GVCS Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame Induction

Three alumni were inducted into the Genesee Valley Central School (GVCS) Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame on November 6, 2024, at the annual Academic Awards Banquet held at the American House and Hotel.

Chris Plummer, Class of 1989, Belmont Central School

Chris Plummer’s career is marked by expertise in welding and a strong commitment to public service. A graduate of Belmont BOCES Class A Tractor Trailer School and the NYS Corrections Academy, Chris has worked as a journeyman welder, constructing steam turbines for U.S. aircraft carriers and compressors for offshore drilling rigs. In 2017, he founded P-Mac Welding Services LLC, building on nearly three decades of industry experience and numerous welding certifications.

Beyond his profession, Chris has dedicated himself to community service. As a member of the Belmont Fire Company since 2000, he served as Fire Chief from 2017-2019 and earned Firefighter of the Year in both 2015 and 2022. He is also an Allegany County Senior Fire Investigator, Rapid Response and High Angle Rescue Team Leader, and a member of the Sons of the American Legion 808. Chris and his wife, married for over 30 years, are proud parents and grandparents.

Deanna Hand, Class of 1994, Angelica Central School

Deanna Hand’s academic journey began with a Regents Diploma from Angelica Central School and continued with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, followed by a Master’s in Health, Leisure, and Sport from the University of West Florida. She launched her career as an athletic trainer for the Olean Medical Group and later joined Houghton University, where she became the first Senior Woman Administrator for the Athletic Department in 2012.

Now the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations at Houghton University, Deanna manages day-to-day athletic operations, oversees the well-being of student athletes, and leads the Empire 8 Sports Medicine Team. She also serves on the NCAA Committee for Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports as the NCAA DIII SWA Representative. Deanna lives in Angelica with her husband and has two grown children.

Rebekah Fleming, Class of 2009, Genesee Valley Central School

A 2009 graduate of GVCS, Rebekah Fleming earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Rochester and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 2013. Since then, she has held various roles, including Main Propulsion Officer (USS Jason Dunham), Fire Control Officer (USS Gonzalez), Assistant Current Operations Officer (US Naval Forces Southern Command/US Fourth Fleet), Weapons Officer (USS Carney), and Combat Systems Officer (USS Carney).

Her dedication and leadership have earned her recognition as the 2023 Navy Missile Defender of the Year, along with a Combat Action Ribbon and several Navy/Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals.

Congratulations to Chris, Deanna, and Rebekah on their well-deserved induction into the GVCS Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame.