Instructors

Amy Alduino	Amy Alduino, Erie County Recycling Coordinator, provides outreach and education on recycling and waste reduction to businesses, residents, students, and communities. She recently worked with Erie County communities to create ten year planning documents to manage solid waste and improve recycling and reuse in Erie County. Amy is also part of a University at Buffalo led research consortium working on issues related to disaster debris. In her career, Amy has coordinated a sustainable business roundtable, managed a statewide brownfield cleanup grant program in Ohio, and worked as an environmental consultant in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada. Amy has a BA in Geology from SUNY New Paltz, MSED in Science Education from Niagara University, and a MS in Geology from UNLV.
Andrew Baglini	Andrew Baglini has been a meteorologist for 13 years, almost 9 of them here in Western New York. He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology. After working at AccuWeather for three years, he moved to Buffalo and hasn't left since!
Budd Bailey	Budd is a graduate of Clarence Central High School and Syracuse University. He has held a variety of positions over the years, including a 23-year stay with The Buffalo News. Budd also worked for WEBR Newsradio 970, and The Buffalo Sabres. He has written 12 books, and two more are scheduled to be released in 2023- on the histories of the Buffalo Braves and Buffalo Bills. He works as a columnist for the Buffalo Sports Page website. Budd also serves as a pitch clock timer for the Buffalo Bisons, and serves on the Board of Directors of the WNY Running Hall of Fame and the WNY chapter of Mensa.
Jim Banko	Jim Banko taught English for almost thirty years in the city of Buffalo. He taught every level: from 8th grade to AP English. Jim also taught SAT prep classes at Buffalo State College. As the oldest of 8 children, college money was not available so Jim spent 14 years going to night school to get his degrees. Jim was a journeyman ironworker who worked on many of the major buildings in Buffalo.
Jim Bardot	Mr. Bardot is a former lecturer, program coordinator, assistant professor, and academic dean. Since his retirement, Mr. Bardot has served as a board director and secretary for the Concordia Foundation Inc., and most recently has been appointed Chair of the Amherst Senior Services Center's advisory board. He and his husband David along with their yellow lab, Tyler, reside in Amherst.
Sister Judith Beiswanger, Sister of St. Francis	Sister Judith grew up in the city of Buffalo. She worked for the telephone company for 2 years. Then she became a Sister of St. Francis. She has been a sister for 56 years. Her ministry was teaching and Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Buffalo and New Mexico. Sr. Judioth has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Jeanne Beiter	Jeanne is the Senior Program Manager with the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. She is an urban and regional planner with strong experience in developing manageable components for complex situations along with an extensive background in community engagement through the lens of conservation and regional planning. Jeanne engages with community leaders and agricultural experts in an effort to accelerate restoration and protection of Western New York headwaters, educating municipalities and communities to increase capacity and outreach to create long-term partnerships with the goal of conservation. Jeanne provides program and project management and oversight for multiple grant-funded projects. She is instrumental in developing partnerships and grant proposals to support the mission and project goals of BNW.
Stu Boyer	Stu worked in Rochester and Erie before coming to Buffalo in 1985. He retired from WGRZ-TV in 2020 after 35 years of doing everything!!! It was a great ride!!
Reed Bramen	Reed Braman is the Director of Energy for Erie County where he works on energy policies including saving energy, developing renewable energy and installing electric vehicle charging stations.
Maria Bujnicki	Marla is first and foremost a promoter of Buffalo, a preservationist and a History enthusiast. After retiring from Customs and Border Protection with 37 years of federal employment, she was certified as a master docent by Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) in 2005. Since then, she has written and given numerous walking tours, trained and certified new docents, served as a Board Trustee from 2006-201l and as Vice President of that organization from 2012-2014. Since then, Marla has given numerous bus/trolley tours for Triple A, the Darwin Martin House, Senior groups and for private tour companies. More recently, she has been giving both walking and trolley tours at Forest Lawn cemetery, role playing two of their famous permanent residents in period costume and helping to write a syllabus to train and certify new Forest Lawn docents. Since 2021, Marla has been narrating boat tours aboard the Miss Buffalo II and has written a new boat tour that was previewed this summer to enthusiastic audiences. Marla has been active in the Preservation Community since 2005 and has every intention of continuing to do so and to utilize these very presentations to help promote the preservation cause.
Robert Butler, PhD	Dr. Robert Butler is an Emeritus Professor of English at Canisius College where he has taught a wide range of courses in American, African American, and modern literatures for over 50 years. He has authored seven books on various aspects of African American literature and has also published articles on a broad range of American writers.
Judy Buzby	After working as a Nurse in Western NY for 38 years, Judy retired and has enjoyed many years of genealogical research. Finding interesting things about her family tree has opened up the past for her and has increased her understanding of the joys and hardships that our forefathers lived through.
