About Us

Joan Cimino is Program Director at Arkell Community Center and oversees the Arkell Apartment Complex in Canajoharie, NY. She has been with Arkell Foundation for the past 9 years and enjoys working with the “mature residents” in the community.

Joan has been involved with OFA, volunteering for the Advisory & Board of Directors as well as the Alzheimer’s Association where she is a Support Group Leader.

She currently lives in Canajoharie with her husband and she has 4 beautiful children. She loves gardening, baking and spending quality time with her Grandchildren.

Hon. Philip V. Cortese began practicing law in August 1981 as an associate in the law firm Horigan, Horigan, Pennock & Lombardo, PC until 1987. From 1987 to 1989 he was an associate attorney in the law office of Paul L. Wollman. He served as a law clerk to the County Court Judge Howard M. Aison from 1987 to 1988. Phil was engaged in private practice in his own firm from 1989 to 2002. He served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Amsterdam from January 1988 to December 1992, and again from January 1996 to December 2002. Most recently, Phil served as the Montgomery County Family Court Judge for 19 years, retiring in December of 2021. He resides in Amsterdam with his wife Jerri.  They have an adult daughter, Anna, a golden retriever and two cats.

Kirsten E. Dunn, Esq., is a partner with Dunn & Dunn, PLLC, a general civil law firm located in Canajoharie, New York, where she focuses her practice in the areas of Trusts and Estates and Elder Law, as well as Municipal Law.

Kirsten lives with her husband and their children on a farm in rural Fort Plain, New York, where they also operate an upscale barn event venue.  She loves gardening, skiing, reading and being with her family.

Favorite aging quote:

“I’m pretty sure that eating chocolate keeps wrinkles away because I have never seen a 10 year old with a Hershey bar and crows feet.”
― Amy Neftzger

Millie Ferriter serves as Executive Director and CEO of Community Health Center of St. Mary’s Healthcare and Nathan Littauer Hospital (CHC).  In 2017 Millie joined Montgomery County OFA board of directors because she strongly believes in their mission and services to the community and compliments CHC’s mission. Millie has a Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Sciences in Health Care Services, in addition to a finance background.

After a 45-year career in financial management for not-for-profit organizations both in New York and Massachusetts, Barbara retired this spring from her position as Chief Financial Officer for Liberty. She is now setting her sights on enjoying her three grandchildren and resuming her music activities locally and in New York City.

Commissioner McMahon was appointed Commissioner of the Montgomery County Department of Social Services in 2011 and was reappointed by County Executive Matthew Ossenfort to a five year term in June of 2016. He was elected as Mayor of the Village of Ames in 2014 and continues to serve in that capacity. Commissioner McMahon’s highlights during his tenure include reorganizing the Department to better serve the public, changing the public image of social services and engaging with local groups to reduce homelessness.

Dennis is a Director at Liberty ARC with responsibilities for New Dimensions in Healthcare and Facility Management.  Dennis has been employed at Liberty for 27 years.

Dennis has served on many boards and committees over the years.  Most enjoyable was President of Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity during their first build.

He and his wife Charlene live in Canajoharie.  They have 5 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Jeanne Rankie-So was born, raised and resides in Montgomery County, NY. She is a mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6.

Jeanne recently retired Registered Nurse after spending the last 25 years of employment in geriatric care, most notably as the administrator of the Sarah Jane Sanford Home.

As an OFA Board member she is liaison to our Advisory Council and serves on many other local boards as well as being an active Rotarian.

Kathleen is retired from the University at Albany, after 30 years of service to the State of New York. She enjoys reading, traveling to Virginia Beach and spending time with her grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Deborah A. Slezak is a principal at Cioffi • Slezak • Wildgrube P.C. a women-owned and operated law firm located in Schenectady, NY. Deb’s practice is concentrated primarily in the areas of elder law, guardianship, estate planning and administration. Deb is a member of the New York State Bar Association (Trust and Estates and Elder Law Sections), and is a member of the Elder Law and Special Needs Law Section’s Executive Committee and many local bar associations. She is an active community volunteer, currently serving on many local boards and volunteering for many local organizations. Deb resides in Hagaman with her husband and their three children: Sam, Kate and Luke, their two dogs and the cat.

Nancy Vertucci was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Albany, NY but has resided in Amsterdam since 1975. She received a BA in Education from SUC at Oneonta and a MA in Education from Russell Sage. She is past president of both the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Montgomery County, and a current Board member of St. Mary’s Hospital. Nancy joined OFA Advisory Council in 2011, was elected to the OFA Board of Directors in 2015, currently holding the office of Secretary and most recently elected to serve on the Foundation Board.

Bill is a life long resident of Palatine Bridge, New York, and has been in the financial services industry since 1991. He is the First Vice President at Winsman and Hellert Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Bill is a graduate of Fulton Montgomery Community College and in 2016 became a noted Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for his accomplishments in financial services and commitment to the communities. Bill became the President of our Board of Directors in 2016 and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fulton-Montgomery Community College Foundation. He received the Father Joseph F. Girzone Crystal Pillar of the Community Award in August of 2021.

He and his wife have two sons William Jr. and Joseph. Bill and Roberta are actively involved in various philanthropic and charitable causes in Fulton and Montgomery Counties.