Twin Tiers Woman by Bradford Era

brOuGht tO yOu by the

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WOMAN 4 NeW VOGue

the heariNG aid shOp

lady lONG rider

‘Girls’ NiGht Out’

cabiNet WOrld

sOutherN tier preGNaNcy care ceNter

iNterVieW With arG presideNt JeaNNiNe schOeNecKer

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c y N d N e r e hiGh Nia r O f i l a c aNd at d l O s s N fashiO e u G O V W e N W

omen don’t have to leave Allegany County to find affordable fashions that mimic those featured on New York City runways or at California shops. Since 2010, Darla Ellison has been selling East and West Coast clothing lines at her store New Vogue, a contemporary clothing boutique located at 134 Main St. in Wellsville. “Women don’t have time to travel too far to find quality clothing. They want to spend their weekends with their families, so I opened a shop here where woman can find those types of clothing,” said Ellison. “Here, they will be able to find something nice without spending a lot of their time or money.” The New Vogue carries all the latest contemporary fashions women’s mid-luxury to higher end side styles unique clothing, on trend and quality collections offered at affordable prices. We also carry men’s casual apparel as well including Silver Jeans. “I carry very nice items that are not over-the-top trendy,” said the store owner. “It’s modern clothing with a vintage feel … high-end items that are sold at below-retail prices.”

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The neatly “I carry very nice organized racks at New Vogue are filled items that are not weekly with current over-the-top trendy, items from top designers like Silver It’s modern clothing Jean Co., BB Dakota Jack and Fossil. with a vintage feel … Ellison noted she just started displaying a high-end items that collection of “casual are sold at belowchic” dresses and mid-luxury knit retail prices.” sweaters for the fall. “People need to stop into the store weekly to see what I have because there is always something new,” said Ellison, adding she also has clearance racks for those seeking a bargain on name-brand items. “I’m working on creating a PayPal account so people can shop at my store online, as well.” The New Vogue is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturdays. - Darlene M. Donohue

twin tiers WOMAN Fine tuning new hearing aids to an individual’s preferences and needs is often a difﬁcult process and your “I’ll do what ever it takes to get it right” approach makes all the difference... Thank you. D. Tuttle Friendship, NY

WHaT PEOPLE aRE SaYInG I am an amateur deaf musician from a small town that is kind of famous for it’s music: Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Music seeps into the water here and seems to affect almost everyone. I have banged around on various stringed things since I was a teenager and losing my ability to hear music in the car was especially hard. And so Tracie made adjustments to my music program on my hearing aids and then I would go listen to the radio in my truck. Then make another adjustment. Listen. Adjust, Rinse. Repeat. Later, I ordered a new set of hearing aids from Tracie that included a Bluetooth wireless system. This system opened up ways to hear and play music that I thought were unavailable to me. Science marches on! But that is a story for another time because we all have other things to do today. In summary: Tracie showed unbelievable patience with me. In short, I took more of Tracie’s time than was economically justified. And through it all she was kind, helpful, gracious, and, above all, friendly. And she has a guitar in her office. Thanks, Tracie! D. Cole Sheffield, Alabama

any people underestimate the complexity of hearing loss. They look at friends or family members with hearing loss and assume that the experience is simply a quieter world. In this same regard, there is a common assumption that hearing aids are a simple amplifier, boosting the world to normal hearing levels. The reality of hearing loss is that it is a complex chronic disease. In fact, statistics show it is the third most prevalent chronic disease (Collins, 1997). The impacts of hearing loss have been shown to manifest as more than reduced hearing ability. They include increased depression, anxiety, frustration, fatigue and social isolation. Developing new treatments for hearing loss that contribute to the management of these negative symptoms requires a broad range of talents and innovative thinking.

