Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award, Past Recipients

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Mary Ann Messinger, CNY RPDB's 2009 REC Award Recipient

Mary Ann Messinger (left) receives the CNY RPDB's Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award from Board Chairwoman Kathleen A. Rapp at the Board's 2009 Annual Meeting

Mary Ann Messinger was named the recipient of the 24th annual Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award at the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board's annual meeting that was held on December 16, 2009.

Ms. Messinger was born in Syracuse and is a life resident of the Bridgeport community in Madison County. Ms. Messinger received a bachelor of history degree from Trinity College in Washington, DC, and a master of human resource management from Chapman University in Orange, California, and began her professional career in Central New York working as a teacher in the Chittenango School District. During this time, she organized a number of community volunteer groups to help supplement the District's staff resources. Ultimately this work led to Ms. Messinger being elected to a seat on the Chittenango Board of Education where she served for many years, several as its Chairperson.

Her work in the education field included several terms of office as a member of the Central New York School Board Association during which time she was honored with the Association's President's Award and Dedicated Service Award. Ms. Messinger also spent time working in close association with the NYS School Board's Association, where she traveled around the State to conduct seminars and training sessions on school board policy and board superintendent relationships and responsibilities.

In addition to her work in the field of education, Ms. Messinger became immersed in community planning issues first in the Town of Sullivan and then as a member of the Madison County Planning Board. This community service work led to her appointment as a member of the CNY RPDB, where she has served for many years including several terms as Chairperson. During this period, she also served on the board of directors and as chairperson of the NYS Association of Regional Councils. Ms. Messinger continues to serve as a member of the CNY RPDB and currently serves as Chair of the CNY Enterprise Development Corporation, a non-profit organization established by the CNY RPDB to manage a regional small business loan program in Central New York.

Past Recipients