2007 Annual Report Executive Summary

Tioga REAP Zone

The year 2007 was a time of change and challenge for the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP). In December 2006, the first Executive Director for the REAP resigned her position. At the same time, the Administrative Assistant for the program also left her position. During the first 6 months of 2007, the REAP Board of Directors served as volunteer staff for the program and initiated a search for a new Executive Director. The President and Vice President of the REAP Board of Directors, with the support of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County staff, continued the work of the three grants that were in place at that time. In May 2007, Martha C. Brennan was hired as the Executive Director. During the rest of 2007, the REAP Board of Directors worked with the new Executive Director to continue the work of the current grants, establish connections in the community for the new director and develop plans for sustainability for the organization. Throughout this long and challenging year, the local USDA representative and the grant representatives have been very helpful and supportive.