X e l p m O c t hOW miGh beNefits id heariNG a real e h t N i Occur ld? WOrAudiology research at

Starkey Hearing Technologies contributes to ideating new hearing aid technologies with a keen focus on developing deep knowledge into the benefits provided by these technologies. The discussion of hearing aid benefit has historically focused on improved speech understanding, particularly for speech in a background of noise. Our research efforts extend beyond speech understanding in noise to provide insight into the possible real-world benefits of these technologies. Imagine that you’re driving on a warm summer afternoon and the car stereo is playing an up-tempo song that fits your mood. You take a deep breath, turn the radio up, and enjoy a beautiful afternoon drive. Now, imagine that your drive takes you to downtown Chicago—you’re going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. As you turn off Just want to say a the highway and enter the congested streets of downtown big “thank you” for ﬁtting my Chicago, you turn the stereo down… husband with hearing aids. We can’t Did listening to the stereo make driving more believe the difference they have made in difficult? No, but removing the distraction has a benefit. We all have a limited amount of attention that we can our lives. No more loud T.V., no more repeating assign to one, or multiple tasks. In this example, the things over and over until they are heard. Also want task of driving on the highway is simple, placing few to thank you for all the follow up work you do that has cognitive demands on you as the driver and allowing been included in our initial cost - from “tweaking” them to you to allocate more attention to the music. After replacing the one the dog chewed up. The drive to Bolivar entering the city, the cognitive demands of driving is nothing when we realize the difference you have made in become much greater, requiring you to remove our lives! We are so happy that my Dad has now purchased attention from the music and reallocate attention hearing aids from you and he and my Mom are as thrilled as to the task of driving. The act of turning down the we are. Thanks Tracie!! stereo frees that attention, making it available for - Kay, Wellsville

the difficult task of driving in downtown Chicago (similar to a study described by Wu et al., 2014). This effect can be described as a change in listening effort, introduced recently in this post. As a result of our research efforts and university collaboration, we now understand how hearing aid technologies like Voice iQ2 and InVision directionality make listening easier and how easier listening translates to the real world. Think back to the driving example in which in which you had to reallocate attention from one task (listening to the radio) to another (driving in congested city traffic). Now, place yourself in a noisy restaurant. The act of reading a menu while listening to a conversation is a typical situation that we all encounter. For the person with hearing loss, the attention required to understand speech in the noisy restaurant is so demanding that adding the additional task of reading the menu

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these, Voice iQ2 would reduce the effort required to understand speech in the noisy restaurant and the reduction of listening effort would free resources for reallocation to the task of reading the menu. These examples are intended to illustrate how our research experiences may occur in the context of real-world listening. In the next blog post in this series, we will discuss how hearing aid technologies may benefit people who are sensitive to loud background noise. - Jason Galster

requires reallocating attention from the listening task. The person with hearing loss needs to make a decision: Do I read the menu or do I try to follow the conversation? In listening situations like

References • Collins, J. G. (1997). Prevalence of selected chronic conditions: United States 1990–1992. Vital and Health Statistics, 10(194). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. - See more at: http://www.asha.org/Aud/Articles/ Untreated-Hearing-Loss-in-Adults/#sthash. JzDeR53g.dpuf • Wu, Y., Aksan, N., Rizzo, M., Stangl, E., Zhang, X., & Bentler, R. (2014). Measuring listening eﬀort: driving simulator versus simple dual-task paradigm. Ear and Hearing, Aheadof-Print.

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lady lONG rider

WOMan STOPS In SaLaManCa DURInG 8,000-MILE HORSEBaCK RIDE

ot long ago a woman on horseback, with a packhorse in tow, made her way through the city of Salamanca — but there was far more to her story than just a little oddity. Bernice Ende, or as some may call her the “Lady Long Rider,” has ridden more miles on horseback than any woman alive, and she’s not stopping anytime soon. She is currently amidst a 2 1/2-year, 8,000-mile trek that began in Montana, will wind up to Maine, across Canada and back home. “This is my 10th year doing long rides and almost 25,000 miles of equestrian travel. By the end of this trip I will have traveled almost 30,000 miles,” said Ende. For those unfamiliar, a long ride is any stretch traveled on horseback exceeding 1,000 miles, according to the Long Riders’ Guild. This isn’t just a hobby for Ende — now age 60 — it’s a lifestyle. She cooks all her own food and sleeps outside with her horses on the ground, traveling about 30 miles each day. “It’s my life. I’ve been living with my horses in a tent since 2008. Those first few years I’d spend many nights in

homes, but I don’t do that anymore,” said Ende. “It was a choice that I made to not go in and sit in chairs, sleep in a bed, live a normal life, because at my age if I do it I’ll never be able to go back out. “Just the physical strain of it is immense. If you stop doing it, you won’t do it anymore. … I also felt I needed a level of trust with my horses that only comes by living with them.” She also said selling copies of her DVD “Adventures of a Lady Long Rider: The First 10,000 Miles,” and stopping to

