Amy Kedron began Buffalo First in 2006. She is a Buffalo native. She began researching local ownership in 1998 at the National Center for Economic and Security Alternatives in Washington DC. Kedron started working in the nonprofit sector in 1996 as vice president and later treasurer of Sub Board One Inc. at the University at Buffalo. She has two master's degrees from Columbia University, a law degree and she is finishing a PhD in American Studies. She is passionate about blending academic theory and action.

"We can facilitate greater social justice often by ensuring that the 'little guy' in our communities has not only access to but control over neighborhood resources. This is why 'local' matters to me. When a community is able to own their neighborhood businesses, schools, government, organizations and media, it thrives. People not only have a say in how things happen but they feel a greater sense of responsibility to and respect for the people and environment around them."

"The thing I love most about Buffalo First is the members that I interact with on a daily basis. Many of them are independent shop owners. To them business is far more than a way to make money—it is their lives. Some are so passionate about their business that they will work a second job, just to keep the doors open. They often have relationships with patrons that go back years—even generations. They know not only the names of their employees but the names of their employees' children. They are engaged: they keep up on the decisions of the local neighborhood association and their elected officials. They have pride in what they do and they have pride in where they are. They work to make our communities healthy, vibrant and meaningful because they are part of it."

A proud native of Buffalo, New York, Rebecca Newberry joined the Buffalo First staff in 2009.

Rebecca has a strong passion for community organizing and engagement. She established her footing as an organizer with the Buffalo Activist Network in 2001. Her work with B.A.N led her to educate, both locally and nationally around issues of fair trade and corporate globalization.

Rebecca received her undergraduate degree in Health Science from SUNY Brockport. In 2007, she founded the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley's CampusOUT program, an organizing and advocacy program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and ally students. In addition to working with students, Rebecca engaged youth service providers to formulate a response to LGBT youth homelessness in the Monroe County area.

Her work as a interim administrative organizer with the Rochester-Genesee Valley Labor Federation (AFL-CIO) in early 2009 resulted in the formation of Next Generation United, a coalition of younger Labor that increases the visibly of younger workers through education, engagement, and mobilization for social and economic justice.

Rebecca returned to Buffalo in 2009, where she is currently working on her Masters in Communication and Leadership at Canisius College. Rebecca is excited to contribute to Buffalo First's mission for the development of a a socially responsible, community owned economy in Western New York.

Sarah Bishop has served in the capacity of Director of Operations at the Institute on Religion and Public Policy in Washington, D.C., an international, non-profit organization that works globally to promote human rights--specifically religious freedom. During Bishop's tenure at the Institute, she worked tirelessly to highlight the plight of the poor as well as issues particularly pertinent to women, which lead to her regular contribution to The Grieboski Report. Bishop has also been published in The Cutting Edge News, an online news source, for her astute insight on the subject matter.

Upon returning to Buffalo, Bishop joined Envision Productions as a PR/Marketing Assistant; there she diligently researched, evaluated, coordinated and assisted in the management of client portfolio. She also spent considerable time and gained invaluable experience in the realm of international business, media outlets, public relations and editing.

Bishop's non-profit experience, public policy expertise and educational background will be advantageous in furthering the mission of Buffalo First. She is excited to be part of such a dynamic team that is committed to thriving the local economy with the help of a strong, involved and socially conscious Buffalo community.

Sarah Bishop holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and Intercultural Studies from Houghton College.

Andrew Delmonte was born and raised in Buffalo, NY where he attended the Frederick Law Olmsted School and City Honors School. In 2005, Andrew moved to Boston, MA where he graduated from Boston University's College of Communication with a BS in Film and Television and minor in Psychology. In 2008, he worked as an intern for film production agencies The Donners Company and Benderspink in Los Angeles.

Andrew returned to Buffalo the following year, and quickly found himself immersed in the burgeoning community activism and rich cultural, creative and architectural heritage of the city. As the president of local software development firm Connare Tech, Inc. for the past six years, Andrew has brought his creative vision to many businesses in the area and across the country, designing websites and web-based systems for clients including Menne Nursery, the Northeast LGBT Conference, Five Points Bakery, Buffalo Architecture Foundation, Buffalo First! and The Art Economist magazine.

His nonprofit involvement began in the Membership and Development department at the Buffalo Zoo, where he worked for five years. Andrew has volunteered his time for many local initiatives, including the Delaware Soccer Club, The Good Neighborhood, Architecture+Education, Building Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) and as a member of the Buffalo Jugglers. In 2010, he began renovations on a architecturally significant home on Buffalo's lower West Side. Andrew has worked at Buffalo First! since March 2011.

Originally from Syracuse, NY, Heather Gring moved to Buffalo to attend Buffalo State College in 2004. Throughout her education, Heather has been involved with many art and architecture projects and strongly believes in the importance of civic engagement. After receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Art History with a minor concentration in Museum Studies in 2008, Heather joined WNY AmeriCorps for a year-long term of service. Her desire to be placed at Buffalo First stemmed from her appreciation of the culture, arts, and people of western New York, and the potential inherent here.

Lindsay Amico is a third year student at Northeastern University majoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She came back to her hometown for the fall semester to participate in the Northeastern Cooperative Education Program, which helps students get work experience before graduation, and has become involved in the Buffalo nonprofit sector, working at Buffalo First as well as the Clean Air Coalition. While in Boston, Lindsay works with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which maintains and promotes the Boston park system, as well as with organizations such as the Residential Student Association, the Husky Energy Action Team and the National Residence Hall Honorary to promote sustainability on campus. She is the Director of Sustainability Initiatives for RSA. At Buffalo First, Lindsay focuses on policy initiatives, like our B-Corp campaign and developing CanalSide.

Lauren Metzger joins us from the Executive Leadership and Change master's program at Daemen College. She is passionate about using the skills she acquired in the classroom to help shape her community and is reaching out through Buffalo First to help small entrepreneurial business thrive in Buffalo. Her primary role at BF is to engage the local, independent business community in the development of our waterfront through education and outreach. She is eager to become more formally involved in shaping Buffalo's future through her involvement with Buffalo First and the ever-growing Canal Side Community Alliance.

Angela Stefano is Buffalo First's resident proofreader, editor and journalistic mind. A 2009 Boston University College of Communication graduate, she is a Buffalo "repat," so to speak, who moved home post-graduation because spending three years in Boston made her realize how much she liked and missed Buffalo. Yes, for real; no, no one in Boston really understood. Angela enjoys chai lattes from Cafe Aroma while shopping on Elmwood, the Buffalo Sabres and the plethora of concerts, festivals and restaurants and bars Western New York has to offer.