Leadership Tioga: Health and Helicopters

Although the Leadership Tioga Class of 2017 is quickly coming to a close, their last two classes have been incredibly insightful. In September the class met with Dot Richter, director of the Community Care Network of Nichols (CCNN) and Heather Vroman of the Tioga County Health Department.

Richter presented the history of CCNN through a timeline and client stories. Concern for the elderly, disabled and chronically ill was the impetus for the network. 

Today, with two staff members and numerous volunteers, CCNN offers reassuring phone calls, friendly visits, transportation and information and referral services. Richter reminded the class that there is always time to volunteer, even if only for an hour once a month. 

Vroman began her presentation with a video on “What is public health?” Simple things you see throughout your community such as trashcans and bike racks, to larger scale concerns of public safety, water and air quality all fall under the umbrella of public health.

Vroman explained that in Tioga County the services provided by the health department are dental health services, children’s programs (early intervention and screenings), environmental health (protect and test public water, community sanitation, food protection, rabies control, etc.), health education (car seat program, Lyme disease education, emergency preparedness) and nursing services. 

October’s class was held at Lockheed Martin and Jeff Brown, communications representative, provided the class with an overview of the history of the site from the beginning as IBM in the 1950’s, to the addition of Sikorsky in 2015. 

Covering two million square feet (800 acres), the 2,600 employees work on projects ranging from the presidential helicopter, international postal service machines and quadrotors, to name only a few. The site also has created its own Bio Energy plant and Biomass facility, which has cut waste and is providing heating and cooling throughout.

Brown emphasized that Lockheed Martin thrives on giving back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. Kyle Qual, a Leadership Tioga participant and Lockheed Martin employee, also spoke on the STEM activities offered to middle and high school age students. To top off the morning, the class was treated to a tour of the facility ending in the hanger. 

The Leadership Tioga Class of 2017 will graduate on Nov. 7, with a ceremony taking place at Bill’s Restaurant in Owego. (Editor’s note: the location was moved since our print publication.)

To learn more about these organizations or for more information on Leadership Tioga, contact the TIoga County Chamber of Commerce at (607) 687-2020 or email to business@tiogachamber.com.