NNY Business April 2016

B APRIL 2016

Volume 6 No. 5

Y usIness

//THE INTERVIEW: St. lawrence

president william l. fox P. 28

A tradition of excellence nnybizmag.com $2.95

/nnybusiness @NNYBusinessMag

SUNY Potsdam celebrates bicentennial // Northern New York’s Premier Business Monthly //

2 | NNY Business | April 2016

Celebrating its

IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL SCHOOLS “A Foundation for Life since 1881”

Year-Round Rolling Admissions

• Pre-K to 12th grade • Catholic family values • Free busing in local area & Ft. Drum • Accredited by Middle States Association • 100% graduation; 95% college attendance • Average elementary class size: 17 • Average high school class size: 20 • Area’s only “junior kindergarten” • Outstanding, devoted teachers • Superb extracurricular programs • Exceptional athletics & youth sports • Elementary chorus & instrumentals • Faith Community Service • Military Family Life Counselor • Scholarship and aid • Most IEPs & 504 plans supported on site

Congratulations SUNY Potsdam w w w. i h c sch o o l son . o200 r gyears! ihcschools.org 3 1 5 - 2 2 1315-221-3785 -3785

April 2016 | NNY Business

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Inside APRIL 2016

13

14 22

24 |

GUEST ESSAY |

|

SMALL BIZ STARTUP |

|

12 EDUCATION & INDUSTRY Career and technical educators are connecting business and industry with education. |

13 GOT van, will travel For one former Lewis County oil man, a mobile upholstery franchise was the right answer. |

COVER |

14 bicentennial bash SUNY Potsdam marks 200 years of educational excellence with an eye on the future.

REAL ESTATE |

|

EDUCATION |

|

MILESTONES |

|

27 TOP TRANSACTIONS Top 10 sales in Jefferson, St. Lawrence counties top $8m during the month of February.

22 A NEW place to LEARN A new $14m Collaborative Learning Center at JCC is helping to change the campus. |

24 DELIVERING SOLUTIONS A Carthage man who traded his day job to launch his own PR venture marks 15 years.

ENTREPRENEURS |

40 release expectations Strive to appreciate the opportunities and recognize the true stepping stones.

BUSINESS SCENE |

41 networking, nny style Businessmen and women connect for success across Northern New York.

ONLINE |

nNYBIZMAG.COM Connect with us online for daily updates, more photos and exclusive Web content.

April 2016 | NNY Business

|5

C o n tr i b u t o r s

BusIness nnybizmag.com

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Tracy Gyoerkoe is director of career, technical, adult and continuiing education for BOCES. She writes about connecting education with business and industry. (p. 12)

Lance M. Evans is the executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors. He explains property condition disclosure requirements. (p. 26)

Brooke Rouse is the executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

She writes about the impact of colleges on the region’s economy. (p. 34)

Editor & Publisher John B. Johnson

Co-Publisher

Harold B. Johnson II

Magazine Editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

Magazine Associate Karee M. Magee

Contributing Writers

Norah Machia & Joleene Moody

Photography

Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 28-year IT veteran. She writes about employing technology in educational settings. (p. 36)

Bob Gorman is president and CEO of United Way of Northern New York. He writes about the United Way’s services and a recent nonprofit award it received. (p. 35)

Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp. He writes about several local ag product producers. (p. 37)

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison Jason Hunter, Stephen Swofford

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Magazine Advertising Manager Beth Hornbarger

Advertising Sales

Justin Sullivan, Mike Hanson, Laurie Denesha, Barb Loomis, Jim Homa, Katie Nelson Cindy Aucter, Yvonne Houppert

Advertising Graphics

Brian Mitchell, Rick Gaskin, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules Erika Flink is the DSRIP director for the North Country Initiative. She writes about the progress of several local health care reforms presently under way. (p. 38)

Jennifer McCluskey is an advisor for the state Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton. She outlines resources for small business funding. (p. 39)

Joleene Moody is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski with her husband and daughter. She writes about releasing expectations of unknown outcomes. (p. 40)

MARKETPLACE Bianchi’s Catering ..................... 46 Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina ..................................... 21 Callahan Cares Tutoring Services ...................................... 46 Caskinette’s Ford ...................... 39 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at SMC ......................... 4 Clayton Dental Office ............... 46 Coleman’s Corner .................... 46 Community Bank Wealth Management ............................ 47 DGM Coon & Company Commercial Property Management ............................ 42 D.L. Calarco Funeral Home ...... 35 Dr. Guitar Music ......................... 46 Fairground Inn ........................... 46 First Class Auto Glass ................ 44 Foy Agency Insurance ............. 25

6 | NNY Business | April 2016

Fuccillo Auto Group .................... 8 Fuller Insurance Agency .......... 25 Haylor, Freyer & Coon .............. 25 H.D. Goodale Co. Insurance .... 25 HighTower Advisors ................... 30 Hospice of Jefferson County .... 23 Immaculate Heart Central Schools ......................................... 3 Ives Hill Country Club ............... 46 Jefferson Community College ................................... 3, 21 Krafft Cleaning Service ............. 43 Liberty Glass & Window ............ 26 Macar’s Interiors .......................... 9 Mohawk Valley Community College ....................................... 27 North Country Urgent Care ...... 23 Northern New York Community Foundation ........... 31 Nortz & Virkler Ford ..................... 8

Party Rentals .............................. 44 SeaComm Federal Credit Union ............................... 34 ShredCon Confidential Document Shredding ............... 36 SUNY Oswego .............................. 7 T.F. Wright & Sons Granite Foundry ........................ 38 Tunes 92.5 & 104.5 FM WBLH Radio ................................ 41 Waite Indian Motorcycle ......... 40 Waite Toyota .............................. 37 Watertown Daily Times ....... 25, 47 Watertown Savings Bank ............ 2 Watertown Spring & Alignment .................................... 8 WPBS Digital TV .......................... 48 WWTI TV ABC 50 ......................... 47 Ziebart Tidy Car ........................... 8

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

NNY Business (ISSN 2159-6115), is published monthly by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2010-2016. All material submitted to NNY Business becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

Subscription Rates 12 issues are $15 a year and 24 issues are $25 for two years.

