Tom Christy, President

A budget and finance professional with expertise in all aspects of the financial management and budget process, Tom Christy has spent his entire life being curious.  Wondering why things are the way they are and his hunger for both knowledge and answers has driven him to pursue careers in state and local government, marketing and political consulting, the financial compliance and budgeting profession and the import/export industry, along with stints as an Associate Professor of Business and cable television host. An avowed verbal learner who also recognizes the essential activity of reading for information purposes, he believes getting information from people through some form of dialog is most valuable.  

His favorite quote, “all of us are smarter than any of us” drives his passion and curiosity to uncover why society is as it is.

Mr. Christy’s career accomplishments include:

• Customs Brokerage work with a top-5 US company;
• Budget Director, D’Youville College, Buffalo, N.Y.;
• Deputy County Clerk, Finance, Erie County, N.Y.;
• Advanced Image Marketing, President;
• Staff assignment, Erie County Legislature;
• Staff assignment, Legislative Commission on Dairy Industry Development;
• Staff assignment, Speaker of NYS Assembly, Stanley Fink

Mr. Christy holds Bachelors of Economics and MBA degrees, and resides with his wife and two children in Erie County, N.Y.

Roberta “Bobbi” O’Toole, Board Member, Counsel

Bobbi O’Toole was born and raised in Niagara Falls, N.Y.  She received her undergraduate education at the State University at Buffalo, earning a degree in Political Science (magna cum laude).  She then earned her law degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

After graduating from Harvard, she returned to Western New York and practiced law at several major Buffalo law firms.  Bobbi’s work included business and corporate matters, real estate (including commercial leasing and land development) and bankruptcy.  Bobbi then opened her own office in Niagara County, where she worked for a time with the Niagara County Department of Social Services. Her full service civil practice included business work, real estate and wills and estates.  She served as Attorney for the Town of Wheatfield for almost 25 years and Human Resource Director for eight years.  As Town Attorney, Bobbi was responsible for all the Town’s legal matters, from drafting local laws, to defending Article 7 property tax cases, preparing motions and agendas for Town Board meetings, reviewing and ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements, and negotiating contracts on behalf of the Town.  As Human Resource Director, Bobbi was responsible for managing employees, drafting and administering the Town’s Personnel Policy and negotiating union contracts.

Bobbi has spoken on a number of topics, including “The Legal Aspects of Grants Writing,” “Bullying and The Dignity for All Students Act,” “Achieving Business Success with Transgender Transitions,” “Transgender Legal Issues,” and “Wills, Powers of attorneys and Health Care Proxies.”

Bobbi’s civic actives have included:

• Riverside Presbyterian Church – Elder;
• Niagara Pride – Board Member;
• Children’s Growth Foundation – Director (Former)
• Town of Wheatfield Lion’s Club – Director (Former)
• Greater Niagara Ballet Company – Director (Former)
• Women’s Bar Association of Western New York – Director (Former);

Frank Soda, Member

Francis A. Soda (Frank) has spent his entire career in the education field and in public service, predominantly within the City of Niagara Falls.  His breadth and depth of civics experience and qualifications are a valuable addition and contribution to The Civics Project.

Mr. Soda’s career accomplishments include:

• 9 years service in the New York Army National Guard;
• NYS Department Education Permanent Certificate for teaching;
• 41 years teaching, including within Niagara Falls School District, The Park School and Bishop Duffy;
• BA Social Studies, Niagara University;
• MA Teaching, Niagara University;
• MA Education, SUNY Buffalo;
• Graduate work, National Security Affairs, Canisius College;

Mr. Soda’s civic activities have included:

• Member of the City Council, Niagara Falls, N.Y.  Elected in 1986, served one four-year term.  Appointed twice to serve out unexpired vacancy on the council in 1998 and 2021.  While on council served as member of Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, Niagara Falls City Development Corporation, and as Chair of the City Council;
• Member, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, with service as Chair of the Finance and Control Committee and Chair of the Planning and Priorities Committee;
• Member, Niagara Falls Housing Committee, with service as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and Chairman of the Governance Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee;
• Member, Niagara Falls Financial Advisory Panel, with service on Ad Hoc citizens advisory committee to examine financial policies and practices of the City of Niagara Falls. 
• Member, New York Board of Assessment Review, City of Niagara Falls; 
• Member, Love Canal Revitalization Agency, with service as Agency Treasurer and Personnel Committee;
• New York Recreation Director, Town of Cambria, with service as Liaison to NYS Division for Youth;

