37 Graduate from CEL Program at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thirty-seven 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: Philip Basinski, president, Sweeney's Garage, Inc., Buffalo; Joseph Battin, owner/optician, Battin Opticians LLC, Buffalo; Louise Cadwalader, president/CEO, Trek Inc., Medina; MJ Caliendo, president/CEO, Grayton Co., Amherst; Richard Corica, executive vice president/COO, Elite Recovery Services Inc., Buffalo; Domenic Cortese, president/CEO, Cortese Brothers, Depew; Denise Davison, president, The Dock at the Bay, Blasdell, and Renee DiFlavio, vice president education and employment, The Olmstead Center for the Visually Impaired, Buffalo.

Also, John Eberl, sales and marketing manager, Eberl Iron Works Inc., Buffalo; Robert Friedman, president, Friedman & Ranzenhofer, P.C., Akron; Emanual Gambacorta, dentist, Dr. Gambacorta & Dental Associates, Cheektowaga; Kevin Gregory, president, Neuman Claim Administrators Inc., Buffalo; Rudy Hein, director of customer service, William S. Hein Co., Buffalo; Brian Hutton, vice president/owner, Service Office Supply, Amherst; Nancy Irwin, vice president of operations, CJ Irwin Company, Buffalo, and David Johnson, president, Corfu Machine Co. Inc., Corfu.

Also, Jeffrey Kohlhas, COO, Leisure Craft Pools, Lancaster; Marion Kopin, president, Bechtel, Kopin & Co., CPA, PC, Buffalo; Susan Kryszak, owner, Comfort Keepers, Orchard Park; Keith Kuehlewind, president, Audax Business Solutions Inc., Williamsville; Jerold Lewandowski, president, J&M Instrument Service Inc., Orchard Park; Paul Maher, president, D&M Plywood, Buffalo; James Maloney, president/owner, Buffalo Hardwood LLC, Depew; Stephen Metschl, owner, Metschl & Associates, Buffalo, and Larissa Myshaskiw, president, Fitness Village, Williamsville.

Also, Kathleen, Olenick, technical manufacturing manager, ENrG Inc., Buffalo; Benjamin Pearce, president/owner, ACP Technologies, West Seneca; Thomas Saia, president, Iroquois Bar Corp., Lackawanna; Stephen Sanders, president, Jos. A. Sanders & Sons Inc., Buffalo; Andy Severson, president, Armstrong Brands Inc., West Seneca; William Sherman, vice president/COO, Northern Customs Services Inc., Niagara Falls; Aaron Shiah, owner, Sign*A*Rama, Niagara Falls; Diana Southall, vice president, Botanicus Inc., Amherst; Michael Story, vice president, Boncraft Inc., Orchard Park; Krista Van Wagner, vice president, Curly's Inc., Lackawanna; Wayne Watson, president, Auburn & Watson Corp., Buffalo, and Jonathan Weir, principal, Weir Financial Resources LLC, Buffalo.

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 more than 550 strong," she added. Luehrsen estimates that CEL alumni employ more than 20,000 Western New Yorkers and are worth nearly $3 billion to the local economy.

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