The Food Bank of the Southern Tier announced on Thursday the appointment of a new President & CEO, Mr. Mark Bordeau, effective August 14. Mr. Bordeau brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the organization, as the Food Bank continues to advance its mission of building and sustaining hunger-free communities throughout the Southern Tier.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes food to people struggling with hunger through a network of more than 280 community and agency partners and programs such as pantries, community meals, school food centers, Mobile Food Distribution, Kids’ Farmers Markets, and other hunger relief agencies in Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Broome, Chemung, and Tioga counties.
With decades of experience in the hunger relief and non-profit sectors, Mr. Bordeau is equipped to lead the Food Bank into a new era of sustainable growth and groundbreaking innovation.
As President & CEO, he will Mark Bordeau oversee the organization’s operations, strategy, and partnerships, furthering the vision of the Food Bank.
Bordeau joins the Food Bank from a distinguished career in Executive Leadership and Administration, having held the position of Executive Director of Rural Health Network of SCNY since 2021. Prior to that, he was the Senior Director of Food Service for Broome-Tioga BOCES for 22 years where he administered the child nutrition programs for 15 school districts throughout two counties.
He also served on the Food Bank’s Board of Directors for nine years from 2009-2018, serving as the Advocacy Committee board chair. He is a graduate of class 18 of LeadNY, Cornell University’s Leadership Development Academy, a program for adult professionals in the food, agriculture, and natural resource sectors of the northeast. He succeeds Natasha Thompson, a class 17 graduate of the program, and joins David Patterson, Food Bank COO, a class 19 graduate.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Bordeau said: “The opportunity to lead an organization that is dedicated to combating hunger and making a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families is both humbling and inspiring. I am excited to work alongside the passionate team at the Food Bank and collaborate with our community partners to address the urgent issue of food insecurity.”
“With Mark at the helm, I am confident that the Food Bank will continue to thrive and make an even greater impact in our community,” said Karen Dehais, Diocesan Director and President of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. “Mark brings with him an exceptional track record of leadership and a deep commitment to fighting hunger in our community. His strategic thinking, collaborative approach, and dedication to empowering individuals and families in need will be invaluable as we work towards a hunger-free future.”
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. Catholic Charities fulfills its mission to build a just and compassionate society to advance the dignity of all people through six agencies that serve our neighbors across the 12-county Rochester Diocese.
In a statement from the Food Bank, they said Bordeau’s appointment comes at a critical time as the Food Bank continues to face increased demand for services due to various economic and social challenges. His expertise and visionary leadership will be instrumental in strengthening the organization’s operational efficiency, expanding its outreach efforts, and developing sustainable strategies to address the evolving needs of the community.
