Staff Listing

Staff
Listing

4-H Youth
Development

Family &
Consumer Education

Agriculture & Environment

Gardening

CYFER-Net

Employment Opportunities

Cornell University

E-mail Me!	Louie "Bo" Freeman - Executive Director and Team Coordinator for 4-H Bo has been with Cooperative Extension for a total of 25 years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a degree in animal science and received his Masters degree in agriculture and extension education from UTK. He worked for Extension in Tennessee and Oregon before coming to Livingston County as Executive Director. He has worked closely with the Association Board of Directors to oversee the organizations fiscal, personnel,and program management. Additionally, he serves as the Team Coordinator for the 4-H Youth Development Program.
E-mail Me!	David Thorp - Agriculture Program Educator Dave is a Senior Resource Educator with over 35 years in Cornell Cooperative Extension. He works with the NWNY Area Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops staff, Cornell specialists and local committees to provide programs, information and direction to increase agriculture and rural viability. He edits the monthly Agricultural News and Gardening Gazette newsletters and he is available to answer consumer questions related to home gardening and environmental issues. His degree is in agriculture from Cornell University.
E-mail Me!	Donna Horton - Human Development Education Team Leader Donna joined Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County on a full-time basis in January 1999 as the Human Development Educator. Her program area covers parent education and youth development. Donna received dual Bachelor of Science Degrees from SUNY Geneseo in Early Childhood: Nursery through 6th Grade and Special Education: Kindergarten through age 21. She serves on a number of community and county committees, as well as the Youth Bureau Advisory Board. Donna has been a member of the Department of Social Services Advisory Board and is the acting Chairperson of the committee. She received training at Cornell under the School of Human Ecology as a facilitator for the Family Development Training and Credentialing Program. Upon receiving funding from the Office of Children and Family Services, she became the Administrative Coordinator of the Grow and Learn After-School Program. This was followed by receiving a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to offer a Safe Kids: Child Passenger Seat Program and Helmet Safety Program of which she is the program supervisor. She has also been trained as a facilitator of the School-Age Child Care Credential program and serves in the New York State School-Age Child Care Conference planning committee. Donna was also trained to be a member of Livingston County Advancing Youth Development Team.
E-mail Me!	Mary Ann Scharmberg - 4-H Community Educator Mary Ann graduated from Buffalo State College with a BS in Home Economics Education, later adding 30 graduate hours in Early Childhood Development from SUNY Geneseo. She has taught Home and Career Skills classes for many years at Dansville, Keshequa, Avon and Wayland-Cohocton Schools before entering the workforce for CCE in 2005. Here she is a 4-H Community Educator working with family and consumer science programs, the teen leadership groups, Teen Council and Teen Ambassador, Public Presentations and Building Exhibits at the Fairs.
E-mail Me!	Erin Elliott - Community Nutrition Educator Erin joins Cornell Cooperative Extension as a Community Nutrition Educator under the Eat Smart New York program. She has her A.A. in Social Sciences from Alfred State College, and her B.S. in Health Science from SUNY Brockport. With 2 years of experience in community education under her belt, Erin is looking forward to being out in the community again. Her personal hobbies include cooking, reading, advocacy, and volunteering.
E-mail Me!	June Webster - Traffic Safety Program Coordinator June began at Cornell Extension as a volunteer in 2002, when she founded Safe Kids Livingston County; she then began as a part-time employee in 2003 as the Child Safety Program Coordinator. June began her vast experience in injury prevention as a Paramedic in 1995. She has established many injury prevention programs both in Monroe and Livingston Counties by networking with other organizations to improve the health and wellness of the communities. June received her Associate of Science Degeree in Business Administration from Genesee Community College, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work Degree from Brockport State College and her Master of Social Work Degree from Syracuse State University. Today, June remains part-time as the Child Safety Program Coordinator, which includes the Child Passenger Safety Program, and the Wheeled Safety Program. June has been a National Certified Child Passenger Technician Instructor since 2000. June also is an Instructor for the Family Development Training and Credentialing Program.
