Board and Committees

Board of Directors

President

Laurie Buonanno, PhD
SUNY Buffalo State University

President-Elect

Suparna Soni, MPA, MSW, PhD
SUNY Buffalo State University

Immediate Past President

Michael Hughes, MPA
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service

Membership/Programming Officer

Ryan Gadzo, MPA
Erie County Senior Services

Secretary

Patricia Patton, MPA
New York State Department of Health

Treasurer

Kenneth Stone, MPA
SUNY Buffalo State University

Board Member

Brian Bray, MPA
Erie County Personnel Department

Board Member

Don Dentice, MPA
Rockwell Automation

Board Member

Makenzie Docteur, MPA
M&T Bank

Board Member

Maria Garozzo-Payne, MPA
City of Buffalo (retired)
Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo

Board Member

Allison G. S. Knox, MPH
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rockefeller Institute of Government Fellow
Paul Smith’s College

Board Member

Marisa Maloni, MPA
New York State Unified Court System

Board Member

Lisa Parshall, PhD
Daemen University

Board Member

Julia Witherell, MPA
Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services

Committees

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Communications Committee disseminates timely news to members, prospects, media, and the general public and also publicizes the Chapter’s events and accomplishments. Members will work together to generate and post content online for the Chapter’s website and social media channels. Members also may assist the Communications Officer with e-mail alerts to members and press releases to media. For more information, contact Tony Astran.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Membership Committee devises outreach programs to attract prospective members and communicate the value of paid ASPA membership. They will formally welcome and celebrate new members while keeping existing members engaged and tenured. Additionally, the Committee may assist the Membership Officer in building relationships with key constituents at local colleges and government institutions, and will collaborate as needed with the Communications Committee to develop and disseminate leave-behind materials about the local chapter and national membership benefits. For more information, contact Ryan Gadzo.

PROGRAMMING/EVENTS COMMITTEE
The Programming/Events Committee will take a lead role in developing online and in-person meetings to keep the Chapter vibrant. Such events include but are not limited to: webinars, happy hours, Annual Meeting, sessions for the Public Service Recognition Week at SUNY Buffalo State, and more. The Committee Chair will work in conjunction with ASPA’s Board of Directors to devise themes, book outside speakers, and coordinate event logistics. The Committee also will communicate all event details in a timely fashion to the Communications Committee for publicizing. For more information, contact Ryan Gadzo.