“I want to see the stars and the moon and what the wind does to the leaves and grass. I want it on me, the heat and the cold. I just want to be alive.”

make speeches along her travels is how she makes enough to sustain her rides. The Lady Long Rider said she’s been living this way for so long she no longer desires the comforts of home most enjoy. “I don’t want to be in a house anymore, I don’t want this anymore,” she said gesturing to the walls around her. “I want to see the stars and the moon and what the wind does to the leaves and grass. I want it on me — the heat and the cold. I just want to be alive.” It truly is just Ende and her two horses out there. She doesn’t carry a cell phone and maps out all her travels in advance, stopping occasionally to update her website at local libraries. “If I had a phone I’d be on it all the time like everyone else,” she said. “It’s all I can do to keep myself alive out there everyday. There’s so much that happens to me in one day of unexpected new terrain, weather. I can’t think I’m going to be talking on the phone. I need to leave it all behind. It’s just, where am I going, how am I going to get there and what do I need to do?” It has been a long, interesting ride

twin tiers WOMAN that led her to her current lifestyle. From growing up a dairy farm girl in Minnesota, to teaching classical ballet for 25 years and finally to long riding — Ende’s never been one for the easy life. “This is so extreme, how did I get to do this?” she asked jokingly. “I guess I was finishing up my career teaching

crossover in their physicality, discipline and focus. “Everything I’ve done has been in preparation to do this. I wouldn’t be out there doing this had I not had ballet,” said Ende. “The flexibility and strength. In ballet, there’s this thing called spotting, which is really an exercise in

at the Royal Academy of Dance, and I saw an opportunity. … it started with something dumb, like I was going to just ride down and see my sister. And then here I am 10 years later, having ridden more miles than any woman alive, and still wanting more.” Her ballet fundamentals have proven essential out on the ride, with much

staying focused in the midst of chaos — that’s long riding.” This isn’t Ende’s first time in the Northeast, but the last trip was in a car — and that doesn’t count for much in her book. “There’s no comparison. You’ve never seen the world unless you’ve ridden on horseback,” she said. “You have four feet on the ground, not

“I hope I inspire women to reach beyond their fears. Live your life to inspire others and you too will be inspired, not by others but by the life you live.”

9 two. You have 360 degrees perspective. You’re 10 feet tall. If there’s anything to be taken away from her travels, Ende said she hopes it is a message of liberation and inspiration. “I do hope that I carry the message that I have the freedom to do this. It should be a reminder of the freedom we do enjoy in this country. I also hope it inspires other women,” she said. “I hope I inspire women to reach beyond their fears. Live your life to inspire others and you too will be inspired, not by others but by the life you live.” “But it is more than just me. It does envelope more than just me riding across the country. There is a message here, and it’s not about me. It’s about something much bigger. I’m not even sure if I know what it’s all about yet.” Maybe it will take a few more miles. To learn more about Ende, purchase a DVD or to follow the ride, visit www. endeofthetrail.com. - Christa Nianiatus

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OutdOOr adVeNtures Of alleGaNy cOuNty F

or women who are looking for a place to host a day-long or weekend outing with friends or trying to find a site that provides family activities, Allegany County offers an abundance of things to do that are fun and adventurous, said Gretchen Hanchett, executive director of Allegany County’s Chamber of Commerce/Tourism. Hanchett — a mother of three and an outdoorsy type — said she knows there are moms looking for family-friendly fun and there are groups of women who enjoy spending time doing outdoors activities so she wants to make sure they are targeted. The executive director is in the process of working with a marketing team to create excursion packages, and women’s and families’ needs are the focus of this planning process. “I’ve seen more and more women becoming active in the outdoors. They are looking to spend a day kayaking, hiking and/ or camping. We have that in Allegany County,” said Hanchett, adding there was a 3.5 percent increase in tourism last year.

