2008 Leadership Award

In Photo : Pene Hutton, CLN Director, Thomas J. Whitney, Leader of the Year, Donna Flinchbaugh, CLN President and Susan Chiappone, Class of 2008

 

THOMAS J. WHITNEY

Thomas J. Whitney is Executive Director of Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL Inc.) responsible for overseeing the organization's residential housing, case management, Compeer and vocational programs.

Mr. Whitney has been instrumental in growing the organization through his vision of having safe, clean living environments for persons with a mental health or other disability diagnosis. “I believe a great living environment, goal setting and rebuilding your support groups are the critical factors in any person's recovery from mental illness,” said Mr. Whitney. "I am pleased and proud that STEL can co-develop projects with the Office of Mental Health and the Department of Housing and Community Renewal outside of our traditional service areas to provide housing to more individuals."

Presently, under the direction of Mr. Whitney, STEL, Inc. is co-developing properties with agencies in New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Ithaca, Batavia and Niagara Falls. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director in 1996, Mr. Whitney served as company comptroller. Previous to his employment with STEL, Inc. Mr. Whitney founded a beveled glass company with operations in Haiti and Canada. Mr. Whitney earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Applied Economics at Cornell University.

Born and raised in the Dunkirk and Fredonia area, Mr. Whitney has a strong interest in our community. As a former Eagle Scout, he is an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, a former board member of the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, Shorewood Country Club, Lucille Wright Museum and the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County.
His other personal interests in the community include development and restoration of housing in Northern Chautauqua County. He has been actively involved in the private development of The Vineyards of Fredonia, a sixty-unit rental property completed in 2006.

In his free time Mr. Whitney enjoys golfing, anything to do with World War II History, flying and supporting his favorite sport teams: the Buffalo Bills, the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Yankees.