Board Members
The Board of Directors of the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation is a group of highly dedicated and motivated community members. Their desire to help the children who are stricken with life threatening illness in our community is undetered.
Board Members are typically chosen from the large number of Trustees and Volunteers that give so much time and enegery in assisting Ryan's Foundation.
Adrian "Butch" Anderson
Executive Director
Adrian "Butch" Anderson was elected Sheriff of Dutchess County in 1999. Currently, he leads a staff of 550 employees and protects and serves the county's population of 280,150 and an area of 816 square miles. During his tenure in law enforcement, Sheriff Anderson spent many years in the Major Case Quad where his abilities and persistence brought various robbery and murder cases to conclusion. Sheriff Anderson was also selected to attend and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. In the line of service, Sheriff Anderson has been awarded five Combat Crosses. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the New York State Sheriff's Association. Sheriff Anderson is a member of many organizations including the Poughkeepsie B.P.O.E. No. 275, Fraternal Order of Police, Dutchess Community College Foundation Board, FBI National Academy, Dutchess County Detectives, Dutchess County Chiefs Association, Pawling Lions Club, and Pawling Fire Department. Sheriff Anderson is a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, is on the Board of Directors for the Ryan McElroy Foundation, as well as serving as the Honorary Chairman of the March of Dimes.
Marc Bourque
Board of Directors
Marc Bourque currenlty serrves as the Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Western Connecticut State University. Additionally he serves as Recruiting Coordinator, and Academic Advisor to the football team. Marc's previous tenure with the Colonials includes Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for two years (1995-96) before taking over quarterbacks and wide receivers for the 1997 campaign. Prior to rejoining the Colonials Marc spent three seasons at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY where he coached quarterbacks. Preceding RPI Marc spent two years at Columbia University where he coached tightends and h-backs. Marc began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at the University of New Hampshire in 1994. A 1993 Graduate of Plymouth State University, Marc obtained a Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology, and was a four year performer for the Panthers. Marc is a member of the American Football Coaches Association. He is honored to serve as a board member for the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation. A native of Hooksett New Hampshire, Marc moved to Putnam County in 2002, and currently resides in the Village of Pawling with his wife Michelle.
Michelle Bourque
Board of Directors
Michelle began her career working with the Albany River Rats Amercian Hockey League team. Her past experience also includes working as and Account Executive for NewsChannel 13, Albany NY, and currently she serves as a representative for Medtronic, Neuromodulation Division.
Michelle received her Bachelor Degree in English from Siena College, Loudonville, NY and her Graduate Degree in Public Communication from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY. Michelle is currently a member of the American Marketing Association, and has previously served as President Elect for American Women in Radio and Television, Albany, NY Chapter. Michelle had the privilege to volunteer for the Make A Wish Foundation as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation while in the Albany area. She is thrilled to serve as a board member for the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation.
A native of Averill Park, New York, Michelle moved to Putnam County in 2002. She currently resides in the Village of Pawling with her husband Marc.
George Busolt
Board of Directors
George is a graduate from Pawling High School and attended Dutchess Community College. He has been in the building material business all his life. A Past Board member of The New York State Builders Association, George was named associate of the year for The New York State Builders Association in 2001. He is also a past board member of The Builders Association of the Hudson Valley and past officer of The Builders Association of the Hudson Valley. George is a past board member of Rebuilding Together of Dutchess County.
George was a major part of the World Trade Center Relief Committee for the NYSBA Research and Education Foundation that distributed $6.4 million dollars to 2,300 families.
Charles Daniels
Board of Directors
Charlie began his insurance career in 1984 with the Daniels Insurance Agency of NY, Inc after spending 7 years as a Food and Beverage Director with Hilton Hotels Corporation. In 2004 The Daniels Agency of New York, Inc merged with Rose and Kiernan, Inc of East Greenbush New York. Subsequent to the merger Rose and Kiernan now ranks among the largest 50 privately held brokers in the United States.Charlie was appointed Executive Vice President of Rose and Kiernan and is currently in charge of its sales force.
Charlie is a 1978 graduate from St. Lawrence University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Charlie holds the prestigious Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation and is the past Chairman of the Board of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers which represents insurance brokers writing 80% of the commercial insurance in the Country. He is currently a Board member of The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association of New York.
Charlie's community involvement includes Past Chair of the Board of Rehab Programs, one of the largest Dutchess County non profit Human Service Agencies. He is also a current board member of the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency, the Dutchess County United Way, The Pawling Chamber of Commerce, The Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce, The Children's Fund of the Astor Home, Partners with Putnam County ARC, and the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation. He is past Board Chair of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation and the Quaker Hill Country Club. He has been honored with volunteer of the year awards from the Dutchess County Boy Scouts, The Anderson School, The Astor Home For Children, and The Community Foundation of Dutchess County.
