Board of Directors

Paul Bonaro is Verizon Media’s Vice President, leading Data Center Operations and Engineering teams.  He is based at their office and data center in Lockport, NY.

Paul has been with the company since construction began on what was then Yahoo’s Lockport data center in 2010.  The operations at this location have since expanded to include a second facility that opened in early 2015, with total investment now exceeding $500 million.  In addition to leading the Lockport site, Paul also oversees data center operations teams and facilities in Virginia and Ireland, and construction and engineering at all data centers globally.

Prior to joining Yahoo in 2010, Paul was Director of Critical Environments for EMCOR Facilities Services in New York City and Buffalo, working across numerous key client accounts such as Credit Suisse and Wachovia supporting their critical technology infrastructure programs.  He also spent seven years with Amazon based in Seattle, Washington, DC, and Dublin as their Regional Data Center Manager, establishing and operating data centers in Northern Virginia and Ireland.

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University at Albany. He lives with his family in Buffalo, NY.

Lorrie A. Clemo, Ph.D. is honored to serve as the 15th president of D’Youville College. As president, Dr. Clemo envisions advancing D’Youville’s time-tested mission of providing academic, social, spiritual and professional development in programs that emphasize leadership and service.
 
As an educator and community leader, Dr. Clemo has three decades of experience teaching, conducting research and performing community service. Among her distinctions, she has published on classroom learning, equity in education, civic participation and diversity. She has been the principal or co-investigator on $18 million of funding from the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, Lumina Foundation, New York State and other significant foundations. She has lectured at the NCAA, NSF, American Association of Colleges & Universities, American Council on Education Association, and other athletic and educational conferences.
During her long history of leadership, Dr. Clemo has held numerous leadership appointments, including President of the NCAA, Faculty Athletics Representative Association, Vice Chair of the New York State Sea Grant Institute and Board of Governors, World Association of Cooperative Education Board, American Council on Education Executive Board, Council of Fellows Board and On Point for College Executive Board. She was recently appointed to the Kaleida Health Board of Directors.

Dr. Clemo has been the recipient of numerous honors including the NCAA’s David Knight Leadership Award, Dream Maker Award and Campus Angel Award from On Point for College, the Pac-Asia Educator Excellence Award, Community Leadership Award from the NYS Turkish Cultural Society, and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Non-Traditional Student Association.
 
Prior to D’Youville, Dr. Clemo most recently served as provost and vice president of academic affairs for the State University of New York at Oswego. In that position, she drove first-time initiatives and brought substantial recognition to the university. She led the development of a college pathway program and an early- college program. She expanded online education, initiated the first SUNY-wide co-op education program and sponsored summer immersion programs for inner-city youth in laboratory research. Her commitment to student-centric offerings extends to the development of the Global Laboratory Program, a STEM research abroad program with alliances across South and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
 
Dr. Clemo earned her Ph.D. in Political Science and Master of Arts in Political Science, Public Administration and Policy Analysis from Binghamton University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y.
 
She and her husband, Steve Nicolais, M.D., live in Buffalo, New York and have four grown children.

Dr. Cropp is the president and CEO of Independent Health. Under his leadership, the organization delivers products and services that improve the health of almost 400,000 members, and has been consistently recognized nationally for excellence in quality, service and innovation.

Dr. Cropp is a board-certified family physician with more than 25 years of experience practicing medicine, serving as an associate medical director and family physician for three managed care organizations and medical director for the Millard Fillmore Health System. He joined Independent Health in 1996 as chief medical officer and became president and CEO in 2004.

Dr. Cropp was appointed by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to the University at Buffalo Council and the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. He serves on the board of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, America’s Health Insurance Plans and is past chairman of the Alliance of Community Health Plans. He is the founding chairman of the P2 Collaborative of Western New York, Western New York Clinical Information Exchange (HEALTHeLINK) and GObike Buffalo.

Dr. Cropp received his bachelor’s and medical degrees from Brown University and earned an M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Tops Markets LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 163 full-service supermarkets – 158 company-owned and five franchise locations under the Tops banner. With over 14,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont.

Frank Curci has served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tops Markets, LLC since December 2007 and as Chairman of the Board since December 1, 2013.

Mr. Curci has more than 40 years of experience in the supermarket industry. From April 2005 to September 2006, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Alabama-based Southern Family Markets, a subsidiary of C&S, where he led the start-up of two chains emphasizing the neighborhood grocery store format. From June 2004 to March 2005, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Farmer Jack, a supermarket chain based in Michigan. While at Koninklijke Ahold N.V. from 1995 to 2003, Mr. Curci was Chief Executive Officer of Tops Markets, LLC and held senior leadership positions at the Bi-Lo chain in South Carolina and Edwards Super Food stores on the East Coast.