Call 315-782-1000 to subscribe.

Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email bhornbarger@wdt.net, or call 315-661-2325 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail blabrake@ogd.com, or call 315-661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y., a Forest Stewardship Certified facility.

Please recycle this magazine.

| INTERVIEW |

| ABOUT THE COVER |

28 A liberal arts tradition When William L. Fox arrived as president of St. Lawrence University in 2009, the Great Recession was at its peak. After managing through a challenging recovery, the future is bright. | COLUMNS |

34 35 36 37

COMMERCE CORNER NONPROFITS TODAY BUSINESS TECH BYTES AGRI-BUSINESS

38 ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING 39 SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS 40 ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE

| DEPARTMENTS |

8 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 NEXT MONTH 9 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE 10 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT 13 SMALL BIZ STARTUP

30 real estate roundup 31 TOP transactions 32 CALENDAR 41 BUSINESS SCENE 44 BUSINESS BRIEFCASE

For our this month’s cover photo, shot on the bucolic campus of SUNY Potsdam, photographer Jason Hunter captured college President Kristin Esterberg and Crane School of Music Dean Michael Sitton outside Satterlee Hall. On the occasion of SUNY Potsdam’s bicentennial, Magazine Associate Karee Magee — herself a Potsdam alum — examines the school’s place as an institution of educational excellence. Her story begins on page 14.

April 2016 | NNY Business

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EDITO R’S N O T E n March 25, students, faculty and staff from across the campus of SUNY Potsdam gathered in the student union to commemorate Charter Day. This year was especially significant as the college celebrated its bicentennial — 200 years since St. Lawrence Academy was founded and its first Board of Trustees formed.

In the two centuries since, St. Lawrence Academy has Ken Eysaman evolved to the SUNY Potsdam we know today, a university acclaimed for its rich arts and cultural offerings and a pioneer in music education with its renowned Crane School of Music. In this issue, Magazine Associate Karee Magee, herself a SUNY Potsdam graduate, serves up an in-depth package about the school, its incredible history and what its leaders are doing to hone its reputation for educational excellence in arts, music and teacher education. Her cover package does not disappoint. She even digs into the school’s alumni roster for a look at some incredible people who call SUNY Potsdam their alma mater. Her story begins on page 14.

20 QUESTIONS — This month we sit down with William L. Fox, St. Lawrence University’s 18th president and member of the class of 1975. Mr. Fox was named president of St. Lawrence in 2009, at the peak of the Great Recession. We spoke candidly with him about the challenges he faced when he assumed responsibility

for leading one of our finest educational institutions. Our interview with Mr. Fox begins on page 28.

BUSINESS SCENE — This month’s Scene section, which begins on page 41, features 27 faces from roughly two-dozen different businesses and organizations from across the north country.

On March 16, we joined the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce at Carthage Savings and Loan Association’s Watertown office. The next day, on St. Patrick’s Day, we joined the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce at 3D Sports in Lowville for holiday cheer and networking.

Finally, on March 31, we traveled to Waddington to join the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce to kick-off this year’s Business Spotlight series at Sweeter Creations Sugar House. Thanks to Sweeter Creations owners Deb and Mike Kenny for hosting a fun-filled evening that included samples of nature’s sweet maple treats.

CORRECTION — In last month’s issue of NNY Business, Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy’s photo and bio appeared on page 23 as a notable north country woman in public service. Due to a production error, incorrect information was published about Ms. Purdy’s education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and classics from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

NNY Business strives to publish an accurate magazine each month. If you spot an error of fact, please contact me at keysaman@wdt.net or (315) 661-2399.

Yours in business,

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N E X T MON T H

n our May issue, we examine what the region’s economic development agencies are doing to bring jobs and opportunity to the north country.

Also coming next month: n where the jobs are: As unemployment rates continue to fall to near pre-recession levels in the tri-county region, we look at what’s hot and what’s not across the north country when it comes to employment and jobs. n SMALL BIZ STARTUP: A feature story about a recently opened north country small business in St. Lawrence County.

n 20 QUESTIONS: An in-depth interview with a Jefferson County business leader. n PLUS: NNY Snapshot, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Real Estate, Agri-Business, Business History and Business Scene. n VISIT US ONLINE at nnybizmag.com for exclusive daily Wed content. Follow us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/nny business, and view eEditions at www.issuu. com/NNYBusiness.

P E O P L E O N T H E M O VE Named RBC branch director of the year

Cyril Mouaikel, branch director for the Watertown office of RBC Wealth Management, was recently named Branch Director of the Year for RBC Wealth Management – U.S., CEO John Taft announced in a letter to clients.

“Under Cyril’s leadership, the Watertown branch had a tremendous Mouaikel year in 2015, continuing to provide sound advice and wise guidance to their clients in what was yet another challenging year,” Mr. Taft wrote.

The Watertown branch also celebrated its 100th year in business and earned RBC Wealth Management’s Outstanding Branch Award for 2015 as well.

“A century of serving clients is a remarkable milestone. But it’s not just longevity that makes Cyril and the Watertown branch successful; it’s the tradition of doing what’s right for their clients and the community,” Mr. Taft wrote. “We continue to be proud and grateful to have Cyril as a member of the RBC family as he continues to exemplify our core values.”

Mr. Mouaikel joined the RBC’s Watertown branch in 1998 as a financial advisor.

In 2003, he was promoted to senior vice president and manager of the Watertown office. Since 2006, he has been on the Chairman’s Council, an honor bestowed upon the top 5 percent of brokers within the firm. He was named managing direc-

Got business milestones? n Share your business milestones with NNY Business. Email news releases and photos (.jpg/300 dpi) to editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net. The deadline for submissions is the 10th of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page. tor/branch director in 2015. He lives in Watertown with his wife, Dr. Marlene Hajal Mouaikel, and their three children.

Children’s Home board member earns nonprofit impact award

Rob Gefell, a Children’s Home of Jefferson County board member, was named March 31 as a 2016 Nonprofit Impact Award recipient at the Central New Business Journal’s annual Nonprofit Awards Luncheon in Syracuse.

