Our speaker today, introduced by Becky Robbins, was our very own Andy Goodell, NY State Assemblyman for District 150 who will retire and leave office in December 2024.

Andy graduated from Maple Grove High School, obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Economics and mathematics from Williams College, and a law degree from Cornell Law School. After practicing in a private law firm in Washington, DC, he returned to Chautauqua County, served in the County Attorney’s office for six years, then served eight years as the County Executive. In 1996, he was appointed by Governor Pataki on a task force to restructure New York’s employment, health, and social services.

Program Chairwoman Becky Robbins introduced Beth Oakes, the Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Program (CAP), who has been a non-profit leader in our community for over twenty years.

Before coming to the Child Advocacy Center in 2018, she worked as the Director of the Jamestown YWCA for eighteen years. She has a passion for non-profit work and giving back to the community.

Becky Robbins introduced the guest speaker, Deputy Sheriff Troy Bouckhuyt from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Bouckhuyt is an investigator with the sheriff’s office, and also leads the Chautauqua County Hazardous Devices Unit (aka “the bomb squad”) in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. He was trained at the FBI Bomb School and assists the Jamestown Police Department SWAT team. Deputy Bouckhuyt not only offered details about his job as a bomb squad technician, but also provided a demonstration of some of the equipment he uses in the field.