Paul J. Kolkmeyer

PAUL J. KOLKMEYER was named Interim President and Chief Executive
Officer of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., on August 20, 2003, in
accordance with the company’s longstanding sudden loss of leadership
plan after the unexpected death of First Niagara’s former Chairman,
President and CEO. Prior to that date, Mr. Kolkmeyer served as Executive
Vice President ‘ Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, a
position he held since June 2002. He served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Banking Officer from February 2001 to June 2002 and Chief
Operating Officer from May 2000 until February 2001. Mr. Kolkmeyer
joined the bank in 1990 as Chief Financial Officer and served in that
capacity until May 2000. Prior to joining the bank, Mr. Kolkmeyer spent
nine years in New York City as Vice President for JPMorgan and at M&T
Bank. He began his career in Western New York with the Carborundum
Company and KPMG Peat Marwick. During his tenure with First Niagara, Mr.
Kolkmeyer played a key role in coordinating the company’s initial and
secondary public offerings in 1998 and 2003, which combined raised over
$520 million in new capital. He was also instrumental in helping to
deploy this capital through 10 acquisitions and a steady but
conservative internal growth strategy and transforming First Niagara
from a traditional thrift to a multi-market community banking and
financial services company.