“With places like Letchworth State Park and the Tall Pines ATV Park and events like the Garlic Festival, Lavender Fest and Balloon Rally, we’re the perfect place for a day stop.” “I’ve always been involved in business and I always do things that I have a passion for,” she said, noting her passions are child development and enticing people to visit Allegany County. Hanchett said being at the helm of county tourism and business development for nearly three years has presented challenges when it comes to competing with the nation, but she’s optimistic the soon-to-be created travel packages, the upcoming release of a recently filmed reality travel show featuring Allegany County , the recent business growth along the main

“Allegany County is absolutely beautiful. There’s something about it that brings peace to your soul,” drags in Cuba and Angelica and Wellsville will lead to more tourism in the area. “Allegany County is absolutely beautiful. There’s something about it that brings peace to your soul,” she said. So whether you’re a woman who wants to plan a fun day with her friends and/ or a mother who wants to take the family on a outdoor trip, Hanchett encourages you to see what Allegany County has available. - Darlene M. Donohue

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verything from comedian motivational speakers prancing across the stage wearing oversized undergarments to female doctors participating in hilarious skits have been the fare for women at the annual “A Girl’s Night Out, Just for the Health of It” event in Salamanca. The fourth annual celebration, scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca, promises to offer an even wider selection of activities that focus on women’s health and wellness. Also on tap for participants is delicious food and beverages, as well as an evening of pampering and networking with professional women from the Twin Tiers area. The event, sponsored by the Olean General Hospital Foundation and Bradford Regional Medical Center Foundation, cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

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‘Girls’ Night Out’ celebration slated at casino this fall

Those who registered early were also eligible to win a roundtrip limo ride for six donated by Premo Limousine. Organizers said highlights of the evening will include dinner and music, door prizes and auctions. Nicole Johnson, best-selling author, performer and motivational speaker, will be the guest speaker. Johnson, author of “Fresh Brewed Life,” carries a message of hope for women. She encourages women to break away from the daily grind in order to live their lives with more intention and a deeper sense of community, organizers said.

In commenting on her book, Johnson said the publication “is more philosophy than a title or something catchy because I believe that coffee symbolizes much of what we long for in life. “When somebody invites you for coffee, it isn’t because they’re thirsty. It’s because they want to sit and connect and talk with you,” Johnson said. “It transcends being a beverage. It’s really an invitation to experience a relationship or friendship.” In expressing her thoughts on appearing at the upcoming

event, Johnson said she is excited to speak to a group of women “about all the things that keep us running. “Not to keep us on the hamster wheel, but to consider in which ways we are operating healthfully and intentionally, and upon which ways we can improve,” she said. The speaker said she also loves it when a group of women get together because “we really get a sense that we’re not alone in our struggles.” Others who will entertain during the evening include Dennis George, the Quiz Master, who will begin the evening with an interactive show featuring local female physicians. The popular Handbag for Hope Silent Auction also will return along with exhibits provided by the See Girls Night Out Page 21

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Q&a:

When did the cabinet world first open? n the year 2000 originally and purchased by Sue Schultz in the year 2007. “I purchased Cabinet World just as the housing crash started and went into full swing of declining during the year 2008, it was a horrible time, but we survived! Gena and I have worked very hard together to build this business to what it is today.”

sue & GeNa Of cabiNet WOrld

What types of products, services do you offer? “We are not just cabinets”, said Sue – the owner and Gena Mansfield, Designer. “We do carry the traditional

cabinetry, but we carry counter tops – granite, quartz, laminate and butcher block, which is getting popular again. Flooring, tile, knobs, lighting and area rugs.” Why should individuals come to you for there improvements of bldg. needs? “We as designers are interested in selling them the finished project, selling them a design, something that they’re imagining and will be happy with for years to come. We aren’t just selling them the product we are selling them the whole package.” Are there any other special cabinets or products you plan to offer in the near future? “We have been toying with the idea of selling accessories to clients that you see the showroom. Beautiful artwork, plates, glass teapots, and one of a kind products for her clients. Both of us feel there is a need for what we would call a “STYLING SESSION” in the Olean area. This would be classes on showing the customer what actually goes together when decorating. People want to see the finished product, so staging is a large part of what they are presently working on in the “New” condos, Glenburn Trail in Ellicottville. They are selling as quickly

as they are finished We both agree that more and more customers are looking for guidance from paint colors to furnishings and we specialize in a “soup to nuts approach!” when it comes to the project.” What else would you like to tell our readers about your business? “We love to the stress off decision making, such as when things need to be ordered and how long they may take to arrive, for their projects to run smoothly.” “Without working closely and diligently with our local contractors, none of this would transpire, we make each other look good!” “We pass along to our homeowners our discounts from popular retailers when purchasing accessories....i.e.

