Barone selected to Business First's "40 Under 40"

Flanking Mike Barone at the Business First "40 Under 40" Awards Luncheon are President Dennis Hefner, right, and Vice President for University Advancement David Tiffany.

Director of Public Relations Mike Barone was named one of the “40 Under 40” recognized on Nov. 9 by Business First of Buffalo. The award program, held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, annually recognizes 40 of Western New York’s up-and-coming business and community leaders under the age of 40.

Mr. Barone joined SUNY Fredonia in January 2008 and heads an area including public relations, advertising, publications and the university website. A native of Olean, he came to Fredonia following a 13-year tenure with Travers, Collins & Company, a 50-person marketing communications agency based in Buffalo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication from Cornell University, as well as an M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo, where he graduated with honors. He has also been an adjunct instructor within SUNY Fredonia’s Department of Communication.

In addition to his responsibilities at SUNY Fredonia and campus involvement, Barone has served the profession as past president of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and co-chair of the 2008 PRSA Northeast District Conference. He also co-chaired the State University of New York Council for University Advancement and Development’s annual conference in 2010.

In June, he received a Gold Excalibur Award as well as the Platinum “Best of Show” award at the Buffalo Niagara Chapter’s Excalibur Awards competition for the newly-designed Fredonia Statement alumni magazine, for leading a team which not only increased the publication's production quality considerably, but also saved the campus more than $10,000 in expenses.

He and his wife, Tara, live in Hamburg with their two children, Sabrina and Ethan.