Hail to the Chief . . .

George W. Gast, NFTA Chief of Police and
Jason Flores, Homeless Outreach Supervisor. 

NFTA Police Chief George W. Gast was honored by the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY for his work, and that of the police department, with the homeless population in the Buffalo.

Taking Jeffery Lesanti into account

Jeffrey Lesanti Jr. is the new Accounts Receivable Accountant for the NFTA. Jeffrey has over 12 years of accounts receivable, revenue management and collection experience. As a recent graduate from St. Bonaventure’s MBA program, Jeffrey further developed his finance and accounting skills while working full-time as Division Manager for Amherst-based debt buyer/collection agency, Account Discovery Systems where he was brought on for change management and brand turnaround.

Congratulations Edwin Jones

Metro operator Edwin Jones distinguished himself and all of Metro with his participation in the 2015 New York State Bus Roadeo in Rochester, NY, this past September. He was one of 21 participants from various transit agencies across the state to take part in the event.

Welcome Claire Quadri

Claire Quadri joins NFTA as its new Environmental Engineer and brings with her over 30 years of environmental consulting experience. Prior to joining NFTA, she was a Senior Environmental Professional with Day Environmental, Inc. for eleven years. Her previous positions also include Vice President and Manager, Environmental Risk Analysis for HSBC Bank and Senior Project Manager for GZA GeoEnvironmental and Urban Engineers.

Taking the lead at Metro

James Morrell, Jason Abounader, Rachel Maloney Joyner

This year three members of the Metro family have been selected for advanced leadership training. It is an honor for each, and it is also great news for the Authority. These three are not only learning to be better transit professionals, they are learning to make transit better right here at Metro.

Niagara Falls International Airport Welcomes One Millionth Passenger

The Niagara Falls International Airport welcomed its one millionth passenger this morning. Bill and Anna Egbert of Summerfield, FL. arrived courtesy of Allegiant, on a flight from Sanford, FL.

Technically, the Egberts are ‘one million’ and ‘one million and one.’ They accepted the honor as a couple and received round trip tickets for a future flight thank to Allegiant, luggage from the airport and a Niagara-themed gift basket complements of the Niagara Tourist & Convention Corp. The basket includes a stay at The Giacomo Hotel, a $50 Hard Rock Café certificate, a bottle of wine from the Flight of Five Winery, a gift certificate to Encounter Niagara, treats from DiCamillo’s Bakery and a matted photograph print of Niagara Falls, USA.

Vice Chairman Henry M. Sloma was on hand to officially recognize the one millionth passenger, particularly fitting because he was passenger number one out of the terminal in December, 2009.

(Photo: Vice Chairman Henry M. Sloma, Executive Director Kimberley Minkel, Anna and Bill Egbert, Director of Aviation William Vanecek, Commission Margo Dawn Downey.)

NFTA Police save a life

NFTA Police officer Robert Bove and Lt. James Halliday

Last Saturday NFTA Transit Police officers Robert Bove and Lt. James Halliday were passing the Metropolitan Transportation Center when several people flagged them down. Someone had discovered an unconscious woman in the rest room. The officers responded immediately, finding a young woman not just non-responsive, but not breathing. They noticed a needle in her left arm. Officer Bove began sternum rubs while Lt. Halliday administered naloxone, a medicine that can counter the effects of some street drugs.

Metro’s going with gas

Executive Director Kim Minkel and
Vice Chairman Henry M. Sloma

Metro began construction on a new compressed natural gas filling station, Monday, Aug. 31. Hosted by Frontier Garage, the station will serve the new CNG buses Metro has ordered.

NFTA Night at Coca-Cola Field!

Friday, August 21, the NFTA held its third annual Family & Friends Night at Coca-Cola Field!  In addition to watching the Buffalo Bisons take on the Syracuse Chiefs, 14,500 baseball fans were also part of Zombie Night sponsored by Terror Technologies.  Scattered throughout the crowd were numerous
individuals adorning cool zombie gear including David State's daughter, Lily, and Lisa Flynn's children, Aiden & Landon (pictured).

Big Brother, Big Sisters, Big NFTA

Once again this year NFTA Transit Police Officers hosted an afternoon at a Buffalo Bisons baseball game for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County. Officers David Drozdel, Mike Bogulski, Dina Bigham along with Detectives Jason Koelle and Rich Lewis chaperoned seven youth who are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister enjoyed the game, some ballpark fare and interacting with the officers on a warm, sunny July afternoon. This is the second year the department has arranged this special outing.

