We currently have ten members on the Board. Board members meet the fourth Tuesday of each month (excluding December) at the Central Baptist Church on Alden Street. Meetings typically last an hour and public and open to Outer Comstock residents (RSVP always appreciated --though, not required).
Board President
Committees::
Khris is a resident of Goodrich Ave. He has lived there for 5 years with his husband and two children. Khris works at Syracuse University and obtained his graduate degree from SUNY ESF.
Board VP
Committees::
Mary "Kiki" White was born and raised in Syracuse and her home in the OCNA area. She went to Nottingham High School, completed her Bachelors in Environmental Studies/Geography/Journalism, and her Masters in Professional Studies/MBA from Syracuse University. She worked for Riposo Studios (the family business) and Carrier Air Conditioning Corp. until she needed to spend full-time caring for her parents. She currently works for the Women's Opportunity Center (18 years). Kiki is married to Hamilton White and has one son, Andy, who is a student at the University of Rochester.
Board Secretary
Committees:
Jesse O'Donnell moved to Syracuse in 2010, where he lived in the Salt Springs neighborhood until he and his husband made their new home in Outer Comstock in 2012. Jesse joined the Outer Comstock Neighborhood Association shortly after moving to the neighborhood, and he has since become the OCNA website designer/developer and webmaster (in addition to the secretary).
Board Member
Committees::
Dana Balter moved to Outer Comstock in 2012 and loves being a part of the neighborhood. If you've ever walked down Lorraine Ave, you've probably heard her three rescue pups--Sammy, Luke, and Gracie--"greet" you as you pass by. They love it here too. Dana is a visiting assistant teaching professor and doctoral candidate in Public Administration at the Maxwell School at SU. She is also a community organizer with CNY Solidarity Coalition, working to advance a progressive agenda for Central New York. Most recently, Dana has thrown her hat into the political arena as a candidate for Congress here in the NY24th. When she's not working or politicking, Dana enjoys cooking (and eating), binge-watching great TV, and traveling. She also has a bizarre command of movie dialogue from the eighties and nineties--something to do with the introduction of the VCR to home entertainment during her childhood.
Board Member
Committees:
Betty Bruni has been living on Comstock Avenue for approximately 12 years. She and Dave (the best man in the world) enjoy their time at home working on their house, yard, and gardens. And if you've ever wondered who those National Grid's most energy efficient neighbors are, think Dave and Betty Bruni. They have been #1 in their energy savings category 4 months out of the last 6. As a OCNA board member, Betty is hoping to extend environmental efforts in the neighborhood as well as promote our neighborhood as a friendly and diverse community.
Board Member
Committees:
MaryEllen Datta started working as a respiratory therapist at Crouse Hospital in 1984, and still loves her job. MaryEllen is a lifelong resident of Syracuse and moved to Outer Comstock in 2005.
Board Member
Committees:
Melissa Gervais is new to Outer Comstock but is excited for the opportunity to put down roots and take part in the efforts in progress to strengthen our community. She is currently an ICU nurse at SUNY Upstate and will be begin work on her Nurse Practitioner degree in Adult/Gerontology Medicine in the fall. Originally from Florida, Melissa grew up in Miami and Hawaii, attended college at Florida State University and spent much of her adult life traveling the country as a nurse. When not working, Melissa is gardening, trying to stop the neighborhood groundhogs from eating her veggies, traveling or cooking.
Board Member
Founding Board Member
Committees:
Coming soon.
Board Member
Committees:
Annie Tuttle moved to Syracuse five years ago when she joined the faculty at SUNY-Onondaga Community College. She received her B.A. in Sociology and Political Science from The University of Texas at Arlington and M.S. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Florida State University. She is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology and Coordinator of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at OCC. In her spare time she loves to travel and work on house projects.
OCNA Foundation, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity for the Outer Comstock Neighborhood Association (OCNA).
