About the Chamber

The Southtowns Chamber of Commerce is a visibility, growth, and advocacy group in the Southtowns of Western New York. As a nonprofit organization, we help business leaders and community members come together to celebrate commerce and create new opportunities for growth across our region.

Staff Directory

Matt Heidt

Executive Director

Matt joined the SRCC as Executive Director in April 2025 and has over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, advertising, and branding leadership. He spent 12 years as a leader in higher education administration. Most recently, as Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Buffalo State University. Prior to Buffalo State, he worked at Hilbert College and spent nearly a decade in media relations for the Buffalo Bills. Matt has a bachelor's degree in communications from SUNY Oswego and a Master of Science in Sport Administration from Canisius University.

TBA

Office Coordinator

Farmers’ Market Assistants

Isabella Suto

Member Directory

Our directory provides a comprehensive list of members that can be easily accessed by our community.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact Us at 716-649-7917.

Board of Directors

Sean Doyle (Chair) – Hamburg Development Companies

Eric Adams (Past Chair) – Picture Your Walls

Sallie Herberger(Secretary)– The Growth Coach of WNY

Fran Vaughan (Treasurer) – FMV Tax Professionals

Anthony Alleca – Edward Jones

Karen Benz Coen – Benz Associates

John J. Callahan, CPA – Tronconi Segarra & Associates

Bryan Carr – ClearPlan Financial, Inc.

Marie Cummings – NBT Bank

Michelle Ford – PowerBooks/World Class Karate

Bryan Kaminski, CIC, CCIC, MLIS, CRIS– Stahlka Agency

Brian Krastev – Hodgson Russ LLP

Kate Moody – UB Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Valerie Nowak – Harmonia Collaborative Care

Vince Ricotta – Concept Construction Corp.

Tim Seil – Hilbert College

Holly Smyczynski – The Fairgrounds

Daniel Wolfe – Nickel City Property Management

Chamber Committees

NEXGEN COMMITTEE

This committee meets once per month to focus on the Student Star Character Awards Dinner and works toward developing a regional work-force development program to connect local high schools, colleges, vocational training, and businesses. We want to bridge the gap between students learning and applying skills in the real world.

BUSINESS INSIGHTS & NETWORKING COMMITTEE (BINC)

This committee meets once per quarter to organize moderators for “The Exchange” networking events and other programming for business owners, such as workshops, fun ways to connect people, and more!

BRAND AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE

This committee meets every two months to focus on welcoming new members into the Chamber family and working to spread the word about how we can help. If you enjoy marketing and looking to make connections for the betterment of us all, this committee is for you!

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

This committee meets once per month to focus on major regional or legislative issues, vets requests for letters of support to make recommendations to the Board of Directors, and discusses updates in each territory.

EVENTS COMMITTEE

This committee helps with planning, executing, and volunteers at major events, primarily for our largest fundraisers: Golf Tournament and Holiday Bash.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS ONLY)

This committee reviews and vets various projects outside the reach of other committees and reviews critical information for upcoming board of directors meetings.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS ONLY)

This committee meets as necessary to discuss internal matters, vet major issues, and develop Chamber policies and procedures.

FINANCE COMMITTEE (CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS ONLY)

Focus is to create budgets and review/suggest policies and procedures related to finances.

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE (CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS ONLY)

Working to plan the future of the Chamber and our business communities. This committee focuses on ensuring our mission’s value aligns with our membership as we plan for a balance of economic growth and quality of life within our communities for years to come.