Mr. Curci also spent nine years from 1987 to 1995 at Mayfair Supermarkets, which operated as Foodtown in New Jersey.

He is a certified public accountant and holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. from Rutgers University.

In addition to his career, Mr. Curci serves on the boards of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, The Food Industry Alliance of New York State, the Food Marketing Institute, and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kaleida Health. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Topco Holdings, Inc., a buying cooperative.

Aside from business, his hobbies include running and golf. Frank resides in Clarence, NY with his wife, Robin. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Jonathan A. Dandes is the corporate vice president of governmental relations and special projects at Rich Product Corp.’s worldwide headquarters, a role that focuses on Rich Products’ philanthropic efforts.

He continues to represent Rich Baseball Operations as treasurer of the New York-Penn League and chair of the finance committee of the Texas League.

Jon joined Rich Products Corporation in June 1986 as product manager and was soon appointed director of restaurant operations. He was named vice president/general manager of Stadium Services, Inc. in 1988, Executive Vice President of the Rich Entertainment Group in 1996, and President of Rich Baseball Operations in 2001.

He is past Chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. He also serves as Vice Chair of Upstate New York Transplant Services. He is Chair of the Buffalo Zoological Society (Buffalo Zoo), and is Chair of the Erie County Medical Center Foundation, and also serves as Chair of the Buffalo Public Schools Foundation. He is the immediate past Chair of Erie County Jewish Family Services and Chair of Visit Buffalo Niagara (formerly the Buffalo and Erie County Convention & Visitors Bureau).

He is currently an adjunct Professor at Niagara University in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management and teaches in the University’s Sports Management Program. Dandes is Chairman of the Buffalo/Niagara Sports Commission and a past Director of the Amherst Junior Football League, and Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball. Dandes is an alumnus of the University at Buffalo and a past president of its Alumni Board. He has served as president of the New York State Restaurant Association and is a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, Les Amis du Vin, National Association of Concessionaires, and Stadium Managers Association. Dandes also serves on the Board of the Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation, and the 100 Club of Buffalo. He is the Chair of the Erie County Sheriff’s 21st Century Foundation.Dandes was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Erie County Medical Center Corporation by Governor Andrew Cuomo in March of 2015.

In 2003, he graduated from the Harvard Business School Management Development Program. Dandes is also certified as a Foodservice Management Professional (1994), as designated by the National Restaurant Association.

Steve Davis is the President at Tapecon, Inc., a 5 generation, family owned contract manufacturer based in Buffalo, New York. Tapecon works with product teams to improve market competitiveness by manufacturing functional graphics, materials and complete products to improve look, feel and usability. Tapecon offers a broad scope of services in converting and specialized printing technologies for product branding, printed & flexible electronics, and disposable medical device manufacturing. Steve’s efforts have created a progressive culture of innovation at Tapecon over his ten years with the company.

Steve graduated from Clarkson University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Engineering & Management and obtained his MBA in International Business at St. Bonaventure University.

Steve has graduated from the Leadership Buffalo program, UB’s Center for Entrepreneurship Leadership program [CEL], and Startup CEL program. He is active in the CEL Alumni Association, past Chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Manufacturers Council, a member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization WNY Chapter, and President of the Clarkson University Buffalo Alumni Chapter.

Donna L. DeCarolis has been employed with National Fuel since March of 1983 where she began her career as a Management Trainee in the Research and Statistical Services Department. In December 1985, she was promoted to the position of Director, Investor Relations (IR) where she became responsible for interface with the financial community and developed the Company’s first IR program. In November 1992 Donna moved to the position of Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications where she was the corporate spokesperson and oversaw National Fuel’s Corporate Communications Department for both New York and Pennsylvania, including Public Affairs, Advertising, Community Relations and Employee Communication.

In 1995 the oversight of the National Fuel’s Human Resources Department was added to Donna’s responsibilities. In July 1999 Donna was promoted to Assistant Vice President and was responsible for both the Corporate Communications and the Utility’s Marketing Department. In May 2001 Donna moved to National Fuel Resources, Inc., the wholly-owned, non-regulated energy services subsidiary of National Fuel Gas Company, where she served as Vice President and was later promoted to President.

In 2007, Donna was named Vice President of Business Development for National Fuel Gas Company where she became responsible for new business development and strategic acquisitions. Also in that year, Donna was named President of Horizon LFG, Inc. and Horizon Power, Inc. where she became responsible for National Fuel’s landfill gas operations, as well as the independent power production and electric generation operations. She later led the successful effort to divest the Company of these assets.

In February 2009, she also became responsible for the Company’s enterprise-wide external affairs, including the Corporate Communications and Government Affairs functions. She was named President, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, National Fuel’s Utility subsidiary, February 1, 2019.

