The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation

Summer, 1981 – Jake Schneider contacts Bill Koessler with an idea for a young businessmen's group to assist in the revitalization of Buffalo and Western New York. Four additional charter members are recruited: Moe Naylon, Peter Hunt, Leon Smith and Brian Maher. The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation is born.

The Foundation is temporarily placed under the legal umbrella of the National Heritage Foundation
First fundraiser held on the U.S.S. Little Rock, approximately 500 attend

Fall, 1981 – Second group of six members is introduced: Rob Miller, Horace Gioia, Jim Eaton, Randy Murphy, Dan Roblin and Gary Brost

1982 – Inaugural Fall Golf Classic held at Crag Burn Golf Club

1983 – Private Foundation status established

1984 – First of two spring parties held at Hyatt Regency to benefit the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

1986 – St. Valentine's Day party held at the Tralfamadore Cafe, featuring Ahmad Jamal

1987 – Third group of directors is introduced: Bill Collins, Peter Demakos, Tom Benzee, Ted Pierce, Mike DeRose, Tim Ortolani and Gary Stott

1989 – Fourth group of directors is introduced: Seymour Knox IV, Brian Lipke, Glen Kauffman, Chip Jones, Ed Gibbons and Bill Thuman

Foundation establishes a Sustainers category for past directors

1991 – First Spring Luncheon held at the Statler Tower Golden Ballroom featuring Don Criqui of NBC Sports and honoring Robert E. Rich Sr. as Renaissance Man of the Year. Proceeds to establish a scholarship for UB Division I Athletics

Golf Classic moves to Cherry Hill Club

1992 – 10th Anniversary celebration held at Country Club of Buffalo

Second Spring Luncheon benefits World University Games and features Lesley Visser of CBS Sport
Burt Flickinger is honored as Renaissance Man
10th Fall Golf Classic moves to Wanakah Country Club

1993 – Fifth group of directors is elected: Mark Bonner, Gary Hess and Brad Randaccio

First publication of the Director's Update newsletter is published
Third Spring Luncheon benefits YMCA
Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall is guest speaker; Seymour H. Knox III is honored as Renaissance Man
By-Laws are formally adopted

1994 – Sixth group of directors is elected: Ed Duch, Neal Fatin, Chris Koch, Peter Marlette, Chris Ross, Ned Smith, Henry Urban and Ted Walsh

12th Fall Golf Classic is most successful ever

1995 – 13th Annual Golf Classic held at Wanakah Country Club

1996 – 14th Annual Golf Classic returns to Cherry Hill Club

1997 – Seventh group of directors is elected: Joe Kreuz, Jeff Vukelic, Chris Jacobs and John Somers

15th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club

1998 – 16th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club

Public Speaker Forum held with city officials and area business leaders for discussion of Buffalo Charter Revision and consolidation of regional services
Funded "No Handout – No Bailout" study exploring ways to cut cost of services in our region

1999 – Eighth group of directors is elected: Tom Comer, Alan Hastings, Anthony Jordan, Tom O'Brien, Art Russ, Buford Sears and Mike Walsh

17th Annual Golf Classic held at Cherry Hill Club
Public forum held at Buffalo State College on Charter Revision process for City of Buffalo

2000 – Spring Luncheon is held at Statler Golden Ballroom honoring co-Renaissance Men Joel Giambra and Anthony Masiello. Over 500 people attend this very successful event emphasizing the spirit of cooperation and regionalism in Western New York

A Winter Speaker Forum is held with over 100 business leaders in attendance. The Downtown Buffalo 2002 Strategic Plan is presented by Robert Shibley of University at Buffalo's Architecture and Planning Department. Ideas are shared among Shibley and the business community involving major areas of downtown development and planning
18th Annual Golf Classic is held at Cherry Hill Club

2001 – Fall Luncheon is held at the Buffalo Convention Center honoring Paul J. Koessler as 2001 Renaissance Man. Guest speaker Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, shares his vision and insights on the rebuilding of his city and how we can apply those concepts to Buffalo's revitalization

19th Annual Golf Tournament at Cherry Hill Club

2002 – 20th Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club

2003 – Ninth group of new class members is elected: James Dentinger, James Doyle II and Thomas Vanner

21st Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club
Luncheon held at Buffalo Convention Center featuring speaker Dennis F. Strigl, CEO from Verizon Wireless, and honoring Father Cooke

2004 – 10th group of new class members is elected: David Pfalzgraf, Jr., Eugene Kershner and Scott Hoffman

22nd Annual Golf Tournament at Wanakah Country Club
Speaker Forum at Buffalo Club featuring William Greiner, past president of UB, on Committee for Regionalism

2005 – 11th group of new class members is elected: John Polvino, Michael Montante, Matthew Enstice and Matthew Modzynski

23rd Annual Golf Tournament held at Cherry Hill Club . Luncheon held at Statler Towers, featuring Charles Jordan, Chairman of The Conservation Fund, honoring Victor and Corinne Rice, and benefiting the Olmsted Parks Conservancy

2006 – 12th group of new class members is elected: Bill Cleary, James Iglewski, James Jerge and Thomas Quealy

25th Anniversary with celebration held at Statler Golden Ballroom on October 28
Luncheon held at Statler Golden Ballroom, honoring Robert Kresse, with keynote speaker Eric Lloyd Wright. The primary beneficiary is the Buffalo Niagara Cultural Tourism Initiative
24th Annual Golf Classic held at Wanakah Country Club
Speaker Forum featuring Carl Montante, Jr., of Uniland Development on Waterfront Development

2007 – 13th group of new class members is elected: Timothy Geiger, James Segarra and Walter Zurowski

Spring Luncheon is held at Statler Golden Ballroom with record attendance and fundraising. Dan Gunderson from the NYS Economic Development Corporation delivers the keynote speech. Thomas Beecher honored as Renaissance Man of the Year
Proceeds for Luncheon used for commencement of Renaissance Fellowship Grant to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
25th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 15 scholarships for local youth
Speaker Forum featuring James Williams, Buffalo Schools Superintendent, at Hutch-Tech

2008 – 14th group of new class members is elected: Benjamin Obletz and Tod Martin

Spring Luncheon is held at Golden Statler Ballroom. Christopher C. Collins, Erie County Executive, delivered the keynote speech. Christopher becomes the first former BRF director to be honored as Renaissance Man of the Year
Renaissance Scholars Program benefiting City of Buffalo students announced at luncheon. Seed money provided by Brighter Futures Fund and prospects from BRF luncheon
BRF Luncheon 26th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 14 scholarship for local youth.
Speaker Forum featuring John B. Simpson, President of the University of Buffalo, UB's 20/20 Plan.

2009 - 15th group of new class members is elected. Anthony Amigone, Andrew Fors, Richard Gilbert, Gerry Matos, Bill Rupp and Paul Vukelic.

Spring Luncheon is held at Golden Statler Ballroom.
Renaissance Apprentice Program announced at luncheon to be run in conjunction with the Buffalo Urban League.
BRF Luncheon 26th Annual Golf Tournament, held at Wanakah Country Club. Proceeds from tournament donated to the BISON Fund used to fund 14 scholarship for local youth.
Speaker Forum featuring Jordan Levy and Larry Quinn, Harbor Redevelopment Project held at the Buffalo Club.

2010 - 16th group of new class members is elected. Donald Brown, Jr., John Cleary, William Gurney and Hugh Russ.