New officers elected
The Community Foundation of Fayette County Board of Directors recently elected new officers for 2007-2008 and also added new directors to the board. David R. Hughes, who previously served as vice chairman, was elected chairman, replacing Charles B. Cluss. Cluss was the founding chairman of the organization in 1999. Hughes is a 1989 graduate from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been employed since 1991 at the Paul Sprowls Agency Inc. and became its president in 2001.
The board elected H. Scott Whyel as vice chairman; Stephen A. Peters as secretary; William K. Jackson as treasurer; and Charles B. Cluss as past chairman.
The board also elected new members to serve as directors. They are: Valerie S. Bacharach, director at Laurel Business Institute; David A. Callahan, owner of Clar-Mac Furniture & Appliance of Point Marion; James R. Foutz, partner at McClure & Wolf; Edward J. Franczyk, president and chief executive officer of Centra Bank; and Jessica M. Hajek, director of development at Commercial Center Associates.
Directors serving additional terms are: George A. Bashour of Grindstone, James T. Davis of Brownsville, Carolyn J. Drost of Farmington, John A. Fiesta of Connellsville, Joan Graziano of Dunbar, Sam F. Sheehan of Smithfield, Albert N. Skomra of Uniontown, Jean H. Smith of Uniontown and Lynda S. Waggoner, Mill Run.
Executive Director Clara L. Pascoe reported to the board on several community projects, including the most recent wrap-up of charity ticket sales to the 84 Lumber PGA Golf Classic. The foundation was one of the leaders in charity revenue for the golf tournament.
Pascoe also noted that several new funds have been created this past year at the foundation and the total of all community funds at the foundation has now eclipsed the $5.5 million mark and moving steadily upward with an increase in assets of more than $2 million from the previous year. Recent statistical reports created highlighting activities of the nearly 40 community foundations in the state noted the Community Foundation of Fayette County as leading in growth.
Pascoe reported that the foundation is partnering with the Women and Girls Foundation and the Regional Women’s Initiative at Chatham College to hold a daylong seminar and “Meet the Grantmakers” forum for the public on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Anyone interested in learning more may call the foundation office at 724-437-8600.