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Michael Audet - Board President
In addition to serving as the president of First Look Buffalo Theatre Company a 501c3 non profit, Prior to First Look Buffalo, Mike was President of WAV Group Inc, a real estate consulting firm, started in 2003, one of the leading real estate consulting companies in the U.S.. Mike’s clients included Multiple Listing Services, Associations of REALTORS, Real Estate Companies, Franchises and real estate technology companies in the US, Canada, Europe and South America.
Mike also serves as a director on Music is Art, a Buffalo non-profit founded by Goo Goo Dolls bassist, Robby Takac. Robby created the foundation to explore and reshape music's cultural, social, and educational impact on the Buffalo community, providing numerous programs and events to youth that might not otherwise be able to develop their musical interests. Mike has been with Music is art for 8 years. Before forming the WAV Group, Mike served in executive roles with leading Multiple Listing vendors PRC, Interealty and Moore Data and also worked at Microsoft on the MSN HomeAdvisor team.
At home, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and son, playing guitar, writing and recording music, woodworking, golf and gardening.
Mike also serves as a director on Music is Art, a Buffalo non-profit founded by Goo Goo Dolls bassist, Robby Takac. Robby created the foundation to explore and reshape music's cultural, social, and educational impact on the Buffalo community, providing numerous programs and events to youth that might not otherwise be able to develop their musical interests. Mike has been with Music is art for 8 years. Before forming the WAV Group, Mike served in executive roles with leading Multiple Listing vendors PRC, Interealty and Moore Data and also worked at Microsoft on the MSN HomeAdvisor team.
At home, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and son, playing guitar, writing and recording music, woodworking, golf and gardening.
Joel HusVar - Vice President
Joel HusVar serves as Vice President of First Look Buffalo. Mr. HusVar brings over 15 years of business experience to First Look Buffalo. He was the general manager of HusVar Fine Art in Buffalo in 2009 and has since founded multiple companies. His experience is across multiple industries including art, real estate, finance, fund raising, venture capital and manufacturing. As the current owner of HusVar Real Estate Mr HusVar leads over 60 agents. He recently served as the President of the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors with over 3.700 members, a Director of the New York State association of Realtors and is a Director of the National Association of Realtors. We are excited to bring so much national experience to First Look Buffalo.
Ryan Gruchala - Treasurer
Ryan Gruchal, is a Senior Accountant with The Bonadio Group. His office is in
East Aurora. Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Accounting from
Canisius University, and is a Certified Public Accountant in New York State. He has
four years of experience in accounting and has worked with many nonprofits on
their compliance needs.
Ryan was active in the theatre productions at Saint Francis High School, during his
time there, and regularly attends productions at many of our local theaters.
When Ryan heard about First Look Buffalo, and our mission, he was very excited
about joining our board. He particularly likes our focus on developing new
Playwright material!
Ryan has also agreed to serve as Treasurer for our board!
East Aurora. Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Accounting from
Canisius University, and is a Certified Public Accountant in New York State. He has
four years of experience in accounting and has worked with many nonprofits on
their compliance needs.
Ryan was active in the theatre productions at Saint Francis High School, during his
time there, and regularly attends productions at many of our local theaters.
When Ryan heard about First Look Buffalo, and our mission, he was very excited
about joining our board. He particularly likes our focus on developing new
Playwright material!
Ryan has also agreed to serve as Treasurer for our board!
Susan Rusch-Oconnell - Secretary
Susan has been a board member of First Look Buffalo since its official start in January 2022. Her desire is to make the art of theater available to all age groups and economic tiers. Susan has worked for a variety of business corporations and self-owned companies, including General/Operations manager for The Gap/ Old Navy, buyer and management positions for a variety of retail venues, loan officer and mortgage broker, real estate agent and currently she is an assistant manager for Robert Basil Buick GMC Cadillac in Orchard Park, NY.
Susan has vast experience working for non-for-profit organizations, including a board member of ActsMetro in Columbia, SC from 2008-2014. She has been a mentor to families in crisis, a leader of Act Teens and Girls in Action/ girls organizations (2000-2006) among
several other mission and outreach projects throughout her life. She currently lives in Dunkirk NY with her husband Billy. They have 2 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Susan has vast experience working for non-for-profit organizations, including a board member of ActsMetro in Columbia, SC from 2008-2014. She has been a mentor to families in crisis, a leader of Act Teens and Girls in Action/ girls organizations (2000-2006) among
several other mission and outreach projects throughout her life. She currently lives in Dunkirk NY with her husband Billy. They have 2 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Cindy Chan - Director
Cindy Chan is a native New Yorker. Born in NYC, she grew up in acting schools, dance classes, and voice & diction training. She then attended Performing Arts High School, majoring in Drama. Later, she was accepted into two media training programs – WNET Film/Television School, and Community Film Workshop, both geared toward bringing minorities into the industry. During this time, Cindy met David, moved to Buffalo, and married. David was hired out of training school as a cameraman for WGR-TV, and subsequently Cindy went into radio broadcasting, working at WBUF, WGRQ, WNYS, and WECK. Years later she became a paralegal, working for attorneys and engineers. She founded a not-for-profit, a political action committee, and a limited liability corporation, in an effort to advocate for things like legal rights for domestic partners, encouraging political involvement, improving the lives of our senior citizens, and most vociferously for complete education for every single child. Looking to the future, Ms. Chan is squarely focused on service to the community, to the arts, and to the embodiment of the concepts evoked by the acronym – WWJD.
Harry Lipsitz - Director
A Producer and Production Manager from Buffalo, NY; graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Cinema and Digital Art, concentrating in Producing.He is a proud humanitarian,
dedicated to the growth and prosperity of equality & diversity inside the film community.
He is ADDITIONALLY a proud owner and co-founder in Casting Buffalo LLC and the Co-Administrator at The Joseph Giambra Legacy Fund, and proudly sits on the board at First look Buffalo theater company.
dedicated to the growth and prosperity of equality & diversity inside the film community.
He is ADDITIONALLY a proud owner and co-founder in Casting Buffalo LLC and the Co-Administrator at The Joseph Giambra Legacy Fund, and proudly sits on the board at First look Buffalo theater company.
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