CEL graduates business leaders from Core program

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A new cohort of seasoned entrepreneurs is set to advance their businesses and significantly contribute to the local economy after completing the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Core program in the University at Buffalo School of Management.

Thirty-nine graduates were celebrated at a joint ceremony with another CEL class, the M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program, on June 12 at the UB Center for the Arts on the university’s North Campus.

The new Core graduates completed a peer-based, mentor-driven program to help grow, refocus or better manage their businesses. Throughout the ten-month course, they conducted comprehensive analyses of their businesses and honed skills in critical areas such as strategic planning, financial management, employee relations and marketing.

The 2025 CEL Core graduates and their companies are:

• Florina Altshiler, Russo & Gould LLP
• Jackie Antonelli, Barks n Meows
• Katie Ambrose Billoni, Groom Service LLC
• Matthew Brooks, Bairco Filtration
• James Cendrowski Jr., Allied Mechanical Inc.
• Patrick Comerford, EnergyMark LLC
• James Conley, Olear Team of MJ Peterson
• Eric Conrad, Junkluggers of Buffalo
• Chad Curtis, Buffalo Transformer Services
• Matthew Gardiner, Oasis Senior Advisors and Caring Transitions
• Zack Glick, Zatik Security
• Valerie Henrici, Yummies Ice Cream
• Michael V. Knapp, Buffalo Tax Strategies
• Rebecca L. Korosi, People Inc.
• Paul Kuznik, Painttech
• CJ Martin, Aerial Roofing & Exterior Inc.
• Colleen McNamara, Stutelage Innovations
• Darius Myles, DMyles Inc.
• Catherine Rabin, CARA Medical
• Patrick Reagan, Metallic Ladder Mfr. Corp.
• Derek Reding, Reding Inc.
• Sarah Rera, Gross Shuman PC
• Justin Scalfaro, Chem-Dry of Buffalo
• Daniel Schlein, Alliance Advisory Group
• Apryle Schneeberger, Collaborative Center for Social Innovation
• Kennedy Schultz, KMS Intercultural Education
• Crystal Selk, West Side Community Services
• Matthew Smith, EOS Worldwide
• Clarissa Surianello, Surianello General Concrete Contractors
• Domenic Surianello, Sornell Development Corp.
• William Thomas, Trusted Talent
• George Tibil, ServiceMaster Clean Buffalo
• Bryan Tramontana, Roofs by Bryan
• Tyler Uebelhoer, Buffalo Solar
• Sara Vella, National Overhead Door
• Lynsey Weaver, Kevin Guest House
• Jake Worthington, Worthington Renovations LLC
• Alexander Wyse, Wyse Properties
• Lindsey Zajac, Ascendant 

Applications are now open for the next CEL Core program, beginning this fall. Individuals interested in learning more about the curriculum and speaking candidly with Core alumni can register for an upcoming open house, to be held at 5 p.m. on July 29 at Tappo on Ellicott Street in Buffalo.

To register for an open house or apply to the program, 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 1,700 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 management.buffalo.edu/cel.