JIM DALTON, NEW BOARD PRESIDENT
James Dalton, MD is the new Board President of Otsego 2000. He succeeds Nicole Dillingham, who will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. Dalton is the third Board President of the organization. Prior to Dillingham, who led the Board for ten years, Otsego 2000 founder Henry Cooper served as Board President for 30 years.
Ellen Pope, Otsego 2000 executive director, said “Under Nicole’s leadership, Otsego 2000 successfully led the charge to ban fracking in New York State, a huge win for the environment and the people of New York. Nicole has been an invaluable asset to Otsego 2000 and our region and we are grateful that she will continue to serve on the board. I am looking forward to working with Jim to continue and expand Otsego 2000’s work on behalf of our region.”
“The history of Otsego 2000 is one of unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the land, resources, and people of our beautiful region,” says Jim Dalton. “As a member of the Board of Directors of Otsego 2000 over the past seven years, it has been my pleasure and honor to work with Ellen Pope and her incredible staff. I am humbled and privileged to take over as Board President from Nicole Dillingham, whose leadership and energy has contributed immeasurably to the preservation and sustainability of the resources of Otsego County and New York State.”
Jim and his wife Deb raised their two children in Cooperstown and are active members of the community. Jim retired from his position as Attending Physician and Director of Medical Education at Bassett Medical Center in September 2021. In addition to being a member of the Board of Otsego 2000, Jim volunteers at the Free Clinic in Oneonta and is an avid gardener and angler and a novice beekeeper.
In addition to Dillingham and Dalton, Otsego 2000 board members are Lin Vincent, Cooperstown; Julie Huntsman, DVM, Fly Creek; Wayne Mellor, Fly Creek; Kent Barwick, Cherry Valley; Larry Bennett, East Meredith; Christine Corrigan, Richfield Springs; Elizabeth Horvath, Cooperstown; David Hutchison, Oneonta; Susan J. Huxtable, West Winfield; Chad McEvoy, Westford; Sumeet Makhijani, Cooperstown; Katharine Muir, Cooperstown; Daniel Sullivan, Richfield Springs; and Sydney Waller, Middlefield.
Founded in 1981 and based in Cooperstown, Otsego 2000 achieves its mission through programs including the year-round Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Otsego Outdoors, Glimmerglass Film Days, and Historic Preservation and Environmental Stewardship initiatives.