Two Niagara University Alumni Among Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40

Two Niagara University alumni are among the "40 Under 40" up-and-coming leaders who are being honored by Buffalo Business First for their professional success and service to their communities.

Darius Myles, '15, president and CEO of DMyles Inc., and Shannon Patch, '07, vice president of government affairs at Delaware North and a member of NU's Board of Trustees, were among the young professionals recognized as part of the 2024 class.

Myles, a US Air Force veteran, established his paving and construction business 2013. The company is the first in Niagara County to be certified by New York state as both a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and also a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB). The Niagara Falls, N.Y., native was named Leadership Niagara's 2016 Emerging Leader of the Year for both his professional success and his dedication to community service. He hold a BBA in integrative management from Niagara University.

Patch has served as vice president of government affairs to global hospitality and entertainment company Delaware North since 2019. Prior to this role, she served as chief of staff to New York State Senator Tim Kennedy, and later as regional director to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Patch also served as councilwoman and deputy supervisor on the Tonawanda Town Board from 2019 until 2024, and is a board member for the Say Yes to Education Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications, history, and theatre from Niagara University.

The winners were chosen from nearly 200 nominations for the 33rd year of the awards, bringing the total number of honorees over the years to 1,320.