Charlie resides in Pawling, New York with his wife, Lisa, who founded the Mizzentop Day School.
Pamela Horton-Chiera
Board of Directors
Kirk Imperati
Board of Directors
Kirk Imperati is a life long resident of Dutchess County. He is a graduate of Marist College where he received a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working on his Masters degree in Public Administration.
Undersheriff Kirk A. Imperati is a fifteen-year veteran with the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. In February 2007 Kirk was promoted to Undersheriff where he oversees the day to day operations of the Sheriff's Office and oversees the budget process for the office.Undersheriff Imperati is married to his wife Becky for twelve years; they have two beautiful girls Alexandra and Jacqueline.
Nancy Kerzner
Board of Directors
Nancy joined the board in 2010 and shortly into her term assumed the role of secretary.
Chip McElroy
Chairman of the Board
Chip was born and raised in Putnam County N.Y where he graduated from Carmel High school in 1979.He attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton Florida. Where in 1984 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Chip with his wife Judy of 20 years own and operate world Gym of Pawling and Brewster .Always having a passion for Law Enforcement. Chip was employed by the Westchester County Department of Corrections 1n 1995 only to resign shortly there after to care for his son Ryan who was diagnosed with cancer at two years old. Ryan ultimately succumbed to this horrific disease after a long and courageous battle just shy of his fifth birthday. Chip thanks God every day for Ryan and the time they had together however short, his wife and two daughter s Tralee and Ashley .In the year 2000 Chip returned to his passion for Law Enforcement graduating form the Zone 14 Law Enforcement Academy and is currently a lieutenant of the tactical Unit for the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office.
Chip, after watching his son and so many other children and there families battle this devastating disease wanted to help, wanted to make a difference in the life of a sick child. Chip wanted to be able to provide the families the doctors and social workers every resource possible to save the lifer of a child. Shortly after Ryan lost his life on this earth Chip with good friend Sil Olimpio established. The Ryan M c Elroy Children's Cancer Foundation. To date Ryan's Foundation has helped hundreds of children and there families living in the Hudson Valley. Chip as Chairman of the Foundation with its Board of Directors vow never to say no to a child suffering from a life threatening illness. It is this promise and the love of this Foundation that Ryan's spirit will never die.
Carl Merritt
Board of Directors
Carl currently resides in Stanfordville with his wife, Diana and their two children. Carl is employed by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and is assigned to the K-9 division as well as the Emergency Services Unit.
Carl has been officially involved with the Foundation since 2003, and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007, but has been actively part of the Foundation since 2002.
"The people we get to help and the outpouring of support of the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation both have been growing by leaps and bounds and I think it's great." Carl said. "It is wonderful that families involved in the most important battle of their lives have somewhere to turn and I'm just humbled to be part of it."
Eleanor
Nurzia
Board of Directors
Eleanor Nurzia has been a resident of Dutchess County and the Village of Pawling since 2004. She is the proud owner and operator of Abruzzi Trattoria Italian Restaurant. Having opened the restaurant in the same year she moved to Pawling, Eleanor says, "it has been a wonderful experience and a great way to learn about and become part of my local community."
Eleanor's background includes some of the following points: she has studied at both Boston College and the American University in Brussels, Belgium. She earned her bachelors degree in economics from Boston College. Eleanor then went on to work with Capital Restaurant Concepts in Washington, DC for six years, enjoying the experience of opening new restaurants, working from the point of concept development through grand opening. Eleanor then went on to work with Sutton Place Gourmet as General Manager of the Hayday Market, at the time their new aquisition and flagship store, in Westport, CT.
After spending time in a retail environment, Eleanor went back to full service operations, taking the position a Regional Manager for Jim Calhoun's Coach's Sports Bar and Grill Restaurants in CT. In 1999, the opportunity presented itself for Eleanor and her partner, Mary Nurzia, to take over a restaurant in Pawling, NY, The Colosseo. She operated this property for almost three years and then made the decision to move the business in a new location that would allow for more growth opportunities. Eleanor's partner pursued other opportunities and she took on the challenge of opening Abruzzi Trattoria.
Eleanor states that her life's path has brought her to a community and friends that are gifts. She added that she had the good fortune to become familiar with the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation and feels blessed to have the opportunity to work with families in the fight for their lives and to work with people who give from their heart everyday.
Ersilia (Sil) Olimpio
Board of Directors - Treasurer
Ersilia (Sil) Olimpio and lives in Pawling, NY with her husband and two daughters who are also very involved in the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation. Sil works at Pawling Elementary School as a One to One with special needs children.
Involved in the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation from the beginning. Sil currently serves on the Board of Directors as well as the Treasurer.
