Legacy of Late Bridge Authority Executive Director Endures through Educational Support for Employees, Retirees, and their Families
ALEXANDRIA — A pair of Jefferson County students with family ties to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority were recently named the Class of 2026 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Russell I. Wilcox Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Scholarship.
Katherine Rastley, a 2026 General Brown High School graduate, and Chloe Sierra-Mae Gafford, a 2026 LaFargeville High School graduate, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
A top-ranked honor student, Katherine graduated in June with a New York State Regents diploma. She will attend SUNY Cobleskill this fall to study agricultural education. She aspires to return to Northern New York to work as an agriculture teacher.
While at General Brown, she competed as a varsity volleyball player for four years. Katherine also competed for 13 years in the YMCA gymnastics program and later served as a coach. She competed at the YMCA regional and national levels and was a member of the New York State YMCA Champion Team. Off the field of play, she is a National Honor Society member and participated in 4-H, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and FFA. She also volunteered for the Children’s Miracle Network and a local community food pantry.
Katherine is the granddaughter of Carl Herman, who retired from the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 2009 after 16 years of service. She is the daughter of Paula and Tom Rastley, Watertown.
Ranked second in her class, Chloe graduated in June with a New York State Regents diploma with Advanced Designation. She will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where she plans to study physical education. Chloe plans to transfer to SUNY Cortland to complete a bachelor’s degree. She aspires to work as a physical education teacher and hopes to one day teach at her alma mater.
While in high school, she was a standout three-sport varsity athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and softball for four years. She was active in a wide range of school clubs and organizations, including National Honor Society, Student Council, and Sources of Strength, and the Prom and Yearbook committees. She also served as a volunteer coach.
Chloe is the daughter of Brandie Beebe and the stepdaughter of Anthony Beebe, LaFargeville. Brandie works in human resources at the Bridge Authority and Anthony is a bridge foreman for the Authority.
Theresa native Russell I. Wilcox, a longtime leader of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, established the permanent scholarship at the Northern New York Community Foundation in 2022 as an extension of his life’s work, service on behalf of the Bridge Authority, and in honor of his relationship with Bridge Authority board members and employees. Mr. Wilcox passed away in July 2025.
“This meaningful link to the Bridge Authority and its families is something the Wilcox family and we are very grateful for,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation President and CEO. “As the students begin their educational journeys, it also allows us to share with each recipient a bit of Russ’ story and convey the deep care and concern he had for his work family as well as his enduring interest in their success.”
Full-time Thousand Islands Bridge Authority employees, retirees, and their children and grandchildren are eligible to apply for the scholarship, which is awarded annually through the Community Foundation.
About the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority
The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority is a New York State public benefit corporation. It owns and operates the Thousand Islands International Bridge System near Alexandria Bay, and Ivy Lea, Ontario, Canada, covering 8.5 miles and providing a direct connection to U.S. Interstate 81 and Canada’s Highway 401.
An international board of directors leads the Authority, which also owns and operates the regional tourist attraction Boldt Castle. Since 1977, more than $20 million in capital improvements have been made to the castle property through Authority revenues without state and federal funds. Annual visits to the Boldt Castle exceed 240,000.
The Authority employs 62 full-time staff, of which 43 are U.S. citizens and 19 are Canadian citizens. The Authority averages 60 additional temporary and seasonal staff annually to support seasonal operations and maintenance.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.