Sr. Peggy Gorman |
Sr.Peggy of Southg Buffalo has been a Sister of Mercy for 63 years. She has served as a teacher, school principal, and administrator at Mercy Hospital. She also served on the Board of Trustees at Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, St. Jerome Hospital, St. James Hospital in Hornell, Trocaire College, Mt. Mercy Academy, Eastern Mercy Health System, and Catholic Health East System. She is a certified Chaplain, and has served as the Director of Advancement for the Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo, Erie, Pittsburgh and Rochester, and also served as the President of the Sisters in Mercy of the Americas.
|
Jennifer Andres, Director, Erie County Office of Consumer Protection |
Jennifer Andres is the Director of Consumer Protection for Erie County. Jennifer graduated from Daemen University with a Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Education and received her Masters degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Jennifer enjoys going for walks after work, playing board games, boating on the lake, and seeking out new adventures with her husband and two sons on the weekends!
|
Eileen Angelini |
Dr. Angelini received her Ph.D. and M.A. in French Studies from Brown University, and her B.A. in French from Middlebury College. She has received numerous grants and awards for research and teaching the French language and francophone culture, particularly related to French-speaking people in Canada. She was the recipient of a 2010-2011 Canada-US Fulbright award at McMaster University and a 2013-2017 Fulbright Specialist Award. She was named Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques in 2011, a national award created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808 as a reward for devotion and accomplishment in the realm of teaching. She is currently Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
|
Budd Bailey |
Budd has held a variety of sports-related positions over the years, including a 23-years with The Buffalo News. Budd also worked for WEBR Newsradio 970, and the Buffalo Sabres. He has written 15 books, including histories of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Braves that were released in 2023. He also writes for a website, Buffalo Sports Page. In the summer, Budd serves as a pitch clock timer for the Buffalo Bisons. He is on the Media Advisory Committee for the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and is on the Board of Directors of the WNY Running Hall of Fame, and the WNY chapter of Mensa. For the latter, Budd hosts a biannual speaker series at the Buffalo History Museum.
|
Sister Judith Beiswanger, Sister of St. Francis |
Sister Judith Beiswanger grew up in Buffalo and worked for the telephone company for 2 years, before becoming a Sister of St. Francis. She has been a sister for 56 years. Sister Judith's ministry was teaching and serving as the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Buffalo and New Mexico. Sr. Judith has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
|
Dawn Bellere, Canine Obedience Trainer; American Kennel Club Evaluator |
Dogs are not their whole world, but they make their life whole. Dawn, along with her mother, Sue, have taught obedience to over 1,000 dogs of almost every breed, including mixed breeds. They have earned high titles in a variety of dog sports, including agility, obedience, rally, trickdog and scentsport. They have earned championships and high in trials, and have competed in many national events. Dawn has been invited to the National Obedience Classic with 2 dogs in rally and obedience. They are also AKC evaluators for trick dog, temperment tests and Canine Good Citizen, and are judges for the Agility Course Test. But Dawn & Sue really just enjoy spending time with their canine companions!! Dawn and her husband currently share their lives with 3 dogs, and Sue has 2.
|
Greg Bittner |
The Rangers are based out of Chestnut Ridge Park, and host a variety of educational programs across the entire Park System. They also patrol all 10,000 acres of park and forestry lands. The Rangers are required to go through Peace Officer Training, as well.
|
Ian /Joe Bradley/Fiegl |
Ian Bradley & Joe Fiegl
Ian Bradley is an Assistant Professor in the University at Buffalo's Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Ian's research areas focus on creating sustainable biological processes to address needs in engineered and natural systems for water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery. He received his Masters and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Joe Fiegl is the Deputy Commissioner for Erie County's Division of Sewerage Management, which is responsible for the seven (7) Erie County Sewer Districts. Prior to joining Erie County, Joe worked in engineering consulting. He is a licensed professional engineer in New York State, a board-certified environmental engineer, and a graduate of Northwestern University.