Pottery Barn, Pier One just to mention a couple.” “Cabinet World specializes in repeat customers of generations; mothers and fathers to their children. We actually have records of what every customer that has ever purchased from us dating back to 2007, so if you don’t remember the name of the knobs that you purchased, we can find it!” “But above all Cabinet World would like the opportunity to serve our community, Bring us your Budget, you will be pleasantly surprised!” “It doesn’t have to be a whole remodel job, just a few changes sometimes makes a world of difference; counter tops, new knobs and lights can make a huge difference.” www.glenburntrail.com

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tWO WOmeN

Arlene Bova

ifty years ago, women of the Seneca Nation of Indians cast their first vote in general elections. This November, two woman could appear on the ballot for the highest office. Darlene Miller and Arlene Bova, both council members of the Allegany Territory, announced their

eNter caNdidacy fOr sNi presideNt candidacies in August. If either is elected, she would be the first female president of the Seneca Nation. Miller, as of midSeptember, is running unopposed on a new party line, the One Nation Party. Bova, running on the Seneca Party ticket, has to face off against Maurice John in a

Sept. 19 caucus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the results of which were not available by the time this publication went to press. Miller was the first to announce her intentions and was joined by two Cattaraugus Territory council members, Jeff Gill and Richard Nephew, who endorsed her for the position

Darlene Miller under the new party. The One Nation candidate was elected as a council member in 2010, and was the former acting CEO of Seneca Nation Health Systems from 2008 to 2014. She also has been a faithkeeper with the Coldspring Longhouse for over 20 years.

Miller made it clear in her remarks that she has set her sights on some big changes if she is elected. “The motivation for my decision is the unborn Seneca children and all Seneca members. It is time, as many have said, for a change — a huge change,” she said. “I pledge during my term as president to devote all of my energy to carrying on Seneca customs and traditions, preserving our Seneca language for our children, uniting the three branches of government, working and walking sideby-side together for a healthy Nation and to uphold the constitution of the Seneca Nation of Indians and its tribal laws.” The presidential candidate added a cornerstone of her platform was putting “people before politics” and “acknowledging the people the day after the election and not forgetting who they are.” Miller nodded to her female ancestors and the progress they’ve made in the last 50 years, making her own political aspirations possible. “In 1964, the Seneca women voted in the first general election and intended to make their vote count,” she said. “Today, we are coming full circle with that same message. “You ask, ‘Is she strong enough?’ Yes. I am a female leader who respects the elements that surround me and I have the experience and knowledge that I have learned walking the good path to be successful as the next president of the Seneca Nation.” JUST A WEEK LATER, Bova also announced her

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candidacy in the potentially historic race for president of the Seneca Nation. Currently in her fifth four-year term as a Council member, Bova said she believes she has the experience, charisma and vision to lead the Seneca community. And according to Bova, the time has come for the first female leader in the Nation’s highest office. As part of her platform, she said the Nation needs to “hone in” on its children and their future, especially in light of the substance abuse “epidemic” that has hit the region and the Seneca community. “Our people know what we need to do as a community,” said Bova. “We just need to raise our community back to some grassroots. Our children need to see that and our elders will support that. … there isn’t one family that we have in the community not touched by alcoholism or substance abuse. It touches us all.” In achieving those goals and others in shaping their children’s future, the council member said her rapport with the youth community will be an essential component. “The biggest thing is they want to be heard and with that I can communicate with the Council on various initiatives,” said Bova. “I have an education background that allows me to enhance what I do with children and elders and people at-large, just really being in touch.” Through her 18 years of experience on the Council, Bova said she has seen mass growth in the Nation and knows what it needs to continue to thrive. “In my time on the Council, I’ve seen us grow

from a $3 million to over a $100 million budget. … what we need to do now is diversify,” said the candidate. “I know that can be a big word, but we have established and proven ourselves in the gaming industry. Right now, we’re talking about green initiatives. Right now, we are doing broadband initiatives in the Cattaraugus Territory. There’s a whole world of technology out there we are just hungry for it.” Like Miller, Bova recognized the significance of their move for the president’s office, but sees it as no surprise — perhaps only that it’s not soon enough. “It’s the history of the Seneca women,” said Bova. “We have that warrior spirit. “It took some initiative