Donna holds a MBA, December 1982, State University of New York at Buffalo, Concentration in Marketing, and BS, Business Administration, May 1981, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker is President & CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, an organization dedicated to connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York.

As the chief executive officer at the Community Foundation, Clotilde has led a focused growth and impact strategy. Under her leadership the Community Foundation has facilitated numerous public/private sector collaborations focused on systems change. These efforts have addressed issues such as school readiness, post-secondary attainment, lead-poisoning prevention, organizational development for arts organizations, and environmental stewardship. Most recently, Clotilde oversaw the Community Foundation’s effort to launch the Say Yes Buffalo initiative and the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable.

Other service highlights include a White House appointment to the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, U.S. Committee co-chair of the United Nations International Year of the Volunteer and president of the Association of Junior Leagues International. Clotilde has served on numerous boards. Current service includes CFLeads, The Foundation Center, FSG and the Global Fund for Community Foundations.

Clotilde’s work has been recognized by many including the Points of Light Foundation, the Governor’s Award for Service, the President’s Award for Service and Buffalo News Citizen of The Year. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, native of Cuba.

She speaks frequently on philanthropy, community impact and governance.

Jim Dentinger is President of NOCO Enterprises LLC, a division of NOCO that is responsible for facilitating the company’s growth.  As NOCO builds upon its reputation as a sustainable, future-focused, and innovative company, Jim’s oversight includes new market opportunities, product development, and strategic acquisitions.

Before joining NOCO, Jim co-founded the creation of McGuire Development.  His visionary leadership, depth of real estate experience, and commitment to business ethics played a major role in the firm’s expansion.  Jim now serves as McGuire Development’s Director of Asset Management.

As a lifelong Buffalonian, Jim has a passion for Western New York and the development of our community.  He is the vice chairman of the ECMC Lifeline Foundation; board member of the Amherst Police Foundation; member of the Executive Board Shea’s Board of Trustees; past president of the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation; former chairman of the Buffalo Urban League; former vice chairman and current member of Employers Supporting the Guard and Reserve (ESGR); past president of the Leadership Buffalo board of directors; former board member for the Canisius College Board of Regents; a former member of the Buffalo State College Foundation, Leadership Buffalo Class of 1992.

James Domagalski is a business trial lawyer and business counselor with 25 years of experience handling complex commercial, labor/employment and construction law matters for corporations and municipalities. He is a partner and the co-managing director of the Barclay Damon law firm in Buffalo. Barclay Damon, LLP has 101 lawyers in Buffalo and 275 firm wide with additional offices in Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Toronto. Jim serves on the firm’s management committee.

A long-time community leader in Western New York, Jim has served in numerous civic and charitable leadership positions throughout his career, including work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Western New York and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Alliance. Jim also previously served as the chairman of the Erie County Republican Party.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA Government and International Relations; BA Economics 1987) and the Syracuse University College of Law (J.D. 1990). He resides in Orchard Park with his family.

Greg Duval is the Regional Executive and Managing Director for HSBC Bank USA’s Great Lakes Corporate Banking group, a team that focuses on mid and large corporate clients with revenues in the range of $50 million to $5 Billion in New York, Vermont, Ohio and Michigan, which represents over 270 clients, $1.1 billion loan outstandings and $800 million of deposits. Greg is a 20 year banking veteran and has experience with clients ranging from start-ups to Global and Investment banking clients with over $20 Billion of revenue across almost every business sector.

Greg also serves as HSBC Bank USA’s Transportation and Logistics US Sector head, which includes helping Global Relationship Managers understand the Automotive, Aerospace, Logistics, Shipping and Rail industries, developing and distributing content, fostering connectivity with the Investment Bank, discussing trends and M&A activity.

Greg received his BA and MBA University of Buffalo with a concentration in Finance, Financial Markets & Institutions, and Management Information Systems and was a member of the football team. He currently sits on Endeavor Global WNY Branch, The University of Buffalo School of Management Alumni, and Invest Buffalo Niagara boards.

Greg resides in Clarence with his wife, Kali and children, Logan and Brynn.

Mr. Emmerling brings more than 40 years public accounting experience. As managing partner, he has overall responsibility for the operation and management of the firm. He joined Dopkins upon graduation and was admitted to partnership in 1980. His principal areas of expertise are Litigation support/Expert testimony, Privately-held companies, Succession Planning & Family Owned Business.

Tom’s professional affiliations are with the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants— Buffalo Chapter – positions held: Director, President, Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Committee Chair, and Administration of Accounting Practices Chair.