|
Kathy Bragagnola |
Kathy Bragagnola is passionate about yoga, movement, wellness and nature. She has immersed herself in yoga and various wellness practices for many years. As a certified yoga teacher (500hr.) with expertise in chair and gentle yoga, an ACE certified health & wellness coach, group fitness instructor and certified aromatherapist, Kathy blends 25+ years of social work experience into holistic well-being practices.
|
Ed Brodbeck |
Ed Brodbeck has been a Civil War Reenactor for 16 years in many living history and battle events in New York State. Ed loves interacting with the public, and gives his presentations in character, including the uniform.
|
Maria Bujnicki |
Marla is first and foremost a promoter of Buffalo, a preservationist and a history enthusiast. After retiring from the Department of Homeland Security, with 37 years of government service, Marla was certified as a Master Docent by Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) in 2005. She has written and given numerous tours for that organization while serving as a Board Trustee from 2006-2011 and as Vice President from 2012-2014.
Since then she has given a number of bus and trolley tours for Triple A, various senior organizations and the Darwin Martin House's "All Wright All Day" excursions. More recently, Marla has been giving trolley tours at Forest Lawn, role playing in period dress two of its more famous permanent residents, has trained and certified new docents and has been invited to be a guest presenter at Forest Lawn, later this year, when they celebrate their 175th Anniversary.
Marla has also been a guest on Judge Penny Wolfgang's weekly radio show and she has been narrating tours aboard the Miss Buffalo II since 2021.
|
Bob Butler |
Dr . Butler has taught a wide range of courses on American literature at Canisius College over a 54 year period . He has also authored seven books on African American literature.
|
Judy Buzby |
After working as a nurse in WNY for 38 years, Judy Buzby retired and has enjoyed working on her family's genealogical research. Finding interesting things about her family tree has opened up the past for Judy and has increased her understanding of the joys and hardships that our forefathers lived through.
|
Brendan Chella |
Brendan Chella has been a professional librarian for over 10 years and is currently the TechKnow Lab Librarian for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System. Outside of work, Brendan is a big video gamer and Buffalo sports fan.
|
Lukia Costello |
Recently featured in Buffalo News Magazine, "You're NOT for ART!" chronicles the inspiring and diverse artistic journey of "unknown" yet cherished octogenarian artist Sylvia Fahey-Kleindist, celebrating the essence of art as a lifelong pastime, irrespective of fame or commercial success.
|
Bill Daniels |
Mr. Daniels is the Coordinator of the Health Insurance Information & Counseling program for the Erie County Department of Senior Services, a role he has held since 1995.
|
John Dumbrosky |
John Dumbrosky is an educational speaker for The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, operated by the Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier. The Museum is a premier national historic site and community resource for family recreation and learning that fosters an appreciation for the unique heritage of the carousel and related industries in the Niagara Region.
|
Mary Durlak |
Mary Durlak is a lifelong Western New Yorker who has lived near Cazenovia Creek and its tributaries most of her life. Therefore, it's not surprising she developed an interest in the Erie Canal. Retirement has given her the opportunity to pursue that interest through research, road trips, and membership in the Canal Society of New York State.
Mary is a lifelong writer who was active in writing organizations including the Society for Technical Communication, and the National Association of Science Writers. She taught writing and composition as an instructor at several area colleges. At Buffalo State College, she served as a writer and editor in the Marketing and Communications Department until she retired. She then became a volunteer docent and presenter for Explore Buffalo.
|
Rick Falkowski |
Rick Falkowski has been involved in all aspects of WNY entertainment during the past 60 years. He is the founder of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Awards, former publisher of Buffalo Backstage Magazine, entertainment coordinator of Tonawanda's Gateway Harbor Concerts, producer of Theatre Alongside the Canal, a UB graduate, USAF veteran and Time Warner retiree. He presents classes on the History of Buffalo Music and Buffalo History. In addition, Rick is the author of History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment, two different versions of "Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY", The Spirit of Buffalo Women and will be publishing a new Profiles Volume III: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY from the Late 1900s in the fall of 2024.
|
Joe Fiegl, P.E., BCEE |
Joe Fiegl is the Deputy Commissioner for Erie County's Division of Sewerage Management, which is responsible for the seven (7) Erie County Sewer Districts. Prior to joining Erie County, Joe worked in engineering consulting. He is a licensed professional engineer in New York State, a board-certified environmental engineer, and a graduate of Northwestern University.
|
Rachelle Francis |
Rachelle Francis's passion for presidential history began when the Fillmore House in East Aurora opened in 1979 and she became a docent there. As a social studies instructional leader for the Orchard Park elementary schools, she wrote curriculum for both local and statewide distribution, as well as five books on local history with her history club. She is also a frequent Chautauqua presenter.
|
Ryan Gadzo, MPA |
Ryan Gadzo currently serves as the Research Analyst for Erie County Senior Services. He has both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Buffalo State College, in Political Science and Public Administration respectively.
|
Ms. Donnie Gibson |
Explore Buffalo Docent
|
Katherine Gillette-Cockerill |
Katherine serves as the Assistant Director of Human Education for the Erie SPCA, a position she has held since 2022. Katherine and her team will be presenting for University Express for the first time this semester - and we are so thrilled to have them!
|
Mustafa Gokcek, PhD |
Dr. Gokcez is a Professor & Chair of the History Department at Niagara University. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in International Relations at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. Dr. Gokcek served as a visiting researcher at the Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia. He then pursued his Ph.D. in history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His dissertation focused on Muslim intellectuals from Russia, who migrated to Istanbul in the early twentieth century and actively engaged in the intellectual discussions on religion and nationalism. His research interests include contemporary social movements in Muslim societies. Dr. Gokcek currently teaches courses on the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, Russia, and Central Asia. He helped establish the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies program at Niagara University and led study abroad trips to Istanbul.
|
Adam Goldfarb, ChFC, Financial Advisor, RJFS |
Adam Goldfarb, assists individuals, families, small businesses, NGOs and entrepreneurs through important transitional periods in professional and personal development, beyond retirement, and beyond succession.
He is an active community member serving the Big Easy in Buffalo, and past board service with UB CEL Alumni Association, Hillel, WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable, WNY Planned Giving Consortium, and Rotary Club of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. He also sits on the Raymond James Sustainable Investing Council and the EPA Environmental Financing Working Group.
Adam has a BA in Classics and Philosophy from Colby, an MS in Higher Education Administration from Buff State and Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College.
He is married with two rescue fur babies and two human daughters. In his spare time he practices martial arts as a 2nd degree black belt, loves being a foodie with his wonderful wife and visiting new and exciting worlds through books.
|
Pati Aine Guzinski |
Pati Aine is the Training Coordinator for the Erie County Dept. of Health. She is now a retired EMT after many years of service and is a graduate of the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing and has a degree in Natural Resource Conservation from Empire State College. In her spare time, she sings with the Advent Chorale of WNY & is a Master Gardener.
|
Debra Hall-Stonish |
Debra has been a life-long resident of the Buffalo area where she still lives with her husband of over 50 years. She holds a BA and an MBA from SUNY at Buffalo. Her career revolved along finance and business where she held positions as VP at Marine Midland and M&T Banks; President of her family's construction company; and CFO for a religious order. Debra also taught at her alma mater, UB, for 7 years as well as in the Entrepreneurship program at UB for 5 years. She is now retired and can pursue her interests in traveling and giving tours. She is an enthusiastic promoter of Buffalo and proud to see its renaissance. Although she would have been happier to see it happening in her 20s, she'll take it in her 70s!
|
Debbie Hamm |
Debbie is a retired kindergarten teacher who now enjoys teaching about home organizing. She work with individuals to help them declutter and simplify their homes in order to make space and time for what is most important. Debbie uses a simple, non-judgmental decluttering process that allows her clients to go from cluttered to calm.
|
Faizan Haq |
Faizan Haq has been a lecturer for Intercultural International Communication at The State University of New York College at Buffalo (Buffalo State College) since 2004. He has also been teaching courses on Organizational and International Communication.
