Board of Directors
Dina Ferraraccio
President
Dina Ferraraccio is the Director of School Culture for the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School. Before serving in this role, she was the assistant principal at Kenmore West High School in the district. Dina holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of Rochester in Cell and Developmental Biology. She also holds a Master's of Science Education from the University of Rochester and a Master's in Educational Administration from University at Buffalo. Currently, this is Dina's 22nd year in the field of education. Before becoming an administrator, she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics for 14 years.
She is honored to be involved in an organization that provides a trauma informed approach to educating youth and their families on the dangers of substance use and addiction. Dina looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members and the staff at KED on many different projects in the future!
Matthew Burke
Vice President
Matthew "Matty" Burke joined the Kids Escaping Drugs Board of Directors in 2017 and is active on the Development Committee. Mr. Burke has been a generous benefactor and champion of KED for over 25 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bishop Timon High School for 20 years. During his tenure with Bishop Timon High School he was the recipient of the Hillery Foundation Award and the Paul Lempko Alumni Appreciation Award.
A prominent business owner in the Southtowns, Mr. Burke owns Burkey's Sportswear as well as several other local businesses around Buffalo. He is very active in the community from organizing fundraisers to volunteering with a softball league for young people in recovery. Mr. Burke is an avid sports fan and has a passion for working with youth and adults along their journey of recovery.
Greg Emminger
Past President
Greg Emminger is currently employed by Alden State Bank. Greg focuses his efforts in the Western New York area primarily in the Commercial and Industrial sector. In 2010, Greg was awarded the Lender of the Year by the New York Business Development Corporation for all of New York State.
Greg is an active member in many charitable organizations locally including, Kids Escaping Drugs, Eastern Hills Sunrise Rotary, and WNY Kidney Connection; where he serves on various boards and sub committees. In the past, Greg has been involved with the WMY RMA Association, Junior Achievement, Buffalo and Niagara Builders Association as well as a volunteer for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society of WNY. Greg spends a significant amount of time volunteering and supporting both local as well as national charitable organizations. Greg holds a Bachelor's Degree from Canisius College as well as an MBA from Canisius College. Additionally, Greg is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Club of Buffalo.
Jim Dry
Treasurer
Bio Coming Soon.
Michael Baumann
Board Member
Michael J. Baumann currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Newfane Central School District in Niagara County. A graduate of the Canisius College School of Education, Baumann holds Masters degrees in both School Counseling and Educational Administration and Leadership. Prior to taking the helm in Newfane, Mike spent eight years as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the Sweet Home District and six years as the principal of Frontier High School. He began his career in education as a high school counselor at West Seneca West High School, where he also coached football and wrestling for many years.
He continues his involvement in Western New York High School Athletics as the president of the Niagara Orleans Athletic League and as a member of the Section 6 Executive Council. Baumann also serves as a member of the Legislative Committee for the New York State Council of School Superintendents'. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Kids Escaping Drugs and hopes to strengthen the connection between KED and the Western New York education community.
Mark Rizzo
Board Member
Mark is currently employed at Wells Fargo. Prior to working at Wells Fargo, Mark was an employee at M&T Bank for the past 22 years, serving as a Group Manager within the Commercial Banking Division. Mark is active in the Western New York community, serving on several boards and advisory councils.
Mark is a current member of the University at Buffalo School of Management Dean’s Advisory Council, and Kids Escaping Drugs Board of Directors.
Mark was recognized by the UB School of Management for outstanding service to the School by an alum. Mark obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in accounting and finance, and an MBA with distinction, from the University at Buffalo. Mark is entering his final year of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Executive Education Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
Krista Ulrich
Board Member
Krista Ulrich is recently retired from public education after 34 years in the Clarence School District. She continues to work as the Minister of Faith Formation and Pastoral Care at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in West Seneca. She began her position on the board at Kids Escaping Drugs in November 2017.
While teaching, Krista held the role of advisor for the Face2Face Club at Clarence High School. She also served as a co-developer of the Youth Court in Clarence. She is currently the advisor for the Western Area Youth of the United Church of Christ. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education from SUNY at Buffalo, and is licensed in ministry through the New York School of Ministry where she is currently seeking ordination.
Krista is thankful for the opportunity to serve on the board at KED and is passionate about helping children achieve their potential.
Louis Billittier
Board Member
Louis has an extensive background in law enforcement with experience as a police officer and an emergency response team member. He earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice at the State University College at Buffalo and A.A.S. in Criminal Justice at Erie Community College. He has served as the Vice President of Chef's Restaurant in Buffalo, NY since 1975-2020. From 1986-1999, he was a police officer for the Town of Hamburg and was a Sheriff's Criminal Deputy from 2001-2009. He has multiple certifications including a certified D.A.R.E. instructor, NYS Certified Breathalyzer Operator, NYS Certified Doppler Traffic Radar Operator, and American Heart Association First Responder.
