Elizabeth Maess Bradley was born, raised and attended college and university in Western New York. She and her husband Archie have been married for 41 years and are the proud parents of Bridgette and Daniel.  They have four wonderful grandchildren.

Elizabeth Bradley, Ed.D. was the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction of the Frontier Central School District in Hamburg, New York.  In the 23 years Dr. Bradley was with the Frontier School District, there were significant gains in student achievement.  Frontier was rated very highly by Business First newspaper and the University of Buffalo’s Study of Effective Schools.  Dr. Bradley earned her doctorate at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her work in curriculum and staff development and accountability models has been commended. She is currently the president and senior consultant of E J Bradley & Associates.

As consultant for school districts, her focus has been on creating cultures of accountability and respect. Dr. Bradley has experience handling complaints of employee misconduct, boundary-crossing behavior and sexual harassment.  She has consulted and conducted training for over 40,000 educators for school districts across New York State, Massachusetts, and Arizona on the topics of creating a culture of respect, professional behavior, harassment prevention, and handling allegations of misconduct.  Dr. Bradley was a featured speaker at New York State School Boards state conference. She served as the 2012 seminar presenter for Utica National Insurance on Preventing Misconduct and Dealing Effectively with Allegations. She has served as an expert witness in civil and employee discipline cases in New York, Indiana and Florida.

As a trainer in the private sector, she has received outstanding reviews from corporate managers and supervisors on the Leadership Skills and Effective Teams courses she developed and teaches. As a certified Franklin Covey 7 Habits and Trust Building trainer, Dr. Bradley has worked with educators, school boards and leadership teams. Dr. Bradley received the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Health Educators Association, Administrator of the Year Award from the Western New York Women in Administration Group, the Path Finders Award from the New York State Women in Administration Association, and the Distinguished Dissertation Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Path Finders award from Business First News.

President, Hilbert College in Buffalo, New York

Dr. Michael S. Brophy currently serves as the president of Hilbert College in Buffalo, New York. He took office at the Hamburg college in January 2019.  Previously, he served as the president of Benedictine University (Chicago and Phoenix) and Marymount California University (Los Angeles).

He became president of Marymount in 2006 when it was a small Catholic liberal arts college in Southern California. He led the transformation of the private two-year college to a multi-site university with undergraduate and graduate degree offerings, doubling enrollment, leading successful fundraising campaigns, and spearheading facilities improvements that built new living and learning environments.

In 2015, Dr. Brophy was appointed president at Benedictine and led the University as it implemented its new strategic plan by increasing fundraising, opening a new college of business, implementing new programs, leading a program prioritization process, and growing its graduate, online, Arizona campus, and community college partnership enrollments. This strengthening of the University lead to an increased Standard & Poor’s financial rating and a reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. At both institutions, Dr. Brophy championed access and increased Hispanic student enrollment.

Prior to his presidencies, Dr. Brophy served as a campus dean within the University of Wisconsin system and as an enrollment management leader at Long Island University (New York), the State University of New York, and The Sage Colleges (New York). Dr. Brophy also served as an enrollment consultant to the Kentucky, Indiana, and Louisiana community college systems.

Dr. Brophy earned a BA in music and a MA in English from The College of Saint Rose, an MFA in writing from Long Island University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A Fulbright award recipient, Dr. Brophy has taught and conducted research in Europe and Cuba. As a filmmaker he has written, directed and edited three films that screened at film festivals, theaters, museums, universities, and foundations throughout the United States, Cuba and Europe, and has had screenplays selected to the Independent Feature Project Market in New York. As a musician, he has accompanied gospel choirs and performed with students and faculty in classical, pop, and jazz settings.

Dr. Brophy and his wife, Tara, reside in Western New York with their three children.

Dr. Vincent J. Coppola, after serving seven years as the Executive Director of the Western New York Educational Service Council at the North Campus of the University at Buffalo, now serves the Council as a full-time Search Consultant.  The Western New York Educational Service Council has been in existence since 1949 and was chartered by the Board of Regents in 1966.  The Council provides educational consulting services to public and private schools throughout the Northeastern part of the United States.  The Council staff has completed approximately 400 searches for the position of school superintendent since 1966.