The eighth annual Nonprofit Awards were presented by M&T Gefell Bank, and created and produced by BizEventz, a division of CNYBJ, Syracuse. Mr. Gefell was one of three recipients selected from the north country.

A Sales Representative for McGrann Paper Corp., Mr. Gefell was honored for his more than 10 years of service on the Children’s Home board, four years as board president, and his leadership roles during many of the Children’s

Home’s initiatives, including the opening of the Community Clinic of Jefferson County, expansion of St. Lawrence County Foster Care, and the acquisition of national affiliation with the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Earns local leader award

Brian Wilcox, affiliated with the Dodd Network Office, a Northwestern Mutual office based in Syracuse, was recognized as its 2015 Financial Representative of the Year. The honor recognizes Mr. Wilcox for an outstanding year of performance with Northwestern Mutual, serving the financial secuWilcox rity needs of clients and policy owners throughout Northern New York.

“Brian and our leaders have helped thousands in 2015,” said Todd Schoon, executive vice president, Northwestern Mutual.

Through Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries, Mr. Wilcox and other financial advisors provide financial planning to help clients meet a variety of personal and business needs, including asset and income protection, investment and advisory services, education funding, retirement solutions, estate planning, trust services and employee and executive benefits.

Mr. Wilcox is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, with a bachelor’s in economics. He lives in Theresa with his wife, Lori. The couple has two daughters.

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April 2016 | NNY Business

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Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers February 2016 $1.37 January 2016 $1.58 February 2015 $1.60

14.4%

Source: NYS Department of Agriculture

284,751 in February 2016 319,740 in January 2016 296,404 in February 2015

Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

Source: T.I. Bridge Authority, Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority, Seaway International Bridge Corp.

February 2016 $1.95 January 2016 $2.11 February 2015 $2.42

U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar)

19.4%

29.1%

8.0%

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.

Average NNY price for gallon of residential propane

Nonagriculture jobs in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence counties area, not including military positions

February 2016 $2.63 January 2016 $2.56 February 2015 $2.95

89,800 in February 2016 87,600 in January 2016 89,200 in February 2015

10.8%

0.7%

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

Source: NYS Department of Labor

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales

St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales

56, median price $84,850 in February 2016 73, median price $134,300 in January 2016 50, median price $135,750 in February 2015

51, median price $95,000 in February 2016 44, median price $84,000 in January 2016 27, median price $75,500 in February 2015

12.0% Sales

37.5%

88.9%

Price

25.8%

Sales

Price

Source: St. Lawrence Board of Realtors Inc.

Source: Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Inc.

NNY unemployment rates New York State

United States

5.8

5.3 January 2016

February 2015

5.2 February 2016

6.3

5.5 January 2016

February 2015

5.4

8.2 January 2016

February 2016

8.0

9.9

Lewis County

February 2016

February 2015

7.5 January 2016

6.7 February 2016

7.4 January 2016

February 2015

7.3

8.4

St. Lawrence County

8.8

Jefferson County

February 2016

ECON SNAPSHOT

February 2016 $2.14 January 2016 $2.23 February 2015 $3.02

3.9%

$1.35 on Feb. 29, 2016 $1.41 on Jan. 29, 2016 $1.25 on Feb. 27, 2015

Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil

10 | NNY Business | April 2016

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

Vehicles crossing the Thousand Islands, OgdensburgPrescott and Seaway International (Massena) bridges

February 2015

NNY

Economic indicators

Source: U.S. Department of Labor and New York State Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted. Latest available data reported.)

Note: Due to updates in some “Econ. Snapshot� categories, numbers may differ from previously published prior month and year figures.

Economic indicators New automobiles (cars and trucks) registered in Jefferson County Cars 286 in February 2016 302 in January 2016 329 in February 2015

13.1%

Trucks 99 in February 2016 109 in January 2016 96 in February 2015

NNY

3.1%

Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

Passengers at Watertown International Airport

Open welfare cases in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

2,174 inbound and outbound in February 2016 2,248 inbound and outbound in January 2016 2,675 inbound and outbound in February 2015

2,332 in February 2016 2,340 in January 2016 2,361 in February 2015

19.7%

DBAs

Source: Social Service Depts. of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

DBA (doing business under an assumed name) certificates filed at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office March 14 to March 31, 2016. For a complete list of DBAs filed in March and in past months, visit nnybizmag.com.

March 31: Beep Trucking, 661 Factory St., Watertown, Brett Parks Murdock, 661 Factory St., Apt. 3, Watertown.

n EB Exotic Boots, 9141 General Pike Loop, Apt. C, Fort Drum, Elicery Baugh, 9141 General Pike Loop, Apt. C, Fort Drum.

n 1869 Tavern, 558 State St., Watertown, Antony Joseph Foster, 125 Smith St., Watertown

March 21: DJ’s Cleaning Services, 148 Barben Ave., Watertown, Dusty Jo Paddock, 148 Barben Ave., Watertown.

n Teased Hair Salon, 262 State St., Carthage, Summer Freeman, 19676 Staplin Road, Black River, Brittany Hancock, 3832 Deer River Road, Carthage

n Amish Basket Maker, 309 N. California Ave., Watertown, Sue E. Belch, 309 N. California Ave., Watertown.

n Daryl’s Diesel Repair, 29651 Ashland Road, Chaumont, Daryl Scott Goutremout, 29651 Ashland Road, Chaumont

n Northern Arts, 122 East Grove St., Dexter, Amelia M. Decilles, 122 East Grove St., Dexter.

