Belinda Venuti
Currently the General Manager of Knapp Winery where she has been employed for over 5 years. Formerly, she was at the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce as the Marketing and Membership Manager. In addition, she was the Coordinator of the Board of Directors of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, an association of wineries that works on issues of importance to the Finger Lakes wine industry. Prior to this position, Ms. Venuti was the Director of the Seneca Lake Whale Watch, Geneva’s largest music festival for thirteen years. She has served on the Board of Directors of Geneva Community Projects, the Finger Lakes Visitor Connection, Geneva Family YMCA, and the New York Festivals and Events Association. Past positions have also included assistant buyer and department manager for the Hecht Company (now Macy’s) in Washington, DC. Ms. Venuti has been a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award given by the New York State Senate, and was named 1999 Citizen of the Year by the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce. Venuti earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, is married to Mark Venuti, a local attorney, and has three children, Alessandra, Sam and Stephen Venuti.
Currently the General Manager of Knapp Winery where she has been employed for over 5 years. Formerly, she was at the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce as the Marketing and Membership Manager. In addition, she was the Coordinator of the Board of Directors of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, an association of wineries that works on issues of importance to the Finger Lakes wine industry. Prior to this position, Ms. Venuti was the Director of the Seneca Lake Whale Watch, Geneva’s largest music festival for thirteen years. She has served on the Board of Directors of Geneva Community Projects, the Finger Lakes Visitor Connection, Geneva Family YMCA, and the New York Festivals and Events Association. Past positions have also included assistant buyer and department manager for the Hecht Company (now Macy’s) in Washington, DC. Ms. Venuti has been a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award given by the New York State Senate, and was named 1999 Citizen of the Year by the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce. Venuti earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, is married to Mark Venuti, a local attorney, and has three children, Alessandra, Sam and Stephen Venuti.
Don Damick
Don has operated a Nationwide insurance agency in Geneva since 1979. A relative newcomer to G.C.P. He was drawn to this group's emphasis on the Arts. Don was President of the New York State Assoc. Of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2010_2011. Also, he has been a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for over 25 years as well as serving as Chairman. Don serves as the substitute organist and choir director for the Presbyterian church in Geneva and several surrounding churches as well as an Elder.
Don has operated a Nationwide insurance agency in Geneva since 1979. A relative newcomer to G.C.P. He was drawn to this group's emphasis on the Arts. Don was President of the New York State Assoc. Of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2010_2011. Also, he has been a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for over 25 years as well as serving as Chairman. Don serves as the substitute organist and choir director for the Presbyterian church in Geneva and several surrounding churches as well as an Elder.
Kim Aliperti
Kim Aliperti is owner and Operations Manager of Billsboro Winery, and is a former Peace Corps volunteer. She is an active member of the Geneva community, serving on several boards including Geneva Community Projects, The Geneva Community Center and Boys and Girls Club and The Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty. She is married to Vinny Aliperti and has three children.
Kim Aliperti is owner and Operations Manager of Billsboro Winery, and is a former Peace Corps volunteer. She is an active member of the Geneva community, serving on several boards including Geneva Community Projects, The Geneva Community Center and Boys and Girls Club and The Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty. She is married to Vinny Aliperti and has three children.
Rob Sollenne
Chief Financial Officer for USNY Bank the parent company of the Bank of the Finger Lakes and the Bank of Cooperstown. Has been in banking for over thirty-five years and held various senior level positions including; financial, operations , branch administration, marketing and investments. A longtime member of the Geneva Community Projects Inc. Board of Directors going back to Seneca Lake Whale Watch and GenevaFest. Involved in many community organizations including; Geneva YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Geneva Growth, Geneva Scholarship Associates , Geneva LDC and Ontario County Economic Development Corporation. A graduate of St. John Fisher College and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. A lifelong Geneva resident, married to wife Karen M. Sollenne and has four children, Tyler, Ryan, Bobby and Julia.
Chief Financial Officer for USNY Bank the parent company of the Bank of the Finger Lakes and the Bank of Cooperstown. Has been in banking for over thirty-five years and held various senior level positions including; financial, operations , branch administration, marketing and investments. A longtime member of the Geneva Community Projects Inc. Board of Directors going back to Seneca Lake Whale Watch and GenevaFest. Involved in many community organizations including; Geneva YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Geneva Growth, Geneva Scholarship Associates , Geneva LDC and Ontario County Economic Development Corporation. A graduate of St. John Fisher College and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. A lifelong Geneva resident, married to wife Karen M. Sollenne and has four children, Tyler, Ryan, Bobby and Julia.
