Meet our Board of Directors
Gary P. Hall – President
Gary Hall is the co-founder and Chairman of WTS, Inc. a global provider of sustainable solutions for by-product management. He has a B.A. in chemistry from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Outside of leading WTS, Gary serves our community through several organizations. Gary is Emeritus Board Member of the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club, is a Co-Founder of the HANCI Reading All Stars program, hosts the Lower Niagara Annual Steelhead Challenge fishing tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and through EduNations has provided multiple schools for children in Sierra Leone as well as a medical clinic to help fight Ebola. Gary is the visionary and largest contributor to the Niagara Community Center, Inc.
James M. Wadsworth – Vice President
James Wadsworth is a Partner of the law firm Hodsgon Russ LLP. He received an A.B. from Princeton University and an LL.B. from Stanford University Law School. James is the Chair of the John R. Oishei Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of Launch NY. Formerly, James served his community as the Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, a member of the Board of Governors of the Shaw Festival Theatre, a director of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, a director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo, and a board member at the United Way of Erie County.
Robert J. Travis – Treasurer
Robert Travis is a Partner with Chiampou Travis Besaw and Kershner and specializes in the supervision of audit, review, and tax services in the Western New York area. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Niagara University. Robert is a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Catholic Health Systems, member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of Our Lady Peace Nursing Home, member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association, and a member of the St. Peter’s Parish Finance Committee.
Brian J. Hall – Secretary
Brian Hall has worked in education for 13 years. He taught High School Business for 9 years, Tech/Industrial Arts for Middle School students for 4 years, and was Dean of Students for 7th-12th grade students for 3 years. Brian has also coached youth athletics for over twenty years. He’s coached modified basketball, high school basketball, and high school tennis for both boys and girls. Currently he is teaching Tech/Industrial Arts at Lewiston Porter Middle School. He also is coaching girls varsity tennis, and girls jv basketball for Lewiston Porter. Brian received a B.S. in Business Administration from The University of Central Florida and an M.S. in Education from Niagara University.
Michael Mistriner
Michael Mistriner is a Principal at Clark Patterson Lee and actively serves Western New York through various organizations. His project experience with highly complex sports facilities and ability to fast-track completion, while staying under budget have proven to be useful in his community involvement. Mike actively serves Western New York through various organizations, including the Aquarium of Niagara and Niagara County Community College.
Robert L. Bradley Jr.
Robert L. Bradley, Jr. is a retired Administrator from the Niagara Falls School District (2018.) He served as the Niagara Falls City School District Principal at Gaskill Preparatory School. Robert’s diverse work has spanned the last decade and includes past roles as Assistant Principal at Niagara Falls High School, former School Board Member for the Niagara Falls City School District, and Guidance Counselor at Lockport Senior High School. He has an A.A. from Niagara County Community College, B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, and an M.S. in education and school counseling from Niagara University. Robert gives back to his community by serving on the Board of Trustees for the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and was the former Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club.
Michael Gentile
Michael Gentile is the interim dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management and an associate professor of sport management at Niagara University. He holds a J.D. from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, an M.A. in sport administration from Kent State University and a B.A. in history from John Carroll University. He is a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of the Niagara Police Athletic League, has been president of both the Lewiston-Porter and Niagara-Orleans Boards of Education and has served in volunteer roles for both Opportunities Unlimited and the Niagara Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Frank Mergl
Frank Mergl is a Vice President in the Business & Professional Banking division of M&T Bank. He received a BS in finance and an MBA from Canisius College. Frank is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Niagara and served on their board of directors from 2007-2014, his final two years as chairman. In 2015 he was honored as part of the inaugural class of Niagara County’s 12 Under 40. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Cornerstone Arena in Lockport, NY and is active on the alumni board of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Kenmore, NY.
Julie Berrigan
Julie Berrigan is Vice President of Communications & Public Relations at Modern Disposal Services. She received a BS in communication studies from Hamilton College and a masters in communication and leadership from Canisius College. Julie is a 2016 graduate of Leadership Niagara, a 2012 graduate of Leadership Buffalo and completed the nonprofit management sessions run by Harvard Business School Club of Buffalo in 2008. Julie currently serves on the board of directors of the Niagara USA Chamber and St. Peter’s RC School. She has 20 years of professional experience and previous served in leadership roles at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Elmwood Franklin School, The Park School of Buffalo and Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center.
Patricia Wrobel
Patricia Wrobel retired from Niagara University in a full-time capacity in August 2021, now in a part time role working with specific city of Niagara Falls revitalization projects. Patricia Wrobel was the Executive Director of the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement at Niagara University. Mrs. Wrobel directed all revitalization efforts, community outreach programs, and the university service-learning program (IMPACT) which produces an annual economic value of $1 million to $1.5 million annually. Mrs. Wrobel received Niagara University’s St. Louise DeMarillac Service Award in 2019, she is a 2012 Graduate of Leadership Niagara and was selected as a Niagara Gazette Women of Distinction in May 2011 and the YWCA Women of the Year nominee in September 2011. In 2007, she received the Niagara Falls City School District’s Golden Apple Award, and that same year was the recipient of the Niagara Gazette’s Community Person of the Year Award. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors, Mrs. Wrobel also serves as a Board of Director for the following organizations: Vice President, Empower WNY and Leadership Niagara.
Staff
Gary D. Hall – Executive Director
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James Griggs – Facility Manager
James has worked at The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center since opening day in 2016. Prior to his employment at The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center he was in facility maintenance at WTS, Inc., one of the principal in-kind sponsors of The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center. His kind demeanor and caring nature are evident as the children at The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center are always eager to joyfully participate with James in games, whether it be tennis, basketball or kickball. James has been a front-line worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic as he manages the front desk and greets coaches and players as they enter The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center insuring that everyone follows all COVID-19 protocols. James is matriculating at Niagara University studying finance.