New director named at UB management school
by RIKKI CASON Reporter

Tom Ulbrich

Tom Ulbrich became the new executive director of the University at Buffalo School of Management's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership on May 1, where he will be working with entrepreneurial business owners and leaders in Western New York.

Ulbrich's career spans more than 20 years of education, communication, management and public service skills.

Ulbrich owns Ulbrich's Garden Center and Mow More Supplies in Alden. There he learned how to succeed as an entrepreneur, giving him an opportunity to discuss creative solutions and speak on issues facing local business owners.

He left the daily operations of his two businesses to his general managers so he could begin work at the university.

Ulbrich is a member of many local community organizations and is the vice chair of the NYS National Federation of Independent Business where he advocates for small businesses at a state and national level.

Last year, Ulbrich ran against Kathy Konst for Erie County legislator in District 5. Though he lost, he looks at his defeat as a steppingstone.

"In a strange way, me losing the election set me up to a position where I can help the community," Ulbrich said.

Ulbrich ran on the platform of helping small business, and he noted that his new job will let him do all the things he was hoping to do as a county legislator.

"I look forward to working for an organization that helps local businesses to grow and create jobs," Ulbrich said.

Ulbrich has lived in the Lancaster community with his family for 25 years. He and his wife, Lynn, have been married for 26 years and have two sons who are 23 and 25.

Both of his sons have now moved away, one to Manhattan and the other to Columbus, Ohio, because they found jobs outside the Western New York area.

"That's another reason I wanted this job," Ulbrich said. "I'm trying to help make opportunities that will allow kids to stay in the area."

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership was created in 1987. Ulbrich will be working with several programs including the Core Program, a 10-month professional development opportunity that helps business owners and operators in Western New York beyond the start-up phase of their businesses. The Core Program helps owners and leaders with business challenges, creates new opportunities and develops networking relationships.

The program works with faculty of the UB School of Management, outside business experts, mentors and other classmates, to help its students succeed.

Ulbrich is involved with the following programs:

• The Advanced CEL Program, which was designed to build upon the success of the Core Program and provide a way to continue through an array of learning opportunities.

• The Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneur Competition, a business plan writing competition that helps facilitate and promote the commercialization of UB-generated technologies. It also brings graduate-level students from different backgrounds together to utilize their business and scientific skills and create viable business in Western New York.

• The Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs' Program, which helps women and minority entrepreneurs move their companies to the next stage of development.

"I get to work with local businesses to help them grow and create jobs in the Western New York community," Ulbrich said of his new duties. "I really feel honored to be selected for this. It's really a dream job for me."