Leading with Compassion
Our team is made of dedicated, committed, and compassionate individuals who genuinely believe in the work they do each and every day. The tenure and strength of our leadership team and Board; the unfailing dedication and commitment of our staff; and our ability to consistently deliver high-quality, results-oriented programs have helped position us as one of the region’s premier and most trusted service providers.
“CCA is a major player in the human services world.”
Tina Zerbian, MS Ed, Chief Executive Officer — tzerbian@ccaction.org
Tina Zerbian has held the role of CEO of Connecting Communities in Action (formerly Cattaraugus Community Action) since 1984 and has been a Certified Community Action Professional since 2010. She became a Nationally Certified ROMA Implementer in 2017 and is a Certified Financial Social Worker. Tina holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education. As a member of multiple boards and committees — NYS Weatherization Policy Advisory Council, NYS Community Services Block Grant Advisory Council, NYS LIFE Steering Committee, NYS Community Action Association Board of Directors, and the Board of Universal Primary Care, Tina remains dedicated to serving her community.
During her tenure, Tina has administered several low-income housing tax credit projects as a Certified Credit Compliance Specialist and has also served as a consultant with TRC Companies, assisting with the launch of the Multifamily Performance Program in New York State.
Her work has led to a number of awards and well-deserved recognition including being named Woman of the Year by the Enchanted Mountain Business and Professional Women’s Club (1990) and the Alumnus of the Year for Leadership Cattaraugus (2008). Tina has also received the NYS Community Action Association’s Administrator of the Year Award (2000) and the “Friends of Civil Legal Services Award” from the New York State Unified Court System (2004). In 2019 she was inducted into the Notable Women in Human Services Hall of Fame.
Tina and her husband, Tom, are the proud parents of sons Alec and Camron.
Denise Bartoszek is the Connecting Communities in Action’s Chief Financial Officer. She brings 14 years of banking experience to the agency. Prior to becoming the CFO, Denise served as the Analytics and Compliance Specialist at CCA. Denise resides in Salamanca with her husband Chad, two boys; Brandon and Tyler; and their dog, Jeter.
Andrew Studley, DEPUTY DIRECTOR — astudley@ccaction.org
Andrew Studley has been with CCA since 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Bonaventure University, and earned designation of Certified Community Action Professional in 2015. Andrew is a Leadership Cattaraugus Alum and a recipient of both the Cindy Woods Memorial Service Award and the Leadership Award through CCA. Andrew became a Certified Financial Social Work Educator/Coach in 2012 and is also a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer and Implementer. Andrew lives in Portville, New York, with his family, and is a Portville Varsity Assistant Football Coach.
Jodi Fuller, Chief Operating Officer of Planning & Development — jfuller@ccaction.org
Jodi Fuller has been with CCA since 1995. She holds her Master’s Degree in Professional Leadership from St. Bonaventure University and is a Leadership Cattaraugus Alum and a recipient of CCA’s Cindy Woods Memorial Service and Leadership Awards. Jodi is a Certified Financial Social Worker and a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer and Implementer. Jodi is a lifelong Cattaraugus County resident and currently lives in Salamanca, New York, with her fiance, Bruce, and an assortment of pets.
Ken Tomczak, Chief Operating Officer of Energy & Housing — ktomczak@ccaction.org
Ken Tomczak has been an employee of Connecting Communities in Action since 1997 and is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Energy & Housing Services.
Gayle DEnnis, Business Intelligence Officer —
Gayle Dennis has been with CCA since 1990. Prior to becoming the Business Intelligence Officer, she served in many positions within the agency, including Accounts Payable Clerk, Assistant Finance Director, and M.I.S. Director.
Gayle earned an Associate’s of Science in Accounting in 2007. She is married with two sons.
Angel Fisher, BRAND & DATA MANAGER — afisher@ccaction.org
Angel Fisher is the Brand & Data Manager for Connecting Communities in Action, Inc. and has been with the agency since 2005. Other roles include Customer Service, Central Intake, and Volunteer Coordination Supervision. She is a 1991 graduate of Olean Business Institute with a concentration in Legal Office Procedures, and in 2012, she became a Certified Financial Social Work Educator/Coach. Angel is also a board member of Interfaith Caregivers, Inc. and the Salamanca Public Library.
Board of Directors
As a private, not-for-profit organization, Connecting Communities in Action, Inc., is locally governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. In accordance with federal law, the CCA Board is comprised of three sectors: the Community Sector, the Public Sector, and the Private Sector. Our Board carries out the original themes of the Community Action movement and is certain to represent low-income families and individuals in policy-making decisions on the local level.
COMMUNITY SECTOR
Vacant
Cathy Mackay (Board Vice-President) – Via Public Election – Serving on Executive, Personnel, and Board Development Committees
Vacant
Kerrie Parr – Via Public Election – Serving on Executive and Finance Committees
Vacant
PUBLIC SECTOR
Kathleen Monroe – Representing Mayor of City of Olean – Serving on Personnel Committee
Melanie Churakos (Board Treasurer) – Representing Cattaraugus County Sheriff – Serving on Executive, Personnel, and Board Development Committees
Jesse Blakeslee – Representing Mayor of City of Salamanca – Serving on Personnel Committee
Rachel Nine – Representing Commissioner of Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services – Serving on Program Planning Committee
Dr. Kevin D. Watkins – Representing Chairman of Cattaraugus County Legislature – Serving on Executive and Program Planning Committees
PRIVATE SECTOR
George Fillgrove – Representative of Veteran Interests – Serving on Personnel Committee
Rachael Wolfe – Representative of Native American Interests – Serving on Program Planning Committee
Donald Jones (Board President) – Representative of Industry – **Ex Officio on All Committees
Nancy Phillips (Board Secretary) – Representative of Human Services – Executive and Personnel Committees
Dana Cornell – Representative of Technology – Serving on Finance Committee
Subsidiary Board of Directors
Community Action Enterprises, Inc. is a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary corporation formed in 1998 by its parent organization, Connecting Communities in Action, Inc. (formerly Cattaraugus Community Action) Community Action Enterprises, Inc. (CAE) was formed for the purpose of holding an ownership position in the limited partnerships that control tax-credit funded properties.
CAE Board Members
Corey Wiktor (Board Secretary/Treasurer) – Representing Business/Industry
Amy DeTine (Board President) – Representing Real Estate
Andy Pascarella (Board Vice-President) – Representing Insurance
Larry Cassidy – Representing Senior Citizens’ Interests
Justin Chudy - Representing Public Utilities
Patrick T. Fuhr - Representing Senior Citizens & Persons with Disabilities
Tarra Griffin - Representing Senior & Disabled Housing
Susan Hannon - Representing Persons with Disabilities
Gina Ward – Representing Persons with Disabilities