Board of Director 2023-24
Who We Are
Jerome S. O'Connor
President
Jerry O'Connor is a professional engineer who, in 2017, retired from teaching and serving Executive Director of the Institute of Bridge Engineering as at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. He earned his BS
and Master's degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and worked in various engineering positions for New York State for 35 years. As a youth, he attended St. Ann's School
(St. Ann's Academy's predecessor) through eighth grade.
Jerry is motivated to serve as a volunteer at SAA so today's kids can have the same opportunity that he
and his siblings had when his parents chose to give them a Catholic education. "The Board of St. Ann's Academy is committed to providing individualized attention so each child can excel academically while being well-grounded socially and spiritually. Being an independent, non-profit school can be challenging but it also gives us the ability our own destiny, while continuing a fine tradition of faith-based education."
Nancy Berry
Vice President
Nancy was born and raised in Hornell and has been a life long member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish. She has three adult daughters and seven grandchildren, also all baptized at St. Ann’s.
Nancy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/Secondary Education from Elmira College and her Master’s in Education from Alfred University. She was employed at Alfred State College for 38 years retiring in 2015 as the Dean of Research Services.
Since retiring she has volunteered in our community and is honored and looking forward to also serving as a contributing member of the St. Ann’s Academy Board of Directors.
Chris Brewer
Treasurer
Chris Brewer is Deputy County Manager for Steuben County. He earned his BS in Finance from SUNY Brockport in 2003 and worked in Commercial Banking for over 15 years. Chris and his family live in Hornell and his two boys attend St. Ann's Academy.
With his education and background, Chris has a unique perspective to assist the St. Ann's Academy Board of Directors' with delivering a faith-based education while also managing an independent, nonprofit school.
Chrissy Taggert
Secretary
Chrissy was born and raised in Hornell, earning a degree from Alfred State College where she studied Business Management. After college she and her husband Doug moved out of the area for 10 years residing in Chicago and NYC, eventually returning to Hornell to raise their 3 children. Being a member of Our Lady of the Valley since birth she has continued her religious faith with her children and now grandchildren. Chrissy has 25 years’ experience in a school environment. Currently she is the District Clerk for the Canisteo-Greenwood School District and has been on their Board of Education for the last 20 years. Volunteering in the community is something she has been looking forward to and is excited to be a member of the St Ann’s Academy Board of Directors.
Mary Camilla Kelly
Board Member
Hornell native, Mary Camilla Kelly, joined the Board of Directors July 2022. After graduating from Hornell Senior High School, she attended Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and graduated with Bachelor of Art in History. Camilla retired from NY State Dept. of Labor after 22+ years as Labor Services Representative and Supervising Labor Services Representative. She is an active parishioner of St. Brendan and St. Jude's parish, where she is a Trustee, Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Sacristan.