Haq has taught Islamic Cultural History along with U.S.A. relations with the Muslim World for over twenty years. In addition to Islamic Studies, his academic interests include: Intercultural Studies, International Relations, and Media Analysis. He also has taught courses on Islam and Democracy. Haq is a known media analyst and has been asked to render his opinions for various media networks on diverse international issues including ABC, CBS, NBC, Voice of America, and YNN. ARY, GEO TV, TV One and other Pakistani Media outlets.
He is the Founder and Publisher of WNYMuslims.org. He has also launched a monthly news and policy magazine, The Collective News (thecollectivenews.com).
Haq is an active member of the Western New York Interfaith Community and is an alumnus of Leadership Buffalo 2007. He is has been engaged in the University Express program at Erie County for over 10 years and has been presenting on the The Arab Spring, Pakistani Americans at the Crossroads, Islam and Women, and Muslim Cultural Identity.
|
Kevin Hardwick, Ph. D. |
Dr. Kevin R. Hardwick received his Ph.D. from SUNY-Binghamton. He has been a political science professor at Canisius College since 1989, and is a former chair of the department. He previously hosted Hardline with Kevin Hardwick, a weekly WBEN radio program on local politics. Dr. Hardwick's involvement in politics and the policy process dates back to his senior year in high school when he was elected to a seat on the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education in the Binghamton area. He subsequently served as councilman in the Town of Binghamton, Administrative Assistant to the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, First Ward Council Member in the City of Tonawanda, Erie County Legislator and currently as Erie County Comptroller. His unique blend of formal training and practical political experience contributes to lively discussions in his classes at Canisius and to his effectiveness as an elected official.
|
John Harrigan, PhD |
John Harrigan chaired the Communication Arts Department at SUNY Erie for fifteen years. He is the recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Harrigan is a former faculty member of the Project Zero Summer Institute in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. John was also awarded a NEA Foundation Grant in Learning and Leadership. He is currently on staff at Florida Gulf Coast University and has most recently returned from Singapore where he spent a year as a visiting professor.
|
Jean Harris, Esq. |
Jean E. Harris, Esq., is a partner with Pfalzgraf Beinhauer Grear Harris Schuller LLP. For over 19 years, Ms. Harris has focused her practice on protecting assets of individuals in need of skilled nursing care, either in a facility or at home. In addition, her practice includes estate planning for individuals, including Trusts, Last Wills and Testaments, Powers of Attorney and Living Will/Health Care Proxies and Guardianship.
Ms. Harris earned a Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and a B.A., Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is admitted to practice law in New York State and in the United States District Courts.
Ms. Harris is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association of Western New York, and the Erie County Bar Association. Ms. Harris is also member of several Bar association committees and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Amherst Generations Foundation. She frequently lectures on Elder Law, issues concerning Medicaid and payment of long-term care costs, Trusts and Estate Planning.
|
Jolene Hawkins |
Born in Louisiana and raised in Texas Jolene Hawkins moved to WNY in 1988 knowing nothing about the area. She has always loved history, so she started to learn about the little town she moved to called Concord. She expanded her curiosity and soon was learning the history and little tidbits of the entire area. Jolene joined the Historical Society, became Grandma Butter, and still does butter churning demonstrations at the Erie County Fair each August. Jolene writes articles once a week for the Springville Journal on either a person or some history tidbit, and also writes books on the History and Mysteries of the area. She also loves volunteering at the Lucy Bensley Genealogy Research Center once a week and talking to kids regarding history and genealogy in the classroom or at living history events. Jolene is always on the lookout for more stories and interesting facts, and encourages you to share yours with her!
|
Tim Herzog |
Tim began homebrewing in 1981 and went down the slippery slope. Stops along the way included founding the Sultans of Swig homebrewing club, the NY State Craft Brewers Association, becoming a Nationally Certified Beer Judge, and serving two terms on the National Brewers Association Government Affairs Committee. In his spare-time Tim founded and built the" Flying Bison Brewing Company." Tim retired in November 2022.
|
Rhonda Hoffman |
Rhonda Hoffman is the Genealogy Specialist for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. She has a Master of Library Science from UB and a Bachelor of Arts in History from SUNY Geneseo. Rhonda has been researching her own genealogy for over two decades and is a board member of the Western New York Genealogical Society. She has had articles published in popular genealogy periodicals including the New York Researcher and the National Genealogical Society's NGS Magazine. Rhonda frequently lectures in Western New York and has been a featured presenter at the New York State Family History Conference.
