Community Service Award recipients honored

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The Daemen College Associates honored Clement Eckert, retired president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY; Susan Grelick, former Amherst town supervisor; and Diane Rowe, chief professional officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, with a Community Service Award on April 27.

A native of Western New York, Eckert attended Bryant and Stratton and Canisius colleges. During a 50-year career in the food industry, he was employed at several locations.

He joined Food Bank in 1995 and was appointed director in 1997 and president and CEO in 2004.

Eckert is married and lives with his wife, Anne, in Williamsville.

He has been recognized on numerous occasions for his work with the Food Bank and in the community.

Grelick is an attorney who has served as Amherst town supervisor and Amherst town clerk. Born and raised in Western New York, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College. She holds master's degrees in information science, American economic history and business administration.

After obtaining her juris doctor degree and prior to entering public service, she worked as an attorney. Grelick currently serves as president of the Buffalo Amherst Business and Professional Women's Association and vice president of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra Association. She has been involved with civic and community organizations throughout Western New York for many years and serves on the boards of directors of Jewish Family Services, the Amherst Museum, Amherst Youth Foundation and the Erie Community College Library Advisory Council.

Grelick

Also honored, Rowe began her human services career as a case worker and teacher while pursuing a position to challenge herself as an executive change agent. She is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo and holds a bachelor's degree in education. Rowe has held numerous executive positions, including those with the YWCA of WNY and the Anorexia Bulimia Association.

She began her career in 1996 with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, where she grew the agency from five to 17 clubs. Rowe manages a highly productive workforce of more than 100 employees and has turned the agency from a $500,000 budgeted organization to a $4.5 million agency, serving 800 plus youths, ages 6-18, in Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Amherst.

Rowe

Rowe has been a longtime contributor to many WNY civic and community organizations.