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Board of Directors 2026

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.

Pete Petrella Headshot 2

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

 

 

Business After Hours Jan 2023
Buffalo History Museum Oct 2022
Buffalo History Museum Oct 2022
A.J. Baynes & Governor Hochul December 2023
A.J. Baynes & Governor Hochul December 2023

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

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