CEO Denise Jones again ranked among region’s most powerful women

Once again, Denise Jones’ business and leadership skills have drawn acclaim.

Denise, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer, is ranked No. 29 on Buffalo Business First magazine’s 2019 list of the 125 most powerful women in Western New York. This marks the fifth consecutive year Denise has been ranked in the top 50 on the annual list of the most powerful businesswomen in the eight-county region. It also marks the second time this year she has been recognized by Business First: in February, the magazine ranked Denise No. 91 on its list of the 250 most influential people in Western New York.

The Power 125 Women list was compiled by Business First’s reporters and editors.

“This list brings women to the forefront whom we deem to be a force in the community and work world,” said Donna Collins, Business First’s Managing Editor. “For purposes of this list, we defined power by the level of influence a woman has in her orbit – at her company, in her city or county, by the length of her career. But truly, there’s no easy way to define power and influence. We all know it when we see it – it’s that simple and that complicated.”

Denise was the highest-ranked Chautauqua County businesswoman on the list. TRC officials were pleased that she again has been recognized by Business First.

“The Board of Directors was delighted to learn that for the fifth straight year, Denise has been included in the Business First listing of the 125 Most Powerful Women in Western New York,” said Patricia Perlee, President of TRC’s Board of Directors. “Denise is dynamic, knowledgeable and well respected within the community. She believes every individual is unique and valued and should be respected. We are extremely fortunate to have a director of Denise’s caliber heading our organization.”

Denise has been with The Resource Center since 1990. She served as Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for eight years before being named Executive Director and CEO in 2015.

The Resource Center operates three business lines. TRC’s core mission is to support people with disabilities and their families. The Resource Center also provides a variety of health-related services that can be utilized by anyone, regardless of whether they have a disability. TRC also performs subcontracting work for local businesses and the federal government at manufacturing facilities in Jamestown and Dunkirk. To learn more, phone 483-2344 or visit www.resourcecenter.org.

Others from Chautauqua County or the disability services field who made the Power 125 Women list were:

• Rhonda Frederick, President and CEO of People Inc., No. 6
• Bridget Bartolone, CEO of Person Centered Services, No. 25
• Mari Howard, Executive Director of Intandem, No. 40
• Rachel Foley, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lake Shore Savings, No. 61
• Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, No. 87
• Mindy Cervoni, President and CEO of Community Services for Every1, No. 90
• Anna Dibble, Plant Manager at Cummins Inc., No. 96