“Leadership isn’t about sitting behind a desk. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, standing behind your team, not above them.”
That line, delivered with quiet conviction, tells you almost everything you need to know about Lorene Bass. She is the kind of leader who makes you feel like you have known her forever: warm, approachable, and deeply authentic. And now, as she prepares to step into her new role as President and CEO of Arc Herkimer, it is clear this is more than a leadership transition. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibility.
For more than 55 years, Arc Herkimer has been a cornerstone in our region, empowering individuals with disabilities and strengthening the Mohawk Valley through services, opportunities, and community partnerships. Today, the organization touches the lives of more than 550 individuals each year, supported by a network of seven divisions and nearly forty sites across the county.
A Community of Divisions
Arc Herkimer’s work is as broad as it is meaningful:
- Supports and Services: A foundation of care that includes eligibility assistance, respite, clinical services, residential support, employment pathways, guardianship, and transportation.
- Herkimer Industries: Creating jobs and training opportunities through industrial operations, preparing individuals for the workforce.
- Goods Store: A community retail hub that doubles as a lifeline, employee those supported by Arc Herkimer, hosting free giveaway days and fostering a culture of generosity.
- MV Golf and Event Center: More than a recreational space, it is a symbol of inclusion that hosts adaptive events and accessible programs.
- Arc Park: A fully accessible park where families and individuals of all abilities can come together.
- Transportation Services: From door-to-door transit to public charters and safety programs, this division provides mobility with purpose.
- Career Connections: A bridge from support to independence, helping individuals find meaningful work and a sense of belonging.
These divisions do not just provide services. They create community. They remind us that giving back is not about charity; it is about inclusion, opportunity, and dignity.
Fundraising with Impact
Arc Herkimer’s commitment extends beyond its core programs. Annual efforts like Mohawk Valley Gives, fund innovative programs such as STEAM education. Events like the Enriching Lives Black Tie gala showcase artwork created by individuals supported by Arc Herkimer, blending creativity, advocacy, and fundraising in one inspiring evening. Even the Arc Open Golf Tournament, complete with adaptive SoloRider carts, embodies the agency’s ethos: everyone belongs.
A New Era of Leadership
This December, longtime President and CEO Kevin Crosley will retire after two decades of visionary leadership. His impact has been extraordinary, but the future is equally bright. Lorene Bass, with 27 years of experience at Arc Herkimer, will take the helm as the first woman to lead the agency in more than 40 years.
Her passion is undeniable: for the individuals Arc Herkimer supports, for the community, and for the staff who give so much of themselves to carry the mission forward. Lorene has walked alongside families, team members, and program participants for nearly three decades, and she is taking on this role with empathy, strength, and a clear vision.
“I lead with heart and as I step into this role, I see a future where Arc Herkimer is even more deeply connected to the families we serve and the community we call home,” says Lorene. “That perspective will guide every decision we make in building innovative programming, expanding opportunities for inclusion, fostering partnerships, and creating supported environments where everyone feels valued and celebrated.””
I believe her. Watching Lorene embrace this new chapter, I see more than continuity. I see growth. I see opportunity. And I see a future where Arc Herkimer not only continues its legacy of giving back but expands it, reaching more people, touching more lives, and building an even stronger Mohawk Valley.
This is what inspires me most about Lorene’s leadership. She reminds us that giving back is not a program or a campaign. It is a way of showing up for people every single day. And with her at the helm, Arc Herkimer is poised to do exactly that, in ways we can only begin to imagine.
