2026 Third Age Achievement Award Honoree Bios
BOB BELBER
General Manager ✦
MVP Arena
Bob Belber is a visionary, leader and storyteller in live entertainment whose career has brought world-class concerts, sporting events and shared experiences to the Capital Region. Over four decades, he has helped MVP Arena and its predecessors become a premier destination for memorable events.
Bob grew up in Montauk, New York, the son of a commercial fisherman. From an early age, he worked on the family’s fishing boat, spending three-day trips up to 90 miles offshore hauling thousands of pounds of fish. Those experiences taught him the value of hard work, teamwork and perseverance. One childhood encounter with a Russian submarine in U.S. waters during the Cold War became a lifelong story he shares in his memoir Life with the Stars, which chronicles his adventures behind the scenes of live entertainment.
In school, Bob excelled at basketball and football and enjoyed hobbies including surf fishing, restoring muscle cars and collecting stamps. While those interests didn’t point directly to his career, they helped him develop the curiosity and persistence that guided his path.
After running an advertising agency in Salt Lake City, Bob returned to New York and was introduced to Joe Future, owner of the Colony Coliseum. In 1983, he began managing marketing for the theater and quickly advanced to general manager, learning directly from Joe how to book major concerts and manage large-scale live events. He later became director of booking for SMG, coordinating tours across venues nationwide and building trust and long-term relationships with agents and artists.
Bob has overseen thousands of events at MVP Arena and its predecessors, including sold-out concerts by major artists and NCAA championships. Highlights include the National Wrestling Championships, NCAA Frozen Four hockey and NCAA regional basketball tournaments, which brought thousands of visitors to Albany and generated significant community impact.
He is proud of his staff, who collectively bring over 175 years of experience to the arena, and credits them, along with his wife Bobbie, his five children and grandson, for their support throughout the demands of a career in live entertainment. Bob has also given back to the community, including auctioning his personal collection of nearly 500 backstage passes to provide holiday bonuses to his employees.
Bob emphasizes mentorship and guidance for young professionals, encouraging patience, communication and learning from others. He believes that relationships and effective communication are key to building a successful career.
Bob’s leadership has helped make Albany a hub for live events, creating experiences that entertain, inspire and connect the community. His work reflects a commitment to excellence, the people around him and the memorable experiences that live entertainment can create.
CONNIE CENTRELLO
Volunteer ✦ St. Vincent's de Paul Church
Connie Centrello is an educator, advocate and community leader whose life has been shaped by service, curiosity and a deep connection to people. She was born in New York City and grew up in Yonkers with her two older sisters. Her childhood was filled with outdoor adventures in the wooded Homefield area, exploring the woods, picking blackberries and playing with neighborhood friends. Connie also learned early lessons about empathy and understanding through her experiences with her sister, who had intellectual challenges.
As a teenager, she joined a co-op yacht club in New Rochelle where she learned to swim and sail, a passion she continued through college. Connie attended the College of Saint Rose in Albany starting in 1968, studying education, and she has remained in the Capital Region ever since. Her early volunteer work in high school helping children at the public library planted the seeds for a lifelong commitment to supporting others.
After college, Connie taught preschool and middle school and spent summers working for the Department of Environmental Conservation. She later spent 29 years at the New York State Education Department, gaining experience in multiple offices and developing skills that would support her work with refugee families.
In 2008, at the age of 58, Connie retired and shifted her focus from paperwork and budgets to direct service. She spent a year in the Darien region of Panama working with the Maryknoll Sisters to support local communities and environmental initiatives and continues to return each winter. Building on that experience, Connie has devoted the past fifteen years to helping Myanmar/Burmese refugees as they build new lives in Albany. She is an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where her faith inspires her work. Her volunteer efforts include attending births, helping families navigate medical appointments and school registrations, tutoring children, assisting with green card and citizenship applications and advocating for children with special needs. Connie also mobilizes community resources for housing, social services and essentials like clothing and toys, and helps connect families to educational and recreational opportunities.
Connie’s proudest moments include attending citizenship ceremonies, seeing students graduate or start college and celebrating milestones with the families she has supported. Outside of her volunteer work, she enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks, biking locally and abroad and traveling internationally.
Through her mentorship, advocacy and care, she has strengthened families, supported youth and enriched the Albany area. Her story shows that life after retirement can be full of purpose, connection and meaningful impact.
WILLIAM KENNEDY
Novelist ✦ Journalist
William “Bill” Kennedy is a novelist, journalist, playwright, screenwriter, educator and lifelong storyteller whose work has shaped literature, journalism and the arts for decades. He is being honored for his contributions to American letters, his mentorship of generations of writers and for his enduring impact on the Capital Region’s cultural life.
