Interdisciplinary Unit in Data Science & Analytics

• Buffalo State Data Talk Podcast Committee
• DSA Program Review Committee
• Diversity and Inclusion Committee
• Marketing Taskforce Committee

Melissa Brinson, MBA, Advisory Board Chair
Director of Marketing, Communications & Business Development
Millington-Lockwood
AMP Interior Construction

Bio:

Melissa Brinson is the Director of Marketing, Communications and Business Development for Millington Lockwood Business Interior Solutions, and AMP Interior Construction. Her previous experience includes several elected and appointed governmental leadership positions where she was responsible for policy development, practice, execution and team management. Ms. Brinson also currently serves as a member of SUNY Buffalo State's College Council, as Chair of the Data Science and Analytics Advisory Board, Board member of NAIOP Upstate New York Chapter, as well as numerous professional associations. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University at Buffalo and an MBA from the University at Buffalo, Executive MBA Program. She and her family reside in Buffalo, N.Y..

Website

LinkedIn

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Brian Barrey
Mathematics Teacher Buffalo Public Schools
Hutchinson Technical High School #304

Bio:

Brian Barrey is a mathematics educator at Hutchinson Technical Central High School in the Buffalo Public School District.  Currently, Brian is teaching 3 separate courses: AP Calculus AB, non-AP Calculus, and Pre-Calculus & Advanced Topics. Brian is also a co-host for the Buffalo State Data Talk podcast, and the DSA & PACM Marketing Committee in addition to being an Advisory Board member.  In an effort to bring his students up-to-date content to his students, Brian is pursuing a degree in Data Science & Analytics. 

LinkedIn

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Christopher Bole
Data Scientist

Bio:

Christopher Bole is currently a Data Scientist with BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, where he began in 2013 as a Medical Economics Analyst. At the company, Chris supports new initiatives and on-going programs by analyzing and interpreting medical, financial, operational and other information, creating better metrics, improving risk modeling, and evaluating vendor proposals, among other things.

During his nearly 30-year career as a research analyst, his innovative findings have directly led to millions of dollars in net gains, improvements to patient care and integrated health programs, advancements in research grants, and streamlined data modeling. In addition to two graduate degrees and pre-doctoral work in mathematics, statistics, business management and epidemiology, Chris is co-author on multiple peer reviewed journal articles in cancer control and substance abuse.

Chris is a musician and, from where he lives in Buffalo, New York, has given dozens of performances with the 70-member Buffalo Niagara Concert Band and 16-piece George Scott Big Band. When not preparing a new batch of honey mead, planning the next home project, or enjoying a favorite author such as Isaac Asimov, Dean Koontz or Noam Chomksy, he might be found hiking one of the many New York or Pennsylvania state forests.

Contact Chris at bole.christopher@healthnow.org

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Heather Campbell
Education Coordinator
Jacobs Institute

Bio: 

Heather received her bachelor's in biology from Concordia College and her master's in Cancer Immunology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She was the Program Coordinator for the DSA and PACM programs for almost 3 years. In her free time you will find Heather completing many DIY projects, baking, tending to her many houseplants, or playing with her cats. 

LinkedIn

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Bill Chapman
Founder and Principal Consultant
28 Protons LLC

Bio:

As a software architect, business founder and consultant Bill has a broad range of experience across industries including Healthcare, Banking, Education, Telecommunications, and Industrial Manufacturing. 

Through his consultancy 28 Protons, Bill is fusing his experience in startups and fortune 500 consulting to help large companies and organizations through digital and organizational transformation. 

Bill received a BS in Mathematics from Buffalo State, and an MA in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo and is happy to have the opportunity to remain part of the Western New York higher education ecosystem. 

Website

LinkedIn

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Jessica Copeland
Member, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Bond Schoeneck & King Attorneys

Bio: 

Awards / Honors

• Buffalo Business First, Legal Elite of Western New York, 2020
• Buffalo Business First, 40 Under 40, 2020
• Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2013-2015

Website

LinkedIn

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Frank D'Arrigo
VP of Information Technology
Modern Disposal Company

Bio:

In his role as Modern Disposal’s VP of Information Technology, Frank leads the information technology, and information security teams, and physical security services.  Frank is an experienced information security professional and earned his Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification in 2021. In his previous roles, Frank was responsible for business intelligence, marketing, information security, and information technology management.  Frank has served on numerous advisory boards for public and private companies, and in higher education.   

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Al Delmerico
Community Health Behavior Scientist Center for Health and Social Research
SUNY Buffalo State

Bio:

I am a dedicated researcher with a passion for leveraging my skills to improve community health. I have spent more than 16 years pursuing applied research opportunities through the Institute for Community Health Promotion at Buffalo State College on a wide range of topics, including environmental prevention and health promotion strategies, health disparities, alcohol and substance use behaviors, mental health, physical activity and nutrition, and healthy aging. My training is as health geographer and my research interests and focus have been on the application of spatial analytical methodologies and collective impact approaches to improving community health in complex systems.

