Archive: Around Town

The Board of Directors of Foodnet Meals on Wheels announced that Jessica F. Gosa, LMSW, of Ithaca has been appointed as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2017. Gosa will succeed Stephen Griffin who is retiring after thirty years as the first Executive Director and founder of Foodnet.

Foodnet is a non-profit corporation organized in 1987 to provide meals and other nutrition services that promote dignity, well being, and independence for older adults and other persons in need in Tompkins County. Currently Foodnet delivers 700 meals weekly to 400 people and derives its support from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, State, and Federal sources, as well as from the United Way of Tompkins County, local sponsors, and private donors.


Foodnet Board Chair, John Gaines, said, “When we learned of Steve’s retirement the Board knew we had our work cut out for us. There is no more important function for a Board than selecting the executive to run the agency. After a wide-ranging search, we are delighted to have Jessica Gosa coming on board. Jessica brings a unique blend of clinical and administrative leadership in aging services. She has great intelligence and enthusiasm, and we get the added benefit of having someone who is already familiar with the Ithaca community.”

Gosa responded, “I feel honored to join a dynamic team that promotes such an important mission and vision.  In collaboration with the Foodnet Meals on Wheels team and community, I look forward to serving older adults, families, and others in need of nutrition services.  In this new capacity, I am committed to embracing Foodnet’s foundation that has been so carefully shaped and nurtured for many years. Under Steve’s leadership Foodnet provides so much more than just a meal, and I plan to cultivate opportunities that will sustain ongoing growth.”

Gosa, a native of West Virginia, comes to Foodnet from her position as a Client Services Consultant at Concept Systems, Inc., a woman-owned small business based in Ithaca, NY that focuses on social science research and evaluation. Her work included all aspects of project management in multi-phase programs that support a wide range of organizations. Prior to that role, she was the Senior Services Program Coordinator at Family and Children’s Service where she managed the Caregiver Counseling, Respite, and Geriatric Care Management programs. Her other prior professional experiences included work in social services, and community healthcare in Baltimore, MD. Gosa holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from Shepherd University and a Master’s in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany.

Although Gosa officially takes the helm on January 1, she and Griffin will have an overlap period during December to provide for a smooth transition of executives.

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