Kathleen Flowers
Kathleen Flowers earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from Stonehill College and her Ed.M in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo. She is the Director of Hobart and William Smith College’s Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning and has been at HWS since 2004. Ms. Flowers oversees the Geneva 2020 initiative, service-learning and community-based research programs, the Summer of Service internship program, and she facilitates the Faculty Service-Learning Advisory Council and Community Advisory Council. Her purview also includes the America Reads and America Counts Federal work-study tutoring programs, Alternative Spring Break trips, and post graduate service opportunities. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna and serves on the board for five local non-profit agencies as well as the New York Campus Compact Advisory Board. She has received the inaugural Dorinne Maxwell Memorial Citizenship Prize in 2006, was inducted as an honorary member of the William Smith Class of 2011, and received the Young Athena Award from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in 2013.
Kathleen Flowers earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from Stonehill College and her Ed.M in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo. She is the Director of Hobart and William Smith College’s Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning and has been at HWS since 2004. Ms. Flowers oversees the Geneva 2020 initiative, service-learning and community-based research programs, the Summer of Service internship program, and she facilitates the Faculty Service-Learning Advisory Council and Community Advisory Council. Her purview also includes the America Reads and America Counts Federal work-study tutoring programs, Alternative Spring Break trips, and post graduate service opportunities. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna and serves on the board for five local non-profit agencies as well as the New York Campus Compact Advisory Board. She has received the inaugural Dorinne Maxwell Memorial Citizenship Prize in 2006, was inducted as an honorary member of the William Smith Class of 2011, and received the Young Athena Award from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in 2013.
Tara Rago
Geneva Branch Manager and Banking officer. Rago is responsible for implementing strategies to achieve branch assigned goals and supervises all staff. She also conducts internal and external calls on businesses to establish growth and sales on present and prospective customers. Rago sits on the Board of Directors for Geneva Community Projects, is a member of Geneva Rotary and is a Geneva Chamber Ambassador. She also organizes The Willam Rago Golf Tournament and is on various committees and organizations. Rago received The Paul Harris Fellow award for Rotary in 2014 and was named the 2011 WOW! People’s Choice Award within the Bank. Rago has been with LNB for over eight years and began as a teller, was then promoted to a customer service representative and now manages and develops the Geneva Office. She resides in Geneva with her husband Michael and their two children.
Geneva Branch Manager and Banking officer. Rago is responsible for implementing strategies to achieve branch assigned goals and supervises all staff. She also conducts internal and external calls on businesses to establish growth and sales on present and prospective customers. Rago sits on the Board of Directors for Geneva Community Projects, is a member of Geneva Rotary and is a Geneva Chamber Ambassador. She also organizes The Willam Rago Golf Tournament and is on various committees and organizations. Rago received The Paul Harris Fellow award for Rotary in 2014 and was named the 2011 WOW! People’s Choice Award within the Bank. Rago has been with LNB for over eight years and began as a teller, was then promoted to a customer service representative and now manages and develops the Geneva Office. She resides in Geneva with her husband Michael and their two children.
Erica Paolicelli
Erica Paolicelli is a Partner and President of Three Brothers Wineries and Estates where she has worked since the business’s inception in 2007. She leads a team of 30 full-time employees and up to 80 part-time staff members. Ms. Paolicelli is one of the founding developers of an annual event- the Rose Soiree- a community fundraiser. Past board involvement also includes her appointment as Vice President for the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Association, chair of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance and Seneca County IDA. Erica is a past recipient of the Seneca County Rising Star Award and most recently together with her team received the Rochester Top 100 Business accolade as well as the Business of the Year award presented by the Seneca Country Chamber of Commerce. Paolicelli earned her B.S. in dietetics from Oneonta State University in 2007. She is married to Production Manager and Three Brothers Wineries Partner, Justin Paolicelli. Together they reside on beautiful Seneca Lake where she enjoys fitness activities in her free time.
Erica Paolicelli is a Partner and President of Three Brothers Wineries and Estates where she has worked since the business’s inception in 2007. She leads a team of 30 full-time employees and up to 80 part-time staff members. Ms. Paolicelli is one of the founding developers of an annual event- the Rose Soiree- a community fundraiser. Past board involvement also includes her appointment as Vice President for the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Association, chair of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance and Seneca County IDA. Erica is a past recipient of the Seneca County Rising Star Award and most recently together with her team received the Rochester Top 100 Business accolade as well as the Business of the Year award presented by the Seneca Country Chamber of Commerce. Paolicelli earned her B.S. in dietetics from Oneonta State University in 2007. She is married to Production Manager and Three Brothers Wineries Partner, Justin Paolicelli. Together they reside on beautiful Seneca Lake where she enjoys fitness activities in her free time.
Katharine Warner
Katharine is the marketing coordinator at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates and has been with the company since 2011. She grew up in Rochester, NY and graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing and Applied Management Analysis. Katharine resides in Farmington with her husband John (a Geneva native) and their daughter. When she’s not working Katharine enjoys spending time with family and friends on Seneca & Keuka lakes, cooking, baking and exercising.
