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Familiar name.
Familiar face.
  Trusted voice.

Probably most well-known in Henniker for his role as Director of Active Living at White Birch Center, Rusty is community-minded and transparent.

 

He believes that leadership means showing up, leaving the ego behind, telling the truth, and being willing to answer for the work.

 

Reliable, steady, and grounded in small-town values,

Rusty brings common sense - not spin - to everything he does. 

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Local involvement

  • Director of Active Living (senior programming) at White Birch Center. Here's how members have collectively rated Rusty's professional attributes:

    • Sincerity in professional role - 9.9

    • Integrity in professional role - 9.9

    • Effectiveness in professional role - 9.9

    • Accountability in professional role - 9.9

    • Clarity, timeliness, and effective communication - 10.0 

  • Served for six years as substitute mail carrier for the Henniker Post Office as needed

  • Volunteered as children's tumbling instructor at Center Woods Elementary School

  • Volunteers for Henniker Historical Society projects

  • Volunteers as town Santa, answering local children's letters​​

Awards &

accolades

  • Torch Award for Business Ethics - Better Business Bureau

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  • Outstanding Partner Award - Dallas Independent School District

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  • Organization of the Year - Maui Special Olympics

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  • Volunteer of the Year - Dallas County

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  • Business of the Year - Maui County

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  • Cappies Award - Concord Monitor

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  • Maui County Council Resolution for outstanding athletic achievements

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  • Recognition from the Hawai'i House of Representatives for being an exemplary leader in the Hawai'i business community

Education &

interests

  • University of Texas at Arlington

    • Exercise and Sport Science

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  • University of Dallas

    • Master of Business Administration

  • Long-distance bicycle rallies

  • Photography

  • Music

  • Website creation

  • Protection of senior citizens

  • Caring for historically significant local home

  • Travel

From Rusty: "Our yoga instructor at White Birch Center recently offered the following to her students. It resonated with me, as it articulates how I try to live my life: 'May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.'"

Testimonials

  • As a member of White Birch Center for Active Living, I see Rusty on a regular basis. He anticipates and plans, communicates clearly and frequently, and is willing to hear all viewpoints. He knows when to engage and when to step back. As a Henniker resident, a former Henniker selectman and member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, I am happy to support Rusty for the position of Trustee of the Trust Funds. --- Rod Pimentel

  • Rusty Gage has made a major impact on the quality of life in Henniker. From our perspectives as "senior citizens" he has brought his organizational skills, empathy, and commitment to the  community-mindedness of Henniker to the White Birch Center. These values are critical for the position of Trustee of the Trust Funds, for which he is offering to serve. We enthusiastically endorse his candidacy and applaud his willingness to serve the Town in this quiet, but critical way. --- Dick and Ann Ludders

  • A healthy community is made up of people who are willing to boldly step up, confidently speak out and who are willing to take the time to help make a difference in a positive and productive manner. Rusty is just that person. As a member of the community and also as the Director of Active Living at White Birch Center Rusty understands the importance for people of all ages to have a voice and to be heard. By doing so Rusty has created an ongoing array of meaningful & fulfilling ways for people to engage and improve their lives while at the same time being mindful of financial resources. Rusty is a caring and compassionate human being. He understands the importance of collaboration, flexibility, patience and conflict resolution. As a Trustee of the Trust Funds Rusty would bring not only his breadth of professional expertise but most importantly his commitment to the people of Henniker. I thereby wholeheartedly support Rusty for the position of Trustee of the Trust Funds. --- Debbie Dreher

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More testimonials

  • We have known Rusty for many years - first as our trusty part-time mail delivery person. We then became friends when he joined White Birch Center as the Director of Active Living. As the founder (Lucia) and Board Members emeriti (Lucia and Jon) of White Birch, it has been exciting to see Rusty successfully grow the programs for older adults in the community. He managed the move and transition of the Active Living programs to the new Cornerstone building from the Hall Avenue location. Rusty has increased the number of programs, activities, trips, and services.  He has also brought in many new participants. Rusty’s varied business experience, wisdom, and wit have made him an excellent steward and leader fulfilling our hopes and dreams for the center. This is why we enthusiastically support his candidacy for Trustee of the Trust Funds. --- Jon and Lucia R. Evans

  • I know Rusty as the Director of Active Living at White Birch Center, where he oversees programs and activities for anyone age 50 and over at the Cornerstone Building. Rusty is fiscally responsible and takes pride in making the most of every donation. He manages all aspects of the program, including Dial-a-Ride, while genuinely caring for each individual and going out of his way to help. Rusty has a strong ability to bring people together, solve problems, and get things done. He is a true asset to our community, and I unreservedly support him as a strong candidate for Trustee of the Trust Funds. --- Carolyn McKean​

  • Rusty has been a positive addition to our life here in Henniker. Not only has he proven himself to work effortlessly at White Birch Center as Director of Active Living, he also understands the financial impacts necessary to be successful in completing that job. I feel confident he would be the perfect candidate for position of Trustee of the Trust Funds. Unquestionably, we would be in good hands with Rusty in that position. ---Frank and Carolyn Damour

  • I have known Rusty in his role as Director of the Active Living Program at the White Birch Center.  He was readily available when I sought his help in reaching out to a member of the community seeking social connection.  At present, I am personally and gratefully benefitting from one of the Active Living Programs that he oversees. Rusty's enthusiasm for his work is uplifting, reliable, and contagious. As a former White Birch board member, I heartily support his candidacy for the position of Trustee of the Henniker Trust Funds. --- Carol Goodenough

  • In the years since we have known Rusty as a friend and neighbor, he has consistently shown a commitment to the Henniker community. Through his work at the White Birch Center (among other activities), he has demonstrated a passion for helping people. We know Rusty to be honest and trustworthy, so we believe he is a perfect match for the job of Trustee of the Henniker Trust Funds. --- Dave and Beth Gray

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