OCO Welcomes Seven New Board Members

Seven new members have been elected to the Oswego County Opportunities Board of Directors. Diane Cooper-Currier, OCO executive director, and OCO Board President Holly Carpenter announced the appointment following the agency’s annual meeting on April 4.

Christine Hirsch a faculty member in the Department of Communications at SUNY Oswego. Hirsch is fulfilling her desire is to give back to a population she understands, and to help and empower those that OCO serves.

Nancy Deavers is the Chief Nursing Officer for the Northern Oswego County Health Services (NOCHSI). NOCHSI has a mission similar to OCO and that is to provide care to those who live in poverty.  Nancy provides direction for quality initiatives and care delivery to insure they are meeting the needs of all of their patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Her background would allow her to assist with providing guidance to the OCO leadership in supporting the mission and vision of OCO.

Lori Donahue has served on many committees and boards that serve those who are experiencing low-income situations. She has worked as an Emergency Services Coordinator where she helped people who were experiencing eviction, homelessness, energy bill disconnects and many other issues. Lori currently works as a marketing coordinator at H&R Block.                 

Douglas Bower is a Residential Housing Specialist for the Oswego Housing Development Council, and is retired from the U.S. Navy Seabees.  His expertise is in Quality Assurance for the building industry, where he secures and inspects contractor work for families with low incomes throughout Oswego County to make sure their dwellings are safe. He believes in the phrase “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” and sees serving on OCO’s Board as a way to live this.

Crystal Perry, currently the Visa coordinator at Oswego County Federal Credit Union, became familiar with OCO through the credit unions partnership with the agency and volunteering at OCO events.

Tim Stahl, currently the Deputy Director of Community Development Office for the City of Oswego.

Patricia Krauss, a former Head Start parent, and is currently the Director of the Office of Learning Services at SUNY Oswego. 

“We are pleased to welcome these individuals to our board of directors," said Cooper-Currier. “Their care for our community and their willingness to help others makes them a wonderful addition to our board.”

Pictured here at the annual meeting are, from left: OCO Board President Holly Carpenter with new members Doug Bower, Lori Donahue, Christine Hirsch, Crystal Perry, and Tim Stahl.