Assembly Resolution No. 1244

BY: M. of A. Conrad

COMMENDING Douglas DiGesare upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2026 Leadership
Award and the Years of Service Award by the New York
Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Douglas DiGesare has given not only his time and energies
but also his competence, intelligence, and leadership, and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Douglas
DiGesare upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2026
Leadership Award and the Years of Service Award by the New York Alliance
for Inclusion and Innovation; and

WHEREAS, Both the 2026 Leadership Award and Years of Service Award
are granted by the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation as
part of their Annual Excellence Awards; and

WHEREAS, The Leadership Award is a prestigious honor granted to an
individual who has made significant, lasting contributions to the
disability and human services sector through leadership that emphasizes
integrity, effectiveness, and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, Douglas DiGesare is an experienced leader and has been
serving The Arc Erie County, New York for 35 years; in 2018, he stepped
into the role of chief executive officer and has been leading the
organization since; and

WHEREAS, His sustained tenure at The Arc Erie County has earned
Douglas DiGesare the Years of Service award, which is reserved for
individuals who contributed to long-term growth and innovation through
visionary leadership in their organization; and

WHEREAS, For over three decades, Douglas DiGesare has gone through
the ranks at The Arc Erie County, starting as a residential manager,
then moving onto roles such as director of residential services,
director of quality improvement and training, and chief operating
officer; and

WHEREAS, Douglas DiGesare earned his Master of Arts in Business and
Policy Studies from SUNY Empire State College, and he earned his
Bachelor of Science from SUNY Brockport; and

WHEREAS, As a well-known and respected individual in his field,
Douglas DiGesare is widely recognized for his dedication to individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and he was recently
included on a list of influential local leaders by Buffalo Business
First; and

WHEREAS, Douglas DiGesare's career spanned many impactful projects
and achievements; amongst his current projects is the Black Water Acres
initiative, which is an upcoming inclusive farm in Alden, New York, that
is designed to provide vocational training and community programs for
individuals supported by The Arc Erie County; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Douglas DiGesare has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Douglas DiGesare upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2026 Leadership Award and the Years of Service Award by
the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Douglas DiGesare.