Gates Chili Hall of Fame

Jamie Comenale has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. As Chief Program Officer for East House Corporation, she oversees programs providing housing, recovery support, counseling, care management and case management to more than 1,200 individuals each year.

Jamie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Social Work from the University at Buffalo. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, a Master Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor and a graduate of the Northstar Healthcare Business Academy.

During her 15-year career with East House, Jamie has advanced through numerous roles, beginning as a Financial Case Manager and later serving as Counselor, Program Manager, Director of Residential Services and Vice President of Residential Services before becoming Chief Program Officer. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its supportive housing capacity by 121 beds, providing critical services to individuals in recovery.

Jamie’s leadership and service have earned significant recognition, including the Rochester Business Journal Healthcare Hero Award in 2024 and 40 Under 40 Award in 2025. She also serves on the Board of Lakeview Health Services, as Vice President of the Consortium of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services Region II and as a member of a Monroe County Community Services Board subcommittee.

Jamie remains deeply connected to Gates Chili. She is married to a fellow Gates Chili graduate, and their three children currently attend district schools. She also gives back as Head Coach of a Cobras FC U12 soccer team and as a volunteer recreational soccer coach.

Reflecting on her own time as a Spartan, Jamie remembers the strong sense of community, supportive teachers and coaches, and friendships that shaped her experience. She credits those relationships with helping her develop the work ethic, resilience and compassion that continue to guide her life and career.

Agathi Georgiou Graham is an entrepreneur, community advocate and philanthropist who has built a successful career while remaining deeply committed to mentorship and service. As owner of Arbor Venues, she transformed a single event space into a multi-venue hospitality company serving hundreds of weddings, corporate events and nonprofit organizations throughout the Rochester region each year. Today, the business employs more than 100 team members.

Agathi earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts and science from Monroe Community College, a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo State University and a master’s degree in communications from SUNY Brockport.

Her entrepreneurial success has also created opportunities to give back. In 2020, Agathi created Bruno’s Blessings in honor of her beloved dog, Bruno. The charitable initiative has since raised more than $40,000 to help families facing unexpected veterinary expenses for senior dogs. She also serves on the Board of Rochester Hope for Pets, mentors emerging professionals through the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and is an active volunteer and leader within the Greek Orthodox Church, including supporting the region’s annual Greek Festival. Her community involvement has also included support for the Center for Youth and Monroe Community College Foundation.

Agathi received the 2024 ATHENA Young Professional Award and was nominated for Business Person of the Year through the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

While proud of her professional accomplishments, Agathi considers raising her daughter her greatest achievement. She believes success is measured not simply by career milestones, but by the positive impact a person has on others.

Reflecting on Gates Chili, Agathi remembers the friendships, teachers and sense of community that helped shape her future. She encourages today’s students to enjoy the journey, get involved and build meaningful relationships, recognizing that those experiences and connections often become some of life’s most cherished memories.

Louis Comenale has built a career in public service centered on leadership, education and protecting others. He currently serves as a Captain with the Gates Fire District, where he has dedicated his professional life to serving the community and developing future generations of firefighters.

Louis earned a degree in Fire Protection Technology from Monroe Community College and completed firefighter training through the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls. A certified New York State firefighter, he has continued to pursue professional growth throughout his career.

As Municipal Training Officer, Louis partnered with Chief Mark Quill, a former Ridge Road Fire Department Captain, to establish the Monroe County Recruit Firefighter Training Program in 2020. The program helps prepare and mentor new firefighters entering the profession. Louis has received multiple service and life-saving awards during his career, including the Medal of Valor. He has also written for Fire Engineering Magazine and earned national recognition for his leadership training presentations and lectures.

His commitment to service extends beyond his profession. Louis volunteered as a youth baseball coach for nine years, served on the Board of Directors for Chili Youth Baseball, coached modified wrestling and represented the Gates Fire District as a liaison for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. He considers being a husband and father of three his greatest accomplishment.

Louis fondly remembers the close-knit community he experienced at Gates Chili, from packed Homecoming football games and wrestling matches in the old gymnasium to the camaraderie of baseball season. His advice to today’s Spartans is to listen to their teachers and coaches, value their time, maintain a positive attitude and always give their best effort. He believes attitude and effort will outlast talent and encourages students to remain lifelong learners.