Gary Carrel	Gary Carrel is a solid waste recycling specialist in the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning with responsibilities related to hazardous waste, waste reduction and recycling. He provides information to residents and municipalities in the County and departments within Erie County government offices on best practices for reuse, reduction and recycling. Additionally, Gary has been actively involved with numerous environmentally-based groups and organizations in the Buffalo area and is currently Co-Chair of the WNY Earth Day Steering Committee. He is the President of the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling where he is also a member of the annual Conference planning committee.
Brendan Chella	Brendan Chella has been a professional librarian for just about 10 years in a variety of different places such as Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and for the last two years in Buffalo. Brendan is an avid Buffalo sports fan as well as a big video gamer.
Kris Crosson	LCAT, ATR-BC, Art Therapist, Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo.
Linda Czuba Brigance	After a career in public relations, Linda Czuba Brigance earned a PhD in Communication/Rhetoric from the University of Iowa. She was a professor in the Communication Department of SUNY Fredonia for 18 years. She is the past president of the Buffalo Presidential Center and a current Trustee of the BPC.
Bill Daniels	Bill has been with the CSEA Union for almost 38 years. He has held multiple positions including, Section President, Steward, Grievance Representative, and committee member. Bill holds an advanced certificate in Labor Studies from Cornell University and serves as a delegate to the Area Labor Federation. Bill has also been a member of the Great Lakes Kitefliers Society for over 20 years. He previously served as a member of their board of directors Bill has been providing unbiased information regarding health insurance to Medicare eligible individuals since 1995.
Richard Derwald	Richard Derwald has more than 65 years experience in the field of fitness. In the 1950s he transformed his body from a frail, unathletic boy to a professional wrestler and competitive body builder. Since that time, he has continued his quest to learn the truth about fitness, wellness and premature aging. Richard was Inducted into the Illio DiPaolo Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004 and he was inducted into the Western New York Weightlifting/Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2018. Richard designed and implemented The Erie County Club 99 - one of the longest running, most successful, county sponsored senior fitness programs in New York State. He is also a published author of more than 100 health and fitness articles for national and local magazines and can be heard every Saturday morning at 11:05 on WBEN (930 AM) presenting his Mr. Fitness segments on Senior Radio Buffalo..
Nathan Ely	Nate Ely is the Director of Education at CEPA Gallery in downtown Buffalo. He has a BA in Cinema and Photography from Binghamton University, and an MFA from SUNY at Buffalo. The particular focus of his work is in traditional/experimental photography. He is currently spearheading CEPA’s Mobile Darkroom initiative, which aims to bring material photography experiments to underserved children across WNY. This program offers a mode of photography that has all but vanished from our daily experience of cameras, reconnecting students with the history and phenomena of photography.
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, creator of the 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 at libraries, community centers, schools, senior living centers and for various organizations. In addition, Rick is the author of History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment (2017), Profiles Volume I: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the 1800s (2019), Profiles Volume II: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the Early 1900s (2021) and is currently writing two new books for publication this fall or next spring.
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.
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. He 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 is practicing martial arts as a 2nd degree black belt, being a foodie with his wonderful wife and visiting new and exciting worlds through books.
Pei Grant, PhD	Pei C. Grant, Ph.D is an accomplished Ph.D. researcher with 20 years of scientific experience and is recognized nationally and internationally for her significant contributions and advances in patient care and research. Her research has been published in a broad spectrum of medical, biological, and psychological journals. She works alongside clinicians, insurance companies, academic scholars, private companies, and other community partners to develop and evaluate programs and products that deliver better care and improve health outcomes. Pei believes that while it is important to find ways to lead a meaningful life, she advocates for people to focus on what it takes to have a meaningful death.
William Greco	BuffaloBilly moved to Buffalo with his parents in 1959. He graduated from School 77 in 1965; and from Hutchinson Central Technical High School in 1969. He has created and led walking tours of downtown Buffalo. He collects Jesse Ketchum medals and Buffalo-area yearbooks. He spends a lot of time in archive libraries and cemeteries. He has been writing a book on the Jesse Ketchum medal and its winners since 2000.
Pati Aine Guzinski	Pati Aine is the Training Coordinator for the ECDOH- OPHEP. She has been an EMT for over 50 years 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.
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 at State University at Buffalo 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.
Jean Harris, Esq.	Jean E. Harris, Esq., is a partner with Pfalzgraf Beinhauer Grear Harris Schuller LLP. For over 15 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. Her goal is to simplify the estate planning process and protect a family’s assets from being spent down when Medicaid may otherwise be available while also making sure to avoid probate (and the costs and delays associated therewith). Prior to attending law school, Ms. Harris worked in Western New York for People, Inc. and other similar organizations where she began to focus on working with the elderly and people with disabilities. 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, where she sits on several committees. Ms. Harris 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.
E. Jolene Hawkins	I love History. It is all around us, from last night to 500 years ago. I say I am like a detective and uncover interesting and fascinating bits of history and then share them. I love to take photographs, and drive through old cemeteries and enjoy the past, read a good book and escape, talk to people and gather more information to share with people or in articles for the newspaper. I love growing herbs and using them when I cook or in my fresh butter.
