32 Graduate from Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thirty-two Western New York business owners, operators and high-level managers have graduated from the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Core Program in the University at Buffalo School of Management.

The graduates completed a 10-month program for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to grow, refocus or better manage their businesses. They performed an in-depth analysis of their own businesses while developing expertise in key areas such as strategic planning, employee relations, capital acquisition and marketing.

The graduates are: James Bedard III, president, Buffalo Hotel Supply Co. Inc.; Dominic Bellanti, president, Owl Homes of Fredonia; John Berger Jr., chief operating officer, Niagara Insurance Group; Joseph Bowden, owner, Pacific Pools & Spas; Paul Buckley, president, Applied Sciences Group; Steve Calvaneso, owner, Ultimate Restaurants Inc.; Randy Epstein, president, My Red Shoes, LLC; Kelly Fermoyle, managing director, WorldWebDex Corp.; Donald Hahn, president, Hahn & Associates; Jeffrey Haynes, president, Fibertech; Kenneth Jirak, vice president, Fluid Power Service Corp.; Carrie Kahn, executive dean of workforce development, Erie Community College; Hal Kingsley, president, Fourth Media; Angie Kleeh, president, The Synergy Group, and John Krytus, owner, Construction Personnel Group; Michael Lamastra, owner, Maple Dental.

Also, Peter Lane, president, Applied Fabric Technologies Inc.; Richard Lombard, executive vice president, Industrial Power & Lighting Corp.; Richard Lund, president, Perma-Tech Inc.; James Lutz, vice president, Lutz Brothers Inc.; Laurie Menzies, attorney, Office of Laurie Menzies; Andrew Moquin, president, Andrew's Jewelers; James Neil, vice president, Neil Development Co.; Marvin Ohlson, partner, Ohlson's Bakery…Café; John Olenick, president, ENrG Inc.; Janet Ostrow, president, Premier Gourmet; Michael Pace, president, Pace Builders & Landscaping; Gary Rogers, president, Hughes HiTech; Steven Rott, vice president, Wm. C. Rott & Son Inc.; Thomas Stewart, managing partner, Northwestern Mutual Network; Laura Swiatek, vice president, Leisure Craft Pools, and Douglas Tinklepaugh, president, Pinnacle Constructors, LLC.

Established in 1987, the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is tailored for established private businesses.

"The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership provides a crucial link between these businesses and the UB School of Management. The relationship building and sharing of expertise that takes place in the core program are invaluable to both the School and participants," said Courtney J. Walsh, assistant dean and director of UB's Center for Executive Development.

"The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is pleased to welcome our graduates into the alumni network, now more than 550 strong," she added. Walsh estimated that CEL alumni employ more than 15,000 Western New Yorkers and are worth nearly $2 billion to the local economy.

The CEL Core Program is accepting applications for September enrollment. For more information, contact Althea Luehrsen at 645-3000 or visit .