Cuomo appoints Masiello as new ECC trustee

Erie Community College President Jack Quinn has announced Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed Kate Masiello, former first lady of the City of Buffalo, to the school's board of trustees.

Masiello currently serves as director of client relations for the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. After serving leadership roles with the New York State Finance Committee, Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce and Greater Buffalo Partnership, Masiello was involved with several education-focused initiatives - including the Buffalo Public Schools' All Star Schools Program and Caring for Tomorrow's Children - while serving in City Hall aside husband and Mayor Anthony Masiello from 1994 to 2005. She has also served on the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House, the Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo and Sisters Hospital Foundation.

The Buffalo resident will take the place of Patricia Mertz, who's served on ECC's board of trustees as a member (2006-11) and chairwoman (2011-13). Throughout Mertz's stewardship, ECC pursued programmatic and facility upgrades at all three of the community college's campuses, including South's Green Building Technology Center and associated courses, City's complete historical restoration of the 1901 main building, and North's forthcoming STEM-focused academic center.

"We're proud and honored to welcome Kate Masiello to our board of trustees," Quinn said. "Her guidance, vision and work ethic will be vital as our college continues to better educate and enable Western New York students."

Since 1946, Erie Community College has met the needs of a diverse student body while contributing to the economic vitality of Western New York. As a member of the state's SUNY system, the three-campus college provides flexible, affordable and accessible educational programs in an accommodating academic environment. Equipped with the knowledge of these programs, ECC's faculty, staff and students strive to enrich their host communities through skill, service and partnership.