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

Monday, November 23, 2015
Hail to the Chief . . .
Friday, October 30, 2015
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.
Monday, October 19, 2015
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.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Taking the lead at Metro
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James Morrell, Jason Abounader, Rachel Maloney Joyner |
Monday, September 28, 2015
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.)
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.)
Friday, September 4, 2015
NFTA Police save a life
NFTA Police officer Robert Bove and Lt. James Halliday |
Metro’s going with gas
Executive Director Kim Minkel and Vice Chairman Henry M. Sloma |
Monday, August 24, 2015
NFTA Night at Coca-Cola Field!

individuals adorning cool zombie gear including David State's daughter, Lily, and Lisa Flynn's children, Aiden & Landon (pictured).
Monday, August 10, 2015
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.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
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.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Metro Recognized at 22nd Annual ITS-NY Awards Ceremony
On June 11, NFTA Metro was
recognized at the 22nd 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.
Friday, July 24, 2015
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. .
Thursday, July 23, 2015
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.
Friday, July 10, 2015
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.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
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.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
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.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Cold Spring Bus Facility Displays Historical Photography
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Executive Director Kimberley Minkel outside Cold Spring |
Thursday, June 25, 2015
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
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Metro's Rachel Maloney with a Metro Monthly Pass Winner |
Kelly Tough Team Beats the Rail
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Kelly family crossing the finish line. |
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
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Niagara Falls Airfield Crew |
Monday, May 4, 2015
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.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The 30th Annual Awards Luncheon
click to view more photos |
Friday, April 3, 2015
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:
Thursday, April 2, 2015
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
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.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Police formally thank rail operator Cespedes
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Jose Cespedes and Chief Gast |
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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.
Monday, March 2, 2015
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.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
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.
Friday, February 6, 2015
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.
Friday, January 30, 2015
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.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
New Cars on the Block
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click for more photos |
Thursday, January 15, 2015
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 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!
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