An educator, author, and elected union official with experience in communications, broadcasting, journalism, Franciscan theology, non-profit management and mental health.
Education
- Orchard Park High School
- Regents with Honors
- SUNY at Buffalo
- BA– Community Mental Health & Nonprofit Management
Education Career
- Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School: Started in 2018 as Communications Director, moved into a classroom full-time in 2020– first teaching English 9 & 10 and now Religion 9 & 10. Unanimously elected Timon Union Rep 2023 and 2024.
- Medaille College: Adjunct Professor, Communications, 2014-2018, teaching mostly Public Speaking, as many as five sections per semester.
Media Career
- Spent 25 years working in Buffalo Radio & TV at WBEN Radio, Channel 4, and WNSA Radio/Empire Sports Network. Left WBEN in 2013 as News Director after 10 years as a news reporter and anchor.
- Wrote more than 1,600 installments of the [BN] Chronicles Buffalo history series for The Buffalo News, 2013-2023
- Has written seven books: Amazon Author Page
- A proud member of NABET/CWA Local 25 in 1998 when half of our unit was locked out by the out-of-town owners of WIVB-TV.
Community Service
- Advocate for Mental Health– have written extensively about my own mental health journey, testified before the Erie County Legislature, co-starred in TV public service announcement
- Television co-host of Variety Club Telethon
- Past Parish Council President, sacristan, catechist, lector, Eucharistic Minister at St. Mark Parish, Buffalo
- Served as President of the non-profit Buffalo Broadcasters, past director of Parkside Community Association
- Candidate for Erie County Clerk, 2018.
- Endorsed Democrat & Working Families candidate
- Raised $150,000 and received 103,000 votes
Awards
- 40 Under 40, Buffalo Business First
- Buffalo’s Best Blogger, Buffalo Spree
- Parkside Partner Award, Parkside Community Association
- News Director of the Year, Medaille College
- Ten First Place Awards for Excellence in journalism, NYS Associated Press Association
Qualifications for holding SLTA office
- Tenured at Timon, 9/23
- Unanimously elected to represent Timon on SLTA Executive Board, 9/23
- attended every meeting 23-24
- Virtus Certified, October 23, 2018
To read more about Steve Cichon’s plans for a new era for the STLA, visit slta.stevecichon.com