In accordance with its by-laws, The Resource Center hereby announces its General Membership Meeting and Election will be held Monday, June 3, in its Carl Cappa Building, 890 East Second Street in Jamestown.

The event will begin with light refreshments and tours of TRC Community Health Center at 5:30, with the meeting coming to order at 6:00. Everyone who has paid their 2019 TRC membership dues are eligible to attend the meeting and to vote in the election and on any business items that may arise. The tentative agenda is as follows:

1. Presentation – “The Resource Center’s Clinical Services”
2. Approval of the minutes of the 2018 General Membershup Meeting
3. President’s Report – R. Michael Goldman, Esq.
4. Treasurer’s Report – Craig Colburn
5. Executive Director’s Report – Denise Jones
6. Election of Board of Directors Officers and Members
7. Recognition of outgoing Directors Thomas Glatz, Donna Haenggi and Marlene Sirianno, Esq.
8. Adjournment by 7:00

The Nominating Committee — composed of Debbie Brown, Chair; Rita Monaco; and Sharon Richards — has proposed the following candidates for Officers and Directors of the Board of The Resource Center, as well as candidates to serve on the Nominating Committee for the 2020 Election:

Officers (one-year term)
President — Patricia Perlee
Vice President — Richard Erickson
Secretary — Marie Carrubba, Esq.
Treasurer — Craig Colburn

Directors (two-year term)
Dawn Columbare, DNP
R. Michael Goldman, Esq.
Lisa Goodell
Elizabeth Williams

Nominating Committee
Debbie Brown
Wayne Hotelling
Julie McCarthy
Rita Monaco
Sharon Richards

There is no charge to attend the meeting. For more information or to indicate you plan to attend the meeting, phone (716) 483-2344.

If you have not yet paid your 2019 TRC Membership dues, click here to make a secure, online payment. Your membership demonstrates your commitment to The Resource Center’s mission. In these challenging times, your support of TRC is extremely important.

Artwork created by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in The Resource Center’s Creations Art Program are on display at the Ellington Farman Library.

The art is being showcased in the library’s community room display case and will be on exhibit for the month of May.  Nine paintings and several ceramic pieces are featured.  All of the artwork was made by people who participate in The Resource Center’s Creations Art Program. The artists created their works at TRC’s Day Habilitation Programs located on Jones & Gifford Avenue, Fluvanna Avenue and Harris Avenue in Jamestown. The majority of the artwork is for sale.

“The Ellington Farman Library reached out to the Creations Art Program and offered a wonderful opportunity for the artists of The Resource Center to share their talents with the community.  This is the first time the art program is showcasing at the Farman Library,” said Susan Gutierrez, TRC’s Art Instructor. “The artists as well as myself are so grateful to the wonderful people at the Ellington Farman Library to offer a new place for their artwork to be shared with the community.”

The library, located at 760 Thornton Road in Ellington, is open from 11:00 to 7:00 Monday through Thursday and 10:00 to 1:00 Saturdays. The library is closed FrIdays and Sundays. For more information about the exhibit, phone The Resource Center at 483-2344.

 

The Resource Center is grateful to all of the area libraries that provide a welcoming space for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Fluvanna Library is a favorite location for some people who participate in TRC’s Community Habilitation Program. Staff report that library employees are happy when TRC visits. Here’s what Community Hab staff and participants had to say about the library:

Chelsea Soderberg, Community Coach: “I love walking into the Fluvanna Library and being welcomed with smiles. These ladies are so sweet and accommodating to us!”

Naomi Batista, Community Coach: “I like it because they make you feel welcome and also our individuals.”

Becky Bush, self-advocate: “I like it be cause Lynn (the Library Director) gives me magazines!”

Nancy Barr, self-advocate:   “I like the library because the librarians are very nice and sweet.”

Dianna Monn, Community Coach: “My individuals enjoy coming here because staff is so welcoming.”

Melissa Bailey, self-advocate: “I like the library! It’s nice! It’s quiet, and I can do puzzles and crafts.”

Sue Pyszczek, self-advocate: “I like the Fluvanna Library. It’s so cozy!”

Jessica Riquer, Community Coach: “Assistant Librarian Anne French is such a caring person, willing to help any person at all times. She always has a smile on her face. She makes us all feel welcome.”