After spending 40 years working in the public schools as an English teacher, guidance counselor, assistant high school principal, principal of a middle school, Director of Personnel, and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Coppola retired as Superintendent of the Corning City School District in July 1998.

Dr. Coppola has taught graduate courses in administration and counselor education at Canisius College and the University at Buffalo.

Vince  has been a keynote speaker at several state-wide conferences and has participated in presenting educational seminars at the national level.  He was honored to be selected by the Executive Educator Journal as one of the top 100 administrators in North America.  He received the Top Educator Award from Phi Delta Kappa and was selected by the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce to receive the Educator of the Year Award.  He is also the recipient of the Dean’s Service Award as well as the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Coppola’s most recent honor was his selection as one of the five educators in New York State and one of 24 in the United States to receive the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award presented by the University Council for Educational Administration.

Superintendent of Schools

Michael Cornell currently serves as Superintendent of Schools for the Hamburg Central School District, which educates nearly 3500 students each day in four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Mr. Cornell also serves as the President of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association and is the Co-Chair of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) Legislative Committee. He has also served two terms on the NYSCOSS House of Delegates.

Prior to working in Hamburg, Mr. Cornell served as the Principal of Amherst Middle School from 2010 – 2015. With more than 30% of the students at Amherst Middle School qualifying for Free/Reduced Lunch, Mr. Cornell was able to maintain the school’s status as one of the highest performing middle schools in Western New York, ranking 7th in overall academic performance out of more than 100 public middle schools. He also served his administrative colleagues as president of the Amherst Administrator’s Association.

Mr. Cornell was recognized by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) as the 2013 Middle School Principal of the Year for Western New York, and by Phi Delta Kappa as the 2014 Middle School Principal of the Year.

He began his administrative career in 2006 as an Assistant Principal at Lancaster High School.

Mr. Cornell was a social studies teacher at Kenmore West High School in the Kenmore Town of
Tonawanda Union Free School District from 1995 – 2006, where he also served as a Department
Chairman, Chairman of the Kenmore Staff Development Center Policy Board, and 2nd Vice President of the Kenmore Teacher’s Association.

Mike has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Niagara University, teaching The Capstone for the
School District Leader to students in their Educational Leadership program.

Also active in public affairs outside of education, Mr. Cornell was appointed by then-Governor George Pataki to serve on the Niagara River Greenway Commission in 2004, and was appointed to the Niagara County Redistricting Commission in 2011.

Jerry lives in Hamburg with his wife Gloria and daughter Georgia.

He graduated from St. Francis High School and attended Buffalo State College.  Mr. Deionno’s career at West Herr Automotive Group started in 1988.  He is now a Service Manager.  Jerry has accumulated several honors from Ford Motor Company including multiple Medallion Elite Recognitions, and has helped West Herr earn Ford’s distinguished President’s Award 26 times.

He is Master Certified with  Ford in Service Management and Service Advisor training.  Jerry is a  4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of its Hamburg Council.  He also participates yearly in the M.S. Great Lake Escape ride.

Managing Partner, Harvest Time Partners, Inc.

David is a combat veteran, business executive, husband, father, and creator of character-building resources that help individuals, families, and businesses reach their full potential in an uncertain world. He launched his business career as a sales representative achieving success through a sharp focus on understanding customer desires, tailoring solutions for unique client needs, and continually delivering results far above conventional expectations. His leadership skills and ability to seize opportunities enabled him to quickly rise through the ranks of corporate America, advancing to become the president of a $100-million-plus medical diagnostics company. Under David’s management, his teams drove results well above established expectations for growth in sales, customer retention, and employee engagement.

During his undergraduate years at West Point and by way of subsequent leadership assignments in the US Army Infantry, David’s character and leadership skills were cultivated and nurtured. As an airborne ranger infantry officer, David led a rifle platoon of 39 men with the 101st Airborne Division through several combat operations in the Gulf War. He was recognized with a Bronze Star for combat operations in February 1991.

