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Executive Director
Katherine Strong Bifaro serves as chief staff executive and works with the president in the development of new policies and programs as they are approved by the Board of Directors. She plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the programs and activities of the Association to insure that objectives are met and plans fulfilled. As the Association's administrative officer, she oversees staff and the day-to-day operation of the Association's offices.
Director of Communications
Bonnie O'Brian serves as Editor of the Bulletin, the Bar Association's official monthly publication. She develops communications materials for both members and the general public. Media relations, advertising and public education programs are also among her areas of responsibility.
Director of Development
As Director of Development, Marie Boccio secures sponsorship funds for programs and activities offered by the Bar Association and the Erie Institute of Law. Her responsibilities also include developing membership recruitment and retention efforts and ensuring that the Association's membership services are relevant and consistently provided.
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistant Sharlene A. Hall assists the Executive Director in day-to-day operations of the office and provides staff support for the President and Board of Directors. She serves as the staff liaison to the Judiciary, Judicial Election Oversight and Young Lawyers Committees. In addition, Sharlene coordinates the BAEC's social events and special projects.
Communications Assistant
As Communications Assistant, Susan L. Kohlbacher aids in the production of the Bulletin as editorial assistant and advertising coordinator. She is responsible for editing, producing and distributing the annual Directory of Attorneys & the Courts, for which she sells advertising space. Susan coordinates the Speakers Bureau and other law-related education seminars and special projects for the public.
Comptroller
As Comptroller Heidi J. Mahon maintains the financial records of the Association, the Erie Institute of Law and the Erie County Bar Foundation. Heidi is responsible for maintaining the membership database, overseeing the Foundation's annual fund-raising campaign, helping prepare the annual budget, assists accountants with the annual audit, and also manages the office computer network.
CLE Administrator
Mary A. Kohlbacher is the CLE Administrator for the Erie Institute of Law and works with the CLE Advisory Committee to plan and implement educational programs for the legal profession. She is responsible for marketing and coordinating all programming including the Noonday Lectures Series and live satellite seminars offered by the American Law Network. She also manages and maintains the Institute’s Audio/video library and publishes the annual catalog of CLE programs.
Committee Coordinator and Receptionist
Sherry L. Palermo is the receptionist for the Association. In addition, she serves as Committee Coordinator. In that capacity, she assists the committee chairs in arranging committee meetings, is responsible for all communications to committee members, and maintains all committee files.
Lawyer Referral and Information Service Administrator
Marcia M. McKowan is the Administrator of the Lawyer Referral and Information Service and is responsible for the daily operation of the LRIS. She is also the staff liaison to the Lawyer Referral and Information Service Committee.
Lawyer Referral and Information Service Assistant
Assists callers who seek the information provided by the Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Dispute Settlement Program Administrative Assistant
Leslie Sever Housh is the Administrative Assistant for the Dispute Settlement Program. She assists in the operation of the Dispute Settlement Tribunal, which provides a forum for the resolution of fee disputes between attorneys and clients. She provides staff support to the Committee on Grievances.