Honor Kevin Smith’s Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 750 BY: Senator HELMING COMMENDING Kevin Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of dedicated service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and organizations to be recognized for the significance of their contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Kevin Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of dedicated service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga; he will officially retire from his position as Executive Director on June 30, 2017; and WHEREAS, Born in Buffalo, New York, Kevin Smith grew up in Seneca Falls and graduated from Mynderse Academy in 1973; he went on to earn a degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego in 1977, before taking a summer job at ARC of Ontario County; and WHEREAS, Kevin Smith could have never imagined that this summer job as a pre-vocational instructor in the sheltered workshop on North Street would be the start of an illustrious career in the developmentally disabled services field which has spanned nearly four decades; and WHEREAS, A resident of Geneva, Kevin Smith left Ontario ARC in 1981, to take a job as director of day treatment at ARC of Seneca, which was later renamed ARC of Seneca Cayuga; he was elevated to executive director in June of 1982, the esteemed position from which he will retire; and WHEREAS, ARC of Seneca Cayuga is a chapter of the New York State ARC Inc., and a provider of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Kevin Smith, ARC of Seneca Cayuga has tremendously thrived and expanded; his steadfast and unwavering dedication to this vital organization has truly been an inspiration to all of those with whom he has worked; and WHEREAS, During the distinguished tenure of Kevin Smith, ARC of Seneca Cayuga has become one of the largest providers of services for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the Finger Lakes Region; its staff of more than 600 provides services to nearly 1,200 residents and their families at 26 service sites in Seneca and Cayuga counties; and WHEREAS, Kevin Smith has most recently overseen a comprehensive internal assessment process designed to strengthen the ability of the agency to proactively position itself for the future; he has also worked with the board and staff members to create and implement the agency's next strategic plan, with a focus on sustainability and growth; and WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Kevin Smith is active in several state and local organizations; he served as chairman of the Executive Directors Association of NYSARC and has overseen the Collaborative of the Finger Lakes, a group of 13 ARC chapters that share administrative services; and WHEREAS, In addition, Kevin Smith has been on the board of the United Way of Seneca County for eight years, two of which he served as president; and WHEREAS, For the past 36 years, Kevin Smith rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Terri, and their three children, as well as three grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Kevin Smith over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Kevin Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of dedicated service to ARC of Seneca Cayuga; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Kevin Smith.