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Board of Directors

Board of Trustees

Honorary Board

Medical Board

Pat LaFontaine - President

A perennial All-Star in the National Hockey League, Pat LaFontaine was not only a great player, but also a great humanitarian in whatever city he represented. That combination was recognized in 2003 when it was announced that LaFontaine would be the first player inducted into both the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota in the same year.

In 1998, after 15 years in the NHL, Pat retired prematurely as a result of a series of head traumas and concussions suffered through his career. With support and inspiration from family, friends and most of all, the kids in those hospitals, competing not for goals, but for life, Pat drew upon their courage and got through the most difficult time of his life. From that point on, Pat’s fight for children took on new meaning and clearly defined where all his time and energy were going to be focused: helping kids through this Foundation.

He lives on Long Island with his wife and 3 children.

Jim Johnson - Executive Director

Mr. Johnson was involved in sales and marketing for the New York Islanders from 1982 through 1995 and initiated a host of successful ticket and promotional concepts. He went on to manage the largest authorized technology training organization in North America (Westcon Services) and served on advisory councils at Microsoft, Novell and IBM. Johnson was an industry leader in the delivery of instructor-led training via satellite and streaming video.

In 1999, while at TEN-TV, he created and managed the online subscription service, www.ExpertsOnDemand.com, a web-based video library of IT content that delivered “real world” solutions to a global audience of IT professionals.

He served on the CiC Foundation’s board of directors for 3 years before joining as executive director in 2003. He holds a degree in Journalism from Morrisville College and lives on Long Island with his wife and son.

Roger Simon- Treasurer

Mr. Simon is a partner at Gibson, McAskill and Crosby in Buffalo. He is a graduate of Brown University, the University of Buffalo Law School and was admitted to practice in 1964. His primary experience is in probate law, estate planning, trusts law, school law, and education law.

He is a member of the Financial Planning Counselors of Western New York, a trustee of The Park School of Buffalo, a member of Estate Analysts of Western New York, and a fellow of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He lives in Snyder, NY with his wife.

Richard Pluta - Merrill Lynch

Richard Pluta, Senior Vice President-Investments, has been with Merrill Lynch since 1982. He graduated with a dual degree in Economics and Political Science from Miami of Ohio and the University of Luxembourg. While at Merrill Lynch, Richard has received specialized training from New York University in the options and fixed income markets. Currently, Richard possesses the designations of Wealth Management Advisor and International Financial Advisor.

As a senior partner with The Pluta/Selvin Group, Richard specializes in overseeing the team's institutional asset management, structured products, and alternative investments. In addition, Richard's areas of concentration include Philanthropic and Charitable Organization planning, Pension/Employee Benefits, and Offshore Trust & Investment strategies.

Bruce Komiske- Children’s Memorial Hospital

Mr. Komiske, who recently handled pre-construction planning for a $1.5 billion hospital construction project at University of California-San Francisco, was selected by Children’s Memorial Hospital to head the redevelopment and relocation of the facility to Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The facility will be the tallest Children’s Hospital in the world. Komiske, managed the building and development of several hospitals on the East Coast, including the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester, NY. He believes it is very critical to design spaces that use art, landscaping, gathering areas and the latest technology to comfort patients at a time when they experience the “heights and depths of their emotions.”

In 2007, Komiske published Designing the World's Best: Children's Hospitals--The Future of Healing Environments Volume 2. He recently completed a six-month stint at the invite of the royal family in Doha, Qatar, where he participated in the planning of a Children’s and Women’s Hospital that is part of an $8 billion healthcare initiative in that country.

Marybeth LaFontaine

Mrs. LaFontaine has been involved in the foundation since its inception in 1997. She and her husband donated luxury suites at the HSBC Arena for the children of Buffalo and delivered televisions and cable service to the Buffalo Children’s Hospital. She also worked with Sabres Wives on many fundraising campaigns during her time in western New York.

She is currently a homemaker on Long Island, raising the couple’s three children. She remains involved in community service work on Long Island offering countless hours of service to area food banks and family support centers.

Jerry Wood - Morgan Stanley

Mr. Wood is a managing director in charge of executive recruiting at Morgan Stanley. He served at the firm from 1978 until joining Credit Suisse First Boston in 2003 as global head of fixed-income investments. He returned to Morgan Stanley last year at the urging of his colleague CEO, John Mack. Wood has a masters degree in business from New York University. He and his wife Monica have been extremely supportive of the work of the CiC Foundation and helped fund the Lion’s Den Room at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian.