Our Team

Jim Horne

Jim Horne has been teaching children for more than 25 years and has lived in Western New York his entire life. He was a four-year basketball starter at UB and featured eleven school scoring records. The UB Athletic Hall of Fame opened its doors for Jim in 1966, and in 1996, the University retired his jersey, number 13. While Horne inherited that number reluctantly as a youngster, he wore it proudly throughout a career which appeared ironically blessed by the “unlucky” digits. In addition, Jim was a Harlem Globetrotter and was selected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.  In the same spirit Jim has continued to give back to the community which has enriched his life. He has introduced the game of golf to numerous students and helped them to obtain college scholarships.

william H. ranSom, jr.

William Ransom, has over 40 years of broadcast experience in small, medium and large markets.  Serving the last 19 years as the President and General Manager of the ABC Affiliate, WKBW-TV, in Buffalo, NY.   Mr. Ransom held notable posts as general sales manager, and president-GM at other Granite affiliates. Earlier in his career, he was employed as an advertising account executive in Philadelphia.

In addition to his extensive professional achievements, Mr. Ransom has lent his expertise to the boards of numerous organizations, as well as aiding the much-needed role of mentor and role model during his admirable career in community service.  He attended Lincoln University.

Mr. Ranson and his wife, Harriet, live in Clarence NY and have three grown sons they enjoy traveling to see!

Elizabeth caffee

Elizabeth’s tenure as Assistant Director of the Canisius Academic Talent Search Program has enabled her to provide support that helps high school students from low income first generation backgrounds realize that with hard work and determination, anything is possible, and to be the best of their generation.

The program at Canisius provides services and support to high school and college bound students that address the day to day challenges they face; she is committed to working hard every day to meet the goal of identifying qualified youth with potential for education at the post-secondary level and encourage them to complete secondary school and enroll in college.

Elizabeth is an active member of Zion Dominion Global Ministries and serves as their Director of External Affairs. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the SENSES Foundation and is a member of The Links Incorporated, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and the Harriett Tubman 300’s.

Kim worling

Kim Worling is an Insurance agent with the McMahon Agency.  She holds a masters degree from Empire State at SUNY and bachelors from Houghton College.  Mrs. Worling is a big supporter of civic work and has sat on several local boards that focus on preparing the next generation to have a wonderful future.  She also thoroughly enjoys working with the four years olds at her home church – The Chapel.

Mrs. Worling is Mom to Rebecca Worling, a golf student of Jim Horne.  Kim said, “As a former figure skating coach I’ve been very impressed with Jim’s ability to teach the disciplines of golf and draw out the competitive edge in a positive way with my daughter as she’s become a golfer. . . plus he is a wonderful man and role model! ”

Kim lives in Snyder, NY with her husband Rich, two children and dog . . . Tommy.

James d. horne

The founder & CEO of Learn2Fly.org, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, creating year round events and adventures for special needs children and their families in Connecticut. Prior to that, Jim was a finance executive with twenty-five years in the insurance and reinsurance industry.  His most current positions include a Group Controller with a reinsurance company and the CFO of a US insurance company.  Prior to that, he worked as a management consultant focusing on the financial services industry with extensive experience in both financial reporting and operations.

Jim has been involved with sports in his entire life playing soccer in college and is an avid photographer. 

pat allaire

Patrick E. Allaire, President/CEO of Allaire Financial Strategies, and Financial Planner, in Buffalo NY,  with Securities America Advisors, is a frequent guest lecturer and author on various insurance issues, investment alternatives, estate planning, and business planning.  He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the process, and is published in various publications.

Founded in 1987, in Buffalo NY,  Allaire Financial Strategies has evolved and has assisted clients in their Retirement Distribution Focus, Income Planning, Wealth Management, Wealth Accumulation, and Family Protection,  during  various stages of their  life. These life stage strategies incorporate the client's outcome driven objectives, and a long term goal of not outliving  money when designing their future.