March 29: Hunters Hauling, 43596 County Route 2, Redwood, Jeffrey Hunter, 43596 County Route 2, Redwood. n Ellis Taxi, 17747 State Route 11, Lot 31G, Watertown, Edward L. Stevens, 17747 State Route 11, Watertown, Ruby L. Stevens, 17747 State Route 11, Lot 31G, Watertown March 28: Lazy Days Café, 317 Washington St., Watertown, Sherry Lane, 17171 Fields Road, Watertown n Carmeleine Cleaning Services, 16108 Deer Run Road, Watertown, Reynaldo I. Estepa Jr., 16108 Deer Run Road, Watertown n Wind Hill Farm, 45606 Grass Lake Road, Redwood, Randolph Lynn Adams, 45606 Grass Lake Road, Redwood March 24: Michael Endres Home Renovations, 1815 Olmstead Drive, Apt. 223A, Watertown, Michael J. Endres, 1815 Olmstead Drive, Apt. 223A, Watertown n Max Mill Gold, 23227 State Route 342, Watertown, Malika S. Nobles, 231 Mechanic St., Watertown, Mason & Associate Holdings LLC, 231 Mechanic St., Watertown n N.L. Building Maintenance, 614 Franklin St., Watertown, Noel Lalonde, 614 Franklin St., Watertown n Fuller & Sons Office Supply 272 State St., Apt. 2, Carthage, Bobbie Jean Stokes, 272 State St., Apt. 2, Carthage n J.D.’s Place, 20707 Route 93, Lorraine, Jane Patterson, 29 Broad St., Pulaski March 23: Northman Industrial Services, 202 North Orchard St., Watertown, Jeremy L.H. Lawlor, 202 North Orchard St., Watertown n Houghton News, 122 N. Orchard St., Watertown, Carrie Lynn Houghton, 122 N. Orchard St., Watertown n Simpson Professional, 26 Regency Park, Carthage, Todd J. Simpson, 26 Regency Park, Carthage n About Face, 36020 State Route 12, Clayton, Chianna Jane Jones, 36020 State Route 12, Clayton

March 18: Arborcare, 8161 Elm St., Harrisville, Andrew W. Swanson, 6070 State Route 3, Natural Bridge, Herbert Frost, 8161 Elm St., Harrisville. n Townline Livestock, 9509 County Route 82, Adams, Brittany Gehrke, 9509 County Route 82, Adams, Kyle Gehrke, 9509 County Route 82, Adams. n Happy Adventures, 437 Lachenauer Drive, Watertown, Leah Mae S. Carlisle, 437 Lachenauer Drive, Watertown, Thomas D. Carlisle, 437 Lachenauer Drive, Watertown.

March 17: I Buy Houses, 9206C General Brown Loop, Fort Drum, Justin Digamon Fernandez, 9206C General Brown Loop, Fort Drum. n Cultivated Mushroom, 24096 Bisig Road, Rodman, Anthony Douglas Paroubek, 24096 Bisig Road, Rodman. n Smith’s Cleaning Service, 117 State Place, Watertown, Jami Smith, 117 State Place, Watertown, Rachel Smith, 117 State Place, Watertown.

March 16: Shananigans Wreaths & More, 525 Wood St., Dexter, Shannon Romeo, 525 Wood St., Dexter. n E’s Bee’s, 57 North Park St., Adams, Anthony Alicea, 57 North Park St., Adams.

March 15: Warm Rock Farm, 48385 County Route 11, Redwood, Matthew Joseph Wilton, 48385 County Route 11, Redwood. n Rosen’s Embroidery Creations, 25887 Bonney Road, Watertown, Margo Rosen, 25887 Bonney Road, Watertown. n Amrinder Kaur Photography, 818 Brady Road, Sackets Harbor, Amrinder Kaur, 818 Brady Road, Sackets Harbor. n C & C Road Service, 406 Stone St., Watertown, Christopher Davis, 406 Stone St., Watertown.

March 14: NNY Art Trail, 28279 Route 126, Black River, Karin Robertson, 28279 Route 126, Black River. n Kuhner Properties, 531 Washington St., Suite 2501, Watertown, Andre Luiz D. Kuhner, Hauptstrasse 64A 67678 Mehlingen Germany.

n Gray Stone Self Storage, 45748 Otter St., Alexandria Bay, John L. Bartlett, 45748 Otter St., Alexandria Bay, Miles A. Bartlett, 45748 Otter St., Alexandria Bay

n Spun Up Fairy Floss, 22026 Brown Road, Watertown, Terry L. Law Jr., 22026 Brown Road, Watertown.

March 22: Bates Farm, 19961 County Route 189, Adams, Lou Ann Parish, 19961 County Route 189, Adams, Patrick David Bates, 19961 County Route 189, Adams.

n Perfect 10 Salon, 223 J.B. Wise Plaza, Suite 27, Watertown, Stacia A. Ward, 246 Coffeen St., Watertown, William Bouck, 246 Coffeen St., Watertown.

transactions

Source: Jefferson County Board of Legislators

1.2%

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 11

GEUST ESSAY

Connecting education with business, industry

C

areer and technical educators have been connecting education with business and industry almost since their inception. In today’s world, it’s even more important for these connections to remain strong, and more and more, all educators are working to connect learning to the real world of work.

Each career and technical education program maintains an industry advisory committee with which they meet at least annually. These groups include representatives from industry and also from post-secondary institutions that offer similar programs. They review program curriculum, equipment and technology to ensure students will be ready to step into a rapidly changing world of work. They advise on internship and employment opportunities as well as opportunities for students to continue their education.

Often, these important partners also host student interns, assist in assessing the hands-on portion of technical assessments, and address students either in the classroom or on worksite tours. Also, every five years, the advisory committee comes together with administrators and academic teachers from school districts and economic development representatives to complete a thorough and formal review of the program to meet New York state Department of Education requirements.

We also seek out industry representatives when it considers developing a new program. Or sometimes industry comes to BOCES with an idea.

For example, the manufacturing community recently approached BOCES and assisted in the development of a manufacturing technology program for adults.

Another recent example is the development of the medical assisting program for high school students. After hearing at a Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization meeting about this growing need in the health care field, officials wondered if it would be a good program to develop.

Numbers in the introduction to health careers program were large and we thought we needed to explore another option for students. We brought together doctors, nurses and other health care providers to discuss the skills and certifications needed.

We were able to successfully implement the program for the 2015-2016 school year.

More and more, schools are recogniz-

12 | NNY Business | April 2016

ing the need to engage students in community service activities.

Often, these end up in the newspapers or on television news.

At BOCES, most students are members of a club called Tracy Gyoerkoe SkillsUSA. The three arms of this organization are leadership, skills, and service. The leadership and service areas give students a chance to identify community needs and develop programs and activities to meet them. Students have volunteered for the SPCA, the Thompson Park Zoo, and other non-profit organizations. In March, the 42 club members from the Howard G. Sackett Technical Center in Glenfield organized and ran a very successful carnival for local families.