Jump Start Your Career Today

Metro has a new recruitment campaign and it goes a little something like this . . .

Hats Off to Executive Director Minkel

Congratulations to our executive director, Kimberley A. Minkel, who was recently named the sixth most influential woman in Western New York according to Business First and their recently released Power 100 Women listing.

Metro Recognized at 22nd Annual ITS-NY Awards Ceremony

On June 11, NFTA Metro was recognized at the 22^nd Annual ITS-NY Awards Ceremony held at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs.  Metro received its award in the category of “Traveler Information Systems” for its Transit Data Cloud project.

Michelle Maniccia joins NFTA as Counsel

Michelle Maniccia joins NFTA’s legal team as Counsel.   Michelle graduated from UB Law School with honors and was a member of the Buffalo Law Review.  She has spent most of her legal career practicing law in New York City. .

Metro Customer Appreciation Night at Coca-Cola Field

Metro showed its appreciation to their customers by hosting a Customer Appreciation Night at a Buffalo Bisons game Tuesday, July 22. Spearheaded by Lisa Piecki, Metro’s Communication & Advertising Specialist, fans attending the game received various promotional items courtesy of Metro as they entered Coca-Cola Field and there were special on field happenings during the game as well.

Help facilitate a proper welcome for Matt Zdyb

Matt Zdyb (pronounced Zeb) is the new Manager of FMD which was formerly held by Rick Russo. Prior to joining NFTA, Matt worked as the General Manager of U.S. Operations for New Life Glass in Dunkirk for two years and before that he was the Plant Manager for Mizkan in Lyndonville.

Plan on saying hello to Robert Jones

Rob Jones is the new Manager of Service Planning for Metro. Rob is a native of Buffalo whom has been pursuing his doctoral degree in Transportation Planning and Policy in Maryland while working at the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education. Rob earned his Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Urban Planning degrees from the University of Buffalo.

Corporate Challege

On Thursday, June 25, over 12,375 runners/walkers came out Delaware Park to take part in the 2015 three and a half mile JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. Among the 396 companies, NFTA had a solid showing with over with 37 team participants and a few others in the back of the tent, making sure everything was either as warm or cold as it should be.

Niagara Falls International Airport Conducts Training Exercise

Saturday, June 27, representatives from the Niagara Falls International Airport, Air Rescue Fire Unit from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Transportation Security Administration, NFTA Transit Police, Spirit and Allegiant Airlines, Calspan, Federal Aviation Administration and NFTA Public Affairs gathered in the NFIA conference room to conduct a Major Accident Response Exercise centered around a simulated plane crash on the airfield.

Cold Spring Bus Facility Displays Historical Photography

Executive Director Kimberley Minkel
outside Cold Spring

The East Ferry Street wall of Metro’s Cold Spring bus garage has become a focal point for 21 digital images that have been printed on black-and-white vinyl banners and mounted on the facility’s perimeter wall fronting East Ferry Street.

And the Emmy goes to . . . our own Dave Masi (Cash)

Congratulations to David Masi (Dave Cash on TV) the NFTA’s chief traffic reporter, on his Emmy Award – one of highest honors in broadcasting. Dave appears every weekday morning on WGRZ’s Daybreak. The award is specifically for storm coverage on January 7, 2014, by the whole Daybreak team.

Metro's Rolling Rail Fair

Metro's Rachel Maloney
with a  Metro Monthly Pass Winner

Metro held a Rolling Rail Fair from May 19 -29 inside its underground rail stations. Over the eight day period (excluding weekends), NFTA and Metro personnel were on site at various dates and times staffing a table where over 800 customers came out to spin the Metro prize wheel to win coffee and music gift cards, meal certificates, transit passes, Bison tickets, and other Metro merchandise.

Kelly Tough Team Beats the Rail

Kelly family crossing the finish line.

Saturday, May 30, NFTA Metro, in conjunction with Eclipse Multi-Sport and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation hosted the first inaugural Kelly Tough 12K Beat the Train Down Main promotion.

Welcome to Samantha Brenzel, the new Administrative Assistant for Grants and Government Affairs.

Niagara Falls Airfield Crew

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport shined brightly at the 49th Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium and were collectively recognized with a total of four esteemed awards.

Welcome, Pennette Green

Pennette Green joins the NFTA as the new Administrative Assistant of its Employee Assistance Program. Her role will be to help the EAP manager with worksite based programs and resources designed to benefit employees and the organization as a whole. Prior to joining NFTA Pennette worked for both Comand Solutions and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The 30th Annual Awards Luncheon

click to view more photos

Our Service and Safety Awards luncheon Sunday, April 19, recognized the outstanding safety performance of Metro bus and train operators, and vehicle maintenance workers AND saluted employees who have reached 25 years of employment with the NFTA.

