AMHERST, N.Y. – Buffalo Business First has honored Daemen College President Gary A. Olson with a Buffalo 612’ C-Level Executive Award, which recognizes Western New York’s most effective business leaders. He was one of this year’s honorees celebrated at an awards luncheon held on Oct. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.

“I am truly honored to receive this award and to be included among such a distinguished group of leaders in the Buffalo Niagara region,” said Olson.

Olson was previously named to Business First’s Power 250 list, an annual ranking of the most influential people in Western New York. Also under his leadership, Daemen has been a two-time selection as one of the “Best Places to Work” and chosen as a finalist in the publication’s Western New York Healthiest Employers program.

A noted scholar of rhetoric, writing and culture, Olson assumed office as Daemen’s president in 2013. Previously, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Idaho State University, dean of the Illinois State University College of Arts and Sciences, and chief academic officer at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg.

Olson is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II Presidents Council, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Committee on Policy Analysis and Public Relations.