WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

Your Hometown
Recruiters.

We have a lot of information about the people we help find jobs, which helps us understand what they need and want. Because of this, we get a lot of business from other companies and have good relationships with the people we work with for a long time.

GET TO KNOW US

We take pride in our reputation for creating long-lasting relationships within our community. We are excited to pair hardworking local candidates with our exceptional clients in order to find the perfect fit for all parties involved, and to contribute to the success of Buffalo.

Kelly Cultrara

President / Partner

Ron Papaj

Division President - Eng & Ops

Angela Gunther

Placement Director

Justin Garbacz

Payroll Manager

Amy Bessel

Information Technology Placement Director

Dawn Fletch

Director of New Business Development Accounting/Finance/IT

Jessica Mittner

Placement Director

Ashley Cultrara

Placement Coordinator

Amy Morphy

Director of Recruitment

Phil Cultrara

Staffing & Recruiting

David Drabinski

New Business Development Director

Meet Joe Kreuz

AP Professionals of WNY LLC was founded in 1993 by Joseph R. Kreuz following a career at the world’s premier Fortune 500 search and staffing firm. AP and its related affiliate companies currently employ over 800 people with offices throughout the US, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the European community.

Joe has worked in the staffing industry since 1984. He’s expanded their footprint in the UK twice in his career, dating back to 1989 and a second time under a new brand in 2014.

Education

University of Buffalo BS,
School of Management

Connect with Joe

Meet Joe Kreuz

AP Professionals of WNY LLC was founded in 1993 by Joseph R. Kreuz following a career at the world’s premier Fortune 500 search and staffing firm. AP and its related affiliate companies currently employ over 800 people with offices throughout the US, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the European community.

Joe has worked in the staffing industry since 1984. He’s expanded their footprint in the UK twice in his career, dating back to 1989 and a second time under a new brand in 2014.

Education

University of Buffalo
BS, School of Management

Connect with Joe

Professional Affiliations

  • Board member, University at Buffalo- School of Management
  • Past board chair, Gateway-Longview

Community Affiliations

  • John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital
  • SABAH
  • Buffalo Renaissance Foundation
  • UB Alumni
  • United Way
  • Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative
  • UB School of Management

Meet Kelly Cultrara

With over 20 years of experience in the recruitment and staffing industry, Kelly leads the operations of our original flagship office headquartered in the Walker Center. She joined AP Professionals in 2004. In 2016, she became an equity partner of the Advantage Business Exchange, a trusted one-stop venue for all of our consumer, commercial and government clients by enabling direct access to all of our premium resources.

Kelly is a dynamic sales and marketing professional with an extensive professional network. Niche markets include Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Engineering, IT , Administrative and Healthcare. Furthermore, Kelly has made a lasting commitment to serve in the community and serves on several boards and committees. Consistent with AP’s motto, she strives to develop relationships that last a lifetime.

Education

SUNY College at
Buffalo Business Management

Connect with Kelly

Meet Kelly Cultrara

With over 20 years of experience in the recruitment and staffing industry, Kelly leads the operations of our original flagship office headquartered in the Walker Center. She joined AP Professionals in 2004. In 2016, she became an equity partner of the Advantage Business Exchange, a trusted one-stop venue for all of our consumer, commercial and government clients by enabling direct access to all of our premium resources.

Kelly is a dynamic sales and marketing professional with an extensive professional network. Niche markets include Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Engineering, IT , Administrative and Healthcare. Furthermore, Kelly has made a lasting commitment to serve in the community and serves on several boards and committees. Consistent with AP’s motto, she strives to develop relationships that last a lifetime.

