University at Buffalo School of Management

4 Buffalo Business Spring 2021 Startups Team works to improve plastics recycling with $2 million grant Giant garbage patches in the oceans. Confusion over what is and what is not recyclable. Microplastics invading our water supplies and wildlife. These are just some of the problems associated with society's growing use of plastics. Aditya Vedantam, assistant professor of operations management and strategy, is part of a multidisciplinary UB research group awarded nearly $2 million from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to assess plastic recycling and educate the public. The University at Buffalo RENEW Institute is working on an ambitious study of the plastics recycling industry, which was thrown into disarray aer China curtailed its waste importing business in 2018. RENEW harnesses the expertise of more than 100 faculty members from seven schools and colleges at UB, including the School of Management. In addition to environmental issues, it also tackles energy and water issues, with a focus on developing and coordinating innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more, visit bit.ly/recyclegrant. Remembering Keith Stolzenburg Keith Stolzenburg—a beloved mentor, treasured colleague and dedicated School of Management alum- nus—died in September. He was 61. Born in North Tona- wanda, the lifelong Western New Yorker earned his bach- elor's degree and MBA from the School of Management and would oen jokingly introduce himself as "Keith Stolzenburg, CPA, MBA and all-around good guy"—a testament to his jovial nature and the pride he took in his career. Aer a 36-year career with PwC, Stolzenburg was named executive in resi- dence for accounting in the UB School of Management in 2017, teaching in the MS in Accounting program and providing extensive guidance and mentorship to students on the cusp of their own account- ing careers. Before his retirement from PwC, Stolzenburg specialized in compliance, mergers and acquisitions, financial state- ments, tax and other accounting issues for the firm. His portfo- lio consisted of a mix of public and private clients in many sectors, and he served in several leadership positions, most recently as managing partner of the firm's Buffalo office and Upstate New York market team leader. Beyond the accounting profession, Stolzenburg was known throughout the community for his dedication to many causes, oen called upon by area orga- nizations for his accounting and busi- ness expertise. Among other activities, he was a longtime member and chair of the Darwin Martin House Restoration Corp. board, served as a board member and treasurer of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, and chaired the United Way's 2018 and 2019 Campaigns for the Community. Stolzenburg is survived by his wife, Rosanne, and their children, Anna and Eric. To honor him, his family created the Keith M. Stolzenburg Endowed Scholarship Fund, enabling his incredible impact on students to carry on through those who benefit from the fund in the future. Donations in Stolzenburg's memory can be made at buffalo.edu/giving/stolzenburg.

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