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Statler Staff

Reneé DiFlavio is the Senior Vice President of Employment and Rehabilitation Services at Olmsted Center for Sight and the National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Services. She has a Master of Arts in Blind Rehabilitation from Western Michigan University and has been with the Olmsted Center since 1987.

Reneé has been honored as a recipient of Business First "40 Under 40", a prestigious award that recognizes excellent leaders in the Western New York Community. She is also a graduate from the University of Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and serves on the University of Buffalo’s Center for the Arts Advisory Board. In addition, Reneé received an honorary degree from the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality and Tourism Management Society at Niagara University.

Chaunci Hinton-Thomas is the Statler Center’s Career Services Counselor. Chaunci is the student services counselor to all students during their time at the Statler center and conducts many workshops on how to gain and maintain competitive employment, and how diversifying the workforce is advantageous for employers, etc. Chaunci also assists in marketing, recruitment and placement services.

Chaunci has over 15 years of experience in counseling and human services, in addition to the time she has spent at the Statler Center. She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

Jeffrey Hirschfelt, CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator), is Director of Statler Center. He teaches Hospitality courses and covers some placement topics for the Statler programs. He started working with the Statler Center as an externship partner with the first graduating class. After working as a consultant, Jeff came to Statler full time in April 2004. Jeff is also the Director of the Olmsted Institute of Business & Technology, a New York State proprietary business school.

His hotel experience includes General Manager of Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn and Beaver Hollow Conference Center. His career spans most hotel positions and employment with Hyatt Hotels, Days Inns and other hotel chains. Jeff holds an AS degree in Hotel Technology from Erie Community College, Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality at Buffalo State College and also attended Ealing College School of Catering in London, England.

Mary Ellen Mest is Project Manager for New Initiatives. She works to develop new programs such as the Statler Training and Employment Connection (STEC) for Customer Service and Call Center Training. Mary Ellen also works to bring Statler training to other states and locations where good training and successful job placement are needed such as Nevada and Florida.

Prior to arriving at Statler she had more than 25 years experience in sales and marketing for a wide range of products and industries. The past several years have been in sales and management for hotels such as Radisson and Holiday Inn in both Western New York and Pennsylvania. Her philosophy is that after learning hospitality and customer service, a job can be found anywhere in the world—anywhere good customer service is needed.

Jeffrey Pease is the Recruitment and Marketing Manager for the Statler Center, a New York State proprietary business school. Jeff builds awareness of the training opportunities focusing on technology skills and job preparedness. Jeff also helps applicants through the enrollment process to ensure Statler is the perfect solution for each applicants needs. He also teaches modules in the classroom curriculum.

Jeff’s career includes roles as marketing writer, advertising designer, managing editor, and art director. He has taught Fine Arts at Daemen College and the University of Buffalo, and holds a Masters degree in Fine Arts. Jeff also earned a Micro MBA Degree from the University of Buffalo.

Patrick Gould focuses on the critical job placement process and works closely with Statler graduates and companies locally, across the state, and the country to secure employment opportunities for graduates. After spending 20 years in Government Affairs at the local, state and federal level, Patrick brings contacts and experience that will benefit Statler and Olmsted alike.

Mr. Gould will instruct students in job search and placement, and he assists student externships and the job placement process.
Patrick believes that in today’s difficult economy and job market it is critical to have direct access to individuals making employment decisions. Successful job placement will be achieved through strong work ethic, determination, and focused access to decision-makers. Patrick supports all past, present and future graduates of the Statler Center.

Linda Lange is the Statler Center’s Information and Adaptive Technology Specialist. She teaches computer software classes using adaptive technology to promote learning for the vision impaired. Linda has more than 12 years of work experience in the field of education. During her career, Linda has worked as a corporate training consultant, human services instructor and private tutor. She also has a strong background in the areas of finance, transportation, and customer service. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Education as well as, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She is a New York State certified teacher and committed to excellence in education.

Tom Trainor provides computer training at Statler. His is conversant in Assistive Technology applications and has trained blind, visually impaired and disabled individuals for many years. As a Certified Microsoft Office User Specialist, his expertise ensures student success. Tom is very active in community education, on the Board of Compeer and was a founder of Tech Today training individuals toward their GEDs and vocational training. His experience as a trainer at CompUSA, community education in Buffalo and Albany, NY, and other educator roles make him uniquely qualified as a faculty member at the Statler Center. Tom has a BA and has worked toward his PhD, both in Psychology.

Imtiaz Khan, Manager of the Contact Center at Olmsted, and Workplace Support Specialist at Statler oversees the day-to-day operations of the Center as well as the managing and training of Agents working on live accounts. The Contact Center is essentially a job-skills “incubator” for graduates of the National Statler Center, leading to their long-term competitive employment. As Workplace Support Specialist at Statler, Khan teaches several technology and Contact Center classes, and works to incorporate Assistive Technologies with employers when the student is placed.

CONSULTANTS

George Lama is IT Manager and Accessibility Technology Manager at Olmsted Center for Sight and one of Statler's computer instructors.

Picture of Dr. Curtis

Dr. Deborah Tallman-Curtis is a consultant, teaching a hospitality component at Statler Center since the program’s inception. Her industry experience spans over twenty years and ranges from ownership of a 60-room Super 8 Motel to sales and marketing director at a 500-room Hilton to national sales director with a convention and visitors bureau. As a trainer, she has worked with travel management companies, economy to luxury hotels and industry associations. As a college professor, she has taught a wide variety of hospitality-related courses. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Transportation, Travel, and Tourism from Niagara University and a M.S. in Education from Canisius College. She earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sarasota. She is also the Director of the Center for Community Economic Development through Hospitality and Tourism at Niagara University.

Dan O'Brien is one of Statler's Computer Instructor and a consultant in a number of areas. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Administration and Tourism from Niagara University and a Master's Degree in Training and Development from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has worked for the Hilton Hotels Corporation, the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, as well as serving on the faculty of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Niagara University's Institute of Hotel, Travel and Restaurant Administration. He also serves as an event logistics consultant to the Microsoft Corporation. Mr. O'Brien currently instructs Statler Center students in the field of hospitality service, he assists students with their externships and the job placement process. In addition, he works with Statler Center funders, corporate partner and the Center’s strategic vision.