Buffalo’s nickname is the City of Good Neighbors, a reputation that is anchored by its influential leaders and the visionaries who strengthen the region and support the community.
Uniland Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Montante and his sister, Vice President of Corporate Relations Laura A. Zaepfel, are ranked among Buffalo Business First’s Power 250, a prominent list of the most influential Western New Yorkers in 2026. Mr. Montante was ranked No. 21 and Ms. Zaepfel was listed No. 176, respectively. This is the 13th consecutive year that Mr. Montante has been highlighted on the list and it marks the first appearance for Ms. Zaepfel. One of the region’s most celebrated female executives, Ms. Zaepfel has appeared on the Buffalo Business First Power 200 Women list since it debuted in 2015. Earlier, their father, Uniland Executive Chairman Carl J. Montante, appeared on the Power 250 list since it launched.
Both Mr. Montante and Ms. Zaepfel are active in many organizations in Western New York, including Canisius University, Catholic Health, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, and The Buffalo Club.
In 2020, Michael Montante succeeded Carl Montante as the company’s CEO. Carl Montante founded the family-run, privately held firm 50 years ago. Since the company’s origins with a single warehouse in Tonawanda, Uniland has become the Largest Commercial Real Estate Developer in Western New York, according to Buffalo Business First. Uniland was also named the 2025 Company of the Year in Development by Buffalo Business First in recognition of the company’s involvement with impactful projects across Western New York.