David, his wife Tracy, and their four children have enjoyed the good fortune to live in many different parts of the United States and to meet all types of people. David and Tracy have focused much of their energy on developing programs and resources designed to strengthen the character of individuals and to build and sustain healthy relationships among marriages and families. This includes Character Creates Opportunity®, an initiative that was specifically designed to improve the character development of children, adolescents, and adults. They also established and sponsor the Harvest Time Partners Foundation, a charitable organization that supports children and young adults in the pursuit of character-building opportunities.

In addition, David and Tracy are the creators of a patented, award-winning conversation game, Abundant Harvest®, that continues to be especially embraced by families, schools, counseling programs, and faith-based organizations worldwide. The game’s popularity is based on its ability to open the door to more productive dialogue and encourage decision making based on principles such as honesty, loyalty, and commitment. Reinforcing the law of the harvest, the game’s primary takeaway is the age-old adage that you will always reap what you sow.

David balances a fast-paced work schedule with his family life and activities such as coaching sports, enjoying the outdoors, and doing charitable work. He holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from West Point. David has appeared on CBS, NPR, and PBS and has been featured by many other news outlets.

Andrew P. Fleming was admitted to practice in New York State in 1986. He is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo Law School and a 1979 graduate of Pace University where he received his B.A. cum laude. Mr. Fleming served three years on active duty with the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer before attending law school.

Mr. Fleming is a member of Chiacchia & Fleming, L.L.P. where his practice is concentrated in personal injury and labor and employment law. He represents businesses and individuals in wrongful termination litigation, including claims of sexual harassment, race and sex discrimination and breach of contract. The firm represents claimants in personal injury cases.

Mr. Fleming is an active member of the Bar Association of Erie County and its Labor Law Committee; from 1995 through 1998, he was elected to and served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the 3,500+ member Bar Association. He served a two-year term as Chair of the Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee.

Mr. Fleming was elected Village of Hamburg Judge in 2006. Mr. Fleming has lectured extensively on the issues of sexual harassment, reverse discrimination and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Fleming, a 1975 graduate of Hamburg High School, was a charter member of the Hamburg School Foundation Board of Directors and has served for seven consecutive years. He is also on the Board of Directors of the “Friends of St. Luke’s” Mission of Mercy, a Corporate Roundtable member for Buffalo City Mission, and an active participant with Churches in Action of Hamburg.

Gerry was born and bred in Western New York. He grew up in Amherst and attended St. Benedict’s elementary school and Canisius High School. After receiving his BS in Mathematics from LeMoyne College, he completed his Masters of Education in Mathematics at SUNYAB. For five years he taught math and coached basketball at Cleveland Hill High School and then returned to SUNYAB to receive his Masters of Architecture in Building Systems Design and his Doctorate in Educational Administration. Possessing teaching experience and having the necessary educational degrees and certifications, Gerry spent the rest of his professional career in the realm of public education. In 2000 he retired as Superintendent of Schools from the Frontier Central School District.

Since his retirement he continues to keep his hand in educational issues by consulting on a variety of topics ranging from school district consolidation studies to recommendations on facilities, finances, staffing and enrollment forecasts for individual school districts. He has also served on the Board of Trustees at Canisius High School and Immaculata Academy.

Gerry has been and continues to be involved in a number of volunteer activities. He has served as an active member and past chair of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Board, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce Board, the Hamburg Youth Services Consortium, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Blessed John Paul II Parish Leadership Team and Parish Finance Committee. He has also served on the Town of Hamburg Youth Advisory Board, the Hamburg Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Parent Child Connection Advisory Board and was a Little Cagers Basketball Coach in the Town of Hamburg. He is a licensed presenter for the Franklin Covey “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”.

For the last 20 years Gerry has resided in Lakeview with his wife, Maureen. He has three children—Eric, Martin and Matthew.