Tom has held the following positions with Canisius College: Chair of the Board of Regents, Council on Accountancy – Chairman, Executive Committee member, Student Recruiting Committee (past chair), Student Experience Committee (past chair), Honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma 2014, Outstanding Accountant of the Year in Western New York – 2004 recipient, Outstanding Alumnus – 1994 recipient, DiGamma Honor Society, Leadership Society member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Tom is treasurer with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Member of the Board of Trustees of Canisius College and Editorial advisor for the Journal of Accountancy.

Tom holds a B.S. in Accounting, cum laude from Canisius College

Matt is the President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc., a pioneering organization that has become a powerful engine of revitalization in Buffalo. Matt is focused on the intersection of energy, entrepreneurship & technology, and how it will drive the new economy in Buffalo and beyond.

Matt has led the non-profit organization since its formation in 2002 to address shared issues among Campus institutions. Today, Matt oversees a team focusing on diverse, interrelated initiatives designed to lift the entire community including those in transportation, access and safety; energy, entrepreneurship, health & active living, infrastructure, economic opportunity and youth & education. Under Matt’s leadership, foundations, private enterprise, research labs, local community leaders, hospitals, and educational institutions are collaborating to create a model for re-energizing the city that has application all over America.

Prior to returning home to Buffalo, Matt worked in the entertainment industry in L.A. and New York, for Broadway Pictures and with Lorne Michaels at Saturday Night Live. He is currently active on the boards of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation. Matt also serves as a commission member on the U.S. Commission on Transportation Sector Efficiency, part of the Alliance to Save Energy; and on the Advisory Boards for Niagara University, Daemen College, and the School of Visual Arts Design for Social Innovation in New York City.

Matt is married and lives in Buffalo with his family.

Ms. Evanko is a member and former President and Managing Partner of Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. Chair of the Labor & Employment group, her primary areas of practice include Labor & Employment and Business & Commercial Litigation. She advises clients on all aspects of employment law issues and defends employers in the full range of litigated matters including claims of discrimination, employment contract disputes and covenants not-to-compete. She also regularly advises clients on employment risk management and conducts in-house training programs.

Ms. Evanko is identified by Buffalo’s Business First as one of the most powerful and influential people in Western New York, named to both the “Power 250” list which recognizes the men and women who “wield the most clout in the region,” as well as the “Power 100 Women” list which showcases the region’s most  influential and powerful women. In 2016, Business First honored Ms. Evanko with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Women of Influence for her contributions to the community, to the women focused charitable organizations she champions and to the firm, and previously recognized her with the inaugural Business First “Women Who Mean Business” Award.

She is Chair of the Board of Directors for the WNY Women’s Foundation where she serves on the Executive Committee and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

Ofo Ezeugwu is Founder and CEO of WhoseYourLandlord (WYL.co), WYL a web platform that’s empowering and informing the rental community through landlord reviews, housing literacy content, and subscription SaaS software for owners/operators and lenders to better engage the needs of their residents.

He graduated from TempleUniversity, where he was the VP of the student body and also the youngest alumni convocation speaker in the school’s history. He was recently recognized as the Young Professional of the Year by the African American Chamber of Commerce (2018), he’s a Techstars’ Risingstar, one of BET’s #30Under30, a Black Enterprise: Modern Man, and his work has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Newsweek, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Blavity, The New York Post, and more. Ofo is also a professional actor and model who’s walked in NYFW (5x), been featured on the Today Show (7x), and worked with Nike, ESPN (2x), and Alfani.

Ofo is very actively plugged into the community and speaks with local high schools and middle schools on leadership, college planning, entrepreneurship, and life skills. He’s a Big in the Big Brothers Big Sisters entrepreneurial program. And, he’s also given lectures on tech – entrepreneurship – and leadership at prestigious locations and universities such as The White House, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Wharton, Temple, Villanova, etc. He lives by the motto, “No steps backward; just forward progress.”

Lynne Marie Finn is the President and CEO of Broadleaf Results, Inc. (Broadleaf), an Aleron company. Prior to this, she was General Counsel for Aleron.

In business since 1965, Broadleaf is one of the largest woman-owned workforce solutions companies. It provides a host of total talent management services, including managed service programs (MSPs), recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), a proprietary vendor management system (VMS), Work Nexus^®, statement of work (SOW) management, IC/freelancer engagement services, and payrolling.

Finn is a Vice Chair and board member of the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO). She also serves on the finance committee for WBENC and is a board member and secretary of the Committee of 200 (C200), an organization of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate innovators. Finn has also been appointed to The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Upstate New York Regional Advisory Board.

Recent recognition includes being named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA’s) 2019 Staffing 100 (represents the 100 most influential people in staffing in the U.S.) and SIA’s 2018 Global Power 150 Women (represents the top women in staffing globally). Finn has also been selected as a WBENC Woman of Distinction and was named as one of 2017’s 100 Corporate Women Leaders in STEM by STEMconnector.

