Corridor of Honor

Matt Chimera
Class of 1974

As a 1974 graduate of Kenmore West, Matt has devoted his life to the Ken-Ton community through his roles as an educator, coach, and community leader. Over his 38-year career with the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District, he taught at all educational levels—elementary, middle, and high school—demonstrating a profound commitment to fostering a love of learning among his students.

Beyond the classroom, Matt's leadership extended to coaching wrestling, football, and softball. His dedication to excellence in sports was recognized when he was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in 2023 and named the New York State Coaches Association Softball Coach of the Year for the 2016–2017 season. In 2002, he led the KW Softball team to a NYS championship.

Matt's commitment to the community is further exemplified by his service as the current president of the Ken-Ton School Board. His leadership has been acknowledged with the Award of Excellence in Boardmanship from the Western New York School Boards Association in 2023, the Laura Burns Advocacy for Children Award from the Erie County Association of School Boards, and the Diana R. Miller Service to Education Award in 2024.

In addition to his professional achievements, Matt was instrumental in bringing the Big Picture Program to Kenmore, a non-traditional school that provides an alternative learning environment for students. His work in integrating technology and mentoring fellow educators further solidifies his reputation as a visionary leader in education.

Matt's community involvement extends to his active participation in the Ken-Ton Kiwanis Club and as a volunteer with Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels, where he assists with meal preparation and delivery, helping to serve the nutritional needs of local residents.

Matt Chimera's lifelong dedication to education, athletics, and community service has left an indelible mark on the Ken-Ton community. Through his roles as an educator, coach, school board president, and community volunteer, he has exemplified the values of integrity, responsibility, and service. His numerous accolades and ongoing contributions reflect a deep commitment to enriching the lives of those around him. Matt has been a steadfast pillar in our community and the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda school district. For years, Matt has been more than just a presence; he has been a driving force behind initiatives that have enriched the lives of countless individuals.

Lisa Chimera
Class of 1984

As a proud graduate of Kenmore West, Lisa has dedicated her life to bettering our community through her unwavering commitment to education, public service, and volunteerism.

With 30 years of service in the Ken-Ton schools, Lisa exemplifies a deep respect for knowledge and a genuine love of learning. She has touched the lives of countless students, inspiring them not only to excel academically but also to grow into individuals who respect themselves and others. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom, shaping future generations both intellectually and personally.

During her 14 years as a Town of Tonawanda Board Member and her tenure in the Erie County Legislature, Lisa consistently demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and dependability. During her time on the Legislature, Lisa chaired both the Health and Human Services Committee and the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Committee. She also served on the Finance & Management Committee and the Energy & Environment Committee. Among her legislative achievements, Lisa led initiatives such as instituting Medication Assisted Treatment (“MAT”) in the Erie County Holding Center and creating a mobile book outreach van for seniors with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

Lisa always put the needs of her community first, ensuring that every decision she made served the best interests of those she represented. Now, as Deputy Erie County Executive, Lisa continues to be a tireless advocate for our community, using her leadership skills to create meaningful, lasting change.

Lisa's dedication to service is also evident in her volunteer work with Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels and the Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce. These roles highlight her caring spirit and steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Lisa has been honored with the Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce Woman of Distinction Award and the YMCA of Western New York Woman of Distinction Award.

Lisa is a lifelong Ken-Ton resident and proud Kenmore West graduate who has devoted her life to public service, education, and community involvement. With over three decades of experience in the Ken-Ton schools and a proven track record in local government, she continues to lead with integrity and compassion. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or through volunteer work, Lisa remains committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

Gary Bichler
Class of 1970

Gary Bichler is a 1970 graduate of Kenmore West High School, where he was a proud member of the 1969 undefeated KW football team which was recognized as the number one high school football team in both New York State and the nation. The camaraderie, discipline, and mutual respect he experienced during that time became a foundation for his future leadership style—one grounded in teamwork, encouragement, and support. The bonds forged on and off the field have remained strong throughout the years.

Following high school, Gary served in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1974, including a tour in Southeast Asia. He was awarded a service medal and received an honorable discharge for his contributions. After his military service, Gary attended Syracuse University, where he graduated with honors in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Since 2008, Gary has served as President of RP Oak Hill Construction Company, one of the largest construction firms in New York State. Under his leadership, the company has successfully completed over $500 million in major construction projects, including the Lafayette Hotel, Remington Lofts on the Canal, 400 International Drive, the Apartments at The Hub, and the renowned Curtiss Hotel. From 2018 to 2024, Business First recognized Gary as one of the most powerful individuals in Western New York.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gary has been deeply committed to community service. He has served as President of the Mental Health Association of Western New York, and has held board positions with Buffalo State College, Daemen University, the SUNYUB Foundation, and the Veterans Housing Coalition. He is also a past president of the Town of Tonawanda Hockey Association and spent many years coaching youth baseball and softball in the community. Gary’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Benefactor Society Award from the Mental Health Association of WNY and recognition from the WNY Construction Exchange, where he also served as president.

In his current position Gary works with many professional and political leaders. He attributes his ability to work successfully with them to his upbringing in the Town of Tonawanda; a community that instills strong community values, incredible relationships, and a positive outlook on others. His love and dedication to Kenmore West is matched by few.

Del Reid
Class of 1993

Del Reid is a 1993 graduate of Kenmore West. Del was employed at Roswell Cancer Institute for 14 years where he had the opportunity to work closely with the Alliance Foundation. He inadvertently began a Buffalo Bills fan movement, by coining the phrase Bills Mafia, which means family and helping others. In 2013, Del created a company called 26 Shirts. This company creates and designs tee shirts and gear with a purpose behind it. For every item sold, the company donates money and resources to the community. Funds are raised and donated to families in need as a result of illness or tragedy. Money has been raised through initiatives like "Pancho Power" and "We are West, We are Family" where the sale of t-shirts helps families that have lost loved ones to cancer. Over $60,000 was donated to Feed More WNY and Community Food Centres in Canada from the sale of the Buffalo Blue Jays Design. The list is endless. In 2014, Del received Buffalo State's Innovator of the Month award. In 2019 he was presented with the Town of Tonawanda Community Service Award. Also in 2019, he received an award from the Associate of Fundraising Professionals WNY Chapter Outstanding Philanthropic Small Business.

Del Reid is a kind and caring individual who has used his love of his community and our Buffalo sports teams to help others in need. He continues to work with Kenmore West to raise money for our senior celebration. Kenmore West has always fostered the importance of community and taking care of one another.

Del often says, there is a light or spark inside each one of us. If you take that light and pass it on… and each person passes their light on, it is no longer a single light in a dark world but a bright world.

David Easterbrook
Class of 1965

David is a Kenmore West graduate from the class of 1965. David Easterbrook recently retired after 23 years as the curator of the Melville Herskovits Library of African Studies at Northwestern University in Chicago, the world's largest collection of African literature and art. For most of his tenure, David was the George and Mary LeCron Foster Curator. This is one of the greatest honors in librarianship. The Herskovits was established in 1954 and contains over 400,000 volumes, including thousands of rare manuscripts. Many of these items were added during David's many trips to Africa. He devoted much of his tenure at Northwestern to working cooperatively to benefit the development of African academic libraries and provide access to important research materials held at Northwestern not available in Africa. David played a vital role in the growth of independent African-run universities inside Africa, which are essential to the continent's achievement of higher educational standards and democracy.

During a trip to Africa, David noticed that street artists had begun to create Barack Obama imagery. He bought all he could carry and started a project at Northwestern. This collection has become a leading collection and has brought visitors from all parts of the world.

David speaks Swahili and Kikamba. He taught at a secondary boys school in Kenya for three years with the Peace Corps. He organized a Peace Corps Partnership program for the girl's school that would build dormitories so that the girls could live on campus, which greatly increased their safety. From 1995 to the mid 2000's, David was active in the Chicago Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers program that sends speakers to local high schools to talk about Africa.

David has a PhD in African History from Syracuse University, a Masters of Library Science from SUNY Albany and a BA in history from Kalamazoo College. David's lifelong love of learning and respect for knowledge began at Kenmore West.

