About Mike Beato

Mike is an award-winning communicator and technology consultant who has navigated the shifts in business and technology from his early days at Eastman Kodak to more than three decades as an entrepreneur in Buffalo. He is active in his church, serves as a wedding officiant who has performed dozens of ceremonies across Western New York, and supports a wide range of local charities. Mike and his wife, married for 40+ years, are the proud parents of two grown sons.

Career Achievements

Mike formed his own technology consulting company, Beato Enterprises Inc., in 1989, where he continues his career today. He has been recognized in the Buffalo area for his communication skills and has been honored for his contributions. He shares his professional knowledge through teaching, public speaking, and seminars, and continues the conversation online through his website, blog, and social media, where he writes about artificial intelligence, business trends, and leadership.

Mike started his professional career in 1978 as a systems analyst with the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. As a member of Kodak’s International Photographic Division, Mike traveled to many Kodak offices in Europe, Latin America, and the Far East installing first-of-its-kind computer hardware and software, and training company users. During that time, Mike was considered a leading international expert on the IBM System/36 computer.

In 1987, at the dawn of the digital publishing revolution, Mike helped launch AdWorks Communications, a new state-of-the-art all-digital advertising agency based in Buffalo, New York. From his experience building AdWorks, Mike realized many other companies were seeking expertise in this emerging digital technology. He started his own technology consulting company, Beato Enterprises, Inc.

Professional Honors/Awards

In 2025, Mike and his wife, Jacquie Walker, were recognized as Honorees of the Year by the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York for their meaningful contributions to the community.

Mike's professional achievements and personal service to the community were honored by his high school with his 2018 induction into the Fairport High School Alumni Wall of Fame.

Nominated by his peers, Mike was named the David I. Levy Communicator of the Year by the Professional Communicators of Western New York in 1996. This prestigious award is given annually to honor a distinguished record of achievement in communications.

Drawing on his digital expertise, Mike has also won numerous other awards for creative excellence from Professional Communicators of WNY during its annual competitive awards ceremony.

Mike was awarded the Brainstorm Club Service Award in 2006 to recognize his achievements in furthering the activities and interests of Brainstorm–The Communicators Club of Buffalo and the advertising community at large. The award is presented to a member nominated by the organization’s board of directors.

Civic & Community Involvement

• Mike is very active in the Newman Center at the University at Buffalo. He has served as Director of Religious Education, religious education instructor, lector, eucharistic minister, and frequent volunteer at church activities and events. He also livestreams Masses and other services so people can view these events from anywhere in the world.
• Mike is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, and has been honored to officiate many weddings and funerals. Visit MarriagesbyMike.com for more information.
• Fight For Air Stair Climb (14 years) – Among the top fundraisers climbing 37 floors of Seneca One Tower in Buffalo – and 1,800 steps at Highmark Stadium – to support the American Lung Association: 2013 through 2026.
• Christ the King Seminary board of trustees, Diocese of Buffalo. 2011-2014. Mike served on the Audit Committee for the Seminary board.
• University at Buffalo Citizens Police Academy member, studying University Police operations. Frequent volunteer through the Academy for community events and public safety drills.
• Board member of the Western New York Running Hall of Fame. 2017-2019.
• Top local fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training charity event, running in the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, June 2010.
• Frequent volunteer photographer for many Buffalo charity marketing and promotion events, such as Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk MS, JDRF One Walk, Getzville Fire Installation Dinner, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Canal Fest Parade, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Diamond Ball, American Association of University Women Scholarship Book Sale, Taste of Buffalo, Make a Wish Foundation, Garden Walk Buffalo, Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial Dedication.

Educational Achievements

As an Adjunct Professor, Mike taught a graduate-level course in Communications Technology at Canisius College from 1999-2007. He also taught a freshman class at Canisius University in Digital Media Arts.

Mike served as a Lecturer at the University at Buffalo, teaching an undergraduate course in Digital Presentations.

He completed the 2011 University at Buffalo Citizens Police Academy, studying University Police operations. Topics included crime scene investigation, recruiting, hands-on training in defensive tactics, and more.

Mike earned a B.S. in Information Systems Management from Buffalo State College, State University of New York.

Personal Accomplishments

Mike has been an active competitive runner in the Buffalo area. He’s participated in more than 700 races since he started running at age 50. He’s run 4 full marathons, 12 half marathons, and hundreds of road, track, and trail races. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, he completed more than 100 races in a single year in the Western New York area, winning three consecutive Century Awards from the local running community.

Mike and his wife, Jacquie, have celebrated 40 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of two sons: an attorney in Washington, D.C., and an administrator at the Stern School of Business at New York University (NYU).