Below is the list of the individuals that compose the current Board of Directors of the Herkimer 9 Foundation listed in alphabetical order by last name:

	Senator Philip Baruth Senator Philip Baruth is the great-grandson of Lambert Will, and the grandson of the late Phil and Gladys Will. He is currently a six-term Vermont State Senator, representing Chittenden County, the state’s most densely populated region. A novelist and teacher by trade, Philip also spent twelve years as an award-winning commentator for Vermont Public Radio; one of those commentaries, “Basketball Inventor,” told the story of Lambert Will’s development of basketball and Herkimer’s place in the game’s history (a piece still available from the VPR online archives, at vpr.org). He teaches in the English Department at the University of Vermont, and he has lived for the last 30 years in Burlington.​
	Robert Basloe Robert Basloe is the grandson of Frank J. Basloe. As a lifelong resident of Herkimer and co-owner of Original Herkimer Cheese in its 72nd year, he understands the importance of family tradition and the Herkimer legacy. With Frank J. Basloe as his grandfather, he truly grew up with basketball, making him a lifetime fan and sometimes player and coach! He is a father of three and grandfather of six. He also serves on the board of directors for Valley Health Systems and Temple Beth Joseph and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.​
	Bruce Bull ​Co-Owner Bull Bros., Inc. Expertise in areas of Construction, Environmental, Business Operations and Long Term Planning. Interest in aviation, boating, fishing, and family. Lifetime resident of the Mohawk Valley.
	Kevin Crosley ​Kevin Crosley is President/CEO of Arc Herkimer and has served over three decades as an industry executive involved with creating work opportunities for people with disabilities. The majority of his professional career has been dedicated to creating social business enterprises and generating diverse revenue streams.
	Chip Hummel Harrison “Chip” J. Hummel III, is Hummel’s Office Plus Chairman of the Board.​ Born and raised in Herkimer, New York, he was educated in the Herkimer school system and graduated from Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) with a business degree. He is an active member of many local boards, a few of which are Commercial Travelers, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Human Technology Corporation, Herkimer County Community College Foundation, The Boy Scouts of America, NBT Bank – Advisory Board, and S.P. Richards Dealer Council. Chip does not have to find time for his family, He takes the time! Devoted to his wife, Judy and his children, Harrison IV, Keila, Justin, Solace and Jordan. When time allows, Chip enjoys a competitive game of tennis, golf and traveling with family and friends and occasionally, a trip to Viva Las Vegas or enjoying some R And R In Bonita Springs, Florida.
	Mary Morse Mary is the owner of Kwik-Kut Manufacturing in Mohawk. She has owned the business since 1989, purchasing it from her Father, John K. Fitzer. Kwik-Kut manufactures food choppers and supplies major restaurant chains, grocery stores, hardware stores, wholesalers and small kitchen shops. Mary is also a part owner in Fitzer Homes, Inc., which owns and operates 2 manufactured housing communities in Ilion. Mary has served on several boards over the years, including The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council, the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley, the Herkimer Area Resource Center. She currently serves as a District Deputy for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and has held many offices in the local court. She has received several awards including being bames a New York State Woman if Distinction in 2011. Mary’s hobbies include, horseback riding, golf, camping and antiquing. She resides in the Town of Frankfort with her husband Steve, 2 horses, 2 St. Bernards, and 2 cats. She and Steve have two grown children Kate and Jonathan.
	Kathy Penree ​Kathy Penree is a lifelong resident of the Mohawk Valley and a Councilwoman in the Town of Herkimer. Business owner for 25 years, CNY Cheer Company Inc., training athletes and administering events in the Northeast. Serves on the Board of Directors for the All Star industry and Chairperson of the Coaches’ organization. She also helped organize Trick or Treat on Main St. and Holidays in Herkimer with members of Herkimer Now. She and her husband Bill reside in Herkimer.
	Steve Ponte Sr. ​Steve Ponte Sr. has been in the auto industry for over 30 years, having started at our sister store, the former Len Brown Chevrolet, now Steet Ponte Chevrolet in Herkimer! He lives locally in Herkimer with his wife, where they raised their four children. Steve is an avid golfer, and in his spare time you’ll find him on the golf course or traveling for different golf events! He loves to spend time with his family and seven (and counting!) grandchildren taking their annual trips to Florida and Lake George!
	Richard Rhymestine ​Richard Rhymestine is a Herkimer native who has attended local schools and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has spent a career focused on manufacturing and business development and is cofounder and a managing partner of Riverhawk Company, an engineering and manufacturing business located in New Hartford, NY.
	Dr. Renee Scialdo-Shevat Dr. Shevat has an undergraduate degree from Nazareth College, a Masters in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a Doctorate from the University of Rochester which focuses on organizational behavior, finance, policy and human relations. Dr. Shevat has had experience working in collegiate institutions including Syracuse University, the University of Rochester, and at the State Universities of New York at Potsdam College and at Cobleskill Agriculture and Technology. The positions held at these Colleges include Director of Community Relations, Director of Human Resources, Strategic Planning, and Executive Assistant to the President. In 1996, Dr. Shevat’s father asked if she would take a one-year leave of absence from her career in education to take over the family “hobby”, the Herkimer Diamond Mines. The mines grew from a hobby into a business. After one year of developing a local, domestic, and international strategic plan, Dr. Shevat decided to switch careers and direct the newly organized diamond business. She was endeared to it.

Currently, she is President of a tourist attraction, the Herkimer Diamond Mines, Inc., an award winning Kampground of America Park, a thematic restaurant, Miners’ Table; and two international Wholesale Businesses. The first involves Herkimer Diamonds. The second wholesale business was recently acquired from India and is incorporated as Out of India to Herkimer, New York, Inc. It offers lines of jewelry in colored stones. She has also developed a new Regional Visitor Center and Marina at the Herkimer Thruway exit in partnership with the Village, Town, State and Federal governments. She is currently its owner and operator as President of Unlocked Legends, Inc. and continues to expand economic development projects in Central New York. It operates as Gems Along the Mohawk.

Shevat has an interest in quality of life issues especially as they apply to the health and education fields. She completed a six-year term on the SUNY College Foundation Board of Directors and a seven-year Gubernatorial appointment to the State University of New York College at Cobleskill, as Trustee. She served on the Cobleskill Regional Hospital Board of Trustees; as board member and President of the Friends of Basset, and as board member of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY. More recently, Shevat was appointed to the Governor’s Regional Development Council for Central New York.

She was recently honored at the CICU (Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities) Albany Alumni Hall of Distinction Awards Ceremony for her contributions to New York State’s economy and economic development. She has been awarded the Mohawk Valley Joe Carucci award from the Genesis Group, the Leadership and Property of the Year award for Kampgrounds of America, Inc., Business of the Year for Gems and Lapidary Wholesalers, Woman of the Year for the YWCA, and Woman of Distinction from the New York State Senate.

Renee is married and has two boys. She and her husband, Sam, maintain homes in Herkimer and in Cobleskill, New York. Her husband, Sam, is retired as the Superintendent of the Cobleskill-Richmondville School District and remains active with his own consulting firm. Sons, Rudolph, John, and Samuel III are Cornell graduates and are currently working in the financial sector.

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