Business Podcast

Topics

Embrace Risk and Chart Your Company's Future

Dec. 1, 2020

Forum Presenter:

  • Donald J. Hahn, Chief Learning Officer

Fostering Resilience During Challenging Covid Times

Nov. 3, 2020

Forum Presenter: 

  • Shoshanna Cogan, M.S. Counseling, International Training and Consulting

What Do Food Industry Leaders See for 2021?

Oct. 29, 2020 

Moderator:

  • Sarah Heximer, Faculty Fellow, Niagara University, College of Business Administration 

Panel:

  • Jeff Culhane, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Tops Markets
  • Mike DeCory, Senior VP, Meat and Seafood, Wegmans Food Markets
  • Josh Halpern, Chief Sales Officer, FIFCO USA 
  • Lori Lennon, Director of Sales, Clorox Company
  • Jamie McKeon, Senior VP, Demand Creation, Rich Products

Socioeconomic Challenges and Economic Opportunities in a Climate of Civil Discord

Sept. 17, 2020

Moderator:

  • Dale Martin, Entrepreneur, Educator, Radio & TV Host, Business Consultant

Panel:

  • Dr. LaVonne Ansari, CEO of Community Health Center, Inc.
  • Bishop Michael Badger, Senior Pastor, Bethesda World Harvest International Church
  • Hon. Byron Brown, Mayor, City of Buffalo
  • Hon. Lenora Foote-Beavers, Buffalo City Court Judge

How COVID-19 is Impacting the Supply Chain with the new USMCA

Aug. 13, 2020 

Hosted by the Niagara University College of Business Administration and the Niagara University campus in Vaughan, Ontario

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, Executive Director, Niagara University Supply Chain Center of Excellence

Panel:

  • Bob Armstrong, President, Armstrong Trade and Logistics Advisory Services Inc. (ATLAS).
  • Mike Carroll, Co-Founder, Canusa Logistics, Inc.
  • Wendell Erb, CEO, Erb Group of Companies
  • Pat Whalen, COO, Canadian American Border Trade Alliance

Connecting Communities and Businesses in an Environment of Racial Discord

July 30, 2020 

  • Hear from a wide array of panelists speaking on the current racial discord that is affecting minority business owners.   

Moderator:

Dale Martin, Entrepreneur, Educator, Radio & TV Host, Business Consultant

Panel:

  • Christina Bishop, Owner, High Klass Hair, and founder of Kyle’s Gifts From Heaven
  • Robert Restaino, Mayor, Niagara Falls, NY
  • Dennis Wilson, Teacher, Entrepreneur, Graphic Designer, Event Planner
  • Lemont Williams, President, Utica Business Center
  • Rod Watson, Columnist, The Buffalo News

Leading Your Business During COVID-19

June 18, 2020

  • Join us for this final week of the series and learn from top executives in the automotive  and real estate industries as well as business consultants about ways to help guide your business and your employees into the future as we continue to navigate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, President & CEO, Supply Chain Optimizers

Panel:

  • Scott Bieler, West-Herr Automotive
  • Peter F. Hunt, Hunt Real Estate
  • Larry Mietus, Speaking of Strategy
  • Gerry Murak, Murak and Associates

Panelists Bios

COVID-19 and the Impact on the Supply Chain

June 11, 2020

  • Hear from supply chain professionals about the challenges that many organizations are facing all along the supply channels.  Learn why are there shortages yet an abundance of other products and how these supply disruptions are impacting businesses that are currently operating and businesses who are beginning to reopen. 

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, President & CEO, Supply Chain Optimizers

Panel:

  • Jim Manno, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Sonwil Distribution Center, Inc.
  • Robert Rich III, President, ROAR Logistics
  • Michael L. Riccio, Chief Marketing Officer, Leonard's Express

Panelists Bios

The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Family Businesses

June 4, 2020

  • Hear from financial experts from Bank on Buffalo, Freed Maxick, Planned Futures Financial, and Small Business Administration to hear a discussion about the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses.  This panel includes professionals in accounting, finance, banking and the small business administration who will provide insight into ways to navigate the financial challenges business are facing today. 

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, President & CEO, Supply Chain Optimizers

Panel:

  • Bryan J. Donohue, Chief Operating Officer, Freed Maxick, CPA, PC
  • F. James Ginnane, Owner, Planned Futures Financial 
  • Martin Griffith, President, BankonBuffalo
  • Franklin J. Sciortino, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Michael A. Taylor, Senior Vice President, Pursuit Lending (formerly known as New York Business Development Corporation)

Panelists Bios

How COVID-19 is Impacting WNY Family Businesses

May 28, 2020

  • Hear from Bison Bag Company, Kraftwerks Inc., Lincoln Moving and Storage and Valu Home Centers on how their businesses are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, President & CEO, Supply Chain Optimizers

Panel:

  • Mike Ervolina, President & CEO, Valu Home Centers
  • Tim Palisano, President, Lincoln Moving and Storage
  • Scott Zgoda, President, Bison Bag Company
  • Ann Marie Ziske, Business Owner, Kraftwerks, Inc.

Panelists Bios

Impact of the Pandemic on the Food Industry

April 29, 2020

Moderator:

  • Jack T. Ampuja, President & CEO, Supply Chain Optimizers

Panel:

  • Bill Chiodo, President of Affinity Sales Retail
  • Michael Keating, Senior Vice President, Buffalo Division, Wegmans Food Markets
  • Lori Lennon, Director of Sales, The Clorox Company
  • Jamie McKeon, Senior Vice President, Demand Creation, Rich Products
  • John Persons, President and Chief Operating Officer, Tops Markets
  • John Zimmerman, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Rosina Food Products