Syracuse University/Burton Blatt Institute

Brian McLane

Born with cerebral palsy, Brian McLane learned at an early age not to accept limits on his abilities. He was the first wheelchair-bound student to graduate from his high school and went on to graduate from the Newhouse School with a degree in broadcast journalism. Under his leadership, a six-member service fraternity with a poor campus image turned into a leading advocacy organization for making SU and other campuses nationwide more accessible to people with disabilities.

McLane went on to earn a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University. He worked for a time in television and coached a semiprofessional basketball team that recorded 132 wins against 37 losses over six seasons. He is the former director of public and membership relations for the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and served as executive assistant to state assemblyman Mel Zimmer for five years. He was also director of parks and recreation for the Town of Cicero for four years, building a highly successful program.

McLane served in the administration of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo as assistant commissioner in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for six years before assuming the position of assistant commissioner of the New York State Education Department's Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

Entrepreneur Bootcamp

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their service to our country. The EBV is designed to open the door to business ownership for our veterans by 1) developing your skills in the many steps and activities associated with launching and growing a small business, and by 2) helping you leverage programs and services for veterans and people with disabilities in a way that furthers your entrepreneurial dreams.