Sanborn, NY (Jan 26) — The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors, along with its officers for the coming year. The Chamber also extends its sincere appreciation to several departing board members for their dedicated service to the organization and the Niagara County business community.
“The strength of the Niagara USA Chamber comes from engaged leadership that reflects the diversity of our regional economy,” said Heidi Urban, Chair of the Board. “We are grateful to our departing board members for their service, and we’re excited to welcome new leaders to help guide the Chamber’s work in advocacy, economic development, and member support.”
The Chamber welcomes the following new members to its Board of Directors:
Byron DeLuke, Executive Director of Development and Preconstruction at Montante Construction, brings extensive experience in real estate development, public policy, and government relations. In his role, DeLuke oversees preconstruction and development services, including due diligence, project planning, zoning and land use approvals, and public incentives. His background includes senior policy and budget roles at the state and national level, and he has worked closely with public and private stakeholders on complex development projects throughout the region. He is an active volunteer with the Niagara USA Chamber and other regional organizations.
Amanda Henning, Ag and Food Systems Team Leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, leads the organization’s agriculture department, supporting agricultural businesses, food systems initiatives, and home gardeners across the county. Henning oversees programs including the Veggie Van mobile food pantry and the Beginning Farmer Training Program, and provides education and workshops for youth and adults. Her expertise strengthens the Chamber’s connection to Niagara County’s agricultural community.
Darren Kempner, Director of Grants and Development for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, has a strong background in regional planning, public finance, and economic development. Prior to joining the NFTA, Kempner served as Deputy Commissioner in the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning and worked on regional economic development strategies for Western New York. He is both a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Martin Murphy, Business Development Partner at Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, focuses on building relationships, identifying growth opportunities, and driving strategic partnerships with a collaborative, results-driven approach. A lifelong Lockport resident, Murphy is deeply committed to community service and volunteers with FeedMore WNY, the Salvation Army, and Ride for Roswell, where he has participated for more than 12 years as a cancer survivor.
Robert Orlowski Jr., People Advocate and Community Strategy Administrator for Catholic Health, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare, emergency medical services, and public safety. Orlowski works closely with Canadian physician groups to improve cross-border access to care and supports patients and families throughout their healthcare journey. He also serves as Chief of the Adams Fire Company in Wheatfield and has led successful grant initiatives exceeding $900,000 to strengthen public safety systems.
In addition, the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce announced its officers for the upcoming year, with Heidi Urban serving as Chair, Jim Smyth as Vice Chair, Rocco Surace as Treasurer, and Amy Rae Nessa as Secretary.
The Chamber also recognizes and extends its sincere appreciation to departing board members Doug Elia, Kim Minkel, and Lori Caso for their commitment, leadership, and service to the organization and the Niagara County business community.
For more information about the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce, visit www.niagarachamber.org.
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