Joseph Minicozzi, AICP is the principal of Urban3, LLC (U3), a consulting company of downtown Asheville real estate developer Public Interest Projects. Prior to creating U3, he served as the Executive Director for the Asheville Downtown Association. Before moving to Asheville, he was the primary administrator of the Form Based Code for downtown West Palm Beach, FL. Joe’s cross-training in city planning in the public and private sectors, as well as private sector real estate finance has allowed him to develop award-winning analytic tools that have garnered national attention in Planetizen, The Wall Street Journal, Planning Magazine, The New Urban News, National Association of Realtors, Atlantic Cities, and the Center for Clean Air Policy’s Growing Wealthier report. His work has been featured at the Congress for New Urbanism, the American Planning Association, the International Association of Assessing Officers, and New Partners for SmartGrowth conferences as a paradigm shift for thinking about development patterns.

Howard Zemsky is Managing Partner of the Larkin Development Group. The firm is actively redeveloping the historic Larkin District in Buffalo into a mixed use commercial, residential and retail district. Howard serves as a Chairman of the NFTA, is Co-Chair of the WNY Regional Council for Economic Development, is President of the Richardson Center Corporation and is Chair of Buffalo State College Council. Howard also serves on the Boards of Buffalo Place and the Michigan Street Preservation Commission. Howard is a Director of Medical Recovery Management LLC and MOD-PAC Inc. Howard holds a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Rochester. Howard and his wife Leslie have lived in Buffalo for over 30 years and they have raised 3 children.

Brian Kulpa, Mayor Williamsville, NY is a versatile designer with Clark Patterson Lee. Brian joined the firm in 2007, and brings a lifetime of experience in visitor driven design and operational experience. Brian spent 10 years with the Six Flags Corporation in the US and Europe, designing in-park facilities and operating procedure. Brian has dual Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning, and has participated in projects diverse as establishing a grassroots community plan for Buffalo’s Upper Westside. Brian’s commitment to his Williamsville Community has led to countless committee appointments and election to Municipal Office, first as a Trustee (appointed as Deputy Mayor), and currently as the elected Mayor of the Village. Brian was instrumental in the creation and adoption of the Village’s Community Plan as well as the restoration plan for the Williamsville Water mill.

As a Village of Williamsville Trustee, Chris Duquin sits on the Village’s Picture Main Street Steering Committee, which planned and is now advocating improvements to Main Street that will calm traffic, improve streetscape and enhance the pedestrian experience. Chris also founded of the Village of Williamsville Citizen Study Group, which provided information for residents on the proposed dissolution of the Village - 83% of residents ultimately voted to keep the Village of Williamsville. Chris currently owns and operates Stevens Driving School, LLC, Buffalo's oldest driving school. Previously, Chris worked as central staff for the Erie County Legislature, where he clerked the Finance and Management Committee, Personnel Committee and Government Studies Committee among others. He also served as Chairman of the Finance and Management Committee of the Erie County Charter Review Commission, which was instrumental in providing accountability and transparency after the 2005 budget meltdown. Chris is a life-long resident of Williamsville, where he lives with his wife Anne Marie and 3 children. He is a graduate of Williamsville South High School, Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies and Christ the King Seminary where he earned a Master of Theology.