CEO Denise Jones named one of region’s most influential people

Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer, has again been named one of the region’s most influential people by a Buffalo business magazine.

Buffalo Business First recently released its “2018 Power 250” listing of the 250 most influential people in Western New York. Denise came in at number 86 on the list, up three spots from last year. Two years ago, she was 98^th.

Business First said its list denotes “the 250 men and women who (in our opinion) wield the most clout in the eight-county region.”

“The list and ranking were borne from a newsroom consensus after three months of research, reporting and debate,” said Donna Collins, Managing Editor of Buffalo Business First. “Factors we considered include length of time spent leading a company. CEOs whose companies have sizable payrolls are on the list. So are those whose decisions affect the many individuals … for which they work.”

TRC officials were pleased that Denise was included on the Power 250 list again this year.

“The Resource Center is blessed to have Denise as our CEO,” said R. Michael Goldman, the President of the Board of Directors. “She provides leadership with compassion, a rare combination which is vital to accomplish our mission.”

Denise, a certified public accountant, joined The Resource Center in 1990 as the organization’s 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. Three years later, she was promoted to COO and Associate Executive Director.

Business First wrote the following about her:

“Denise Jones moved up from COO to president and CEO in 2015, taking control of the largest nonprofit in Chautauqua County and one of the largest employers.

“Though the focus remains on serving individuals with developmental disabilities, The Resource Center is also a major provider of health care and vocational services in the county.

“Trained as a CPA, Jones manages a budget of $74 million and more than 2,200 employees at locations across the county. That workforce is also a major subcontractor, providing work at manufacturing plants in Jamestown and Dunkirk.”

Below are the names of other people from Chautauqua County or disability service providers who made Business First’s 2018 Power 250 list:

• Senator Catharine Young, No. 20
• Rhonda Frederick, President and CEO of People Inc., No. 29
• Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, No. 40
• Former County Executive Vince Horrigan, No. 101
• Dr. Virginia Horvath, President of the State University of New York at Fredonia, No. 104
• Mark Thomas, Western District Director for New York State Parks, No. 120
• Gregory Edwards, CEO of the Gebbie Foundation, No. 130
• Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi, No. 174
• Mari Howard, President and CEO of The ReHabilitation Center and Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, No. 189
• Mike Abbate, Manager of the Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, No. 194
• Betsy Wright, President of UPMC Chautauqua WCA, No. 202
• Thomas Sy, President and CEO of Aspire of Western New York, No. 214
• Daniel Reininga, President and CEO of Lake Shore Bancorp, No. 218
• William McHugh, CEO of The Arc Erie County New York, No. 232