For the second year in a row, Aspire of WNY’s CEO, Thomas A. Sy has been named to the prestigious Business First Power 250 list. Each year, Buffalo’s Business First publishes a list of the men and women in Western New York who are considered to be the most influential. The voting group, made up of Business First reporters and editors, consider a number of factors in coming up with the list. Some of the factors include obvious considerations like number of employees and length of time in a position. Just as importantly, they take into account the amount of respect a person garners both within their company and in the community. Mr. Sy made the ranking at No. 224 and in a recent conversation deflected the credit back to the Aspire agency.
“While it feels very rewarding to receive the individual recognition of the Power 250,” Mr. Sy explained. “Much more important is the fact that being on the list shines a light on all of the great work the agency is doing.”
Late in 2014, the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) announced a Balancing Incentive Program (BIP) Transformation Fund designed to allow organizations an opportunity to invest in strategic programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, agencies had an opportunity to put forth funding requests that would increase efficiencies and long-term viability.
Aspire of WNY submitted a joint BIP Grant request with Niagara Cerebral Palsy (NCP) to explore the consolidation of administrative functions in an effort to promote savings prior to the transition to managed care. Recently, OPWDD awarded the $68,000 grant to Aspire and NCP to continue their efforts.
Dopkins & Company, LLP, a local certified public accounting and consulting firm will be leading Aspire and NCP toward consolidating overlapping administrative functions between the agencies. These changes will enhance the long-term viability of both agencies while creating greater efficiencies and cost-savings.
