in establishing innovative initiatives to address them. I’m honored to be a part of its far-reaching impact as a member of the board. I hope to use my experience in marketing and community engagement to reach even more stakeholders and community members.”
Hilarie Lynn comes to United Way with over 10 years of banking experience working with both retail and business banking customers in Central New York. She is currently a vice president and manages business relationships in the Mohawk Valley, covering various M&T Bank offices in Herkimer and Oneida counties. She shares a home within the community with her husband, and black lab! Hilarie began volunteering with United Way MV on their Emerging Leaders United committee and is now part of their Resource Development committee She is also the secretary and treasurer of the board for Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Mohawk Valley.
“I first became involved with United Way in 2017 and have enjoyed my time working alongside many like-minded individuals to help our local communities,” said Hilarie Lynn, United Way MV’s new Board member. “United Way’s focus is on the health, education, and financial stability for all of Mohawk Valley. It is important to me to carry out the mission, be an advocate for United Way, and get more of my generation involved in helping our community.”
Tyler Brennan was born and raised in the Mohawk Valley and enjoys spending time with his family and adventuring with his golden retriever puppy. He is a certified public accountant and previously worked at Bonadio Group specializing in audits of healthcare and tax-exempt organizations. Tyler recently joined the Masonic Care Community as the assistant controller, supporting the business and finance department. His experience allows him to specialize in the creation of processes, streamlined communication, and the promotion of positive work environments. In college, Tyler was the treasurer for the mentoring program, a role that introduced him to the true meaning of connection and service, and he is looking forward to bringing that energy to the Mohawk Valley through United Way.
Brennan stated, “I enjoy working with organizations that devote themselves to serving the needs of our community with innovative approaches. United Way is the leader in service to the focus areas that have the greatest impact on the lives of so many of our neighbors, I am excited to help advance our mission."
For a full list of United Way MV board members, head to: unitedwaymv.org/board.
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About United Way of the Mohawk Valley
Since 1921, United Way of the Mohawk Valley (United Way MV) has been a human service leader helping thousands of local individuals and families by bringing people and organizations together to solve our community’s challenges. As one of the area’s top funders, dozens of programs rely on United Way MV funding each year.
United Way MV is a leader in innovation through projects and initiatives addressing crucial community issues in the impact areas of health, education, and financial stability. For information about United Way of the Mohawk Valley, to donate or to get involved visit www.unitedwaymv.org, or call 315.733.4691
