Community Foundation taps
former mayor as new exec director

Former Cooperstown Mayor Jeff Katz returns to a life of serving his community when he takes the helm as the first executive director of the Community Foundation of Otsego County at the start of the new year.

“This is thrilling and an honor to have been chosen,” Mr. Katz told The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta. “I’m looking forward to the engagement and the change to get out and see people throughout Otsego County.”

The Foundation (CFOC) awarded more than $250,000 to Otsego County non-profits in 2020-21, focused initially on helping organizations operate safely through Covid-19. In 2021, CFOC opened its award programs to fulfill its broader mission to help innovative non-profits develop and expand capabilities. CFOC also this year completed a $2 million donor drive to establish the Founders Fund.
Mr. Katz served as Cooperstown’s mayor from 2012-2018 and as a Village Trustee from 2005-2012. He said he will bring his same focus on advocacy to his new role for the foundation.

“People who know me as the mayor know that we advocated every day for Cooperstown,” he said. “We would talk with the community and find out the problems and then work to solve those problems.”
“I want to connect the dots,” he said. “Connect non-profits with the resources they need to solve their problems.”

“A big part of this job for me will be getting out there and meeting people,” he said. “I’ve always believed that the basic attribute for the job as mayor is to never turn down an invitation. I’ll apply that same concept with the Community Foundation.”

“Jeff brings a wealth of solutions-oriented experience to the Community Foundation,” said CFOC Board President Harry Levine. “His extensive knowledge of Otsego County and commitment to service and building connections will enable CFOC to expand our ability to improve the quality of life and prosperity throughout Otsego County.”

Mr. Katz said he is excited to head into problem-solving mode.

“When I was mayor and my wife and I would go to an event, I’d usually get corralled at the front door by someone who wanted to talk to me about something going on in town,” he said. “That’s where I would stay for the rest of the night!”

The Community Foundation of Otsego County continues to invite non-profits working in the County to apply for new awards in 2022; there are no application deadlines. For more information, visit the foundation’s website at www.cfotsego.org or e-mail contact@cfotsego.org.