Bill Text: NY J02886 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Rhonda Frederick upon the occasion of her retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of People Inc.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-12-22 - ADOPTED [J02886 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02886-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2886

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        CONGRATULATING  Rhonda Frederick upon the occasion
        of her retirement as President and  Chief  Executive
        Officer of People Inc.

  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 congratulate
Rhonda Frederick upon the occasion of her retirement  as  President  and
Chief Executive Officer of People Inc.; and

  WHEREAS,  Rhonda  Frederick  began  her illustrious career at People
Inc. in 1980 in an entry-level direct support position, working in  both
group  homes  and  day  habilitation programs; she steadily moved up the
ladder over the  years,  a  rise  culminating  in  her  being  appointed
President  and  CEO of Western New York's largest human service provider
in the fall of 2014; and

  WHEREAS, In this capacity, Rhonda Frederick is forging the  way  for
People  Inc.  as  government  mandates call for a managed care model and
innovative ventures are created to diversify the organization; and

  WHEREAS, Prior to becoming CEO, Rhonda Frederick  served  as  People
Inc.'s Chief Operating Officer and had oversight of 93 percent of People
Inc.'s  $143  million operating budget and its 3,400 employees; she also
oversaw all residential, day  services,  service  coordination,  in-home
supports,   senior   services   and   health-related  services  and  had
administrative oversight of quality improvement,  government  relations,
program development and legal; and

  WHEREAS,  As  COO,  Rhonda  Frederick  served  as  the agency's lead
relationship builder and liaison with important regulatory  and  funding
agencies  such  as the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD),  Developmental  Disabilities  Regional  Office   (DDRO),   U.S.
Department  of  Housing  and  Urban  Development  (HUD),  NYS  Homes and
Community Renewal, NYS Department of  Health  and  NYS  Office  for  the
Aging; and

  WHEREAS,  Rhonda  Frederick was instrumental in starting People Inc.
Senior Living, working with HUD and expanding into numerous locations to
create affordable, safe and enjoyable apartments for  older  adults  who
meet  federally-mandated  income  guidelines;  the  agency  now  has  20
apartment buildings throughout Western New York; and

  WHEREAS, With a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  helping
others,   Rhonda   Frederick   currently  serves  as  President  of  the
Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western  New  York  (DDAWNY),  an

organization  which  fosters  collaboration  among  agencies who support
people with developmental disabilities and gives them a single voice  in
Albany; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  she  is  the Board Chair for Person Centered
Services (PCS) and currently serves on the boards  of  Episcopal  Church
Home  and  Affiliates,  Inc., Hilbert College, New York State Industries
for the Disabled (NYSIDD), Special Olympics NY, Amherst Meals on  Wheels
and  Accountable  Health  Community  Inc.; she also sits on the Board of
Regents for Canisius College and the Executive Committee of the  Buffalo
Niagara Partnership; and

  WHEREAS,  Active  in  the  community, Rhonda Frederick serves on the
steering committee  for  WNY  iCan  Bike  (formerly  Lose  the  Training
Wheels),  which  provides  unique learning opportunities in recreational
activities for people with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS, The proud  recipient  of  numerous  awards  and  accolades,
Rhonda  Frederick  received  the  Dr. Evan Calkins Award for Meritorious
Service  from  the  Network  in  Aging  of  Western  New  York  for  her
significant  contributions  to  her  field; in 2018, she was awarded the
Sarah G.  Metzger Human Rights Award  from  Housing  Opportunities  Made
Equal  and  in 2019, The Human Services Council of New York chose Rhonda
for the Notable Women in Human Services Hall of Fame; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, she was recognized as a  Distinguished  Alumni
by  Canisius  College in 2017, and the Rochester Institute of Technology
in 2018; and

  WHEREAS, Rhonda Frederick presented at TEDxBuffalo in 2015 about the
benefits of employing people with disabilities; since 2009, she has been
recognized by Buffalo Business First repeatedly  among  their  Women  of
Influence,  Health  Care  50,  Power  100 Women, Power 200 Women and the
Power 250 in Western New York; she also earned the 2016 Professional  of
the Year Award from LeadingAge New York; and

  WHEREAS,  A resident of Amherst, New York, Rhonda Frederick earned a
bachelor's degree in social work from Rochester Institute of  Technology
and  a  master's  degree in public administration from Canisius College;
and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed is  the  occurrence  of  such  a  compassionate
blending  of  strength,  leadership,  intellect,  and commitment as that
demonstrated by Rhonda  Frederick  over  a  lifetime  of  sacrifice  and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Rhonda Frederick upon the occasion of her  retirement,  and
to wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rhonda Frederick.