The Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Schools Advisory Council is consultative to the bishop and to the secretary of Catholic education of the Diocese of Buffalo.  This collaborative body has consultative input, providing vision, advocacy and leadership which preserves and strengthens education in the diocese.   The council develops goals and objectives which enhance the quality of education in the diocese, and with the approval of the bishop, the council works on special projects with respect to Catholic schools in the diocese that are consistent with but not duplicative of those activities performed by the Department of Catholic Education or the diocesan Development Office, and in other areas assigned to the council by the bishop.
 

Paul Wietig, Ed.D., Catholic School Advisory Council Vice-Chair

Dr. Wietig currently serves as the core curriculum coordinator and training program coordinator, adjunct professor, for the School of Public Health & Health Profession at the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Dr. Wietig has been chair of the Catholic School Advisory Council since its inception in 2008.  He retired as deputy superintendent and interim superintendent of the Amherst Central School District. 
 

Rev. Msgr. Thomas Maloney, pastor, St. Amelia Parish, Tonawanda, N.Y.
 
Msgr. Maloney was ordained in 1968, following studies at the University of Louvain in Belgium. He served as chaplain at Madonna High School in Niagara Falls, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart in Eggertsville, and St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Kenmore. Msgr. Maloney taught French at St. Mark’s School in Buffalo, and currently teaches Latin at St. Amelia School, Tonawanda, where he has been pastor since 1995.
                                              

Nancy M. Blaschak, regional executive director of the American Red Cross, serving Erie and Niagara Counties

During her tenure, the Eden resent she successfully negotiated the mergers of several chapters in the regional group to streamline operations and provide improved community service. 
             

James Doherty, retired school bus industry executive, Buffalo, N.Y.

Mr. Doherty recently retired from the school bus industry where he spent more than 28 years as an executive with Laidlaw Transportation Services.  He holds both bachelors and masters degrees in Special Education from State College of New York at Buffalo.  He was elected as a councilman-at-large for the city of Buffalo in 1975. 

Elizabeth C. Powers, founder of Liberty in America, Olean, N.Y.

Liberty in America provides Americans with education on the concepts of liberty and economics. A resident of Olean, Powers is on the board of Archbishop Walsh Academy, and has played a key role in the resurgence of Catholic education in the Southern Tier.
             
James Iglewski, managing director and regional investment executive, U.S. Trust Company,
Buffalo, N.Y.

James and his wife Diane are members of the Bishop's Council of the Laity, serves on the Board of Trustees of Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY, and the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Reanassance Foundation.  He is a member of Blessed John Paul II Parish in Lake View, NY.  Three of his children graduated from Southtowns Catholic School in Lake View.  A fourth is currently enrolled in the school. 

William Mariani, Ed.D, vice-president of Administrative Services and External Relations, D'Youville College, Buffalo, N.Y.

Dr. Mariani has more than 20 years of progressive experience in higher education.  He is the former president of Erie Community College in Buffalo, the third largest and most administratively efficient multi-campus in New York's public community college system.  He has expertise in Middles States Accreditation Standards and Institutional Program Review and Assessment trends and issues.
 

Darleen Michalak, Ph.D., Plan Administrator, NY44 Health Benefits Trust Plan, Buffalo, N.Y.

As Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Erie 1 BOCES, Dr. Michalak was instrumental in forming the NY44 Health Benefits Plan Trust in 2003 and served as a trustee for the organization from 2003 to 2007. She added to her responsibilities in 2007 when she became Plan Administrator/Ex Officio Trustee of the Health Trust, in addition to maintaining her role as Deputy Superintendent. In July 2010, Dr. Michalak retired from Erie 1 BOCES, but continues as the Plan Administrator for the NY44 Trust.  She is also an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at D’Youville College.            

Althea Porter, Ph.D., Director, Palisano Center for Academic Success, Trocaire College, Buffalo,  N.Y.

Dr. Porter is a member of Blessed Trinity Parish in Buffalo where she currently serves as a member of the Generations of Faith team. She also serves on the diocesan African American Commission. Dr. Porter also director of Transitional Studies and the Center for Academic Success at Trocaire College.

 

Rhonda Ried, President, Cornerstone Research and Marketing, Inc., Amherst, N.Y.

Rhonda Ried is Founder and President of Cornerstone Research and Marketing, Inc., a full-service marketing research corporation, located in North Tonawanda, NY. Cornerstone Research and Marketing, Inc., established in 1989, is an internationally- recognized provider of research services for hundreds of local, national and international firms.  In 2007, Ms. Ried acquired Ruth Diamond Market Research, Inc., established in 1956, located in the Boulevard Mall in Amherst, NY. 
 

Sylvia Valentín, Ph.D., J.D., Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Niagara University, Niagara, N.Y.

Dr. Valentín is an associate professor of Early Childhood/Childhood Education at Niagara University. Her areas of expertise also include diversity issues, bilingual education and second language acquisition. Dr. Valentín also holds a law degree from the University at Buffalo.
 

Diocesan Staff (Ex-officio members)

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone
Bishop of Buffalo 
 

Rev. Msgr. David Slubecky
Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia
Catholic Schools Advisory Council Chair
Diocese of Buffalo

Carol Kostyniak
Secretary for Catholic Education 
Diocese of Buffalo
 
 

Richard Suchan, CEBS
Executive Director
Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo 
 
 

Steven Timmel
Executive Director of Financial Administration 
Diocese of Buffalo