Mall Manager Montanti New Foothills’ President
By LIBBY CUDMORE•Hometown Oneonta
Edition of Friday, Oct. 17, 2014
When the Foothills Board of Directors needed a new president, Louisa Montanti was happy to step up.
Montanti, the manager of the Southside Mall, joined the board in 2011 and was elevated to president of the board Monday, Oct. 13, succeeding Carol Blazina. “It’s a great foundation and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level,” she said. “I want to give executive director Bill Youngs the kind of support he needs in a larger capacity.”
Montanti was on the ground floor of some of Foothills’ innovative programming, including bringing Sid the Science Kid in April 2013 and hosting recitals for the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble. “We really want to expand our focus on education and children’s programming,” she said.
Expanding arts and education for young people is something she hopes will continue to drive the board’s focus. “We want young people to be aware of what we have to offer,” she said. “We want to continue to expand those offerings.”
Montanti was also assisted Blazina in putting together the third annual Taste of Foothills fundraiser, a night of comedy and tastings from a variety of local restaurants planned for Sunday, Oct. 26. This year’s comedy act is ventriloquist Sylvia Fletcher, of Saratoga Springs. “We’re expanding our borders and raising awareness of what we do in the community,” she said. “We offer a great civic center.”
But more than that, Montanti said, is making sure the community knows they’re part of Foothills. “We’re always looking for volunteers to help us set up and plan events, serve on a committee, or usher a few nights,” she said. “We’re looking for people who have talents and who want to contribute.”
At the board meeting that Montanti was elevated, three new board members were also elected:
• John Ryland, Fly Creek, president, Hughson & Benson Insurance.
• Fred Volpe, Town of Oneonta civic leader.
• Joseph Yelich, superintendent of schools, Oneonta City School District.