EDUCATION

SUNY College at Buffalo Business Management

CONNECT WITH KELLY

Professional Affiliations

  • NHRA of WNY
  • Buffalo Niagara Partnership
  • Recruitment Leaders
  • SHRM
  • Leadership Buffalo, Class of 2009

Community Affiliations

  • Angels of Awareness, Board of Directors
  • Change MS Wellness Foundation, Vice President
  • March of Dimes, Former Buffalo Chapter Board Member
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • Child and Adolescent Treatment Services (CATS) Co-Chair Fire and Ice Gala
  • Women and Children’s Hospital Foundation
  • Boys and Girls Town of Italy

Meet Ron Papaj

Technical Search and Operational Excellence, is a division of AP. Professionals of Western New York. Ron has been with the firm since October of 1997, and specializes in Engineering, CAD Design, Manufacturing Operations, and Organization Performance Excellence. Prior to joining AP., Ron worked as Business Manager for PC Industrial Design, A CAD Design Firm; as Project Manager with the Engineering Firms’ Hatch Associates and Hibbard Engineers; and as Contract Administrator with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority on the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit Project.

Ron earned a Business Management Degree from Canisius College and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University at Buffalo Law School.

Education

University at Buffalo Law School
-Juris Doctor Degree

Canisius College BS, Business 
-Management

Connect with Ron

Meet Ron Papaj

Technical Search and Operational Excellence, is a division of AP. Professionals of Western New York. Ron has been with the firm since October of 1997, and specializes in Engineering, CAD Design, Manufacturing Operations, and Organization Performance Excellence. Prior to joining AP., Ron worked as Business Manager for PC Industrial Design, A CAD Design Firm; as Project Manager with the Engineering Firms’ Hatch Associates and Hibbard Engineers; and as Contract Administrator with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority on the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit Project.

Ron earned a Business Management Degree from Canisius College and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University at Buffalo Law School.

Education

University at Buffalo Law School
-Juris Doctor Degree

Canisius College BS, Business 
-Management

Connect with Ron

Professional Affiliations

  • Ron is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Engineering Society of Buffalo and the Technology Advisory Board of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District. Ron is a member of the American Society of Quality.

Meet Angela Gunther

Angela is a Human Resources Specialist with over 14 years of direct talent acquisition experience including executive, academic and physician recruitment in both in-house and agency settings. Prior to her current role as Placement Director for the Accounting and Finance Division of AP Professionals, she was a member of the small four person Executive & Faculty Recruitment Team at Roswell Park (Buffalo, NY) that successfully recruited an unprecedented 50 physician and scientific hires during the extremely uncertain Covid pandemic years of March 2020-August 2021.  Angela has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from West Virginia University, an MBA from St. Bonaventure University and a professional certification designation (CPRP) for physician recruiters.  Angela loves to learn, strategize, and analyze trends…especially in the area of recruitment. She truly enjoys working with people on a personal level and her absolute favorite part of recruitment is seeing a candidate and client get genuinely excited when an amazing match is made!! When not working, you can find her at one of her children’s football, basketball, cheer, or softball games! Go Bills! Go Bonas! Go Mountaineers! Go St. Joe’s! Go SSPP Knights!!

Education

BS, West Virginia University – Marketing

MBA, St. Bonaventure University  – Marketing

Connect with Angela

Meet Angela Gunther

Angela is a Human Resources Specialist with over 14 years of direct talent acquisition experience including executive, academic and physician recruitment in both in-house and agency settings. Prior to her current role as Placement Director for the Accounting and Finance Division of AP Professionals, she was a member of the small four person Executive & Faculty Recruitment Team at Roswell Park (Buffalo, NY) that successfully recruited an unprecedented 50 physician and scientific hires during the extremely uncertain Covid pandemic years of March 2020-August 2021.  Angela has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from West Virginia University, an MBA from St. Bonaventure University and a professional certification designation (CPRP) for physician recruiters.  Angela loves to learn, strategize, and analyze trends…especially in the area of recruitment. She truly enjoys working with people on a personal level and her absolute favorite part of recruitment is seeing a candidate and client get genuinely excited when an amazing match is made!! When not working, you can find her at one of her children’s football, basketball, cheer, or softball games! Go Bills! Go Bonas! Go Mountaineers! Go St. Joe’s! Go SSPP Knights!!

