Community Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees to succeed departing members who have completed their service on the volunteer body.  

New members are:

Mike Hayduk serves as the Deputy Director, Information Directorate at Rome’s Air Force Research Laboratory where he has worked since 1991. Author of more than 50 scholarly articles, he also has a patent for “Photonic Analog-to-Digital Conversion Using Light Absorbers” and holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Cornell University.

Kay Klo is Executive Interim Director at Midtown Utica Community Center where she assists refugees and impoverished populations through educational and cultural programs, referrals and advocacy. She joined MUCC after earning a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology from Mount Holyoke College in 2020.

Kathryn Zongrone serves as the Director of Proposal Development Services at Head Global. She's experienced in international business relations, she holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and earned a minor in marketing from Loyola University. Zongrone joined the board in December of 2021.

The three exiting Trustees are: Laura Casamento, president of Utica University, Ron Cuccaro, executive chairman and CEO of Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation, and Eve Van de Wal, regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“After several years of hard work and dedication, thoughtful conversations, and continuous support in building a vibrant community, these three members are leaving the board,” said Alicia Fernandez Dicks, president/CEO. “We are eternally grateful for their commitment to the Community Foundation, and for the work they have done and continue to do in our two counties.”

Other members of the board are:

• Robert Bojanek
• Timothy Daly
• James A. Engler, Jr.
• Kirk Hinman
• Harrison J. Hummel IV
• Dave Manzelmann
• Cathleen C. McColgin
• Gregory B. McLean
• Cheryl Minor 
• Kay Parker
• Jawwaad Rasheed
• Rev. Joseph A. Salerno
• Randy VanWagoner
• Mark Warfel
• Bradley Waters