Customer Care Center - Now officially open

A new Metro Customer Information Center had its grand opening Thursday, April 2. Located on the concourse of the Metropolitan Transportation Center, it is staffed to provide a number of services for our passengers. The new information center will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in order to assist the public with:

Amy Scime – A New Face for Customer Service

Amy Scime joins NFTA as the new Metro Service Associate. Amy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Hilbert College. Prior to joining NFTA, Amy worked at WHTT 104.1 as a Disc Jockey for 10 years. She plans on continuing her DJ work on weekends at the station.

It was a breathtaking day for the 5th Annual Buffalo Air Climb

Saturday, March 14, the American Lung Association hosted its 5th Annual Buffalo Air Climb with NFTA Metro as its major sponsor. This unique event, sometimes referred to as a “vertical road race” was held at One Seneca Tower, where an estimated 550 individuals (80 teams) gathered to participate in the 37-floor stair climb.

Police formally thank rail operator Cespedes

Jose Cespedes and Chief Gast

Thursday, February 12, NFTA Police Officers and Detectives made an arrest of a suspect wanted for a grand larceny, which took place on January 31 of this year. The police feel they were able to make the arrest as a direct result of the identification of the suspect by Metro Rail operator Jose Cespedes.

Dawn Skimmer Promoted to Senior Administrative Assistant to NFTA's CFO

NFTA’s Finance and Administration Department welcomes a familiar face - Dawn Skimmer. Dawn has recently been promoted to the position of Senior Administrative Assistant to Chief Financial Officer, John T. Cox, after working in the Grants Department for two years. Her new responsibilities include preparing Audit and Governance Committee reports, handling Freedom of Information Act requests as well as general administrative duties to support smooth communication between the CFO’s office and other authority business centers.

Cathy Schwab Joins NFTA as its new Senior Account Clerk

Cathy Schwab joins the NFTA as its new Senior Account Clerk. Her responsibilities will include tasks related to the processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable. Prior to this position, Cathy worked in the Accounting Division at Nabisco/Kraft in Niagara Falls for over 20 years.

Jo Anne Sattelberg joins Metro as its new Data Entry Accounts Payable Clerk

Jo Anne Sattelberg joins the NFTA as the new Metro Data Entry Accounts Payable Clerk.   Previously, Jo Anne worked in Accounts Payable at Syracuse Community Health Center for 17 years and most recently spent two years at Raymour and Flanigan.

ECC Nursing Student Comes to the Aid of Injured Woman

Ashley Schanley between Chief Gast and Kimberley Minkel

There’s something to be said about being “in the right place at the right time.” But it’s what you do at that moment that really matters.  Ashley Schanley made the most of her “moment”when she came to the aid of an 86 year old woman who had fallen while riding the escalator at the Allen-Medical Campus Metro Rail station.

Patricia Wiseman is the new Superintendent of Metro's Special Services

Patricia B. Wiseman joins NFTA as the new Superintendent of Special Services. Her background includes over 20 years of experience working with the developmentally disabled as well as with senior citizens.

New Cars on the Block

click for more photos

As of 1 p.m. January 23 automobiles are back on the 600 block of Main St. sharing the road with Metro Rail, reversing restrictions that began in 1979. The 700 block was revised in 2009, and construction on the 500 block is underway, continuing a push to return cars to all of Main St.

James Morrell Promoted to Deputy Director of Public Transit

James Morrell is NFTA Metro’s new Deputy Director of Public Transit. Previously serving as the Manager of Service Planning, he has been responsible for implementation of Metro Bus Service in Erie and Niagara County as well as managing additional service for the Buffalo Board of Education and the College University Program

Christine Hart Joins Human Resources as the new Benefits Coordinator

Christine Hart is the new Human Resources Benefits Coordinator at NFTA.  Formerly she worked at Niagara University for 26 years where she was responsible for handling employee benefits.

Christine indicated that when she first started working in Human Resources, the department was actually called "Personnel."  Although things have evolved quite a bit since then, Christine attributes her success in the field to being able to adapt well to a ever-growing and changing environment.

Christine has a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts from Niagara University with a minor in Human Resources.  She is married to husband, Wade, and in their spare time they volunteer for Heart, Love and Soul, a not-for-profit organization that operates a food pantry, kitchen and dining room to feed those in need.    

Please join in welcoming aboard Christine!