NFTA Management Team

Lawrence M. Meckler was appointed Executive Director for the
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in 1998 where he is
responsible for the Authority’s achievement of its mission and financial objectives.

Mr. Meckler has been with the NFTA for over 33 years. He began his career at the NFTA as Counsel to the Metro Construction Division and then became General Manager of the Metro Construction Division. He was responsible for the completion of the construction of the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit Project.

In 1988, he was appointed Deputy General Counsel. Mr. Meckler was responsible for the supervision of day-to-day activities of the Legal Department of the Authority. He was then appointed General Counsel in 1990 where he was responsible for the administration of all legal services for both the NFTA and NFT Metro division. He served as counsel to the Executive Director, General Managers, staff, and the Board of Commissioners regarding policy development and Board functions.

Mr. Meckler currently serves as the Director of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. In the past, he served as the Director and as the Chairman of the Board of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Peace Bridge Authority.

Mr. Meckler graduated Cum Laude from Herbert H. Lehman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence and received his Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in February 1977. He resides in East Amherst, New York.

Michael Bykowski is the Director of the Engineering Department
for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) where
he manages the Design, Construction, and Facilities and Maintenance divisions. Mr. Bykowski has supervised the implementation of major capital projects within the Authority such as the administration of the Automatic Baggage System (BNIA) and the Runway 6-24 Safety Area Improvement (NFIA). In addition, he also directs construction personnel, develops capital budgets, and has become a member of the Request for Proposal selection committee where he helps to negotiate contracts for the Authority.

Mr. Bykowski has over forty years of experience in the engineering and management fields. His career began in 1968 where he worked for Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem), the leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda. Here he participated in projects ranging from $60 to $300 million, designed electrical systems and ultimately became the Chief Electrical Engineer. In this position he played an active role as a member of the Chemical Manufacturers Association’s electrical code and standards task group and co-authored “Review of Chlorine Institutes Pamphlet No. 139: Electrical Safety In Chlor-Alkali Cell Facilities.”

After leaving OxyChem in 1995, Mr. Bykowski was contracted by Praxair Corporation where he continued to design systems and coordinate projects. Subsequently, he joined Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc (CGGI), where he served as Manager of both the Engineering and Maintenance Departments. He became a member of the Corporate and Plant Joint Improvement Committees and is credited with the establishment and organization of the CADD group, for the standardization of computer generated drawings. He also implemented new manufacturing techniques and inventory systems to improve the company’s efficiency.

Mr. Bykowski received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Detroit in Michigan. He is also a New York State licensed Professional Engineer. He resides in Lockport, New York.

David M. Gregory was appointed General Counsel of the
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in 1999,
in which capacity he is responsible for the administration of all legal services for both the NFTA and NFT Metro. He serves as counsel to the Executive Director, General Managers, staff, and the Board of Commissioners regarding policy development and Board functions. Today, he is the longest serving General Counsel in the history of the Authority.

Mr. Gregory has extensive experience in executive level management and airport management. He began his career in 1978 where he worked for the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases in NYS Supreme and Appellate Courts.

In 1982, Mr. Gregory joined the NFTA as Associate Counsel and soon became Counsel to the Metro Construction Division. Subsequently, he became the General Manager of Administration and Finance. He helped develop and prepare the operating budget and also negotiated labor contracts for the NFTA’s unions. He is credited with the development of the Worker’s Compensation self-insurance program.

From here, Mr. Gregory took on the role of General Manager for Transportation Services. He assumed responsibility for all aspects of operation for the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA), Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA), Small Boat Harbor (SBH), Metropolitan Transportation Center (MTC), Niagara Falls International Transportation Center (NFITC), NFTA Police Department, BNIA Aircraft Firefighting Rescue Unit, and the Adjudication Bureau.

Thereafter, Mr. Gregory focused his efforts on operating and developing BNIA and NFIA. As Acting Aviation Director during the successful transition from the BNIA’s old terminals to the new terminal he played a major role in attracting Jet Blue and Southwest Airlines to BNIA. It is with Mr. Gregory’s involvement that the BNIA has been able to develop into an internationally known airport that has greatly contributed to the development of the Buffalo Niagara Region.

Mr. Gregory graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975 and then attained his Juris Doctor degree in 1978 from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. He also graduated from the Executive Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School in 2002. Mr. Gregory and his wife have two children and reside in Buffalo, New York.

