ALBANY – As chair of the Capital Region Heart Ball on Feb. 25, Dan Pickett, CEO of nfrastructure, is bringing together organizations and businesses to help improve the health of Capital District residents.
“The American Heart Association is one of the most impactful of its type in our community,” said Pickett. “One of the foci of the Pickett Family Foundation is health care. I’m also a director at Albany Medical Center, which now has an affiliate agreement with Saratoga Hospital and Columbia Memorial Health. Chairing the Heart Ball puts a lot of our philanthropy into one area, health care.”
Pickett, who is from Mechanicville and an RPI grad, said that he and his wife Jennifer have both been touched by heart disease. He plans to highlight the work of area hospitals, their leaders and the American Heart Association at the Capital Region Heart Ball.
“We had a parent who was effectively cared for and had a great outcome because of the research of the American Heart Association and the local hospitals,” said Pickett. “This year is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the American Heart Association and local hospitals for their commitment and their results in advancing heart health in our community. It’s a unique point in time, these organizations partnering with the American Heart Association. It will take the impact they have on our community to a higher level. This is a great year to recognize that.
“The American Heart Association works with the local health care organizations, investing toward the future to ensure comprehensive and cost-effective care,” he explained. “This means better care and outcomes in our community.”
Giving back is a big part of nfrastructure’s culture, Pickett said. In addition to the Heart Ball, nfrastructure is currently supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and maintains a philanthropy committee, which accepts applications from employees to support charities and causes that matter to them.
“We are a workforce of more than 300 people locally, which, when you consider their families, we’re talking about more than 1,000 people,” Pickett said. “We have a large presence in the community, with a lot of dedicated folks who get together to support the community.”
“Dan has been part of the Heart Ball’s leadership team in past years, and we are honored that he is chairing this year’s gala,” said Kathy Lanni, chief community officer for SEFCU and chair of the Capital Region Advisory Board of the American Heart Association. “The success of the Capital Region Heart Ball lets the American Heart Association continue the research and community programs that improve the heart and brain health of the communities where we live, work and play.”
The Capital Region Heart Ball is set for Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. For information, visit CapitalRegionNYHeartBall.heart.org or contact Sharon Horton, 518.626.8754 or [email protected].