Katharine is the marketing coordinator at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates and has been with the company since 2011. She grew up in Rochester, NY and graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing and Applied Management Analysis. Katharine resides in Farmington with her husband John (a Geneva native) and their daughter. When she’s not working Katharine enjoys spending time with family and friends on Seneca & Keuka lakes, cooking, baking and exercising.
Chris Lavin
Geneva native Christopher Lavin assumed the role of executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva and the Geneva Community Center on Jan. 12, 2015. Prior to returning to his hometown of Geneva, he was director of communications for the La Jolla Country Day School, in La Jolla, Calif. In that role, he created year-round marketing campaigns and increased applications and enrollment. He was also founding editor of La Mesa Today. Previously, Lavin served in a variety of positions with the San Diego Union-Tribune, including general manager of arts and entertainment, senior editor and general manager. He also worked as a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times before moving on to assistant managing editor/world for the paper. Prior to moving out of New York, Lavin worked for the Finger Lakes Times and then the Rochester Times-Union.He earned his B.A. in Anthropology from Hobart College, having received a scholarship from Geneva Scholarship Associates. Lavin has won awards for writing and marketing. Additionally, he is a contributing author to “Iroquois Land Claims,” published in June, 1988.
Geneva native Christopher Lavin assumed the role of executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva and the Geneva Community Center on Jan. 12, 2015. Prior to returning to his hometown of Geneva, he was director of communications for the La Jolla Country Day School, in La Jolla, Calif. In that role, he created year-round marketing campaigns and increased applications and enrollment. He was also founding editor of La Mesa Today. Previously, Lavin served in a variety of positions with the San Diego Union-Tribune, including general manager of arts and entertainment, senior editor and general manager. He also worked as a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times before moving on to assistant managing editor/world for the paper. Prior to moving out of New York, Lavin worked for the Finger Lakes Times and then the Rochester Times-Union.He earned his B.A. in Anthropology from Hobart College, having received a scholarship from Geneva Scholarship Associates. Lavin has won awards for writing and marketing. Additionally, he is a contributing author to “Iroquois Land Claims,” published in June, 1988.
Heidi Westfall
Operations Officer for Bank of the Finger Lakes, a unit of USNY Bank. Job duties for the bank cover several areas including accounting, vendor oversight, IT and information security. Her and her husbandPaul Crowley moved to Geneva in 2015. They enjoy spending free time with their two dogs at the lakefront, traveling, and working on home improvement projects!
Operations Officer for Bank of the Finger Lakes, a unit of USNY Bank. Job duties for the bank cover several areas including accounting, vendor oversight, IT and information security. Her and her husbandPaul Crowley moved to Geneva in 2015. They enjoy spending free time with their two dogs at the lakefront, traveling, and working on home improvement projects!
Christine Jeffries
Christine is owner of Fast Lane Enterprises, LLC… bringing the best custom logo apparel and promotional products to local businesses such as wineries, breweries, distilleries and specialty gift shops in the Finger Lakes region. She is an active member on the Executive Board of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty with special focus on the annual harvest dinner fundraising event. She was also on the Charitable Causes Committee for Finger Lakes Young Professionals.
Christine is owner of Fast Lane Enterprises, LLC… bringing the best custom logo apparel and promotional products to local businesses such as wineries, breweries, distilleries and specialty gift shops in the Finger Lakes region. She is an active member on the Executive Board of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty with special focus on the annual harvest dinner fundraising event. She was also on the Charitable Causes Committee for Finger Lakes Young Professionals.
Whitney Elrod
A Finger Lakes native, Whitney earned her B.A. in English from William Smith College. After working in the local wine industry for several years, she left the area to gain experience in California, New Zealand, and Washington before returning in 2015, taking a job as the Wine Club Manager at Sheldrake Point Winery on Cayuga Lake. She and her husband moved to Geneva in 2017, where they enjoy gardening and biking. Whitney joined the GCP Board in March, 2019.
A Finger Lakes native, Whitney earned her B.A. in English from William Smith College. After working in the local wine industry for several years, she left the area to gain experience in California, New Zealand, and Washington before returning in 2015, taking a job as the Wine Club Manager at Sheldrake Point Winery on Cayuga Lake. She and her husband moved to Geneva in 2017, where they enjoy gardening and biking. Whitney joined the GCP Board in March, 2019.
Mackenzie Wyckoff
Mackenzie is the wholesale accountant at Three Brothers Wineries and Estates where she has worked in various roles since 2011. She graduated from SUNY Brockport with her B.S. in Accounting and went on to obtain her M.B.A. with an accounting concentration at St. John Fisher College. Mackenzie is a Geneva native who has made her home there with her husband and 2 furkids. In her free time she enjoys cooking, getting outdoors and enjoying Seneca Lake.