Born and raised in Albany’s North End, Kennedy grew up surrounded by books, newspapers and the city’s political pulse. An only child, he found companionship among close friends who became like brothers. From a young age, he explored chemistry sets and home experiments while devouring literature from Tarzan to Jack London. He admired newspaper columnists, particularly Damon Runyon, whose storytelling captured humor and drama in everyday life.
Kennedy attended Siena College, where he joined the college newspaper and began writing columns of his own. After graduating in 1949, he started his professional career as a sportswriter at the Glens Falls Post-Star. The work taught him discipline under daily deadlines and sharpened his instinct for storytelling. In 1950 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Europe, continuing to write columns about life in the service, which were published back home.
Following military service, Kennedy returned to Albany and joined the Albany Times Union as a reporter. He covered the city’s political machine, experiences that later inspired many characters and themes in his fiction. During this period he also spent time in Puerto Rico, managing newspapers, writing features and further honing his narrative craft. It was during these years that he met Dana Segarra, a dancer and performer who became his life partner, supporting both his creative ambitions and their growing family. Together they raised three children in a home grounded in creativity, curiosity and civic engagement.
Though successful in journalism, Kennedy felt drawn to fiction. Inspired by the literary energy of the era, he left full-time reporting to focus on novels. Early manuscripts were rejected and the family lived modestly while he worked on fiction and freelance assignments. Returning to Albany to care for his father, he drew on family stories, neighborhood memories and the city’s political culture to create the Albany Cycle, an interconnected series of novels.
The most celebrated of these, Ironweed, tells the story of Francis Phelan, a former baseball player confronting his past during the Great Depression. It earned Kennedy the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Other acclaimed works include Legs, Billy Phelan’s Greatest Game, Quinn’s Book, Very Old Bones and Roscoe. After receiving a MacArthur Fellowship, he helped establish the New York State Writers Institute, now a respected literary center hosting writers, journalists and poets and inspiring countless students and readers.
He still goes to his office daily, in a full suit and tie, writing and mentoring. His lifelong dedication to storytelling, teaching and community reflects a belief in the power of words to preserve history, shape identity and connect generations. At 98 years young, he is more than 100 pages into his next novel, a testament to a life fully devoted to narrative, expression and influence.
CHET OPALKA
Community Leader
Chet Opalka is a scientist, entrepreneur, investor and community leader whose life reflects a commitment to innovation, generosity and ongoing impact well into what many consider retirement.
Born in Amsterdam, New York, Chet grew up in a working-class family when the city’s carpet mills powered the local economy. Both his parents worked in the mills, and when the companies moved south in the late 1950s, his family faced uncertainty. Despite this, Chet’s parents valued education and encouraged him to pursue opportunities beyond the factory floor, setting him on a path toward science and discovery.
Chet earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Niagara University and began his career at Sterling Drug, where he spent two decades in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical development. During that time, he invented a drug for congestive heart failure, helping patients unresponsive to traditional treatments.
In 1991, Chet co-founded Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI), a chemistry services company supporting the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences industries. The company grew into a global enterprise and helped establish the Capital Region as a center for scientific innovation. Over his career, Chet was named as inventor or co-inventor on nearly 30 U.S. patents and authored multiple scientific publications.
Since stepping away from daily corporate leadership in 2000, Chet has devoted his time to mentoring entrepreneurs, investing in emerging companies and strengthening the community that shaped his career. As president of Opalka Family Investment Partners, he has spent over two decades helping early-stage companies navigate the challenges of building a business, focusing on keeping innovation and opportunity in the Capital Region.
Philanthropy is central to Chet’s life. Together with his wife, Karen, he established the Kiwi Foundation to support education, the arts and humanitarian efforts locally and globally. Their contributions helped create the Opalka Gallery at Russell Sage College and the Opalka Endowed Directorship at the New York State Writers Institute, among other initiatives. The Opalkas are founding supporters of The Global Child in Siem Reap, Cambodia, a school and community program providing education and opportunity for children affected by decades of conflict. Today, many graduates have built careers and businesses of their own.
Chet’s commitment to giving back traces in part to his mother, who grew more food in her garden than the family needed and shared it with neighbors. That philosophy stayed with him: when you have more than enough, you share. Throughout his life, Chet has believed that success carries a responsibility to support others, mentor younger generations and strengthen the communities where people live and work. His leadership in science, business and philanthropy reflects a belief that purpose and contribution do not end with retirement.
