Business News

Western Division Federal Credit Union located in Williamsville is the recipient of the BauerFinancial Exceptional Performance Award for the 48th consecutive quarter. The five-star rating in financial services is awarded quarterly to top financial institutions around the country. The rating represents the highest level of credit union operation in terms of financial safety, strength and performance. For information visit www.westerndivision.org.

Brian T. Tsuji of East Amherst was named researcher of the year in 2007 by the New York State Chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He is a faculty member at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and was recognized for research in mechanisms of resistance in multi-drug resistant bacteria. He is also a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Society for Microbiology.

Michael Littman of Williamsville, an associate professor at Buffalo State College, was selected to participate in Brandeis University's Summer Institute for Israel Studies this past month. In total, 19 faculty members from colleges and universities worldwide traveled to the campus as well as Israel in June.

Martin K. Casstevens of Amherst has been named business formation and commercialization manager for the Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach at the University at Buffalo. He will manage STOR's outreach to UB faculty and assist in planning the Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition.

Melanie G. Kuechle of Amherst has been elected secretary of the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. She is employed by Trautman Associates as a member of the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering Department.

The Hamister Group, Inc. recently celebrated 30 years in health care and hospitality, marking it with an anniversary gala. Mark Hamister founded his first company on June 1, 1977 with the purchase of an adult home in Rochester. Today, the Hamister Group, Inc., a hotel and long-term care management company, is based in Williamsville.