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Rebecca Robbins will retire in mid-November after 20 years as Jamestown Board of Public Utilities communications coordinator.
"Becky has helped tell the BPU's story for 20 years, always keeping our customers and community at the heart of her work," said Kristofor Sellstrom, BPU general manager. "Her warmth, dedication and pride in her co-workers have strengthened the connection between the BPU and the people we serve. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her a wonderful retirement with her husband Dale and their family."
Robbins came to the BPU after four years at the Robert H. Jackson Center, where she worked as the director of development and in public relations. In her years at home with children, she worked as part-time executive director of the WCA Foundation Inc., and as a freelance grants writer.
Before and after her children were born, Robbins worked full and part-time in the development office of Chautauqua Institution from 1979-1993, in the succeeding roles of research associate, grants writer and development officer. She previously served as community relations assistant at Jamestown Community College, after working three years as a news editor and announcer at WKSN/WHUG Radios, Jamestown.
She earlier worked at both WKSN-WHUG and WFRA-WVEN Radios in Franklin, Pa., writing advertising, and announcing on weekend shifts. She wrote reviews for the Buffalo Courier Express newspaper.
Robbins was a high school valedictorian in Franklin and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. She attended classes at St. Bonaventure University, Jamestown Community College and the Institute for Philanthropy-University of Indiana.
In the community, Robbins is a member of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation board and previously served on the Carnahan-Jackson, Gebbie and WCA Foundation boards. She was the secretary of the Chautauqua Foundation. She is a member of the Chautauqua Cemetery Board and of the Greater Jamestown Noon Rotary Club.
St. Susan Center honored her this year by establishing the annual Rebecca Robbins Community Partner Award, presented "in recognition of exceptional dedication to community partnership, compassion and service." Robbins operated the yearly BPU's "Cents for St. Susan's" campaign to raise funds for the soup kitchen.
Robbins co-founded a Jamestown Communicators Group and trained in the Chautauqua Leadership Network. She formerly volunteered as president of the Jamestown Girls Club, public relations chair for both the Jamestown Concert Association and the Busti Historical Society and is a former vice president for public relations of the Southern Chautauqua County United Way. She is an associate member of The Creche Inc.
"I've loved working with BPU customers and co-workers," said Robbins. "The BPU is 'the jewel of Jamestown,' with its reliable and affordable services. I'm proud to be part of the BPU, where I have been fortunate to work with wonderful employees and leadership. The employees truly care about our customers and work as a team to help the people in our community."
Robbins is married to Attorney Dale C. Robbins. The couple lives in Jamestown and has three grown children and five grandchildren.