Finn received her Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was Executive Editor of Law and Policy in International Business, and she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Norah Fletchall is a passionate lifelong advocate of connecting people to wildlife and wild places. A zoo management professional with more than 30 years’ experience, Norah started her career as a zookeeper and through the decades has held several high profile leadership roles, managing all aspects of zoo management from finance to conservation, exhibit design, education, daily operations, and strategic planning.

She is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation committee and the immediate past Vice-Chair of the AZA Ethics Board. Norah dedicates her time to mentoring and helping the next generation of zoo leaders grow and develop and feels privileged to lead the team that is carrying our beautiful Buffalo Zoo boldly onward into the future.

Norah holds her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Grand Valley State University.

Rhonda Frederick began her career at People Inc. in 1980 in an entry-level direct-care position, working in both group homes and day habilitation programs. She steadily moved up the ladder over the years, a rise culminating in her being appointed president and CEO of Western New York’s largest human service provider in the fall of 2014. Rhonda is forging the way for People Inc. as new government mandates call for a managed care model, rather than medically based care.

Prior to becoming CEO, Rhonda served as People Inc.’s chief operating officer and had oversight of 93 percent of the agency’s operating budget. Rhonda was instrumental in starting People Inc.’s Senior Living, creating affordable, safe and enjoyable apartments for seniors who are income eligible. The agency operates 19 apartment buildings throughout Western New York.

Rhonda currently serves as president of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY), an organization that fosters collaboration among agencies who support people with developmental disabilities and gives them a single voice in Albany. Since 2009 she has been recognized by Buffalo Business First repeatedly on their listings of Women of Influence, Health Care 50, Power 100 Women, and the Power 250 in Western New York. In 2015, Rhonda was selected to speak at TEDxBuffalo about the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities. She earned the 2016 Professional of the Year Award from LeadingAge New York. Rhonda was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Canisius College in 2017 and the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2018. In 2018 she was awarded the Sarah G. Metzger Human Rights Award from Housing Opportunities Made Equal. The Human Services Council of New York chose Rhonda for the Notable Women in Human Services Hall of Fame in 2019.

Rhonda earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in public administration from Canisius College. She resides in Amherst, NY.

Mr. Frey has been the CEO of Frey Electric Construction Co., Inc. since 1993. He began his career with Frey Electric in 1978 working in the warehouse before entering into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Apprenticeship Program. After graduation from the four-year program in 1987, he returned to Frey Electric as the Director of Operations. He became the CEO after purchasing the company from his father, making him the third generation in the family to run the company, which he does to this day.

Mr. Frey is a board member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Construction Club of Buffalo, YPO/WPO – Young/World Presidents Organization, Invest Buffalo Niagara, Amherst Police Foundation and Law Enforcement Foundation of WNY. He is a member of the Buffalo Club, Park Country Club, Engineering Society of Buffalo, American Subcontractors Association, NYS Association of Electrical Contractors, Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce, NECA/ National Electrical Contractors Association.

Mr. Frey is a graduate of Williamsville South High School 1976, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local #41, Apprentice Education Program.

Dottie Gallagher is President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the area’s regional chamber of commerce and privately-funded economic development organization. Partnership members employ more than a quarter of a million people in the Buffalo Niagara region.

Prior to joining the Partnership, she was president & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, the region’s tourism promotion bureau. She spent nearly 15 years with The Buffalo News and served as a member of their executive management team.

Dottie currently serves on the Buffalo Urban Development Corp, The Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), Visit Buffalo Niagara, The Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority, The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, InvestBN, Unshackle Upstate, and the UB School of Management, Dean’s Advisory Council, AAA of Western & Central New York and the Association of Chamber of Commerce (A.C.C.E). Dottie received her undergraduate degree from Towson University (Baltimore, Maryland) and her MBA from the University at Buffalo.

A Buffalo native, Robert Gioia began his career in 1970 as a part of the third generation of the Gioia family operating the Gioia Macaroni Company. From 1992-2007, Robert was a principal with the Food Group of Strategic Investments and Holdings, Inc., one of the most experienced equity acquisition firms in the nation today.

Robert has been a strong community leader dedicated to the betterment of the WNY region for decades. He was Chairman of the NFTA from 1990-1998. He pioneered the completion of the $120 million Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. He was named one of The Buffalo News’ Citizens of the Year three times, for the years 1997, 2007 and 2013. Robert was Board President of Nichols School and the Martin House Restoration Corporation, Chairman of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, a Director of Roswell Park Cancer Institute and a Trustee of St. Lawrence University.