E-mail Me!	Mark Wittmeyer - 4-H Animal Science Community Educator Mark has been with Cornell Cooperative Extension for eight years as a 4-H Community Educator in Erie County. Although he has been involved in nearly all 4-H Programs during his time in Erie County, his primary responsibilities included horse, dog, rabbit, poultry, plant sciences, natural resources, shooting sports, club and volunteer management. Mark graduated from SUNY Morrisville with an A.A.S in Plant Sciences and Cornell University with a B.S. in Plant Sciences. Mark has been on a farm all his life working with horses and beef, and enjoys it greatly. He also enjoys country music, tractor and truck pulling, antique tractors, spending time outdoors, comedy and movies. Mark looks forward to meeting and working with all the members, parents, and volunteers of Livingston County 4-H Program!
E-mail Me!	Cindy Swift - Payroll Representative/Accounts Manager After spending 9 years in the field of education, Cindy is returning to accounting as Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Payroll and Accounts Manager. Graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in Accounting and Law, she worked for Brooklyn Union Gas, and Rochester Gas and Electric for 10 years as an accountant. Being involved in Extension as a 4-H leader, serving on the Board of Directors and becoming certified as a Master Gardener, has given Cindy a solid foundation of what’s happening in and around Livingston County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Quite often, a guide dog puppy in pre-training is in close proximity, as Cindy and her family raise puppies for the blind.
E-mail Me!	Jennifer Damon - Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Jennifer comes to Livingston County Cooperative Extension, with a degree in Animal Science from Cornell University, serving as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director. Previously, Jennifer was the Meals On Wheels Information Systems Manager for Visiting Nurse Service and the Office Manager for Kimmins Coffee Service. She and her husband own a 100 acre hay farm and stay active with their two boys, particularly with Scouting activities. Jennifer is excited to be part of the CCE team.
E-mail Me!	Jo A. Roy - Administrative Assistant/Publication Manager Jo brings her extensive art background to CCE and it shows in each newsletter that is sent out each month, as well as in the extras she does for the 4-H program. Jo also has a background in horticulture, equine science, and is a volunteer for BAMONA (Butterflies and Moths of North America), where she is the New York State Butterfly Identification Coordinator. She was involved with Cooperative Extension in her youth, being a Horse Program participant competing in Horse Bowl and Hippology, as well as tagging along to the many plant sales hosted by counties in the Southern Tier. She is thrilled to be working for CCE and hopes to continue making an impression with her graphic design skills.
E-mail Me!	Linda Wilkins - 4-H Administrative Assistant Linda is the Administrative Assistant for 4-H and the Department of Agriculture & Markets office located in the CCE building. With many years of experience and knowledge in the 4-H area, Linda is willing to help whereever needed. Stop by the office with your ideas, questions, or just to say “Hi!”.
E-mail Me!	Shawn Harnish - Dansville After-School Program Coordinator Shawn attained his bachelor’s degree in youth development from Valley Forge Christian College. He also has been trained at Cornell University’s Advancing Youth Development and Family Development Credential. He has been involved with youth work for 15 years. Shawn also coaches the Dansville Mustangs Boys Modified Soccer, and Dansville Junior Mustang Football. He provides oversight and leadership for the three sites at the Dansville After-School Program, and is the site supervisor for the Middle School Program. The focus of the programs are to provide a structured after-school setting that is a safe place, instill skills development in school, community involvement, personal investment, and creative use of leisure time.
E-mail Me!	Jim Hinrich - Blitz After-School Program Site Supervisor (Dansville After-School Program) Jim is the site supervisor for the Elementary After-School program in Dansville. He attended Houghton College where he majored in physical education. Since then, he has worked with youth for over 12 years. Strong relationship building skills is one of his greatest assests in working with children. In recent years, Jim helped to develop and implement the U-Turn Youth Development Program and was a youth leader for 6 years. His involvement in extreme sports, such as freestyle biking, has enabled him to reach kids both inside and outside of the after-school program. In 1992, he started a professional bicycle stunt team that traveled to youth camps and performed, while at the same time speaking to students about anti-violence, family values, and making good life choices. Along with leading various childcare workshops, Jim has been trained in Advancing Youth Development, Youth Community Action, and Active Parenting.
