Executive Board:
Sally Simme Stier, Board Chair – Owner and President, Clarity Group of NY, Inc.
Sally is an owner and current President of Clarity Group. Clarity Group is an agency that specializes in Medicare Insurance. Sally founded Clarity Group in 2017 as an independent insurance agent, then added two business partners in 2018. Since then, Clarity Group has expanded to four locations with 25 representatives throughout WNY. She brings to the Chamber firsthand experience in starting and growing a business in our community.
Sally grew up in the Village of Lancaster, attended Lancaster Schools and raised her children here. Sally continues to reside in Lancaster and has her business in Depew. She is a member and past President of the Lancaster Lions Club. Sally has a passion for this community and loves to share that passion with others.
Deborah Glowny, Board Vice Chair – Bank On Buffalo
VP/Community Office Manager of the Lancaster Branch for BankonBuffalo and a Licensed Real Estate Agent with WNY Metro Roberts Realty. She has over 35 years of progressive experience building and effectively leading a successful customer service & community focused team, that supplies knowledgeable informed solutions for both personal and business banking needs alike.
In additions to Debbie’s role as the VP of the LACC, she also serves as a board member of FOCUS, the Depew HS Academy of Finance, the Village of Lancaster CDC, among other community & real estate focused organizations.
Bernadette Aja, Secretary – Business Development Executive, Employer Services Corporation
Bernie is a Business Development Executive with Employer Services Corp (ESC), a family-owned, Buffalo based Human Resources solutions firm after a 40-year career in the banking industry at both KeyBank and Evans Bank. She led the Retail Bank in areas of Customer Experience, Branch Banking, Call Center, Operations, Wealth Management and Mortgage originations. During the COVID 19 crisis Bernie dedicated her time at the SBDC guiding businesses through the pandemic.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Medaille University, a Banking School Graduate Certificate from University of Wisconsin and her certification in Talent Pipeline Management at the US Chamber in Washington, D.C. A Class of 2013 Leadership Buffalo graduate, Bernie has maintained a steadfast commitment to the community. She was a founding member of United Way’s Women United and also served on a number of Chamber boards, Leadership Buffalo, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and NYS Women’s Inc Buffalo/Niagara Chapter. Bernie is a life-long Buffalo resident and lives with her husband, Manny in East Amherst. She is most proud of her 2 married children and granddaughters and another grandbaby on the way!
Tom Sweeney, Treasurer – Owner of Glassco Management
Mr. Tommy R. Sweeney serves as the Owner and President of Glassco
Management, a real estate investment and management company. Over the past
30 years Tom has held senior leadership roles throughout multiple organizations
including M&T Bank and Avis Rent-a-Car.
Tom has served on many boards including The Lancaster Depew Elma Chamber
of Commerce as Board Chair, The Educational Technology Foundation of Western
New York, Chairman of the food services for St. Barnabas Lawn Fete, Tournament Committee Member,
head coach in the Lancaster Depew Soccer Club, and the Village of Lancaster Historical Preservation
Commission. Tom currently serves as the Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee at the Lancaster
Area Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer for the Depew Community Action Team.
He holds an Executive MBA from The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management and
a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from D’Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y. Tom also
graduated from Denver Automotive and Diesel College with a degree as an ASE Certified Master
Mechanic in Automotive and Diesel Systems in 1989.
Directors:
Lisa Eisensmith, – Marketing Professional
Lisa is a senior marketing manager employed at PCB Piezotronics, Inc. She has enjoyed learning from the experience of working in numerous industries over the years. Lisa started her marketing career in IT at Ingram Micro, was a product manager at M&T Bank, and was a senior marketing manager at Ivoclar, a global dental products manufacturer.
Lisa holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Marketing Concentration from Edinboro University.
Lisa will serve as Board Secretary
. She will use her professional experience to make a difference in the community where she lives. She also wants to demonstrate to her children how important it is to give back to the community.
Irene Kanutsu – As a sales professional I understand the value of building relationships with people. This is why I became a member of the Lancaster Depew & Elma Chamber over 25 years ago. In that time I became involved in countless networking and relationship building events.
Brandon Pope – Officer and Branch Manager, Alden State Bank on Broadway in Lancaster
Brandon C. Pope is an Officer and Branch Manager for Alden State Bank at their Lancaster location on Broadway. He and his exemplary staff take great pride in helping their loyal clients acknowledge, arrange, and achieve their most important financial goals, while also offering a friendly face to simply address those everyday banking needs. Prior to Alden State Bank, Brandon spent the last 15 years working in similar roles with both Bank of America and Verizon Wireless.
Brandon grew up in Attica, New York, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Fredonia State University. This marks his third year being on the LDECC Board of Directors, and he looks forward to continuing his involvement in Lancaster/Depew/Elma community.
