Bell Ringer

Timothy Porter joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company Mod Tech Labs, its move to Buffalo after winning the 43North competition, growth since arriving, and what is next for the film and gaming industry in times of AI and following strikes.

Jason Bartz is the founder of Good Neighbor Fund, a micro grant program started right here in Buffalo, New York. The program awards $1,000 grants to entrepreneurs or folks with an idea they'd like to turn into a company. On this episode Jason discusses his experiences in Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosystem, why he started Good Neighbor Fund, criteria for potential applicants, and Western New York's strengths at large. 

Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, joins the podcast to discuss the intentionality in curating the museum, its reception from patrons across the country and the comedians themselves the museum aims to celebrate, and everything else in between.

Mike Moskal, CIO at CUBRC, joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company's innovative work, recruitment strategies, and Buffalo Niagara's technology ecosystem at large.

Greg Homish is a researcher, professor, and chair with the University at Buffalo. He and UB recently received a grant to help train and diversify the future of the public health workforce throughout Western New York. His other research focuses on mental health outcomes for those in the armed services, and mental health at large.

Scott Balaguer joins Bell Ringer to discuss Edwards Vacuum 599 job, $319 million expansion at the WNY STAMP site in the Buffalo Niagara region. Edwards Vacuum is a critical supplier in the semiconductor industry and also already has a location in Niagara County. 

Stephanie Peete and Aaron Jackson join Bell Ringer to discuss CareerWise Greater Buffalo, a modern youth apprenticeship program through Say Yes. On the episode we discuss the benefits of an 'earn while you learn' model, why engaged employers are critical, and the grander benefit of Say Yes as a whole.

Randy Harris of Lighthouse Technology Services joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company, the ever-changing field of technology, how folks need to think about tech talent, and Buffalo's technology ecosystem at large.

Arbol is a platform helping college students overcome economic uncertainties - textbook purchases, transportation costs, healthcare bills, and more. The company was cofounded by David Gonzalez and Favio Osorio right here in Buffalo Niagara. On this episode, we discuss the company's mission, support its received, and Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosystem at large. 

Jon Powers joins the podcast to discuss his company Clean Capital and advantages Buffalo boasts for clean energy companies and projects, including clean and affordable hydropower and a well-trained workforce.

Del Reid is the cofounder of 26 Shirts, which has donated over $1 million to charitable causes throughout Buffalo. He also gave Buffalo Bills fans its namesake - Bills Mafia - and serves as one of the leaders of the community. Del joins Bell Ringer to discuss the origin story of Bills Mafia, 26 Shirts, what it means to be a Buffalo Bills fan, and more. 

Kyle Ciminelli of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation joins Bell Ringer to discuss real estate in Buffalo Niagara, the pandemic's impact - both culturally and practically - on office space, strengths of Western New York for relocating businesses, and increasing the supply of industrial real estate through spec development.

The Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park will renovate 100-acres of Buffalo's beautiful waterfront park, including a new pedestrian bridge and further neighborhood connectivity. Marnetta Malcolm and JJ Tighe join Bell Ringer to discuss plans for the new park, decision-making process behind the investment, and more.

ShearShare - a beauty industry startup - recently relocated to Buffalo after winning the 43North competition. Cofounders Courtney and Dr. Tye Caldwell join the Bell Ringer podcast to discuss their move to Buffalo, welcome since arriving, growth plans for the company, and so much more.

Lucas Praticci of La Fermiere joins Bell Ringer to discuss the process of expanding his French yogurt and desserts company to Western new York. "The main requirement we had to build this plant was the milk and cream local supply, a good workforce, and a logistics hub," Praticci said. "So we decided to move between Rochester and Buffalo because we believe it's the best area for us."

Rebecca Brady, founder of Top Seedz, joins our 100th episode of Bell Ringer to discuss the company's origin story, going through the 43North process, growth plans in Buffalo, workforce pipelines, and more.  In celebration of our 100th episode of Bell Ringer, we want to thank every guest that has been so gracious with their time when joining the show and our listeners for tuning in to learn about all the amazing things happening in Buffalo Niagara.

Joe Rizzo, of NYSEG, and Ken Kujawa, of National Grid, join Buffalo's Bell Ringer podcast to discus Western New York's strengths in electric infrastructure as it relates to economic development and business attraction. In this episode, we discuss Buffalo's utility reliability, affordability, and grant and incentive programs for companies expanding to Western New York.

Ingrid Curtis, President of Rural Sourcing, discusses the tech company's decision to expand to Buffalo due to its affordability, quality of life, talent, and more. Rural Sourcing started its project process with an internal AI tool to look at quantitative data, continued by leveraging a multitude of resources via Invest Buffalo Niagara, and eventually visited the region for a boots on the ground view of Western New York's resurgence. "Having visited a few dozen mid-sized metros around the country, we have a feel for the economic development group, their connectivity with their locations and communities, and Invest Buffalo Niagara was Class A," said Curtis.

Sarah Tabakuchi, the new President & CEO of TechBuffalo, joins the Bell Ringer podcast to discuss her path into tech, her path to this new role, TechBuffalo's goals, and Buffalo Niagara's technology ecosystem as a whole. 

Tom Quinn takes listeners through the Western New York Impact Investment Fund, including its origin story, social impact goals, targeted impact areas, and portfolio.

Tom Wiley, the publisher of The Buffalo News, joins our podcast to discuss growing a newsroom, and his vantage point of the Buffalo resurgence.

Scott Stenclik joins our podcast to discuss the workforce in Buffalo Niagara, Aleron's work within talent acquisition, Buffalo's booming entreprenurial ecosystem, and the Stenclik foundation.

