Class of 2015,
Trenton is an Accredited Payables Specialist working for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.  He is also the BPU Health & Wellness Team Leader and the founder/director of Work Well Chautauqua (WWCHQ), a network of employers working together to improve their employees’ overall health.

Trenton’s art studio, Toasted Waffle Studios, allows him to express himself creatively through photography, abstract painting and the art of bonsai.  His work has been on display around Chautauqua and Erie counties as well as into Pennsylvania and Ohio.  He has also been known to offer the occasional Beginners Bonsai class to help support his bonsai addiction.

Trenton was born in Westfield, spent some time residing in a lot of different places, and then returned to his hometown where he lives with his wife, Fergie, their two dogs and cat.  They spend their spare time gardening and canning, among other things.  In the summer you will likely find them at the Westfield Farmer’s Market or Timmerman’s Farm Stand supporting local farmers and artisans.

Class of 2024 best class ever,
Valerie is the Marketing Manager at Monofrax LLC, where she has worked for over 30 years. A lifelong resident of Jamestown, Valerie is a proud graduate of JCC and SUNY Fredonia. Valerie loves her gardens, cats, and sourdough starter. She is privileged to be a volunteer dog walker at the Chautauqua County Human Society.

Class of 2019,

Christopher C. Taverna is a seasoned professional in Information Technology and Talent Development, dedicated to assisting individuals in acquiring the skills needed to thrive in the contemporary workplace. Possessing more than 25 years of industry experience, Christopher recognizes that each individual has a unique approach to utilizing technology on their journey to success. The emphasis lies not in adhering to a universal “right way,” but in discovering and adopting the “right way for you.”

Christopher’s areas of professional focus include educational technology, human performance improvement, leadership development, organizational development, productivity, social media, talent development, team building, and time management.

Christopher currently works in the Academic and Collaborative Technology department of The State University of New York at Fredonia as a Training and Knowledge Management Specialist. In addition to numerous technical certifications, Christopher is a Certified Faculty Developer and a Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Certified Practitioner. Christopher holds a B.S. in Mathematics from The State University of New York at Fredonia. Beyond his professional endeavors, Christopher operates a wellness-focused leadership coaching business.

Christopher lives in Fredonia with his wife Karen and their children.

Class of 2022
Victoria Eckert, LMSW (she/her) is the Associate Director for Youth MOVE National, the Mental Health Training Consultant for the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, an Adjunct Professor at Fredonia, and a Licensed Social Worker in New York State. Victoria has 13 years of combined experience in System of Care implementation, including youth engagement work, suicide prevention, mental health training and consulting, serving as a national technical assistance specialist/subject matter expert, and volunteering in Chautauqua County in various capacities. Victoria is passionate about mental health systems change efforts and macro social work practice.

Victoria lives in Frewsburg with her husband, four stepchildren, chameleon, and 150+ houseplants

CLN Class of 2020. Annie is currently the Director of Career Services at SUNY Jamestown Community College, and she loves working both in higher education and in career readiness. She is passionate about helping people learn how to navigate their lifelong career journeys, and she enjoys bringing this work to CLN as well. In addition to almost 20 years of experience in education, Annie has certifications in career coaching, mental health first aid, trauma-informed advisement, and leadership.

Annie is originally from California, and she moved to Jamestown in 2016 with her husband David (CLN class of 2019). She enjoys taking advantage of all the wonderful things that Chautauqua County has to offer, from kayaking to hiking to biking to skiing.

CLN Class of 2020.

I was born and raised in Jamestown, NY.  I currently work as the Mold Design Engineer at Monofrax LLC in Falconer, NY. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University.  I live in Jamestown NY with my wife Stacey and our four sons. We enjoy family time together helping on the family farm and outdoor activities such as hunting, tractor rides, and making maple syrup. 

 I am proud to serve the community that has given me such a good upbringing. I serve as a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement and have volunteered in many other areas in the community including youth sports, church, and school music programs. I am a strong advocate for local manufacturing and STEM and love sharing those passions with students of all ages.

CLN Class of 2023.

Katie is a speaker, strategist, and social entrepreneur who is committed to the catalyzation of movements through innovation, collaboration, and social impact. 

For 14+ years she has driven change in-the-trenches. Those trenches have varied in context: from community development + poverty alleviation, to maternal-infant healthcare + political lobbying, church missional strategy, and NGO incubation… the cord that binds them all together is Katie’s willingness to get into the gritty work of change through open communication, stakeholder buy-in, and risk-tolerance. 

After living and working internationally for the last decade, Katie is now planting roots in her hometown of Jamestown, NY with her husband and 3 children, and leading the charge at Ally Co, a first-of-its-kind venture studio in Western New York.

For more information on Katie, visit www.katiecastro.org

Mindie McCarthy, Human Resource Manager at Rand Precision Machining, LLC. I also oversee the Human Resource department at our sister company JBK Manufacturing in Dayton, OH. Prior to Rand Machine, I was a Branch Manager at Career Concepts Staffing Service.

In 2021, Rand formed a Community Foundation that raises funds and donates to our local law enforcement, local Fire Departments and Veterans associations. I joined the foundation day 1 as the Vice President of our Steering Committee. We have raised over $40, 000 in our 1st year and we were able to help some great organizations.

A lifelong Chautauqua County resident, I am married and have 4 wonderful children, who I love spending time with.