our team

As the Executive Director of the Business Training Institute Inc. since its creation two decades ago, she has the academic and business background to successfully operate this community-based agency.

Dr. Laino studied and attained degrees from Cortland and Oswego State Colleges and SUNY College of Technology in Utica, New York She was also awarded a Doctorate in Management, Research and Policy from SUNY Buffalo.

She is responsible for the overall management team that has effectively been together to jointly manage BTI since its inception.  Her role is to bring together this strong team to successfully manage and operate a successful business and entrepreneurial enterprise organization. 

Dr. Laino has a strong commitment and dedication in leading her team to successfully implement the highest quality of entrepreneurship training and technical assistance to grow the economy and create jobs. 

As the WBC’s Director, Donna Rebisz is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and reporting the Women’s Business Center of New York State’s competitive grant operations. She is responsible for the overall management of the WBC, spanning twenty-nine counties in upstate New York, since its inception. 

She continuously applies her academic and management knowledge and skills that are derived from her ongoing studies in business research and the field of entrepreneurship opportunities for women. Donna has a BA in Education Administration from LaSalle University. 

Donna has a strong entrepreneurial dedication and commitment to helping women start-up and succeed in their own business. This has resulted in creating new businesses and jobs that contribute to the economic growth in upstate New York State.

As Program Director, Tricia is responsible for the ongoing coordination of BTI programs. She works with the Project Director to assess, implement, and monitor all of the competitive school grants. 

She assists in conducting follow-up surveys of BTI’s entrepreneur clients to ensure satisfactory program outcomes. She attained a degree from Herkimer Community College in Herkimer, New York.

In addition, Tricia is responsible for assisting in the ongoing client data collection and electronic reporting initiatives with the Project Director. 

As the Chief Financial Officer, Dina Vullo is responsible for overseeing, monitoring and reporting the financial data for the Business Training Institute Inc. She has an academic and financial background and holds a degree from Empire StateCollege.

Dina is responsible for overseeing all of the financial reporting of BTI staff, after school Instructors/Staff and business consultants, while maintaining an updated financial tracking system. 

She is committed to utilizing the most current accounting rules and regulations in maintaining our financial management system. BTI has successfully passed all previous and current audits, site reviews and monetary evaluations. 

As Project Director, Jeff is responsible for overseeing, monitoring, and coordinating all competitive Extended School Day and the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, awarded to the Business Training Institute. 

He studied at Mohawk Valley Community College and Utica College.

Jeff manages the comprehensive monitoring system that is in keeping with the established goals and objectives of each grant. 

Jeff oversees all of the after-school Instructors/Staff, training programs and grant surveys, while maintaining an updated grant tracking system.