PENTA Communications, Inc. CEO named Chair of WCAC Board

WESTBOROUGH _ Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. was appointed to the position of Chairperson of the Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) Board of Directors at its Board of Directors Annual Meeting on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 at the Crown Plaza, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Penta recently served as the Vice Chairperson of the Agency, and now takes the helm from past Chairperson Jack Foley. Prior to serving as Vice Chair, Penta served as a member of the Board and Chair of the WCAC Marketing Committee.

“Deborah is a wonderful ambassador for our programs and more importantly for the customers we serve,” said Jill Dagilis, WCAC executive director. “She brings vision, positive energy and great leadership to her volunteer work here. Under her leadership marketing, fundraising, and evangelism have reached new heights, and new partnerships have been forged. She is a person who puts her time, talent and resources into her professional and volunteer service. We are very fortunate to have such a compassionate humanitarian in the midst of our important work to help people move up and out of poverty.”

“Deb will be an outstanding chairperson for the WCAC,” Foley said. “She has already exhibited dedicated leadership as the vice chairperson and member of the Board. She contributes great things to the table with her time and talent.”

The WCAC is the locally designated community action agency for the Economic Opportunity Act. The WCAC offers education, employment and training, as well as assistance and family support. Programs include fuel assistance, food stamps, GED preparation, Head Start Mediation, Health Families of Southern Worcester County, Cityworks, Partners for Children, Community Connections, Energy Conservation Programs and Individual Development.

In last night’s program, where nearly 100 business and community leaders, elected officials and consumers attended, Penta thanked former Board Chair, Jack Foley of Clark University.

“Jack has been a wonderful role model for all of us. His leadership has made a profound, positive impact on the Agency and has been an inspiration to the Board,” Penta said. “It is my hope that every member of our Board will know how much we deeply value their service and that they will all become more engaged and maintain an active role in moving us forward.”

“In 2008, the Agency served over 70,000 individuals and families in Greater Worcester County and with the economic climate changing so dramatically, our challenge will be even greater moving forward. In 2009, we will continue to seek innovative ways to remain at the pulse of what the community needs and take action to help and make a difference. My mantra will be Focus, Energy, Engagement and Leverage and as a Board dedicated to the Agency’s mission, we look forward to helping the WCAC drive its’ strategic plan forward,” she continued.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Deborah Penta as Worcester Community Action Council’s new Chair of the Board of Directors. During her tenure as Board member, she has served as Vice Chair, as well as Chair of the Marketing Committee,” said WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagillis.