Howard A. Zemsky, managing partner of Taurus Partners LLC, and Arlene F. Kaukus, president of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, have been appointed to the Buffalo State College Council by Gov. George Pataki.
Zemsky replaces Louis Ciminelli, who resigned his council position; Kaukus replaces Joanne Mikulec, who also resigned. Zemsky will serve until June 30, 2008, Kaukus until June 30, 2007.
“Howard and Arlene will bring a wealth of experience and business acumen that will complement and extend our support of the college and its students and programs,” said John T. Hoskins, chair of the Buffalo State College Council.
“We are delighted that longtime supporters of the college like Howard Zemsky and Arlene Kaukus have been appointed to the Council. Their insight as leaders in the Western New York community will be a valuable asset as we work together to fulfill the mission of Buffalo State,” said Muriel A. Howard, president of Buffalo State College.
Taurus Partners LLC, which does business as Taurus Capital, invests in local companies with strong growth prospects and also in real estate development projects primarily located in the City of Buffalo.
Prior to his involvement with Taurus Capital, Zemsky was president and owner of Russer Foods, a national processor of delicatessen meats, and president of the IBP Deli Group of Companies, which acquired Russer Foods in 1999.
He serves on several local business and advisory boards, including ABC Companies, Inc., Medical Recovery Management, MOD-PAC Corp. and Summer Street Capital. Zemsky is President of the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House Restoration Corporation and is a Director of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Roswell Park Alliance, Buffalo State College President‘s Advisory Roundtable, the WNY Technology Development Center and the United Way.
He has also served as a trustee of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Boy Scouts of America and Jewish Family Services.
Zemsky holds a bachelor‘s degree from Michigan State University and a master‘s degree in business from the University of Rochester.
Kaukus has been a United Way professional for more than 20 years with experience in resource development, agency relations, marketing community relations, organizational development and community partnerships.
Her former positions include executive vice president, vice president of marketing and campaign, vice president of planning and community services, director of agency review and support and allocations manager for health services. She also served as a social service training project associate for Buffalo State College and health care planner for the Health Systems Agency of Western New York.
She is a board member of the Independent Health Foundation, the Western New York Planned Giving Consortium, Western New York Grantmakers, Good Schools for All, and a member of the steering committee of Leave a Legacy of Western New York and the Greater Buffalo Commission.
Kaukus holds a bachelor‘s degree from Buffalo State College, a master‘s degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University and a master‘s degree in business administration from the University at Buffalo.