Janene Lucia joined the Department in 1979 to provide administrative support for the Dairy & Food Extension program.  She quickly became her own person, developing relationships with dairy and food industry personnel, as well as the regulatory bodies and educational institutions that supported it.

Janene over the years played a supporting role in nearly all extension activities and was instrumental in organizing multiple programs.  She also played a major role in launching the current Dairy Foods Certificate program.

In addition to her regular duties in “Maintaining the Extension Organization,” she became the longest serving Executive Secretary of the New York State Association for Food Protection, currently in her 24^th year.  (Cornell Professor Emeritus Richard P. March held the position for 23).  In September 2014, Cornell President David Skorton wrote (in Part): “I understand that you have worked with the association for decades and have contributed significantly to Cornell’s efforts to support the state’s food and dairy industries through education and training.  Thank you for all you do, Janene, I appreciate your key role in the important outreach work of the Department of Food Science.”

Janene has supplied similar support to the New York State Cheese Manufacturers’ Association, serving as Executive Secretary / Assistant Treasurer for the past 17 years.  She also currently serves on the Board of The Dairy Task Force at the New York State Fair.

While Janene will be leaving her extension position at Cornell, she will continue her industry presence as Executive Secretary of both the Cheese and Food Protection Associations, maintaining the close ties our Department has developed in the past.

It has been a pleasure having Janene as a colleague all these years and we all wish her a happy semi-retirement with husband Joe in nearby Dryden, NY.

Submitted by:  David K. Bandler & Steven C. Murphy