UB Alumni Association elects new president, officers

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Gary J. Jastrzab has been elected to serve a two-year term as president of the University at Buffalo Alumni Association (UBAA), a group that represents the interests of nearly 268,000 graduates around the world.

Jastrzab, a Buffalo native, earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from the School of Architecture and Planning as well as a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences, both in 1976. He also holds a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

After a 35-year career in a variety of planning, project management and public policy development initiatives for the City of Philadelphia, Jastrzab retired in 2017 as executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

His career accomplishments include the adoption of a new zoning code for Philadelphia; the preparation of Philadelphia2035, the city’s first citywide comprehensive plan in 60 years; the creation of the Citizens Planning Institute to educate citizens and neighborhood organizations in planning-related matters; and establishing the Philadelphia Civic Design Review Committee to provide urban design guidance to developers proposing new building projects.

Jastrzab was elected to the UBAA Board of Directors and has led the UB Philadelphia Alumni Network since 2012.

In addition, he is a member of several national and local professional, civic and charitable organizations.

“I feel fortunate to be leading the association at this pivotal time when the university is working toward the most ambitious fundraising goal in its—and SUNY’s—history as part of the Boldly Buffalo Campaign,” Jastrzab said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to engage our alumni around the world and rally together.”

Other officers elected for the 2019-20 term are President-Elect Dharshan Jayasinghe (BA ’03) of Williamsville, New York, managing partner and CEO of bizWin Strategies, Inc. and Vice President of Finance Nicholas Romano (JD ‘13, BS ‘10) of Cheektowaga, New York, attorney at Connors, LLP.

Also elected to the board are:

• Ronald Balter (BA ’80), of Brooklyn, New York, attorney at Vecchione, Vecchione, Connors & Cano, LLP.
• Jason Bird (BA ’05), of Amherst, New York, certified financial planner and owner of Inspired Wealth Planning.
• Brendan Brady (MBA ’02, BS ’02), of Orchard Park, New York, senior manager of assurance services at Dopkins and Company, LLP.
• Christopher Maugans (MBA ’14, JD ’14, BS ’10), of Buffalo, New York, associate at Goldberg Segalla, LLP.
• West Richter Jr. (MBA ’13, BS ’13, MusB ’13), of Cheektowaga, New York, vice president for technology, M&T Bank.
• Andrew Tan (BS ’15), of Singapore, business analyst for Triple 2 Studio.

Past President Representative Joseph P. Lojacono (MBA ’80, BS ’79), of Amherst, New York, who is president of Valmark Associates LLC was also appointed for a two-year term.

The UB Alumni Association is a volunteer-led international organization that provides ongoing service to alumni and a focus of alumni support for, and service to, UB, its students, faculty and staff.