2 weeks Ago
The Johnstown native started out in banking. He’s been in the diner business. He worked as the head of the then-Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
But for 65-year-old Hart, nothing compares to leading the Fulton County-based Lexington Foundation. He’s set to retire from the foundation in February. “I've been able to be involved in some really great things and Lexington certainly has been the pinnacle of all the things that I've done,” Hart said.
“It’s just time [to go]. That’s all.” For 12 years, Hart has led the fundraising arm of a namesake agency tasked with helping disabled and neurodivergent individuals across three counties.
For most of his career, he had never worked directly in the human services field. He knew Arc of Lexington executives Paul Nigra and Shaloni Winston through the FCRCC board while he served as president of the organization. When longtime leader Nigra stepped down as executive director in 2010 due to complications with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Winston filled the void.
She wanted Hart on her team to serve as the organization’s director of business and community development. “I understand that it was a little scary in the beginning because I wasn't really sure if I would fit in and if I would understand how that field works,” he said. “But I can honestly say that, within days, I knew that I was home.
” A year into the position, he was appointed foundation director. In that capacity, he’s been credited with building the foundation’s coffers, along with overseeing the creation, construction and opening of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts in 2015. He also had a hand in launching Transitions, a Lexington program which helps teens and young adults with autism and learning disabilities develop life skills.
“Wally has always embraced the mission and culture of The Arc Lexington, forging everlasting relationships with the people we support,” said foundation board president Judy Schelle in a statement. Hart was awarded the Arc New York’s Marc N. Brandt Exceptional Leadership Award in 2019.
He’s slated to be honored again at the Lexington Night Out gala on Friday. “At The Arc Lexington, we consider everyone part of our family, and Wally has been a cornerstone of that family for years,” said Winston in a statement. “It’s difficult to envision this place without him.
” Lexington is expected to soon begin a search to find Hart’s replacement. Hart plans to stay on in a part-time capacity by serving as a member of the foundation’s advisory board. Winston called Hart's position “incredibly hard to fill.
” Outside of Lexington, he plans on remaining a volunteer with the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market in Gloversville and a trustee with the Johnstown Hospital Foundation. It won’t hold him back from downtime. Hart plans to travel more and spruce up his garden in Gloversville, where he lives with his husband, Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent William Crankshaw.
“I'm designing an expanded garden for the property as we speak and just look forward to having that time to do that in the spring and summer and fall next year without a full time schedule of work,” Hart said. -.