LinkedIn

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Drew Fones
Analytic Manager-Small Business Lending Operations
Wells Fargo

Bio:

I'm a data analytics fanatic. I love solving business problems, taking advantage of business opportunities, and making data impact an organization. I help build the bridge between data and business. I have lived and worked in 4 countries.

 

LinkedIn

Feel free to connect, just mention Buffalo State DSA in your request.

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Paul Gulde
Manager of R&D and Multi-omics
Thermo Fisher Scientific

Bio: 

Paul recieved his PhD in Microbiology in 2009 at the Univeristy at Buffalo Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He recieved his BS in Biology in 1999 from the Univerity at Buffalo Department of Biology. He joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2009 as part of the Medium Express manufacturing team developing liquid, powder and AGT cell culture formulations. Paul transitioned into R&D in 2011 as part of the Custom Medium team focused on the development of Upstream Bioprocessing solutions. In 2014, they began developing our multi-omics and informatics approaches, forming a new group in 2018. In 2020, he became the leader of the multi-omics team. Since then they have begun scaling our omics offerings and initiated a digital transformation in R&D.

 

LinkedIn

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Mohammad Haque, MS
Data Analyst
CCNY inc

Bio:

I am an alumni to the DSA Program here at Buffalo State with a Masters in Data Science and Analytics who is now working full time as a data analyst at CCNY inc. With past experiences as a database architect and web developer. Also, I am an alumni at the University of Waterloo graduated with a bachelors of mathematics. When I am not working I am also assisting with projects within buffalo state such as the TEU Dashboard, and the Podcast Committee. You can find me over at LinkedIn, send me a message if you wish to connect!

LinkedIn

 

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Kimberley Herrington, MHA
Data Journalist and Creator of Buffalo Business Intelligence
Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bio:

Kim is a data storyteller and community builder dedicated to the transformational promise of data literacy.

Kim Herrington is a Data Journalist for a large healthcare insurance company and is the Creator of the Buffalo Business Intelligence group. She is responsible for growing data visualization user adoption, increasing communications, and increasing organizational data literacy. She does this by working with cross-functional teams from analytics, IT, marketing, administration, operations, and other corporate servicing functions.

While her career path has maintained a focus on healthcare since 2004, it has paralleled a range of topics from administration, digital marketing, customer service, event planning, and project coordination. She has extensive experience in applying creative problem solving methods for process and performance improvements in analytic and healthcare operations. This unique range of experience combined with her communications expertise has made her an effective analytics translator and culture change champion. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she started www.wnywifiwarriors.com a community group to bring free internet access to a local community center, raise awareness about the “digital divide”, and create a communication channel where others could collaborate and share information pertaining to WiFi access.

In 2020, Rivery named Herrington as #2 in their list of “Top 20 Data Influencers of 2020: Big Data, Data Science, & Analytics”. Kim Herrington gives back to her community through her participation on various advisory boards and committees that focus on emerging leader development, data & technology, and public health. To see the full list of boards and awards, please visit her LinkedIn profile: www.LinkedIn.com/in/KimberlyHerrington.

Kimberly holds a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration from D’Youville College and a Bachelors in Biology from SUNY Oswego. Kim is married and he has one daughter.

LinkedIn

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Romunda Harris-Fonville
Senior Project Analyst
M&T Bank

 

 

 

 

LinkedIn

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Richard Ryall Ledyard
Real Estate Salesperson
Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage

 

 

 

Website Profile

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Jonathan Manly
Director of Revenue Management
Life Storage Solutions

Bio:

Jonathan Manly is current the Director of Revenue Management at Life Storage, responsible for data science and pricing for an international network of over 800 self-storage locations.  He has over 20 years experience in business analytics and data science in areas including direct marketing, sales analytics, product management and pricing, at companies in the WNY area.  He holds an MBA in Marketing from University at Buffalo and an MS in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

LinkedIn

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Catherine March
Senior Analytics and Optimization Manager
Rich Products

Bio: 

Since 2017 Catherine March has led network optimization projects for Rich Products, building supply chain models and scenario analysis for short term tactical operations and long term strategic projects. Through mathematical modeling she supports the production design and distribution paths of 95+ million cases of food to your local grocery stores, cafeterias, restaurants, and pretty much every place you eat. Prior to joining Rich's Catherine worked at M&T Bank in back office operations and process re-engineering roles, focusing on process automation and efficiency. Catherine holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from St Norbert College and a Masters of Engineering in Operations Research from Cornell University. Catherine enjoys solving things and playing board games, the more tiny pieces and cascading rules the better. A Yooper by upbringing and a transplant WNYer, she spends her free time hiking and cross country skiing with her husband Matthew

LinkedIn

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Susan McCartney, PhD, MBA
Special Advisor to the Provost for Economic Development
Director, Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Bio:

Susan McCartney earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Syracuse University. McCartney went on to earn an MBA and Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo. Today she directs the SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center, a 35-year-old partnership between the government and the college. She joined the center in 1984, the year it was founded, and now leads a team of six advisers who work with 1,200 entrepreneurs a year. She also teaches at the college, offering courses in human resources, strategic management and marketing and advertising. From 1982 to 2002, she was president and chairman of the Preservation Coalition of Erie County, now known as Preservation Buffalo Niagara. For three years she has been a member of the Erie County MWBE Utilization Advisory Board.

