Andover's Heather Perkins named 2026 NYS Senate "Woman of Distinction"

Perkins is the Chief Operations Officer for the Arc Allegany-Steuben

From the Office of NYS Senator Tom O’Mara,

At a ceremony in the Legislative Office Building in Albany on Tuesday, May 5th, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and his Senate colleagues will honor Heather Perkins, Chief Operations Officer at The Arc Allegany-Steuben, as a New York State Senate 2026 “Woman of Distinction.”

A resident of Andover (Allegany County), Perkins began her career with Allegany Arc in 2003 as a Medicaid Service Coordinator and advanced through various positions, including Behavior Technician, Behavior Specialist, and Director for Behavioral Services, before being named Chief Operations Officer in 2023.

Throughout more than two decades at the agency, she has become widely respected for her leadership and steadfast, compassionate commitment to those she serves. The Arc Allegany-Steuben is an active member of the Collaborative of NY. The Collaborative is a regional association of not-for-profit NYSARC, Inc. human service agencies serving 9,000 individuals challenged with developmental disabilities and their families in 19 central upstate New York counties. Collaborative agencies individually provide residential and day habitation programs, family support, pre-school education, job training and job placement. The collaborative has grown to include all Western and Central New York Chapters.

O’Marasaid, “I am grateful to have this opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to Heather’s leadership, compassion, commitment, and countless contributions to the excellence, quality, and strength of The Arc of Allegany-Steuben and her community.”

Perkins is being honored as part of the Senate’s 28th Annual “Women of Distinction” celebration and will join more than 60 other honorees representing state senatorial districts throughout New York. O’Mara selected Perkins to represent his 58th Senate District covering all of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, and the eastern half of Allegany County (the towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing).

The Senate’s annual recognition program, which began in March to coincide with Women’s History Month, allows senators statewide to select one honoree from their respective legislative districts to be celebrated for their significant accomplishments, service, and contributions to the quality of life within and beyond their communities.

More information and updates, including photos, will be available on O’Mara’s Senate website, www.omara.nysenate.gov, following Tuesday evening’s awards ceremony in Albany.