Our Team

Board of Directors

Parris Baker, Ph.D.
Chairperson
Gannon University
Junius Johnson
Vice Chairperson
US Postal Service—Retired
Michael Butler
Treasurer
Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center—Retired
Mary Timashenka
Secretary
WJET 24
Rachel D-Aurora
Erie Insurance
Leah Gouldsmith
Progressive Insurance
Hattie Johnson
UPMC Hamot—Retired
Mario Medina, Esq.
Melaragno, Placidi, & Parini
Heather Christie Morris
Erie Insurance
Alice Rodriguez
Erie Public Schools—Retired
Homer Smith, Jr.
Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School—Retired

BOARD MEMBER APPLICATION

Responsibilities

As the highest volunteer leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the Board of Directors is responsible for: 

  • determining the mission and purposes of GECAC
  • selecting and evaluating the performance of the CEO
  • strategic and organizational planning
  • ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
  • fundraising and resource development
  • approving and monitoring GECAC's programs and services
  • enhancing GECAC's public image
  • assessing its performance as the governing body of GECAC

Structure

GECAC's fifteen-member Board of Directors has a tripartite structure, a requirement for all Community Action Agencies nationwide.

  • One-third represent the low-income population in Erie County  
  • One-third are elected public officials or their representatives
  • One-third are from the private sector, which includes representatives of business, industry, labor, and other major groups and interests in the community

Meeting Dates

Board meetings occur on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 PM. Meetings are open to the public and held at GECAC's headquarters at 18 West 9th Street, Erie, PA 16501. Meetings are also held virtually through the Zoom platform. Additional board meetings may be held at the Chairperson's discretion. 

January 16 (virtual)
February 20 (virtual)

March 19 (in-person)

     April 16 (virtual)
     May 21 (virtual)
     June 18 (in-person)

July 16 (virtual)
August 20 (virtual)
September 17 (in-person) 

October 15 (virtual)
November 19 (virtual)

December 17 (in-person)

Become a Member of GECAC's Board of Directors

The Nominating Committee is always recruiting new board members who can offer the key skills needed to manage and grow the organization. Some areas of expertise they are recruiting for include:

  • Advocacy
  • Communication
  • Community Needs Assessments
  • Economic Development
  • Financial Planning and Control
  • Fundraising
  • Governance
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Legal 
  • Organizational Capacity
  • Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Public Policy/Legislation
  • Strategic Planning

BOARD MEMBER APPLICATION

If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please complete the application and return it to the executive assistant at mfink@gecac.org or mail it to:

Nominating Committee
Greater Erie Community Action Committee
18 West 9th Street
Erie, PA 16501


Staff Leadership

Danny J. Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Nick DiPlacido
Vice President, Operations
Antoinette Nicholson
Vice President, Finance
Holly Sawatsky
Vice President, Human Resources
Kimberly McCaslin, CFRE
Vice President, Communications & Development
Vivian House
Associate Vice President, Finance
Matthew Trott
Division Manager
Area Agency on Aging
Marybelle Martin
Division Manager
Workforce, Housing, Education
Roger Whelan
Director, Management Information Systems
Ray Maholtz, AA, BA,CBMS
Deputy Director, Area Agency on Aging