Erin Mikula, self-advocate: “This place is awesome! I love that I get to watch things on the computer. Everyone is very nice to me!”

Cassandra Robison, Community Coach: “The Fluvanna Library offers a welcoming venue for TRC staff and those they support where we can use computers, complete puzzles, craft, and color. The Library Director and the Assistant Librarian, as well as the wonderful staff of volunteers, always greet us with a smile. People enjoy their visits here. For some of us, the library has become an important daily stop.”

People with intellectual disabilities at The Resource Center have been supporting community gardening initiatives for years. Now they’re involved in a project growing produce indoors, without using soil.

The Resource Center’s Senior Day Habilitation Program on Harris Avenue in Jamestown is growing produce in a Tower Garden. The device uses aeroponics, a process of growing plants in an air or mist environment rather than using soil. The Tower Garden stands about 5 feet tall and uses a system of water, nutrients and grow lights. Seeds are planted in a growing medium and then inserted into pods on the Tower Garden. Up to 20 types of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers can be grown at one time.

TRC’s Senior Day Program received the Tower Garden from the Chautauqua County Health Network as part of CCHN’s “Creating Healthy Schools and Communities” grant. The five-year initiative, which was funded by a grant from New York State, began in 2015 with a focus on combating chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. As part of the grant, CCHN is collaborating with businesses to help them spread a culture of wellness through healthy eating and physical fitness.

When CCHN was looking to give a Tower Garden to local businesses, The Resource Center was a natural fit for several reasons. TRC has an employee wellness program that has received regional and national acclaim – The Resource Center’s STARS employee wellness program has been named one of the healthiest employers in Western New York in each of the past four years and has been ranked among the nation’s top-100 healthiest employers the past three years. TRC also recently adopted a workplace wellness policy that emphasizes healthy eating and physical activity.

In addition, people with disabilities and their support staff at The Resource Center have been part of several gardening-related projects in recent years. TRC has been involved in the GROW Jamestown initiative and had previously worked with CCHN’s “Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play” initiative by growing fruits and vegetables at the Senior Day Program.

TRC’s STARS Wellness Program has worked with the Chautauqua County Health Network through the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Grant for the past three years.  In February, 2019 TRC entered into an 18-month agreement with CCHN to operate the Tower Garden. Donna Trusso, the Manager of the STARS Program, said that once TRC knew it was going to receive a Tower Garden, she and others had to decide where to put it.

“We wanted to choose a site that would provide a hands-on learning experience and increased awareness of healthy food options,” said Donna, adding that TRC officials wanted the garden to be located in a site where it would be seen by a lot of people. TRC decided to locate the Tower Garden at the Senior Day Program, where the garden sits in the hallway inside the main entrance.

The Senior Day Program quickly dug into the project.

“Senior Adult Day Hab has been involved since day one of the process, which involved assembling the tower, deciding what to grow, care and treatment, and now seeing the daily progress of the plants,” Donna said. “We are very excited about this project and are very thankful that CCHN has provided us with this opportunity.”

The Senior Day Program is for older people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Self-advocates who participate in the program enjoy giving back to the community. Several have immersed themselves in the Tower Garden project by planting seeds, filling the garden’s water tank and tending the garden. The Senior Day Program gardeners have been growing a variety of items in the Tower Garden, including tomatoes, lettuce, bok choy, arugula, kale, and basil. The program plans to donate its bounty to the St. Susan Center soup kitchen in Jamestown.

Seniors are enjoying the Tower Garden.

“Everybody loves it,” said Nicole Witruke, Direct Support Professional Lead at the Senior Day Program, who has spent a lot of time on the Tower Garden project.  Three wooden signs placed at the base of the Tower Garden carry messages that sum up the seniors’ attitude toward the project – “Plant Smiles.”  “Grow Giggles.”  “Harvest Love.”

“It is a fun project. It is not hard, involves our individuals and staff that support them, and goes along with our garden history and giving to the community,” said Debbie Rapp, the Supervisor at the Senior Day Program.  “We connect with our volunteer partners, and since we are a senior program that is very invested in giving back to our community, this is a great opportunity to increase our ability to grow and donate fresh grown vegetables throughout the year.”

