United Way has a new leader in Orleans County
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Key players in the leadership of United Way of Orleans County discuss ways to move the organization forward in the coming months. From left are board president Ellen Eaton, new executive director Dean Bellack and former director and new board member Kaitlyn Delamarter.
The new leadership at United Way of Orleans County are really not new at all – just rotating responsibilities.
New leadership changes were precipitated by the transition of executive director Kaitlyn Delamarter from full time director to a position as board member.
This came about after Delamarter announced in January she had accepted another position as marketing director for a local company. She also indicated she wanted to continue to be involved with United Way in some capacity.
Delamarter, who has been director since December 2017, offered to be available to assist a new director, but also stated her interest in becoming a member of the board.
At that same time, Dean Bellack of Medina had agreed to join the board at the suggestion of Dave Cook of Lyndonville, a longtime member of the board. After attending a meeting and learning the board would be searching for a new director, he drafted a letter in which he stated his credentials and what would be his goals for advancing United Way of Orleans County.
Bellack is a native of the Cleveland area who moved to Medina for a job in 1984. He met and married the former Carol Lindsay, daughter of Jim and Sally Lindsay of Medina. They have fraternal twins, and welcomed their first grandchild, a boy, three months ago.
Bellack, a partner in C&C Marketing, had also just made the decision to retire, effective April 1, but knew he still wanted to be involved in the community.
“Serving my community has been a large part of my life for the last 15 to 20 years,” Bellack said. “I want that to continue and I hope my passion for the organization will result in significant benefits for our partner agencies.”
Bellack was chairman of the YMCA board for 10 years and was instrumental in helping them complete a more than $600,000 renovation through donations from all of Orleans County. He is active in Medina Lions, serving three terms as president and helping to grow their membership.
“I, along with the board, welcome Dean with his vast background of successfully supporting non-profit agencies in our community,” said United Way board president Ellen Eaton. “We are also delighted to have Kaitlyn commit as a board member. It shows her dedication and belief in United Way. United Way has been progressive under Kaitlyn’s leadership.”
Eaton said the board needs to push awareness of United Way in Orleans County and the aspect of giving.
“A lot of positive things are happening all at once,” she said.