C. Douglas Hartmayer is the Director of Public Affairs and
Public Information Officer for the Niagara Frontier Transportation
Authority (NFTA) where he provides support with public relations, advertising, communications, graphic production, Web site support, community relations, and marketing materials.

Mr. Hartmayer is responsible for the distribution of information to the media, community, and also within the Authority. He requests interviews, organizes communication campaigns, and oversees the publishing of the in-house publication, The Transporter, for employees and community stakeholders.

As Public Information Officer, Mr. Hartmayer has prepared, responded, and supervised the organization in events such as terrorist attacks and Metro bus, train, and airplane accidents.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau. Mr. Hartmayer has received numerous awards including the National Conference of Community & Justice Brotherhood Award for Outstanding Citizenship in Business (1986) and the Goodwill Industries of WNY’s President’s Award (2000).

Mr. Hartmayer attended Memphis State University. He served in the United States Navy, where he earned a Presidential Service Medal. He resides in Clarence, New York.

Ruth A. Keating is Senior Counsel for the Niagara Frontier
Transportation Authority (NFTA) where she is responsible for
the administration of legal services. In addition, she is Manager of Real Property.

Ms. Keating has over twenty-five years of experience. Her career began in 1983 where she worked as a Confidential Law Assistant for the New York State Supreme Court, Fourth Department. Subsequently, she joined Cohen Swados Wright Hanifin Branford & Brett as an Associate.

Ms. Keating is admitted to practice in New York State, United States District Court, WDNY and in United States Bankruptcy Court, WDNY. She served as the Executive Editor for the Buffalo Law Review.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Albany. She then received her Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence. She resides in Buffalo, New York.

Deborah C. Leous was appointed the Chief Financial Officer
in 1998 for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)
where she is now responsible for the development and implementation of the NFTA’s strategic plan relative to financial planning and management. Ms. Leous has continued to use her expertise to increase savings and efficiency in the Authority. She manages projects, such as the Airport Improvement Program, and helps to execute new programs and processes, such as Enterprise Resource Management and an environmental risk assessment.

Ms. Leous has over thirty years of experience in the finance and management fields. She began her career in 1979 as an Assistant Audit Officer at HSBC Bank and then as an Auditor for Frederick A. Ressler, C.P.A.

In 1989, Ms. Leous joined the Authority as an Auditor. Within a year, she assumed the role of Manager of the Audit division. She worked to develop the Authority’s internal audit programs, policies, and procedures that they use to this day.

In 1992, she was promoted to Manager of Accounting Services. In addition to overseeing the functions of the accounting, accounting information systems, and financial reporting departments, Ms. Leous designed and created new systems to help increase efficiency and reduce costs, such as an automated grants and project reporting system.

She is an active member in many organizations, such as Government Finance Officers Association and National Association of Female Executives. She enjoys supporting our deployed troops and serving as a member of the Canisius College Mentoring Committee. Ms. Leous has received many awards, including Canisius College’s Joseph Coppola Award for Outstanding Accounting Alumni and Woman of Influence (2003).

Ms. Leous graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and continued there to receive her MBA in Finance. She resides in East Amherst, New York.

Kimberley A. Minkel is the Director of Health, Safety, and
Environmental Quality for the Niagara Frontier Transportation
Authority (NFTA). She works to ensure the safety and protection of the Authority’s workers, riders, the public and the environment. Ms. Minkel manages the environment, safety, and health risks to guarantee that they are at an acceptable level. Recently, she completed an award winning environmental project that uses wetland treatment technology for treating spent deicing fluid in storm water runoff. This project was awarded the Diamond Award in the Environmental Category by the NY branch of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and a very prestigious Honor Award by the US national ACEC. The project has also won the 2010 Project of the Year Award (Environmental Category) from the American Public Water Works Association (APWA) of Western NY, the APWA NY Environmental Project of the Year award and has been nominated for a national APWA award. She organized the installation of security cameras, new and stronger fencing at the airport and bus station, and the introduction of security cards.

Ms. Minkel has over twenty years of experience in the environmental and safety regulations business along with experience in compliance managing. She began her career in 1989 at Sevenson Environmental as the Health and Safety Manager, Data Information Manager, and Quality Assurance Officer. She was responsible for managing all field and laboratory data, initiating system audits, and conducted employee safety evaluations.

