UB School of Management Graduates 50 from Entrepreneurship Programs

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forty 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, and 10 have graduated from the school's Advanced CEL program.

Both groups participated in a graduation ceremony on June 4 in Shanghai Reds on the Buffalo waterfront. Katherine Ferguson, associate dean for academic affair at the UB School of Management, spoke on behalf of the university, and a keynote address was given by Erie County Executive Chris Collins.

Core program 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 of the Core program are: Marc Adler, vice president of client services, Flynn and Friends, Buffalo; Robert Anthon, vice president, Great American Tool, Buffalo; James J. Appolson, president, Appolson's Performance Center, Hamburg; Vincent D. Bamrick, president, Cookie Expressions, West Seneca; Michael S. Blumenson, president, Digital Surveillance Solutions, Williamsville; Brian Burke, executive vice president, EF Burke, LLC, Orchard Park; Bonnie Kistner Chmielowiec, president, Upstate Steel, Buffalo; Gary A. Ciurzcak, president, Ciurzcak & Co., Buffalo; Patricia L. Collins, managing member, Coldwell Banker Commercial Meridian, Buffalo; Anthony DelMonte, owner, DelMonte Hair System, Buffalo.

Also, Shawna R. Dosser, president, BWI Promotions/Battleworks, Eden; Kathleen M. Eckert, president, Knight Industrial Supplies, Buffalo; Jeffrey D. Fancher, president, Buffalo Custom Closets/J&R Specialties, Clarence; Richard J. Finn, president, Ritco, East Amherst; F. James Ginnane, president, Planned Futures Financial Group, LLC, Williamsville; Robert C. Gosch, owner/president, Discover Golf Performance Center, Clarence Center; Jason E. Isla, chief technology officer, Verta Source, LLC, Buffalo; David A. Jacobs, Principal, The Jacobs Team, Hamburg; Robert W. Klingensmith III, president, Noein Holding Partners, Kenmore; Peter L. Krog II, Secretary/Treasurer, Krog Corp., Orchard Park.

Also, Warren M. Krutchick, D.D.S., Warren M. Krutchick D.D.S., West Seneca; Tom Larsen, president, Larsen & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., Depew; Gary W. Lauchert, president, R. M. Headlee Co., Inc., Orchard Park; Sally A. Legarreta, practice administrator, Legarreta Eye Center, Williamsville; Amy C. McCarthy, owner, Globe Market, Buffalo; Timothy J. Mordaunt, Attorney-Mediator, Timothy J. Mordaunt Esq., Grand Island; Louis Mulone, owner, Lexi's Wine and Spirits, Getzville; William M. Paulot, president, CEO, Printing Prep/Leader ASP, Buffalo; Adam D. Pratt, vice president, Sherex Fastening Solutions, Tonawanda; John Pusateri, vice president, Advance Furniture, Kenmore.

Also, Amy Remmele, owner, Peak of Success LLC, Amherst; Patrick M. Ryan, president, Fat Bob's Smokehouse, LLC, Buffalo; Richard A. Serra, president, Allpro Parking, LLC, Buffalo; Robert Strach, vice president of manufacturing, Gintzler Graphics, Williamsville; Gary Styka, president, Roofmasters Roofing Co., Buffalo; Bernard J. Switzer, executive vice president, Precision Photo Fab, Blasdell; Edward Tierney, director of marketing, ATTO Technology, Amherst; Mark S. Wendling, D.D.S., East Amherst Dental Center, East Amherst; Brendan M. Whistler, vice president -- sales/marketing, S.B. Whistler & Sons, Akron; and Mark K. Zografos, president, Italian Marble and Granite, Clarence Center.

Graduates of the Advanced CEL program build upon the success of the Core program in a forum designed to help them continue their success through an array of learning opportunities.

Graduates of the Advanced CEL program are: Kurt Amico, owner, Midcity Office Furniture, Buffalo; Paul E. Buckley, president, Applied Sciences Group, Buffalo; Roy A. Jordan, North Forest Office Providers, Williamsville; Angie C. Kleeh, president, The Synergy Group, Williamsville; Carolyn B. Newhouse, president, SuperUser Technologies, Bradford, Pa.; Paul E. Niedzialowski, president and CEO, Elite Recovery Services, Buffalo; Douglas N. Smith, president, Sound Video Systems, Buffalo; Paul A. Strada, president -- CEO, N.A.S. Quick Sign, Buffalo; Heather Voss DeZak, president, SGO Designer Glass of WNY, Buffalo; and Cynthia A. Walawander, executive vice president, Cognigen Corporation, Buffalo.

Established in 1987, the UB Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership promotes business growth through leadership development and experiential learning.

"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 Thomas Ulbrich, executive director of the CEL.

"The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership alumni network is now more than 700 strong," he added. Ulbrich estimates that CEL alumni employ more than 25,000 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 Thomas Ulbrich, executive director, at 716-645-3000 or visit http://mgt.buffalo.edu/cel.

The Wall Street Journal ranks the UB School of Management No. 9 in the nation among schools with strong regional recruiting bases. In addition, BusinessWeek ranks the school as one of the country's top 5 business schools for the fastest return on MBA investment, and Forbes cites it as one of the best business schools in the U.S. for the return on investment it provides MBA graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit http://mgt.buffalo.edu.