Big Green's Winning Streak - Nichols School

Alumni Board
Appointments
Chris Catanzaro ’95
Chris graduated from SUNY at Geneseo with
a bachelor’s degree in Education in 2000. He
then received a master’s of education from Lesley
University in 2002. After living and working
in Boston, Mass., from 2001-2006, he returned
to Buffalo where he worked at United Charter
School from 2006-2008 and later for Hopevale,
Inc., a family services organization, from 2008-2010. Following
two years at Gateway-Longview child and family services in
Buffalo, Chris now works for the Erie Canal Harbor Development
Corporation as an Assistant Project Manager. Chris is a founding
member of Buffalo Powder Keg Festival and Founder of Rowin’,
Throwin’ n Growin’ for a Cure (benefits Carly’s Club, a local cancer
organization). He and his wife, Jennifer, have two high energy kids,
five-year-old Jackson and two-year-old Sophia. Chris looks forward
to joining the Alumni Board because “It’s a chance to feel the pulse
of the School and alumni network, as well as be part of a great
collaborative opportunity.”
Liz Demakos ’05
Liz received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and
Iberian studies from Wesleyan University in
2009. After graduation, she coached squash
at Milton Academy in Boston and interned at
Second Glass, a wine technology and events
start-up. In 2011, she headed south to live
and work as a travel writer in Argentina and
Uruguay. Upon her return to the States, she joined Second Glass
full time and re-headquartered with the team to San Francisco,
Calif. She currently writes wine content, copy edits, moonlights as a
bartender and relishes the shift from “lake-effect” to “microclimate”
in everyday vocabulary. A Spirit Club co-founder, Liz is excited to
join the Nichols Alumni Board and grow the Big Green energy in
the Bay area.
Rob Drake ’00
Rob graduated from Hobart College in 2004 and
holds a master’s degree in business administration
from the University of Rochester. He has worked
at M&T Bank in Buffalo for the past eight years.
Rob says he looks forward to “connecting with
Nichols through a greater capacity as an Alumni
Board member and to furthering the School’s
mission in Western New York.”
Josh Feine ’00
Josh graduated from St. Lawrence University in
2004 and currently works as an administrator for
the Buffalo Bills. Prior to the Bills, he worked
at HSBC Bank and for Hunt Real Estate. Josh
married his wife, Andrea, on Aug. 11, 2012, and
they have two dogs, Mia and Charlie. Says Josh,
“Nichols provided me with the skillset and work
ethic I needed to succeed not only in the classroom, but also in the
real world. Without the personal guidance of the faculty and coaches
at Nichols, I would not be in the position I am in today. I look
forward to giving back as a member of the Alumni Board!”
Will Gurney ’06
Will earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics
from Vanderbilt University, graduating in 2010.
Following graduation, he moved to Boston, Mass.,
where he currently works as an Account Executive
at Arnold Worldwide, a fully integrated advertising
agency. Will looks forward to joining the Alumni
Board because “my grandfather, E.W. Dann Stevens
’44, cherished his time on the Board and I hope to contribute in a
similar manner.”
Erin Hart ’03
Erin graduated from St. Lawrence University in
2008 with a dual degree in English and global
studies. She currently works as an Assistant
District Attorney at the Erie County District
Attorney’s Office and earned her juris doctor from
the University at Buffalo in 2011. Erin feels that
joining the Alumni Board will serve a greater
purpose in allowing her to “give back to Nichols and further connect
with our invaluable alumni community.”
Sean Heidinger ’07
Sean is a consultant at WAV Group Technology
and has worn many entrepreneurial hats
since graduating from Nichols in 2007. After
launching an exclusive brand with New Era
Cap Co. in 2006, Sean went on to work for
Atlantic Records from 2007-2010 as a Touring
Artist Manager. He is the founder of Trivia,
AD - Buffalo, a television and movie themed trivia event company.
Sean looks forward to joining the Alumni Board because, “I’ve
always wanted to give back to the School that provided so much for
me…I really look forward to getting involved, trying new ideas and
bringing fresh initiative to the table.”
8 Nichols School