Message from the RCC President
As a lifelong resident of East Aurora, I was pleased to accept the role as President of the Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) Board of Directors in November 2011. East Aurora is also home to my wife, Kati, of 30 years and our two daughters. In 1979, I joined Moog Inc., a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems where I am currently the President of the Space and Defense Group.
The Roycroft Campus is centrally located in the Village of East Aurora and has always been of interest to me as well as a curiosity - especially its history and the businesses of Roycroft. As President of the RCC, I will have the opportunity, along with the Board of Directors and staff, in forming the future of the Campus.
My predecessor, Doug Swift, had served the corporation for seven years. He is to be commended for his hard work and accomplishments. Through his leadership, the Copper Shop and Power House were purchased, Campus infrastructure and the Roycroft Gateway were completed, an elevator was installed in the Print Shop, the Power House reconstruction was realized the end of 2011, and the Copper Shop roof has been prepared for replacement. Congratulations!
2012 will be a year to complete construction projects such as the Copper Shop roof, the Stone Wall - that provides a border for the Roycroft Campus, the Campus grounds work - that will reconstruct pedestrian walkways and a circular driveway, enhance parking surfaces, provide signage, and landscaping. In addition to construction, the RCC is negotiating to purchase the Print Shop, currently owned by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). The CCE have been stewards of this building for 50 years and have decided to concentrate on their programming vs. building maintenance.
CCE’s mission impacts programming in Agriculture, Consumer Horticulture 4-H Youth Development, and Nutrition. Their mission is similar and compliments RCC’s in that their goals include a safer environment, a beautiful community, healthier behaviors, youth leadership, and support for other organizations’ work in the community. CCE will continue to occupy space in the Print Shop and will collaborate with the RCC to present this worthwhile programming. An assessment of the Print Shop’s existing conditions was conducted and it will take an estimated $500,000 for immediate repairs and remedial work.
The Board of Directors will also take the time to reassess its mission, by-laws, and strategic plan. By mid 2012 most of the Campus buildings will be owned and controlled by the Roycroft Inn and RCC. This assessment will be our opportunity to decide, based on the Master Plan that was completed a year ago, what the best uses are for the buildings and how they will be supported financially.
We encourage you to watch and read about our progress by regularly visiting our web site. I believe that we will take some dramatic steps in 2012 and 2013 toward restoring the Campus buildings and implementing quality programming. Better still, visit us in East Aurora, New York – and see where the American Arts & Crafts Movement began. Thank you for your support.
- Jay Hennig, President, Roycroft Campus
Corporation