Howard Henry	Howard W. Henry, Jr. somehow won a baseball letter in his senior year in high school. Howard's father took him to the 1956 Buffalo Bisons home opener where he saw Luke Easter hit his first home run as a Bison. In 2002 he became friends with Lou Ortiz, the Bison second baseman from 1956 - 1958. Howard's research is cited in Green Cathedrals and the SABR Ballparks Committee. Additionally, he led the effort to locate and place a gravestone in 2014 for local African, American baseball legend, Grant (Home Run) Johnson. Howard's book "Saving Buffalo Baseball: The 1956 Buffalo Bisons" (NFB Publishing, 2022) was 20 years in the making, begun as a response to his father's failing health. Howard is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R), Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Emeritus and retired adjunct faculty at SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Buffalo State.
Tim Herzog	Tim began homebrewing in 1981 and went down the slippery slope. Stops 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 he founded and built the Flying Bison Brewing Company. Tim retired in November 2022.
Congressman Higgins, US Congressman	Brian Higgins is a member of the United States House of Representatives serving New York’s 26th congressional district. Widely accepted as the principal architect of waterfront development and major infrastructure improvements in Buffalo and Western New York, Brian led the fight for a quarter-billion-dollar federal relicensing settlement from the New York Power Authority that continues to finance the transformation of Buffalo's long-neglected Inner and Outer Harbor waterfront areas. Prior to his election to the House, Brian made his career serving in state and local elective office, as well as higher education. Brian was an instructor in the History and Economics departments at SUNY Buffalo State University, where he taught a course of his own design, “The Economic History of Buffalo & Western New York.” A graduate of Buffalo State University, Brian also earned an advanced degree in Public Policy and Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Roseanne Higgins	Rosanne L. Higgins, Ph.D., is an Anthropologist, a lecturer and a writer. Her goal has been to share her research with both the scholarly community and the public at large and has numerous academic publications as well as creative works which focus on the Erie County Poorhouse in Buffalo, New York. In addition to presenting research at scholarly conferences, Dr. Higgins also lectures locally on the topic of Buffalo’s institutional history. She is a docent at the Buffalo History Museum and the former Buffalo State Asylum.
Rhonda Hoffman	Rhonda Hoffman has been a genealogy librarian for over 20 years and currently serves as the Genealogy Specialist for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. She has a Master of Library Science from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts in History from SUNY Geneseo. Rhonda has been researching her own genealogy for over two decades and is an active 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.
Lisa Jacobs-Watson	LISA JACOBS-WATSON is a Growth & Improvement Coach and founder of Women of Wisdom (WOW). WOW (https://womenofwisdom.site) promotes Christian principles to empower women to become spirit-filled leaders in their households, families, and communities. Lisa is the author of Dear WOW Devotional Journal (www.dearwowbylisawatson.com). She works on various literary projects and mentors aspiring writers to become published authors. As an avid doll collector, Lisa coordinates community doll shows and has been referred to as Buffalo’s Premiere Doll Curator. She uses her collection to inspire women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to embrace their beauty while maintaining a healthy self-esteem. Lisa’s work-life includes being a legal assistant for the New York State Courts and an adjunct instructor at Bryant & Stratton Online College. Lisa also advocates for students with special needs. In all her roles, including wife, mother, and grandmother, Lisa values the concept of influencing individuals to be their best self.
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. Her first work based on interactions in the community garden is called My Name is Cilantro. She has also released, Lorenzo the Llama, Doing Important Things That Llamas Do and the latest book Snowflake Dance in 2022. There are more books on the horizon. She is a founding member of the Black Rock Riverside Alliance, Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust, the Black Rock Historical Society and the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition, You are just as likely to find her working in the gardens as presenting to groups throughout Erie County.
Angela Keppel, AICP	Angela Keppel is an urban planner and historian. A lifelong Buffalonian, she lives in the juxtaposition between where we've been and where we're going as a city. Since 2011 she has run the blog "Discovering Buffalo, One Street at a Time", where she uncovers the stories of Buffalo's streets. She works as a Project Planner with Buffalo Place, Inc, the downtown business district. She holds a BA from Niagara University and a Masters in Urban Planning from UB. She is the 2022 recipient of the Owen B. Augspurger Award from the Buffalo History museum for excellence in local history. She serves on the boards of Reddy Bikeshare, Hostel Buffalo Niagara, and Upstate Economic Opportunities. She can often be seen exploring Buffalo on her bicycle, named after her favorite Buffalonian Samuel Wilkeson.
Kayla Kio, MS, RDN, CDN	Kayla Kio is a registered dietitian with a special interest in weight management and diabetes care and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). She understands the struggle of balancing your health and wellness with everyday life. Her goal is to work together to provide options and tools to manage your health in a way that best fits your lifestyle and food preferences. She offers guidance on strategies to improve eating habits that will lead to better glucose control, achieving a healthy weight, and prevention and management of chronic diseases.
