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The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., NU president, presents the Family Business of the Year Award to Reid Group CEO Paul Reid. Also pictured are Vince Agnello, director of NU's Family Business Center, and Dr. Shawn Daly, dean of the College of Business Administration.
The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., NU president, presents the Family Business of the Year Award to Reid Group CEO Paul Reid. Also pictured are Vince Agnello, director of NU's Family Business Center, and Dr. Shawn Daly, dean of the College of Business Administration.

NU's 25th annual Business Banquet recognizes community leaders

by jmaloni

Submitted

Wed, Apr 22nd 2015 05:10 pm

Niagara University's College of Business Administration recognized four area business leaders and alumni during its 25th annual Business Appreciation and Accounting Banquet, held April 21 at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls.

Earlier in the day, the AACSB-accredited college organized a symposium focused on how technological innovation is changing the face of health care delivery. Remarks were made by representatives from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Catholic Health, Kaleida Health and Niagara University.

Nearly 180 people attended the awards banquet, which was emceed by WGRZ-TV anchor and 1986 NU alumna Maryalice Demler. 

The Santarosa Group, and its owner, Salvatore "Sam" Santarosa, Class of 1969, received the Corporate Leadership Award for its commitment to the Western New York community. Founded by Julio Santarosa as Buffalo Fuel in 1953, The Santarosa Group is presently one of the area's largest privately owned transportation groups. In 1975, Sam Santarosa purchased the company, and renamed it The Santarosa Group, which now includes Buffalo Fuel, Innovative Waste Recovery and Singer Transport. The company, currently located in Niagara Falls, serves long-haul and short-haul customers, and also manages biomass fuels, paper feedstock, paper rolls, low-level radioactive materials, hazardous materials, commodities and many other products. With nearly 100 regional and local employees, and 60 trucks in operation, The Santarosa Group generates $20 million in annual sales. Known for its innovations in recycling, The Santarosa Group last year processed, managed and/or sold more than 250,000 tons of products that would have been landfilled.

The 2015 Distinguished Accounting Alumnus was Courtland "Cory" Van Deusen V, '01, a partner with Lumsden & McCormick LLP. Possessing experience in all areas of U.S. Federal and New York state taxation, Van Deusen has provided services related to compliance, research, transaction structuring and family planning. He is a registered representative with 1st Global Capital Corp., having earned FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. The Leadership Buffalo graduate is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Van Deusen chairs the Niagara University accounting advisory board, and is a member of the College of Business Administration's advisory board.

The Family Business of the Year Award went to The Reid Group, which was founded in the 1920s when J. Ward Reid opened a one-pump gasoline service station in Lockport. With the inclusion of Reid's sons, J. Ward Jr. and Jack, the gas business added new full-service dealers, and the heating oil business added service and furnace installations. By the 1960s, guided by J. Ward Reid Jr., the company formed Reid Petroleum Corp. to operate its 16 service stations. In 1972, Reid opened its first self-service convenience store and fueling outlet with Mesmer Dairy. By the end of the decade, the company had expanded to 40 locations and serviced all of Western New York. In the 1990s, the company launched its wholesale motor fuels business and extended its service to 150 locations, later adding Crosby Dairy Mart. Today, the Reid Group, under the leadership of grandson Paul Reid, the company's CEO, serves thousands of customers each day under the Crosby's banner.

The Reid Group is pictured below.

Canusa Logistics, the 2015 Canadian Business of the Year, was founded in Fort Erie, Ontario, in 1994 by Michael Carroll and Mark Crayden. It is a leader in logistics and supply chain management that provides clients with solutions in customs clearance, transportation of goods, warehousing and consulting. Working under the motto of "simplifying international trade," Canusa provides brokerage services at all Canadian and U.S. ports, including customs audit, duty and recovery, and duty drawbacks. In addition, Canusa offers consulting and expertise on trade agreements and Canadian taxation. Canusa's freight offerings include small parcel/courier, less than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), intermodal, air and ocean transportation. Along with freight and shipping, Canusa also provides warehouse fulfillment, consolidation and cross-dock services. Carroll and Crayden are involved in the Fort Erie community, offering support to the Gypsy Theatre, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Rotary Club of Fort Erie, among others.

For more information on Niagara University's business programs, visit www.niagara.edu/business.

The Reid Group 

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