TechBuffalo is seeking a new president and CEO in its mission to create thousands of technology professionals in Western New York.
The nonprofit initiative is intended to be a broad convener in the community toward a critical issue – making sure there are enough workers to satisfy the growth of the tech industry in Buffalo.
“We’re looking for a strategic, visionary leader who is highly collaborative and can bring together a lot of different organizations,” said Christina Orsi, University at Buffalo’s associate vice president of economic development. “We’re on an aggressive timeline because there’s a lot ahead for TechBuffalo.”
Orsi is a TechBuffalo board member and is leading the effort to install a CEO. The group has also engaged recruiting firm TalentRise (a subsidiary of Buffalo-based Aleron, whose CEO, Scott Stenclik, is on the TechBuffalo board).
TechBuffalo’s first operational leader, James Partsch, left earlier this year to pursue other opportunities.
The organization was founded by Lighthouse Technology Services CEO Randy Harris and RPRT CEO Duane Conners. It has since received a $2 million grant from Empire State Development grant and a $500,000 loan from the Western New York Impact Investment Fund.
Orsi said a key goal of the next TechBuffalo CEO will be building an inclusive technology scene in Buffalo that reaches deep into the community, using job opportunities at companies as a way of combating poverty and underemployment.
“We are looking for someone who brings a passion and commitment to making an impact in Buffalo by advancing an inclusive tech economy,” she said. “Putting those ideas into action will require being highly collaborative, because it’s going to take a lot of different organizations working together to make this successful.”
