The most powerful people in Western New York were listed in the annual Buffalo Business First Supplement for 2017. The list takes into consideration tons of factors including, how big of a company one looks after, how long they have been there, the way a person wields their power, how their decisions affect the area, research and much more. The list takes months to develop among many reporters and researchers and after 33 years of making the list, it is never the same.

So, here are the Top 10 most influential people in Western New York in 2017.

  • 10

    Mark Poloncarz

    Erie County Executive
  • 9

    Byron Brown

    Mayor of Buffalo
  • 8

    Robert Wilmers

    President and CEO of M&T Bank Corp.
  • 7

    Chris Collins

    US House of Representatives
  • 6

    Kathy Hochul

    Lieutenant Governor of NYS
  • 5

    Jody Lomeo

    President and CEO of Kaleida Health
  • 4

    Brian Higgins

    US House of Representatives
  • 3

    Jeremy Jacobs

    Owner of Delaware North, Boston Bruins
  • 2

    Terry and Kim Pegula

    Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres
  • 1

    Howard Zemsky

    President and CEO of Empire State Development

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