Mackenzie is the wholesale accountant at Three Brothers Wineries and Estates where she has worked in various roles since 2011. She graduated from SUNY Brockport with her B.S. in Accounting and went on to obtain her M.B.A. with an accounting concentration at St. John Fisher College. Mackenzie is a Geneva native who has made her home there with her husband and 2 furkids. In her free time she enjoys cooking, getting outdoors and enjoying Seneca Lake.
Michael Mills
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hobart College, a Master’s in Political Communications from Georgia State University, and an Experienced Manager Certificate from University of California Berkeley Haas School of Management.
Current clients include the Geneva Business Improvement District (where he serves as outsourced Executive Director) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (where he serves as Chief Strategy Officer).
Previous roles and experience include:
He is an avid volunteer, currently serving on the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chairing their Public Affairs Committee, and the Geneva Community Progress Board of Directors. Michael owns DestinationFLX, a company promoting the Finger Lakes through curated events and an online digital platform that garners more than 20,000 monthly interactions. And he is a Licensed Real Estate Professional, helping clients buy and sell homes in Pittsford, and across Monroe County and the Finger Lakes.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hobart College, a Master’s in Political Communications from Georgia State University, and an Experienced Manager Certificate from University of California Berkeley Haas School of Management.
Current clients include the Geneva Business Improvement District (where he serves as outsourced Executive Director) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (where he serves as Chief Strategy Officer).
Previous roles and experience include:
- Executive Director, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Golin Atlanta (Agency)
- President, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (NGO)
- Southeast Public Affairs Director, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (media relations, PR, community affairs, public affairs, crisis, and CSR across seven states)
- Deep reservoir of healthcare, water, education, animal welfare and climate change issues management experience honed at various public relations firms (Agency)
- Founder, Vote for America Georgia/Coalition for a Voting America (NGO)
- Candidate, Georgia Secretary of State (2010); Legislative aide, Georgia Secretary of State Lewis Massey; and campaign press secretary, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor
- Authored the 2009 book, “Battling Democracy’s Decline”
He is an avid volunteer, currently serving on the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chairing their Public Affairs Committee, and the Geneva Community Progress Board of Directors. Michael owns DestinationFLX, a company promoting the Finger Lakes through curated events and an online digital platform that garners more than 20,000 monthly interactions. And he is a Licensed Real Estate Professional, helping clients buy and sell homes in Pittsford, and across Monroe County and the Finger Lakes.
Thomas Tierney III
I grew up in Geneva, where everyday on my way to school I could see the landfill off in the distance. My neighbors for the most part were fields of crops and dairy farms. These people who worked the land everyday were great stewards to me because they understood the value it provided in their life. I could never understand why so close to that was the juxtaposition of the landfill, that on most mornings could be mistaken for a small mountain. After high school I attended New York University, located in New York City, where I studied Math and Physics. This ultra-urban environment was unlike anything I had lived in before. My view of endless rows of crops were replaced by busy streets and concrete buildings. I felt as if I was somehow disconnected from my environment. I remember vividly coming home in the fall during my freshman year, and just being amazed by the tree’s new color shades that come every Autumn. My appreciation for my hometown, and the environment it sits upon grew with each trip back home. I graduated in 2020 and returned home to start an environmental group called Stewards of Natural Environments (SONE) where we focus on fostering the connection between the individual and the natural environment(s) that surrounds them. I believe that the best way to ensure our natural gifts are preserved is through widespread community engagement. I have come to develop an appreciation for my town that is much different than when I attended the public schools here.
I grew up in Geneva, where everyday on my way to school I could see the landfill off in the distance. My neighbors for the most part were fields of crops and dairy farms. These people who worked the land everyday were great stewards to me because they understood the value it provided in their life. I could never understand why so close to that was the juxtaposition of the landfill, that on most mornings could be mistaken for a small mountain. After high school I attended New York University, located in New York City, where I studied Math and Physics. This ultra-urban environment was unlike anything I had lived in before. My view of endless rows of crops were replaced by busy streets and concrete buildings. I felt as if I was somehow disconnected from my environment. I remember vividly coming home in the fall during my freshman year, and just being amazed by the tree’s new color shades that come every Autumn. My appreciation for my hometown, and the environment it sits upon grew with each trip back home. I graduated in 2020 and returned home to start an environmental group called Stewards of Natural Environments (SONE) where we focus on fostering the connection between the individual and the natural environment(s) that surrounds them. I believe that the best way to ensure our natural gifts are preserved is through widespread community engagement. I have come to develop an appreciation for my town that is much different than when I attended the public schools here.
