CAO of WNY appoints Tonya Kohlman Hargrove vice president of human resources

The Community Action Organization of WNY (CAO) appointed Tonya Kohlman Hargrove as vice president of human resources. She has worked with CAO for more than 20 years. Hargrove had her start at CAO in August of 2000 as a family partner and data entry clerk for the Head Start programming.

Hargrove took on her first HR role in 2005 as human resources coordinator. In 2018, she was promoted to benefit manager, supervising the entire human resources team, administering employee benefits, and handling employee relations for human resources matters.

Hargrove was appointed vice president of human resources at CAO in September. She is currently studying for her SHRM, SCP, and said looks forward to continuing her work in this new role.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to lead in the HR function at CAO and to put the ‘human’ back into the human resources department with our awesome HR team,” Hargrove said.

As Vice president of human resources at CAO, Hargrove’s responsibilities include developing policies and coordinating human resources activities such as employment, compensation, employee/labor relations, benefits, training and development, and employee services. She also oversees the analysis, maintenance and communication of employees and other records required by law, local governing bodies and all departments within the organization.

CAO CEO L. Nathan Hare said he is grateful so many of the organization’s employees have been able to make a career at CAO.

“The Community Action Organization has been very blessed that we have been able to be a career option for many of our employees,” he said. “Our new vice president for human resources has grown professionally and personally over her more than 20 years career at the CAO. Tonya is highly qualified to serve in this role, even more so as a result of her long tenure of service. All of our team members welcome Tonya in her new role, and we look forward to her continuing contribution to the growth and mission achievement of the CAO.”

CAO’s annual report for the 2019-20 program year will be released in January and include Hargrove’s human resources reports for the year.

The Community Action Organization of WNY was designated in 1965 as the official anti-poverty agency for Erie County with a mission to serve the unmet needs of the low-income populations. Today, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals within Erie and Niagara counties through a variety of programs and services. Visit caowny.org for more information.