The 2017 honorees are:
Paul Billoni, CEO/owner, Colvin Cleaners
Patricia Clabeaux, executive vice president/chief HR officer, Independent Health
Richard Cohen, CEO and managing partner, Goldberg Segalla LLP
John Connerton, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Evans Bancorp Inc.
Kevin Cross, managing partner, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP
Renita DiStefano, vice president of IT and chief information officer, Seneca Gaming Corp.
Ray Ganoe, president and CEO, Evergreen Health
Stewart Haney, president and CEO, Wendel
Daniel Hart, executive director, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Rick Heist, executive director, Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity
Thomas Holt, president and CEO, Lutheran
Mari Howard, CEO, The Rehabilitation Center
Christopher Leardini, senior vice president of operations, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
Joseph Lowry, president and CEO, Encorus Group
Joseph McDonald, president and CEO, Catholic Health System
Elizabeth McPartland, chief operating officer, Child & Family Services
Bab Namugundu, chief operating officer, EmergenceTek Group
Louis Nuchereno, executive vice president, AXA Advisors
Isabel Robitaille, CEO and broker, Robitaille Relocation & Real Estate
Peter Winkelstein, vice president/chief medical information officer, Kaleida Health.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges. They are:
Bryan Semski, assistant director of graduate studies/MBA, College of Business Administration, Niagara University
Susan Kowalewski, associate professor, D’Youville College Business Department
Erin O’Brien, assistant dean, University at Buffalo School of Management.