PHILIP KNOERZER	Brainstormers: We are a group of "seasoned" actors who have been performing voluntarily for seniors in Western NY for nearly two decades. We reach out by regular mail and email to many facilities, schools, clubs, senior centers, assisted-living sites, churches etc. to enquire about these clients and potential-clients would be interested in hosting us at their facilities. Keith Ellis, Ph.D. is one of the founders of the Brainstormers and professional actor and Empire State College professor. (Retired) Phillip Knoerzer is a current actor and Director of Brainstormers.
Doug 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.
Adam Kowalyk	Adam earned his B.S. in Community & Human Services-Mental Health from SUNY Empire State College. Going on his 22nd year of public service, Adam is employed with the Erie County Senior Services as a Case Manager. In his prior 21 years of service, he was employed with the Erie County HEAP Dept. where he gratefully served as a Supervisor for 13 years. Adam has a sincere passion for the HEAP program and looks forward to having you in this class.
Mary Kozub	After receiving a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Buffalo with a concentration in painting, Mary decided to become a teacher. To receive permanent certification, she completed 30 graduate hours in education at Buffalo State College. Then Mary pursued a master’s degree in secondary education from Canisius College. She taught art for 36 years in the Alden Central School District, serving as department chairperson for 28 of those years. Following retirement, Mary volunteered at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and, surprisingly, was hired as an educator here in 2009. She is now the Director of Education, running the docent program and creating many programs and opportunities for guests of the Center.
Felice Krycia	I have worked for the Erie County Veterans Service Office as a certified service officer since 2013 and have been the director since 2022. Our county office has helped thousands of veterans and surviving spouses navigate through the mountains of paperwork the Department of Veterans Affairs requires to put in a claim. I am a veteran of the US Air Force and served during the tail end of the Vietnam Era. My father was a WWII US Navy veteran and Merchant Marine and went on to be a highly respected journalist and patriotist. Previous to my working with the county, I worked for a local weekly paper as an award-winning reporter and assistant editor for over 18 years. I have taken my years of experience and expertise and use it to advocate for our veterans and families to gain them VA benefits.
Ken Kuminski	Ken is a retired Civil Engineer from the New York State Department of Transportation, with over 40 years of experience in the engineering profession.
Francis Lestingi, PhD	While in elementary school in Queens, NY, Francis learned how to gild with genuine gold leaf from a very kind and generous sign artist. After high school, Francis entered the religious teaching order of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (The De La Salle Christian Brothers) where he received an undergraduate degree in physics from The Catholic University of America and a master's degree under a National Science Foundation Fellowship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After Francis left the Order, he earned a PhD on a US Office of Education Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then taught physics, astronomy, and history of science at the State University of New York College at Buffalo where he continued designing graphics, now in Special Relativity and Spring 2023 University Express Instructor Bios astronomy, and branched out into computer animation and filmmaking. Francis also designed illustrative graphics for the best-selling astronomy textbook in the nation. The State University of New York has honored Francis as the first professor to receive both the President's and the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching. In 1994, while still teaching, Francis decided to return to the Letter Arts and started Signs of Gold, Inc. with his master woodworker son Stephen. He enjoyed it so much, he took early retirement and went full-time carving. He is also the Co-founder, Co-director, and President of the non-profit (501c3) Buffalo Niagara Nikola Tesla Council, Inc whose mission is to pay homage to prolific inventor Nikola Tesla by imparting long-overdue educational awareness of his contributions to the betterment of our civilization.
Brad Loliger, Esq.	Bradley Loliger is a Senior Attorney at the Center for Elder Law & Justice. He is currently the director of the Family Guardian Support Program, a project of CELJ, the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, and Foundation 214, which assists lay guardians in executing their duties. Mr. Loliger assists the CELJ Guardianship Team to manage the affairs of nearly one hundred individuals who have been deemed incapacitated by the Court. He graduated from the UB School of Social Work with his MSW in 2012, and eared his JD from the UB Law School in 2013.
Brayan Lopez	Brayan is an orthopaedic physical therapist at Excelsior Orhtopeadics. He has over 6 years of experience, working in multiple states coast to coast, and has chosen the city of good neighbors as a place to set some roots. He believes the best tool for evaluation is listening. 'The patient will often tell you what they want and how we can help them get there.'
Erin Mahoney	Erin graduated with honors from the Culinary Arts program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a certificate in nutrition as well. During her career in the culinary world, she worked for the Ritz-Carlton and more recently for a local farmer at Farmers and Artisans. Although she is no longer a chef, Erin still spends time studying food and testing recipes.
Angela Marinucci, Commissioner Senior Services	Angela is a proud mom to three daughters, aged 4, 6, and 8, 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. Her article on third-party retaliation for employment discrimination was published in the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law. Angela enjoys endurance running, traveling, reading, and exploring Erie County with her husband and daughters.
Michael Massaro	Physical therapist for almost 30 years who has worked in a variety of settings including acute care , orthopedic practices , spine rehabilitation , sub acute and long term care.
Harry Meyer	I first became interested in architecture while working on a college internship at the National Electric Company of Greece. Besides visiting many of the historic buildings in Athens, I also traveled to several Greek islands, including Crete. I have been giving tours of Buffalo's City Hall, and also volunteering at the Darwin Martin House for over 25 years. I am a founding member of Explore Buffalo, and presently give their Tours of Silo City, Downtown Buffalo, City Hall and the Delaware Avenue Mansions
Lisa Milewski	Cancer Services provides education about breast, cervical and colorectal health across the community. Cancer Services program provides breast, cervical and colorectal screens to eligible uninsured and underinsured men and women across WNY.
Cheryll Moore	Cheryll is the Director of the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force. She developed, maintained, and oversees multiple local, state and federal grant funded projects to address the Opioid Epidemic in Erie County Cheryll supports the EC Opioid Settlement fund usage, and she is a member of NYS Opioid Settlement Advisory Board
Moira Mycio, MSW	Has been Assistant Long Term Care Coordinator with Erie County Senior Services since 2015 but has been with the department in various positions for 20 years. She is a hometown girl and received an MSW from UB. She works to support the day-to-day operations of the Case Management System and helps to ensure that they are meeting the directives and policies and procedures set forth by the NYS Office for the Aging..
York Norman	York Norman is a professor of Middle Eastern and Eastern European history at the State University of New York, Buffalo State. He focuses on twentieth century Turkish political thought, and has just published a book Celal Nuri: Young Turk Modernizer and Muslim Nationalist to published by I.B. Tauris in Summer 2021.
Alan Nowicki	Alan Nowicki is the Director of Programming at the National Historic Landmark, Roycroft Campus. Mr. Nowicki has been a teacher for more than 25 years, having taught in every grade level from Pre-K through college, specializing in art and history. He is a regular speaker at local schools, libraries, churches, and historical sites around Western New York. Recent presentations have included talks at the Buffalo History Museum, Iowa State University, the Folger Shakespeare Conference, and the Smithsonian.
Mark O'Brien, LCSW-R	Mark O’Brien, LCSW-R is a licensed clinical social worker with over thirty-five years of mental health, child welfare and health care experience. A 1983 SUNY at Buffalo School of Social Work graduate, currently he is the Commissioner of Mental Health for Erie County. He previously held the same position as Director of Mental Health Services in Orleans County and Interim Director in Genesee County. He is the chair of the eight-county Regional Planning Consortium (RPC) and was former President and co-founder of Integrity Partners for Behavioral Health, a 14 county, 26 organizational member IPA for the provision of behavioral health services in the western and finger lakes regions of the State. He is past executive director and CEO of a residential treatment center and foster care agency and former President of the Agency Executive Association of United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. Additionally, he is in private practice in Tonawanda NY, specializing in treating survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as family and couples’ therapy. He is also an instructor in the Diocese of Buffalo Pastoral Care Training Program teaching about family systems and working with survivors of abuse. Mr. O’Brien resides in Grand Island, NY with his wife. He is the proud father of three children and has five grandchildren. An avid cyclist, he possesses a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a former instructor.
Michele Pfeffer	I've worked at ECDSS since July 1996, The majority of my time was spent in Child Welfare but I have been the Director of APS since January 2018.
Bren Price	Bren T. Price, Sr. is a retired schoolteacher, administrator and educational consultant, who is now a Trustee of the Buffalo Presidential Center. The Center’s mission is to encourage the study of Buffalo and Western New York's contribution to the Presidency and national affairs, AND to share it with the public. He is also a Buffalo Niagara Ambassador and serves as a master docent with Explore Buffalo. He loves to tell “Buffalo Presidential Stories” during his “Presidents in Buffalo” walking tours. Mr. Price has been collecting political memorabilia for more than 45 years and has special collecting interests for Buffalo-related Presidents: Millard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. He also collects memorabilia from Abraham Lincoln, the Woman Suffrage movement and Buffalo historical items. COMING IN 2024: "Third Party Politics and the American Presidency" Just in time for the 2024 Elections
Tom Registad	Tom Reigstad is a fourth-generation Buffalonian. He earned a B.A. in English and a PhD in English Instruction from SUNY Buffalo, and an M.A. in literature from the University of Missouri and an M.S. in English Education from Canisus College. He was a journalist while serving in the U.S. Army, and later was a features writer and copy editor at the Buffalo Courier-Express and Niagara Falls Gazette. Tom is an Emeritus Professor of English at Buffalo State University, where he still teaches writing and American literature courses. He has been a researcher-in-residence at Elmira College’s Center for Mark Twain Studies, has published articles in The Mark Twain Journal, and the 2018 book Scribblin’ for a Livin’: Mark Twain’s Pivotal Period in Buffalo. Tom served as a trustee and vice president on the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District Board of Education.
Tom Reigstad	Tom Reigstad is a fourth-generation Buffalonian. He earned a B.A. in English and a PhD in English Instruction from SUNY Buffalo, and an M.A. in literature from the University of Missouri and an M.S. in English Education from Canisus College. He was a journalist while serving in the U.S. Army, and later was a features writer and copy editor at the Buffalo Courier-Express and Niagara Falls Gazette. Tom is an Emeritus Professor of English at Buffalo State University, where he still teaches writing and American literature courses. He has been a researcher-in-residence at Elmira College’s Center for Mark Twain Studies, has published articles in The Mark Twain Journal, and the 2018 book Scribblin’ for a Livin’: Mark Twain’s Pivotal Period in Buffalo. Tom served as a trustee and vice president on the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District Board of Education.
Sadia Rifah	Sadia is a public health educator at the Erie County Office of Harm Reduction. She completed her Bachelor's in public health from the University at Buffalo and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration on addiction. Sadia works to raise awareness about substance use disorder, dispel stigma, and foster a compassionate understanding of the issue. She is determined to make a positive impact on people's lives by implementing evidence-based interventions and harm reduction strategies to address the issue of substance use disorder. Sadia is a public health educator at the Erie County Office of Harm Reduction. She completed her Bachelor's in public health from the University at Buffalo and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration on addiction. Sadia works to raise awareness about substance use disorder, dispel stigma, and foster a compassionate understanding of the issue. She is determined to make a positive impact on people's lives by implementing evidence-based interventions and harm reduction strategies to address the issue of substance use disorder.
Les Robinson, CLTC, Community Education Teacher, CE Instructor for NY State	Financial Advisor, CLTC and Author: Protecting your Money from Medicaid and Nursing Home Event
J. Mark Robinson	I have been blessed to have spent my entire career serving some of our communities' most noteworthy not-for-profit corporations. I have never been involved with one so obscure, yet so needed and treasured by those involved. I'm a native Western New Yorker who moved away for a while and came back once we started our family. Having seen most of this wonderful country, I can certainly say what most of us already know... there are no better people anywhere than right here.
Thomas Rosenthal, MD	Dr. Rosenthal is Emeritus Professor, and former Chairperson of Family Medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. His practice experience includes urban and rural communities. Rosenthal authored more than sixty peer reviewed papers, numerous commentaries, a monograph on puzzling physical complaints, and the textbook Office Based Geriatrics. He has been honored with local, statewide, and national awards in medical education.
Julie Ruszala	Julie Ruszala (Mz.Fit) Fitness Coordinator have been with ECSS for the past 4 years. Collegiate level hockey and soccer player. Yoga instructor, triathlete, runner, exercise enthusiast. Started playing hockey at four years old, have coached, instructed adult learn to skate and play programs and off ice training for hockey team.
Robin Sanecki	Robin comes to Penn Dixie after 15 years at The Buffalo Zoo as the Outreach Programs Specialist, which allowed her to teach audiences of all ages and backgrounds about wildlife and conservation. Although her research background concentrated mainly on primate evolution and animal behavior, during her career with the zoo, she was able to expand that knowledge by working with a variety of animals from invertebrates to birds of prey, snakes, sloths, and more! Robin previously also worked with the SPCA Serving Erie County, and also currently works as an educator at the Ralph C. Wilson Explore and More Children's Museum in Buffalo. She is a professional member of the American Zoological Association.
Edward Sapienza	Ed Sapienza retired as a Digital Engineering Advisor/ Systems Architect in 2022 after working 37 years for Aerospace & Defense Companies as an Engineer. He received both a B.S. & M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Ed has had many hobbies through the years. Model railroading, slot cars, and video games as a kid influenced his decision to become an engineer. His interest in pickleball led him to sign up for a class at the Amherst Senior where he found out about University Express. Ed also discovered meetups to help find others that shared his interests and develop new ones. In April 2017 he found meetups to play board games, which caused him to start collecting and study the hobby. Ed now runs a board game group at the Amherst Senior Center. He says his next hobby is most likely going to include a 3D printer.
Lisa Saunders	I work at Erie County Senior Services as a Senior Account Clerk. I have been crafting for several years. I enjoy making projects with a variety of media, using a lot of discarded and recycled materials. I believe that making projects out of recycled and/or repurposed materials can help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills while also adding something beautiful to your home.
Kae Savar	Kae is an interdisciplinary scholar with particular interest in the social aspects of psychology and linguistics. They have experience in execution and coordination of research in various fields including psychological, clinical, and linguistic. Their involvement spans subsets of the aforementioned fields including behavioral, clinical and cognitive psychology, leukemia, and socio and psycholinguistics, respectively. They've most notably participated in projects at Roswell, the university of Pennsylvania, the University of Buffalo and Korea University. Currently, they work for the Department of Senior Services as an Assistant Data Analyst.
Dan Schuller	Dan is a partner with Pfalzgraf Beinhauer Grear Harris Schuller LLP (a/k/a "PB Elder Law"), a law firm dedicated to the practice of Elder Law and Estate Planning. He has been practicing law for twelve (12) years. Dan is a member in good standing with both the New York State and Erie County Bar Association's. He is also a member of the Erie County Bar Association's Elder Law Committee, and the Co-Chair of the Erie County Bar Associations Matrimonial Law Committee. Dan has been a presenter for the University Express Program, New York State Bar Association continuing legal education seminar, a presenter for an Erie County Bar Association continuing legal education seminar, and is a frequent community education presenter.
