The Cattaraugus County Legislature recently appointed John F. Stitt to the SUNY Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees.
Stitt fills the seat vacated by John Stahley. His term expires in 2028.
Stitt is the chief executive officer of KA-BAR Knives, Inc. in Olean, as well as subsidiary companies Schilling Forge Inc. in Syracuse and Pineland Cutlery/Spartan Blades in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He has served on St. Bonaventure University’s School of Business Advisory Council since 2013, and guest lectures on marketing and business, innovation, and family business. A graduate of Olean High School, Stitt earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in professional leadership from St. Bonaventure University.
Stitt’s life revolves around the cutlery manufacturing industry, and he has more than 25 years of professional experience in the business. He led the initiative to rebuild the longstanding cutlery brands KA-BAR and the Ek Commando Knife Company, and reshore American production of the cutlery in Olean. Stitt helped launch the State and Union shop, where high-tech manufacturing is blended with traditional cutlery techniques.
Stitt resides in Olean with his wife, Connie, and six children.