McGuire Named 'Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year' by UB School of Management

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Frank J. McGuire, chairman of The McGuire Group, has been named 2001 "Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year" by the University at Buffalo School of Management.

The award will be presented at the 52nd annual awards banquet of the UB School of Management Alumni Association, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

Established in 1949, the Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year award honors a resident of the Niagara Frontier who has distinguished himself or herself in a career marked by executive success, a proven willingness to assume a leadership role in civic affairs and a demonstration of high personal integrity.

Past recipients include Robert E. Rich, Sr.; Paul L. Snyder; Robert E. Rich, Jr.; Jeremy M. Jacobs; the late Burt P. Flickinger, Jr.; the late Seymour H. Knox III; Sal H. Alfiero; Robert G. Wilmers; Bernard J. Kennedy; Frank L. Ciminelli; Reginald B. Newman II, and Luiz F. Kahl. Last year's honoree was Robert T. Brady.

McGuire is the founder and chairman of The McGuire Group, comprised of 26 companies involved principally in the business of construction, health care, commercial real estate development, real estate management, financing, apartment projects, condominium projects, shopping centers and industrial real estate.

In 1960, McGuire founded Industrial Power & Light Co., an electrical engineering and construction company. The firm has completed more than $300 million of electrical construction work in Western New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado and Alaska and was the first American electrical contractor to work in the People's Republic of China.

In 1973, The McGuire Group extended its reach into health care. It built and operated Seneca Manor Nursing Home in West Seneca. The McGuire Group now consists of a chain of nine nursing home facilities with a total of 1,800 beds, as well as five apartment complexes for the elderly in Western New York, Michigan and Long Island. The McGuire Group employs over 2,500 people, 1,400 of whom are in Western New York.

In addition to his business enterprises, McGuire is a strong proponent and active participant in business and economic development initiatives. He previously served as chairman of the Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce and the Western New York Economic Development Corporation, during which time he also served as director of the New York State Urban Development Corporation and Waterfront Development Corporation for the City of Buffalo. In 1992, he was named "Buffalonian of the Year" by the City of Buffalo in recognition of his community service.

In 1999, McGuire initiated the "Business Backs the Bills Committee" and its highly successful effort to sell new stadium boxes to retain the Buffalo Bills in Western New York. He works with many community organizations and is a member of the board of directors of Merchants' Mutual Insurance Company and the Roswell Park Alliance. He is a trustee of the University at Buffalo Foundation.

McGuire also is known for his philanthropic leadership. He has been recognized by St. Bonaventure University, Hilbert College, Medaille College, the Sisters of Mercy and Trocaire College, where the auditorium bears his name.

A member of the executive committee for UB's $250 million campaign, "The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation," he is a major donor to UB, as well as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Diocese of Buffalo, Catholic Charities, Boy Scouts and United Way, among other organizations. In 1998, in recognition of his continued generosity and leadership to countless organizations in Western New York, McGuire was named "Philanthropist of the Year" by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.

McGuire was born and raised in South Buffalo. He is married to the former Donna Grodem and is the father of seven children. He lives in Williamsville.

For further information about the awards banquet, contact John Shellum, assistant dean in the UB School of Management, at 645-3224.