BOB PASSONNO
Community Volunteer
Bob Passonno is a dedicated public servant, community leader and lifelong volunteer whose work has strengthened Watervliet and the surrounding region.
He is a lifelong resident of Watervliet, where he has lived in five different homes within the same four-block area. Growing up in the city, he benefited from a close-knit neighborhood and youth sports programs that inspired him to coach and support similar activities. These experiences instilled a lifelong commitment to service and connection within his community.
Bob began his career with the Watervliet Police Department, serving first as a patrol officer and later as a sergeant. After retiring, he continued his work in public safety as assistant director of law enforcement engagement and training for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, where he developed statewide training programs on domestic violence, elder abuse and stalking. He also serves as a certified trainer for the TIPS program educating bartenders and servers on responsible alcohol service and is currently president of the Watervliet Civil Service Commission.
For more than 50 years, Bob has brought joy to his community as Santa Claus for local schools, organizations and events. He treasures the role for the opportunity to brighten the lives of children and families and has made it a cornerstone of his volunteer work. He is a 50-year member of Watervliet-Colonie Elks Lodge No. 1500, serving in leadership roles including exalted ruler, state capital district deputy grand exalted ruler and chair of the Drug Awareness Program. He has volunteered with lodge committees, youth leagues and charitable events and also serves as trustee, lector, Eucharistic minister and catechist at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, participating in mission trips to Belize and Nicaragua. Bob has served on the board of Joseph’s House & Shelter in Troy and contributed to the Watervliet Police Policy Review Committee.
Bob’s personal life reflects the same dedication he brings to his community. He has been married for more than four decades and is a proud father and grandfather. He draws energy and inspiration from his family, finding joy in shared traditions, laughter and time together.
Driven by a desire to give back to the community that shaped him, Bob remains active in his church, lodge and local programs. Through his professional work, volunteer efforts and personal example, he demonstrates that meaningful contribution is not limited by age, inspiring others to remain engaged and active in their communities.
DEB CATALFAMO RIITANO
Director ✦ Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary
Deb Riitano is a community leader, interfaith advocate and lifelong mentor whose decades of service have impacted Albany and surrounding communities.
She is a lifelong resident of the Capital Region whose decades-long career in community service, interfaith leadership and public engagement has had a lasting impact across Albany and surrounding communities. Born and raised in Colonie, New York, Deb grew up in a large Italian family, one of six children, where faith, family and service were central values that continue to guide her personally and professionally.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business education and a master’s in educational psychology from The College of Saint Rose. Early in her career, Deb taught business at Draper High School and served as an adjunct instructor while raising her family.
Deb’s professional journey has been defined by service and leadership. She served as human services director for the Town of Rotterdam and coordinated Albany’s Naturally Occurring Retirement Community initiative, helping expand support systems for older adults. She later led the Capital Area Council of Churches as executive director, bringing together faith communities to address social issues, advocacy and ecumenical engagement. Her interfaith work has spanned decades, including programs at Saint Rose. She has built bridges across faith and cultural lines and earned recognition from Jewish, Muslim and other organizations for advancing dialogue and understanding.
Deb also served as commissioner of the Albany County Department for Aging, advocating for accessible, culturally responsive services and addressing issues such as ageism. In her current role as director of the Interfaith Sanctuary for Albany County, she continues her lifelong mission to foster inclusive spaces for reflection, dialogue and unity.
Throughout her career, Deb has emphasized the importance of showing up and being present for those in need. She approaches every role as a form of ministry, whether working with Holocaust survivors at the Jewish Community Center, coordinating responses during the COVID-19 pandemic, or supporting families experiencing homelessness. Even in a busy life, she values small moments of quiet reflection, such as sitting in the vestibule of the Interfaith Sanctuary to consider her work and faith.
Beyond her professional achievements, Deb’s humor and spirit shine through. She describes herself as a former “flower child” and jokes about her dream of appearing on Saturday Night Live, showing that even after decades of leadership and service, she approaches life with curiosity, joy and a touch of mischief.
Deb remains active in her parish, engages in interfaith fellowship and supports community initiatives. She and her husband, Joe Riitano, have raised six children and enjoy family life with their grandchildren. Deb Riitano’s life is a testament to service, empathy and enduring commitment to community. She demonstrates that meaningful leadership is measured not by accolades but by the lives touched, the relationships built and the bridges forged across differences.
ANNE SAILE
Healthcare ✦ Government Executive
Anne Saile is a compassionate and visionary leader whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to family, community and service across the Capital Region. Known for her integrity, generosity and ability to inspire others, she has built a distinguished career at the intersection of healthcare, public service, culture and civic leadership.
