About Us
​The LBA has a purpose-driven mission to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the greater Olean area.
The LBA exists to power the Olean region’s economy through small business growth
The Laine Business Accelerator is built for main street — real businesses, in real towns, solving real problems. Founded by entrepreneurs and economic leaders, we believe in helping good businesses become great with hands-on, practical tools that work.
POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
30 Cohort
Businesses Accelerated
$160K in Seed
Funding Provided
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7 Previous Vacant
Storefronts Now Open
Eric Laine
Erick Laine is the former CEO and Chairman of Cutco Corporation, who passed away in December 2020, at the age of 87. Mr. Laine is known for his remarkable entrepreneurial leadership and generosity in the Olean and greater Cattaraugus County community. The Laine Business Accelerator is funded by the Erick Laine Entrepreneurship Fund, a memorial created after his passing, through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) and administered by Olean Business Development Corporation (OBDC).
Meet The Team
Tom Cullen
Co-Founder, Director of the LBA (and director of SBU Innovation Center)
Kathleen Martel
LBA Managing Team Member (JCC - Director of Workforce Development)
Brianna Shay
LBA Managing Team Member (Coordinator of Innovation and Entrepreneurship @ JCC)
Jake Theodore
LBA Intern (JCC Business Class of 2023, SBU Management Class of 2025)
Hailey Jones
LBA Intern (SUNY Brockport Class of 2025)
Steve McClain
LBA Committee Chair-OBDC Board (Digital Marketing Manager-Cutco)
Todd Palmer
SBU Management Chair, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Director of SBU C4 Student Consulting
Sarah Bray
LBA Co-Founder (JCC Associate Professor of Business & Entrepreneurship)
Tripp Breen
LBA Summer Intern (SBU Business Administration Class of 2023)
Ryley Cleveland
LBA Intern
Jim Stitt
LBA Co-Founder (Board Chairman-OBDC, Board Chairman-Cutco)
Courtney Curatolo
LBA Managing Team Member (Director SBDC@JCC)
Sean Campbell
Business Development & Operations Associate (OBDC)
Riley Polizzi
LBA Intern (SBU Marketing Class of 2024)
Hudson Kwiatkowski
LBA Intern
Bob Forness
LBA Managing Team Member (OBDC President & Executive Director)
Mackenzie Bush
LBA Co-Founder (SBU Marketing Class of 2023)
Morgan Wahl
LBA Co-Founder (SBU MBA Class of 2022)
Saidy Bolya
LBA Intern (SBU Marketing Class of 2024)
