Join the J

Meet the EXECUTIVE TEAM.

Patty Simonson

Patty Simonson

Chief Executive Officer

716.204.2073

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Patty has been a dedicated employee of the JCC since 1979. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Canisius College and a Master of Arts and Science degree from Adelphi University. She holds a certification in Physical Education/Adaptive Physical Education. Patty has experience as a New York State public school teacher, K-12 in Physical Education, an Adjunct professor at Buffalo State College and Canisius College, and is a certified Personal Trainer and Spinning Instructor. In her role as Chief Executive Officer, she helps create memorable experiences for JCC employees and members. Fun Fact: She is bilingual and speaks fluent French.
Mark Horowitz

Mark Horowitz

Chief Operations Officer

716.204.2078

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Most of Mark Horowitz's career has been centered on early childhood Jewish education and was previously the founding Executive Director of the Sheva Center for Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement at the JCC Association of North America. Horowitz's roots are in classrooms filled with two-year-olds, where he thrived as a teacher for many years. Mark is an ordained Cantor from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and served as Cantor and Educational Director at Temple Beth Am in Williamsville. Mark was Director of the JCC's Children's Theater Musical Workshop for a decade and one of the original Spinning Instructors in the Fitness Center. Mark's children and grandchildren were products of Camps Centerland, Lakeland, and the JCC Early Childhood Center.
Jim Morgan

Jim Morgan

Chief Facilities & Security Officer

716.204.2075

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Jim Morgan went to technical school to become a Chief Engineer with the City of Buffalo. He is EPA certified with the Energy Co-Op of America. Jim has been with the JCC since 1996, serving as a Facilities Engineer, and was promoted to Director of Facilities in 1998. He enjoys making sustainable upgrades for the JCC to improve the quality of life for staff and members. Outside of being a dedicated employee for the JCC, Jim loves spending time with his granddaughter and riding his 97 Heritage motorcycle with his wife.
Joe Modicamore

Joe Modicamore

Chief Financial Officer

716.204.2072

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Joe Modicamore has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo since June 2019. Previously worked as CFO for a food & beverage company and has prior work experience in public accounting, banking, retail, and manufacturing. Winner of the 2010 Panasci Technology Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition at the University at Buffalo, which provided seed capital to launch a successful business operating for over 11 years. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with an MBA from the University at Buffalo with a concentration in Accounting and Finance.

Meet the SENIOR STAFF.

Alex Eadie

Alex Eadie

Senior Director Advancement

716.929.6258

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Alex is a fundraising professional with more than a decade of experience in annual fund and major gift fundraising, donor relations and stewardship, communications and branding, development and grant writing, capital campaigns, endowment and gift agreements, and special events. Before joining the JCC, Alex served as the Stewardship Officer for Health Sciences at the University at Buffalo, where he managed a portfolio of major donors to UB's six health sciences schools.  He also served St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute as the Alumni and Corporate/Foundation Relations Officer, responsible for alumni events, engagement, and grant writing.  Alex holds a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Rochester and a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology from Canisius College. The best part of his job is interacting daily with interesting people who are passionate about the JCC's mission and helping them understand how they can make the most effective investment that makes a difference in our community.  
Sharon Kostiner

Sharon Kostiner

Senior Director Member & Staff Relations

716.204.2081

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Sharon Kostiner graduated from SUNY Albany with a BSW in 1982 and began her JCC career in 1995. She started working part-time as the Camp Centerland Out-of-Season Coordinator while her daughter was enrolled in Early Childhood. Sharon furthered her career at the JCC with various part-time positions while her children were in school, before assuming her current role as Member Services Director in 2006. Sharon finds her role as Member Services Director to be the most rewarding, and she enjoys building relationships with JCC members and staff. She has a deep-rooted connection with the JCC, dating back to her childhood, when she watched her children grow up there, and now enjoys visits from her grandchildren while they participate in the JCC's Early Childhood Program..
Barbara Stone Reden

Barbara Stone Reden

Senior Director Early Childhood Services

716.503.3145

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Barbara holds a Master's Degree in Education and New York State Teacher Certification (nursery school through 6th grade). In addition to over 20 years at the JCC’s Holland Family Building, Barbara has experience as a classroom teacher in public and private schools (nursery school through 6th grade), Camp Director, and Early Childhood Director at the JCC’s Benderson Family Building. Under Barbara’s leadership, the Early Childhood Center at the Holland Family Building has established a stellar reputation in the community for providing the highest quality of Early Care and Education as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Barbara believes that young children thrive in a nurturing and enriched environment that challenges them. This combination encourages the children to become lifelong learners.
Jason Stowell

Jason Stowell

Senior Director Business Development

716.202.2086

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Jason Stowell attended the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education but has worked in the Health and Wellness industry since 1996. After being recognized for his years of successful performance as one of the top fitness sales managers in the commercial sector, he transitioned into the non-profit world at the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh in 2012, seeking an improved work-life balance. With almost two decades of experience as a personal trainer, Jason has worked one-on-one with hundreds of clients. Most notably, in 2017, one of his clients with learning disabilities was awarded the Excellence in Sports award. Performance Yearly Award (Espy) from ESPN, presented by First Lady Michelle Obama, for his inspiring participation in the Special Olympics. Jason joined the JCC of Greater Buffalo in 2021 as the Senior Director of Business Development to assist in revitalizing our community.” Fun fact: In 2018, Stowell was recognized with a “Who’s Next in Fitness under 40” award in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Meet the STAFF.

 
Betsy Abramson

Betsy Abramson

Early Childhood

Director of Early Childhood

716.204.2082

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Betsy, former Camp Centerland Director, is delighted to be part of the fantastic team of teachers in our strong and thriving Early Childhood Center. Working together, she will continue to ensure that the JCC remains the best environment for your children. She believes that “there is nothing more exciting than watching children as they make friends with others, develop new skills, and grow to be their best selves!” Her degrees include a BS from SUNY Oneonta in Child Development and Family Studies, with a minor in Early Childhood Education, as well as an MS in Student Personnel Administration. She also holds a New York State certification for administering to students in Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade. She has over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, serving as both a classroom teacher and administrator. Her door will always be open because she believes that communication is essential in all programs, but especially here, where you will be entrusting your child’s care and education.
Erica Baas

Erica Baas

Cultural Arts & Adult Programs

Director of Cultural Arts & Engagement

716.204.2242

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Hailing from Long Island and Corning, sports have always been a massive part of Erica's life. By the age of 13, she was a varsity athlete in Cross-Country, Basketball, and Track and Field. She attended Corning Community College on a presidential Scholarship and received an associate's degree in Liberal Arts. While there, she played Division III volleyball. Later, she moved to Buffalo to attend the University at Buffalo and received a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies with a minor in Counseling. After graduating, she stayed in Buffalo and got his first job in E-commerce and Promotional Media for a small business.  Now, she is running programs in the Sports & Recreation department, with pickleball, wallyball, volleyball, and catchball gaining popularity among members.
Rob Bari

Rob Bari

Membership

Member Relations Manager

716.503.3148

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Nate Cox

Nate Cox

Aquatics

Director of Red Cross Training and Special Projects

716.202.2094

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Over the past 20 years, Nate Cox has had the pleasure of turning his passion for swimming and helping others into a fun and rewarding career in aquatics. Growing up living on the beaches of Lake Erie, swimming and water safety became a large part of his life. As a young lifeguard, his confidence and ability to help people led him to Walt Disney World, where he became a Lifeguard Instructor, Aquatics Coordinator, Disney ‘Safe-D' Safety Committee member, and Recreation Leader. After eight years at Disney, his Buffalo roots were calling Nate home, and in 2014, he started at the JCC as a swimming and lifeguard instructor. Since joining the JCC family, he has progressed through the aquatics department, working his way into the Aquatics Director role. As the JCC evolves, Nate sets his eyes on progressing our programs and training to new heights!
Dominic Drexinger

Dominic Drexinger

Accounting

Staff Accountant

716.202.2082

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Lisa Edelman

Lisa Edelman

Early Childhood

Administrative Assistant

716.202.2095

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Lisa Edelman is the Early Childhood Assistant and Registrar at the Holland Family Building, with over 20 years of administrative experience. She has worked at the JCC for ten years. She assists in managing enrollment and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Early Childhood Center. When her family moved to Buffalo from California in 2009, they became part of the JCC community. Both of Lisa’s children, Ava and Sam, attended the Early Childhood Center, Kids Place, and Camp Centerland, and learned to swim at the JCC. She enjoys reading, hiking, traveling with her family, and spoiling her puppy in her free time.
Beth Engler

Beth Engler

Fitness & Wellness

Health Care Coordinator

716.202.2109

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Veronica Fabrizio

Veronica Fabrizio

Advancement

Donor Engagement Specialist

716.204.5388

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Veronica Fabrizio was born and raised in Western New York. She graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, holding dual majors in Communications and Sociology, in 2013. Before joining the JCC, she held positions in public relations, sales, higher education, and fundraising. As a Donor Engagement Specialist at the JCC, she works closely with the Director of Advancement to plan donor engagement events, build and maintain donor relationships, write grants, and implement fundraising campaigns. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and traveling.
Jim Gibbons

Jim Gibbons

Marketing & Communications

Digital Marketing Producer

716.204.2080

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A New Hampshire native, Jim moved to New York in 2008 after earning a B.S. in Television Studies with a focus on Broadcast News from Lyndon State College in Vermont. He spent nearly a decade in broadcast news as a reporter, videographer, and producer, shaping hundreds of stories from start to finish by capturing footage, conducting interviews, writing scripts, and editing the final story. In 2017, Jim shifted to SUNY Fredonia as a Marketing Videographer, creating dynamic videos that showcased the university’s vibrant student life, dedicated faculty, and accomplished alumni. Today, he continues his passion for storytelling as the Digital Marketing Producer at the JCC, where he brings stories to life through compelling visuals and strategic messaging.
Debbie Gross

Debbie Gross

Early Childhood

Administrative Assistant

716.204.2083

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Debbie graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Erie County Community College. She has been the Administrative Assistant for the JCC since 1979 and loves every minute of it. Debbie enjoys seeing the children and building relationships with parents and fellow teachers.
Laura Hahn

Laura Hahn

Fitness & Wellness

Wellness Coordinator

716.204.2070

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Whitney Hromowyk

Whitney Hromowyk

Membership

Member Relations & Fitness Floor Manager

716.204.2077

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Whitney Hromowyk is the Member Relations Manager. She has a background in Health and Wellness, which initially brought her to the J when she worked on the Fitness Floor and Babysitting Room in 2011. She returned to work with us part-time in the Membership department, which led to an opportunity for her to work full-time in our Accounting department. She loves providing excellent customer service to our members and is always willing to answer any questions you may have! She loves the JCC and its children’s programming, so she is an excellent resource if you have any questions about membership or would like an opinion on childcare.
Karen Kelsey

Karen Kelsey

Youth Programs & Camp Centerland

Site Supervisor Youth Programs - Holland Family Building

716.202.2098

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Mira Levitan

Mira Levitan

Early Childhood

Assistant Director of Early Childhood

716.202.2099

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After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), Mira taught preschool at a JCC in Chicago for nearly a decade. She loved it so much that she pursued her Master’s degree in early childhood education at Erikson Institute, a graduate school devoted solely to child development. She has been on the administrative side of early childhood education since moving to Buffalo in 2014, first as an Education Coordinator at Head Start for two years and then in her current role as Assistant Director at the JCC. She also holds her New York State Teacher’s Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2). Mira is very proud to say that all three of her children are graduates of our stellar early childhood program.
Hristina Petrova

Hristina Petrova

Membership

Member Relations & Support Coordinator

716.204.2076

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My journey at the JCC began with a summer internship, and it has been a fantastic experience since then! I graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, focusing on Health Promotion, and a minor in Nutrition. In my role as Member Experience Support Coordinator, I'm excited about the opportunity to assist with various behind-the-scenes operations and provide support to multiple departments within our organization. I am also an assistant coach in our Rock Steady Boxing program. Fun fact - I'm bilingual and fluent in Bulgarian!
Amanda Reed

