ROME AND ONEIDA, NY – On February 9, 2026, the YMCA of the Greater Tri-
Valley gathered its staff, supporters, and community stakeholders at the Oneida Family
YMCA to celebrate a year of exceptional service and growth. The annual meeting, featuring
dinner from local favorite Ray Brother’s BBQ, served as a platform to recognize the
individuals and organizations whose dedication fueled the YMCA’s mission throughout
2025. “Each year, we honor employees, volunteers, and community partners who have gone above and beyond for the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley,” said CEO Hank Leo. “In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments of the past year, it is also an opportunity for us to take time to collectively look ahead and give appreciation to individuals and organizations that share in our like values.”
Decades of Dedication
A highlight of the evening was the celebration of staff longevity, honoring those who have
dedicated their careers to the YMCA mission. Most notably, Kathy Angleton of the Rome
Family YMCA was recognized for a remarkable 40 years of service. Additionally, CEO Hank
Leo was celebrated for his 30-year tenure with the organization, marking seven combined
decades of leadership and community impact between the two veterans.
Top Honors and the Red Triangle Award
The evening’s most prestigious recognition, the Red Triangle Award, was presented to
board member Dan Eddy for his long-standing commitment and leadership. The YMCA also
named its 2025 Employees of the Year: Ryan Hickey, Sports Director at the Rome Family
YMCA, and Alyssa Parisou, Membership Coordinator at the Oneida Family YMCA.
Volunteer and Community Excellence. The YMCA’s impact is amplified by those who donate their time. Majlis Wafer (Rome) and Charlie Kline (Oneida) were celebrated as Volunteers of the Year for their respective work in event support and archery instruction.
In the realm of corporate and educational collaboration, NYSTEC was honored as the
Community Partner of the Year for the Rome Family YMCA, while the Madison-Oneida
BOCES VTP Program received the honor for the Oneida Family YMCA. Being a partner in transformation sits at the heart of everything NYSTEC does, as is true for the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley. The Y is a vital resource for the people we serve, employ, and partner with in the area, and we could not be prouder to contribute to its important mission," said Kevin Owens, president and CEO of NYSTEC. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the local community through the YMCA and look forward to
more years of successful collaboration.
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley continues to be a cornerstone for youth development,
healthy living, and social responsibility across the region. For more information on
programs or how to donate, visit the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley website.
About the YMCA:
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley serves the greater Rome, Oneida and Whitesboro
areas with programs and services for the whole family. We are a 501c3 charitable non-profit organization with two primary branches in Rome and Oneida and school-age childcare in the New Hartford area. The Y’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
GROUP PHOTO:
Employees, volunteers and community partners were recognized at the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley’s
annual meeting at One Genny.
