PURPOSE

The purpose of SUNY Buffalo State University's MPA Advisory Board is to serve as an external advisement structure to provide an institutionalized mechanism for leaders in the Western New York public, nonprofit, and business sectors to provide advice on employment and skills trends, review the MPA curriculum and mission to ensure these meet the contemporary needs of the public and nonprofit sectors, enrich the MPA program through participation in program delivery through guest lectures, mentorships, and internships, and guidance in overall strategic planning with respect to the MPA program.  The MPA Advisory Board is comprised of a cross-section of professionals, student representatives, and MPA alumni with experience in the public, nonprofit, and business sectors.  

ROSTER

William Benfanti, MA  
Associate Vice President for Government Relations, SUNY Buffalo State University
November 2024
 
Brian Bray, MPA, DPA
Commissioner of Personnel
Erie County
November 2024

Alex Desha, MPA
Portfolio Management Specialist, Office of Public Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
November 2023
 
Allison DeHonney, MBA
Executive Director 
Buffalo Go Green Inc./Urban Fruits & Veggies LLC 
November 2023

Kelly Dodd 
(MPA Student Representative) 
Chief Operating Officer of 211 NY Inc. and Vice President of the United Way of New York State 

Ryan Gadzo, MPA
Transportation Coordinator, Erie County Senior Services
November 2023

Heather LaForme, MPA
Director of Native American Services, NYS Office of Children and Family Services 
November 2023

Nicholas Melson, BA 
Manager of Special Projects for the Western Division, New York State Canal Corporation 
November 2023
 
Oswaldo Mestre Jr., BA 
Senior Adviser to the Mayor & Executive Director of Citizen Services, City of Buffalo 
November 2023

Diane Oyler, PhD
Executive Vice President, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
November 2024

Gregory Rabb, JD
SUNY Jamestown Community College (retired)
City of Jamestown (city council, planning board, public utility) (retired)
November 2024

Antonio Regulier, MPA
November 2023

Ken Stone, MPA
Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (retired)
November 2023

Geoffrey Syzmanski, MPA
(former) Mayor, City of Lackawanna
Alumnus
November 2024

Jordan Then, MPA 
Mid-Atlantic Area Manager, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
November 2023

SUPPORT STAFF

Faculty Liaison & Secretary to the MPA Advisory Board
Laurie Buonanno, PhD
Professor, Department of Economics and Public Administration

STRUCTURE

  • The MPA Advisory Board shall consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 individuals, with at least one member being a student currently matriculated in the MPA program.  Two of the members will be Buffalo State employees who are not associated with the MPA program.
  • The MPA Advisory Board is appointed by the MPA Director.
  • The MPA Advisory Board shall meet at least twice during each academic year.
  • Each MPA Advisory Board member will serve an initial three-year term.
  • The MPA Advisory Board Chair is elected for a three-year term among its voting membership.
  • The MPA Director or their designee attends the MPA Advisory Board meeting in an ex officio capacity.
  • Other members of the MPA Committee, which is the faculty governance body of the MPA program, are welcome to attend MPA Advisory Board meetings in an ex officio capacity. 
  • The Faculty Liaison/Secretary supports the MPA Advisory Board Chair with gathering and disseminating requested information/data, taking meeting minutes, circulating meeting agendas and minutes, and drafting reports.  
  • The MPA Advisory Board will formally submit a report of each meeting to the MPA Director and the Chair, Department of Economics and Public Administration.
  • The MPA Advisory Board will submit an Annual Report to the MPA Director, the Department Chair, and the appropriate Dean.

MEMBER SELECTION CRITERIA

The persons selected for the Board should be individuals in the professions or service who have demonstated success within their field (government, nonprofit, business).  Nominations are made by the MPA Program Committee and then selected by the MPA Director.

FUNCTIONS

  • Review the MPA program's relevance to needs of the public and nonprofit sectors.
  • Determine if the MPA program meets professional standards.
  • Advise on curriculum needs and skills.
  • Assess program requirements.
  • Advocate for the MPA program in the Western New York community.
  • Provide mentorship and internships to MPA students.