Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard was born in Niagara Falls. She moved to Spencerport with her mother and brother when she was six years old to live with her grandfather, and this is where she has spent much of her life. She grew up at a time when Spencerport was more rural, long before the village was bustling as it is now.
Gay graduated from Spencerport High School and then went to college at RIT, where she earned a two-year degree in business. She met her future husband, Don, at a college dance, and they began dating. Gay was not ready to settle down at that time in her life and moved to Las Vegas to be near her father. After a year, she moved back to Spencerport and reconnected with Don. They later married and raised their daughters, Robbie and Kristie, in Spencerport.
Gay worked several different secretarial jobs, but her priorities shifted from her career to her family once she became a mom. After their daughters were teens, Gay decided to go back to college to obtain her four-year degree. “Going back to college as a mother of two young children and a wife was frightening and intimidating, but receiving my college education has provided endless rewards,” Gay said. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating summa cum laude.
Gay’s career in local government began with the Spencerport Board of Education. She served on the school board for ten years and held the office of President for three years. Gay then went on to serve as the Assistant to the Supervisor for the Town of Ogden. As her responsibilities and experience increased, she then became the town’s Director of Personnel. When former Supervisor Donald Walzer retired in 1998, Lenhard was encouraged to run for the Town Supervisor position. She was elected to office and has held this seat for 23 years, with a total of 40 years of town employment. She officially announced her retirement this summer. Mike Zale was elected to succeed her as Ogden Town Supervisor.
During Gay’s decades of service to the community, she was awarded the NYS Woman of Distinction Award (2003), served as a Spencerport Chamber of Commerce board member, served on the Eagle Scout Review Board, was Chairperson of the Ogden Senior Center Advisory Board, and served on various boards at The White Church.
As Gay reflects on her years working in community government, she sees how much has changed over the last 20 years. “There has been such great change. The town has welcomed so many new businesses over the years, both small and large, as well as the increase in the many new housing developments built in Ogden. We have gone from a rural community to a highly sought-after suburb of Rochester. I really enjoy seeing the local stores and businesses thrive,” she said.
Lenhard has many favorite memories throughout her career. “Meeting so many wonderful people, both residents and employees, was very rewarding.” She is also grateful to have had an impact on community initiatives such as CASE (Commission to Analyze Savings and Efficiency), bringing quality water to residents on Vroom Road, completing a comprehensive plan for the future of Ogden, and assisting with the formation of a self-funded Municipal Worker’s Compensation Plan that is still running successfully .
As a lifelong resident of Spencerport who gave four decades of her life to serving the community, Gay’s career was influential on many. She credits her mother as being one of the biggest influences in her life and on her career in local government. Her mom raised both Gay and her brother as a single parent. “Seeing my mom overcome many challenging situations helped me develop my strong work ethic,” Gay said. She was also influenced by many colleagues over the span of her career in government, which provided her with valuable insight.
The town will be celebrating Supervisor Gay Lenhard’s retirement at the end of the month as they congratulate her on her years of service. Although retired, Gay will remain a familiar face in the town. “I hope to enjoy walks in the village, spend time with my friends and family, volunteer, and maybe even take a trip or two,” she said.