17 for the women to get that right to vote. Just two years later they were able to run for office, and there hasn’t been an election since without at least a few women in it,” she added. “Think of a door and a key. Let’s take that key and turn it, and once that door opens you need to walk in it.” As of mid-September, Miller and Bova are the only two women to announce their candidacy. All candidate applications are due Oct. 20. The Nation elects a president every two years, and the president’s office alternates between the Cattaraugus and Allegany territories. This year, the office will be held by a Seneca citizen from the Allegany Territory. Members will vote Nov. 4 at polling locations on both territories.

caN We cOme hOme With yOu?

Joyful Rescue and Twin Tiers Woman want to find this amazing Cat and Dog a forever home. Can you help?

SWEETIE

• Tabby • Coat: Short • Good with Dogs • Not Good with Cats • Good with Kids & Adults • Up-to-date with Vaccines

MannIE OWEn

• Coat: Medium • Good with Dogs • Not Good with Cats • Good with Adults • Very Friendly • Up-to-date with Vaccines

Joyful Rescues

1319 Turock Road • Cuba, NY 14727 (716) 372-3661 • www.joyfulrescues.org

Girls NiGht Out

Chest Pain Center, the Sleep Center, Olean General Health Services, Chair Massage by Lydia Hawley and Bone Density Screenings by BRMC’s School of Radiography. Other exhibits will be displayed by OGH Radiology, Radon & Fields, Cancer Services Program/ Susan G. Komen Foundation, Cattaraugus Community Action, BRMC Behavioral Health Services and BRMC & OGH Rehab Services. Stephanie Timblin, senior communications specialist at Upper Allegheny Health System, said the celebration was initially started by the hospital foundations to help women feel more comfortable with their physicians. “The event started out as a way for the hospitals to introduce the female physicians to women in the community and make them more comfortable with the notion to come in for their health screenings,” Timblin said. This was accomplished by coercing the physicians to participate in a series of mock game shows. “Last year we did ‘Let’s Make a Deal,’ and this year we’ll be doing ‘Family Feud,” Timblin said. In particular, the game show skits help personalize doctors so women feel more comfortable with them. “It kind of takes some of the stigma off of the doctors and shows they’re people, too,” she added. In addition to the game shows, the event has expanded the health fair aspect of activities over the years. For example, beginning last year women could sign

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“It’s really truly about bringing ladies together to get access to health information, exposing them to the female physicians and providers and just having a good time,”

up for mammograms at the health fair. “It’s really truly about bringing ladies together to get access to health information, exposing them to the female physicians and providers and just having a good time,” Timblin concluded. Helen Macauley of the Olean General Hospital Foundation said the event drew in 600 women last year and expects to host as many again this year. Macauley said the health fair will begin at 4 p.m., with cash bars available until 8:30 p.m. Items donated from the Handbag for Hope luncheon will be auctioned from 4 to 6:30 p.m., and music by DJ Dennis will be played during the evening. A buffet dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and the evening show will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will conclude with the final health fair activities from 8 to 9 p.m. To register call (716) 3757377 or email events@uahs. org.

the decOratiNG ceNter

I Purchased Jerry’s Decorating Center in 2005 which was a Benjamin Moore paint dealership along with sales of carpeting and window treatments. I expanded window treatment sales to being the largest share of total business by 2009. Most sales are completely in home or business, starting with contact from customer, taking sample books and treatments to site, measuring and selection assistance, with resulting installation. I unfortunately had to close our retail site in 2012 for health reasons and required considerable time away from store for window treatment sales. I now operate totally in home or in businesses offering color consultations from all areas including: paint brands, decorator fabrics and fabrications, and my main business of window treatments. I now service the surrounding areas of Olean, Cuba, Ellicottville and Wellsville as well as the Pennsylvania areas of Bradford, Port Allegany and Coudersport. I have worked with area Country Clubs and restaurants as well as decorators in Olean, Bradford and Ellicottville. I purchase products from numerous company’s and am an authorized dealer for Hunter Douglas, Comfortex & Lafayette Interior Fashions.