In January 2007, Robert was appointed President of The John R. Oishei Foundation, WNY’s largest private charitable foundation. In 2007, Robert was appointed Chairman of Great Lakes Health which was established by the New York State Department of Health to implement Berger mandates involving ECMC and Kaleida Health. In 2009 Robert was dubbed the Buffalo Niagara Executive of the Year by UB’s School of Management. In 2012, Governor Cuomo appointed Robert to serve on the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and he currently serves as Chair. In 2013 Robert received the Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award from Canisius College and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation. In 2014 Robert received the Distinguished Service Award from the ECMC Lifeline Foundation. In 2015, Robert was honored at the NFJC yearly Citation Banquet for his community service.

Richard S. Gold is President and Chief Operating Officer of M&T and its principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank. He was named to this position, and to the Board of Directors of both M&T and M&T Bank, in December 2017.

Gold began his career with M&T Bank in 1989 as an Executive Associate and has served in several management positions in Retail Banking, Business Banking, Mortgage, Consumer Lending and Marketing. In 2014, he was named Vice Chairman and took on the role of Chief Risk Officer.  Before joining M&T Bank, Gold held positions in cash management and operations at Bankers Trust Company, and in marketing and product development at Citibank. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. Gold has long been committed to supporting both the Western New York community and the broader banking industry.

He currently holds positions on the Boards of Directors of the Westminster Foundation, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Consumer Bankers Association. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University at Buffalo School of Management where he is an adjunct professor.

Camille C. Joseph-Goldman is currently a Group Vice President for Government Affairs at Charter Communications.  In this role, Mrs. Joseph-Goldman oversees and manages all government affairs, strategic partnerships and investments, consumer protection and telecommunications regulation from New Jersey to Maine, which includes the company’s large presence in New York State and throughout New England.

Mrs. Joseph-Goldman previously served as New York City’s youngest appointed Deputy Comptroller. As Deputy Comptroller for Public Affairs, she served as the inter-governmental liaison to the public, mayoral agencies, federal, state, and local authorities.  In addition, the bureau she spearheaded handled all external functions, including community relations and outreach, contact with the media, financial education forums, and other duties – including the Community Action Center, which provides information and assistance to New Yorkers who have complaints about inadequate or lack of municipal services.

Mrs. Joseph-Goldman has an extensive background in politics and public policy and is dedicated to promoting the public interest. Previously, she served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Adviser in the Office of United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand. As a member of the Senator’s senior team, Mrs.  Joseph-Goldman was responsible for advancing Senator Gillibrand’s public policy priorities as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders statewide. She was also the National African American Vote Deputy Director for the Obama Presidential Campaign in 2012. In this role, she worked with national campaign leadership to develop and implement constituency outreach strategies to increase African American voter registration, motivation, and turnout in key battleground states.

Mrs. Joseph-Goldman was the Campaign Manager and Political Director for former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner’s 2013 mayoral campaign, and has worked on several other national, state, and local campaigns. She also served as Director of Youth Engagement for SHOW UP New York, an organization focused on increasing civic participation among youth and people of color throughout New York State.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Mrs. Joseph-Goldman earned a BA in Politics and History as a Presidential Scholar as well as her MA in Politics at New York University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, participates as a mentor at various youth empowerment programs across the City, and is involved in several educational and healthcare initiatives for undeserved youth in Jamaica and Haiti. Most recently, Mrs. Joseph-Goldman joined the board of the National Action Network, one of the leading civil rights organizations in the country founded by the Reverend Al Sharpton. She also serves as a trustee for the Citizen’s Budget Commission of New York City, a civic organization whose mission is to achieve constructive change in the finances and services of New York State government.

Martin T. Griffith is President of BankOnBuffalo.  As a community bank, BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank, is a $2.8 billion bank that is being developed by local people and businesses.  This local decision-making will increase the level of service provided to the communities of Buffalo and brings growth to the entire region.  Services available include consumer and business deposit accounts, real estate, commercial, industrial, residential and consumer loans and lines of credit, treasury services, private banking, wealth and asset management, online and mobile banking, merchant credit card processing, remote deposit, accounts receivable handling, and much more.

Mr. Griffith earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Ithaca College in 1984 and began his career in banking immediately following.  Prior to launching the DeNovo bank, BankOnBuffalo, in 2016, he held senior level positions at The Bank of Castile, Wyoming County Bank and Five Star Bank.  In addition to his 27 years in the banking industry, Mr. Griffith also co-owned Griffith Builders, Inc., a land development and construction business, for seven years alongside his father.

Mr. Griffith serves the community by sharing his expertise as a member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Board of Directors, Mercy Hospital Foundation board member, Small Business Administration Regional Advisory board member, St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Foundation board member, and voting member on the New York Business Development Corporation Western Regional Loan Committee.

