Be Your Own Hero Careers

If you've attended a Be Your Own Hero Career Experience, chances are you've benefited from Carl's behind-the-scenes magic, especially when it comes to keeping everyone fed and energized. As our unofficial (but highly important) Career Experience Lunch Guru, Carl knows that great conversations and career connections happen even over lunch.

Professionally, Carl brings extensive experience in talent acquisition and workforce development, helping organizations attract, develop, and retain top talent. As a BYOH Board Member, he is passionate about connecting students to employers, skilled trades, and career pathways they may never have known existed.

Carl believes that exposure creates opportunity. Whether it's introducing a student to a new industry, helping employers connect with future talent, or building partnerships that strengthen our workforce, he is committed to bridging the gap between education and employment.

Known for his approachable personality, practical insights, and community-first mindset, Carl understands that meaningful impact happens when schools, businesses, and community leaders work together. And while he's helping shape the future workforce, he's also making sure nobody leaves Career Experience hungry.

A career change doesn’t have to start with a four-year degree.

This Plumbing Career Pathway Program is designed for adults ready to learn a skilled trade and build a more stable future. Whether you're navigating a layoff, changing directions, or looking for a fresh start, this training can help you take the next step.

📍 Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development
💰 Qualified applicants may be eligible for full tuition funding

Skilled trades continue to be one of the most in-demand career paths across WNY.

Apply today
https://wfd.e1b.org/student-services/registration-application-trades

At Be Your Own Hero, we believe that one conversation, one connection, or one opportunity can change a young person's future—and that's exactly why we're excited to spotlight Nikki Sothoron!

Through her impressive title and amazing work with the Buffalo Bills, Nikki is a champion for creating opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping others succeed. Whether she's bringing people together, supporting community initiatives, or finding ways to make an impact, Nikki finds time to lead with enthusiasm and shows a genuine passion for helping others.

What we appreciate most about Nikki is her belief that every young person deserves the chance to see what's possible. She understands that exposure matters, and that sometimes all it takes is meeting the right person or hearing the right story to spark a future career path.

Her energy, positivity, and community-first mindset make her a natural fit for the BYOH family. We're grateful for her support as we continue connecting students with careers, mentors, and experiences that help them dream bigger and see new possibilities for their future.

Thank you, Nikki, for being a role model, connector, and advocate for the next generation of leaders right here in Western New York!

Be Your Own Hero is incredibly grateful for Board Treasurer Maddison “Maddy” Crowley, whose heart for community and passion for helping young people shines through in everything she does.

Maddy brings energy, creativity, and genuine compassion to the BYOH Board of Directors. She believes every student deserves the chance to see opportunities beyond what they may traditionally know and she is passionate about helping connect youth to experiences that can inspire their future paths.

What makes Maddy so special is that she truly gives from the heart. Whether she is donating prizes, gifts, and signs for our Career Experience events, volunteering her time, or even bringing along her husband to help support our mission, Maddy shows up simply because she loves being part of something that makes a difference for kids in our community.

Her willingness to jump in wherever needed, support local students, and help create memorable experiences reflects exactly what BYOH is all about, community, opportunity, and believing in the potential of every young person.

We are proud and thankful to have Maddy as part of the BYOH family as we continue working to help students build confidence, explore career pathways, and realize their full potential.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🇺🇸

At BYOH, we are grateful for the freedoms and opportunities their service has made possible. As we continue working to empower the next generation through career exposure, mentorship, and community partnerships, we do so with appreciation for those who served before us.

Today, we remember the heroes who gave everything — and we thank the military families and veterans who continue to inspire strength, resilience, and service.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Looking for a more stable path forward? The CNC Machining Pathway Program is offering hands-on training opportunities for eligible applicants ready to build skills in advanced manufacturing.

Morning and evening classes are available through Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development South Campus, in partnership with Workforce Buffalo and the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance (BNMA). Qualified applicants may also be eligible for full tuition funding.

If your income situation has changed or you’re trying to get back into the workforce, this could be a strong next step.

Apply today through the link below:
https://wfd.e1b.org/student-services/registration-application-trades

The Be Your Own Hero Career Experience brought together employers from across Western New York — each showing students a different side of the working world.

Thank you to The MJA Company, Lamparelli Construction, and RP Oak Hill Building Company for being part of this year’s event and taking time to connect with students exploring careers in construction, development, and the skilled trades.

The conversations, advice, and exposure matter more than people realize. 💚





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Thank you to our Table Sponsors for helping make the Be Your Own Hero Career Experience possible. 🙌

🔹 Kimal Construction
🔹 Kreher Family Farms
🔹 Kenworth Northeast

On March 31st, over 1,000 students walked through the doors at RiverWorks looking for direction. Different industries. Different pathways. One shared investment in the next generation across Western New York. We appreciate your support. 💚



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Kreher Family Farms
Kenworth Northeast
Kimil Con struction

This is what Be Your Own Hero is all about. 💚
Todd Graci was once a student participant in BYOH programming. Today, he's the Director of Stadium Construction for the Buffalo Bills — leading the team building the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.

A University at Buffalo graduate with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture, Todd now serves on the BYOH Board, giving back to the same organization that helped shape his path.

His story is proof that education, exposure, and the right opportunities can take you further than you ever imagined. The career you dream about today might evolve into something even bigger.

Todd didn't just find a career. He built one. And now he's helping build one of the most iconic projects in WNY history.

From Be Your Own Hero student to Bills stadium leader. That's the mission in action.

Thank you to our Table Sponsors at Career Experience 2026! 🙌
🔹 Hamburg Overhead Door Inc.
🔹 Hazmat Environmental Group Inc.
🔹 Hybrid Building Solutions
🔹 Gyp-Sys (Gypsum Systems LLC)

On March 31st, over 1,000 students walked through the doors at RiverWorks looking for direction. These four showed up to give it to them.

Garage doors. Environmental services. Fabric structures. Commercial construction. All different industries. All committed to developing the next generation of workers.

That's what this event is about. And that's what these sponsors helped make happen.

We appreciate you. 💚

🔗 beyourownherous.org





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Hazmat Environmental Group, Inc. - Buffalo
Hybrid Building Solutions, LLC
Hybrid Building Solutions, LLC