Sil states, "It's not only an honor to serve on the board, but a true privilege. I remember Ryan fighting his disease with such determination and vigar."
Sil says she can remember the first fund raiser event; it was a raffle ticket worth five dollars to win a trip to the city. The Foundation raised 2,000 dollars in that event and it went to benefit a child with cancer and his family. The funds were used to help pay their rent.
"The Foundation has helped so many families in the Hudson Valley. We could not have done this without the help of the wonderful and caring people on our Board, and the outpouring support of our community." Sil added.
Karen Page
Board of Directors
Karen is a native of the area. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, Karen graduated from Arlington High School. Karen graduated from Dutchess Community College with a Business Administration and Accounting degrees. Karen then transferred and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Business Administration. Karen is also a certified Public Accountant. She currently works in her families business in commercial real estate. She has also had a small bookkeeping and tax business for the past twenty years.
Karen is currently a member of the Lagrange Historical Society, on the Board of Directors and Past President of Mid Hudson Lumber Dealers, and on the Board of Directors and Past President of the Lagrange Rotary.
Karen along with her boyfriend, Brian Sigler, were asked by Board of Director member Kirk Imperati to attend the first Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation Gala. "After attending the Gala, we dicided to see if they needed any help since we were so impressed with the professionalism of the way this organization raises money and helps families." Karen said. "I lost my brother 12 years ago and I could not believe how wonderful it is for a family to take such a tragic event and do something so wonderful to help others."
Karen was voted to the Board of Directors in 2007.
Erin Reverri
Board of Directors
Erin was born and raised in Dutchess County, New York and currently resides in Hyde Park. Erin is a graduate of Roy C Ketcham High School, Dutchess Community College, Marist College and received her Master's Degree of Education from Mercy College. Erin is currently a 4th grade teacher for Saint Columba/Saint Denis Parochial School in Hopewell Jct, NY.
Erin's is also active at the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club and Erin became involved in the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation as a volunteer and quickly was asked to become a Trustee due to her hard work and innovative ideas. In 2006, Erin was elected to the Board of Directors and has been responsible for such fund raisers as the bracelets, Christmas Cards and most recently the Wine and Restaurant Tasting Event held at the Poughkeepsie Grandview. In 2009, Erin was selected at a Top 40 Under 40 by the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce for her dedication to children and her community.
Erin resides in Hyde Park, NY with her husband, Steve, and their two dogs.
Stephen Reverri Jr
Board of Directors
Stephen became involved in the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation after meeting Chip McElroy in 2000. Intrigued by Chip's desire to help other children and families engaged in the battle of life threatening illnesses, he simply said to Chip, "let me know how I can help" and has been ever since. Stephen's first duty for the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation was the presentation at the 1st Annual Gala of Hope. Since that first show, the presentation has evolved from a slide show, to a full fledge production.
Stephen is a graduate of Dutchess Community College, and is working on his Bachelor's Degree in Community and Human Services at SUNY-Empire State College. Stephen was elected to the Board of Directors in 2006. Stephen serves on the Board of Directors for New Horizon Foundation. Stephen is also an auxiliary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #5913, a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks #275, an active member of the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police #333.
For his work with Ryan's Foundation and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, Stephen was given the Top 40 Under 40 award by the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce in 2007. Stephen also was nominated for the Dutchess County Red Cross Hometown Hero's Award in 2007.
Stephen resides in Hyde Park, NY with his wife, Erin and their two dogs.
Brian "Ziggy" Sigler
Board of Directors
Brian "Ziggy" Sigler has been an area resident his entire life. Growing up in the Town of Poughkeepsie area. Ziggy currently resides in the Town of Lagrange. He is a graduate of Arlington High School. Over the years he has worked in various construction jobs and currently works for Dutchess Metal Supply in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Ziggy is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 275. He currently serves on several volunteer committees for the ELKS.
Ziggy became involved in the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation with the help of Board member Kirk Imperati. Kirk first invited him to the 1st Annual Gala . Ziggy attended and has been volunteering ever since.
"I decided I wanted to get more involved in this wonderful organization when I saw what they were doing in the community." Ziggy explained. "With the help of Kirk, I was able to get more involved and in 2007 was nominated and elected to join the Board of Directors.
Gary Tully
Board of Directors
Gary Tully is a life long resident of Putnam County NY. After earning a Bachelors in Accounting from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh NY, Gary owned and operated his own swimming pool / construction company. Selling his business a few years later, Gary joined the sales division of a major construction tool company. He has worked for Hilti for four years.
Having personally known Ryan during his short time with us, being involved with an organization to help children in similar situations was a no brainer for Gary. Since day one, a "never say no" attitude has prevailed. Elected to the board in 2007, Gary actively pursues ways to increase the Foundations awareness, and tries to exemplify what the foundation stands for in his everyday life.