|
Jennifer Johnson |
Jennifer Johnson is the owner of New Sky Coaching. She is a native Western New Yorker and graduate of Canisius College. She has spent over 20 years working with local health plans, focusing on the health and wellness needs of older adults in the community. Jennifer brings health and wellness programs to adults of all ages through live and virtual presentations at fitness centers, senior centers, employers and community groups. Her passion for health, fitness and cooking led her to coaching, where she can work intensively with people one-on-one and help them set, and achieve, goals toward sustainable change.
Jennifer is a Certified Wellness Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and Registered Yoga Teacher. She lives in Hamburg with her husband, son and two badly-behaved cats.
|
Patrick Kaler |
Patrick Kaler has more than 30 years' experience in the travel and tourism industry, and currently serves as President and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission. A native of Rantoul, Illinois, Kaler holds a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University, and a Master's of Science in Tourism from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
He began his tourism career with Hilton Hotels before returning to Central Illinois as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Champaign-Urbana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kaler also served as Executive Director of the Galena-Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, General Manager of Keeshin Destination Chicago and Executive Director of the Great Lakes of North America. Kaler has also held President and CEO and senior executive leadership positions with Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and Visit Loudoun.
In 2014, Kaler was elected to the U. S. Travel Association Board of Directors and serves on the board of directors of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Western New York Youth Sports Advisory Council, Explore Buffalo, Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Buffalo State Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board, and serves on the board and executive committee of the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House, and New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association.
|
Mary Ann Kedron, PhD |
Dr. Mary Ann Kedron has retired from a long career in health care both as an administrator and planner throughout the Western New York area. An avid outdoor enthusiast she includes, gardening, birding, hiking, and camping as pastimes. She currently lives along the Niagara River in the City of Buffalo with her husband Joe.
She has presented throughout Erie County on various topics. Her newest venture is as a children's book author. Inspiration comes from many places including her work in the community gardens. She has just released, A Cow Named Donut, which joins 3 other books that are part of her Critter Chronicles and the Garden Yarn series.
She is a founding member of the Black Rock Riverside Alliance, Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust, the Black Rock Historical Society, Birds on Niagara and the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition, You are just as likely to find her working in the gardens as presenting to groups throughout Erie County.
|
PHILIP KNOERZER |
Philip Knoerzer leads the all-volunteer troupe of "seasoned" actors called Brainstormers who perform short skits pertaining to issues affecting the aging community. The group encourage discussion at the end of each skit. The Brainstormers have been performing voluntarily all across WNY for nearly two decades.
|
Douglas Kohler |
Douglas Kohler is a local historian and author who has written extensively about early Western New York. In addition to teaching at Clarence Middle School, he has served as the Erie County Historian for the last 14 years. He has degrees in History and Education from Canisius College and Pace University, and he’s currently working on his doctorate at the University of Reading, England. He has written five books on Clarence and edited the Hull House Bicentennial book. Additionally, he writes frequently for Western New York Heritage Magazine. In 2011, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society honored him with the Owen B. Augspurger award, which recognizes local historians devoted to the preservation of Erie County’s heritage.
|
Caren Kolerski |
Caren Kolerski has worn caregiver moccasins for over three decades, both personally and professionally, and she gets it: the impact of stress on caregivers' physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial well-being. Caren draws on her training as a Laughter Yoga Teacher, Retreat/Life Coach, Soul Collage(R) Facilitator as well as Conversations - An Inspirational Game Facilitator to support and empower caregivers. With more than 18 years of practice and leading hundreds in Laughter Yoga, Caren has a unique ability to hold space for those drawn to work with her to relax, feel safe, have fun as they move through seasons of stress and change; connect with their inner joy and wisdom. Caren is an authentic, compassionate and joyful presence with an infectious laugh; an inspired speaker and author who has been interviewed by print, radio, blog talk and television media.