Nancy DiPonzio has dedicated her life to serving children, families and the Gates Chili community through education, volunteerism and civic engagement. Her journey from Gates Chili student to parent volunteer to School Social Worker reflects a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master of Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan University before completing the certification requirements to become a School Social Worker. Today, she serves Gates Chili students and families in that role, building relationships and connecting families with community resources.

Nancy’s connection to Gates Chili deepened while raising her two children, both of whom attended district schools. She volunteered for field trips and school events, served on the Neil Armstrong School Improvement Team and helped paint a mural that remains on the school’s library wall. She also helped Neil Armstrong obtain 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to expand access to resources and opportunities for students.
Her professional journey began as a stay-at-home parent and school volunteer before she became a Building Substitute and ultimately a School Social Worker. In 2025, Nancy received a GC Pride Award for her dedication and service. She is particularly proud of helping develop an MTSS attendance initiative following the COVID-19 pandemic to address barriers, support families and improve student attendance.

Nancy has also spent decades giving back to the broader community. Through The Dictionary Project, she has helped provide more than 1,500 dictionaries to district students. She has supported DWI simulation programs for more than two decades and has volunteered with numerous civic and charitable initiatives.

As a Gates Chili student, Nancy was a Peer Leader, cheerleader and Student Council officer. Today, she encourages students to get involved, build positive relationships, work hard and take ownership of their education. For Nancy, the connection remains simple: “Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”

Carla Rosati has built a successful career in real estate while demonstrating a lifelong commitment to service, leadership and community involvement. A Real Estate Broker with RE/MAX Realty Group, Carla has spent more than 30 years helping families throughout Greater Rochester navigate some of life’s most significant transitions.

Carla earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from SUNY Fredonia, completed New York State Real Estate Broker licensing requirements and earned the Graduate of the Realtor Institute designation. Throughout her career, she has guided first-time homebuyers, seniors downsizing, relocating families and individuals facing difficult personal circumstances. Her professional accomplishments include being named the number one agent in sales in the Town of Chili in 2025.

Carla’s commitment to serving others extends well beyond her profession. In 2026, she received Assemblymember Harry Bronson’s Women of Distinction Award for her efforts to create meaningful and inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities. She has also been recognized by RE/MAX Realty Group for supporting Golisano Children’s Hospital, donating a portion of every home sale to benefit children and families.

Carla served approximately 15 years on the Town of Chili Board of Assessment Review and currently serves on the Professional Standards Committee and Citation Panel for the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. She has supported the Gates Chili Service Club’s annual holiday food and gift drive, organized deliveries to healthcare workers and essential personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and created the annual “Pie It Forward” initiative in partnership with Special Touch Bakery to promote gratitude, kindness and charitable giving.

Carla considers raising her daughter and instilling the values of kindness, integrity, compassion and service her greatest achievement.
At Gates Chili, athletics, Service Club and her involvement in founding Peers Against Chemical Abuse helped Carla develop resilience, leadership and teamwork. She encourages students to embrace opportunities, get involved and remember that setbacks do not define their future. Most importantly, she encourages them to lead with kindness and recognize the lasting impact they can have on others.

David Lippa has distinguished himself through decades of community service, veteran advocacy and mental health awareness. While building a career as a Lead Delivery Driver with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, David has dedicated countless hours to efforts designed to support others and strengthen the Rochester community.

More than 14 years ago, David founded Stop the 22 a Day, an organization created to raise awareness of mental health challenges affecting veterans, first responders and community members. Through community events, outreach and daily advocacy, he works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health struggles and encourage people to seek help and support. His work is guided by two messages: “Together We All Can Make a Difference” and “Talk Today So You Aren’t a Statistic Tomorrow.”

David’s commitment to service reaches far beyond his advocacy work. He helps coordinate volunteers for the upkeep of the West Webster Memorial, supports the Pirate Toy Fund during the holiday season, assists with clothing drives for people experiencing homelessness and shelters, and contributes to efforts supporting the War on Terror Memorial.

His service has earned widespread recognition. David received the Jefferson Award and a Monroe County Proclamation in 2024, the ITALEO Community Service Award in 2025 and was named the Tops St. Patrick’s Day Parade Citizen of the Year in 2026.

Reflecting on Gates Chili, David credits teachers and staff with helping provide students the tools and guidance needed to navigate life’s challenges. He encourages today’s Spartans to view failures as opportunities to learn, prioritize their health and well-being, build meaningful relationships beyond their phones, and treat others with kindness and respect.

David believes everyone has the ability to make a positive difference. Through his advocacy and volunteerism, he continues to put that belief into action.