Doug Melson
Class of 1961

Douglas Melson is a 1961 Kenmore West graduate. In his early years, Douglas was a member of the Boy Scouts of America - Troop #38. He was the first ever in the troop to attain Eagle Scout rank. While he attended KW, he was part of the National Honor Society, the Honor Club, the football team and the rifle team. After his graduation in 1961, Doug was accepted for the 7th class at the US Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in International Affairs. As Douglas continued his pilot training at Reese AFB in Texas, he was awarded wings in 1966. From 1968-1970, he flew 118 combat missions over North Vietnam and flew a total of 413 combat missions in Southeast Asia. From 1973-1978, Douglas was a graduate and instructor in Air Force Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) at Nellis AFB. From 1987 - 1990, he was the commander of the Air Force Adversary (Aggressors) Program. Lastly, he was a Captain with Southwest Airlines from for over 10 years. As a result of this distinguished career, Doug has received many honors such as the Distinguished Flying Cross (3x), the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4x), Air Medal (33x), and in 2018 he became part of the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Nevada Senators Academy Selection Board.

Douglas' service to his community and country is endless. He dedicated over 24 years to the Air Force and completed 5 tours overseas. Douglas is a standout member of the community and continues to be active in several aviation organizations dedicated to worthy causes.

Michele Iannello-Ward
Class of 1978

Michele Iannello-Ward has dedicated her life's work to service in the community at many different levels. She was elected to the Kenmore Village Board in 2003 and then to the Erie County Legislature in 2005. She served as a member of the Kenmore Village Improvement Society. As a legislator, Michele was the chairperson for the Energy and Environment Committee. Her focus was on protecting area residents from any harmful toxins or air contaminants that may have emanated from older industrial sites. Working with the Clean Air Coalition, Michele won grants to help residents wear air monitors and check levels of contamination in our air here in the Tonawandas. She continued to focus on the environment by becoming Chair of the Green Actions Community Committee.

The same enthusiasm and commitment that Michele displayed in here elected positions comes through in her broader community volunteer activities. As a veteran cyclist, she has supported the Ride for Roswell and Empire State Ride that both raise funds for cancer research. In 2018, she biked 514 miles from New York City to Niagara Falls in support of this most worthy cause, Her community involvement is endless and her concern for others shines in all her work.

Michele Iannello-Ward is a devoted wife, mother and friend to many.

Rear Admiral Garry E. Hall
Class of 1971

Rear Admiral Garry Hall is a 1971 graduate of Kenmore West High School, where he was co-captain of the gymnastics team, sports editor of the Kenitorial, member of the National Honor Society, varsity club, and head of the canon crew at football games. In 2019, following service as Executive Director of the Association of the US Nave, he received a political appointment to serve as a Senior Director on the National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. On the NSC he was responsible for Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance, Immigration and Migration, Atrocity Prevention, United Nations Operations, Democracies, and Fragile States. In support of these portfolios, he led a team of career professionals dedicated to each of these functional areas. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy he served 35 years on active duty.

As a naval aviator, he flew anti-submarine warfare helicopters and commanded two squadrons. As a Flag Officer he served as General Tommy Franks Information Operations Officer at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, served with NATO in the United Kingdom, and commanded an Expeditionary Strike Group deployed to the Middle East. In retirement from the Navy he served the Catholic Church bringing operation risk management to the protection of children and young adults. RADM Garry E. Hall is the host of the podcast called, The Admiral's Almanac, and is the author of his recently published book, Navigating Leadership, Making a PACT with Excellence.

Carol Ashford Steuernagel
Class of 1972

After graduating from Kenmore West in 1972, Carol Steuernagel has dedicated her life’s work to service in the community, not only here at Kenmore West, but also in neighboring communities. Ms Steuernagel spent much of her career as the office manager for Jewish Federation Housing in Williamsville, a position she retired from in 2015. Well respected and beloved by all those she worked with during that time, Ms Steuernagel had a keen interest in government and policy. In the early 1990s, she served as the 4th Ward Alderwoman in North Tonawanda and chaired the North Tonawanda Fire Department, Senior Citizen Center and the City Hall House Committee in addition to c-chairing the Police and Public Works and City Code committee. In 1995 she was elected as the first chairwoman of the North Tonawanda Housing Authority. Since her retirement, Ms Steuernagel continues to give her time to organizations and causes she believes in, including her former employer, Roswell Park, and working on various campaigns to support local leaders. Her dedication to Kenmore West has not stopped since graduation. Ms Steuernagel is an active member of the Kenmore West Alumni Foundation, not only serving on the Board of Directors, but also maintaining the alumni area around the flagpole in front of the building. Ms Steuernagel’s compassion and concern for others shines in all her work.

