2026 Board Chair
Peter Petrella, TalentRise, an Aleron Company
As Board Chair, Pete Petrella, will build upon the strategic plan of the Chamber while ensuring that the business community is well represented in the areas that continue the growth of the Buffalo Niagara region.

Amherst is the largest suburb in upstate New York, and most residents of WNY work, reside, or visit for beloved fare and festivals, medical needs or shopping. Buffalo, The City of Good Neighbors, encompasses the nature of the larger ecosystem of Western New York. The Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors, the staff, and the Members work together to uplift the entire professional network.
2026 Executive Committee
Pete Petrella
Board Chair
TalentRise, an Aleron Company
Laura Dolan
First Chair
Bank of America
A.J. Baynes
President & CEO
Amherst Chamber of Commerce
Elena Mendel
Treasurer
National Fuel
Earl Wells III
Secretary
e3communications
Jody Briandi
Hurwitz Fine P.C.
Mark Gaulin
PCI
David Flynn*
Legal Counsel
Phillips Lytle LLP
2026 Board of Directors
Dr. Adiam Tsegai
SUNY Erie
A.J. Baynes
Amherst Chamber of Commerce ^
A.J. Wright
Highmark of Western New York
Andy Davis
Erie County Medical Center
Brendan Little
Lippes Mathias LLP
Bryan Zurowski
NOCO LLC
Carl Montante Jr.
Uniland Development
Chrystie Barker
Ellicott Development
David Flynn*
Phillips Lytle LLP ^
David Mingoia
Amherst IDA
Earl V Wells III
e3 communications, Inc. ^
Elena Mendel
National Fuel ^
Frank LoTempio III
LoTempio PC Law Group
Holly Hubert
GlobalSecurityIQ
James Miller
AAA Western & Central NY
Jeff Panza
LeCHASE Construction
Jeffrey Tyrpak
Nesper, Freeman & Tyrpak, LLP
Jenna Kavanaugh
National Grid
Jody Briandi
Hurwitz Fine P.C. ^
John Gavigan
CrediVault
Judy Baumgartner
Kaleida Health
Ken Pawlak
NBT Bank
Kyle Ciminelli
Ciminelli Real Estate
Laura Dolan
Bank of America ^
Lou Costello
Spectrum Reach
Luis Rodriguez
Rodriguez Construction
Luke Woeppel
M&T Bank
Lynsey Zimdahl Weaver
Kevin Guest House*
Mark Gaulin
PCI ^
Maria Elisa Garzon
Catholic Health
Michael Pietkiewicz
Wendel Companies
Dr. Navyugjit Virk
Great Lakes Anesthesiology
Paul Coleman
KeyBank
Paul Valley
Univera Healthcare
Pete Petrella
TalentRise, an Aleron Co. ^
Rachael Brown
ESC
Richard Argentieri
Independent Health
Sal Sciandra
Frey Electric Construction
Steve Bertini
Wegmans Food Markets
Steve Mulé
BankOnBuffalo
Tom Garigen
CannonDesign
^ Executive Committee
* Ex-Officio