Russell Corigliano, co-owner of Rosina Food Products, joins Bell Ringer to discuss his company's growth, the importance of its workforce, leading through a pandemic, and the reasons other food and dairy processing companies should expand to Buffalo Niagara. 

Sonny Sonnenstein of M&T Bank joins to discuss Buffalo Niagara's booming tech ecosystem and innovation economy. He covers the case for why both talent and companies should be in Buffalo.

Dave Horesh, co-founder of Oxford Pennant, joins Bell Ringer to talk about the company's activities throughout the pandemic - including hanging a 40 foot pennant on Buffalo's tallest building, partnering with the Buffalo Bills for post-win celebrations, adding a 'Made in Buffalo' tag to their products, and more. 

Dan Miner moved back to Buffalo in 2012 to cover Buffalo's economy with Buffalo Business First. His boomerang date coincides well with the beginning of Buffalo's significant resurgence, especially within the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, of which he covers closely. 

In this podcast we discuss a potential climate migration. An article following a Harvard study said, “With climate change, the world will suck, but Buffalo may suck less.” We discuss why – including abundant fresh water, easier temperatures, safety from natural disasters, the clean energy transfer, and more. 

Thomas Beauford, President & CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, joins to discuss the organization's programs and priorities within our Western New York community. 

AML RightSource expanded to Buffalo Niagara in March of 2019, promising 100 jobs within its first five years. The company has well surpassed that goal and is now expanding again in Western New York, now into Seneca One Tower. AML is hiring more talent in Buffalo and of a higher technological level, as well. 

University at Buffalo Electrical Engineering Department Chair Jon Bird joins Bell Ringer to discuss the semiconductor industry, strengths Buffalo Niagara possesses, potential growth strategies, and his experience in moving to Western New York.

43North, the Shark Tank-style startup pitch competition awarding $5 million to winners, is back bringing new companies and innovations to Buffalo. We chat with President Colleen Heidinger about the competition and the organization's move to Seneca One Tower.

Ekua Mends-Aidoo of Evergreen Health and Kendra Brim of Nardin Academy - each DEI consultants of their own and cohosts of Black Gems Dive In podcast - join to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in Buffalo Niagara workplaces.

Wayne Bacon joins the podcast to discuss his medical device company Garwood Medical, its mission, and its naming story.

Kellena Kane joins our podcast to discuss HANSA, downtown Buffalo's new coworking and shared office space. HANSA features single membership options and dedicated plug-and-play company space.

Bob Confer, President of Confer Plastics, discusses manufacturing in Buffalo Niagara, utility benefits, workforce, and pandemic precautions on this episode.

Kim Grant joined our Invest Buffalo Niagara team as the Vice President of Business Development the day we began working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this podcast, she discusses how the economic development engine of our region has continued and some triumphs along the way.

John Scannell, CEO of Moog, stops by the podcast to discuss his the global company he is leading, how they are doing through the pandemic, and shares some global examples to look toward when considering the future of Buffalo.

Dan Magnuszewski is the cofounder & CTO of ACV Auctions, Buffalo's first software unicorn. On the podcast, we discuss their growth and success, what advantages Buffalo has offered them, and why others should follow.

Matt Fleckenstein grew up in WNY, but moved away to LA for a successful TV writing career on shows like iCarly, Family Guy, and his own creation Nicky, Rick, Dicky, & Dawn. Now, he's bringing that expertise back to start Buffalo Studios and help bolster our film and television production cluster.

Ryan Francis, Chief of Staff of Kyklo, a Thailand-based data-driven SaaS company, led the search for a new location. The company started with a search of 9 U.S. metros, and ended up expanding in Buffalo, New York. 

Sealing Devices is a family-owned manufacturer right here in Buffalo Niagara. On this podcast, we discuss succession planning, working through a pandemic, and turning a 200-employee factory into one big family. 

Lauren Lewis, the new President of Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association, stopped by our podcast to discuss talent attraction and what she's currently seeing in the job market. 

James Partsch is TechBuffalo's first Executive Director. In this podcast, he talks about the strategy behind the organization, how it's being implemented, and how he landed the gig that, in many ways, is the path many others will take. 

Peter Bittorf, Plant Manager of General Mills' Buffalo location, joins the podcast to talk about food production during a pandemic, leading a team of essential employees, why downtown Buffalo smells like Cheerios, and what he's learned about wings since moving to Buffalo.

Bill Maggio, CEO of Jacobs Institute, joins our podcast to discuss both the future of medicine and Buffalo. We cover health sciences, entrepreneurialism, talent attraction, and more.

Richard Ferranti, CEO of Rich Products, talks about his company's success in Buffalo Niagara and the reasons he sees for other companies to grow here too. We also cover the Toronto Blue Jays playing home games in downtown Buffalo and a new movie studio on its way as well.  

Dr. Sarah Bowman of Hauptman-Woodward Institute talks about her work in structural biology, the COVID pandemic, and how Buffalo is viewed in the scientific community. 

Althea and Jenna Luehrsen stop by the podcast to discuss their organization, Leadership Buffalo, and the incredible projects alumni take on after graduating. NOTE: This was recorded in March, pre-pandemic. 

Invest Buffalo Niagara Incoming Chair Doug Dimitroff and Outgoing Chair Bob Zak join the podcast to discuss Buffalo's economy during COVID and what will be needed after. 

Northland Workforce Training Center sold many of its students on the hands-on nature of its curriculum. So, what do you do when the world goes virtual? NWTC President & CEO Stephen Tucker shares how the manufacturing workforce pipeline program seamlessly transitioned, how they're now preparing for the fall, and the progress they've made in fulfilling their mission in just a few short years. 

Irfan Khan, CEO of Circuit Clinical, joins Bell Ringer to talk about his company's beginnings, why they're based in Buffalo, and their efforts in speeding the response to COVID-19.