The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has announced Pierre Chagnon as this year's recipient of the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award. Presented annually since 1994, the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award recognizes an individual whose dedication, leadership, and service have strengthened community spirit and enhanced the quality of life throughout the Chautauqua region. The award honors the legacy of John D. Hamilton, whose lifelong commitment to civic leadership continues to inspire generations of volunteers.
Throughout his 31-year professional career with SKF, Chagnon built an accomplished background in business analysis, product planning, purchasing, materials management, customer support, human resources, and manufacturing management. Yet while building that successful career, he also built something else: a remarkable legacy of volunteer leadership.
Over the course of four decades, and still continuing, Chagnon has served as a director, board member, board chair, committee chair, or president for an extraordinary number of local organizations. His leadership has helped guide economic development initiatives, strengthen educational institutions, protect Chautauqua Lake and the county’s natural resources, advance development, support youth programs, and improve local government. Among the many organizations he has served are the Jamestown Area Development Corporation, Rotary Club of Falconer, Reg Lenna Civic Center, Bemus Point Central School District, Jamestown Audubon Society, Town of Ellery, Chautauqua County Legislature, Chautauqua County Sewer Agency, Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, Manufacturers Association of the Jamestown Area, South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, and numerous other civic, conservation, faith-based, and community organizations. His service also includes years of coaching youth athletics, supporting his parish, and mentoring young people throughout the region.
His dedication has earned recognition from Rotary International, conservation organizations, youth sports associations, and numerous community groups -- reflecting not only the breadth of his service, but the lasting impact it has had on generations of residents and the organizations they rely upon.
A celebration honoring Chagnon's commitment to community service will be held on Friday, September 18th.