Mr. Soda’s service to public boards and foundations have included:

• The Niagara Falls Education Foundation;
• The Park School of Buffalo, with service on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors, the Centennial Celebration Committee and the Advancement Committee;
• The Niagara Falls Police Athletic League, with service on the Scholarship Committee;
• The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Board of Trustees, with service as Chairman of the Finance Committee;
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church Parish Council, with service on the Finance Committee;
• Niagara Catholic High School Board of Trustees, with service as Board President and Inaugural Board of Trustees to Secure School Charter; 
• Niagara Falls School District Senior High School Site Selection and Evaluation Committee;
• Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Ad Hoc Committee for Financial Review and Evaluation of the Annual Budget of the City of Niagara Falls;
• World University Games Basketball Venue Steering Committee, Niagara University Venue Committee;
• Occidental Chemical Corporation Community Advisory Panel, Steering Committee Member;

Retired, Frank and his wife reside in the City of Niagara Falls.

 Allison Lawless, Member

Allison Lawless is an urban professional residing in Buffalo, N.Y.  She works in the Customs Brokerage industry at what Forbes Magazine lists as one of the most respected corporations in America.  Her talent for detail have led her to roles within highly-compliant related industries, including her time as a front line manager of money at an area casino.

Allison’s professional credentials include:

• Quality Driven Management Apprenticeship;
• Heart-centered Leadership, Coaching and Counseling;
• Dale Carnegie training: Effective Communications and Human Relations;
• Gaming License, Seneca Gaming Authority;
• Licensed Massage Therapist, NYS; 
• Bachelor degree in Arts, with a minor in psychology.

Allison brings her experience and talent to The Civics Project and will nurture forward-facing development initiatives, including grant writing, for the team.

Kathleen Christy, Member

Kathleen Christy currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Hilbert College, a position she has held since 2019.

Previously, from 2013-2019 she served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at D’Youville College. From 2001 to 2013 she was the first Executive Director of The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund , a privately funded tuition assistance program for low income children (K-8^th grade) to attend private elementary and high school of choice in Western New York. 

Kathleen is a native of Franklinville, NY, and received her B.A. in History/Political Science and a Minor in Sociology from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and is currently a candidate for a Master’s in Public Administration from Hilbert College (December 2022). Prior to joining the BISON Scholarship Fund, Kathleen’s work experience includes the New York State Senate, United Way of Schenectady County in Schenectady, NY, the Buffalo General Hospital Foundation and the Private Clients Group of Fleet Bank.  

Kathleen is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo (2004), and previously served as a Class Chair and the Leadership Buffalo Member Engagement Committee. She also served as a Board member of Western New York Planned Giving Consortium, Association of Fundraising Professionals of WNY (serving as past Chair of the Philanthropy Day Luncheon), was a founding Board member of Girls on The Run- Buffalo, and past president and member of the St. Amelia School Board and the St. Amelia Finance Committee as well as Past President of the Home School Association of St. Amelia School.  

She also currently serves on the Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Human Services Board, having just been named to the Executive Committee as Secretary of the Board and serves as the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee. She is the current Chair of the Education Advisory Council for the Diocese of Buffalo, Department of Catholic Education and serves as the Chair of the Marketing Committee. She has served on the Catholic Education Dinner Committee, and she and her husband are the past Chairs of the 2019 Catholic Education Gala.

Mike Reed, Board Member

 A goal-driven and performance-focused professional in the IT division of the local banking industry, Mike brings his comprehensive experience in leadership, technology risk mitigation, server administration, system upgrades, and continuous process improvement to The Civics Project. 

Career highlights include:

• Assistant VP, Hardware and Print Operations;
• Hardware problem-resolver;
• Technology Deployment manager;
• Erie 1 BOCES instructor;
• Owner, MR-IT;
• Director of Information Services;

Mike’s educational background includes a BS in Occupational Therapy as well as Leadership Training through the Dale Carnegie organization.   He’s a lifelong WNY resident.