The Board of Trustees at the Fenton History Center is excited to announce Joni Blackman as the new Executive Director. Board President Janet Wahlberg said, “Joni’s name sounds familiar to many at the Fenton and in Chautauqua County. Ms. Blackman served as the Executive Director at the Fenton from 2004 to 2017. She also has served as a board member on other non-profit organizations in the area and as an employee. This experience will be invaluable to us at the Fenton.”
Ms. Wahlberg added, “we look forward to working with her to continue growing the Fenton presence in the area. Her superb skills with capital programs, grant writing and creating fundraising events will facilitate this process. Joni also brings her vast network of community contacts and her ability to create working relationships between public and private entities. Joni’s work ethic is impressive. While serving as our Interim Director, she jumped right in to assist the staff in continuing the projects that were already in progress. Her vision going forward is comprehensive and creative and we look forward to helping her bring these ideas and projects to completion.”
“I am looking forward to working with the great volunteers and staff at the Fenton,” said Ms. Blackman, “I appreciate the good work done by the previous Directors. Ms. Babinsky has set the Fenton on a good path.”
During Ms. Blackman’s previous leadership she expanded the Fenton History Center Property from a city park which was the home of Governor Reuben Fenton to a two-building history campus. Collaborating with community and State contacts she created a 7,000 sq, ft. research library and collections storage on the adjoining property now known as the Hall House Research Library.
