Economic Development Department Staff

Michael A. Casale, Commissioner

Phone: (716) 278-8750
Email: [email protected]

Mike oversees the Empower Niagara, Business & Community Enhancement, and Business Growth & Retention, and Niagara County Economic Development Alliance programs. As Commissioner, he is responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of the Department.

Cathie L. Synor, dIRECTOR OF aDMINISTRATION, pROGRAMS & gRANTS

Phone: (716) 278-8758
Email: [email protected]

Cathie is the liaison for Legislative Affairs for the department and provides administrative and technical assistance for the Economic Development Committee and the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Ad Hoc Committee. She is responsible for a variety of grants and programs including the Niagara County Production Program, William G. Mayne Jr. Business and Community Enhancement Program, Community Partnership Fund Program, Cultural Endowment Fund and Empower Niagara. In addition, Cathie is the County’s Coordinator of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. She plans and facilitates the Niagara County Virtual Business Workshop Series, and is the Chair of the Niagara County Agribusiness Outreach Forum Planning Committee.

Andrea L. Klyczek, Deputy Commissioner

Phone: (716) 278-8761
Email: [email protected]

Andrea is responsible for devising long term business attraction, site adaptation, and economic development strategies.

Amy E. SCHIFFERLI (Fisk), AICP, DIRECTOR OF pLANNING AND bROWNFIELD dEVELOPMENT

Phone: (716) 278-8754
Email: [email protected]

Amy is responsible for managing Niagara County's Brownfield Program and is President of the Niagara County Brownfield Development Corporation. She administers brownfield grant and loan programs and assists the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC) with the management of tax delinquent properties and environmental reviews. In addition to grant and project management, she promotes the use of landfills and brownfields for solar and alternative energy projects. Amy also assists with site development and works with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County on agricultural issues.

NATHANIEL BONAFEDE, PlannER

Phone: (716) 278-8756
Email: nathaniel.bonafede @niagaracounty.com

Nate is responsible for managing county and regional planning projects, providing technical assistance on land use and development regulations, assisting with the site selection process, managing grants, GIS mapping and data analysis. He also serves as staff to the Niagara County Planning Board.

MARGIT DENNING, ACCOUNT CLERICAL III

Phone: (716) 278-8753
Email: [email protected]

Margit is responsible for the Department’s finances including payroll, budget, grant reimbursement and Empower Niagara. She is also the Niagara County Planning Board Secretary and the Brownfields Program Treasurer.

JOSEPH MARRANCA, MARKETING SPECIALIST

Phone: (716) 278-8768
Email: [email protected]

Joseph is responsible for creating both digital and printed content related to efforts to attract and retain domestic and international businesses in Niagara County. Joseph is also responsible for marketing events, workshops, incentives, and programs provided through the Niagara County Center for Economic Development.

Frank Campbell, Sportfishing Program Coordinator

Phone: (716) 282-8992 x303
Email: [email protected]

Frank works out of Destination Niagara USA where he is responsible for Niagara County outdoor promotions including sportfishing promotion, conferences and tradeshows, hosting members of the outdoor media, and writing articles on outdoor recreation.