About Us > Our Leadership

Thomas M. Montante

President

Thomas M. Montante was born in 1943 in Buffalo, New York.  He graduated from Canisius High School in 1961 and from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965.  He earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 1968 from the University at Buffalo Law School and passed the New York State Bar exam that same year.  Thomas is married to Margaret Mary Buckley and has four sons and 9 grandchildren.

Thomas founded the Makeda Corporation in 2003. Makeda is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.  Its current project is the People's Park located in Buffalo, New York.  The idea for People's Park originated from the West 89th Street Community Garden in New York City.  In Buffalo, People's Park was conceived as a bridge between two neighborhoods – east of Main Street and west of Main Street. The Park is maintained by community groups.  It hosts public gardens, private planting boxes, and an amphitheater for small concerts.  It is utilized by neighborhood schools for arts and science classes and features weekly children's reading sessions with Project Literacy volunteers.

Thomas is a Board member of Reid Petroleum Corporation.  He is a former Board member for Artpark & Company and Old Fort Niagara.  He is a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and was Empire State Chapter Chairman in 1989 and also served as an International Forum Officer.  He currently is a forum group member in YPO/WPO.

Thomas is an avid golfer and also enjoys playing tennis and skiing.  
He especially enjoys spending time with his children and their families.