Wallace Altes named interim head of United Way in Capital Region

ALBANY — Longtime business and community leader Wallace Altes has taken over as interim president of The United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

The charitable human service organization’s executive committee announced the appointment Tuesday. Altes takes over for Brian Hassett, who stepped down as president in December to take a similar position with the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.

Altes has more 30 years’ experience in strategic business development, including a 1990-2002 stint as president and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, which then was an organization of 2,600 member businesses with a combined total of more than 80,000 employees. It became the third largest chamber in the state during his tenure, and led the effort to brand the Capital Region as “Tech Valley,” a now-common and accurately descriptive nickname.

Altes also led his own human resources consulting firm, served as executive counsel to the area’s largest public relations firm and served on the boards of a bank and an HMO/insurance company.

Altes is a past board member of the United Way, and said in a news release that he was excited to lead the organization as it searches for a permanent leader:

“I’ve always been a big supporter of United Way and its mission. I believe United Way makes a difference every day in local communities through our support of 50 funded agencies. We are focused on creating collaboration amongst individuals, government, businesses, academia, health agencies, faith-based groups and nonprofits for the common good.”