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cuttiNG edGe leadership P

iNterVieW With arG presideNt JeaNNiNe schOeNecKer

erhaps the best example of Jeannine Schoenecker’s commitment to all aspects of the American Refining Group Inc. (ARG) are the blue refinery coveralls that can be found hanging in a corner of her office. Mrs. Schoenecker, who has served as the first female president and chief operating officer at ARG in Bradford for the past three years, has worn the coveralls, hardhat and safety glasses on many occasions while visiting and working with employees in different areas of the plant. She also wears many hats in the community as she sits on several boards that exist for the betterment of the Twin Tiers area. Earlier this week, Mrs. Schoenecker spoke of continued goals she has for the

company, as well as the role the refinery plays in the community. A native of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Schoenecker has a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from Edinboro University, and is also a certified public accountant. She began her career with ARG in 1985 at a small plant in Indianola. “I was hoping to start at ARG to get some experience, and my goal was to become a controller,” Mrs. Schoenecker said. “Through the years I’ve had a lot of good mentors” who have included ARG owner Harry R. Halloran Jr. Describing herself as a curious individual, her early years as assistant controller and later as vice president of accounting only whetted her appetite

to acquire more knowledge of the company. “For me, having the numbers work wasn’t enough. I needed to know why the numbers” were at their existing levels, Mrs. Schoenecker said. When ARG purchased the former Kendall Refinery in Bradford in 1997, Mrs. Schoenecker recalled there was no computer system at the plant. “Essentially, I was the quasi-controller and (Information Technology) person,” she said, recalling her role orchestrating the transition of all aspects of the company to computerization and online operations. “That was in the infancy of computers. We didn’t even have email,” she said. “I was in charge of helping the (computer) programmers conceptualize the programs we needed so I had to really learn the business.” While she understood the distillation process as well as the diesel fuel and gasoline industry when she arrived in Bradford 17 years ago, she had to learn the ins and outs of the company’s 300 products. “I was learning on the fly, but everybody here was so helpful and patient,” she remembered. “I really feel grateful that I’ve had opportunities given to me by (Mr. Halloran), specifically because he believed in me before I believed in myself,” she said. “He pushed me to learn things and grow.” Mrs. Schoenecker said she is also thankful for Mr. Halloran’s progressive attitude in the business world. “He doesn’t look at gender or anything like that. He’s more about what your qualities are and can you get the job done,” she added. “And

twin tiers WOMAN

that’s the way I’ve been my whole life because that’s the way my parents raised me.”

“My goal is to create value for our customers so, despite volatility, those customers will always be here for ARG and the community.”

While her parents and relatives continue to live in the Pittsburgh area, she and her husband moved to Bradford three years ago. They enjoy walking and hiking in the area, with backpacking in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon considered a highlight for them. They also enjoy taking care of their black lab/ rottweiler, Al, which they adopted from the McKean County SPCA shelter three years ago. Mrs. Schoenecker said she sits on boards for the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Council, Bradford Regional Medical Center, Neighborhood Partnership Program and is co-chair for the United Way of the Bradford Area. “Myself, along with (Mr. Halloran) are communityminded and we try to encourage the employees to volunteer,” she said. “We understand the importance of the refinery to the community, and we also appreciate what the community gives to the refinery. “The community supported us when we weren’t doing so well (in 1997) so

now it’s our turn to support the community,” she added. Mrs. Schoenecker said goals for ARG are to create a sustainable company that will continue to operate for future generations. “We’re trying to position the company so it can weather the volatility of the business,” she explained. “My goal is to create value for our customers so, despite volatility, those customers will always be here for ARG and the community.” In addition, she continues the drive to maintain a safe plant. “That’s really important to me, the safety of the employees and the safety of the community,” she said of the company’s 300 employees at the Bradford facility, and an additional 60 companywide. In August, the company

observed two years during which no work days were lost due to injuries. On a final note, Mrs. Schoenecker said she believes ARG’s employees are “top notch. They’re dedicated to the company and do what’s needed to be done,” she said. Harvey Golubock, former chief operating officer who currently serves on the company’s board of directors, commented on his successor. “Jeannine brings to ARG over 25 years of financial experience as former controller and CFO,” Mr. Golubock wrote in an email. “She understands the driving forces of the business and represents the ‘new generation’ of managers, embracing technology and cutting-edge leadership philosophy.” - Kate Day Sager

twin tiers WOMAN