With the construction actively going on just outside the windows of First Niagara Center, Sabres Chief Development Officer Cliff Benson announced that John Koelmel will serve as President of HARBORcenter.
Koelmel is familiar to Western New York after serving more than 10 years with First Niagara Financial Group, the last six as chief development officer and CEO.
“John is among the most well-respected professionals in Western New York,” said Sabres Owner Terry Pegula in a press release issued to the media. “He has a long history as a successful businessman in the region, which will serve him well in his new role. “We’re excited to wecome him to the team and we look forward to his contributions as President.”
In introducing Koelmel, Benson summarized that the construction is moving along and that shortly they will make an announcement about the hotel, an agreement with Canisius College and that two large tower cranes which will indicate the movement on construction.
“We have moved 130 dump trucks a day for 30 days to extavate what we have to,” said Benson.
“John could have went so many places and the fact that we can keep someone here of John’s calibre and of his reputation in the community is very exciting,” said Benson of Koelmel’s appointment.
“For me this is an incredibly exciting day,” said Koelmel. “Be assured that standing in front of you today as a member of Team Pegula exceeds all my expectations. I’m honored to work for Terry and Kim (Pegula) and he entire Pegula organization.
“HARBORcenter is a world-class game changer for this community. While “unique” is often an overused word, in this case it is very accurate,” he continued.
He sees HARBORcenter as a destination for Buffalo and works well with the development of the waterfront. He cited the Pegula’s commitment and investment in the hockey team and the community and noted their passion, courage and character as critical to the future of the organization and Buffalo.
“They are the real deal,” he said of his meetings with the Pegula’s. “They share my passion for making this city and area all that it can be.”
“I’m very ready to rock and roll and make great things happen for the Pegulas, their organization and this community,” he concluded.
His role will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the complex, including the hotel, restaurant, ice rinks and parking structure.
He related that he feels comfortable in that role as with banking, this is a business and those skills are transferable to this position. He sees his strengths as in leadership.
“For me I’m always looking ahead and making sure that the next 10 years are the best 10 years,” Koelmel said.
HARBORcenter will feature two full-size NHL ice rinks, a full-service hotel, a two-story restaurant, street-level retail space and a five-level, 850-space parking structure. All but the hotel are scheduled to open in September 2014.
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- HARBORcenter construction (Photo by Janet Schultz)