Education

BS, West Virginia University – Marketing

MBA, St. Bonaventure University  – Marketing

Connect with Jennifer

Meet Justin Garbacz

Justin joined the AP team in June of 2022 as our Payroll Manager. Justin has a strong background in education, having taught high school mathematics and coaching competitive basketball. Justin will be using his love for numbers and the problem solving skills he has learned throughout his career, as well as his love of building relationships to support our staffing business. Justin will continue using his “growth mindset” to strengthen our payroll processing function, as well as in the areas of benefits, onboarding and compliance, and looks forward to assisting in the recruitment process as well.

Education

SUNY Buffalo State
MS,
Computer and Information Sciences
BS, Mathematics

Connect with Justin

Meet Justin Garbacz

Justin joined the AP team in June of 2022 as our Payroll Manager. Justin has a strong background in education, having taught high school mathematics and coaching competitive basketball. Justin will be using his love for numbers and the problem solving skills he has learned throughout his career, as well as his love of building relationships to support our staffing business. Justin will continue using his “growth mindset” to strengthen our payroll processing function, as well as in the areas of benefits, onboarding and compliance, and looks forward to assisting in the recruitment process as well.

Education

SUNY Buffalo State
MS, Computer and Information Sciences
BS, Mathematics

Connect with Justin

Professional Affiliations

  • National Human Resources Association – Rochester Affiliate
    Board of Directors, 2015 – 2019
    Secretary, 2015 – 2019
    Member of the Year, 2010
    Annual Silent Auction Committee Member, 2010 – 2013
    Annual Summer Social Committee Member, 2014 – 2018

Community Affiliations

  • GameonSports
  • Topper Sports Leagues
  • Mile Sports
  • Officiated for 20+ Years  in the sport of football

Meet Amy Bessel

Amy has over 20 years of experience as a Professional Recruiter, specializing in IT placements. She joined the AP team in September 2017 as Placement Director for the IT Division. Amy is an accomplished, ambitious professional with full life cycle recruiting experience and a strong passion for helping people. With her proven ability to network she is able create and maintain long-term partnerships, building relationships that last a lifetime.

Role

Information Technology Placement Director

Connect with Amy

Meet Amy Bessel

Amy has over 20 years of experience as a Professional Recruiter, specializing in IT placements. She joined the AP team in September 2017 as Placement Director for the IT Division. Amy is an accomplished, ambitious professional with full life cycle recruiting experience and a strong passion for helping people. With her proven ability to network she is able create and maintain long-term partnerships, building relationships that last a lifetime.

Role

Information Technology Placement Director

Connect with Amy

Community Affiliations

  • Elly’s Angels
  • Heart Animal Rescue and Adoption

Meet Dawn Fletch

Dawn Fletch joined the AP team in September 2016 as Our Director of New Business Development. She came to us after a very successful 13-year career working with The Buffalo News as a Recruitment Account Executive. Dawn has over 20 years experience in the Human Resources arena including recruitment and sales.

As the Director of New Business Development, Dawn focuses primarily on developing relationships with new and existing clients and also assists with recruitment and interviewing for accounting and IT candidates.

Education

University of Buffalo BS, School of Management

Connect with Dawn

Meet Dawn Fletch

Dawn Fletch joined the AP team in September 2016 as Our Director of New Business Development. She came to us after a very successful 13-year career working with The Buffalo News as a Recruitment Account Executive. Dawn has over 20 years experience in the Human Resources arena including recruitment and sales.

As the Director of New Business Development, Dawn focuses primarily on developing relationships with new and existing clients and also assists with recruitment and interviewing for accounting and IT candidates.