Louis is a member of numerous organizations including the Buffalo Romulus Club, Buffalo Hearing and Speech, National Restaurant Association, the Police Conference of New York and many more. Louis joined the Kids Escaping Drugs Board in 2018.
Kevin Biddle
Board Member
Kevin Biddle is President of Mader Construction, a wall and ceiling contractor based in Elma, NY.
Kevin is a past president of the Board of Directors of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry as well as past president of the Kidney Fdtn of WNY, Cystic Fibrosis Fdtn of WNY, American Subcontractors Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Fdtn of WNY. Kevin is currently serving on the board of Kids Escaping Drugs, Faith United Church of Christ, The Construction Exchange, and The Construction Industry Employers Association.
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Kevin graduated from Orchard Park High School and attended Georgia Southern University. He resides in Orchard Park with his wife, Barbara. They have two children, Kirsten and Jeffrey.
He enjoys golfing and traveling and of course is an avid Bills and Sabres fan.
Anthony Montoro III
Board Member
Anthony Montoro is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for the Pioneer Central Schools. In this capacity he manages an $65 million dollar budget and supervises the business office, transportation department, Buildings and Grounds, and the Food Service program. He was previously in the same role at North Tonawanda for six years. Additionally, he also served in a similar position as the SBO for the Westfield Academy CSD for two years. Prior to working in educational administration, Anthony worked for 15 plus years as a classroom teacher, teacher on special assignment, and technology services.
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Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisus College and an MBA degree from Niagara University. Other education includes a Master's in Educational Computing from Buffalo State College and a variety of educational leadership certificates. He currently is serving as an officer in his state association NYSASBO and has presented several times at educational conferences including NYSACTE and NYSASBO.
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In his spare time, he enjoys many sports and outdoor activities with his family including golf, tennis, kayaking, hiking, and camping. His favorite vacation spots are Walt Disney World and coastal spots in North and South Carolina.
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One of his favorite activities, golf, helped him make contact with board members from KED during the annual charity tournament. Hearing the testimony of staff and those positively impacted by the program inspired him to join the board to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by addiction.
Jessica Hutchings
Board Member
Jessica spent the first decade of her career working as the Face2Face Program Director after graduating with her Masters degree from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. During this time, Jessica especially enjoyed getting to know the alumni and patients on the Campus and developing relationships with professionals in education. In 2019, Jessica accepted a position in the Grand Island School District as a School Social Worker. In this role, she provides counseling for middle school students and coordinates the district's Family Support Services program.
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Jessica is so grateful to return to her KED roots as a board member. She remains passionate about advocating for the organization and is excited to share her insight as a mental health professional working in education.
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Jessica enjoys spending time traveling and camping with her husband and two sons. She also enjoys showing her hometown pride by rooting for the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and UB Bulls.
Sam Gugino
Board Member
Sam Gugino has a BS in Information Systems Audit & Control from Bentley University and an MBA in Professional Accounting from Niagara University. She worked in public accounting for 2 years and has been doing IT Auditing at National Fuel since June 2022
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Her hobbies include running (currently training for a half marathon), reading, crafting, going to the Transit Drive In & traveling (mostly to Disney).
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As a National Fuel employee, Sam is involved in their face of fuel program which includes volunteering annually at the company chosen organization (previously FeedMore WNY & Olmstead Parks). She is also a St. Jude partner in hope.
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She has been a volunteer at KED since 2019 and has been involved in various events including the Televent, Power of the Purse, face2face summits, etc. but her family has been involved with KED for as long as she can remember.
Mike Todaro
Board Member
Mike is currently an account executive at UPS. He went from being a UPS driver into Business Development, one of few who has been able to accomplish this. He has worked as a service provider for UPS and has also worked various jobs at construction companies.
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Mike is a Grand Island Senior High School graduate and attended NCCC for Business Management. Received a challenge coin from UPS CEO Carol Tome’ He has been working with KED for almost a year, first serving on the development committee. He has a strong passion for ending the drug epidemic in WNY and supporting people and families to live a life free of addiction.
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Mike is heavily involved with the community, volunteering at the Buffalo City Mission and Horizons and participates in the Grand Island School District PTA. He's also involved in the Women’s Business Resource Group (WBRG), Business Resource Group for Parents and Caregivers (BRG) and is a congressional Outreach Ambassador all through UPS.
In his spare time, he likes fishing, the Buffalo Bills, and helping as many people and families as I can. He's a proud parent of two boys (age 9 and 11) who love playing sports, especially football!
Brian Seifert
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.