E-mail Me!	Sarah Sonnleitner - Discovery After-School Program Site Supervisor (Dansville After-School Program) Sarah has been working with Cornell Cooperative Extension as the Site Supervisor for the Dansville After-School Programs since 2004. She started and developed the program at the EBH Elementary Schools, as well as the program at the Primary School. Sarah has a BA in Human Growth and Development from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennesee. While in Tennese, she worked as an After-School Director for five years and taught a K4 class for one year. Sarah enjoys her profession very much and looks forward to many more years serving young people.
E-mail Me!	Sarah Aprile - Grow and Learn After-School Program Site Supervisor (Dansville After-School Program) Sarah has been involved in youth for many years. She has been a girl scout leader, Dansville youth softball coach, Dansville youth soccer coach, and a kid’s church teacher. Sarah has been with the Dansville After-School programs since 2005. She was trained through Mississippi State University to teach Health Rocks!, which is a decision-making preventative program that involves teens teaching youth to avoid tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse. Sarah is currently enrolled in Genesee Community College and has two children in the Dansville School District. Sarah was promoted to Site Supervisor in December 2007.
E-mail Me!	Rachel Tanchyk - Mt. Morris Advantage After-School Program Coordinator Rachel, a native of Saratoga Springs, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education at SUNY Geneseo in 2006, and is furthering her education at Geneseo with a Master’s program in Early Childhood Education. Rachel joins Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County after substitute teaching in various districts in the Rochester and Genesee Valley area. She is excited to take on the position of After-School Program Coordinator at the Mt. Morris Central School District, which is where she participated in the America Reads program, student taught and substitute taught. When Rachel isn’t having fun working with children, she enjoys any kind of physical fitness, movies, reading and spending time with friends and family.
E-mail Me!	Kate DiFiore, Mt. Morris Elementary After-School Program Site Supervisor Kate is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where she obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education. She is currently working on her M.S. in Reading and Literacy, also at SUNY Geneseo. Kate is thrilled to be a part of the new after-school program in Mt. Morris and looks forward to assisting in its great success. Kate also works in the Dansville Central School District as an ESL teacher. Kate has a true passion for working with children and looks forward to many exciting years in the field.
E-mail Me!	Troy Sonnleitner, Mt. Morris Middle School After-School Program Site Supervisor Troy is the Site Supervisor of the Middle After-School Program in Mt. Morris. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and he graduated from Monroe Community College with an associate’s degree in liberal arts, and also Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He has 15 plus years of experience in working with young people running and helping out with various youth programs and coaching sports. His own life as an “at-risk” youth has impassioned him to reach out, encourage, and empower young people to reach their potential. He has been a speaker at and planned youth concerts and events. He enjoys running, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Camping, and Kayaking.
	Maggie - A Puppy with a Purpose.... ...with hopes of “offering greater independence and dignity to blind and visually impaired people by becoming an exceptional guide dog.” Maggie, born the day before Halloween 2006, began preparing for her future as a guide dog by following a well-defined program designed to build her confidence and potential. Some of her days are spent in the office, practicing her manners, greetings and experience in as many facets of life as possible. She often wears her guide dog puppy-in-training coat as a reminder of the task she will fulfill. Feel free to greet Maggie, giving her an opportunity to put her skills and personality to work. Update: Maggie finished her Guide Dog training! She and her new partner graduated on DECEMBER 6, 2008!!!!. We are very proud of her accomplishment!
	Mia - A Puppy with a Purpose too... ...Mia joined us at the office a couple months ago when Rhythm went to her full-time puppy raiser. Mia loves to please everyone and is more than happy to show off all her good manners, as well as her toys, to anyone who comes into the office.

This page was last updated on December 18, 2008
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