Sheriff Ricky L. Whitney, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office

“By being a member of PPAC and by serving on the Key Leader committee, I am able to work with many other local community minded organizations for the betterment of our county.”

Sheriff Whitney is a life-long resident of Allegany County, growing up in Angelica. He has been involved in law enforcement for more than 39 years. He graduated from the Monroe County Police Academy, obtained an Associate in Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Jamestown Community College, and is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy (193^rd Session) in Quantico and the National Sheriff’s Institute (100^th Session) in Longmont, Colorado.

He started his career in 1975 as a part-time Police Officer for the Village of Angelica, and a part-time Deputy Sheriff for Allegany County. He was appointed as a full time police officer for the Village of Bolivar on January 1, 1976, and in 1980 at the age of 25 was promoted to Chief of Police. In 2008, he received the Medal of Honor from NYS Association of Chiefs of Police for his involvement in the capture of an armed robbery suspect.

Sheriff Whitney has also served as Board member on the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, is Past President of the Allegany County Police Association and the Allegany County Police and Magistrates Association. He is an active member of the NRA and currently serves as treasurer for the Allegany County NY Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. He is currently the treasurer and is a two-time past President of the Bolivar Lions Club. In addition, he is a member and Past Master of Macedonia Lodge No. 258 Free and Accepted Masons. The Sheriff is also a Life member of Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department. Sheriff Whitney is married to Lois Whitney. Ricky L. Whitney was elected Sheriff in November of 2010 and took office January 1, 2011.

William Penman, M.P.A., Executive Director, Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

“I firmly believe that PPAC has provided many local agencies with more collaborative opportunities that allow us to better serve our community.”

William J. Penman has served as the Executive Director of the Allegany Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse since 2002. He holds a BA in social work and a Masters in Public Administration. His experience encompassed work in a variety of health and human service agencies including mental health, developmental disabilities, and public health and has spent the last 24 years in senior management positions.

Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (ACASA) is the fiscal agent for the Drug Free Communities Support Grant that funds Partners for Prevention in Allegany County.  ACASA plays an important role providing operational oversight and guidance, as well as financial responsibility.

Vicki Grant, MSW, former Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in Allegany County

“It’s all about relationship: with each other, with our clientele, and with our community partners. PPAC is the glue that makes our relationships work regarding prevention services for our joint youth. Together, we achieve more and we have proven that over and over.”

Vicki grew up in Allegany County (and is still growing in knowledge and experience, she hopes!), attending Fillmore Central School (Go, Eagles!) and Houghton College (Go, Highlanders!), where she received her B.S. in Bible and Business Administration. A Masters in Social Work was obtained from the University at Buffalo. Vicki has been the Commissioner of Social Services since January of 2011, having worked her way up through the ranks of the Department since 1988. Immediately prior to this, she was the Residential Director for Allegany Arc.   She currently serves on the Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network board, ACCORD Corporation board, Fillmore Youth Center board, Allegany HOPE board, and the New York Public Welfare Association board as the Western New York representative. She has been tapped for special State-wide committees, such as the BASSICS/KEYS Federal project for New York State that is working on best practice strategies for supervisors of child welfare, Congressman Reed’s federal Medicaid reform strategy committee, Adult services legislative needs committee through the NYPWA, and was recently honored to present to a State-wide child well-being initiative that included representatives of many State agencies, researchers, and schools regarding her local county initiative surrounding trauma- informed care. Vicki was responsible for bringing trauma systems therapy (TST) to Allegany County, which involves a cooperative with DSS, Office of Community Services, and ARA. TST is only part of the overall trauma-informed care initiative that has been the goal of DSS for many years now. A PPAC partner since its inception, she believes in the power of joining together for the common good of our most valuable resources, our children.

Michelle Hollier, BS, Supervisor, Catholic Charities Kinship Youth & Family Services

“PPAC is a great coalition! Each of the sectors are represented so everyone has a voice and a chance to help at risk youth and families.”

Michelle Hollier grew up in a preacher’s family where service to others was the norm. She graduated from Angelica Central School and received a B.S. in Elementary Education and Psychology from Houghton. Prior to working at Catholic Charities of Steuben County/Kinship Family and Youth Services she served as the Director of the Belmont Daycare and Preschool for 8 years. Michelle was a child and family support worker for the Kinship Therapeutic foster care program for 2 ½ years. Michelle is currently the Supervisor for the Allegany County S.H.A.P.E. (Supportive Home and Parent Enrichment) program which is a parent education program for families in need in Allegany County.

Deb Miller, LMHC-P, Community Mental Health Counselor, Catholic Charities 

“PPAC has provided the opportunity for us to take a team approach to addressing key issues in our community. This allows us to offer more comprehensive services to families in need.”

Deb Miller earned her BS degree from University of South Carolina, where she was an active member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. She has worked with at-risk populations in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and New York, in various positions.

Deb moved to Wellsville in 2005, and immediately became involved in the community. She has served on the Ridgewalk and Run committee for nine years, and the Balloon Rally committee for 7 years, as well as volunteering for other events such as Shop with a Cop, food distribution and Salvation Army community events. She began working with Catholic Charities of Steuben, Kinship Division, in 2007 in the SHAPE program. Currently, she provides parenting education for at-risk families. In this capacity, Deb became a member of the PPAC Coalition. In 2012, she accepted the challenge to develop and head up the Family Matters committee in order to address issues regarding supervision and rules in families.

Carrie Redman, Director of Administrative Services, Allegany Arc

“The importance of being part of a coalition like PPAC cannot be underestimated. Through collaboration, our local communities become invested partners in the effort to keep our neighborhoods safe and residents healthy. PPAC is a great example of finding other groups and organizations with similar interests and goals that are willing to work together on common issues or projects.”

Carrie is responsible for developing and implementing the agency’s overall marketing and human resources strategic plan. She provides direction to the human resources and marketing departments which include employee and community relations, recruitment and selection, policy and procedures. Carrie is also responsible for developing a public relations/marketing program that includes media relations, community relations, internal communications and donor relations.

Carrie began her career with Allegany Arc in 2007 as the Development Director and held the position of Marketing Director before becoming the Director of Administrative Services

Carrie is actively involved with several committees including Arc Acres (chair), Witkowski Land Development (chair), Development (chair), The Collaborative of the Finger Lakes – Public Relations, The Collaborative of the Finger Lakes – Human Relations, Partners for Prevention in Allegany County’s Family Matters Taskforce, Partners for Prevention in Allegany County’s Key Leader Advisory Board, and Ardent Solutions Marketing. Carrie is also an Allegany County Special Olympics bocce coach, Red Cross volunteer and sits on the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (First VP).

Jonathan Chaffee, BA, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute

“PPAC allows a wide range of community serving organizations to work together.  It is exciting to have a group of people with such diverse backgrounds tackle issues Allegany County residents are facing to make our local communities a better place to live. “

Jon is the Assistant Coalition Coordinator for Youth Outreach(Reality Check CCA) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute and is also serving as the Coalition Coordinator for Partners for Prevention in Allegany County.  He has lead PPAC for over 5 years and was the former Reality Check Coordinator at Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.  His expertise is in tobacco control policy and youth empowerment.  He loves gardening, photography, golf, and is an avid fisherman and camping extraordinaire!