In April of 2018, Rick Hamister was named president of Northwest’s New York Region, an area that includes 35 branches in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Monroe counties. Northwest has taken on a more competitive role with other banks in Western New York since acquiring 18 First Niagara branches in 2016.

Mr. Hamister, an Orchard Park native, grew up with his mother being a teller, so he always knew the banking industry was for him. He was hired by First Niagara Bank in 2005, and became part of KeyBank after the conversion in 2016. Before he was named the NY Region President at Northwest, he was a vice president with Key Bank’s private banking. The Canisius College graduate also previously was executive vice president for the Hamister Group, and prior to that he worked for M&T Bank for 10 years.

Mr. Hamister plays an active role in the community as well. He currently serves on the board for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Hilbert College, and Orchard Park Country Club.

Stu Haney is President & Chief Executive Officer at Wendel, a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, energy efficiency and construction management firm. He has over 30 years of experience leading projects in the design and construction industry. Prior to his current role, Stu held various leadership positions within the company in the areas of operations and project management, with an early focus as an Electrical Engineer.

Stu’s participation in several professional and community boards are a reflection of his passion for achieving goals through the collaborative efforts of talented people. He is currently an active board member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. He has formerly served on the Board of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo State Industrial Advisory Committee and the IEEE to name a few.

Stu received his BS, Electrical Engineering from the University at Buffalo.

William J. Hochul, Jr., is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Delaware North Companies, Inc. In these capacities, Mr. Hochul manages the legal function and provides advice and counsel to senior management and the Board of Directors in all legal and regulatory matters involving Delaware North and its operating companies. Mr. Hochul also oversees the Security and Compliance Departments of the company. With over 60,000 employees operating on four continents, Delaware North is one of the world’s largest and most respected privately owned-and-operated hospitality and food service companies in the world.

Prior to becoming General Counsel, Mr. Hochul served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, a position for which he was nominated by President Obama, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. While serving as United States Attorney, Mr. Hochul successfully led the prosecution of thousands of criminal and civil matters impacting the country, while returning hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury. Mr. Hochul also led an extensive community outreach effort, instructing businesses and individuals on a wide variety of economic, commercial and personal safety issues.

Mr. Hochul began his legal career as a law clerk to a Maryland Court of Appeals Judge. He thereafter joined the Washington office of a large international law firm, where he represented a wide variety of clients in complex civil litigation matters. Mr. Hochul later served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Western District of New York. As a federal prosecutor, Mr. Hochul specialized in the prosecution of complex organized crime, terrorism, and money laundering schemes, for which work Mr. Hochul received dozens of national, State and local awards and commendations, including co-recipient of the Department of Justice’s highest honor, the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service.

Mr. Hochul serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Corporate Counsel Litigation Network, on the American Gaming Association AML/BSA working group, and on a variety of non-profit Boards of Directors. Mr. Hochul previously taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Buffalo School of Law, Niagara University, and Hilbert College, focusing on trial technique and counter-terrorism related topics. Mr. Hochul has given dozens of lectures to judges, prosecutors, and lawyers, domestically and abroad, on a wide variety of topics, including conducting investigations, corruption, organized crime, terrorism, and rule of law.

Mr. Hochul graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and obtained his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

Mr. Hojnacki joined Curtis Screw Company in 1984 and served in various engineering, sales and operations capacities before becoming president. MacLean-Fogg acquired Curtis in 2014.

Education: Buffalo State College, Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, May 1984, University of Buffalo M.B.A., May 1990.

Organizations: President Board of Directors Richardson Center Corporation, Member Board of Directors Buffalo State College Foundation, Member Board of Directors Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Member Board of Directors Lipsey Architecture Center of Buffalo.

Ted Janicki is the Buffalo market president and Upstate New York/Western Massachusetts small business banking market executive for Bank of America. 

As market president, Ted is responsible for connecting the banking and investment resources offered through Bank of America’s eight lines of business to companies, families and individuals across Erie and Niagara counties. He also leads the effort to deploy Bank of America’s resources to address social concerns, strengthen economic opportunity, and build strong communities, as well as supporting the health, safety and engagement of local teammates.

In his role as Small Business Banking Market Manager, Ted leads a team of small business bankers who serve clients across Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Hudson Valley, and the Western Massachusetts markets. Bank of America’s Small Business clients receive industry-leading guidance, connections, tools and solutions, along with the dedicated support that addresses small business owners’ unique needs to bank how, where and when they want.

Ted has been serving Bank of America clients for 17 years. He is a Western New York native, University at Buffalo graduate, and current Buffalo resident. He dedicates volunteer time to a number of local nonprofits, including Junior Achievement of Western New York, Habitat for Humanity, and the Erie County SPCA.

Dr. Candace S. Johnson joined the faculty of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in February 2002 and is currently President & CEO, the M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership and Professor of Oncology.