|
Tina Marie Kumiega |
Tina Marie Kumiega's motto is "Life is adventure!" She was born on Buffalo's East Side, but has lived in 3 states, returning to Buffalo after she retired because "There's no place like home." Tina Marie retired after 26 years in law enforcement. During that time she worked Patrol, Detective Bureau, Community Policing, Crime Prevention, and Vice. She also owned a small restaurant in Michigan, taught cooking classes for Tops Market here in Buffalo, and hosted several community access television talk shows in Orlando, Florida and Wyandotte, Michigan. Explore Buffalo is her newest adventure!
|
Ken Kuminski |
Ken Kuminski is a retired Professional Engineer from the New York State Department of Transportation, with 40 years of engineering experience in roadway, bridges and building design.
|
Chuck LaChiusa |
Chuck LaChiusa is the creator of the website Buffalo Architecture and History (BuffaloAH.com.) which includes thousands of his photographs. The website has received awards from the City of Buffalo Preservation Board in 2002, the Buffalo History Museum in 2010, and The American Institute of Architects, Western New York Chapter in 2012. Chuck is also the photographer for the book Oakland Place: Gracious Living in Buffalo (Buffalo Heritage Unlimited, 2006). He has served as board president of Explore Buffalo, a not-for-profit that promotes Buffalo’s architecture and history through education. He frequently conducts tours and gives PowerPoint presentations about Buffalo's historic architecture.
|
Francis Lestingi, Ph.D |
Dr. Francis Lestingi has been honored by the State University of New York as the first professor to receive both the President's and the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching. He is the founder of award-winning Signs of Gold, Inc. where he utilizes his skills as a master wood carver and gilder, and he is the co-founder of the Buffalo Niagara Nikola Tesla Council.
Dr. Lestingi was also recently appointed as an Erie County deputy sheriff for his philanthropy and his contributions to education and the arts.
|
Margaret Logan |
Explore Buffalo Docent -
|
Krista Macy |
Krista Macy is an Architectural Design Research Associate at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access with experience in design for accessibility, sustainable and universal design. She is engaged in diverse research projects intended to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Her recent activities include designing home modifications, conducting accessibility and universal design assessments for industry partners, drafting literature reviews, and investigating the current state of climate resilience, home modifications and universal design in the U.S. She has co-authored several papers and publications including the design resources for the innovative solutions for Universal Design.
|
Angela Marinucci, Commissioner Senior Services |
Angela is a proud mom to three young daughters and the Commissioner of Erie County Senior Services. She is passionate about service and making the world an even better place to be. Prior to joining the Department of Senior Services, Angela was the Deputy Commissioner of Erie County Personnel and a practicing attorney. She graduated from William Smith College with a BA in Public Policy and Political Science and earned her law degree from American University's Washington College. Angela enjoys pop culture, traveling, reading, and exploring Erie County with her husband and daughters.
|
Michael Massaro |
Michael Massaro has been a physical therapist for almost 30 years, and has worked in a variety of settings including acute care , orthopedic practices , spine rehabilitation , sub acute and long term care.
|
Anna VanDien, Coordinator of the Wilson Support Center. |
Anna VanDien is the Coordinator of the Wilson Support Center. The Wilson Support Center provides grief support and education that is sensitive, compassionate and responsive to the needs of the WNY community. Information and resources are available to any individual experiencing grief and loss, and services are provided by licensed healthcare professionals and peer volunteers. As an affiliate of Hospice Buffalo, the Wilson Support Center also delivers bereavement services to bereaved loved ones of hospice patients. In the role of Coordinator, Anna is responsible for triaging and personalizing grief support, supporting staff development, and fostering community relationships through education and training. She has former experience as a hospice social worker and dementia care advocate.
|
Joe Wasik, US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Buffalo office |
Joe Wasik grew up on the East Side of Buffalo and has been a Buffalo area resident for most of his life. After graduating from UB, he went to work for the federal government. He was the director of the US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Buffalo office for more than 25 years prior to his retirement. Being a lifelong Buffalo sports fan, he put together the Explore Buffalo's Sports History tour and likes to share his ups and downs of being a Buffalo fan with others.
|