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Bob Morgan
Chief Operating Officer
Thomann Asphalt Paving Corp

Bio:

Bob currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Thomann Asphalt and Paving Corp, where he is responsible for driving the company’s strategy and performance. Prior to joining Thomann, Bob was Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer at Hodgson Russ LLP, and before that was CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. In addition, Bob and his wife Stephanie (B.A. Broadcasting, 1994) founded JRS Morgan Realty LLC, a boutique real estate brokerage in 2006. Bob and Stephanie live in East Aurora with their five children and two dogs. Bob is a graduate of Buffalo State (B.S. Political Science, 1994), and received his MBA from Duke University in 2002.

LinkedIn

Thomann Asphalt and Paving Website

JRS Morgan Realty LLC Website

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Michael Moskal
CIO and Senior VP, Information Exploitation Sector
CUBRC

Bio:

As Sr. Vice President at CUBRC, Mike is responsible for developing and executing the strategic direction and management of CUBRC's Information Exploitation Sector. This business unit is focused on providing; basic and advanced research and development of emerging information system technologies; the design and development of highly specialized modeling and simulation systems; development of advanced data analysis technologies in both cloud computing and standard data architecture environments; and, delivery and maintenance of these various technologies and systems to a diverse set of government and commercial customers. Mike also serves as CUBRC's Chief Information Officer, providing strategic direction and management for all computing, communications and information technology operations for a nearly 175 person company having several company locations within the United States. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from the State University of New York College at Buffalo and earned his MBA from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.

LinkedIn

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Dominic Myers
CEO
Packhouse Technology  Solutions
 

Bio: 

BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY | PRODUCT AND SERVICES DEVELOPMENT

Insightful and assertive business strategy leader. Seasoned Manager of Services, Production and Product Development and Sales Channels surrounding technology. Versed in Building and Growing Teams at local, regional and global levels. Laser-focused on profitability, productivity, and customer performance indicators.

Excellent presentation, interpersonal, negotiation and problem solving skills. Enthusiastic for challenging strategic leadership roles in technology and product development, market and business development, and corporate development.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

▪ Vision/Strategy Planning
▪ Business Development
▪ Market and Business Strategy
▪ Managing Manufacturing Operations & Engineering, Technology and Innovation
▪ Product Development and Commercialization
▪ Aftermarket Programs Deployment including Spares/Depot Repair, Field Teams and Consultative Professional Services
▪ Program/Project Management
▪ Supply Chain Initialization/ Vendor On-Boarding, Negotiation and Management
▪ Team Building and Leadership

EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS:

M.B.A., Executive Program, University at Buffalo (SUNY)
Executive Leadership Certificate, Cornell University
B.S. Computer Information Systems, Buffalo State College (SUNY)
B.E.T., Electrical Engineering Technology, Buffalo State College (SUNY)

LinkedIn

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Matt Nagowski
Group VP, Quantitative Modeling Manager, Treasury Division
M&T Bank

Bio:

Matthew Nagowski is a manager in Treasury Modeling where he oversees the development of behavioral models and advanced analytics to support the Bank’s risk management, financial forecasting, and customer decisioning processes, among other business practices.

Prior to M&T, he held research positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Brookings Institution.

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Barbara Olsafsky, PhD
Managing Member, Consultant - Software,Data,Training
Blou Designs LLC

Bio:

Barb has been consulting since 2005, and founded Blou Designs LLC in 2013. Throughout, her consulting has been data-focused, whether that’s adding a bit of custom software to help with data management and systems integrations, migrating data from one system to another, creating analysis/reporting tools, or masterminding to help folks get clear on how to use their data more strategically.

LinkedIn

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Jeff Rathmann
President/CEO
Silo City Information Technology

Bio:

Jeff Rathmann is the CEO of Silo City IT, a Cybersecurity Firm headquartered in Buffalo, NY. Jeff is an accomplished, results-oriented engineer and technologist with more than 13 years of experience in the fields of Network & Systems Engineering, Offensive and Defensive Cybersecurity, and Network Optimization. Jeff started his career in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) architecting, integrating and maintaining, mission systems supporting the Department of Defense.  