A lifelong resident of the Capital Region, Anne was raised in Cohoes in a single-parent household, where her mother instilled in her the belief that education is a lifelong investment. An early formative moment, stepping in as a substitute teacher while still in fifth grade, taught her the lasting value of stepping forward before feeling fully ready, a lesson that has guided her willingness to take thoughtful risks and embrace leadership opportunities throughout her life.
Throughout her career, Anne has been recognized for leading complex organizational turnarounds and for building cultures rooted in accountability, compassion and excellence. Her leadership roles have included director of The Hyde Collection, president and CEO of Bellevue Women’s Hospital and executive director of the New York State Office of Professional and Medical Conduct. At Living Resources, she helped launch one of the region’s first community residential programs supporting individuals transitioning from long-term institutional care, an effort that reflected her enduring commitment to dignity and inclusion.
A passionate philanthropist, Anne has helped raise millions of dollars for causes close to her heart. She believes deeply in the power of collective generosity and encourages others to give not only financially but also through their time, voice and leadership, always keeping the human impact at the center.
Anne’s civic engagement has been extensive. She has served on numerous boards and initiatives, including as a founding member of the Forum for Executive Women of the Capital Region, the Women@Work Advisory Board, the American Heart Association, the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society, the Center for Economic Growth and the Healthcare Advisory Board in Washington, D.C. She has also participated in and spoken at events on the national stage, sharing her experience and perspective on leadership, healthcare and community impact. She currently serves on the Mayor’s Talent Transition Team for Activate Albany and has been recognized by governors and national organizations for her contributions.
She is a graduate of Russell Sage College, pursued advanced studies in public health at Oxford University and was an inaugural participant in Harvard University’s International Symposium on Telemedicine.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anne finds joy in spending time with friends, writing, painting, playing the piano, reading and traveling. Above all, she treasures time with her husband, Larry, their children and grandchildren, who remain her greatest source of pride and inspiration.
Anne believes that meaningful leadership begins with the courage to step forward, the compassion to lift others and the conviction to leave every community stronger than you found it.
CRICKETT THOMAS-O'DELL
Director ✦ Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program for Workforce Development Institute ✦
NYS Building & Construction Trades Council
Crickett Thomas O’Dell is a passionate, dedicated mentor, community leader and athlete who has spent her life fostering opportunity, inclusion and growth in the Capital Region.
Crickett was born and raised in Albany’s South End as one of 11 children. Growing up in a large family taught her the importance of community, mutual support and looking out for others. She recalls a childhood where siblings banded together, neighbors became extended family and every challenge was met with teamwork. These early lessons continue to guide her approach to life, work and mentorship.
A lifelong athlete, Crickett began martial arts at age 10 after her mother wanted to protect her from roughhousing siblings. She has since earned a fifth-degree black belt in karate and a first-degree black belt in judo. Basketball and volleyball have been central to her life, both as a player, coach and referee. In 2024, she was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame and continues to referee high school games, mentoring young athletes along the way.
Crickett’s faith and community involvement have always been foundational to who she is. She is active in Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, participating in the Usher and Women’s Ministries, liturgical dance and Woman’s Day choir. Through these roles, she combines spiritual growth with creative expression and service to others.
Her professional career reflects the values she learned growing up. Crickett has worked in corporate sector, education, STEM initiatives, nonprofit leadership and workforce development. She started at AT&T and created a solid business foundation and then returned to her alma mater to recruit young women to Russell Sage College, celebrating their graduations and continuing to mentor them long after. Today, she serves as statewide pre-apprentice program for the Workforce Development Institute and the NYS Building Trades Council. She leads programs that connect women, veterans and historically underrepresented populations to family-sustaining and high-road employment careers in the unionized building trades. One of her programs launched just blocks from where she grew up, creating opportunities for local residents to enter high-skilled, high-wage positions. Watching participants graduate, often cheered on by family, reinforces the life-changing impact of her work.
Crickett is married to Dennis O’Dell, and together they have a daughter, Brianna, who shares their love of sports. She enjoys passing on lessons of service and community engagement to her family, including activities like donating toys to the Salvation Army to teach generosity and gratitude and volunteering at the Regional Food Bank.
Crickett credits her mother as her first and most important mentor, shaping her values of strength, service and faith. She approaches life guided by integrity and compassion, always striving to leave situations better than she found them. Recognized for leadership, mentorship and community impact, Crickett Thomas O’Dell embodies a commitment to helping others reach their potential while inspiring growth and giving back.