Gail Homick has been appointed executive director of the United Way of Cayuga County.

Homick had served as interim executive director since July 2006 when former director Chris Buscher left the area to take a position with the United Way in San Diego, Calif.

Homick, a member of the United Way board from 1979 to 1990, served as its president in 1989. She joined the United Way in 2001 as director of marketing and resource development.

In a news release, past president and search committee chair James DeRusha said that Homick has "clearly demonstrated her ability to lead Cayuga County's United Way. She will be a fine representative for this organization."

Newly elected board president John Latanyshan said he was pleased with the board's selection. "Gail brings to this position extensive knowledge of the community as well as vast United Way experience and positive energy," he said.

Homick said she looks forward to working with community leaders to address issues about maintaining and improving the quality of life for people in the county.

Homick has lived in Auburn since 1960. She is a graduate of Cayuga Community College and SUNY Oswego. She currently serves as secretary on Auburn Memorial Hospital's board of trustees. In 2003 Homick received a state Board of Regents appointment to serve on the Department of Health's Office of Professional Medical Conduct Board as a public representative and was reappointed for another term last year.

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.