People in the News

LEADERSHIP - Julia R. Fletcher of Amherst, dean of human resources and workforce development at Trocaire College, has been named to senior leadership of the Learning Resources Network, a national continuing education association. Fletcher is a certified program planner with a specialty in contract training. She will be the co-chair of the Community College Council. PROMOTION - First Niagara Bank recently promoted Nancy W. Stone of Amherst to banking officer, audit. Stone joined First Niagara in 2005 as senior auditor. With more than 15 years of audit and banking experience, she is responsible for planning and performing audits in the business operations department and ensuring compliance with audit policies and regulations. GENERAL MANAGER - GEICO recently named Steve Cunningham to head GEICO's Buffalo office as general manager. He joined GEICO in 1978 as a claims examiner in GEICO's Woodbury, NY office and in 1994 was elected an assistant vice president. He also was assistant vice president for underwriting in its regional headquarters and headed GEICO's property insurance center. He succeeds John Zinno. DIRECTOR -Independent Health announced that Tom Kingsley of Williamsville has been hired as director of e-business. In this role, Kingsley will develop the company's online strategy and online product development for Independent Health's key audiences, including members, physicians, employer groups and brokers. He has more than 12 years experience in the technology and e-business. BOARD MEMBER - Patrick W. Welch, president of Chapter 77, Vietnam Veterans of America, and chief operating officer of Adaco Services, LLC, in Williamsville, has been named to the board of directors of the Buffalo Naval & Military Park. He is a Marine Corps veteran and active in veteran's advocacy and holds various positions at the local, state and national level and serves on several local boards.