Nicholas Bennett of Liverpool was promoted to a full-time Coordinator of Interactive Education at WCNY.  He will provide support in the creation and implementation of a broad range of WCNY educational initiatives centered on the integration of technology, the WCNY Interactive Web site, and other resource materials into K-16 instruction and professional development for teachers.  Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Education at Elmira College. He is a former teacher who held a similar position at WSKG in Binghamton. 

Susan Bielecki of Baldwinsville was hired as Executive Assistant at WCNY.   Her responsibilities include providing support to the President and CEO, Robert J. Daino, and WCNY’s Senior Leadership Team, as well as development and major gift activities.  Bielecki earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Jefferson Community College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree through Empire State College.  Most recently, Bielecki was the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director/CEO of Leadership Greater Syracuse.  Prior to that, Bielecki spent 21 years at PennTraffic as a District Supervisor. 

Heather Gawronski-Salerno of Solvay was hired as the Communications Specialist in Marketing & Communications at WCNY.  She is responsible for the magazine and program guide, CNY Connected, media relations, and various writing and editing projects.  Salerno received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Columbia College and a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Northwestern University.  She comes to WCNY from Northwestern University where she was Research Administrator for the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  Heather is also an apprentice puppeteer at the Open Hand Theater.

David Smith of Brewerton was hired as an Account Executive in the Underwriting Department at WCNY.  Smith is responsible for connecting businesses and organizations with WCNY’s many business solutions tools: CNY Connected, WCNY-TV, WCNY-FM, AXXESS Productions, www.wcny.org, and Interactive Media Services.  He earned a Communications degree from Cayuga Community College.  Smith comes to WCNY from WSEN-FM / WFBL-AM where he was an Account Executive.  Prior to that, Smith worked as a Program Director and on-air personality for radio stations WFBL-AM - Syracuse, as well as WTKO, WQNY and WYXL - Ithaca.

Sara Strong of Westvale was promoted to Director of Auctions at WCNY.   Her responsibilities include managing WCNY’s two major fundraisers/auctions, TelAuc and Travel Auction, from inception to production.  Strong earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Alfred University. She has been with WCNY for 9 years.