Robert J. Kresse,
Chairman
Mr. Kresse resides in Buffalo and is an attorney with Hiscock &
Barclay, LLP of Buffalo. Mr. Kresse serves on a number of boards and
community organizations including the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation,
King Urban Life Center, Martin House Restoration Corporation, Green
Downtown Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie County
Medical Center Lifeline Foundation, New York State Preservation
League, and the Buffalo Green Fund. Mr. Kresse is a graduate of
Canisius College and Georgetown University Law Center. “Bob
Kresse’s enthusiasm and longstanding dedication has been
instrumental in helping to protect cultural landmarks, support
innovative programs and foster successful public-private
partnerships that have helped improve the quality of life for
Western New Yorkers,” stated former Governor Pataki. “I’m
confident his energy and commitment as Chair of the Niagara River
Greenway Commission at this critical and exciting time will help
provide a strong foundation as it works to create opportunities
among the scenic parklands and beautiful waterfronts that are
hallmarks of the Buffalo-Niagara region.”
Richard M. Soluri,
Vice-Chairman
Mr. Soluri, a former executive in the insurance industry,
has served as Mayor of the Village of Lewiston since 1994. As
Mayor and a lifelong resident of Niagara County, as well as
through his extensive involvement in numerous community
organizations, Mr. Soluri has played a leadership role in
expanding tourism opportunities and economic development in the
Village and along Lewiston's waterfront. He is a past Vice
Chairman of the United Way of Niagara, a member of the Niagara
County Chamber Commission, a member of the ArtPark & Co.
Advisory Board, a founder of Service Organizations of Lewiston (S.O.L.E.)
and director of the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp.
John Giardino, Treasurer
Mr. Giardino resides in Buffalo and is the Chairman of the
Buffalo Niagara Jobs Initiative and serves as a Board member of
the Buffalo Urban League, Buffalo Zoo, National Conference for
Community and Justice, Olmstead Conservancy, and a number of
other community organizations. Mr. Giardino acted as lead
negotiator in the innovative Olmstead parks merger and
management plan and is Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone
Development. Mr. Giardino is also a partner in the Buffalo law
firm of Lippers, Mathias, Wexler and Friedman LLP.
Paul G. Leuchner,
Secretary
Mr.
Leuchner is a resident of Grand Island. Prior to joining the US
Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Office in 1973 he worked as
a research assistant spending considerable time in the North
Atlantic Ocean on oceanographic vessels operated by the Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution. During his career with the Corps of
Engineers that spanned more than 30 years he worked as a wetlands
biologist, water resources planner and project manager. The last
half of his career was spent managing the Department of the Army
water resources regulatory permit program that covered three
states. While employed by the United States Government Mr. Leuchner
served as an environmental advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works in Washington. He also spent time at the
Office of the Chief of Engineers where he assisted with the drafting
of the national environmental compliance plan for Corps of Engineers
operational facilities. Mr. Leuchner is a member of the United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary spending considerable time on the
waters of the Niagara River. He is the Chairman of the annual
Paddles Up Niagara event sponsored by the Niagara River Greenway
Commission.
Ronald J. Pilozzi,
Chairman, Local Government Advisory Committee
Mr. Pilozzi currently serves as the Mayor of the City of Tonawanda.
He previously served as Councilman for eight years from 1994-2001
and was a member of the Management Team at General Motors Powertrain,
Tonawanda Engine for over 30 years and retired from GM in 2002. Mr.
Pilozzi is a past President of the Town of Tonawanda Development
Corporation, a member of the Tonawanda Empire Zone Administration
Board, a former loaned Executive to the United Way of Buffalo and
Erie County and served on the Board of Directors and Life Member of
the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 77.
Paul A. Dyster,
Chairman, Citizens Advisory Committee
Mr. Dyster resides in Niagara Falls and has extensive
community and government experience. He served as a city
councilman in Niagara Falls from 2000-2003, is a current member
of the Executive Board of the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara
Rivers (Buffalo, NY), a member of the Niagara River
Environmental Coalition, a founding member of the Niagara
Waterfront Revitalization Task Force (Niagara Falls, NY), a
member of the Board of Directors of the Niagara Arts and
Cultural Center, Inc. and member of the Board of Directors of
the Niagara Experience Center, Inc. Previously, Mr. Dyster was
Director of the Graduate Program in International Affairs and an
Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics at Catholic
University of America in Washington, D.C. He is also the owner
of Niagara Tradition, a local business specializing in retail
and wholesale supply and manufacturing of ingredients and
equipment for brewing and winemaking.
Louis P.
Ciminelli, Commissioner
Mr. Ciminelli resides in Buffalo where he is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of LPCiminelli Inc., Mr. Ciminelli oversees the
vision and overall direction of all corporate entities. Mr.
Ciminelli is a passionate advocate of free enterprise, participating
in several local and statewide business organizations. His notable
contributions to the local and regional economy include his prior
appointments with the New York State Power Authority, first as a
trustee and then as the chair. Mr. Ciminelli currently chairs the
Buffalo Niagara Partnership and is chairman emeritus of 43 X 79. Mr.
Ciminelli lends his unwavering support to numerous nonprofits,
including cultural groups, schools, and other community
organizations. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Ciminelli is a member of the
Canisius College Board of Regents. He has previously served on the
Buffalo State College Council, Women and Children's Hospital of
Buffalo Foundation, and the Regional Advisory Board for Empire State
Development.
Brett M. Sommer,
Commissioner
Mr. Sommer currently serves as President of the North
Tonawanda Common Council and teaches government at North
Tonawanda High School. He has served as a member of the Common
Council since 2001. He also is a past member of the North
Tonawanda Waterfront Commission.
