ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter honors local professionals, announces board

Press Release

ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter – the local chapter for the American Society for Public Administration – recently announced recipients of its fifth annual awards, and elected new officers and board members for the 2024-25 year.

ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter proudly recognizes the following individuals in 2024 for their outstanding contributions to the field of public administration:

√ Excellence in Government Administration: Melissa McMahon, MPA, director of certification – social services, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services

√ Excellence in Public Administration Education: Lisa Parshall, Ph.D., professor of political science, Daemen University

√ Excellence in Nonprofit Administration: Cheryl Buttino, director of senior services, Schiller Park Senior Center

ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter recognized the award recipients during a first-ever awards dinner event at the Tower Room in Wurlitzer Events, held during Public Service Recognition Week in early May.

The chapter separately held elections earlier this summer for a slate of officers and board members. Taking the helm as president for the 2024-25 year is Michael Hughes, MPA, management and program analyst with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. He lives in Amherst with his wife, son and two daughters.

In addition to Hughes officers are as follows:

√ President-Elect: Laurie Buonanno, Ph.D., SUNY Buffalo State University

√ Immediate Past President and Membership/Programming Officer: Ryan Gadzo, MPA, Erie County Senior Services

√ √ Secretary: Patricia Patton, MPA, New York State Department of Health

Treasurer: Kenneth Stone, MPA, SUNY Buffalo State University

Communications Officer: Tony Astran, MPA, APR, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center / New York State Quitline

Board members are as follows:

√ Brian Bray, MPA, Erie County Department of Personnel

√ Makenzie Docteur, MPA, M&T Bank

√ Christopher Kuwik, Erie County Clerk’s Office

√ Marisa Maloni, MPA, New York State Unified Court System

√ Lisa Parshall, Ph.D., Daemen University

√ Suparna Soni, MPA, MSW, Ph.D., SUNY Buffalo State University

√ Julia Witherell, MPA, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services

Nationwide, the American Society for Public Administration has 55 local chapters and more than 10,000 members and affiliates. The organization strives to advance the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. Locally, ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter revived in 2018 and now comprises nearly 30 members. The organization regularly co-sponsors the annual Public Service Recognition Week conference in April at SUNY Buffalo State. More information is available at https://www.aspabuffaloniagara.org and the chapter’s social media sites on Facebook, LinkedIn or X.