Born and raised on Buffalo’s West Side as one of 4 children to Italian-American working class parents, Russ attended Buffalo Public Schools. After graduating from Riverside High School, Russ matriculated to SUNY Binghamton where he not only earned a B.A. in Political Science, but he also met his future wife Jileen with whom they have shared over 40 years of blissful marriage and 5 wonderfully gifted children. He is also very proud of his beautiful grandchildren

Russ’s first professional position was as Assistant to SUNY Chancellor Ernest L.Boyer where he helped coordinate and improve communication with student leaders throughout the State; this was followed by other positions in SUNY dealing with government and labor relations. While serving on the NYS management negotiating team, Russ was contacted by Congressman Jack Kemp and was asked to serve as the Congressman’s District administrative Administrative Assistant. For seven years, Russ ran the Congressman’s District Offices and forged important contacts with the Buffalo business and civic leaders.

In 1985, Russ was appointed Senior Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo where he assumed responsibilities for fundraising and public relations. After leaving Children’s to start his own consulting business, Russ entered the telecom field and worked with a number of regional and national firms selling telecom equipment as well as voice and data services.

He now serves as a Territory Account Executive with Time Warner Business Class Service where he develops and implements IT solutions for businesses throughout Western New York. Russ lives in Hamburg, New York with his wife Jileen and attends the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg as well as St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Former Character Council of WNY Board of Director

Ann Heraty is currently a member of the Ambassadors for Character Advisory Board of the Character Council of Western New York after serving for nine years on its Board of Directors. During that time, Ann held the positions of Recording Secretary and Vice-President. She also chaired the Media Committee .and helped to manage the website and coordinate the bulk mailings. She deemed it an honor serve the Council for those many years. Ann looks forward to further contributing as a member of the Ambassadors.

Ann was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from Nardin Academy and D’Youville College, also earning a Masters Degree from Canisius/Medaille. She enjoyed a 40-year career in education and is retired from the Lake Shore Central School District.

Ann resides in Hamburg, New York with her husband, Pat, whom she met when they served as Jesuit Lay Volunteers in Hays, Montana. It was there that her volunteer service began. It continued as she assumed leadership positions in several organizations including the Evans Business and Professional Women’s Group. She presently chairs several events at Saint Bernadette Church in Orchard Park.

Ann and Pat relish family time with their two sons, lovely daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

President, Heraty Management Services LLC Professor, Hilbert College

Patrick Heraty is a native of Chicago, Illinois, the son of Irish immigrants and the second youngest of 7 children.

After earning a degree in Finance, he joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and was assigned to work at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Hays, Montana. There he met Ann Bellanti, his wife-to-be, who had grown up in Buffalo and was also assigned to Fort Belknap as a member of the JVC. Ann and Patrick have two sons, Jonathan and David, and are also blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law, Molly and Linsey, and grandsons Jack, Ryan, and Finnegan.

Heraty earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s Degree in Business Education (MS) and earned a certificate in the Executive Leadership Program through Cornell University. Heraty has held a variety of academic and administrative positions in higher education.

He is a certified trainer-facilitator for Emotional Intelligence, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Additionally, he has Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Heraty has served as a trainer and organizational development consultant in the manufacturing, service, energy, and retail sectors. In the role of corporate consultant, Heraty has worked with the leadership of both management and labor, and has done leadership training for executives, middle management, and first-line supervisors.

Heraty has served on the Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. He was treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Citizens’ Academy Foundation, a community outreach organization of the Buffalo FBI. Heraty has served as vice-chair of the Village of Hamburg Economic Development Committee and served on the administrative team for the “Main Street Grants” program. The Heratys are active members of St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park.

Hamburg Town Council Member Karen Hoak was born and raised in Hamburg, NY. Karen began her career in the engineering field, collaborating on consultant projects in bridge and construction inspection for New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority infrastructure improvements and bridge safety. Recently she began serving Erie County as the Deputy Commissioner of Highways. Her community involvement includes advocating for inclusion and awareness to promote a welcoming community in “the town that friendship built.” She has recently established the Hamburg Coalition for Equity and Inclusion. As an elected official, Council Member Hoak is a liaison to the Hamburg Veterans Committee, the Hamburg Library Board and the Domestic Violence Advisory Board. Karen is raising her children Eva and August in Hamburg. Dedication to serving residents and continuously building bridges for community connection are her priorities for public service.     

