An organization about to have its doors closed in 1969 was blessed to hire a new executive director, R. Benjamin Wiley, age 24. Leaving his employment with GTE, armed with the knowledge hat he could return if things didn't work out, Ben gave the Greater Erie Community Action Committee its new start, but first he had to create a new GECAC. Traveling to Washington to talk to the federal officials at the office of Economic Opportunity, assuring Astor Kirk, the Offices director, that he could turn things around with a little time and patience from OEO, “just don't close our doors”…the legacy began. For the next thirty-five years, Ben Wiley was a dedicated community leader, a champion of the disadvantaged, and a true public servant.

Directed by OEO to implement a Concerted Management Improvement Project, the management consultant of Booz, Allen and Hamilton worked with the new Executive Director to:

• Refine the agency's mission, role and purpose

• Reform the Board of directors to achieve sound, consistent, responsible policy direction

• Develop a strong management staff reflecting administrative competence and sensitivity to social problems and minority groups

• Develop financial policy and procedures assuring sound financial accountability to funding sources

• Develop personnel policy and procedures

Mr. Wiley reached out for the best recruits, from the local business community and from the best universities, people who would use their talents to mentor others. “I looked for people who were well-educated, to come in stay for two or three years, pass it along to others who would shadow them and build hometown talent.” He emphasized planning and fiscal responsibility.

He was exceptionally successful in recruiting the best. He personally convinced J. Robert Baldwin, Erie's most influential businessman at that time, to chair the board. Former Governor Tom Ridge, the Assistant District Attorney, became the Board Treasurer. One of Ben's recruits, Edward M. Gabriel went on to become Ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Morocco. Another Richard Browdie became the Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging. Countless other, with whom he interacted, became self-sufficient graduated from college, became community leaders.

The Erie Community, and beyond, benefited from his efforts as GECAC was redesigned and developed, under Mr. Wiley's leadership, into a premier social agency with funding at the time of his death of $37,014,236, serving over 50,000 clients annually, and employing a staff of 412.

Today, GECAC and the services provided remain a testament to Mr. Wiley's vision. His leadership created a strong viable organization dedicated to “helping people, changing lives.”

Mr. Wiley was widely recognized for his service to the community receiving numerous national, state and local awards including Gannon University Basketball Hall of Fame (1986), the Lewis Hine Award (1988), Distinguished Pennsylvanian Award by the William Penn Society of Gannon University (1988), Employer of the Year by the Business and Professional Women of Erie County (1989), YMCA Black Achiever Corporate Cup (1998), Downtown Person of the Year (1999), John D. Whisman Vision Award (2000), Alexis de Tocqueville Award (2000), Black Opinion Man of the Year (2001), Liberty Bell Award by the Erie County Association (2002), and the R. Benjamin Wiley Academy of Technology at the Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, so named by the Erie School District honoring Mr. Wiley for “outstanding community and educational leadership” (2004).

Mr. Wiley was the founder of the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation, the GECAC Community Charter School, the Walter Osborne Memorial Scholarship fund and the Erie Conference on African American Affairs.

A strong proponent of education, Mr. Wiley, a graduate of Gannon University with both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, served on the Board of Governors for the State System of Higher Education, where he served as vice chairman.

As the following comments attest, the Erie community, the Community Action network of agencies, friends, family and colleagues still miss their friend, Ben Wiley.

“He made you a better person” – Dianne Presogna, GECAC Vice President/Financial Services

“We have lost a man who never lost sight of us…he will always be in our hearts” – Tome Ridge, Former Secretary US Department of Homeland Security

“Thank you for being a go-to person who taught all of us how to hang in there, how to handle pain and disappointment with dignity, and how to convert negative experiences into positive ones…Ben was the wisest person I have ever known…a 24/7 kind of person…if a person remains alive for as long as he is remembered, Ben Wiley will live forever.” – Dr. Frank Pogue, former President of Edinboro University

“He was a visionary leader who welcomed the challenges and rewards of public service with great passion…Ben lived an extraordinary life – a life filled with honor, service and love for his family” – Edward Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania

“Governor' Wiley was a proud and might presence on behalf of public higher education…a friend of all students and a stalwart advocate for those underserved segments of our citizenry” – James McCormick, former Chancellor of the PA State System of Higher Education

“He lived a remarkable life that exemplifies what faith in God can do” – Dr. Eugene Schoolfield, II, Pastor, St. James A.M.E. Church

“The agency known as the Greater Erie Community Action Committee is a testament to the wisdom of a great leader” – Bishop Jesse Gavin, Pastor, Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church

“I have traveled to many countries of the world and had the humble opportunity to work closely with greater leaders of the world…in my eyes the ‘Colonel' held a throne higher than all. Ben cared so much about all of us and always made me feel like I had place to come home to' – Edward Gabriel, Former Ambassador to Morocco

“Ben was an outstanding community leader and a true advocate for people…his many contributions to the people of Erie and our Commonwealth will be long remembered and he will be missed” – Robert Casey, Jr., United State Senator

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