Debra Dickman – Marketing Professional
Christopher J. Guck, MBA – Assistant Vice President | Business Banking Officer at Evans Bank
Christopher J. Guck is an accomplished banking professional with over 25 years of experience in commercial and government banking. Currently serving as Vice President, Government Banking Relationship Manager at Evans Bank, he is responsible for managing governmental client relationships across Western New York and Rochester, focusing on depository, lending, and cash management services. Prior to this role, Christopher held leadership positions at M&T Bank, where he managed a $250 million branch, led sales teams to exceed objectives, and earned multiple awards, including the Chairman’s Club and Presidents Council recognition for top sales performance. He began his career at Citibank and KeyBank, where he honed his skills in sales, branch management, and leadership. Christopher holds an MBA from Canisius College and actively contributes to the community through his roles on the boards of the Lancaster-Depew Chamber of Commerce and the Lancaster Academy of Finance.
Joseph Keefe, Esq .- Attorney at Law, Lancaster, NY
Andrew Privitera – Chick-fil-A Transit & Losson
Andrew Privitera is the Owner/Operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise at Transit & Losson in Buffalo/Niagara, New York, a role he has held since August 2019. With over five years of experience in this position, he ensures operational excellence, providing exceptional service to guests while fostering strong community relationships through emotional connection marketing. He takes pride in creating an environment where guests feel valued and cared for, overseeing daily operations, staff development, and customer satisfaction.
Before his career in business, Andrew served in the U.S. Army for over eight years, where he held key leadership roles. As Battalion Operations Sergeant Major from April 2015 to July 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri, he advised the battalion commander and senior staff on Army recruiting operations, overseeing 240 recruiters across three states. He managed operational plans, training, and performance evaluations, ensuring compliance and the enlistment processing of approximately 3,700 applicants per year.
Andrew’s dedication to both his business and community is reflected in his unwavering commitment to spreading kindness, fostering meaningful connections, and making a positive impact wherever he goes.
Jennifer Smith – CRM Project Manager, Family Service Support, Forest Lawn Cemetery Group-Buffalo, NY
Jill Pawlik – Jill Pawlik Strategic Marketing
After a 25-year career leading communications, marketing, branding, and public relations for large organizations across Western New York, including State Farm, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Uniland Development, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and BestSelf, Jill Pawlik founded her own firm in 2021 to
serve small businesses and nonprofits. She serves on the board of the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives, is a past president, and chairs its annual Executive of the Year/Elite Sales and Marketing Awards Gala. She is on the Advisory Board for the Lancaster High School Academy of Finance and mentor’s students on developing soft skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. She is also the editor of Lancaster Living, a new monthly magazine delivered to 3,000 homeowners.
Jill graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, holds a Certificate in Strategic Marketing from the Johnson Graduate School at Cornell, and a MBA in Marketing from Fitchburg State University. She and her husband, Brian, have lived in Lancaster since 2001 and have two children – Brooke, who graduated Lancaster High School in 2024 with an Advanced Regents Diploma and is now a freshman at Hilbert College, and Finn, an 8th grader at the middle school who is in the drama club and plays club basketball.
Staff:
Jeffery Zeplowitz – Executive Director
Jeffery Zeplowitz – Executive Director Jeffery Zeplowitz was born and raised in Williamsville, New York and is a graduate of Buffalo State College, along with time at UCONN’s School of Public Policy. He had worked in state and local government for almost 30 years, first as a legislative staffer in the New York State Assembly and then later as the elected Amherst Town Clerk. He is also a small business owner and understands the trials and tribulations of running a business here in Western New York.
Jeffery is a member of the Rotary Club of Williamsville, Notre Dame Club of Buffalo and WNY, The Forum Club, Vice-Chair – Town of Amherst Committee on Disabilities and Amherst Lodge 981, F.A.M. Jeffery is most proud of the work he did for the Museum of disABILITY History where he and his wife Katrina raised almost $20,000 in addition to securing various Hollywood memorabilia related to the disability field.
Bailey McDonnell – Director of Member Services
Bailey McDonnell is a versatile and results-driven professional with diverse experience spanning marketing, business development, recruitment, and administrative roles. Currently serving as the Director of Member Services at the Lancaster Depew Elma Chamber of Commerce, Bailey excels in event promotion, strategic marketing, social media management, and financial oversight. With a background in travel nurse recruitment, title processing, and social media marketing, Bailey is known for delivering exceptional customer experiences, building strong relationships, and efficiently managing both teams and projects. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies and General Studies from Genesee Community College, bringing a well-rounded skill set and a passion for continuous learning to every role.
Debbie Blask – Director of Member Relations
Jan Warner – Member Services Associate
Mission
The Lancaster Depew Elma Chamber of Commerce actively supports business, industry, institutions, organizations and individuals in a joint effort to enhance the quality of life for the Business community and the residents of Lancaster, Depew and Elma.