Dr. Richard Hughes was born and raised in the Western New York and graduated from Perry Central School in 1992. He attended Allegheny College for his Bachelor of Science in Biology, completed his Master of Science and administrative certification at SUNY Fredonia and earned his Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Northcentral University. In December 2017, Rich was appointed the Superintendent of Schools for the Frontier Central School District, located just south of Buffalo along the shores of Lake Erie.

Dr. Hughes began his career as a high school science teacher and coach, before gathering experience in various administrative roles, including the past eight years as a Superintendent. Dr. Hughes led both of his prior school districts through a one student to one device (1:1) technology integration with the foundational focus on the development of a rigorous and relevant curriculum, coupled with effective instructional practices, personalized learning supported by aligned professional development. This resulted in significant academic gains, especially for struggling students in both low wealth districts. Most recently, he led Central Valley from a being a low performing district to amongst the highest performing in the BOCES. During his career he has already supervised over $100,000,000 in capital projects and improvements to lead his school districts into 21st century learning. Rich aims to empower others by acting as a facilitator for creating a shared vision, supporter to provide the necessary tools and training to support growth and a technological agitator by shifting the role of educators from the traditional factory model to one where students lead the learning with teachers acting as their guides. Dr. Hughes received the 2017 Outstanding Superintendent of the Year from NYSCATE. He is also a Lexington Education Leadership Award fellow, a contributor to COSN’s Trusted Learning Environment Seal, a committee member on regional, state and national technology initiatives and a presenter/panelist at various conferences.

Mary Ruth joined the Character Council of Western New York to continue her desired involvement with students. She is currently working with the scholarship and other committees. Mary Ruth recently retired from the Buffalo Board of Education after serving nine years as Central District Representative. She served as President of the Board for three years; Vice President of Student Achievement, Vice President of Executive Affairs, and Chair of Educational Support. She also served as Area 1 Director of the New York State Caucus of Black Board Members 2013-2016.

Ruth was a special education teacher and reading teacher at Community School #53 in Buffalo. Prior to her experiences at School #53, Mary Ruth was a reading teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through six at Broadway Village Elementary #57 where she conducted assessments and evaluations while teaching the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. In September of 2002, she worked as Adjunct Professor in Reading at Medaille College. Mrs. Kapsiak was appointed as Assistant Principal of Stanton Academy #31. In 2004, she was appointed Assistant Principal at Dr. Lydia T.Wright School of Excellence #89. She ended her career with the Buffalo Public Schools as Supervisor of Elementary Education in 2006.

Mary Ruth has earned several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University at Buffalo; Certificate of Completion, Orton-Gillingham Method for Reading from the Gow School in South Wales, N.Y; Masters of Science in Exceptional Education, from Buffalo State College; Masters of Science, Reading, Canisius College; and completed her certification in School District Administration from Canisius College.

Mary Ruth has served on numerous Boards in the past and is still active in the community. She is a member of The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Diversity Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she has served as Vice President and now is President Elect, Erie County Chapter of the Links, Inc. serving as the Assistant Secretary, and a proud former Trustee of St. John Baptist Church where she is still actively involved on several committees.

Being involved in the community and in the education of all students has been her desire and focus. Fostering a climate of positive culture, relationships, and character is key in developing communities of which we can be proud.

Mary Ruth resides in Buffalo with her husband, James M. Kapsiak, a retired educator.

Superintendent of Schools
Niagara Falls City School District

Mr. Mark Laurrie has been an educator in the Niagara Falls City School District for the
past 36 years. He has served in a variety of capacities during that time including In-
School Suspension Room Monitor, Teacher of Grade 3, Teacher of Special Education,
Dean of Students, Assistant Principal of two schools, Principal of two schools, Chief
Educational Administrator of the 2,500-student Niagara Falls High School, and Deputy
Superintendent.

