About the Board
The Executive Board of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is composed of four Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Board of Directors. The Officers serve for a two year-term and each of the Board of Directors serves for a three-year term. Elections are held each year at the chamber’s fall meeting in conjunction with our annual community banquet. Nominations for the Executive Board are accepted from the floor at the fall meeting from current Ontario Chamber members.
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​The board is organized into several committees to endorse our Mission Statement.
Why We Do It?
Serving on the Executive Board of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer commitment, highlighting the dedication and passion these individuals have for the Ontario community. Board members are typically invested leaders in the local community. They bring a wealth of experience and a genuine desire to see the Town of Ontario thrive and have a deep knowledge of the local business landscape, which can be invaluable for new and established businesses alike. Our seven-member board works to build relationships among our chamber members and supports the interests of local businesses, advocating for policies and initiatives that foster economic growth and a healthy business environment.
When Do We Meet?
The Executive Board meets the third Monday of every month, except December, at the Town of Ontario Parks & Recreation Department, 6551 Knickerbocker Rd., Ontario, NY at 3:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the general public and members. The Ontario Chamber welcomes new members to bring new insights to our programs and activities. If you would like more information about the chamber or are interested in serving on one of our committees, please contact us at email:
It’s a great way to become involved in your community! We look forward to your email.
OCC Officers
Sherry Verstraete
President
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Sherry Benedict Verstraete, although a resident of Williamson, grew up in Ontario and graduated from Wayne Central. She and Larry raised two sons and have four beautiful grandchildren.
Sherry retired as the Executive Director of the Pines of Peace Comfort Care Home in 2018. Prior to her many years there she was a Corporate Trainer for Electronic Data Systems (EDS), and a Systems Administrator at Xerox.
In her spare time, Sherry delivers for Meals on Wheels, prepares food for Martha Ministry, reads and spends time with family and travels.
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Christine LoDestro
Vice President
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Christine LoDestro and her family have been residents of Ontario for over twenty years, and she has been involved in many different organizations and activities in the town. Starting with being part of the middle school musical's, earning her paralegal degree, owning her own antique business and now working for her son who owns Doze Guys Entertainment. Christine was a Cub Scout and Den Leader and Pack Chair.
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Christine has been recognized as the 2022 Ontario Chamber Volunteer of the Year, acknowledged with the Wayne Central Education Foundation as 2023 Chamber Civic Organization of the year, this past April she was included as one of the Influential Women of Rochester. She has served as the President of the Wayne Central Education Foundation, the high school Eagle Fam PTO, Board member of the Ontario Rotary Club, a member of the Walworth Lions Club, Community Liaison for the Ontario Chamber and the Ontario BID.
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An interesting fact about Christine is that she is an Ordained Minister and plays Mrs. Claus throughout the community and schools during the holiday season.
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Susan Tripp
Secretary
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
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Susan Tripp is the owner and operator of SMT Mobile Notary Services and a licensed real estate agent with Howard Hanna, proudly serving her clients for the past 12 years. With a prior 16-year career in medical device and software sales, Susan brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to every role she takes on. She is also an ordained minister and an active
community volunteer, dedicating over 6 years to the Ontario Clothes Closet.
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Deeply involved in civic life, Susan is a member of the Webster and Williamson Chambers of Commerce, the Rochester Women’s Network, and the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE). She and her husband Brian have called Ontario home for the past 11 years.
Fun fact: Susan has appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and even cooked on the Rachael Ray Show with her husband!
Frank Robusto
Treasurer
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Frank Robusto has been a licensed New York State Real Estate Broker since 1975, specializing in both residential and commercial sales throughout Wayne County. He is the Broker/Owner of SellSmart Realty LLC and is also a Real Estate Appraiser.
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From 1986 to 2006, Frank served as an instructor at SUNY Brockport, teaching appraisal and real estate courses for New York State licensing and continuing education. During the same period, he was Chairman of the Town of Ontario Board of Assessment Review, where he oversaw taxpayer complaints and worked on complex commercial assessments involving properties such as the Nuclear Power Plant, retail plazas, and mobile home parks.
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In addition to his professional career, Frank has a long history of community service. He is a Past President of the Ontario-Walworth Rotary Club, Past President of the Wayne Central School Board, and has served as both Town Councilman and Town Supervisor for the Town of Ontario. He is currently the President of Heritage Square Museum, where he continues his commitment to preserving and promoting local history.
OCC Board of Directors
Brian Natale
Brian Natale is a native Rochesterian and is married to Lisa Natale also from Rochester. They are the proud parents of two children and reside in Webster NY.
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Brian started working in Ontario, NY back in 2014 when he opened his State Farm Insurance Agency. He quickly found that he needed to have not only a captive insurance offering, but also a brokerage offering given the variety of housing conditions requiring quality insurance in Wayne County. Brian made the switch to Farmers Insurance in July of 2015. Brian has built from the ground up, one of the largest Farmers Agencies in Western NY. The Natale agency is a Google 5 Star rated agency and has been his entire operational existence. Our Motto that is proudly displayed on our business wall is “We offer more because we ARE More.” Brian is very active in the Town of Ontario being an Ontario Chamber Board of Director for 8 years running, and has donated much of his time to the schools in both Ontario and Williamson. Brian’s advertising can be seen in many businesses within the town of Ontario. Brian enjoys being a part of the Ontario business community now celebrating a decade in business at the same location on Route 104.
Donna Peterson
Bio Coming Soon
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Jennifer Brake
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Bio Coming Soon
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