The Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award is presented annually by the Cattaraugus County Planning Board to one or more community leaders who exemplify the outstanding spirit and example that Torrance Brooks and Donald Patterson set during their lifetime of dedicated service to their respective communities, County Legislature, County Planning Board, and regional agencies.

The recipients of these annual awards are chosen to give countywide recognition to leaders and volunteers who make lasting contributions to the people and communities of Cattaraugus County and its region.

The Cattaraugus County Planning Board’s theme for these awards is “People Are Our Greatest Resource”.  In this spirit, we are pleased to present the 2022 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award to: Ginger Malak for Outstanding Leadership In Community Involvement and Economic Development In Cattaraugus County

Congratulations Ginger!

Graduating in 1977 from SUNY Fredonia with a BA degree in Sociology/Psychology, Ginger began working at Southern Tier West Regional Planning Development Board in June of the same year.  After retiring in 2014, she began working part time for Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning, and Tourism as a Program Assistant.

During her employment with the County, Ginger was involved in various projects. She was responsible for the County Trails System Initiative coordinating the County Trails System Advisory Committee and activities related to trails. She coordinated a Community Revitalization Fund providing seed funds to communities, which supports a variety of local community downtown improvement activities.  She was also immeasurably involved in updating the County’s Vision 2025 Comprehensive Plan – Moving Cattaraugus County Forward, published in 2015.

While at Southern Tier West, Ginger was the local coordinator of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area Development Program, providing technical assistance and reviewing project applications for ARC funding. She also served as the Southern Tier West Development Foundation Coordinator providing coordination assistant to the Board of Directors and coordination of the intake and review of financial requests. In addition, she was responsible for the coordination of regional planning activities in the area of education/training/workforce development and served as the Chair of the STW Education and Training Committee. Ginger also coordinated a Regional Stormwater/Watershed Program and initiated an Annual Stormwater Management Conference and a Stormwater Demonstration Site located in Little Valley.

Ginger was awarded a Certificate of Recognition in 2014 for her many years of service as one of Appalachian New York’s “Most Important Resources” by Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales and Senator Catharine Young proclaimed Ginger as “an outstanding citizen, one who is worthy of the esteem of both the community and the great State of New York.”

Ginger has been active in a long list of community involvement and membership organizations throughout the County and Southern Tier her entire career.