Arnie Rothschild

Board Chair & CEO of RBTL

Arnie Rothschild currently serves as Board Chair and CEO of RBTL. He has served on the Board since 1991 (Chair for over 30 years) and has been CEO since 2017. Arnie is a veteran of the broadcasting industry having worked in radio and television and was VP Sales and Marketing for the Lincoln Group radio ownership for 12 years. He consulted in broadcast for 10 years in the US, UK and Australia. Arnie is a graduate of Parsons College (Fairfield, Iowa) and was enshrined on their wall of honor in 2017.

Linda Glosser

Chief Operating Officer for RBTL

Linda Glosser, rising in the ranks from Executive VP to CRO, now serves as Chief Operating Officer for RBTL. She is the primary contact with promoters/presenters booking events at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre and Performing Arts Center. With nearly 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she oversees all aspects of operation including sales, marketing, education and production. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Binghamton, Graduate Studies in Music Performance from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from SUNY Fredonia.

John Parkhurst

Chief Knowledge Officer at RBTL

John Parkhurst presently serves as Chief Knowledge Officer at RBTL, with more than 50 years of experience in theatre management. John excels in business development for live entertainment, production management and special events. During his tenure John has led the conception, execution, renovation, construction project management and oversight of many initiatives in the greater Rochester area.

Lydia Boddie-Rice

Lydia Boddie-Rice is President & Creative Principal of BoddieWorks Creations and Consulting. Throughout her professional executive career, Lydia’s renaissance nature has influenced an eclectic and voracious approach to managing, learning, critical thinking, conflict resolution and problem solving. She has received numerous honors and awards for her professional contributions and expertise and is an avid champion for emerging artists.

Melisza Campos

Melisza Campos works at Wegmans Food Markets as a Store Manager in training. Contributing to her community is a mandate she takes seriously. Melisza currently serves on the United Way Board of Directors, SUNY Geneseo’s College Council and is a former Elected Official. Melisza is the recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Award, the RBJ’s 40 under 40, Girl Scouts Women of Distinction and the Latinas Unidas Leadership Award.

Bob Cieslica

Bob Cieslica is a Senior Vice President and Regional Manager in the Business Banking Department for M&T Bank, leading a team of thirteen Relationship Managers and one Team Leader in the Rochester, NY market. Bob is currently a Board member of the Upstate Chapter of the Risk Management Association and the Small Business Council of Rochester, and a volunteer for the Ontario chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Bob holds his MBA from the University of Buffalo and BS from SUNY at Geneseo.

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper is Senior Vice President of UBS Financial Services and a founding member of The Rochester Group. Michael advises wealthy individuals and families with comprehensive solutions to their financial well-being. Michael’s areas of expertise include investment management, financial planning, tax planning and estate planning. Michael joined the RBTL Board in 2010, is a member of the Executive Committee and Co-Chairs the annual Golf Tournament.

Elizabeth Cordello

Elizabeth Cordello is a member of The Law Offices of Pullano and Farrow. She has a wide range of experience in all aspects of labor and employment law, in a variety of industries, including; health care, construction, manufacturing, food and beverage and agriculture. Elizabeth is a frequent speaker and published author on the latest developments in employment law. Elizabeth has extensive experience in presenting training programs to managers and employees regarding discrimination, harassment, whistleblowers, retaliation and other employment related issues.

Veronica Dasher

Veronica Dasher is the Regional Manager of Government and Community Relations for RG&E, where she oversees engagement between the company, community stakeholders and government officials. Veronica graduated from MCC with an Associate degree in Liberal Arts then earned her Bachelor’s in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College. In 2018, she was selected as one of Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award recipients and was a finalist for the ATHENA International Young Professional Award in 2021. Veronica currently serves on the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.

Herb Escher

Herb Escher is CEO of the Dale Carnegie Northeast Region, where he has catalyzed transformative change in the business landscape. With a career spanning over two decades in leadership development and corporate training, Herb is renowned for his unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community, actively mentoring aspiring leaders and supporting initiatives to empower underprivileged individuals.

Maureen Ferguson

Maureen Ferguson has been in the corporate travel industry for almost 30 years and has worked for Constellation Brands for 21 years, serving in many different roles within the Global Travel, Meetings, Incentives & Events team. She has been in her current role as Director for 10 years and leads a team of 14 individuals. Although she has many responsibilities at Constellation, her focus is the strategic vision of the Global Travel & Meetings programs focusing on safety, cost savings and compliance, with a current travel spend just over 12m globally and meeting spend of 10m in the US.

