By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Attorney Tim Loftis, a partner and vice chair of Jaeckle Fleishmann & Mugel, was named chairman of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

He was unanimously elected by the Partnership's board of directors. He replaces Rich Baseball Operations President Jon Dandes, whose two-year term expired.

Loftis most recently served as the board's vice chair, following a number of years as secretary.

"Tim has been one of this organization's longest-running active volunteers, starting with his role as a NOW campaign initiative leader in 2001. So Tim is a great choice, and his election is a well-deserved recognition of his multiple efforts on behalf of the Partnership and our members," said Andrew Rudnick, president and chief executive officer.

"I very much look forward to working with him," Rudnick added.

Loftis is a partner in the Business and Corporate practice group at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel in Buffalo. Prior to joining the firm, Loftis had provided services to businesses engaged in manufacturing and distribution. He was general counsel for a wholesale food distributor and franchisor operating in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and New Jersey.

The Partnership also elected the following to the board: Douglas Bean, COO, Eric Mower & Associates; Donald Boswell, president and CEO, WNED; Ryan Burke, vice president of business development, Buffalo Hospital Supply; Paul Ciminelli, president and CEO, Ciminelli Real Estate Corp.; Clotilde Dedecker, president and CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; and Michael Newman, executive vice president, NOCO.

Also, Jack Pederson, supply area manager in Buffalo for Linde LLC; Satish Tripathi, president, University at Buffalo; Cathy Walker, president and CEO, Seneca Gaming Corp.; and Rory Whelan, regional vice president of government relations, Time Warner Cable.