LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Faith Ann Takes upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Excellence in Business Award by the
Women's Business Council of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of
Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those distin-
guished individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Faith Ann Takes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Excellence in Business Award by the Women's Business Council of the
Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated on Thurs-
day, May 30, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Faith Takes is receiving this special award for her support
of, and service to the Women's Business Council of the Albany-Colonie
Regional Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, A native of Guilderland, New York, Faith Takes has been the
President, CEO and owner of the Mildred Elley School since 1985, and
Austin's School of Spa Technology since 2005; in March of 2012, she
launched Mildred Elley's first Online Division; and
WHEREAS, A summa cum laude graduate, Faith Takes has a Master's of
Management Science degree (ABT) from Lesley University in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Education from SUNY Albany; and
WHEREAS, Entrepreneurial and hardworking by nature, Faith Takes
purchased Mildred Elley at a time when the school was defunct in 1985
and has since increased enrollment from 37 students to over 1,700 by
offering associate degrees and certificates in a wide variety of
programs; she enjoys developing and offering new programs that will meet
the needs of students and employers in the Capital District, the Berk-
shires and New York City; and
WHEREAS, In less than eight years she has taken Austin's School of Spa
Technology from 50 students to over 300 by offering cosmetology, barber-
ing, nail technology and esthetics; she has relocated both schools to
one building on Central Avenue in Albany; and
WHEREAS, As a member and chairperson of the New York State Advisory
Council for Proprietary School Supervision, Faith Takes served as a
liaison between New York State career schools and the New York State
Education Department; and
WHEREAS, Faith Takes has been honored with several prestigious awards,
including: the Career College Association's (now APSCU) Distinguished
Member of the Year Award for leadership in career education; the Italian
American Award of the Year for continued commitment to community service
through education; and the 2008 Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award from
Girls, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, Faith Takes was named one of the top five
women business owners in the Capital Region by the Albany BUSINESS
REVIEW; she is a current board member of the Albany Symphony and a
former board member of the Wildwood Foundation and St. Sophia Greek
Orthodox Church where she served as President for three terms; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Faith Takes has served on The Alliance for Qual-
ity Business School Education and the New York State Adult Learning
Council; and

WHEREAS, Faith Takes's distinguished record merits the recognition and
respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Faith Ann Takes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Excellence in Business Award by the Women's Business Council of
the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Faith Ann Takes.