As president of Masiello, Martucci & Hughes, Tony puts his 35 years of government experience and contacts to work for his clients, earning his reputation as an effective, results-oriented lobbyist.
From his earliest days on the Buffalo Common Council (1971-1980), to Albany as Buffalo’s state senator (1980-1993), and throughout his 12-year tenure as Buffalo’s 57th mayor (1994-2006), Tony successfully forged bonds with decision-makers at every level of government.
As mayor, Tony doubled the amount of state aid to Buffalo and convinced the federal and state governments to fund the re-engineering of both the Buffalo Police and Fire Departments. Working with Governors Cuomo and Pataki, Tony secured state and local funding for projects like the HSBC Arena, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and the Theatre District expansion. Targeted investments such as these, along with efforts to spur development on Buffalo’s Inner Harbor Waterfront, expanding downtown housing and securing funding for the return of automobile traffic to Main Street are the focal points of Buffalo’s award-winning Queen City Hub Plan – the blueprint for over $1 billion of investment that’s already spawned a wealth of new housing and business development in downtown Buffalo.
One of the architects of the Joint Schools Construction legislation, Tony played a key role directing over $1 billion of state investment into the renovation and transformation of Buffalo’s public schools. He built on that initial investment with the Mayor’s Livable Communities Grant Program, encouraging block clubs and community groups to undertake projects that produce measurable physical and visual improvements in the neighborhoods where these schools are located, thus maximizing impact.
A nationally recognized expert on brownfield reclamation, Tony focused on cleaning polluted land up to standard and on making former brownfields shovel-ready for redevelopment. Convincing HealthNow, Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s parent company, to locate its company’s headquarters at the old Buffalo Gas Works site, Tony brought home a project with a total economic impact of almost $2 billion – the largest private sector development in downtown Buffalo since 1967.
Masiello, Martucci & Hughes Managing Partner Victor Martucci has decades of collective experience leveraging political know-how for political action – and the results our clients need.
Vic has built an impressive resume of experience over the last 26 years in both private business and government service. He began his career in government as an intern at the Buffalo District Office of Congressman Jack Kemp. In 1984, at the age of 24, Vic was hired by the director of Field Operations for Reagan/Bush New York, with the responsibility to travel to New York State’s 62 counties coordinating grassroot programs.
In 1985, Vic became a senior executive assistant to then Erie County Executive Edward J. Rutkowski. During his time in the Rutkowski Administration, he worked as a liaison to the New York State Association of Counties and its Medicaid Reform Task Force. He later joined the staff of state Senators Walter J. Floss and his successor, John B. Sheffer. Vic began his private business career in 1989 when he joined a local advertising and public relations firm. He worked with a diverse mix of clients and handled myriad client services including writing press releases and editorial pieces, scheduling and managing news conferences, writing and designing brochures, writing and producing radio and television commercials, writing campaign plans and campaign finance plans and advising clients on strategic planning.
In 1995, Vic began a 14-year career as vice president of The Marrano/Marc Equity Corporation, Upstate New York’s largest home builder. He developed strong, longstanding relationships with elected officials at every level of government, and has demonstrated the ability to be equally effective with both Democrats and Republicans. Vic developed an expertise in zoning and planning laws and regulations, as well as New York state’s complex SEQR requirements. He has successfully managed the development of condominium projects in Boston, Mass., and most recently, Hillsboro Beach, Fla. Vic also played an important role in writing and managing the company’s annual business plan and long-term strategic plan.
Governor George Pataki appointed Vic to serve on the Peace Bridge Authority (1999-2001), a bi-national public authority responsible for operating and maintaining one of the United States busiest border crossings. He became Vice Chairman of the Peace Bridge Authority shortly after his appointment, and was later elected Chairman. Vic was honored by Business First of Buffalo on its “40 Under 40″ list, recognizing Western New York’s distinguished leaders who are under the age of 40. He has also served as chairman of the Town of Tonawanda Republican Committee (1990-1995).
Masiello Martucci & Hughes Partner Mike Hughes brings more than two decades of C-Suite experience in health care, transportation, public relations, and government relations that makes our team even stronger in helping clients succeed and prosper.
Mike was an executive with Kaleida Health, Western New York’s largest employer ($2.4 billion & 13,000 employees) rising to his most recent position as senior vice president and the chief administrative officer. Recruited in 2004, he spent nearly two decades increasing his responsibilities with the health system, overseeing all external affairs (marketing, communications and government relations), plus fundraising (two foundations), planning, construction and real estate. Mike led CEO and executive team communications, policy and strategy. His prior roles with Kaleida Health included chief of Staff, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Public Affairs & Business Development as well as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
Mike is also a founding partner of Egret Healthcare Ventures, a Western New York investment vehicle founded in 2020 that focuses on medical device innovation. Three of the current startup companies that Egret has helped launch include Vicora Inc., Ampullae Inc. and the Rookery Inc.
Named one of the community’s most influential leaders, ranking annually in Buffalo Business First’s “Power 250” list, Hughes was nominated by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 and became chair of the board for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, a position he held until the end of 2024. When first appointed to the board in 2008, he was the youngest commissioner in the history of the authority.
Prior to joining Kaleida Health, Hughes was recruited to and served as the public affairs and marketing manager for Rural/Metro Medical Services, a national ambulance company (now American Medical Response), overseeing all media, government and community relations, plus marketing, business development and contract compliance in upstate New York. He also served as the statewide public information officer for Rural/Metro’s nationally recognized Disaster Response Team, including a weeklong stint in New York City following the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
Hughes’ awards include the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” for his 20 plus years of volunteer work and community service. In 2023, Medaille College honored Hughes with a Doctorate of Humane Letters for his distinguished community service. In 2018, he was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, honored with its highest national award – the prestigious “Silver Anvil” – for his integrated communications and marketing campaign around the relocation, rebranding and grand opening of the former Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (now Oishei Children’s Hospital).
Hughes’ community service is long in tenure. He currently is a member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Counsel. Other past service includes serving on boards for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Mercy Flight, the Town of West Seneca, Canisius University, Medaille College and Buffalo Place.
He and his wife Kimberly, a teacher in Frontier Schools and former Orchard Park Schools Board member, have two children, Emma and Owen.
MMH Senior Advisor Len Lenihan has had a long and distinguished career as a public servant. Elected to the Erie County Legislature from the Town of Tonawanda, he spent 20 years as a member of the body, serving as chairman and majority leader. He spent another 10 years as chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee. Len also served as Erie County Commissioner of Personnel. In that role, he advised all municipalities in the county on civil service matters.
Myriad organizations in Erie County have benefitted from Len’s legislative experience. He was chairman of the SUNY Erie Board of Trustees (2018-20) and continues as a board member. He is past chair of the Erie County Library Foundation Board and in his role as a county legislator, he served on the board of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County where he chaired the Success by Six Early Education initiative, Father Baker Homes Board, and By-Lin Hospital’s Advisory Board. In 2018, Lenihan was inducted into Kenmore West High School’s Corridor of Honor.
Len has earned the respect and confidence of leaders at every level of government. His skill set, relationships, and decades of ‘good will’ help him succeed with our clients.
Hughes for a host of issues, both on a local and statewide level. Their contacts and relationships really set them apart from their competition. Decision makers often come to them for insight and opinion on public affairs issues. Accessible, knowledgeable and very strategic, this team delivers for its clients."
Russell A. Corigliano
President & CEO, Rosina Foods
