Rex and Micki McCray have been named co-chairs for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s 2023 fundraising campaign. Submitted photo

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has named Rex and Micki McCray as its co-chairs for the 2023 fundraising campaign.

Last year, the United Way raised more than $1.4 million dollars to fund 42 local programs making significant community impact and change in Southern Chautauqua County.

“We’re excited to have Rex and Micki as our chairs for 2023, both are longtime donors and volunteers for United Way,” said United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler. “They’ve been investing in this community in a variety of ways over the years — each with a different background and knowledge of business in the county.”

Rohler added that co-chair “teams” have always proven successful in the past, and with Rex and Micki’s efforts United Way is hopeful to make its 2023 goal of $1.4 million dollars raised. This year’s goal is the highest ever set in United Way’s 100-year history, and Rohler acknowledged it was a “stretch goal.”

“This is a great team and I know from their years of involvement how well we will all work together and how successful we will be,” she said.

When asked why they chose to volunteer for the campaign, Micki said it was the organization’s ability to unite the community.

“I think one of the strengths of this organization is their ability to get everybody together and to work together,” she said. “Not one person or one organization can do it all. You need to be able to tap different areas of the community. Everybody has a part to play, and I think this organization does a very good job of getting everyone together and helping.”

Rex added, “If you ask around to your friends, to your neighbors, your families, coworkers, you’re going to hear about how someone was impacted by the United Way and that to me is the bottom line of what’s important.

Rex and Michelle “Micki” McCray have been happily married for 45 years and consider themselves blessed with two grown children, their daughter and son Shannon Olson, of Jamestown, and Michael McCray, of Washington, DC. They are also very proud of their two grandchildren Emma and Trent Olson, both of Jamestown.

Rex McCray is the CEO and co-owner of Weber Knapp, a local company which focuses on motion control engineering & manufacturing solutions for custom design challenges. The company designs products that are utilized in multiple industry segments including Outdoor Grill & Professional Kitchen Appliances, Hospitality, Medical, Office Ergonomics and Industrial applications.

Rex joined Weber Knapp as a management trainee in 1978 and began donating to the United Way campaign annually. At the time, he felt it was somewhat of an expectation, but his belief is that supporting the community urged him to continue and even increase his giving over time. Now, as CEO and co-owner of the company, his commitment to community service is strong and he encourages a culture of generosity.

Rex was born in Jamestown and has spent the majority of his life in the area. He has been the Chairman/CEO and Co-Owner of Weber Knapp Company since 2011, and the General Manager of MIREM-78 LLC (commercial property) associated with Dot’s Gift Boutique LLC since 2019.

He is a graduate of Southwestern High School and Edinboro University with BS in Economics. He holds both an MBA from Cambridge International and an ED Certificate from the Ashridge School of Business UK.

A lifelong resident of the Jamestown area, Micki grew up in Jamestown and graduated from Southwestern Central High School and JCC.

She spent her professional years in the banking field, having retired from M&T Bank in 2014 after 35 years. She is currently the owner of Dot’s Gift Boutique in downtown Jamestown. She, along with her sister Julie Wootten and daughter Shannon, opened Dot’s in 2019 with the thought of investing in downtown by bringing a unique, well-stocked gift shop to the city. The shop’s name honors her grandmother, Dot Andrzejewski, who was a longtime manager of the Fanny Farmer Candy Store that was directly across the street from current day’s Dot’s Boutique.

Throughout the years, Micki has contributed to the community as a member of the women’s organizations Delta Gamma Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Croche. She served 9 years on the James Prendergast Library Board of Trustees and also on the boards of Chautauqua County Hospice & Palliative Care and Croche. In her spare time, Micki enjoys traveling, golfing, reading and entertaining.

Micki’s introduction to the United Way came through a payroll deduction presentation way back when M&T was locally known as Chase Lincoln Bank. Throughout the years she followed in her mother’s footsteps and served on several allocation committees. She is a firm believer in helping those in need in our community and has found the United Way to be an excellent partner in seeing to those in need.

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County officially kicks off the 2023 Campaign on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Allied Alarm at 4:30 p.m. Allied Alarm is located at 2020 Allen St. Ext., Falconer.