WTCBN WELCOMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2021
Regional international trade organization bolsters its Board of Directors for outreach and growth in the coming year
BUFFALO, NY (January 28) – World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) president Craig Turner announced today that at yesterday’s initial meeting of the WTCBN Board of Directors, the board welcomed three new members, who will help guide the international trade business group through continuing challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For all not-for-profit business associations, 2020 was a very difficult year that required leadership, creativity and, not to put too fine a point on it, fortitude, to stay sustainable and continue to serve our members,” said Turner. “We would not be we are right now – looking very positively at 2021 with new programs, renewed enthusiasm and in a strong position to help our bi-national region recover – without the dedication and support of our board of directors and leadership team. I know that our new board members, and their areas of expertise, will fit right in, and provide a big boost to our mission.”
The new WTCBN board members, who begin their terms with today’s meeting, are:
John Cappellino, President & CEO, Erie County Industrial Development Agency
John is currently the President & CEO of the ECIDA. John joined the ECIDA in 1997 as a business development officer working on company specific business retention deals and also as part of the development division focusing on land and infrastructure development projects. In 2006 he was appointed Director of the Business Development and Marketing Divisions. He served as ECIDA Executive Vice President & COO from 2008 to 2020. Prior to working at the ECIDA, John worked in the NYS Legislature as a Committee Analyst in the NYS State Assembly, and served as Chief of Staff in a local Assembly office and was actively involved in efforts to redevelop the former Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna.
John is a graduate of Alfred University with a degree in Public Administration.
Mellada Kirisits, Vice President of Global Operations, Multisorb, Filtration Group
Mellada Kirisits was born in Azerbaijan and immigrated to the US in 1997. 14 years ago she started her career at Multsorb as a Customer Service I – entry level position. She worked through the ranks in a progression from CS Management, Planning Management, Global Supply Chain and now Global VP of Operations. She oversees manufacturing locations: one in Buffalo, NY and the other in Hyderabad, India. Multisorb is very much focused on Lean Manufacturing Practices and Knowledge Based Management. Multisorb's Lean journey started 5 years ago with great results in efficiencies and additional growth. KBM was implemented by Mellada in her role of Global Supply Chain and she continues the practice in her Global Operations role.
Lauren Schellinger, Vice President, International Trade Finance, M&T Bank
Lauren Schellinger has lived in Buffalo since 2007, working in a variety of roles in M&T’s Commercial Bank. Presently, Lauren’s responsibilities as an International Trade Specialist include advising clients on structuring international transactions and developing global banking relationships. M&T has a dozen years of experience advising commercial clients in Western New York on financing and other banking needs. Additionally, Lauren serves on the board of the Buffalo branch of The Salvation Army, and is also an avid volunteer in a variety of educational, sports and community-minded non-profits in Williamsville.
The WTCBN Board of Directors also unanimously agreed to keep its slate of officers for 2021 – Steven Briggs, Dynabrade, Chair; James Manno III, Consultant, Vice Chair; Timothy Bubar, Lumsden & McCormick, Treasurer; and F. Kenneth Graham, Phillips Lytle, Secretary.
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara’s 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, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. More information WTCBN is available at www.wtcbn.com.
