BNSME Beat Podcast
Listen to our podcast, BNSME Beat hosted by Greg Hennessey. New episodes will drop on the second Wednesday of each month and feature business-related topics from BNSME members and special guests.
June 10, 2026 features our own host of BNSME Beat, Greg Hennessey being interviewed by guest host, Chelsea Heary from Netrio.
Greg Hennessey is a seasoned graphic communications specialist and consultant with over four decades of expertise in visual storytelling, branding, and creative strategy. Since launching his professional design career in 1986—the same year he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art from SUNY Fredonia—Greg has partnered with a diverse array of corporate clients, non-profits, and arts organizations to bring their visual identities to life. His comprehensive background spans traditional print design, publication layout, and modern multi-media branding, including designing high-profile regional projects like the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Vinyl Volume 1 album cover. Today, Greg seamlessly merges his graphic communication mastery with high-quality audio production, leveraging his sharp eye for design to produce and brand his own weekly media projects, while continuing to provide expert creative consulting across Western New York.
May 13, 2026 features Steve Kottakis, the founder of Nickel City Property Management, serving investment property owners throughout Western New York. A mechanical engineer by training, Steve spent 26 years in manufacturing and operations leadership at Procter & Gamble and L'Oreal before pivoting to real estate investing as a second career. After building a personal portfolio of 50 units and cycling through five different property management companies without finding the right fit, he got his broker's license in 2019 and launched his own firm in 2020.
Today, Steve brings that operations-driven mindset to property management, combining firsthand investor experience with a deep understanding of the Buffalo market. In addition to managing properties, he provides private lending services to local investors, helping them grow their portfolios. Central to his leadership is the “Triple Win” philosophy, a framework designed to align the interests of property owners, tenants, and the management company through predictable pricing, consistent execution, and long-term relationship building.
April 8, 2026 features our 2026 Executive of the Year, Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health.
March 11, 2026 In this latest episode of the BNSME Beat podcast, we sit down with Meghan Joyce and Scott Wojtanik, the minds behind the Buffalo Comedy Collective. They aren’t just performers; they are business intelligence and wholesale experts who use the "Yes, And" philosophy to build high-performing corporate teams.
February 11, 2026 features BNSME executive director, Jeanne Hellert, owner of JEH Consulting, a professional association management company. Listen in to this engaging conversation and learn how Jeanne leaned into her network to start and grow her unique business.
January 14, 2026 features Chelsea Heary, account executive, and Tiffany Lambert, event marketing manager. Chelsea and Tiffany both work at Netrio, a managed services provider that supports a variety of technology assets and services for small to medium sized organizations. In this lively discussion, these two amazing women share how sales and marketing work hand in hand.
December 10, 2025 features Kristen Murray, Occupational Therapist, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, and Executive Director of Red Barn Occupational Therapy PLLC. As one of only five Hippotherapy Clinical Specialists (HPCS®) in New York State, Kristen combines advanced clinical expertise, nature-based therapeutic philosophy, and entrepreneurial leadership to support people of all abilities. Listen to a fascinating conversation with Kristen.
November 12, 2025 features Courtney Lynn, commercial insurance advisor for Weed Ross. Courtney talks about her work within the cannabis industry.
Listen to episode #21
October 8, 2025 features Paige Mecca, president and founder of Allegro Power and one of our panelists for the CEO Roundtable on October 27th.
Listen to Episode # 20
September 10, 2025 features Dave Rechin, Jr., Account Executive at Three Sixty. Dave shares his insights about joining BNSME.
Listen to Episode # 19
August 13, 2025 features Travis Estes, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Learn how Travis elevates the guest experiences and streamlines communications for the BPO.
Listen to Episode # 18
July 9, 2025 features Jason Pearl, founder and president of Nacre Consulting, LLC. Jason shares his insights on the topic of "the impact of personal branding on your business".
Listen to Episode # 17
June 11, 2025 features Amanda Popovski, Life and Business Coach for Women Entrepreneurts. Amanda is helping ambitious women STOP overthinking at every turn and start running their business like a badass through brave action- without the mental drama. Learn how Amanda started and successfully markets her coaching business.
Listen to Episode #16
May 14, 2025 features Joe DiLeo, Chief Executive Officer of Vision Financial Group and the founder of Making Memories That Last Forever. Making Memories provides essential funds to help patients and their families create special moments as they strive to overcome major health hurdles. Making Memories That Last Forever collaborates with regional hospitals and healthcare systems across Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse to identify patient candidates for the program who are fighting pediatric cancer, living with disabilities, or facing other serious life-threatening conditions.
Listen to Episode #15
April 9, 2025 features our 2025 Executive of the Year, Kevin Nephew, president and chief executive officer for Seneca Gaming Corporation. Listen in as Kevin speaks about Effective Methods of Leadership.
Listen to Episode #14
March 12, 2025 features Peter Cimino, FAA Certified Drone Pilot and Senior Professional - Client Delivery for CoreLogic. Listen to Pete's fascinating experience in IT, marketing and filming with drones in and around Buffalo. Pete talks about the incredible benefits of aerial photography and videography in marketing.
Listen to Episode #13
February 12, 2025 features John Crawford, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of WNY. Learn John's journey to lead JAWNY and about the important partnership that has been forged between BNSME and JA for 30 years.
Listen to Episode #12
January 8, 2025 features Don Papaj, president of Marketing Tech & managing partner at Diamond Hawk. Don shares his expertise about using variable data for marketing.
Listen to Episode #11
December 11, 2024 features Michaela LaJoie, director of Sales and Marketing for the Westin Buffalo. Listen to insights from Michaela about the hospitality industry.
Listen to Episode #10
November 13, 2024 features Craig Turner, president of Momentum. He is also an AI consultant and board chair for the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce.
Listen to Episode #9
October 9, 2024 features Tricia Barrett, CEO of Crowley Webb and Praxis. Listen in to learn how Tricia climbed the ladder to CEO of two companies. Tricia is a panelist at our annual CEO Roundtable on Monday, October 28 at 500 Pearl.
Listen to Episode #8
September 11, 2024 featuring BNSME president, Steve Neuss, director of sales at PCA Technology Group. Steve's belief in the four pillars of the "Winning Spirit" is what drives him and his teams to be successful.
Listen to Episode #7
August 14, 2024 featuring BNSME Hall of Fame member Francine Brooks of FB Displays & Designs, Inc, a division of Apogee. Francine speaks about the changing landscape of business.
Listen to Episode #6
July 10, 2024 How to Succeed with Strategic Marketing featuring Jill Pawlik, marketing consultant and owner of Jill Pawlik Strategic Marketing
Listen to Episode #5
June 12, 2024 Managing Your Mental Health in the Workplace featuring Lindsay Amico, mindset coach and owner of Picture Perfect Mind
Listen to Episode #4 here
May 8, 2024 Expert Sales & Leadership Development Coach Mike Belin of Nacre Consulting LLC shares his insights this month on the importance of listening in sales.
Listen to Episode #3 here
April 10, 2024 Our guest is BNSME Executive of the Year, John Persons, Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Grocery Inc., Parent Company of Tops Friendly Markets
Listen to Episode #2 here:
Our inaugural podcast launched on March 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. featuring Lindsey Zajac, owner & CEO, Career Partners International Buffalo | Niagara.
Listen to Episode #1 here
