36 Graduate from CEL Program at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thirty-six 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 and business leaders 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: Kurt Amico, vice president, MidCity Office Furniture, Buffalo; Joseph Berti, vice president, Speed Transportation, Buffalo; Michael Bonitatibus, president, Millington Lockwood, Inc., Buffalo; David Burke, president, Burke Homes, Burke Construction LLC, Hamburg; Evan Casey, president, Great Lakes Environmental & Safety Consultants, Inc., Buffalo; Patricia Dwyer, owner, Health Force, Buffalo; Paul Galanes, president, Zorba's Texas Hots, Depew; Christopher Guard, owner, Guard Contracting Corp., Youngstown; Robert Hartl, franchise owner WNY, 1-800-Got-Junk?, Athol Springs; Beverly Hughes, president, Buffalo Materials Handling, Cheektowaga; Ronald Jackson, president, Fisher Pools & Supplies, Hamburg; Roy Jordan, president, North Forest Development, Williamsville; Kevin Kelly, president, TR Communications, Inc., Tonawanda; Robert LaMastra, principal owner, Mercedes-Benz of Buffalo, Williamsville; Cathy Maloney, vice president for organizational development and legal affairs, Child & Family Services of Erie County, Buffalo; Gary Marchiori, principal, manager natural gas, NOCO Energy Marketing LLC, Tonawanda; Ronald Martin, vice president of operations, Jiffy-tite Company, Inc., Lancaster; and Jeff McCaskey, president/CEO, Aurora Consulting Group, Inc., East Aurora.

Also, Laura Meyers, CEO, Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie County, Buffalo; Alan Mollot, president, Alan R. Mollot Associates, Ltd., Amherst; Craig Moore, co-owner, J.L. Moore, Inc., East Aurora; Richard Nashwinter II, president, Interior Environments, Buffalo; Diane Nicotera, owner, Presence Unique Clothing & Jewelry, Buffalo; Paul Niedzialowski, president/CEO, Elite Recovery Services, Inc., Buffalo; William Panzica, owner, Butterwood Desserts, West Falls; Christine Pyne, proprietress, Urban Valet Dry Cleaners, Inc., Buffalo; Dennis Ryan, executive vice president, TransAd Outdoor Media, East Aurora; Wesley Schmidt, owner, Masterpiece Builders LLC, Clarence; John Schwegler, president, Newtrend Furniture, Amherst; Dale Schwenk, president, Tiles International, Orchard Park; Edward Seebald, CEO, Seebald & Associates, LLC, Orchard Park; Gerard Sheldon, owner, Lancaster Tanks & Steel Products, Lancaster; Richard Smith III, president, Rigidized Metals Corp., Buffalo; Barry Sutton, president, Sutton Distributing, Inc., Hamburg; Marc Van Tine, CEO, Fluid Power Service Corp., Lancaster; and Richard Williamson, owner, Fitness Institute & Pilates Studio, Williamsville.

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

"The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership provides a crucial link between these businesses and the 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 Althea Luehrsen, executive director of the CEL.

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

The CEL Core Program is accepting applications for September enrollment. For more information, contact Althea Luehrsen, executive director, at 645-3000 or visit mgt.buffalo.edu/cel.