Over The Falls – November 2022: HFA Gives Back

At High Falls Advisors, we're passionate about supporting our local communities and the organizations that help make the Rochester area a better place to live, work and play. As such, it’s part of our company culture to encourage team members to make a positive impact through volunteering and charitable giving. Here are just some of the ways HFA gives back.

As a firm, High Falls and our team members volunteer and provide support for Bethel Express, a local organization dedicated to developing our children into productive citizens and champions in society. Read about our most recent financial literacy event.

Carm Sacco uses his IT background in his volunteer activities. He volunteers for the VA providing user support and education for the My HealtheVet site. He is also actively involved in his church, Koinonia Fellowship Church, where he is the Media Center leader providing support of livestreaming, lyric display and videos.

Randi Beach volunteers her time in her kids’ activities, particularly with the Wayne Cheer Boosters Club, where she provides support at events and fundraising activities for the teams.

Tim Verna is a member of the Men’s Club at The Parish of the Holy Family where he helps with meal preparation, service projects and a Christmas Sing Along.

Jim Englert’s lifelong love of music shows in his involvement with the board of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) where he serves as the Chair of the Development Committee and on several other committees. He is currently focused on the upcoming Centennial Campaign.

Raechel Taddei takes her tax knowledge outside of work as the Chair of the Finance Committee and Director at Large of the New York State Society of Enrolled Agents (NYSSEA).

Both Jim McBride and Russ Mandrino have served on numerous boards within the Rochester area. Jim McBride recently “retired” from board duties after 25+ years serving in various board positions with St. John’s Home and St. John’s Foundation. He was honored back in May 2022 for his tireless years of service. Russ Mandrino also served on several boards earlier in his career, including Eastman School of Music and School of the Holy Childhood.

Kevin McPherson has been a volunteer coach for all his kids’ sports, including basketball and baseball, and most recently coached for the Monroe County Babe Ruth League.

Bob Vay uses his former career as a funeral director for the inspiration of his volunteer work on the Board of the Rochester-Genesee Valley Funeral Director Association.

John Littwitz takes his love of lacrosse and running to his volunteer activities. He is a volunteer coach for ROC E6 (Education, Ethics, Equity, Exposure, Empowerment, and Exercise), a lacrosse program that provides opportunities to inner-city youth which they might not normally have. The program began more than 15 years ago, and has allowed both boys and girls to learn and play lacrosse at the youth level and then at the modified, JV, and varsity levels of city schools. It is entirely dependent on volunteer coaches and grants. 

Jen Vogler has served as the Finance Consultant for Irondequoit Girl Scouts for over 10 years and is currently following in the footsteps of Jim McBride and serving as the Secretary of St. John’s Foundation Board.

Ken Burke is volunteer Jr. Instructor at MDK Project, an experience that helps men break through limiting beliefs and gain clarity and purpose to find true meaning in life and in business.