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5th class of Leadership Orleans kicks off year

Chris Cappetta, chief financial officer of Garden Trends, Inc. speaks during last week’s opening retreat for the 2022 Leadership Orleans. Cappetta is one of 26 members of the class.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 January 2022 at 2:32 pm

LYNDONVILLE – A new group of 26 members has started a one-year leadership program in Orleans County.

The fifth group of Leadership Orleans held the opening retreat last Thursday and Friday at the White Birch Golf Course.

In addition to the opening and closing retreats, the class will participate in 10 “Day Sessions” covering the following themes, with learning outcomes identified for each: Legislative Affairs, Leadership Challenge, Community Health, Tourism & Recreation, Business & Culture, Economic & Workforce Development, Agribusiness, Volunteerism, Education, and Simulated Society.

The members of the 2022 Class of Leadership Orleans (Year 5) include:

  • Jennifer Ashbery, High School Principal, Albion Central School District
  • Miranda Bennett, Bookkeeper, Town of Shelby
  • Dawn Borchert, Tourism Director, County of Orleans
  • Gloria Brent, President/Owner, MDS Consultants
  • Gabe Bruning, Owner, Mountain Mule Ciderhouse
  • Christopher Cappetta, CFO, Garden Trends, Inc., DBA Harris Seeds
  • Katrina Chaffee, Director of Community Services, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
  • Michele Chatfield, Quality Supervisor, Baxter Healthcare
  • Faye Conley, Event Manager, Maison Albion
  • Jim Doyle, Guitar & Mandolin Teacher, Jim’s Guitar Studio
  • Tim Elliott, Axe Manager, 810 Meadworks
  • Mindy Frasier, Operations Manager, Claims Recovery Financial Services (CRFS)
  • Becki Gibson, Senior Client Relations Manager, Claims Recovery Financial Services (CRFS)
  • Nicole Helsdon, Practice Manager, Orleans Community Health
  • Jennifer Hill-Young, President, Art Hill Excavating
  • Matt Holland, Grant Writer, United Way of Orleans County
  • Susan Howard, First District Attorney, County of Orleans
  • Benjamin Jones, Assistant Winemaker, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
  • Katie Leach, Digital Literacy Program Coordinator, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Patricia Neuman, Administrative Assistant, Millennium Roads, LLC
  • Jerry Pasnik, S.E. Manager, Arc GLOW
  • Marlene Seielstad, Associate Broker, Snell Realtors
  • Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, County of Orleans
  • Wayne Wadhams, Board Member, Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Albion Central School
  • Dave Warren, Board Member, Kendall Central School District
  • Natasha Wasuck, Owner, The Lockstone

Chris Cappetta, chief financial officer of Garden Trends, Inc. speaks during last week’s opening retreat for the 2022 Leadership Orleans. Cappetta is one of 26 members of the class.

Wayne Wadhams, a member of Albion Board of Education and the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, also speaks during the opening retreat when the class members gave an introduction about themselves. Wadhams is a retired teacher and coach at Albion Central School.

Class members, including Jim Doyle at lower left, work on the “Lizards Activity.” This was among the team building exercises. Other activities show different communication styles, leadership styles, and awareness of others’ styles.

The group is happy and more connected after finishing the Lizards activity.