Spotlight Professionals

Meet some of Buffalo Niagara 360's Spotlight Professionals, individuals who have a proven track record of success, a compelling story, and the dedication and drive to live, work, play and stay in Buffalo Niagara. They are just a few examples of the many successful professionals right here in our region.

Cathy Rojek
Human Resources Manager, Greatbatch, Inc.

Cathy Rojek was born in Buffalo, New York. She attended Buffalo State College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Her early career goal was to pursue a job in law enforcement, and started working in Loss Prevention at Tops Markets. After 3 years in that position, Cathy saw an opportunity in the Human Resources Department, and decided to try a change in direction of her career. That was in 1996, and she has stayed and progressed on her Human Resources career track since then.

Cathy started at Greatbatch in October 2005 as the Compensation Analyst. After six months with the company, she volunteered for a temporary assignment in Columbia, Maryland as the Plant Human Resources Manager, where she assisted in transition of the business to Tijuana, Mexico. This experience allotted her the opportunity to get more involved in the manufacturing process and decision making that took place to help facilitate a successful plant shut down. She moved back to Buffalo at the completion of the assignment in early 2008 and immediately led the implementation of a new company-wide wellness program. Her most recent assignment is Corporate Human Resources Manager, acting in a global integration role. She has traveled to Greatbatch’s France and Switzerland locations frequently, beginning to learn about the business’s processes, policies, and the culture of the areas. Her initial project is to establish a common grade and job structure for these locations to enable an understanding of the relationships between comparable positions across the company. Cathy has also begun to study French to support this assignment.

Currently, Cathy is an active in her church and volunteering in various outreach programs. Her future goal is to continue her education by pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration.

Robert Gesicki
Senior Claims Auditor, Independent Health

Robert was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo within walking distance of the Broadway Market. His family moved to Cheektowaga right before the Blizzard of ’77. He has lived in Cheektowaga ever since.

Robert is a senior claims auditor with Independent Health. Early in his career he worked in the customer service and banking fields before joining a local third party administrator in 1999. In 2001 he joined Independent Health as a claims adjudicator specialist and in 2007 joined the Audit department.

Robert currently serves on the board of trustees for the Wildermuth Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding medical research for childhood diseases. He previously served on the board of the North Cheektowaga Amateur Athletic Association and continues to coach youth baseball and softball teams.

Dawn Scott-Iverson

Account Manager, Large Group Existing Sales, Independent Health

Dawn Scott-Iverson, an account manager at Independent Health, is a hard-working and successful professional. Dawn’s work ethic and strong values have helped her achieve her current position and also successfully balancemarriage and family life with her two sons, along with community involvement.

Born in Michigan, Dawn moved to Buffalo at age one and was raised by her inspirational mother, who raised two children alone, and worked hard to provide for them. She credits her mother with providing her the work-ethic needed to be a successful individual. Dawn’s family has strong ties to the community and are very involved in Western New York. These ties have encouraged Dawn to move forward in her Western New York life.

After graduating Sweet Home High School, she attended Medaille College. She began working for Basil Ford car dealership where she first gained sales experience, then switching to health sales, Dawn worked at Visiting Nurses of WNY selling medical equipment. Her health sales background combined with an enthusiastic work attitude made Dawn a strong candidate for Independent Health.

Joining Independent Health in 1998, Dawn began working in member services where she spent 11 months before moving to sales support where she spent two years. She then progressed to large group existing sales where she is currently account manager. In this position, Dawn works to maintain existing large group accounts for companies with 51 employees or more, by hosting presentations that negotiate contract renewal. Through her progression within Independent Health, Dawn learned from her peers and tributes her success to the team effort atmosphere.

Due to her diligent work ethic, respect for her peers, community ties and passion for her work, Dawn has been able to advance professionally and become the successful woman she is today.

Fernando Garcia

Banking Center Manager, Bank of America

Fernando Garcia was born in Guadalajara Mexico, and is the youngest of eight children. In 1990 he migrated to Los Angeles, California where he spent most of his early 20’s and started his professional career. In 1999 while visiting friends in the Buffalo-Niagara region, he rapidly fell in love with the friendliness of its people and its beautiful surroundings. One year later he decided to move to Buffalo, New York seeking life and career growth opportunities. Likewise, fulfilling a dream of becoming a homeowner and since has immersed himself in the Buffalo community spirit, calling the area his hometown.

Early in his career Fernando started out as an Account Manager in a small company, and then moved onto retail management, receiving several recognitions for outstanding sales achievements. He worked in the retail industry most of his career and made a change in 2005 to the retail banking industry with Bank of America; as a Banking Center Manager. He has since been promoted and received nationwide recognition for his outstanding performance in the company.

Currently, Fernando is an active member of several community-based organizations; such as The Hispanic Alliance of WNY, Stonewall Democrats, Human Rights Campaign and is an officer of the Diversity Team for Bank of America. He has volunteered as a lead in the Taste of Buffalo, The Hispanic Grease Pole Festival, The Gay Pride and many other Bank of America sponsored programs and events. Fernando’s success is owed to his passion and drive to excel.

Melissa MacLeod

Financial Advisor, Smith Barney

Melissa is a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney. She is responsible for helping assess her client’s financial needs and objectives. Based on their needs, she is able to provide individualized investment consulting to assist them in realizing their financial goals.

Currently, Melissa is registered as a Financial Advisor in New York, Florida and Massachusetts. She has her Life, Accident & Health Insurance License in N.Y. as well. Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, Melissa worked for several years as an Account Receivables Specialist in Getzville, NY.

Melissa is originally from New York City. She came to Buffalo in order to pursue an education at the University at Buffalo and graduated from U.B. with a degree in Mathematics. She is currently living in Cheektowaga, NY with her 5 year old son, Colin.

To nominate someone to be featured as a Spotlight Professional email 360info@thepartnership.org