CEO Denise Jones named one of region’s most influential people for 11th straight year

Denise Jones has again been named one of the most influential people in Western New York by a regional business publication.

Denise, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer, was included in Buffalo Business First’s annual “Power 250” list of the business leaders whose guidance and influence shape WNY. This marks the 11^th straight year Denise has appeared on the list. She is ranked No. 147.

A TRC employee since 1990, Denise was named CEO in 2015. Under her leadership, The Resource Center has posted positive net operating results for 11 straight years.

Buffalo Business First noted that TRC is the region’s fifth-largest non-profit organization, with an annual operating budget of about $100 million. The agency has more than 1,100 employees across three separate business lines: supports and services for people with disabilities; clinical services that are available to anyone in the community; and a manufacturing division that performs subcontracting work for area industry and the federal government.

TRC officials were proud that Denise has again been recognized by Business First.

“It is an extraordinary accomplishment to be named to the Business First Power 250 list for the 11th straight year,” said Dr. Dawn Columbare, who chairs TRC’s Board of Directors. “This accomplishment is a credit to Denise’s exemplary leadership of a complex, county-wide organization whose services range from caring for every aspect of the lives of the individuals with disabilities we serve, to our manufacturing businesses and our clinical services.”

In addition to being influential in Western New York region, Denise plays important roles with disability service organizations at the regional, state and national levels. She serves on the Boards of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York and The Collaborative of New York; is treasurer of The Arc New York Executive Directors Association; and is the secretary/treasurer of the board for ACCSES, which represents community-based organizations that support people with disabilities across the country. Denise also has served on the Boards of local organizations, including the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Jones, who was born and raised in Jamestown, obtained an associate degree from Jamestown Community College before earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University. She later received a master of science in strategic leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College.