Director of the Center and also Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for more than a decade. Her major responsibilities were to facilitate the seamless bench-to-bedside development and delivery of promising new cancer therapies involving various types of cancer.

From 1997-2002, Dr. Johnson served as Deputy Director of Basic Research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, and Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Johnson earned her doctoral degree in Immunology from Ohio State University, Columbus, in 1977. From 1977 to 1981, she completed research and postdoctoral fellowships in Immunology/Cell Biology at the Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit. Her research interests include translational research to facilitate the efficient application of promising labora- tory findings in clinical studies; preclinical design and development of more effective therapeutic approaches to cancer using highly characterized tumor models; and mechanisms of vitamin D mediated antiproliferative effects either alone or in combination with other cytotoxic agents.

Dr. Johnson is a member of the National Institutes of Health Reviewers Reserve and has served as a member of the National Cancer Institute Review Group Subcommittee A Cancer Center (Parent Committee) and of the Experimental Therapeutics Study Section for 2 terms. She also is a member of many professional and scientific societies, Senior Editor of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Associate Editor of Molecular and Cellular Differentiation, Oncology, and Molecular Pharmacology, and a member of the editorial board of Oncology Reports and Molecular Pharmacology. Since 2019, she has served on the NCI Frederick National Laboratory Advisory Committee.

Dr. Johnson has authored or coauthored nearly 200 journal publications, book chapters and abstracts, and has been issued patents on the “Use of Pretreatment Chemicals to Enhance Efficacy of Cytotoxic Agents” and “Endothelial Specific Targeting.”

Her awards and recognitions include the Dr. Thomas B. Tomasi Hope Award, Medaille College Excellence in Leadership Award, University of Pittsburgh Innovator Award, City & State Health Care Power 50, Canisius College Board of Regents Distinguished Citizen Award, Buffalo News Outstanding Citizen of 2016, University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni Association Executive of the Year, NYS Assembly Women of Distinction Award, NYS Senate Women of Distinction Award, Clarence Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, Business First Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award, and honorary doctorates from Daemen College and Hilbert College.

Patrick Kaler is President and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, the destination sales and marketing organization for the Buffalo Niagara region.

Prior to joining Visit Buffalo Niagara, he was President and CEO of Visit Loudoun and previously oversaw the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board’s international offices in Australia, China, Europe, Japan and Latin America, managing major international and domestic travel trade and airline sales and marketing initiatives.

Patrick currently serves on the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors and is Vice Chair of the Destinations Council Board. He is Vice-Chair of the New York State Travel Industry Association, Secretary of the New York State Destination Marketing Organization. He also serves on the boards of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, the Eric Wood Foundation, City of Buffalo Arts Commission, Olmsted Parks Conservancy Long-Range Planning Committee and is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Buffalo.

Patrick holds a Master of Science degree in Tourism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University.

Mike Keating has served as Senior VP for Wegmans Food Markets since 2001, and is responsible for all operations within the company’s Buffalo division of stores: 11 stores in WNY, and two in Erie, PA. The Buffalo Division of Wegmans employs over 6,000 full and part-time employees.

Mike has spent decades in food retailing, with more than 32 years in a variety of leadership roles at Wegmans. Prior to his appointment to Senior Vice President, Mike held positions in Rochester as Store Manager, Manager of Training and Development, Manager of Prepared Foods, and Director of Restaurant Operations.

Mike is extremely passionate about his work in the community. He serves on the Business Leaders Task Force for the Community Foundation for Great Buffalo, The Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection board, as well as the boards for The Westminster Community Foundation, Niagara University Food Marketing Center for Excellence and 23 Connections. He is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo Class of ’99, and served on the board from 2008-2011. He is a past trustee for Medaille College, and previously served as the president of the board of Homespace. Mike has been named both the Campaign Volunteer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year for The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and currently serves as a member of the advisory council.

Mike is a graduate of SUNY Albany.

Thomas A. Kucharski has served as President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara (InBN) since 2000. Under his leadership, InBN has grown from a start-up initiative to an innovative regional economic development organization that has secured more than 325 successful project wins representing $3.8 billion in investment in the region and over 41,000 jobs created and/or retained.

From the onset, Tom helped InBN form strong, enduring partnerships with business, development and academic leaders throughout the Buffalo Niagara region. Today more than 150 organizations work with IBN to provide support and expertise to companies from the U.S., Canada and other parts of the world looking to set up shop in Western New York.

Tom serves as a Board Member and Chair of various committees of the International Economic Development Council for over ten years. He is also an Executive Committee Member of the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) and was selected by his NYSEDC colleagues as the 2014 Economic Developer of the Year. In 2007, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the Western New York Chapter of the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors.