39 business leaders graduate from CEL Core program

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thirty-nine established entrepreneurs are armed with the skills to move their businesses forward after graduating from the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Core program in the University at Buffalo School of Management.

The graduates were honored at a joint ceremony for two CEL programs on June 7 at UB’s Center for the Arts.

Paul Tesluk, dean of the School of Management, delivered opening remarks.

In addition, Joe Urban, owner of Platter’s Chocolates, received the C. Taylor Kew Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, which recognizes graduates for entrepreneurial excellence and exemplifying the principles for which the late Kew stood. An energetic advocate for the CEL, Kew created and operated several companies and donated his time to several civic organizations before his tragic death in a seaplane crash in 1992.

The new Core graduates completed a peer-based, mentor-driven program to help grow, refocus or better manage their businesses. During the 10-month course, the entrepreneurs performed an in-depth analysis of their businesses, while developing expertise in such key areas as strategic planning, capital acquisition, employee relations and marketing.

The 2018 CEL Core graduates are:

• Jeremy Appelbaum, Twisted Rope
• Nicole Beringer, U.S. Traffic Control Inc.
• Patricia Ciccarelli, Schnitter Ciccarelli Mills PLLC
• Merry Constantino, ProductLogic LLC
• Jason Crosby, Crosby Manufacturing
• Eran Epstein, e² Management
• Jake Fraser, Allen St. Poutine Co.
• James Gannon, Scheid Architectural
• John Gatas, Keller Williams Realty
• Keith Hatswell, Niagara Label
• Eric Hoertz, Caruso’s Italian Imports
• Valerie Ingold, Commercial Collection Group
• Bushra Iqbal, Buffalo Vascular Care
• Christie Johnson, Christie’s Cleaning
• Jim Kanutsu, J.E.G. Contracting
• Patrick Klotzbach, Your Online Marketplace
• Kelsey Kryszak, K-Technologies
• Darren Lisick, Cantalician Center
• Bill Loupee, Transportation and Consolidation Services Inc.
• Joseph Lowry, Encorus Group
• Maureen Marrett, Bethany Technologies
• LaTashia Martin, VonSwy Solutions
• Shannon McNichol, Nichol City Realty
• Brett Moldenhauer, Moldenhauer and Associates
• Drew Nowak, Mollenberg-Betz
• Holly Nowak, HMN Resources LLC
• Danielle Nyhart, Dani-Fit
• Bob O’Brocta, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns
• Ann-Marie Orlowski, Cradle Beach
• Rob Piscatelli, Niagara Metals
• Nick Pitillo, OGP Hospitality LLC
• Shawn Riester, Riester Physical Therapy Services
• Jennifer Russell, Buffalo Canvas
• Joshua Smith, Sato Restaurant
• Gary Steeves, Resurrection Village
• Justin Tedesco, Tedesco Construction Services Inc.
• Elisha Tomasello, Person Centered Services
• Joe Urban, Platter’s Chocolates
• Eric Watson, RJ Watson Inc.

Applications are open for the next CEL Core program, beginning this fall. For more information or to apply, contact the CEL at 716-885-5715 or mgt-cel@buffalo.edu. Individuals interested in the program can learn more about the curriculum and speak candidly with Core alumni at an open house at 8 a.m. July 11 at Buffalo Marriott Niagara, located at 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst. To register for the open house or apply, contact the CEL at 716-885-5715 or mgt-cel@buffalo.edu.

Established in 1987, the CEL provides participants with individualized and interactive education in entrepreneurship. More than 1,400 CEL alumni employ more than 23,000 Western New Yorkers, and their businesses are worth more than $2.3 billion to the local economy. For more information, visit mgt.buffalo.edu/cel.