Archive: Around Town

The Rotary Club of Ithaca is introduced six individuals Tuesday who have recently joined the service club. These community members volunteer in Tompkins County and bring professional experience from the business and not-for-profit sectors.

"The Ithaca Rotary Club is delighted to welcome these individuals," said Rotary Membership Chair Ron Provus. "Our members come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of interests to match those of Rotary. As members of Ithaca Rotary, individuals give of their time and skills to positively impact the needs of our community."

Jeff Bricker was born and raised in north central Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from Duquesne University, before going to work for Westinghouse. Bricker and his wife Sandy first lived in Chicago, and then Lancaster, PA, where the couple owned and operated three retirement communities. Sandy is a Cornell grad, so when they sold their properties in 2012, they selected Ithaca as their retirement destination. Bricker has been a Rotarian since 1987, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and has hosted two Rotary exchange students.

Also with roots in Lancaster, PA, Matthew Forney earned his B.S. in finance from West Chester University. While in school, Forney volunteered for the University's Habitat for Humanity club. After graduation he joined Vanguard and worked there until moving to CNY two years ago. Forney began working at Tompkins Trust Company in 2015 and was promoted to assistant vice president and wealth advisor. He lives in Cortland and enjoys hiking, camping and golfing.

Richard Higgins was born in Oakland, Calif. and grew up on Cape Cod. He received a B.A. in economics from the University of Rochester, and an MBA from the University of Buffalo. Higgins lives in Trumansburg and spent the last 35 years selling computer software, 20 of those years with CBORD. He is currently a consultant for Resource PI. Using behavioral analytics, he provides guidance to CEOs and managers about their hiring practices, leadership development, team building and succession planning. Higgins enjoys spending summer weekends at his in-law's cottage on Keuka Lake.

Norma Jayne is originally from Dryden, and graduated from Port Charlotte, Fla. She went on to attend TC-3, and earned her bachelor's degree in business technology from SUNY Delhi. She has lived in Spencer, NY since 1996. Jayne is the executive officer for the Ithaca Board of REALTORS, where she manages the association, directs membership activities, manages the multiple listing services, and more. Prior to that, she worked for Tompkins County for twelve years, first as the executive assistant to the county administrator and then as a real property systems specialist.

Paula Perna is the director of external relations for the School of Business at Ithaca College. She originally hails from Queensbury, NY in the Adirondacks, and currently lives in Binghamton. Perna is a graduate of Broome Community College and Binghamton University, and holds a master's in corporate and community education from Elmira College. She is a long time member of the American Legion Hillcrest Post and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Steve Savage has spent over 19 years as a fundraising professional, and is currently the associate vice president for institutional advancement at Ithaca College. Prior to moving to Ithaca in 2013, Savage worked at Syracuse University and at his alma mater, Texas Christian University. Over the years, he has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, Adapt CNY, Inc., and Leadership Greater Syracuse, in addition to serving on the board of Challenge Workforce Solutions. A native of Bay Village, Ohio (near Cleveland), Savage and his family live on South Hill.

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