Mr. Laurrie is currently the Superintendent of Schools of the Niagara Falls City School
District.

Mr. Laurrie has received numerous awards and recognitions including Educator of the
Year from the Niagara Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the Forty under Forty Rising
Leaders in Western New York from the Business First publication, and a Spirit of
Niagara Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara, Inc., Kiwanis Leadership
Award, Empower Person of the Year, Niagara University Educator of the Year, Police
Athletic League Athlete Advocate Award, the Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope
Service to Community Award, and the Lion of Judah Community Service Award and
Leader of the Year from the Niagara Street Professional and Business Association.

Mr. Laurrie is currently a member of the following community activities:
 Mental Health Association of WNY, Board of Directors
 Destination Niagara, Board of Directors
 HANCI, Community Advisor
 Leadership Niagara, Board of Directors
 United Way, Board of Directors
 Francis Center, Board of Directors
 Junior Achievement, Board of Directors
 South End Housing Committee
 Niagara Falls Education Foundation
 Governing Board of Cardiac Catheterization, NF Memorial Hospital
 Niagara OASIS Public Awareness – Involvement Subcommittee
 Healthier Niagara Falls Leadership Council

Mark McCreary is a life-long resident of Buffalo, NY.  He and his wife Julie have two sons, Conor and Braden.  Mark is a volunteer basketball and baseball coach for his sons’ teams.  He earned degrees from Hilbert College in Computer Science (A.A.S) and Business Administration (B.S).  Mark has worked at Wegmans since 1996 and is currently a Customer Service Team Member in the Prepared Foods department. 

Deputy Press Secretary
Office of the Erie County Executive

A lifelong resident of Hamburg, Dan is the oldest of five children. He graduated from Hamburg High School in 1994 and Buffalo State College in 1999.

Dan worked at the Hamburg Sun in a variety of positions from 1999 to 2010, beginning as a freelance correspondent covering local government meetings before eventually being hired as a full-time reporter. He was later promoted to the position of editor and handled the various duties associated with the writing/reporting/editing of the weekly newspaper. Dan also wrote a syndicated column that was published in approximately 20 weekly independent newspapers located throughout Western New York, reaching an estimated audience of 275,000 readers each week.

Dan later work for four years as the director of community relations for the district office of New York State Senator Mark Grisanti, a full-time position in downtown Buffalo that involved corresponding with constituents, non-for-profit organizations and other groups who contacted the office seeking assistance and looking to establish a relationship with the elected official representing them in Albany.

Dan currently works as the deputy press secretary in the Office of the Erie County Executive, a position that involves various writing and research tasks related to press releases, media advisories and other correspondence that comes from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and the numerous departments that comprise the government of Erie County.

Dan has always been active in the community, including volunteer work as a youth street hockey coach and youth baseball coach. He also worked in the past in part-time positions for the Village of Hamburg Recreation Department, Town of Hamburg Recreation Department, Southtowns YMCA and the Lake Shore Central School District.

Other volunteer efforts include a decade spent serving the community as a member of the Town of Hamburg Lions Club and time served on the Town of Hamburg Drug Free Communities Coalition and the Town of Hamburg Historical Society’s board of directors. He is a current member of the Southtown Teachers’ Center Policy Board as a business representative and a longtime volunteer shopper and supporter of the “Warm The Children” initiative currently overseen by the Town of Hamburg Rotary Club.

Dan continues to write as a freelance correspondent for various publications, including most recently In Good Health News, Forever Young and the Hamburg Sun, with past bylines including work published in Buffalo Spree Business First of Buffalo, the Buffalo Law Journal, the Chautauqua Star and the Ellicottville Times.

Dan also volunteered in the past for the original Character Council of Hamburg organization, chairing the Media/Community Relations committee and helping to distribute information to local media. He was honored in January 2010 when he was presented the “Integrity in Action” honor in January 2010 for emulating the character trait of Punctuality after being nominated for “showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time.”

Hamburg Village Mayor Thomas J. Moses Sr. was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania. However, he can be considered a native of Hamburg because he has lived here since 1954. His Alma Maters include Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School and Hamburg High School.