Paul Guglielmo

Paul Guglielmo is the owner of Craft Cannery, a sauce/dressing contract manufacturer in Bergen, NY. Philanthropy is important to Pauly, who currently serves on the Boards of the Rochester Rotary, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester and BOCES Culinary Programs. Pauly is also a Culinary Instructor at New York Kitchen and regularly caters for in-home charity events, helping raise money for dozens of local charities.

Frank Hagelberg

Frank Hagelberg has more than 50 years’ experience in the Rochester legal community. Frank began his legal career at Harris, Beach LLP, and later joined Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP, where he was a partner from 1983-2001. Frank was the Executive Director of the Philanthropic Leadership Group of UJA-Federation of New York from 2001 to 2003 before returning to Rochester to join Boylan Code LLP, where he is presently senior counsel. Frank concentrates his practice on land use regulation, commercial real estate leasing and development, telecommunications and litigation.

Michael Haymes

Michael Haymes is the founder of the first REMAX Real Estate Office in NYS. He owned, managed, and mentored over 125 agents over his 25 years and is still a licensed broker. Michael has also been a developer and manager of many apartment buildings in Rochester and owns the plaza on Jefferson Road which houses the family owned and operated business ‘Bowl-A-Roll Lanes’. Michael is the President and Co-owner of Wonder Showers & Baths and is passionate about the quality of life and well-being of older adults, their families and makes a difference helping them age in place at home.

Richard Kaplan

Richard Kaplan has an extensive background in economics, accounting, management, and executive leadership that have benefited many corporations, start-ups, universities and other not for profit organizations. Richard retired from his business life in 2020 to be the full-time CEO of the Institute for Caring Inc. Richard has done private consulting and guest lecturing at Universities, as well as many business groups. He lectures on the causes and effects of, and solutions to, poverty, cultural polarization and other challenges that threaten our country’s actual existence.

Jennifer Lake

Jennifer Lake is President/CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and has been there for over fifteen years. Jennifer holds a BA in Political Science and a MS in Organizational Learning and Human Resources Development from St. John Fisher College. Jennifer is currently Chair of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center’s Board, and serves on the Together Now Board, RMAPI Steering Committee, Monroe County 911 Operating Practices Board, United Way Women’s Leadership Council, and previously served as President for National HR Association (2018).

Andre Langston

Andre Langston is the President and CEO of WDKX Radio and a recognizable face in the community. WDKX was one of the first Black-owned radio stations in New York State, and after 50 years, is now New York’s only Black-owned commercial radio station. WDKX was founded by his parents, Andrew and Gloria Langston, but after years of successful operation, they turned the responsibility of the station over to him. Andre has been influential in the tremendous growth the station has seen over the last several years and stands by keeping it focused on the people in the community it serves.

John Magee

John Magee is the Managing Director of Finance and Administration at Next Corps, Inc., a nationally recognized hub for innovation and economic development where entrepreneurs and businesses connect with experts, capital, customers and the community. John currently serves on the Board of The Friendly Home and the Rochester Chapter of Financial Executives International. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from St. John Fisher University and is a CPA.

Robert Mann

Robert Mann is the President of Mann’s Jewelers. He is the ninth generation of his family to be involved in the jewelry business. Rob is passionate about local culture; be it theater, music, food or anything else that makes Rochester a special place to live. Rob has served on the RBTL Board for 15 years and has also served on Boards at Lollipop Farms, The Seneca Park Zoo and Highland Hospital.

Debbie Marcello-Bernacki

Debbie Marcello-Bernacki is the founder and CEO of Happier At Home, a home health care company with franchises across the country, and the founder and host of the podcast “Happier at Home PRN”. She serves as 13WHAM and FOX Rochester’s geriatric expert, making weekly appearances to educate the public on issues faced by our aging population and their families. Her awards include 2013 Up and Coming Businesswoman of the Year from the Rochester Women’s Business Council and a winner of Business Simulation Scholarship for the Executive MBA Program from the University of Rochester’s Simon Graduate School of Business.

Tyler O’Reilly

Tyler O’Reilly is a long-time musical enthusiast and is thrilled to be a member of the RBTL Board. Before relocating to Rochester in 2018, he lived in both New York City and London, taking in all that the Theatre District and the West End had to offer. Tyler is currently a corporate partner at Harris Beach PLLC, where he leads the firm’s commercial banking practice.

