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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 17, 2011                                                                

Buffalo Niagara 360 Announces Spotlight Young Professionals
Ten Ones To Watch in 2012 Introduced in Larkinville 

BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo Niagara 360, the young professionals program of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, launched its 2012 calendar of leadership development, business networking and community involvement activities with a Kickoff Celebration at the Larkin Center of Commerce.  The Larkin Center of Commerce is currently being converted to mixed-use, allowing young professionals to see the building’s conversion process first hand. 

Buffalo Niagara 360 is run by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership in conjunction with sponsors that include Delaware North Companies, Freed Maxick & Battaglia, Hodgson Russ, Greatbatch, Independent Health, Medaille College, Synacor and LPCiminelli.  Entering into its fourth year, Buffalo Niagara 360 has successfully connected more than 2,000 of the region’s best and brightest young minds through dozens of business development programs. 

Heading into 2012, ten Spotlight Professionals were selected as Ones To Watch in 2012.  Each has decided to build their career in the Buffalo Niagara region and is poised to enter the spotlight and serve the community in the coming year.  They include:

·         Lisa Bauer, Senior Associate at Hodgson Russ LLP

·         Landrum Beard, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at Buffalo State College

·         Samantha Clark, Vice President of Career Development at Alliance Advisory Group

·         Ethan Johnson, Co-Owner of Campus Wheel Works

·         Tiffane Ingram, Administrative Assistant for HR and Facilities at Independent Health

·         Luis Rodriguez, Project Manager at LPCiminelli

·         Sergio Rodriguez , Coordinator of Veterans and Military Affairs at Medaille College

·         Michael VanRemmen, Tax Supervisor at Freed Maxick Battaglia

·         Melissa Vollmer, Human Resources Manager at Synacor

·         Shandra Spicer, President & CEO of S&W Contracting of WNY, Inc.

In addition to the introduction of the Spotlight Professionals, the event also featured food tastings from local restaurants and caterers and numerous door prizes.  Buffalo Niagara 360’s 2012 calendar was announced, which includes several new programs.  New additions for 2012 include the Government Unplugged series, which gives young professionals access to young elected officials; the Game Changers series which will feature the area's most dynamic young entrepreneurs; and Be-A-Mentor, which connects young professionals with at-risk students.

Programs returning for 2012 include Execs Connect, which brings young professionals together with the area’s most notable business leaders; the Medaille Business Leadership educational series, and monthly Happy Hours For-A-Cause to benefit worthy local charities.

Christina Lopez, Workforce Development Manager at Buffalo Niagara Partnership, is heartened by Buffalo Niagara 360’s continued growth.  “We started 360 to help our members attract younger workers and keep them here in Buffalo Niagara,” she said.  “The program is doing just that; announcing these high potential professionals is a step toward showing our region, and the world, that there are plenty of young professionals doing great work here.”

More information about Buffalo Niagara 360 is available at www.buffaloniagara360.org.  More information about Buffalo Niagara Partnership is available on the Partnership’s website at www.thepartnership.org. 

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ABOUT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARTNERSHIP

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes nearly 2,500 employer members, working for improved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region.  The Partnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies and resources to increase private sector investment and jobs. The Partnership also offers programs and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.