Gene Vukelic is chairman and chief executive officer of Try-it Distributing Co., a leader in the nation's beverage distribution industry.

Try-it Distributing Co., Inc serves Western New York clients from a state-of-the-art sales and service center in Lancaster, New York, its corporate headquarters.

Gene heads the company founded by his father, the late Stephen L. Vukelic, in Lackawanna, New York in 1928. Growing up in the family business, Gene completed his education at Canisius High School and LeMoyne College and served as an instructor with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Marine Division before joining the company full time.

While building upon the foundation created by his father 70 years ago, and introducing his own 5 sons into the company, Gene has led the company to national prominence, handling the products of Anheuser-Busch, Labatt USA, Heineken USA, and the Guiness Import Co. Try-it Distributing Co. Inc, has received numerous awards marking it sales achievements and business milestones.

Gene Vukelic is well-known for always balancing his company responsibilities with his personal efforts to support civic and charitable causes. He has performed an exceptional legacy of community service and remains the forefront of Try-It's commitment as an involved corporate citizen. In 1997, the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Canisius College chose Try-It for the Family Business of the Year Award.

Gene has served as the president of four area organizations, Mercy Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees, the Buffalo Executives Association, PROBUS and the Buffalo Club. He is a former treasurer of the Automobile Club of Western and Central New York.

Non-profit agencies, institutions and charities benefiting education and children are major beneficiaries of his volunteer leadership. Among them are Baker victory Services, Muscular Dystrophy Association(MDA), Christ the King Seminary, Nardin Academy, Canisius High School and Canisius College. He is a member of the Bishop's Lay Advisory Council.

The Western New York Chapter of MDA bestowed its Humanitarian of the Year Award on Gene Vukelic in February, 1998 for his extraordinary service over many years.