William McDonnell Named HR Executive of the Year by Business First

Business First named their Human Resources Leadership Award winners for 2013 with School of Architecture and Planning Associate Dean William McDonnell taking home the distinction of Human Resources Executive of the Year. The annual awards program recognizes exceptional work in the human resource field.

McDonnell serves as chief financial officer, chief of staff, associate dean for research, facilities planning management officer and senior adviser to the dean of the architecture school.

He received the award during an honorary luncheon on Sept. 12 for recipients of this year's awards, which included human resources executives from organizations across Western New York.

A staff member at the University at Buffalo since 1998 and the School of Architecture and Planning since 2005, McDonnell has led by example throughout his career. McDonnell’s diplomatic and versatile vision for human resources has helped the School of Architecture and Planning continue to evolve and grow. From effective and creative human resource management to coordination across the state with the Research Foundation, University at Buffalo Foundation and university regulations, McDonnell works tirelessly to solidify the School of Architecture and Planning’s deep impact on the region. McDonnell’s work has allowed the school to continue on a trajectory of change with increases in teaching faculty, clinical faculty, research faculty and staff appointments that maximize the return on investment for the school. All of this work has allowed for the smooth and efficient operation of the School of Architecture and Planning.

McDonnell’s outlook in the profession is a refreshing one which incorporates equal measure fairness, consistency and respect, made only too clear in his career advice:

“Above all else, be positive, be solution-oriented and treat others as you would want to be treated.”