John A Dobos
Class of 1971

John Dobos has been a pioneer since his days at Kenmore West from founding the first CYO dance at St Andrew’s to being the youngest bonded stuntman to perform in New York as a cowboy at Fantasy Island. Dr. Dobos graduated from SUNY Buffalo Dental School in 1975, receiving a national award for endodontics. He worked on the medical team for the Buffalo Stallions, Blizzards and Destroyers in addition to creating a compassionate dental clinic at St Mary’s School for the Deaf. Internationally, Dr. Dobos has led medical missions to China, Mexico and Peru where he interacted with President Jimmy Carter to facilitate the release of medical equipment confiscated by Peruvian authorities. He is also the creator of “Medical Minutes”, a series of informative medical vignettes which ran locally and internationally on NBC affiliates. Throughout his career, Dr. Dobos has volunteered as a coach for local soccer teams for over 17 years. Still an influential member of SUNY Buffalo Dental School, he has patented an antimicrobial island wound dressing, marketed through MedWrap. Dr. Dobos’ has dedicated his life to improving that of others locally and internationally.

Andy DeSantis
Class of 1972

1972 graduate honoree during his time at Kenmore West Andy DeSantis discovered his love for photojournalism under the direction of English teacher Ken Feltges in 1980 Mr. DeSantis join WGR- TV as the lab news technician shortly thereafter he moved to Washington DC and wttg-tv where he learned his first Emmy Award in 1980 for Mr DeSantis return to wgrz-tv to cover Home and Away bills games for the used locally and nationally including the for Super Bowl appearances in 1990 he was promoted to Chief photojournalism a position he still holds today holding it longer than anyone in Buffalo broadcast History Mr DeSantis one Buffalo's first-ever me with Ed Kilgore for the best sports new series collecting for Keeps over the years mr. DeSantis has been involved in countless charity events including kids escaping drugs and Hunters hope. In total he has been awarded 8 emmy awards, 10 Edward R Murrow Awards 16 Associated Press Awards and 36 national press photographer Awards the passion he showed at Kenmore West has been passed down to the many professionals he has mentored over the years.

Len Lenihan
Class of 1966

1966 graduate honoree after graduating from Kenmore West in 1966 Len Lenihan received degrees from Northwest Missouri State University and Suny Albany from that point forward he dedicated his life to public service and never looked back mr. Lenihan was elected to serve as the member of the Erie County Legislature from 1977 through 1966 in that time he served as majority leader and chairman during that time Mr lenihan fought for the constituents of the town on many issues important to Residence he was admired for among other things his ability to cast a tough vote and put his career risk for the people he represented throughout his tenure in the legislature and Erie County Public Library system. His work in the legislature as commissioner of the Erie County Department of personnel and in 2002 became chairman of the Erie County Democratic committee he worked for the betterment of our community as resulted in recognition from WNY Special Olympics the Heritage Center and the Greater Buffalo Council on alcoholism and substance abuse to name a few since 2014. Mr lenihan has served as the commissioner of Erie County elections Mr. Lenihan continues to Garner the respect and admiration from those in our community and Beyond.

Theodore L lownie
Class of 1954

1954 graduate honoree Theodore Lownie “like buildings “preferably older ones with some history to them said the Buffalo News upon his death in January of 2017. After graduating from Kenmore West Mr. Lownie continued his studies at Cornell University where he earned a bachelor's degree in architecture he returned and served as the staff architect at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 1969 he became a founding partner in The Firm Hamilton Houston Lownie later called (HHL) Mr. Lownie's influence can be found in some of Buffalo's most prominent renovation and restoration projects including Kleinhans Music Hall City Hall theater Palace in the Roycroft Inn in 1992 he joined the faculty of the UB School of Architecture and planning where he mentioned mentored and influence both undergraduate and graduate students his crowning achievement in his work on the restoration of the Darwin D Martin house his peer reference to his work in the house as a great example of the Integrity he brought to the profession he served on numerous boards including the Scajaquada pathway steering committee the New York State Council of Arts Grant Committee in the Buffalo preservation board his focus on every detail of design and architecture and appreciation for what was original and authentic made him a giant in his field. At the ceremony was his wife Olga Lownie (seen in photo) to accept his award.

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