Board Members

DENNIS J. RAK resides in Fredonia, New York.  He has served on the Board of Directors of National Grape Cooperative since 2010 and has worked on several committees as follow:  Executive Committee (2012-present); Compensation Committee (2010-present); Chairman of Governance Committee (2012-present), Budget Committee (2010-2011); Advisory Committee Member (1998-2009); Nominating Committee (2003-2009).  Dennis was elected to the Welch Board of Directors in 2016 and sits on the Audit and Pension committees. Dennis operates a 1000 acre farm 325 acres of Concords all of which are under National contract; 7.1 acres of Niagara’s all under National contract.  Double A Vineyards also runs approximately 70 acres of wine and table grapes as well as growing grapevine and other nursery stock that is marketed across the United States.  Double A Willow is involved in promoting the use of Hybrid shrub willow for renewable energy, phytoremediation, stream bank restoration and living snow fences in the United States and Canada.   Dennis owns and operates Double A Vineyards and Double A Willow with his wife Susan and his two sons Adam and Abram.

Gary Henry started working at Fancher Chair in 1989 while still in High School. After graduating from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 1994, he became plant manager and part owner of Falcon Chair and Table (a sister company to Fancher Chair). In 2004, Falcon Chair merged with Fancher Chair, and Gary became the Vice President. In 2009, he became the CEO and owner of Fancher Chair Co. Since 2009, Fancher Chair has grown to 140 employees and added 3 new buildings. Gary and his wife, Pam, reside in Dewittville along with their three children Abbie, Becca and Nate.

Steven Thorpe is a third-generation sheet metal construction worker and lifelong resident of Chautauqua County. He began his career as an apprentice at age 19, worked with the tools for 16 years, and has been the elected Business Representative of Sheet Metal Workers Local #112 Elmira, New York, serving the Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties since September of 2005. Steven enjoys working with new apprentices as coordinator and instructor for the Sheet Metal Workers 112 Jamestown Area Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. He is also the President of the Southwestern New York Building and Construction Trades Council which helps to promote union construction and apprenticeship opportunities throughout Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. As a Business Representative, Steven represents workers at local manufacturers, and brings a unique perspective on the relationship between business and labor. Away from work, he enjoys boating, fishing, and travel with his wife, Amanda. They have been married for seven years and live in Jamestown.

I am semi-retired and still active in Jamestown Electro Plating.  Owner since 1984. Sold the business to two sons, Chase and Matthew.  I live in Ashville with my wife Alison and we are parents of three sons, Robert, Chase and Matthew who all live and own businesses locally. I have served on various boards over the years living in the Jamestown area. Served on the MAST board and was President, Treasurer of the WCA Board of Directors, Treasurer of The Reg Lenna Civic Center, and the YMCA Board. I presently serve on the Board of Jamestown Electro Plating, Merit Industries USA, the M and T Advisory Board and I am on the Chautauqua County Airport Commission. I am a 1975 graduate of Roanoke College, BBA degree. In my spare time I enjoy my grandchildren, boating on Chautauqua Lake and flying an airplane. I also have an interest in old muscle cars.

I was born and raised in Jamestown, NY. I’ve been married to my husband, Jeff, for 35 years. We have a son, Andrew, who is married with one son and a daughter on the way. I am the President of Weber Knapp Company. I began my career with the company in 1991. During my career at Weber Knapp, I received my MBA from Franklin University in Columbus, OH. I serve as the current President of the WCD Boys & Girls Club board, immediate Past President of MAST, a member of the CRCR General Grant Committee and a member of the United Way Allocations.