As part of the project, TRC must submit reports every six months that describe how the garden is being used. The Resource Center has one of 13 Tower Gardens that were bought in connection with the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant. Most of the other gardens are located at area schools, while a few have been placed at work sites.

The Chautauqua County Health Network is pleased that TRC is involved in the project.

“The Resource Center is doing a wonderful job building a culture of wellness. In addition to recently passing a worksite wellness policy, they are using the Tower Garden to teach healthy eating habits to their staff and residents,” said Mikayla Certo, CCHN’s Community Project Coordinator. “Chautauqua County Health Network is proud to be collaborating with The Resource Center on worksite wellness initiatives.”

People at the Senior Day Program welcome community members to stop by to see the Tower Garden and learn more about the program. To schedule a visit, phone 661-4720. To learn more about Tower Garden, the Chautauqua County Health Network or the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant, phone CCHN at 338-0010, extension 1209.

Works made by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in The Resource Center’s Creations Art Program are on display at RydersCup Coffee in Lakewood until May 4.

The exhibit features about 20 pieces, including paintings, photographs and ceramics. The works, which are available for purchase, were made by artists who participate in the day programs located within TRC’s Michael J. Raymond Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown.

Over the years, RydersCup has hosted several exhibits of works made by Creations artists.

“I am grateful to RydersCup for hosting this exhibit,” said Susan Gutierrez, TRC’s Art Instructor.  “I am thrilled that the community will have an opportunity to experience the unique talents and expressions of the artists that participate in the Creations Art Program.”

The coffee shop, located at 28 Chautauqua Avenue, is open from 7:00 to 5:30 Monday to Saturday and 9:00 to 2:00 Sunday.

By Mark Stevens

Early in her career, Diana Meckley was given a small shadow box that read, “Bloom where you are planted.” She kept it on her desk, a constant reminder to always be open to learning new things, to do her best in working with others, and to make a positive and meaningful contribution wherever she is and in whatever she does – and in all things, give thanks.

After almost 40 years as a full-time employee with The Resource Center, Diana retired last May. She returned on a part-time basis in July, then stepped away for good after reaching her 40^th anniversary on March 29.

Prior to joining TRC, Diana had worked at the Gustavus Adolphus Children’s Home. With a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, she had been working in a direct support position with juvenile delinquent boys.

Diana started her career with TRC on March 29, 1979, as a Case Worker for the Group Home Program, under the leadership of then-Residential Director Bruce Piatz. She also received clinical supervision from the Director of Clinical Services at the time, Paul Cesana, who went on to serve as TRC’s Executive Director from 1988 to 2015.

As a Case Worker, Diana’s role with TRC was to coordinate services for all people living in group homes at that time.

“As a Residential Case Worker, I worked closely with the live-in House Managers and the Residential Director,” she remembered. At that time there were not any nurses, medical aides, dietary, benefits clerks, transportation, clerical, admissions/intake, scheduling, or hiring support. We depended on each other to do whatever needed to be done. We did not have computers, and most documentation, aside from formal reports or letters, were hand written. The front-desk Receptionist dispatched calls and left messages on pink message notes if we did not answer the landline rotary phone at our desk. We talked directly with co-workers, and everyone knew everyone.”

That was the first of what Diana considered to be four different careers during her tenure with the agency. She said that for the next 15 years, as the Residential Program grew she transitioned from being a Case Worker through a couple of other jobs before becoming Residential Administrator. During this time, she earned master degrees in counseling and human service administration.

Her responsibilities as Residential Administrator included visiting developmental centers across to meet people identified as originating from Western New York and being considered for placement in new homes TRC was building in response to the Willowbrook Consent Decree, which called for New York State to spend millions of dollars to create community-based homes for those living in Willowbrook.

“I not only witnessed institutional conditions but was present when Governor Hugh Carey came to a groundbreaking ceremony at Forest Avenue for the new community residences being built by TRC, known as the Willow Trace Project,” said Diana.

Her second career, she said, came as a result of an organizational restructuring and the introduction of Total Quality Management into the service sector. For the next nine years, she served as the Coordinator of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and was involved in developing TRC’s Quality Council, developing staff training in people skills and facilitating CQI project teams.

In 2003, Diana was asked to establish a department to coordinate quality assurance and incident management. As the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement/Incident Management Coordinator, she and staff implemented processes for things such as incident reporting, investigation, documentation and review, and tracking and monitoring.

