Michael Marino BS '96

Michael is the CEO at Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc., a multi-disciplinary engineering and land surveying firm with offices located throughout Western New York. He has been with the company for two years in an ownership role, and provides oversight on a number of the company’s larger projects.

Marino selected UB after applying to several colleges and universities in Western New York. He became the first member of his family to attend college in 1991.

During his final semester (spring 1996), Marino participated in two UB programs that would eventually help jumpstart his career. He became co-captain of the UB ASCE concrete canoe team, and was hired by a local engineering firm after signing up for the university’s internship program

Both the concrete canoe competition and Marino’s internship required him to give presentations. He used the concrete canoe competition presentation for each. His presentation and work as an intern impressed the company so much, that shortly after his internship ended, he was hired as a full-time employee.

Marino still utilizes the connections and skills he earned while enrolled at UB in his professional career.

“Folks I participated on the concrete canoe team with and studied with have now evolved into positions at firms and municipalities as well. I may be doing business for, or working with other UB grads, and it’s nice to reflect and have those connections. Communications ended up being a big part of what I do. Being able to communicate all the technical details so people can understand it that may or may not have a technical background became huge.”