Write a commentOswego County Opportunities (OCO) Executive Director Diane Cooper-Currier has announced the nominees for the agency’s prestigious Amelia Whelahan Leadership Award.
Presented annually, the Amelia Whelahan Leadership Award is named after Amelia Whelahan, a dedicated and committed member of the Oswego County Opportunities family for many years. She served on the Agency’s Board of Directors, its Planning and Evaluation Committee, and as its President. The Amelia Whelahan Award is given to an OCO employee who has made outstanding contributions to the field of human service, is a community leader, is a leader in other organizations or community groups, has high ethical standards and conduct and is committed to their own learning and professional development.
Nominees for this year’s award include:
Melvin Anthony Jr.
A dedicated and compassionate transit operator, he has been employed with OCO since 2010. Melvin goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of passengers. His leadership extends beyond work as he is actively involved in his church, where he helps with fundraising, meal service, and officiating funerals. Melvin’s commitment to kindness and integrity is evident in his daily actions of offering comfort and support to passengers and their families. A military veteran, Melvin exemplifies high ethical standards and continues to enhance his skills through trainings, such as those focused on respiratory issues.
Shelby Fowler
Executive Administrative Manager with Corporate Services Shelby has been with the OCO since 2021. She is actively involved in several intra-agency committees and has been a driving force behind reinvigorating the OCO Wellness Committee. Fowler developed the OCO Intranet page “The Beacon”, developed an OCO Contract Management system and has developed systems to improve OCO processes and systems. A leader in the community, Shelby is the vice president of the Granby Fire Dept. and treasurer for the Granby Elementary Parent Teacher Committee. A current participant in Leadership Oswego County, she was a part of the NYS Community Action Emerging Leaders program and has participated in a number of other training courses to develop her skills.
Allison Griffin
OCO’s Program Services Manager for Nutrition Services Allison Griffin joined OCO in 1992. Known for her kindness and dedication, Allison builds strong relationships with colleagues. She is a strong advocate for enhancing the well-being of seniors; ensuring they receive proper nutrition, socialization, and respect. She continuously pursues professional development to improve services, leaving a lasting impact on OCO and the community. Beyond OCO, she co-founded the Hooter Crew, a group that supports those affected by breast cancer. She also leads an annual breast cancer walk to raise funds and awareness for both the Susan G. Komen Foundation and local residents, while also creating a support network for those impacted.
Kristin Naylor
A Nurse Manager with OCO’s Developmental Disabilities Residential Services, Kristin has been employed with OCO since 2023. Kristen is a dedicated advocate for those she serves, empowering individuals to achieve independence through creative, safe solutions. She adapts strategies to meet each of OCO’s residential site’s unique needs while maintaining compliance with OPWDD and OCO guidelines. She is also passionate about organization, fostering clean, safe, and efficient environments. Beyond her work at OCO, Kristen volunteers with local organizations such as the Red Cross and has coached youth sports. To further professional education, she recently attending the Fatal Five webinar and is working toward a Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association certification. She was the recipient of the National President’s Circle Award for Clinical Excellence in 2021, and honored by Senator Patty Ritchie with the 2020 City of Oswego Hometown Hero Award.
Kristy Salvador
Kristy is the Early Childhood Education Coordinator with OCO’s Education Services and has been employed with OCO since 1996. Kristy is a dedicated advocate for early childhood education, consistently ensuring educators and families have the support and resources needed to succeed. Kristy fosters a collaborative environment, creating strong relationships among staff and focusing on ongoing development through workshops and training opportunities. She is committed to improving the Head Start/UPK classrooms and OCO as a whole by hiring staff that complement each other and promoting continuous growth. Kristy also actively participates in community leadership through her work with the Oswego County Trauma-Informed Collaborative and her involvement in a breast cancer awareness initiative in Oswego. Recognized as an Outstanding Employee, Kristy continues to inspire others with her dedication to enhancing the educational experience and her commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for both staff and students.
Wendy Wilson
Wendy is a Head Start Teaching Assistant II with OCO’s Education Services and has been employed with OCO since 2022. Wendy demonstrates exceptional commitment to early childhood education and her community. She has a remarkable ability to advocate for the children in her care, working closely with families and school districts to ensure the holistic development of each child. Wendy is known for her innovative teaching methods, from introducing creative classroom strategies to implementing solutions for challenging behaviors. Her proactive approach extends to maintaining a safe, nurturing environment where children thrive both academically and emotionally.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Wendy volunteers with Central Square Central School District’s Winterguard and Marching Band programs and contributes to OCO’s Active Shooter Preparedness Committee. She is committed to continuous learning, actively pursuing her Bachelor's degree in early education and maintaining her CDA. Wendy's dedication to her students, her team, and her community reflects her leadership qualities, making her a valuable member of the OCO family.
“It is always a very difficult job to select one individual from such a great field of candidates for the Amelia Whelahan Leadership Award,” said OCO Executive Director Diane Cooper-Currier. “The Executive Committee of the Board will review the nominees and announce the winner at the agency’s Annual Meeting.”
