Highlights from the March Membership Meeting
Thank you to everyone who joined ISM-Western New York for our March 11 Membership Dinner Meeting at Prosecco Italian Restaurant & Jazz Bar.
A special thank you to Jim Deasey, MBA, C.P.M., Senior Contracts Manager, for sharing his expertise during the session “Battle of the Forms – Contract Language.” Jim provided valuable insights into contract terms and conditions, helping our members better understand how to navigate contract language, reduce risk, and strengthen supplier relationships.
We appreciate everyone who attended and contributed to a great evening of learning, discussion, and networking with our supply chain and procurement community.
Niagara University Hosts 4th Annual Institute for Supply Management Dinner
The Supply Chain Center of Excellence at Niagara University hosted the 4th Annual Supply Management Dinner in conjunction with the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) of Western New York. The event took place on Feb. 18, 2026, featured presentations from local supply chain leaders, and offered networking opportunities. Click Here to read the full article.
Highlights from the 4th Annual
Supply Management Dinner
✨ What an Incredible Evening at Niagara University! ✨
The ISM-Western New York–Western New York 4th Annual Supply Management Dinner on February 18th was a truly memorable night of learning, connection, and inspiration at Niagara University.
We extend our sincere thanks to our gracious hosts and partners at Niagara University for their leadership and support:
☑️ Father James J. Maher, C.M., 26th President of Niagara University
☑️ Dr. Timothy O. Ireland, Vice President of Academic Affairs
☑️ Dr. Fernando Naranjo, Assistant Professor
☑️ Yazbeck O. Sarkees, Faculty Fellow of Supply Chain Management
We were honored to learn from outstanding supply chain professionals who generously shared their experiences and insights with students and attendees:
💬 Robert Conti, Philpac Corp. Corporation:
“Always a pleasure to share with the people who will be the future of Supply Chain.”
💬 Abby Fisher, University at Buffalo:
“I had a blast…and I was so grateful to be there! It was great to meet my peers and professionals in the field.”
💬 Bruce Izard, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority:
“The students asked great questions and I enjoyed enlightening them with some supply chain stories.”
A special thank you to our speakers:
⭐ John Sakalian, MBA, who shared his ISM journey and emphasized the importance of early engagement with professionals and pursuing certifications early in one’s career.
⭐ Robert Conti, who delivered powerful lessons on building strong relationships across the supply chain and creating value through supplier–customer partnerships.
⭐ And our keynote speaker, Michael Ford, whose passion for teaching, wisdom, and humor inspired students to aim high—reminding us all that supply chain management is both a science and an art.
👏 Thank you to everyone who made this evening such a success. Events like these truly highlight the power of connecting students with industry leaders.
Article contributor: Jun Zhe Beh, ISM-Western New York