More than 600 people attended, donating 851 canned goods to the local food pantry and enjoying hours of fun for children.

Often, students in our programs are able to collaborate with the community on projects, too. Students from both centers will compete in a statewide conference April 27 to 29 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Last year, students from carpentry, electrical, and HVAC programs worked with Habitat for Humanity. They built a modular home on the BOCES campus that was transported to Braman’s Block in Carthage and is now the home of a very happy family. Our visual communications students also shared a very rewarding experience in designing posters for the United Way of Northern New York.

Project-based learning is another approach that is changing the face of education and bringing students in closer contact with business, industry and community. It is often associated with science, technology, engineering and math career pathways because it follows a similar problem-solving structure to that of an engineer. The idea is that students learn content and meet academic standards as they solve a problem posed by an outside organization. Then, they research and engage in trial and error or scientific experiments to find a solution. Industry partners frequently mentor students through this process, and the con-

clusion involves a presentation, which can take various forms, by students to a public audience. Career and technical education teachers are receiving ongoing professional development offered through a partnership with High Schools That Work, an organization focused on school improvement. BOCES also offers various venues for training for all teachers in this model. The second annual Student-Centered Learning Conference will be held June 28 this year at South Jefferson High School.

Central to the CTE belief in providing students with career development tools, we also support the efforts of our economic development and chamber of commerce partners to increase awareness about career pathways. We partner on Manufacturing Day each fall, Workforce 20/20 in the winter and on Career Jam each spring. Career Jam, set for May 19 at the Watertown Fairgrounds Arena, is a one-day hands-on career exploration event for eighth- and/ or ninth-grade students. School districts have been invited to participate and local employers will be setting up hands-on activities to engage students and interest them in following a pathway to a career in their field. Visit for co.jefferson.ny.us/index. aspx?page=283 more information.

We’ve also been working closely with partners on a project called “GPS for Success.” Jefferson-Lewis and St. LawrenceLewis BOCES have joined forces with WPBS, our economic development partners and business and industry representatives to create a multi-platform website that students use to learn about career opportunities, income potential and education and training requirements in each of the 16 national career clusters.

In February, we launched phase one of the website to rave reviews by employers and educators. It includes six of the clusters. The rest of the clusters will be completed and posted over the next two years.

If you’d like to see it — and your feedback is welcomed — visit mygpsforsuccess.com.

If you’d like to get involved in an upcoming cluster, please contact me.

Looking for more information about the exciting things going on at Jefferson Lewis BOCES? Visit our website at boces.com or like us on Facebook. n Tracy J. Gyoerkoe is director of career, technical, adult and continuing education for Jefferson-Lewis BOCES in Watertown. Contact her at tgyoerkoe@boces.com.

Sm all Bu siness sta rt up BUSINESS

Creative Colors International of Lowville THE INITIAL IDEA

Life took a natural turn for Lowville native Tim Bush when he joined the family oil business, Louis Bush and Sons, but 27 years later, he wasn’t satisfied with a career in the oil industry.

“I just got continually tired of the rat race,” he said. “I worked with some really great people and I owe a lot to those people, but I got burned out. I needed something different.”

Before retiring from Griffith Energy in December it wasn’t clear what that next step would be except that he would be doing something more hands-on.

“I’m the type of person who likes to get his hands dirty,” Mr. Bush said. “I did the office thing, but that wasn’t for me.”

His search led him to Creative Colors International, a repair and restoration franchise for leather, vinyl, plastic and fabric.

The franchise opened Feb. 1 in Lowville.

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

“You name it, I’ve done it. I’ve done everything from booths in a restaurant to snowmobile seats.”

— Tim Bush, owner,

Creative Colors International of Lowville

TARGET CLIENTELE

Creative Colors is a versatile mobile business that can repair various types of upholstery from car seats to furniture, according to Mr. Bush, a versatility that he takes pride in.

“You name it, I’ve done it,” he said. “I’ve done everything from booths in a restaurant to snowmobile seats.”

While many Creative Colors franchises focus more on the automotive repairs, Mr. Bush said he doesn’t want to limit his business when there is a large need in the region.

There is only one other restoration service in the area that he covers — from Alexandria Bay to Syracuse — but his competitor also focuses more exclusively on automotive repairs.

“I’m not going to focus on any specific area at this time,” he said. “I don’t want to leave the rest of the segment out. I’m providing it to a larger market.”

Adaptability is proving to be a good sign for his business with expanded offerings from fixing tears in linoleum floors to restoring dashboards. Rips, holes and scratches are only one part of his services, which also include dying leather and deodorizing cars.

Mr. Bush said he expects the market to increase when people learn how much they can save if they have items repaired instead of replaced.

THE JOURNEY

When Mr. Bush began

looking for a franchise, his broker recommended six different companies.

“What I thought I wanted to do was something along the line of scooters and chairlifts for the disabled,” he said. “It’s a huge market.”

Creative Colors, though, offered a wider range of opportunities that wasn’t limited to certain segments of the industry.

As the first company he explored, Mr. Bush found a place where he could maximize his talents in business and hands-on, he said.

He and his wife spent January in Chicago at the corporate headquarters as they worked with the company to set up the franchise.

Mr. Bush spent most of that time in training to learn the techniques of his new trade.

“They have a training room that I spent three weeks in, Monday through Friday,” he said. “I had to pass a test before they let me leave.”

Mr. Bush said he learned so much during that time that he hasn’t even been able to do all of things he was taught yet.

The best thing the firm offered, though, Mr. Bush said, is that it’s a supportive environment.

“If I do find something and don’t know what to do, I just have to make a phone call,” he said.

IN FIVE YEARS

After being open for two months, Mr. Bush is looking forward to the more immediate future: boating season.

“When the weather breaks, I don’t know when I’m going to sleep,” he said.

He said the marinas have shown a lot of excitement for his business.

“It’s been very well-received in the area,” Mr. Bush said.

His plans for the future have not been neglected by any means, though. His three-year plan includes a second van and paying off the debt from starting the franchise.

