Joseph DiSorbo
OHS Class of 1987

Earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Geography from SUNY at Buffalo, dual master’s degrees in Finance and International Management from the University of New Mexico, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School (OPM41). While obtaining his MBA, interned for the Department of Commerce, earned a scholarship to study Brazilian capital markets in Rio de Janiero, and was vice president of the International Business Student Association. A member of the Tiger21 learning network for high-net worth investors, a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and past president of the Las Vegas Chapter, and class secretary for his Harvard Business School Class. 

An accomplished self-made technology entrepreneur and international businessman, who is passionate about macroeconomics, and developing new ideas that solve problems to create value. Advice to college students and entrepreneurs is to use business as a tool to help others and as a force for good.

Began his business career in 1995 with Cutco Corporation as a Financial Manager in Seoul, Korea, and was promoted to Vice President of Finance and Administration in 1996. In 1998 moved to Palo Alto, CA to start his own technology companies. In 1999 founded StudentPlanet.com that published resources for college students. Between 2001- 2016 founded Webgistix Corporation, an e-commerce software and order fulfillment company. As CEO of Webgistix, has established two operations in Olean, employing hundreds from his hometown community. An active investor and member of BitAngels, and was an early investor in Bitcoin and other crypto currencies. In 2017 founded a new company, Ship.com.

Raised in Western New York and surrounded by family and friends who ran local businesses, Joe DiSorbo values loyalty, humility, hard work and self-reliance, and he attributes these values to his parents, his OHS education, and growing up in the Olean community.

Kevin A. Keenan
OHS Class of 1978

Holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from St. Bonaventure University, and served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years. Career spans work in radio, television, public relations and strategic communications.   

Started the OHS "Huskie Half" radio program with fellow classmates on local radio stations.  Covered OHS basketball games on WHDL from 1978 to 1982, and later worked for radio stations in Rochester and Buffalo as a news anchor, airborne traffic reporter, news director, program director, operations manager and morning show co-host. 

In 2000, was selected as the first lay person to serve as Director of Communications for the Diocese of Buffalo and chief spokesman for the bishop. In 2011, became founding partner and President/CEO of Keenan Communications Group (KCG).  KCG focuses on strategic communications consulting, crisis communications, public relations, social media and grassroots advocacy. Serves as strategic communications consultant to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and D'Youville College (Buffalo) and is Communications Director for Archbishop John Carroll High School (Philadelphia). Is also an advocate for Catholic education at the state level as Director of Public Policy for the Diocese of Buffalo, and has served as a communications consultant for the National Catholic Educational Association, based in Washington, D.C. 

Kevin Keenan has focused on being a servant leader while devoting time giving back to the community as a member of several boards, a youth basketball coach and a U.S.A. Swimming official. Believes the teachers, coaches and experiences he had at Olean High School helped to shape and guide him through college and throughout his career.  

 IN APPRECIATION

In May of 2001, a steering committee consisting of David Carucci, Joyce Melfi, and OCSD Superintendent, Dr. Ralph Kerr, met to discuss the idea of establishing an educational foundation. The first meeting of the

OCSD FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

was held on November 7, 2002 with the following members:

Jon Baker
Dave Carucci
Tammy Crawford
Joe DeCerbo
John Dwaileebe, Jr.
Kevin Forrest
Dr. Raph Kerr
Joyce Melfi
Mickey Parks
Meme Yanetsko

 Since that first meeting, the OCSD Foundation has raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund academic grant requests that enable creative opportunities and broaden the horizons of our Olean City School District students.

 In 2005 The OCSD Foundation Board of Directors established, and continues to support the OCSD WALL OF HONOR. The OCSD Wall of Honor recognizes individuals from the OCSD who have demonstrated the value of academics, well defined goals, and leadership.

ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS OF THE OCSD, WITH APPRECIATION TO THE ORIGINAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR VISION, AND TO ALL SUBSEQENT BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY:

“ENHANCED THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR OLEAN STUDENTS.”

Mark H. Greene, MD
OHS Class of 1962

Received a B.A. in English from Yale University in 1966, an M.D. from Tufts University in 1970, and completed his Medical Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1972. After three years with the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, came to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1975 as a Staff Fellow in the Environmental Epidemiology Branch. In 1977 became a Senior Investigator and, subsequently, Coordinator of the Family Studies within the NCI’s Environmental Epidemiology Branch. In 1984, was appointed Deputy Branch Chief of the EEB.  

In 1991 joined the faculty of Mayo Clinic Scottsdale as Professor of Oncology. While at Mayo, was an investigator with a variety of cooperative oncology groups, and in 1994 became the Principal Investigator for the Mayo Cancer Center’s Familial Cancer Program. In 1999, returned to the NCI as Branch Chief of the Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics and served as Branch Chief through 2013. Currently working full time as Senior Principal Investigator at CGB, NCI.

Has numerous national awards and professional publications to his credit. Major research interests are familial hereditary cancers, in which he demonstrated for the first time, that cancer is part of the myotonic dystrophy phenotype. Serves as the national Study Chair and Principal Investigator for the National Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Dr. Greene has played a major role in training and mentoring the next generation of clinical cancer genetics investigators through his work at the National Cancer Institute. He credits his entire educational experience in Olean from kindergarten through high school, learning from terrific teachers and classmates, as setting the stage for his ground-breaking career in medicine. 

Howard Van Scoter
Olean High School Physics Teacher 1970-2001

Joined the teaching staff at the Olean High School in 1970 where he taught Regents Physics for more than 30 years and served as the science department chair for four years.  Was the co-recipient of the first local “Outstanding Science and Mathematics Teacher Award” presented by the Alcas Cutlery Corporation, and was selected by the NYS Education Department to be a Regional Physics Mentor for the State of New York , serving for five years. Organized funding and directed workshops for elementary teachers with an emphasis on the elementary science syllabus and the development of hands on activities.

Truly an outstanding teacher who encouraged, challenged and motivated his students. He was a master educator who could differentiate education in the classroom by encouraging the insecure, exciting the passion of the bored, and challenging the gifted.  Helping thousands of students find their potential throughout his career at Olean… teachers, engineers, medical professionals, and so many other graduates found their passion in his classroom. Described by countless OHS students as their most inspirational teacher, he has received numerous letters of thanks from OHS graduates and as well as being nominated for various teaching awards by his students.  

A graduate of Mansfield University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and has also completed graduate studies at SUNY Oswego and St. Bonaventure University.  Mr. Howie Van Scoter resides in Eldred, PA where he has been awarded a lifetime membership in the Eldred Volunteer Fire Department and the Eldred Conservation Club.  He is also a volunteer coach of the Otto-Eldred Regional Trap Team.