George Scott	George Scott was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He is the current Chairman of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor. He is the former President of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, NY, Inc. George is the Co-Curator of the Colored Musicians Club’s Jazz Museum. He is a graduate of Canisius College with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2022. George’s music experiences include the Leader of the George Scott Big Band, Art Anderson’s Modern Sounds, James White’s Apollo Big Band, Carol McLaughlin Big Band, Cadenza, The Music Company, Buffalo Saxophone Quartet, The CMC Jazz All-Star Band, and Directed Ladies First Big Band. He is also the - Co-Director of Music Instructing for the CMC Youth Program.
Marissa Seib	Marissa has been with the museum in various capacities since her education internship in Fall 2019. She served as the gift shop manager for a year, then served as the outreach coordinator, and in November 2021 she became the education coordinator. She is a 2019 Niagara University graduate and is currently working on her MA at Buff State.
Jean Serusa, BS, MS	Jean enjoys inventing creative topics to broaden the interests of our Erie County Seniors--now, over 10 years! Her experience teaching ART 30 years in public and private schools, her travels and research all spark her presentations about artists and art styles with historical context, and the "stories behind the pictures." She included 'hands on' instruction, providing something for everyone. As an educator, parent and grandparent, Jean says proudly that her main achievement as an arts educator is to be a FACILITATOR for others' life-long learning FUN!
Esmeralda Sierra, MPA	Esmeralda Sierra, a SUNY Buffalo State graduate with a Master's in Public Administration, is the Vice-President of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc.. Other roles in the organization includes, immediate past President, Chief Financial Officer for several years. Her activism in the community includes VOICE-Buffalo Inc., Community Access Services, and the Near East & West Side Task Force. She was an adult advisor and teacher at Holy Cross R.C. Church, where she held positions as president and secretary of the Parish Council. She was Co-chair of public relations for the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation; a member of the Erie County Caregiver Coalition, the Community Health Workers Network, the American Diabetes Association Diversity Committee, and the WNY Cancer Coalition. Esmeralda is a former board member of Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo, Vice-President of the Puerto Rican & Hispanic Day Parade of WNY, Inc., and Pageant Coordinator of the Miss Borinquen of WNY Leadership Program.
Valerie Stanek	Valerie Stanek is an attorney specializing in estate planning, wills, trusts and elder law. She is also a Certified Financial Planning Professional focusing on estate and retirement planning and investment portfolio management.
Julie Starr	Julie Starr has been with Sleep & Wellness Centers for 10 years. She started off at a smaller scale marketer for a few cities in Niagara county and grew to manage all of WNY. Sleep & Wellness Centers is local diagnostic sleep testing facility in WNY, but our primary goal is educating the community on sleep. Sleep is an essential method of our lives, and we hope we can help you!
Rich Steely	Durable Medical Equipment Specialist, Excelsior Orthopaedics
Shane Stephenson	Shane is the current Director of Museum Collections at the Buffalo Naval Park. Previously, he worked for five years as an Archives technician at the Buffalo History Museum. He has published three historic picture books about Buffalo and WNY, the most recent about the Buffalo Naval Park. Also, he is the current Board President of the Buffalo Presidential Center, a small museum located in the Central Library in downtown Buffalo.
Phil Stevens	Phil Stevens retired in 2019 after 48 years in the Anthropology Department at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He received his B.A. in English from Yale in 1963, then went to Nigeria with the Peace Corps to teach English, and to work with the Nigerian government's Department of Antiquities. Those experiences brought him into anthropology, and he entered the graduate program at Northwestern University. He conducted dissertation research in different areas of Nigeria, 1969-1971, and received his Ph.D. in 1973. He has conducted subsequent anthropological research in West Africa and the Caribbean. He is the author of many publications in cultural anthropology and African studies, and he is the recipient of two awards for excellence in teaching and an honorary African chieftaincy title! One of his most popular courses at UB was in the anthropology of Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft; and his book on the topic will soon be available!
Suzanne Stoklosa	Sue is a Nurse Practitioner with 13 years experience in pulmonary and critical care. She is currently teaching next generation of nurse practitioners at Daemen University.
Dave Stott	David is a computer veteran of 30 years. A Masters degree in Cyber Security. Currently teaching Cryptography at Hilbert College. Information Security Analyst with Erie County. Responsible for training classes on Cyber awareness at Erie County.
Linda Stravalaci Grear, Esq.	Linda Stravalaci Grear, Esq. has three decades of experience in elder law, estate planning, trusts, guardianship law, and probate estates. Linda is a graduate of the University of Akron School of Law (1994) and holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the SUNY College at Buffalo (1991). She is the 8th Judicial District Delegate for the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section. Additionally, Linda is also Chairperson of the Surrogate’s Court Committee for the Bar Association of Erie County, as well as a member of various professional associations. She is a frequent speaker on issues related to elder law and estate planning.
