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Niagara Small Business Day

Niagara Small Business Day

This Year’s Honorees

Niagara USA Chamber “Rising Star” Award 

Tom Austen, The Wurlitzer Building

NCCC Small Business Development Center “Apex” Award 

Dina Sarno Slawson, Academy of Theatre Arts and the ATA Performing Arts Center 

Niagara County Workforce Development Group “Employer of the Year” Award 

VanDeMark Chemical, Inc.

Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas

Greg Stennis

Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association 

Joesph Hotchkiss

Third Street Retreat

LaSalle Business & Professional Association 

James Ciliberto

Confetti Cottage

Lewiston Advisory Board

Apple Granny Restaurant

Lockport Business Association 

Cookie Butcher

Gi Ro Cleaners

Newfane Business & Professional Association

Paul Leader

Creekside Income Tax & Computer Service

Niagara Street Business Association 

Chad Robertson

Niagara Gazette

Olcott Beach Community Association 

Karen Young

Up The Lake

Ransomville Business & Professional Association 

O’Connor Family Greenhouses & Garden Center

Sanborn Area Business & Professional Association 

Willco Auto Care

Town of Niagara Business & Professional Association 

Anthony Villani

Capitol Management Group of Niagara

Wheatfield Business Association 

David Michael Heim

Voz Cycle City, INc.

Youngstown Business & Professional Association

Sanger Farms & Bakery

President of Niagara USA Chamber to step down

President of Niagara USA Chamber to step down

Deanna Alterio Brennen will step down from her position as President & CEO of the Niagara USA Chamber on May 12, 2017.  After leading Niagara County’s premier advocacy organization for the past 10 years, Brennen’s new role will be the Vice President of Social Enterprise for the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.

Under Brennen’s direction, the Chamber has remained steadfast in its support of equalization for Homestead/Non-Homestead tax issues, consolidation of the County Legislature, growing the Niagara Falls International Airport, upholding the Property Tax Cap, energy issues and launched the Chamber’s first Canadian/American partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Niagara Falls, Canada.

“The past ten years has been a remarkable experience working with other community stakeholders, businesses of all shapes and sizes, in the public and private sector, who aim to improve the business climate throughout the Niagara region.  Times have been challenging but there are many individuals vested in this community who have the desire to see our businesses and non-profits grow and remain here in Western New York,” states Brennen.

Rocco Surace, the chairman of the board of the Niagara USA Chamber said, “I first want to thank Deanna for 10 significant years of service and dedication for the Niagara USA Chamber and it members. We will certainly miss Deanna and her leadership, we want to wish her well as she follows her passion to become an important part of the mission of the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.”

Brennen sees this new role at the YWCA as an extension of her service to the community.  She will continue her efforts on workforce and business development focused on the individuals served by the YWCA and helping them achieve sustainability and self-sufficiency.

The success of the first Social Enterprise initiative known as the Catering Crew at Carolyn’s House in Niagara Falls has allowed the YWCA to expand into the Niagara Falls International Airport Café, and the concession at the Cornerstone Ice Arena in Lockport.

“I look forward to finding creative ways to enhance the mission-driven programming that has already impacted so many,” said Deanna Alterio Brennen.

There is a search committee involved in a recruiting process for the next President and CEO. The anticipation is to accomplish the search within the next few weeks with the goal to have the new president and CEO in place as soon as possible.

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