Inaugurated in 1995, the annual Buffalo Niagara Hospitality Ambassador Awards recognize hospitality professionals for their achievements and contributions to the field and to the Buffalo Niagara region. Three awards are bestowed each year.
The Buffalo State College Hospitality and Tourism Department Advisory Board nominates and elects recipients, who are recognized at a spring awards dinner. For more information, contact the Hospitality and Tourism Department.
2010
Pano Georgiadis, Owner
Pano’s Restaurant
Tom Towers, Owner and Operator
Tom Tower’s Farm
Cheryl Zhangi, Director of Services and Special Programs
Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau
2009
Culinary Team Amherst Street Wagmans Store
Tom Lombardo, Proprietor and Owner
Ristorante Lombardo
Ted Pietrzak, Director
Burchfield Penney Art Center
2008
Renee Di Flavio
Vice President, Education and Employment
Director, Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality
Donald Warfe
Restaurateur and Entrepreneur
Patrik W. Welch, Director
Veterans Services for Erie County, New York
2007
James Weimer, Principal
Emerson High School
Geno and Diana Principe, Proprietors
The Mansion on Delware
Timothy Minahan, CCM, GM
Country Club of Buffalo
2006
John Connors, Vice President
AAA Western and Central New York
Kevin Cottrell, Owner & Operator
Motherland Connextions
Howard Zemsky, President
Taurus Partners LLC
2005
Mary Lou Rath
New York State Senator
2004
Paul A. Tokasz
New York State Assemblyman
Burt Notarius, Owner
Premier Group
2003
Mark Halter, President
Kissing Bridge Corporation
David Hart, President and CEO
Hart Hotels Inc.
David Lacki, Director of Tourism
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
2002
Dennis DiPaolo, Owner and Operator
Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant and Ringside Lounge
Mel Florczak, Former Director
Buffalo Convention Center
Raul Sartini, Former Manager
Brookfield Golf and Country Club
2001
Daniel Franklin, General Manager
The Buffalo Club
Irwin Pastor, President
Pepsi-Cola Buffalo Bottling Corp.
Stan Rydelek, President
Niagara Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau
2000
Marguerite Hambleton, President and CEO
AAA Western and Central New York
Jeremy Jacobs Jr., Executive Vice President
Delaware North Companies
Janet Overdorf, Interim Director
Nutritional Services Department
Mercy and Our Lady of Victory Hospitals
1999
Richard Geiger, President and CEO
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
Robert Rich Jr., President
Rich Products Corporation
Donald Spasiano, Chair
Department of Hotel Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts
Erie Community College
1998
Frank Gennuso, Vice President of Equipment and Design
Buffalo Hotel Supply Co.
Jean McDonnell Covelli, President
The Travel Team Inc.
Linda Mocny, Food Service Director
Mount St. Mary's
1997
Robert Blanchard, Chair, Hospitality Department
Johnson & Wales University
Ilio DiPaolo Family
Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant and Ringside Lounge
Russell Salvatore, Owner
Salvatore's Italian Gardens
1996
Mark LaMartina, President
U.S. Foodservice
Rudi Rainer, General Manager
Radisson Hotels
Mark Wright, Chief Executive Chef
Transit Valley Country Club
1995
James Bedard, President
Buffalo Hotel Supply Co.
Louis Billittier, Owner
Chef's Restaurant
James Geiger, President
Four Seasons/County Kitchens Restaurants
