Jack T. Ampuja
Executive Director
Prior to leading the Samaritan Center Jack spent 30 years working in supply chain management with five Fortune 500 firms; his career included stints in consulting, manufacturing and third-party logistics; his jobs ranged from direct supervision of Teamsters and Longshoremen at 23 years of age to Senior Vice President of Operations at a multi-billion-dollar international distributor heading a $300 million dollar division with 800 employees. Jack also served as Chief Operating Officer of a national trucking company which served shippers such as Rich Products, Nestle, Tyson and General Mills. For the past 20 years he led a boutique management consulting firm working with clients like Walmart, Target, Office Depot, Toys-r-Us, Mattel, Conagra and Walt Disney.
During his management work Jack made about 200 presentations all around USA, twelve cities in Canada and ten countries outside of North America. He wrote or was interviewed as a subject matter expert in supply chain management for about 100 articles in trade journals in seven countries; since the covid era has done over 50 television interviews on product shortages and tariffs.
Jack is also an experienced educator having taught part-time at Niagara University for over 20 years. Other schools where Jack has taught include Western New College (Springfield, MA), Canisius College (Buffalo , NY) and University of Massachusetts at Amherst in their top-ranked online MBA program. Jack has also done guest lectures at 18 other universities including schools in Belgium, Ghana and Canada.
Jack has a BS degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts, a year of post-graduate study in logistics at Northeastern University (Boston), and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. Jack lives in western New York in the town of Amherst; he is a naturalized US citizen but also has citizenship in Finland where he was born and Canada where he received his public school education.
Jack has been involved with the Samaritan Center since 1992 when he joined the board of directors and served as Treasurer of the agency before he moved to Pittsburgh. After he returned to western New York in 2002 Jack rejoined the SCC board and has served as Treasurer since then. He moved up to the Executive Director position at SCC in 2024.
Nicole Waltz
Office Administrator & Board Member
My role at Samaritan Counseling Center is Office Administrator, Client Intake Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator.
As the first point of contact to a new client at Samaritan; I strive to help the client feel comfortable, reassured and confident that our Counselors are experienced and capable to help him or her through their current circumstances.
I have served in the past, as a Co-Assistant Director of Empire Home School Group for several years. I earned an AS in Accounting at SUNY Niagara.
I currently volunteer with the Youth Group at my church, where we try to help students in their own journey of Faith.
I have been happily married for over 19 years, we have three incredible children.
Tracy Diina
Head of Marketing & Board Member
My main experience is in grant writing, communications strategy, fundraising, advocacy and public relations. I have worked as a consultant for close to 16 years but have a total of nearly 30 years of experience in these skills. For me, there is nothing better than mission-based work, except securing the funding to do that.
My work includes helping many smaller and newer organizations that cannot afford to spend much money. I fill a particular niche in our region as I develop close partnerships with fledgling organizations and typically charge lower rates than most consultants and companies. I currently work with several local nonprofit organizations. Often, I am a jack of all trades and help with whatever the agency needs…and the things they do not have time—or do not want–to do!
Prior to my consulting work, I was the Executive Director of a smaller nonprofit, Literacy Buffalo Niagara, for 8 years. This experience gave me a unique understanding of nonprofit operations, including their struggles and needs.
Ellen Morse
Technology Team-Web Development & Board Member
Ellen graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Illustration and began her career in New York City in the publishing industry. She then worked as an art director at various ad agencies in Chicago and San Francisco, where she designed websites for Fortune 500 companies such as Whirlpool, HP, Experian, as well as The Alzheimer’s Association. In 2011, Ellen moved back to Western New York and started her design business. She works with small businesses and non-profit organizations on their branding and web development. She is also an artist and combines illustration, hand-lettering and patterns into her work. Ellen and her husband, Kevin, have two young adult children and two rescue dogs.
Rev. Dr. David F.C. Wurster, PhD, LMHC
Chairperson- Ministry Training Team, Executive Team
Pastoral Leader Samaritan Counseling Center, Counselor 40 yrs., PhD. St. Louis University, Post-Doctoral supervisory training for pastors and clinicians, Syracuse, NY, M.Div. (Master of Divinity) and STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, retired Lutheran Church Pastor, AAPC Diplomate, Trainer in Healthy Congregations, past Member-Board of Directors Niagara County Hospice, Past Board of Directors Lutheran Special Education-St. Louis, MO, National Conference Speaker on marriage, family and theology, publications include articles on marriage, family and theology, Lutheran Church Member.
Board Member emeritus
Carol Reiber
Volunteer and Board Consultant, past Board Chairman, Business Manager, Salem Lutheran Church, MS, Lutheran Church Member.
Dr. Frank E. Bartscheck, PhD
Chairperson-Executive Team
Past volunteer Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of WNY for fifteen years. Prior to that, Samaritan Counseling Center Boardmember for Financial Development for two six year terms. He received the Rev. Ralph W. Loew Social Ministry Community Service Award, presented by Lutheran Charities of WNY, for his volunteer work with the Samaritan Counseling Center of WNY in 2022. He is a Roman Catholic and a member of the UB Newman Center Catholic Church. Graduated from the University at Buffalo earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration – Computing & Statistics. He holds an MBA with honors, as well as a PhD in Management Science and Systems from the University at Buffalo. Retired Faculty member of the UB School of Management teaching Computing Analytics, Management Systems and Management Science. Designed and implemented large scale computer applications. Computer consultant to American College Testing, local banking, retail grocery operations and manufacturing businesses.
Developed family business, FEB Enterprises, investing in and rehabbing residential properties in distressed neighborhoods serving minorities in Buffalo, NY. US Army veteran, married and have two children. My wife is recently deceased.
Dr. Bartscheck is a member of the Board of Directors of Bishop Fallon High School Alumni. He was inducted onto Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), Gamma of NY Chapter, a National Business Scholastic Honor Society at the University at Buffalo, School of Management and served as BGS Secretary Chapter and later as its President. Dr. Bartscheck received the Bethel Head Start Recognition Award for leading the construction of a playground for minority children on the UB South Campus. He is a member of the University at Buffalo Emeritus Center member.