Education

University of Buffalo BS, School of Management

Connect with Dawn

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS​

  • Dodge Road Elementary PTA Board – Treasurer 2013-2015
  • Dodge Road Elementary PTA Board –Co-President 2015-2017
  •  Williamsville PTSA Council Representative 2018-2020
  • Williamsville PTSA Council Vice President 2020-2021
  • Casey Middle School PTSA – VP of Fundraising Elect 2019-2021
  • PTSA Council – Co-President 2020-2022

Meet Jessica Mittner

Jessica originally started with the AP team in January of 2011 as an Intern in the Rochester, NY office. After she graduated from St. John Fisher College, in 2012, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, a Concentration in HR and Marketing, and a Minor in International Studies, she joined the Buffalo team permanently. In 2013, Jessica moved out of state. During her time out of state, she gained 5 years of additional staffing experience. She rejoined the AP Buffalo team in 2018 as a Placement Director for the Administrative Division. Happy to be back with AP Professionals and back in Buffalo, Jessica uses her 8+ years of combined experience to connect people with great opportunities and provide clients with the best possible candidates and service.

Education

St. John Fisher College
BS, Business Management, Concentration in HR & Marketing

Connect with Jessica

Meet Jessica Mittner

Jessica originally started with the AP team in January of 2011 as an Intern in the Rochester, NY office. After she graduated from St. John Fisher College, in 2012, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, a Concentration in HR and Marketing, and a Minor in International Studies, she joined the Buffalo team permanently. In 2013, Jessica moved out of state. During her time out of state, she gained 5 years of additional staffing experience. She rejoined the AP Buffalo team in 2018 as a Placement Director for the Administrative Division. Happy to be back with AP Professionals and back in Buffalo, Jessica uses her 8+ years of combined experience to connect people with great opportunities and provide clients with the best possible candidates and service.

Education

St. John Fisher College
BS, Business Management,
Concentration in HR & Marketing

Connect with Jessica

What do you like to do in your spare time:

My husband and I remain busy spending time with our three young children!  We enjoy being active by running and getting outside as much as possible with the kids.  Our weekends are now filled with t-ball games and dance classes, and we love it. 

Community Affiliations

  • GameonSports
  • Topper Sports Leagues
  • Mile Sports
  • Officiated for 20+ Years  in the sport of football

Meet Ashley Cultrara

Ashley started her career in the fashion industry as early as 15 which has inspired her to fulfill her passion for individuality and creativity. In addition to gaining extensive knowledge in the industry, she has harnessed her organizational, customer service, and leadership skills. That experience combined with obtaining her BA in Psychology in 2017 has led to her current role with AP Professionals of WNY where she is a passionate HR professional dedicated to understanding the psychology of people and what motivates them, to best help them into the right careers.

Education

SUNY Buffalo State BA,
Psychology

Connect with Ashley

Meet Ashley Cultrara

Ashley started her career in the fashion industry as early as 15 which has inspired her to fulfill her passion for individuality and creativity. In addition to gaining extensive knowledge in the industry, she has harnessed her organizational, customer service, and leadership skills. That experience combined with obtaining her BA in Psychology in 2017 has led to her current role with AP Professionals of WNY where she is a passionate HR professional dedicated to understanding the psychology of people and what motivates them, to best help them into the right careers.

Education

SUNY Buffalo State BA,
Psychology

Connect with Ashley

Community Affiliations

  • Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation

Meet Amy Morphy

Amy joins the APWNY family as Director of Recruiting in our Administrative Division. Amy is a self-motivated, organized, and ambitious leader who prides herself on strong communication skills and relationship building. Her background is in administration, marketing, and organizational leadership. Amy graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Walden University with a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction and has a B.S. Degree from Fredonia University in Education.  The positive energy and work ethic she brings to the AP team is monumental. With her education and successful life experiences she has a multitude of transferable skills that make her the ideal recruiter for businesses and candidates alike.

