Michael Bykowski

Michael Bykowski is the Director of the Engineering Department for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) where he manages the Design, Construction, and Facilities and Maintenance divisions. Mr. Bykowski has supervised the implementation of major capital projects within the Authority such as the administration of the Automatic Baggage System (BNIA) and the Runway 6-24 Safety Area Improvement (NFIA). In addition, he also directs construction personnel, develops capital budgets, and has become a member of the Request for Proposal selection committee where he helps to negotiate contracts for the Authority. Mr. Bykowski has over forty years of experience in the engineering and management fields. His career began in 1968 where he worked for Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem), the leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda. Here he participated in projects ranging from $60 to $300 million, designed electrical systems and ultimately became the Chief Electrical Engineer. In this position he played an active role as a member of the Chemical Manufacturers Association’s electrical code and standards task group and co-authored “Review of Chlorine Institutes Pamphlet No. 139: Electrical Safety In Chlor-Alkali Cell Facilities.” After leaving OxyChem in 1995, Mr. Bykowski was contracted by Praxair Corporation where he continued to design systems and coordinate projects. Subsequently, he joined Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc (CGGI), where he served as Manager of both the Engineering and Maintenance Departments. He became a member of the Corporate and Plant Joint Improvement Committees and is credited with the establishment and organization of the CADD group, for the standardization of computer generated drawings. He also implemented new manufacturing techniques and inventory systems to improve the company’s efficiency. Mr. Bykowski received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Detroit in Michigan. He is also a New York State licensed Professional Engineer. He resides in Lockport, New York.