Pataki Appoints Jacobs to Serve As Chair of UB Council

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Jeremy M. Jacobs, Sr., chairman and chief executive officer of Delaware North Companies, has been appointed chair of the University at Buffalo Council by Gov. George E. Pataki.

Jacobs, who was appointed to the council in 1997, succeeds Lawrence P. Castellani, who resigned from the council in September when he accepted a position as president and chief executive officer of Ahold Support Services, South America.

A graduate of UB, Jacobs served the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc., as a trustee and director from 1972-96, and as foundation chairman from 1980-87.

As chairman and CEO of Delaware North, Jacobs oversees a company that has grown under his leadership into a $1 billion-plus private holding company with principal subsidiaries in food service, retail, sports, sports-facility ownership and management, airport services, hospitality and parks-services industries and pari-mutuel operations.

Since 1995, Jacobs has chaired the University at Buffalo Board of Visitors, a group of international leaders that advises UB on strategic issues. He received a SUNY honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UB in 1996.

Jacobs and his family have been strong supporters of the UB School of Management, with the school's home, the Jacobs Management Center, being named in their honor.

"Jeremy's appointment as council chair is superb," said UB President William R. Greiner. "Deeply committed to UB, he has served the university loyally and well for more than 25 years. I am proud to see one of our own graduates in this leadership position; he is a great counselor, leader and advisor for all of us at UB."

The UB Council is the local governing council of the University at Buffalo.

Jacobs resides in East Aurora.