Education

BAS, Fredonia University

MAS, Walden University

Connect with Amy

Meet Amy Morphy

Amy joins the APWNY family as Director of Recruiting in our Administrative Division. Amy is a self-motivated, organized, and ambitious leader who prides herself on strong communication skills and relationship building. Her background is in administration, marketing, and organizational leadership. Amy graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Walden University with a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction and has a B.S. Degree from Fredonia University in Education.  The positive energy and work ethic she brings to the AP team is monumental. With her education and successful life experiences she has a multitude of transferable skills that make her the ideal recruiter for businesses and candidates alike.

Education

BAS, Fredonia University

MAS, Walden University

Connect with Amy

Professional Affiliations

  • National Human Resources Association – Rochester Affiliate
    Board of Directors, 2015 – 2019
    Secretary, 2015 – 2019
    Member of the Year, 2010
    Annual Silent Auction Committee Member, 2010 – 2013
    Annual Summer Social Committee Member, 2014 – 2018

Community Affiliations

  • GameonSports
  • Topper Sports Leagues
  • Mile Sports
  • Officiated for 20+ Years  in the sport of football

Meet Phil Cultrara

Phil has been with the Advantage Company since 2012, but in July of 2019, joined AP Professionals of WNY as a staffing professional specializing in the engineering and manufacturing industry. Phil brings relationship development and leadership as a Placement Manager with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, an Associate’s in Criminal Justice and a Paralegal Degree, all of which contribute to outstanding knowledge of compliance, customer service, and strong communication skills. Phil also has a background in competitive sports, both hockey and baseball, and is passionate about giving back to the community by volunteering his time for various non-profit organizations. Phil is motivated to help people build a career and does so with care, concern, and empathy. 

Education

Bachelor of Arts From SUNY Buffalo

Connect with Phil

Meet Phil Cultrara

Phil has been with the Advantage Company since 2012, but in July of 2019, joined AP Professionals of WNY as a staffing professional specializing in the engineering and manufacturing industry. Phil brings relationship development and leadership as a Placement Manager with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, an Associate’s in Criminal Justice and a Paralegal Degree, all of which contribute to outstanding knowledge of compliance, customer service, and strong communication skills. Phil also has a background in competitive sports, both hockey and baseball, and is passionate about giving back to the community by volunteering his time for various non-profit organizations. Phil is motivated to help people build a career and does so with care, concern, and empathy. 

Education

Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Buffalo

Connect with Phil

Meet David Drabinski

David Drabinski is a Placement Director for the Engineering & Information Technology Division. He focuses on business development and recruiting for mid to executive-level contracts and direct hire engineering and information technology placement. David recently moved back to his hometown of Buffalo, New York, after 14 years in California. I am glad to be back in Western New York. Helping people find their dream jobs and companies hire the perfect candidate. I truly believe in making relationships that last a lifetime.

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo

Bachelor in Arts – 2005

California State University at Bakersfield

Single Subject Teaching Credential – 2010

Concordia University at Irvine

Master of Arts in Education: Educational Administration Credential – 2016

University of San Diego

Career Technical Education Credential in Engineering and Marketing- 2020

Connect with David

Meet David Drabinski

David Drabinski is a Placement Director for the Engineering & Information Technology Division. He focuses on business development and recruiting for mid to executive-level contracts and direct hire engineering and information technology placement. David recently moved back to his hometown of Buffalo, New York, after 14 years in California. I am glad to be back in Western New York. Helping people find their dream jobs and companies hire the perfect candidate. I truly believe in making relationships that last a lifetime.

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo

Bachelor in Arts – 2005

California State University at Bakersfield

Single Subject Teaching Credential – 2010

Concordia University at Irvine

Master of Arts in Education: Educational Administration Credential – 2016

University of San Diego

Career Technical Education Credential in Engineering and Marketing- 2020

Connect with David

Spare Time

I have two wonderful kids, an 11-year-old named Chase and an eight-year-old daughter named Dailyn. I love to coach both of my kid’s soccer teams. I am super active whether it’s playing sports, hiking or going on any adventure. In the summer I love to be on the lake in any shape or form and in the winters at my cabin in Ellicottville.