During his six war-zone deployments supporting the DoD, Jeff continually expanded his skill sets and experience beyond networking/network security to encompass cross-domain systems, virtualization, application performance optimization and network monitoring. Jeff is the former Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of a multi-million-dollar government IT contractor with a diverse customer base within the DoD and Intelligence Community. He architected and maintained internal R&D labs, designed and implemented cyber compliance mechanisms, and actively worked on contracts supporting network optimization and cyber analysis and defense capabilities. 

Some notable organizations Jeff has supported in the past are: 

·       NSA - National Security Agency  

·       DISA - Defense Information Systems Agency 

·       DIA - Defense Intelligence Agency 

·       FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Jeff’s technical and industry experience led him to become the Founder/CEO of Silo City IT, a cybersecurity firm focused on providing scalable cyber defense solutions leveraging artificial intelligence and automation. He is located in the Buffalo, NY area where Jeff grew up and is raising his young family. 

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Murray Richburg
Assistant Vice President Technology
M&T Bank

Bio:

Murray recieved his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from SUNY Buffalo State and his MBA from SUNY University at Buffalo.

Murray is an IT professional with 20+ years of experience in data management, project management, leadership, and process involvement in the health care, software engineering, and financial service sectors. He currently is the Assistant Vice President of Technology at M&T Bank.

He would describe himself as an innovator with the ability to design creative solutions that improve organizational processes and service delivery. As a change agent and enthusiastic self-starter, he is a natural leader with a talent for bringing out the strengths in others. He is also a founding member of AARG's Technology Outreach Committee whose mission is to assist M&T improve diversity by utilizing its relationships and efforts in the recruitment of qualified employee candidates that are representative of the demographics of AARG.

Murray is also a member of the Industry Advisory Board and head of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

LinkedIn

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Peter Rizzo
Program Manager & Internal Auditor
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Bio:

Peter Rizzo is a certified urban planner and the Director of Development for Clover Group, Inc., a Buffalo-based developer and industry leader in senior apartment complex construction and property management. He previously served 13 years in the federal government as an urban planner, certified auditor, and certified fraud examiner.

LinkedIn

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Ramona Santa Maria
Computer Information Systems Associate Professor
Buffalo State College

Bio:

Ramona R. Santa Maria, a faculty member in the Computer Information Systems Department at Buffalo State College since 1999. She is currently an associate professor.  She holds a Ph.D. in social foundations from the University of Buffalo with a concentration in critical and cultural studies of information technology. Within the CIS department she coordinates the CIS Internship program and Computer Fundamentals course.

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Beth Sardina
Senior Auditor and Actuary
HealthNow New York Inc.

Bio: 

I've been at Highmark Western New York (formerly known as HealthNow New York) since 2011. I began my career at HealthNow as an Actuarial Analyst working on the Trend Team in the Medical Economics Department.  In 2014, I earned my Associateship of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and transitioned into the Actuarial Department.  I worked on the Reserving and Financial Reporting Team for 4 years and then earned my Fellowship of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) in 2018.  In 2019 I decided to move into the Internal Audit Department and I'm currently working in Internal Audit.  Also in 2019, I taught a course in 2019 in the PACM program as an adjunct faculty member.  In 2021, I became a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA designation).  

LinkedIn

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Tim Sember
President
Enthuse Consulting

Bio:

Timothy Sember brings a wealth of experience from serving in leadership roles for non profit agencies and for profit businesses.  Among the various opportunities to make a difference, Tim has served as the General Manager of a software company, as well as the Chief Development Officer for a social service agency.  He brings his commitment to mission and a servant leader's approach to all that he does.  Tim is currently a long standing board member of The Center for Handicapped Children and received a B.A. in Religious Studies/English from Canisius College and a Master's of Theology from Christ the King Seminary.  He and his family reside in Williamsville, NY. 

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Joe Trapp
Founder/CEO
Third Estate Analytics

Bio: 

Joe is the Founder/CEO of both Third Estate Analytics and Third Estate Ventures, an analytics company and charity, respectively.  Both are focused on addressing imbalances in neighborhoods (especially real estate values) brought on by discrimination, albeit through different approaches.

Graduating magna cum laude in 2016 from the University at Buffalo School of Law with a concentration in Finance and Development, Joe focused his studies on community and economic development, as well as disruptive financial technologies.  While in law school, he clerked for United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of General Counsel and received a fellowship from the New York State Association for Affordable Housing for his work on community development using a specialized homeownership and debt forgiveness method inclusive of revenue optimization for municipalities. 

Joe graduated from Colgate University in 2013 with honors and cum laude from Nichols School in 2009.  You can also find Joe at his family’s law firm, Greco Trapp PLLC, where he serves as an associate attorney focusing on corporate, non-profit, and municipal law.

LinkedIn