Ben Stump	Ben Stump is a Public Affairs Specialist with nearly 30 years’ experience working with the Social Security Administration.
Vicky Szymula, DHS, ATC, CSCS, CKTP	Vicky is a Certified Athletic Trainer affiliated with Excelsior Orthopedics'. She was born and raised locally in Lockport and currently lives in Cheektowaga. Vicky has multiple degrees; obtaining her Athletic Training and Strength and Conditioning degrees from SUNY CORTLAND in 2003; her Master's in Sports Psychology from ITHACA COLLEGE in 2005; and her Doctorate in Health Science from MCPHS UNIVERSITY in 2021. Vicky has over 20 years of experience in sports medicine, healthcare, and holistic remedies. She is also an Adjunct Professor at UB helping with the MSAT program. In her downtime, she enjoys cooking, outdoors, and learning about different cultures.
Betsy Vazquez-Aradio	Betsy Vazquez-Aradio has been a public health educator for the Erie County Department of Health since April 2022. She previously worked as a NYS COVID-19 contact tracer and case investigator. Betsy has over 23 years of experience teaching science to children and adults. She has spent over 30 years pursuing a clean and healthy lifestyle by using natural products, doing yoga, and, most recently, practicing mindfulness.
Maria Vona
David Wantuck	David is born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He is a proud Deaf person, who comes from a family of 27 Deaf members. David has been with Deaf Access Services for over three years and graduated from Medaille College.
Eric Weisansal	Eric is a Health and Wellness Coordinator for Erie County Department of Senior Services. Eric graduated from SUNY College at Brockport in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Psychology. Following that, Eric pursued his Master's Degree in Community Health also at SUNY Brockport. He graduated in May of 2022. From there, Eric started working with Erie County Department of Health helping to set up COVID vaccine clinics until he joined the Department of Senior Services as a Health and Wellness Coordinator.
Claude Welch, PhD	Claude Welch is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at UB. His academic specializations include African politics, the roles of armed forces in politics, and human rights. His teaching awards came from Political Science students (three times), the Undergraduate Student Association (three times), and the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was named one of UB’s ‘Top Ten’ professors by the campus newspaper. In 2006, Welch received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award given by TIAA (a major annuity fund with assets of more than $615 billion). He also received lifetime achievement awards from the American Political Science Association, the International Studies Association, and the New York African Studies Association. He received the University at Buffalo’s President’s Medal in 2016, “given in recognition of signal and extraordinary service to UB.” Welch traveled widely, particularly in Africa, Asia and Europe, weaving the perspectives of other cultures into his classes, public lectures and research. His photographs have been donated to the University at Buffalo digital image collection, where they are available for public access.
Theresa Wiater	Theresa is a retired teacher who taught gifted education and grade 5 in the Clarence School District. She holds a Master's Degree from Buffalo State College. She enjoys quilting, reading and traveling with her husband.
Lillie Wiley-Upshaw	The proud mom to three teenagers, Lillie is the current Chair and Anchor Representative of the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition, the owners of the 175 year old Michigan Street Baptist Church. Under Lillie's leadership, the Church has been listed on the Network to Freedom and received substantial funding to undergo much needed restoration work. Before becoming involved in nonprofits, Lillie served as the Vice Dean for Admissions at UB’s Law School for over 16 years and as the Vice Dean for Student Services.
Quishara Williams	Q has been a freelance photographer since 2017 specializing in portraits and corporate events. She spent time working for Apple as a Specialist, introducing customers to Apple devices and features that met their needs. Q's hobbies include roller-skating and video games.
Kevin Williams, PH.D	Kevin Williams is an associate professor of Earth Sciences and director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at SUNY Buffalo State. Dr. Williams’ research interests include exploring near-surface structures using ground penetrating radar and studying the geology of objects in the solar system, especially Mars. Many of his projects include research opportunities for undergraduate students at SUNY Buffalo State.
Andrew Wise, PhD	Andrew Kier Wise, Ph.D., is Professor of History at Daemen University. His teaching, research and publications deal with various aspects of Polish, Russian, and East European history. His current book project deals with the socialist movement among immigrant Poles in 1890s Buffalo.
Cassandra Woody	Cassandra (Cassie) Woody is a registered dietitian with experience working with the older adult population and takes particular interest in diabetes management. She is working toward her certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). She has a background in psychology and takes a behavior-based approach to improving nutrition practices, lifestyle habits, and our relationship with food. As a competitive runner and prior collegiate athlete, Cassie also enjoys working with athletes and active people on their fueling needs. She offers guidance on intuitive eating and strategic fueling for people of all ages with goals for improved blood sugar management, management of other chronic diseases and enhanced sport performance.
Shauna Zorich, MD, MPH	Shauna Zorich earned her BS in Biology from Canisius College and her medical degree and Masters of Public Health from the University at Buffalo. She is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at UB, where she has taught both undergraduate and graduate students in public health and epidemiology since 2017 . Prior to her academic career, Dr. Zorich worked as an active-duty Preventive Medicine Officer for the United States Air Force.

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