Amanda Reed

Aquatics

Aquatics Director

716.204.2085

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I am a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, and Water Safety Instructor who has taught children as young as 1 year old, as well as adults, how to swim. I try to tailor each individual’s lesson to something they would understand and love by incorporating technique and skill into fun games. I listen to your wants and needs for learning how to swim, water exercising, or stroke refinement. We will work together to reach your end goal in a happy and safe environment!
Bailey Rouse

Bailey Rouse

Youth Programs & Camp Centerland

Site Supervisor Youth Programs - Benderson Family Building

716.204.2240

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Todd Schifferle

Todd Schifferle

Fitness & Wellness

General Manager - Holland Family Building

716.204.2254

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As the General Manager, I take pleasure in helping others. Whether it's a staff member, fitness center member, or community participant, I enjoy matching people with a program or service that we provide in which they will find value and a sense of connection to others. As an ACE-certified personal trainer, I can develop a custom workout plan or recommend one of our certified training staff to help you reach your specific fitness goals. I specialize in sports performance training programs with teams, small groups, or individuals. Ask about our free consultation to get started with your training plan!
Sarah Schuppenhauer

Sarah Schuppenhauer

Marketing & Communications

Creative Design Specialist

716.204.2087

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Sarah graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor's degree in Digital Media Arts and Communication Studies, as well as a Master's Degree in Sports Administration. Before joining the JCC as the Marketing Assistant in 2016, she worked part-time for the Buffalo Bills. Her role has expanded at the JCC, and she is now the Creative Design Specialist, focusing on larger projects, including Program Guides, Annual Reports, and departmental brochures. Sarah enjoys traveling with her family, especially on Royal Caribbean Cruises and Disney World. Her favorite place to sail to is Curaçao.
Beth Shapiro

Beth Shapiro

Early Childhood

Assistant Director of Early Childhood

716.202.9809

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Doris Shearn

Doris Shearn

Youth Programs & Camp Centerland

Administrative Assistant

716.204.2079

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Nick Utz

Nick Utz

Youth Programs & Camp Centerland

Camp Centerland, Children & Youth Director

716.815.7764

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Nick began his journey in the field of youth development and education with academic foundations in Human Resource Management at Trocaire College and an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Science from ECC. He joined the Jewish Community Center in September 2005, bringing early experience from his time working at both the Scooby-Doo/SpongeBob Camp and Camp Centerland in Elma. Over the years, Nick has grown alongside the JCC community—progressing from counselor to unit head, and ultimately to Director of Camp Centerland. His dedication to working with children also extended into the classroom, where he served as the gym teacher at Kadimah Elementary School for four years. Nick is known for his upbeat energy and love for creating joyful experiences—something that shines through even in his personal life, especially when he’s singing country music in the car. His guiding philosophy centers on providing a fun, safe, and enriching environment where children of all abilities and learning styles can grow, explore, and confidently become themselves.
Ashley Vaccaro

Ashley Vaccaro

Marketing & Communications

Marketing & Member Relations Specialist

716.929.6261

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Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo State University. She began her career as a Communications Associate and quickly advanced to the role of Marketing Specialist. In this capacity, she oversees social media management and content creation, designs print and digital advertisements, and develops marketing strategies for various programs, events, and promotions. In April 2025, Ashley was promoted to Marketing and Member Relations Specialist. Outside of her professional role, Ashley is passionate about nature, music, and the arts. She enjoys singing, exploring historic and haunted sites, engaging in philosophical discussions, and expressing her creativity through interior design and visual arts. She also loves spending time with her rescue dog and discovering new culinary experiences.
Adam Yellen

Adam Yellen

Performing Arts

Director of Performing Arts

716.306.3086

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Adam Yellen has been an employee of the JCC for over 15 years. He holds a BA in Theater and Communications from SUNY New Paltz. He is also a professional actor in Buffalo. He has appeared in over fifty productions with numerous companies, including, The Jewish Repertory Theatre, Irish Classical, Musicalfare, and Road Less Traveled Productions.