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WTCBN ADDS SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2019; BRIGGS TO CHAIR ORGANIZATION

Regional international trade organization bolsters its Board of Directors for outreach and growth in the coming year

BUFFALO, NY (Nov. 27) – World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) president Craig Turner announced today that at the organization’s annual meeting on Wednesday, November 14, the WTCBN Board of Directors elected Steve Briggs, VP of Sales for Dynabrade, Inc., as its new Board chairman. Nancy Dempsey, of Unifrax, who has served as chair for the past two years, stepped down recently for personal reasons.

“The only thing that cushions the blow of losing a fantastic Board chair is replacing her with another fantastic Board chair,” said Turner. “Nancy’s positive impact on WTCBN will be felt for a long time, as her vision for the future, coupled with a conscientious attention to detail, has put this organization on the right track for growth. Steve has been one of WTCBN’s most enthusiastic champions, and we’re looking forward to his leadership as we navigate a confusing, and often tumultuous, trade environment on behalf of our members.”

Dempsey was elected to the position of Chairperson in January, 2017 and re-elected earlier this year. Under her leadership, the organization underwent a leadership change at the executive position, moved forward the regional conversation surrounding the concept of a World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara building, and strengthened its presence through its entire territory, including Southern Ontario.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work with the WTCBN board of directors, staff and partners as chair, and I know the organization is in good hands with our incoming chair, Steve Briggs,” said Dempsey. “As with most organizations, how WTCBN has achieved success and progress in the past does not necessarily translate to the needs of importers, exporters and service providers in today’s environment, and I believe wholeheartedly that WTCBN is prepared for the next evolution of global business.”

“Nancy’s leadership over the past two years has been essential in not only putting WTCBN in a stronger place financially, but also recruiting staff, board members and stakeholders intent upon growing international trade opportunities in our region,” Briggs. “I look forward to building on the great work that she and our Board of Directors have done in positioning this organization for significant and impactful growth over the next few years.”

 

The WTCBN Board also voted to nominate six new Board members, who will begin their terms in January, 2019. The new Board members are:

 

Kenneth Graham, Senior Associate, Phillips Lytle LLP 

Kenneth Graham focuses his practice in corporate law, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, international and domestic business transactions, divestitures, reorganizations, securities law compliance and corporate governance issues. He also advises and provides counsel to not-for-profit and health care clients on compliance, corporate governance and transactional issues.

 

Eileen Martin, Partner, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman 

Eileen Martin, a partner with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman and the firm’s Immigration Practice Team Co-Leader, has more than 20 years of experience in immigration law assisting clients from around the world with various matters including work permits, employment-based immigration, port-of-entry issues, visa issuance, family-based immigration, immigrant and nonimmigrant waivers, and assessment of U.S. citizenship.

 

Tim Palisano, President & CEO, WNY Foreign Trade Zone Operators

Tim Palisano is President of Lincoln Companies, a sixth-generation family enterprise, with offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Tampa, Florida. Having worked in all aspects of the business, including sales, operations and trade/logistics, Tim is President of Western New York Foreign Trade Zone Operators. Tim is two-time past president of the New York State Movers and Warehousemen's Association.

Damon Piatek, President & CEO, Welke Customs Brokers USA

 

Damon Piatek is President and CEO of Welke Customs Brokers USA Inc., headquartered in the City of Tonawanda with offices in Cleveland, OH, and a licensed U.S. Customs broker and certified customs specialist. Damon sits on the Board of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) in Northeast Ohio and the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce, and is an active member of the National Association of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders and the Northern Border Brokers Association.

 

James Resetar, VP of Finance & Administration, Eastman Machine Company

 

Jim Resetar is the Vice President of Finance & Administration at Eastman Machine Company (EMCO), where he is responsible for the Accounting and Customer Service Groups.  Prior to joining EMCO, Jim worked for both a national and large regional public accounting firm.  In addition, he had worked as a Business Analyst for Delaware North Companies. He holds a BS and MBA from SUNYAB in business and accounting, is a New York State CPA, and is currently a board volunteer for the UB School of Management.

 

Steve Weathers, President & CEO, Erie County Industrial Development Agency

Steve Weathers was named President and CEO of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency in 2013. Prior to his role at the Erie County IDA, Steve was President and CEO of the World Trade Center San Diego. He also served as the President and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, where he led the effort to launch the World Trade Center Savannah. Steve has also served as CEO and President of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) in Toledo, OH, where he led the effort to create Rocket Ventures (RV), the region’s first ever pre-seed venture capital fund.

 

Longtime WTCBN Board members Trevor Stevenson of Eastman Machine and Fred Attea of Phillips Lytle LLP, are stepping down to make way for others in their respective organizations to participate.

“We are not in the position we are – a key component of regional economic development – without the leadership of Board members like Trevor and Fred, both who have served the organization and our members for more than a decade,” said Turner. “Fortunately, both have offered to stay involved in our efforts to grow international trade in our bi-national region, and we appreciate their continued contributions to that effort.”

WTCBN’s 2019 Annual Meeting and 30th Anniversary Celebration focused on the organization’s accomplishments on behalf of the region’s international trade community, the past year’s activity, and a look ahead to 2019.

World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is celebrating its 30th year in 2018. Its mission is to assist companies in Western New York and Southern Ontario to find success beyond their domestic markets. WTCBN is part of the World Trade Centers Association. More information on the WTCBN International Trade Councils is available at www.wtcbn.com.