“I’m tracking very close to where I need to be at this point,” he said.

The more extensive five-year plan includes three to four vans and adding a few employees for the mobile units, as well as an administrative assistant.

More importantly, though, Mr. Bush said he wants to grow awareness, “Hopefully by the end of the year people will know that I exist and what I can do,” he said. “I would like to grow the business, but I don’t want to be too aggressive at this point.”

— Karee Magee

WHERE From Alexandria Bay to Syracuse | LAUNCHED February 2016 | WEB wecanfixthat.com/Watertown

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COV E R STORY

A celebration 200 years

in the making On March 25, 2016, SUNY Potsdam, the oldest of state system’s 64 campuses, marked the founding of St. Lawrence Academy. The present-day college traces its beginnings to 1816 when the Academy and its first Board of Trustees were formed.

Two centuries later, suny potsdam is a story of the evolution of educational excellence.

TEXT BY KAREE MAGEE | PHOTO BY JASON HUNTER

I

In the small, rural town of Potsdam, 42 students arrived in September 1816 for the first classes held in the one-room building that housed the St. Lawrence Academy, a modest establishment that also served as the town’s church and meetinghouse, but one that served as the foothold for the evolution of the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Two hundred years after the Academy was founded on March 25, 1816, SUNY Potsdam remains a thriving center of education in the north country with nearly 4,000 undergraduate students and about 300 graduate students, almost half of the population of the village of Potsdam.

Serving as a St. Lawrence County cultural hub, the university is renowned throughout the state for its creative focus, including the celebrated Crane School of

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Music, but long before it became the birthplace of music education, SUNY Potsdam built its legacy on teacher education, which remains the central pillar of its two centuries of success.

Pioneer of teacher education At its founding in 1816, St. Lawrence Academy was one of the first 50 colleges established in the United States, making its teacher education program the oldest in the SUNY system, but it was in 1828 that the Academy took strides to create special training and curriculum for teachers.

Prior to the Rev. Asa Brainerd’s appointment as preceptor, education at the Academy focused on subjects, including reading, writing, grammar, mathematics and dead languages. She drafted a new program to train teachers for roles

in public education because she believed education should be in the reach of poor as well as the rich.

With the support of the New York State Legislature, choosing St. Lawrence Academy as an exclusive teacher education program, the school began its tradition of excellence.

“SUNY Potsdam has taken a real lead over time in providing education to students,” said Jane Subramanian, retired librarian and college archivist.

Rev. Brainerd’s concept for teacher education has evolved throughout the history of SUNY Potsdam, but it began with a comprehensive view of learning.

Long before the first liberal arts degree was awarded in 1964, a holistic view of education became the core of teacher education at St. Lawrence Academy.

C O V E R S T O RY

SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg celebrates the 200th anniversary of the university March 25 during a bicentennial bash at the school’s student union.

“There’s a large depth there,” Ms. Subramanian said. “The liberal arts was considered a very important part of the coursework.”

According to Ms. Subramanian, education departed from the previous model of focus on individual subjects and onto a comprehensive view of education, including the sciences, math, language, and an important emphasis on the arts with dramatic programs dating back to the late 1800s. The first music teacher was hired in 1931, more than 50 years before the Crane Normal Institute of Music was created.

“I like to think of liberal arts as the backbone of all the education that goes on here,” said Steven J. Marqusee, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at SUNY Potsdam. “The background that

you get is essential for success no matter what you go into.”

It was recognized at St. Lawrence Academy that having a broad education would aid teachers, a system that has only evolved through the school’s history.

Mr. Marqusee said that liberal arts is often misunderstood because the old view was students were simply learning a subject like Latin or philosophy, but it’s become more than that. Liberal arts courses teach problem solving, critical thinking, writing and speaking, he said.

“It’s a way of thinking,” he said. “Careers require people to think critically, write effectively and speak effectively in order to be successful.”

It was this new view on teacher training that prompted the growth of the St. Lawrence Academy when the academy system

was being replaced by the Normal School Program, a program designed specifically for teacher education, the root of primary and secondary education in the United States.

“There was tremendous competition throughout the state,” Ms. Subramanian said.

St. Lawrence Academy was one of four schools chosen to join the two Normal Schools in Albany in 1866 because of its reputation for successful teacher education.

“It is a long tradition of recognizing that education is more than a set of knowledge about a particular area,” Mr. Marqusee said. “You need to have a college that is nimble and can continue to modify its strengths in order to remain relevant in a changing world, but we’re relying on the basics as well.”

Those basics are even more important today, according to the dean, as SUNY April 2016 | NNY Business

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C OV E R STORY SUNY POTSDAM / Notable 20th & 21st century ALUMNI Anthony Brennan Class: 1975 Education: Bachelor’s in chemistry, SUNY Potsdam; master’s in chemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology Career: Professor of material science and engineering, University of Florida, and founder of Sharklet.

STEPHANIE BLYTHE Class: 1992 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degrees in English writing and vocal performance, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam CAREER: Mezzo-soprano opera star who has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, with the Paris National Opera, and the San Francisco, Chicago Lyric and Seattle operas. Co-founder and artistic director of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar at the Crane School of Music; honorary chair of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam.

LYNNE BOLES Class: 1974 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in English/journalism, SUNY Potsdam; master’s in TV & radio, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University CAREER: Marketing & communications expert, The Cincinnati Consulting Consortium; former vice president and general manager of global advertising, Proctor & Gamble; other former positions at P&G include director of North America advertising development, and director of European advertising development; member, Board of Trustees, SUNY Potsdam.

T.C. BOYLE Class: 1968 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degrees in English and history, SUNY Potsdam; M.F.A, University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop CAREER: Award-winning author of 24 novels, including “The Women,” “Wild Child,” “When the Killing’s Done,” “San Miguel” and “The Harder They Come;” Professor of English, University of Southern California.

Potsdam prepares students to take part in a global society.

“The people we train as teachers today are not staying locally and teaching in a one-room schoolhouse,” Mr. Marqusee said. “They’re teaching students of different backgrounds. You want someone who has these basic abilities that make our graduates whole.”

