Jun 25, 2025
Submitted Photo Jim and Sue Mintun, at right, are with David Travis, left, NCCF board president, and Diane Hannum, NCCF executive director.
A standing ovation greeted Jim and Sue Mintun following a video presentation that highlighted the couple’s achievements, contributions and community impact over five decades while living in the Dunkirk-Fredonia region. As recipients of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Footprints award this year, the applause signaled an appreciation and acknowledgement for a couple that was endeared for their leadership.
That presentation was the highlight of the annual meeting of the foundation, which was at the SUNY Fredonia Science Center on Monday afternoon. During the event, the organization highlighted volunteer activities, honored outgoing board members while celebrating nearly 40 years of helping meet community needs.
With more than $43 million in assets, the foundation has touched the lives of thousands through grants to nonprofits and school programs, scholarships while also investing and having a voice when it comes to economic development. This year’s theme of “Strength From Many Strands” focused on the resiliency of the region and the quality of life found here.
“It is not just the natural beauty, it’s the people,” said Diane Hannum, NCCF executive director. “This is a community that cares for one another and that leads with open hearts and minds and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that.”
Seated in the audience of more than 70 individuals included a number of longtime community members and contributors who included Tom Webb, Don Burdick, Dan Putnam, Rick Johnson, Jeff Passafaro, Dan Reininga, and Rick Ketcham. While solid in their support for the foundation, their attendance spoke volumes for the respect of the Mintuns, who were surrounded in the front row by family.
During the video presentation, those in attendance heard of the couple’s values, hard work and giving spirit.
“Compassionate, generous and always looking out for the less fortunate,” said Kevin Sanvidge, who summed up his thoughts on the couple. Sanvidge worked alongside Jim Mintun for years and later was a leader at the former Cliffstar Corp.
In the 1960s, the couple moved to Chautauqua County from Pittsburgh while Jim Mintun was an executive in the steel industry. They immediately became engaged with the area.
“Jim Mintun is a leader,” said Greg Peterson, a Jamestown resident and well-respected attorney. “Behind that leadership is somebody who is extremely wonderful and engaged and supportive.”
He also believed in building relationships and partnerships. He was one of the key players in the 1990s that led to a merger of Chambers of Commerce in the county.
“Jim had the foresight of seeing a united county,” Webb said. “The north county and south county were divided and Jim got the two … to pull together and pull off adjoining of the chambers. … And then Chautauqua County had a big voice with all of the communities acting as one.”
Mintun also was one of the founders of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, which started in 1986 with $635,000 in assets. He and his wife’s continued contributions have helped in growing the organization to its current fiscal status.
“They won’t be there forever, but the trail that they’ve created will be there forever,” said Phil Mintun, one of the four sons. “They’ve created that legacy by example.”
In accepting the award, the Mintuns spoke of the importance of the AL Tech Revolving loan fund, which was begun in 1986 during a transition at the steel plant. It marks 50 years in 2026 and has been utilized by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency to help businesses — large and small get their start.
It is one more benefit for this county’s economy that had roots with the generous couple.
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