Five years later, her fourth stint coincided with the renovation of the former Celoron School on Dunham Avenue, which in 2009 became the new home for TRC’s administrative offices. Since there was no set system for handling the storage or destruction of TRC’s confidential records, Diana contracted with vendors, developed policy and procedure, and worked with departments to formalize record retention schedules and the disposition of records.

“I am very grateful for the many opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally during my career at TRC,” said Diana. “It’s interesting to note, I was never selected for any of the promotional positions I applied for at TRC. Fortunately, because of my openness to take on new challenges and willingness to learn, I was given the opportunity to expand my role and responsibilities in response to emerging agency needs and, for the most part, in the process develop new systems and help define the role and responsibilities of these new functions.”

She said the most rewarding aspect of her career has been facilitating and learning from project teams, achieving consensus in making decisions and working together to successfully implement plans for improvement.

She said that on the negative side, “What has been most frustrating from my first day in the field of human service – and which continues to this day – is the ability to hire, train and retain Direct Support Professionals. This is the greatest challenge to all human service agencies.”

Diana is a proponent of the three key ingredients to being happy at work, as outlined in the book DRIVE by Daniel H. Pink: “A clear purpose, some autonomy in accomplishing your responsibilities, and the resources to gain mastery in your work. As a lifelong learner, I always encouraged staff to pursue their interests and continue learning through education, reading and attending training.”

People living near or below the poverty line face a number of challenges that can hinder their ability to maintain successful employment. A new program of The Resource Center is helping local residents to address those challenges.

The program is called SAFER, which stands for Supporting and Facilitating Employee Retention. It is funded through an Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI) grant being administered by the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

SAFER is intended to support people living in ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households to maintain successful employment. The main goals are to assist employees and connect them to the services they need; this, in turn, will help increase retention and the overall success of the businesses involved.

SAFER uses the “Bridges out of Poverty” and “Working Bridges” programs to build an employer collaborative dedicated to improving workplace productivity, retention, advancement, financial stability, and well-being. Interventions revolve around 10 primary factors identified as the common barriers to successful employment: personal financial emergencies, affordable housing, child care, transportation, health insurance, work benefits, education, legal concerns, behavioral health, and the benefits cliff – the point where people see a reduction in their public assistance because their household earnings have increased, but not to a level where they can achieve self-sufficiency.

Another primary goal of SAFER is to educate business owners about the challenges experienced by their employees living in poverty. “We want to help them develop an understanding of the challenges their employees are faced with every day and teach them strategies so they can support those employees,” said Terri Johnson, The Resource Center’s Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, who helps to oversee the SAFER program.

The program is being implemented by three TRC employees: Beth Jermain, Support Option Administrator; CodyAnne Chambers, Employment Facilitator; and Chris Anderson, Marketing and Ecommerce/Internet Manager. They visit Jamestown-area businesses to promote SAFER and educate employees about the program. Beth and CodyAnne work directly with employees and serve as each worker’s Personal Success Coach. Chris is the Business Coach/Planner. Once a business signs up to participate, he works with the employer to develop a business plan and establish a baseline set of data so TRC can demonstrate improvement in retention at the end of the program.

The SAFER program is a natural fit for The Resource Center. One of TRC’s main goals when it was established 60 years ago was to provide employment and work training opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities. Since 1988 TRC has operated a Supported Employment Program that assists people with disabilities in finding and maintaining jobs in the community. Many of the employment barriers faced by people with disabilities are similar to people who live in poverty.

SAFER project organizers set targets of having working relationships with up to 10 businesses and assisting up to 75 people. Seven businesses have signed up so far, and 45 people are being assisted. The businesses that currently are participating in SAFER are Artone, Fancher Chair, Heritage Ministries, I-86 Truck Repair, Lake View Cemetery Association, Lutheran Jamestown, and UPMC Chautauqua. Through the SAFER program The Resource Center also is collaborating with other organizations that received ESPRI grants, including the Mental Health Association and the YWCA of Jamestown.

The SAFER program began last summer, and some successes already have occurred in the lives of people enrolled in the program.