The liberal arts focus did more for SUNY Potsdam than facilitating the evolution of educating future teachers, though. Through its Normal School and Potsdam State Teachers College years to the SUNY school today, the university has transformed from a college for teachers to a challenging liberal arts institution.

“We’re known for our creative activity,” said Kristin Esterberg, president of SUNY Potsdam. “What ties us together is we are a creative campus.”

The transformation to a creative campus started with the evolution of the teacher education programs to include music teacher education.

The birthplace of music education Before the birth of what is now the Crane School of Music in 1884, music education was reserved for conservatories and did not exist within public schools.

“We take it for granted now, but at the time it was a new concept,” Ms. Subramanian said.

The music education program was conceived by Julia Etta Crane, a graduate of the Potsdam Normal School.

After studying music education in Boston, teaching music in Shippensburg, Pa., and Potsdam, and learning performance in England under Manual Garcia, Julia Crane was invited to join the faculty at the Potsdam Normal School and try out her

SUNY POTSDAM: A twocentury timeline of significant events

own ideas of teaching music.

It was just two years later that she founded the first music teachers’ curriculum and the Crane Normal Institute of Music with the idea that proper training could create graduates as well-suited to teaching music as they were to teach reading or history.

“It was a wonderful confluence between a vision of music education and teacher education,” said Michael Sitton, dean of the Crane School of Music. “That both preserved her vision, but it also enriched the Normal School. It set its future and established its history.”

Her vision took the concept of a wellrounded education, based on the liberal arts foundation that she had experienced, and interpreted it for music education: an emphasis on excellence in performance.

Julia Crane’s methodology was based on her idea that a music teacher needed grounding in performance to teach students effectively.

“The students who come for that program are not only excellent teachers, they’re excellent musicians,” Ms. Esterberg said.

That commitment to a high level of excellence in performance at Crane established it as a leading music education program in the country.

“What we prove is you don’t need to be New York City to be an amazing performer,” Ms. Esterberg said. “The quality is unparalleled. It rivals any major music center.”

The Crane School of Music’s defining feature, though, is its tradition of innovation, Mr. Sitton said, which was the element behind its birth.

“On the one hand there is a deeply rooted education, but the innovation

is constructed beginning in 1836, on South — now Main— Street.

MARCH 1816: CHARTER DAY —

St. Lawrence Academy is founded and the first Board of Trustees established.

September 1826: NORTH ACADEMY BUILDING OPENS — St. Lawrence Academy moves from its former residence in a cramped one-room schoolhouse to a new, four-level sandstone building on North —

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now Elm — Street, across from the present Civic Center.

November 1837: SOUTH ACADEMY OPENS — Needing more space for the growing institution, the South Academy

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April 1866: POTSDAM CHOSEN FOR NORMAL SCHOOL — Potsdam is

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selected as the location of one of the four State Normal Schools established under Chapter 466, Laws of 1866, along with Normal Schools in Cortland, Brockport and Fredonia.

April 1867: ACADEMY BECOMES POTSDAM NORMAL SCHOOL — St. Lawrence Academy becomes Potsdam Normal School. New York State purchases the campus lands and buildings.

April 1869: THE POTSDAM NORMAL

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C O V E R S T O RY Crane has sought over its long history has provided opportunities to evolve and change,” Mr. Sitton said.

Change has been welcomed from the very beginning.

When Crane graduate Helen Hosmer was named as the director of the music program in 1930, she improved on Julia Crane’s ideas of music education with a more experiential program.

It included bringing new and different types of music to the students at Crane to broaden their knowledge, and sometimes bringing the students directly to the opportunities as with the first study abroad course she introduced in 1936.

Ms. Hosmer initiated a semester’s study in Europe for 18 of her students where they experienced music centers, operas, concerts and the cultures of Germany, England, France and Austria.

Her direction began a path for Crane to provide Crane students with every available experience.

Today that includes master classes with renowned performers, ensembles ranging from jazz to Latin music or West African drum and dance, trips to play in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as internships with leading companies like Yamaha or nonprofits such as League of America Orchestras.

“That’s really important that these students have access to artists with different techniques,” Ms. Esterberg said. “It brings a different perspective than what we can offer typically.”

Over the years, the students from Crane have performed at some of the most historic events in New York’s history, including at the United Nations in 1958, the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and at the unveiling of the restored

SCHOOL OPENS ITS DOORS. 1875: NORMAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC ESTABLISHED AT POTSDAM 1884: JULIA ETTA CRANE RETURNS

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Statue of Liberty in 1986.

“Potsdam is very lucky to have the Crane School of Music,” said Vicki Templeton-Cornell, executive director of SUNY Potsdam’s Board of Trustees and vice president for college advancement. “It makes us distinctive in the SUNY system.”

The Crane School of Music’s initiative to provide the best to its students also preceded to set the bar for SUNY Potsdam and inspired the same attitude for other programs, including bringing Bill T. Jones Dance Company to work with the school’s dance students.

The school’s success in performance education and ability to draw professional and world-renowned artists to the region, though, has also created a cultural atmosphere unique to this rural area of Northern New York.

MARC BUTLER

Educational and cultural hub of Northern New York When Ms. Templeton-Cornell moved to Potsdam in the 1970s, what drew her family to the region was the culturally diverse environment that was created by the students, the faculty and the opportunities at SUNY Potsdam.

Although it could be argued that the biggest impact the university has on the region is economic as Potsdam’s second largest employer and its multimillion dollar footprint, Ms. Templeton-Cornell said the benefits expand far beyond that.

“The impact the college has on the region goes far beyond what you could realized,” she said.

Potsdam and the north country have become an artistic oasis that few rural areas can compare to due in large part to the creative work at the university

Class: 1981 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in music education, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam; graduate studies, Rochester’s Eastman School of Music; Julliard School; voice study as a Fulbright Scholar, Germany CAREER: Grammy-winning soprano known for singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XLVIII, the 1980 Winter Olympics, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the 2009 inaugural celebration concert for President Barack Obama; creative consultant for Lyric Opera of Chicago; author of “The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer.”

TO POTSDAM — Julia Etta Crane founds the first Normal School training course for public school music teachers in the United States. This is the genesis of Crane’s reputation as the birthplace of American music education.