Tom has dedicated much of his life in service to the Hamburg community. He began working for the village in 1967. He held the position of Recreation Supervisor from 1970-2002. Under his leadership, many building and renovation projects were completed. Among these were the development of Glen Meadows Park, the updating of the Village Swim Center, and major improvements to the Community Center Park and the village playgrounds.

Tom’s community involvement exceeded the bounds of his job. He became very active in the Hamburg Schools, serving on the Health Council and Grounds Committee. He was one of the founders of the High School EMT Program. His dedication to the youth of our town and village has been demonstrated throughout his career.

Tom’s concern for others is further evidenced by his long tenure with the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department. He has been the Assistant Village Disaster Coordinator and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hamburg Counseling Center.

A strong family man, Tom has been married to his wife, Mary Lou, for forty years. They have two sons, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Tom and Mary Lou are active members of Saint Bernadette Parish.

As Mayor of the Village of Hamburg since 2006, Tom has continued to support character development and education. He is easily accessible, always ready to help with any problem or concern. His commitment to the welfare of others is the hallmark of his administration and has been the motivating force of his life.

President, Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

Casimiro was born and raised in WNY. He has lived a lifetime of advocacy for Buffalo’s Latino Community in different areas of education, health, social and economic equality.  He earned a BA in American Government from University at Buffalo and also studied management from the General Motors Institute. After 34 years of dutiful service he retired from GM.

He is passionate for community progress and envisions what can be accomplished in the future of Buffalo’s community built on the strengths of everyone working together for the benefit of all.

Casimiro is driven by social justice where you can find the core of his dedication to today’s community and tomorrow’s leaders. He is a catalyst for revival and progress bringing people of different faiths and races together for a common goal. Bio courtesy of Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

Susan graduated from Alfred University in 1983 with a degree in Elementary Education. She got her Masters in Elementary Ed from Boston College and taught second grade and fourth grade at Nardin Academy Elementary School for three years. She and her husband Paul married in 1986 and Susan stayed home to raise their five children.

She is very active in volunteering at her parish, SS. Peter and Paul in Hamburg as well as being a member of their school board. She also serves on the school board of St. Francis High School in Athol Springs. A member of various Diocese of Buffalo committees and after school tutor at Nativity Miguel Middle School, she also enjoys reading, painting, running, bicycling, skiing and traveling. Susan is a past board member of the Character Council of WNY and enjoys remaining connected by now serving as Race Director for the Character Chase 5K as well as a member of the Ambassadors for Character.

Town of Hamburg Police Department

Kevin Trask began his public service career at the Erie County Department of Social Services in 1994 as a Welfare Examiner and a Child Protection Worker.  As a child of the 70’s, he was deeply motivated to serve and protect society’s most vulnerable.  In 1998 he became a Holding Center Deputy with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and a Patrol Deputy in 1999.  In 2000, he was hired by the Hamburg Police as a patrolman.  He was promoted to the position of Patrol Lieutenant in 2005 and subsequently to the position of Detective Lieutenant where he founded the Department’s Narcotics Unit and developed and implemented the first law enforcement social media initiatives. In 2010 he became Chief of Detectives where he oversaw all investigations.  Kevin was made Chief of Police for the Town of Hamburg Police in January of 2020.       

Although he attributes much of his success to the education he received at the school of hard knocks, Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Hilbert College, where he received the St. Catherine’s medal, which is awarded to the most outstanding graduate student that year. He is an Erie County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awardee for his work in solving the Megan Sorbera fatal ‘hit and run’ and has been honored for his work on the nationally reported ‘Toys R Us’ homicide.

He initiated the Department’s yearly ‘beards for bucks’ fundraiser which has raised nearly $10,000 for various charities and encourages members to establish their own charitable activities.

Throughout his career, Kevin has valued empathy, dignity and respect for all and is instilling an atmosphere of accountability throughout the Department that reflects those values. He lives in Hamburg with his wife, Julia and their children, Owen (John Carroll University) and Eva (Frontier High School).