“Beth Jermain and the SAFER program have been a tremendous help to me and my family,” said one woman. “I am an independent, single, working parent. I have worked two, sometimes three jobs at a time to make ends meet, but sometimes that’s not enough. Asking for help is not something I am accustomed to, nor is it easy for me to do.”

The woman, who was experiencing a financial crisis, saw information about the SAFER program at her workplace and decided to check into it. “I left my appointment in tears of relief. Not only did they help with my immediate crisis, Beth also introduced me to other avenues to not only avoid a repeat pf the crisis, but ways to better myself financially, educationally and more. I know they have also helped many of my co-workers as well. This is a wonderful program for our community!”

SAFER also paid the fee so the woman could attend a class for first-time home buyers that was put on by CHRIC (Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corp.).

Employers also are grateful for the benefits the SAFER program brings.

“The SAFER program has been an excellent resource for our employees,” said Nicole Spontaneo, Accounting and Human Resources Specialist at Artone. “Our HR department is excited because the program offers employees a way to obtain information regarding non-work-related concerns that help to alleviate additional stresses while at work.  It has been great to be able to refer them to the SAFER program.”

Others have noticed the positive impact the SAFER program is having. Amy Rohler, the United Way’s Executive Director, shared some ESPRI success stories with New York State officials. They singled out a story of a person was aided by SAFER.

“I am amazed at the depth and scope of services you offer vulnerable populations in Jamestown. So often when individuals are in need, they receive some help but are left to manage the rest,” Karen Kirstein of the NYS Office of Children & Family Services told Amy. Karen cited someone who needed assistance with transportation. “I loved reading how the SAFER program helped the woman,” she said. “It sounds minor – getting to work on weekends when public transportation is unavailable – but it is the barrier which probably would have eliminated her ability to work. I really like how help is not a one-stop deal in the SAFER program – that people are helped over time, with various layers of challenges, until the path is cleared.”

For their part, TRC officials are pleased with how the program has been going.

“The SAFER program has been a fantastic opportunity to support people in employment that are having everyday struggles,” Terri said. “Giving them a little extra support to help them deal with issues outside of work can help them focus on work when they are at work and not have to worry about other things, because the Success Coaches can help them mitigate barriers.”

Jamestown-area employers interested in learning more about SAFER may contact Beth at 661-1557. In addition, The Resource Center and the SAFER program plan to sponsor a Bridges Out of Poverty training that the United Way will conduct in May. Representatives of businesses that are involved in the SAFER program will be able to attend, as will officials from other businesses that may want to enroll in the program.

By Sandy Robison

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love of all kinds, as well as a time for flowers and chocolate. What is sweeter than a trip to a candy shop? What is even better is learning how to make chocolate candy!

On February 8, a group of TRC Community Coaches and the people they support enjoyed just such a “sweet” morning at Webb’s Resort and Gift Shop in Mayville. Welcomed by Daryl and Janel Webb and hosted by head candy maker Joe McCartney, everyone spent the morning making scrumptious, chocolate-covered treats. Clinical Care Coordinator Nikki Brunecz stopped by too to take part in the fun.

TRC’s candy makers included Coach Penny McCartney with Jocelyn Monaco; Coach Naomi Batista with Becky Bush; Coach Chelsea Soderberg with Erin Mikula; and Coach Sandy Robison with Melissa Bailey. All took home containers of freshly dipped chocolates they had made themselves as a memory of their special day at Webb’s.

Joe expressed how much he enjoyed the event: “I think it’s great that the TRC visitors could experience this. I enjoyed watching their faces and the joy they experienced.” Joe is married to Penny, who was instrumental in arranging the outing.

Chelsea seemed to speak for all when she said, “This was an experience I will never forget. Seeing the smiles on our individuals’ faces was priceless. So thankful to Joe, and to Webb’s Candy Shop, who hosted this special event and helped us make some great memories.”

Everyone had a mighty sweet time!

Buffalo Business First magazine has released its annual ranking of the most powerful people in Western New York, and once again Denise Jones has placed highly on the list.

Denise, The Resource Center’ Chief Executive Officer, is ranked No. 91 on this year’s “Power 250” list, which was released this week. The list reflects those who, in Business First’s opinion, are the 250 most influential people in the eight-county region.

This marks the fourth straight year Denise has been included on the Power 250 list since she became TRC’s Executive Director in 2015. Each year, she has been ranked anywhere from No. 86 to No. 98.

