11 CEL companies make UB’s Fast 46 list

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Eleven companies led by graduates of the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) were among those recognized as the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by an alumnus or former student during UB’s Fast 46 celebration last month.

The Fast 46 competition is named in honor of UB’s founding in 1846. Its mission is to recognize successful businesses led or owned by UB alumni or former students. To be considered a Fast 46 finalist, eligible companies must have been in business for at least three years; have verifiable revenues of at least $100,000 or more in 2018 and 2019 and at least $250,000 in 2020; and the owner, CEO, president, managing partner, director or chair must be UB alumni or former students.

More than 350 companies were nominated for this award. Accounting firm The Bonadio Group analyzed three years of financial data provided by each company and determined the ranking.

“Entrepreneurs come to CEL because they want to grow their businesses,” says Susan Steffan, CEL executive director. “The success of CEL companies, as evidenced by the Fast 46 rankings, shows how well our peer-based program empowers their growth through instruction, mentoring and network-building.”  

The companies led by CEL graduates that made the Fast 46 list are:

• Collins Advisors LLC - Mary Collins, CEL ’98
• Eco Serve Pest Services - Audrey Hall, CEL ’15, ’20
• Landmark Wealth Management - Brian Laible, CEL ’11
• MidCity Office Furniture - Kathleen Clark, CEL ’10
• Netplus Alliance - Jennifer Murphy, CEL ’12
• Nichol City Realty - Shannon McNichol, CEL ’18
• Note Advisors LLC - Shawn Glogowski, CEL ’19
• Novum Medical Products - Joseph Manzella, CEL ’16
• Southtown Audio Video - Heather Sidorowicz, CEL ’12
• Tapecon Inc. - Steve Davis, CEL ’11, ’14, ’15
• T-Mark Plumbing, Heating and Cooling - Ryan Miller, CEL ’15

“The CEL program exposed me to the resources and network that continue to have a big impact on both me personally and on the growth of our firm,” says Shawn Glogowski, CEL ’19, principal and chief compliance officer at Note Advisors LLC.

The UB Alumni Association is the Fast 46 presenting sponsor. In addition to support from The Bonadio Group, Fast 46 is sponsored by Bank on Buffalo and KeyBank. 

Established in 1987, the CEL provides participants with individualized and interactive education in entrepreneurship. More than 1,500 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.