Board of Directors

Michael C. LaFever, President

Dr. LaFever is the President of the FWNYCS and a retired Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Western New York in the Diocese of Buffalo. He proposed that the model of funding Catholic education could not sustain itself long-term. A system that depended on “tuition and the gifts of others” in his opinion would at some point exhaust itself. He felt that tuition had to remain reasonable so that any family regardless of their denomination or absence of one, could afford a faith-based education. Dr. LaFever was also concerned about “fundraising exhaustion”, meaning that year after year of fundraisers in Catholic schools would eventually become too much for people to keep contributing. In addition, the low salaries and benefits offered to the employees of the Catholic schools continually contributed to turnover resulting in instability. As a result of these concerns, Dr. LaFever suggested that a new approach to funding Catholic schools was needed and created the Foundation for WNY Catholic Schools.

Mr. John Vecchio,
Vice President

John began his career as a Catholic Schoolteacher (Holy Trinity, Dunkirk, NY) before transitioning to Business at M&T, Goldome and Fleet Banks, serving as Vice President in their Consumer Banking/Operations/Residential Real Estate Divisions.

As VP for Institutional Advancement at Trocaire College, (2000 - 2013), John served as the college’s Chief Advancement Officer, College Spokesperson, and as a member of the President’s Cabinet. John also served as a Relationship Manager for the Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo (2014-2016) and was a loaned executive to the Catholic Charities Corporate Annual Appeal.

As President of Vecchio & Associates, LLC his firm’s clients include: The North Park Italian Center Project, Ronald Mc Donald House of WNY, The Clarence Rotary Foundation, The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park and The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns. John is proud of his volunteer services in nonprofit agencies throughout WNY.

Members of St. Benedicts Church, John and his wife Janice reside in East Amherst.

Mr. Vecchio’s educational background includes:

BS Education, SUNY Fredonia, 1974.

MBA, Canisius College, 1989.

The Professional Development Leadership Program Certificate, Canisius, 2001.

Mr. Jeffery Blair,
Secretary

Jeff Blair grew up in WNY and attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he played ice hockey as a goalie; graduating with a degree in Political Science. After two years trying his hand at professional hockey, Jeff attended law school; graduating from the University at Buffalo. Jeff has worked as an attorney for the last 15 years focusing on business law and doing a lot of work in the Not-For-Profit sector. Jeff currently is a Partner at the Blair Law Group. Jeff is married to Myroslava Blair and they are the pround parents to a baby girl, Nadiya.

Kevin Brayer

Kevin Brayer has a long career committed to and an advocate for Catholic Education.

Retiring in May of 2017, from St. Bonaventure University as the Executive Director of the St. Bonaventure Buffalo Center where he served as the Chief Operations Officer for 17 years. He was responsible for overseeing all the day-to-day operations and delivery of graduate programs in Business, Education, and Integrated Marketing at the Buffalo Center. During his years in administration, he also taught marketing-related courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs at both campuses.

He has been a member of the St. Louis Church Parish family for over 30 years. During those years his service to the parish his involvement includes Sacristan, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, a reader at Lessons and Carols, and a member of the Parish Council. In June 2019, he was elected President of the St. Louis Parish Council.

Samuel F. Iraci, Jr.

Currently, Mr. Iraci is the Executive Director of Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps in the City of Buffalo He has had an extensive career in public service starting in 1978 a the Director of State of Federal Aid, for the City of Buffalo. Other professional positions have included Director of Labor Relations, Deputy Mayor, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Commissioner of Community Development, City Manager, and Public Sector Consulting/Assistant to the Mayor City of Tonawanda

Samuel has a strong Catholic educational background having attended Canisius High School, Niagara University and Canisius College He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Mr. Iraci continues his service to the community by serving on the finance committee of St Rose of Lima Parish and on the board of directors for both the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo and the Western New York Maritime Charter School.

Erica Aikins,
Treasurer

Erica Aikin holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science in Administration & Supervision. Ms. Aikin has served in Catholic education for 23 years. She recently held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction for the Diocese of Buffalo. Currently, Ms. Aikin works in the Education Department for the U.S. Veteran’s Benefits Association where she continues to support the educational development of our veterans.

Ms. Aikin is the mother of three young adults all of whom attended school in Catholic elementary schools.

Bethsabé Morales Arroyo

Bethsabé Morales Arroyo is a stay at home mother to three beautiful children. Currently, she facilitates a group called Cause of Joy through St. Gabriel’s parish in Elma. This is a group of women who gather bi-weekly to discuss a book that supports them in their journey as Catholic women and mothers, all while their children run around like maniacs. Before motherhood, Mrs. Morales-Arroyo worked in sales and revenue management for a few different hotels in the DC metro area. During that time, she served as confirmation catechist for the parish of St. Thomas More. Before moving to the U.S., Mrs. Morales-Arroyo earned a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Business Administration from UPAEP, a Marian university. She was born and raised in Puebla, México. Through the faith formation programs at her home parish of Huexotitla, her faith grew tremendously as a participant and youth ministry leader with the Exodo and Emaus groups respectively.

David Moran

Dr. David Moran is an assistant professor of counseling at Canisius University. He teaches, trains, and supervises master's level counseling students to serve adult and children in both schools and the community. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Hilbert College, a Master's degree in School Counseling from Canisius College, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University. Dr. Moran has 20 years of experience in the education and mental health fields. Beyond that, he has several years of youth ministry and catechesis experience from parishes in the Dioceses of Buffalo, Charlotte and the Archdiocese of Washington. Dr. Moran is a devout Catholic who strives to model his life after St. Joseph toward his wife and children.

Ella Planter

Ella recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canisius University with a Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication. She now assists with the marketing efforts of the FWNYCS. Ella attended Catholic schools her whole life and she recognizes their importance in shaping not only children's education, but their lives too.