October 22, 2025 – Dopkins is co-sponsoing the inaugural Made in Western New York panel discussion, presented by Business First of Buffalo.

Made in Western New York

A transformation is underway in the region’s manufacturing industry

A groundswell of federal support for fast-growing industries such as clean energy and semiconductors, combined with years of private investment in technology and automation, have created a golden opportunity for an industrial city to create a sustainable future in advanced manufacturing.

• Manufacturing is the fifth-largest employment sector in the region with nearly 65,000 jobs. That’s projected to grow 12% in the next decade.
• The Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse region has been designated a tech hub and also was awarded $40 million to create a semiconductor superhighway along Interstate 90.
• Food manufacturing is now the largest industry of the sector in terms of jobs, and companies are investing millions of dollars in new and expanded facilities.
• Several Canadian companies have set up operations here, with others considering similar moves.
• Business First’s Made in Western New York issue will take a look at the many industries that make up our manufacturing economy, the products produced here and the opportunities that lie ahead.

WHEN
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
7:30am –11:00am

WHERE
Admiral Room
237 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203

Panel 1: The Future of Manufacturing
Moderator: Ben Rand, Insyte Consulting
Panelists:
• Elliott Ehrenreich, Partner and Co-Leader of Manufacturing Team – Phillips Lytle LLP
• Elizabeth Galanis-Miller, President and Chief Operating Officer – Sealing Devices
• Nick Masiello, VP of Equipment – Stark Tech
• Gregory J. Urban CPA, CVA, Partner, Tax Advisory Group – Dopkins & Company LLP

Panel 2: Powering Growth
Moderator: David Flynn, Partner and Co-Leader of Energy and Renewables Team – Phillips Lytle LLP
Panelists:
• Dennis Elsenbeck, Head of Energy and Sustainability – Phillips Lytle Energy Consulting Services
• Ken Kujawa, Regional Director – National Grid
• David Leathers, General Manager – Jamestown Board of Utilities
• Andrew Weidert, SVP of Strategic Solutions – Stark Tech

Event Sponsors:

• Dopkins & Company, LLP
• Phillips Lytle
• Stark Tech

For more information or to register, visit the Business First of Buffalo website.

Ticket charges apply.