Robert Porretti

Robert Porretti is a founding partner in EFPR Group, LLP and works in a consulting role with clients. His business clients are primarily entrepreneurs of privately held companies and he consult on tax planning, structure, and implementation of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions for profitability. Robert also works with high-net worth individual clients on tax planning strategies, estate and trust planning and financial strategies.

Phil Puchalski

Phil Puchalski retired in 2021 after 33 years as a Corporate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Creative Services at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. He supervised corporate communications strategies, with particular emphasis on image advertising, issues management, community engagement, special publications, and collateral materials. Phil’s prior experience includes serving as Director of Public Information and Communications for the County of Monroe, where he directed the public relations and communications functions for the Monroe County Executive.

Joseph Sayre

Joseph Sayre joined the economic development department at RG&E and NYSEG in 2022 and was promoted to Manager of the department in 2024. Joe is responsible for working with local, regional, and state partners to grow the state economy, in addition to managing an $8 million annual grant portfolio. Joe serves on the board of directors for several organizations including, OneROC, Rochester Downtown Development Council, the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, the Great Lakes Economic Development Council, the New York State Economic Development Council, the Strong Play Makers Leadership Council and serves as the co-chair of the United Way Emerging Leaders Society.

Naomi Silver

Naomi Silver is the President, CEO, and COO for the Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. She currently serves as a Board member for the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, the Joseph Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the United Way Governance Committee, MCC Foundation, United Way and First Niagara Bank, and is the officer and former chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester. Naomi has won many awards including the Woman of Excellence in 2023 and the ICON Award in 2019.

Eric Smith

Eric Smith is the President of CMI AV, a leading audiovisual company based in Rochester, NY, that provides creative and technical solutions for live events across the country. With several decades of guidance, Eric has been instrumental in building CMI AV into a Rochester Top 100 company, recognized for its exceptional audiovisual services on the national stage. His extensive experience in audiovisual production, coupled with his passion for technology, allows him to advise on technical matters that relate to audio, video, lighting, and more. Eric is deeply committed to Rochester and is motivated to contribute to the cultural landscape of the city.

Phil Smith

Phil Smith Currently is self-employed as a business advisor, assisting medium sized companies in managing their financing relationships and improving their financial performance. He has an MBA from Syracuse University, B.A. from Hobart College where he also played football and lacrosse and was named the Hobart College Athlete of the Year 1969-1970. Phil also has an Extensive career in commercial lending commencing with Manufacturers Hanover (5 Years), followed by Lincoln First Bank/Chase Lincoln (10 Years), and concluding at M&T Bank (30 years) where, in his final role, managed the Commercial Lending Group.

Bill Sullivan

Bill Sullivan is a retired Civil Servant. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s College, the University of Vermont and the University of Rochester. Bill changed careers from teaching English to working for local government. He ultimately served as Chief of Staff for the Rochester City Council for 24 years. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Landmark Society (Vice Chair for Development), Housing Council, City School District Budget Advisory Committee (Chair), International Sister Cities of Rochester (Vice Chair), Hochstein Music School (Finance Committee Chair), Sector 4 Community Development Corporation (Chair), and Midvale Country Club (Chair, Long-Range Planning).

Jay Vanderstyne

Jay Vanderstyne Currently serves as Community Liaison for West Herr Automotive Group and holds a B.S. in Business Administration. He served as Used Vehicle Manager, New Vehicle Manager, General Manager and Partner of Vanderstyne Ford, Inc. from 1982–1998 and as President, Dealer Principal and General Manager of Vanderstyne Toyota from 1992-2021. Jay has served on many Boards, such as the Rochester Automobile Dealers Association, the Toyota Dealers Association, the Toyota Dealer Council and Camp Good Days and Special Times. Jay is also a strong supporter of United Way of Greater Rochester and several local Fire Departments and Police Agencies.

Jennifer Weidner

Jennifer Weidner serves as General Counsel of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust and Corporate Secretary of the Bank and its financial holding company, Canandaigua National Corporation. In her role as General Counsel, Jennifer provides legal counsel to bank management on matters of contracts, compliance, employment, compensation, benefits, communications and other bank-related issues. Jennifer currently holds her license to practice law in New York and Florida and is admitted to the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Western District of New York and the Supreme Court of the United States.