December 2024 marked the end of Bill Forreider’s tenure of service at the OCF. Bill has served on the OCF Board of Directors for 9 years and is term limited. We want to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for Bill’s remarkable service and commitment to the OCF. Bill has shared his expertise, energy, and perspective for nearly a decade, significantly shaping the OCF’s growth and success. We are truly honored that he said YES to joining us and contributing so much to our work.
When Bill started with the OCF, board members were selling raffle tickets to keep the lights on. Total assets were $3.9 million, the OCF managed 60 funds, and the yearly average of grant awards was $209,000. At the end of Bill’s tenure, the OCF has $10.5 million in assets, manages over 100 funds, and averages $305,000 in annual grants. Bill led a campaign that helped secure over $2.5 million in funds for the community. The OCF grew tremendously during Bill’s tenure.
Toward the end of his term, Bill served on the Investment Committee, which allowed him to put his professional skill set to use. According to Bill, he enjoyed working with rotating board members and appreciated the differing backgrounds of OCF board members and the friendships that formed over the years. He was acknowledged for his outstanding service by winning the Kevin Reynolds Achievement Award in 2021 Bill and his wife Liz were featured in a Foundation Matters Volunteer Spotlight article in 2019. Bill and Liz also started the Forreider Family Fund of the OCF.
During his exit interview, Bill expressed genuine sadness to be moving on from his time at the OCF. He characterized his years with our organization as a time of great personal growth, and he is proud to be a part of such a well-functioning board. At his last OCF board meeting, Bill quoted Dr. Seuss, stating, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
The OCF is smiling that we had 9 years with Bill Forreider.
At Extreevaganza, the OCF awarded $1,000 in honor of Bill’s service to the Otsego County Conservation District. Thank you, Bill, for your dedication and commitment to Otsego County and the OCF.