Forsyth United Way taps new chief

Todd Cohen | June 23, 2011

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Cynthia Gordineer

Cynthia Gordineer, regional CEO for the South Central New York Region of the American Red Cross in Binghamton, N.Y., has been named president and CEO of United Way of Forsyth County.

Gordineer, who begins her new job Aug. 1, succeeds Ron Drago, who is retiring after serving in the position since July 1995.

She says the challenge for Forsyth United Way is to "continue the success they've enjoyed over the years Ron Drago has been there."

United Way is "doing wonderful things in the community and having a real measurable impact on the needs of the community, and raisign the resources to be able to have that impact," she says.

Before joining the Red Cross, where she led the consolidation of five independent chapters, Gordineer serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer art WSKG Public Television and Radio in Vestal, N.Y.

The regional Red Cross chapter she heads ranks second among 150 Red Cross regions in the U.S. in fundraising market penetration, with over $7 million in assets.

And she has achieved an operating surplus each year since 2005 at chapter levels and, since 2009, at the regional level.

This year, she was named Executive of the Year in central New York State by the Business Journal of Central New York.

Gordineer has a bachelor-of-science degree in accounting and master-of-business-administration degree in marketing and leadership, both from Binghamton University, and has completed course work there for a doctorate in leadership and organizational development.

Drago likely will continue to serve temporarily in a consulting role, says John Conrad, director of communications at United Way.

United Way's annual fundraising campaign will kick off Aug. 31 or Sept. 1.

Last year's campaign raised $17.3 million, exceeding the total raised the previous year by $124,000.

Under Drago's leadership, United Way has raised $257 million, with fundraising growing 49.4 percent, compared to 8.3 percent for the United Way system for the same 15-year period.

And fundraising per-capita at Forsyth United Way consistently ranks at or near the top among the largest United Way affiliates, currently ranking third.

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