Business First’s seventh annual Power 250 list and rankings were determined from a consensus of the members of its newsroom.

“Factors we considered include length of time spent leading a company,” said Donna Collins, Managing Editor. “CEOs whose companies have sizable payrolls are on the list. So are those whose decisions affect the many individuals and the companies or organizations for which they work.”

She added, “We concede there is no formula for computing power and influence. Influence means different things to different people, but most of us will agree with thus: We all know power and influence when we see it.”

TRC officials are happy that Denise’s talents again have been recognized by Business First, and they are pleased with the positive impact she has had on The Resource Center.

“Not only has she turned our financial situation around, she has also made us a great place to work. The staff has become more dedicated and more involved, increasing the quality of the services we perform,” said R. Michael Goldman, Esq., the President of the Board of Directors.  “However, her best quality may be the way she has negotiated the ever-changing landscape of the care of people with developmental challenges. State regulation and funding continues to change daily. Not only are we keeping up, but we are getting ahead of the curve. With Denise’s guidance, we are well positioned to move forward.”

Denise, a certified public accountant, joined The Resource Center in 1990 as our first Internal Auditor. In 1997 she was named Finance Director, and she worked in that capacity until becoming Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Executive Director for Administrative Services in 2004. In 2008, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Associate Executive Director.

Please join us in congratulating Denise on being recognized as one of Western New York’s movers and shakers!

Others from Chautauqua County or the disability services field who are listed in this year’s Power 250 include:

• Rhonda Frederick, President and CEO of People Inc. (No. 30)
• Dr. Virginia Horvath, President of SUNY Fredonia (No. 73)
• Senator Catharine Young (No. 85)
• Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (No. 106)
• Gregory Edwards, CEO of the Gebbie Foundation (No. 110)
• Anna Dibble, Plant Manager of Cummins Inc. Jamestown Engine Plant (No. 163)
• Mari Howard, President and CEO of Intandem (No. 170)
• Daniel Reininga, President and CEO of Lake Shore Bancorp. (No. 192)
• Michael Hill, President of Chautauqua Institution (No. 201)
• Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi (No. 229)
• Thomas Sy, President of Aspire of WNY (No. 238)
• County Executive George Borrello (No. 246)

By Mark Stevens, Public Relations Coordinator

After more than 30 years with The Resource Center, Stephen Lindquist recently retired from the agency.

Steve started with the agency April 6, 1987, as Computer Programmer/Analyst in the Finance Department. He became Computer Operations Manager in 1989 before assuming the role of Director of Information Services when the department was formed in 1993. He remained in that position until he retired.

Steve said that after so many years heading up TRC’s Information Systems Department, he was ready to retire.

“Although I’m leaving after a long career and I will miss a lot of people, the decision for me was really easy,” he said. “The long hours and high stress of the position, which at one time was exciting for me, is not where I want to focus my life at this time.”

During his time with The Resource Center there were tremendous changes, namely technological advances and the number of employees TRC’s information systems are equipped to support.

“Originally, we had one Unix-based server that served approximately 20 administrative staff within the agency. It contained very old spreadsheet and word-processing software. Currently, we have over 30 servers which run a variety of applications. We currently support over 750 employees,” said Steve.

In addition to keeping up with technological changes, Steve said his most financially significant accomplishment was the implementation of a fiber ring throughout the City of Jamestown, utilizing leased fiber from the City’s Board of Public Utilities. That project, completed in 2007, allowed The Resource Center to link all of its large sites using a high-speed network connection, enabling fast access at a relatively low monthly cost.

On the flip side, there were a few projects Steve said he “couldn’t quite get done.” One initiative had sought to identify or develop a single computer application that could link the disparate systems utilized in different sections of TRC.

“The ideal was to have one computer application that basically ran all facets of our organization. We spent many years researching many alternatives. Our organization was simply too complex for any one computer system to handle.”

As for what’s next, Steve said he plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren. While he also intends to travel and do other things he enjoys, Steve said he will miss the people he worked with on a daily basis.

“I have an outstanding group of people who worked for and with me. They are dedicated, hard-working individuals who will lead the agency into the future. It has been an honor for me to serve this organization, and I wish everyone at TRC the best of luck in the future.”