Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Appoints Three New Trustees

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees.

New members include:

David Casullo is co-founder and CEO of Daneli Partners, a leadership development consulting firm located in Herkimer County, and founder and CEO of Overlook Ridge, LLC, a real estate development company dedicated to purchasing and operating properties in central and upstate New York to accelerate the advancement of the region economically, culturally, and academically. Before that, Casullo was president and minority owner of Bates Communications, a Boston based consulting firm, for nearly eight years. He is the author of the book “Leading the High Energy Culture: What the Best CEOs Do to Create an Atmosphere Where Employees Flourish (McGraw-Hill, 2012)" which became a bestseller in human resources and leadership on Amazon. Drawing on his experience, he provides leadership coaching and training to executives, their teams, and organizations across the Mohawk Valley. Casullo holds a bachelor's degree in math and computer science from Hamilton College and a master’s degree in business administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Karim Madmoune is a vice president and senior financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals, families, and small- to medium-sized businesses pursue their financial goals through comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Known for his relationship-driven approach and commitment to serving others, Madmoune has built a reputation for helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with confidence. Deeply engaged in the community, Madmoune served on the City of Rome Planning Board from 2018 to 2023, contributing to strategic development initiatives that helped shape the city’s future. He currently serves as a board member and secretary of Teugega Country Club and remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen the quality of life and long-term vitality of communities throughout the Mohawk Valley.

Benjamin Simons is a lifelong farmer who owns and operates Simons Family Farm, managing six farms across 1,100 acres in Oneida County. He also serves as the chairman of the Steuben Planning Board and is a member of the Boonville-Oneida County Fair Board and Finance Committee. He is well educated in various agricultural topics and a fierce advocate for farmers in the region. Previously, Simons was the president of the Oneida County Farm Bureau and served on the boards of the Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Boonville Farms Milk Cooperative, where he also was chief operating officer for 25 years. Simons was also an agricultural advisor for several members of Congress.

“We truly value having trustees who reflect our dedication to creating a connected and more vibrant region,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our board consistently contributes innovative ideas to help us make a difference in the community, and we are thrilled to welcome David, Karim, and Benjamin as their leadership and expertise will be valuable assets as we continue to grow and serve our community."

Other members of the board are:

• Lydia Berez
• Robert Bojanek
• RoAnn Destito
• James A. Engler, Jr.
• Colleen Gaetano
• Stephen Gorczynski
• Michael Hayduk
• Kirk Hinman
• Harrison J. Hummel IV  
• Ryan Miller
• Cheryl Minor 
• Jawwaad Rasheed
• Rev. Joseph A. Salerno
• Kay Sinclair
• Wole Soboyejo
• Mark Warfel
• Bradley Waters
• Elias Zeina
• Kathryn Zongrone