In 1992, Ms. Minkel became Manager of Environmental, Health, and Safety for Washington Mills Electro Minerals Corp. Following this, she became Manager of Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Compliance at Xerox Corporation. In both of these positions, she ensured compliance with Federal, State, and Local guidelines and managed employee accidents, including prevention, investigation, and behavior modification programs.

Ms. Minkel is a member of many professional affiliations, including West New York Safety Advisory Committee and Who’s Who of Professional Management. In the past, she served on the Board of Directors for the Peace Bridge Authority, and the City of Niagara Falls N.F.B. Development Corporation. She has also co-authored several papers including: 1) Design & Operation of a Very Large Vertical Sub-Surface Flow Engineered Wetland to Treat Spent De-Icing Fluids and Glycol-Contaminated; 2) Innovative Approaches for Managing Stormwater Runoff: Constructed Wetlands; 3) Sub-surface flow wetlands to treat glycol-contaminated stormwater from aircraft de-icing operations; 4) The Use of Large Subsurface Flow Wetlands to Treat Glycol-Contaminated

Stormwater from Airport De-Icing Operations; 5) In-Situ Bioaugmentation of Vadose Zone Restoration; and 6) Bioenhanced Remediation of Landfill Soils.

Ms. Minkel received a Bachelor of Science from Niagara University in 1988 and her MBA in Concentration Management from Canisius College in 1995. She resides in Lancaster, New York.

Diane M. Ruszala was appointed Director of Human Resources
in 2005 for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)
where she is responsible for planning and directing a comprehensive human resources program. She formulates labor relations strategies that support the Authority’s overall strategic plan. She has received a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) Accreditation and uses her thirty-two years of experience to ensure the satisfaction of all employees of the NFTA.

Ms. Ruszala’s career began at the NFTA in 1977 in the Human Resources Department as a Confidential Secretary. She was promoted to Human Resources Supervisor in 1985, and in that position was responsible for administration of employee benefits. She was then appointed Assistant Manager and subsequently Manager of Human Resources. She was responsible for monitoring the departmental budget, recruitment, and enforcing employment all policies and procedures. Ms. Ruszala served as a member of the Authority’s Strategic Planning Task Force and has participated in ad-hoc committees.

Ms. Ruszala is a member of many professional affiliations such as the United Way Community Investment Committee Income Team. She was an Advisory Board Member of United Way Emerging Leaders Society. She serves on the Board of the Trocaire College Alumni Association and was a 2004 graduate of Leadership Buffalo.

Ms. Ruszala graduated Summa Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She then continued there and received her MBA in 1990. She resides in West Seneca, New York.

William R. Vanecek is the Director of Aviation for the
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) where he
oversees all business and operational facets of both the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) and the Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA). Mr. Vanecek supervises a team of 190 airport professionals.

Prior to joining the NFTA, Mr. Vanecek received his Certified Public Accountant license in New York State and worked for Price Waterhouse. After leaving Price Waterhouse, he worked for AMR Corp in Dallas, TX where he served as the Vice President of Finance for Simmons Airlines, American Eagle’s largest regional air carrier.

Mr. Vanecek received a Bachelor of Science in both Accounting and Finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo and also received a MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. He resides in Lancaster, NY.

Walter D. Zmuda was appointed Director of Surface
Transportation in 2001 for the Niagara Frontier Transportation
Authority (NFTA) where he is responsible for all aspects of management for the company’s Surface Transportation Business Group. He coordinates the business group’s relationship with both private and governmental organizations and ensures that operations are cost-effective and performing at a high level.

Mr. Zmuda has over thirty years of executive level experience in operations and project management. He began his career at the NFTA as Assistant Engineer and was soon promoted to Senior Civil Engineer and then to Associate Engineer. Here he assisted the Authority Engineer in directing the activities of the consulting engineer team and also prepared and supervised contract plans and projects.

Following a three-year period in which he served as Principal Engineer for the Airport and Ports, in 1987, Mr. Zmuda was appointed General Manager of the Engineering Department. During this time, he worked to implement and develop all engineering requirements of the Design, Construction, Facilities and Maintenance, Property Management, and Branch Administration areas. Mr. Zmuda is a member of the Senior Management Team and assists in the development of both the capital and operating plan, objections, policies and procedures.

Mr. Zmuda is a member of many professional affiliations, such as the New York Aviation Management Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is credited as one of the co-founders of the Aviation Peer Review and serves as a Board Member for the New York Public Transit Association.

Mr. Zmuda received a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Civil Engineering in 1971. He resides in Orchard Park, New York.