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Class: 1974 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in English, SUNY Potsdam CAREER: New York state assemblyman for the 118th District, including St. Lawrence County; ranking minority on the Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Committee; serves on the Assembly Agriculture, Higher Education and Insurance committees; previously assemblyman for the 113th District, Herkimer County legislator, Newport village trustee, and Newport village deputy mayor.

ROBERT CHRISTIANSON Class: 1972 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam; graduate work in composition, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor CAREER: Emmy-winning composer for his music for ABC Sports; Known for composing the NCAA Basketball Theme for CBS, themes for the Winter Olympics and the music for “Sex and the City.”

RENÉE FLEMING

LINDA GIBBS Class: 1982 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in political science, SUNY Potsdam; SUNY Buffalo School of Law CAREER: Principal for social services, Bloomberg Associates, New York City deputy mayor of Health and Human Services, 2005 to 2013; former commissioner of New York City Department of Homeless Services.

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1886: CRANE NORMAL INSTITUTE OF MUSIC FOUNDED — Julia Etta Crane establishes the first special music teachers’ curriculum, and incorporates the Crane Normal Institute of Music.

This is considered the founding of the present-day Crane School of Music.

1896: HOUSE PURCHASED FOR CRANE — Julia Crane purchases the house

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formerly owned by Mr. DeWitt Anstead at 60 Main St., opposite the Clarkson School of Technology and next to the three-story Potsdam Normal School building.

1916: CENTENNIAL MARKS FIRST 100 YEARS — A tablet marking the original location of the academy is erected on Union Street.

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C OV E R STORY SAAD HAJIDIN Class: 1988 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in printmaking, SUNY Potsdam CAREER: Senior director at Polo Ralph Lauren; designer known for knitwear and sweater designs, including those worn by the 2014 U.S. Winter Olympic Teams; former designer at Donna Karan and Liz Claiborne.

MARY HELANDER Class: 1974 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in computer science and mathematics, SUNY Potsdam; Master of Science, Syracuse University; Ph.D., University of Buffalo; docent in quality technology and software engineering, Linköping University, Sweden CAREER: Master inventor and math research scientist at IBM’s TJ Watson Research Center; holds 15 patents

HADEN LAND Class: 1974 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in mathematics and computer science, SUNY Potsdam; master’s in computer science, Syracuse University CAREER: Vice president for research and technology, Lockheed Martin; member, National Cybersecurity Hall of Fame; voted “Most Influential Hispanic” by Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council.

CHUCK LORRE Class: 1974 EDUCATION: Attended SUNY Potsdam for two years CAREER: Creator, executive producer and writer of TV series “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Mike & Molly.”

COL. THOMAS PALMATIER Class: 1976 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in applied music, SUNY Potsdam; M.F.A in Music; Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo. CAREER: Former leader and commander of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own;” former commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Field Band; first officer to command both of the Army’s premier bands; conducted music for presidential inaugurations and state visits.

Normal School building was demolished to make way for a new building. The sandstone classroom and administration building holds a theater as well.

1926: NEW YORK STATE PURCHASES CRANE INSTITUTE — The Crane Normal Institute of Music becomes the Crane Department of Music at Potsdam Normal School.

1930: HELEN HOSMER NAMED TO LEAD CRANE — Dr. Helen M. Hosmer, a Crane Normal Institute of Music

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that ranges from musical performances to art galleries.

“It’s a significant part of SUNY Potsdam,” Mr. Sitton said. “The musical performances Crane offers is very important to their lives. It’s very unusual in an area like this to have the number of performances we have here.”

Crane itself offers about 300 performances a year and it has spawned the creation of community bands and orchestras, including the Orchestra of Northern New York, which include faculty, alumni and students of the school.

“I don’t know how many rural environments can host an orchestra of such high quality,” Ms. Esterberg said.

The Community Performance Series seeks to bring world-class performing arts opportunities to the region, including guest artists, children and family programs, and Potsdam Music Theatre.

Faculty, students, and student teachers also bring their musical talents and expertise to the region’s public schools, as well as providing programs for youths at SUNY Potsdam in the performing arts and through various summer camps.

“This community would not be so rich if not for SUNY Potsdam,” Ms. Esterberg said.

The cultural impact that the school has had on the community, though, would not have been possible without the groundwork the community had done in the beginning, Ms. Subramanian said.

The community has always supported the success and growth of SUNY Potsdam from the beginning when residents housed students of St. Lawrence Academy and by raising and providing the money to make the Potsdam Normal School a reality.

“A lot of it has to do with the people graduate, returns to her alma mater to direct the Crane Department of Music.

who gave of themselves to ensure that the school continued to grow,” Ms. Subramanian said. “A small community like Potsdam promotes that closeness.”

SUNY Potsdam’s community has grown to include the three other universities in the area that make up the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley: Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton.

“The educational opportunities are improved by them being here,” Ms. Subramanian said.

Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1970, the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence County collaborate in several ways to increase the strength of the educational community in Potsdam and Canton.

“The whole system is a classic case that the sum of the whole is stronger than its individual parts,” said Anthony G. Collins, president of Clarkson University.

“There is very little academic overlap and we complement each other’s strengths.”

The collaboration between the universities includes a wide range of opportunities like the ability to cross-register for classes at another of the universities, a faculty exchange program, faculty seminars, including a women’s leadership conference and the annual teaching conference, and shared services like payroll and transportation.

Mr. Collins said that the universities also provide support in the event that services break down and resources need to be shared.

“I can’t speak of a negative experience of working together,” he said. “We meet regularly and talk through ways to increase the collaboration.”

The strongest benefit of the collegiate

1938: NORMAL SCHOOLS TURNED INTO COLLEGES — The New York State Legislature passes a bill that would give all Normal Schools the status of a college.

1905

1944: COLLEGE BUYS ADDITIONAL LAND ON PIERREPONT AVENUE. February 1948: STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK ESTABLISHED — With the founding of the State University of New York, Potsdam State Teachers College officially becomes the State University of New York College at Potsdam.

1934: 100TH COMMENCEMENT 1936: FIRST STUDY ABROAD COURSE — Helen Hosmer initiates a European Study Tour, the first semester-long course offered abroad by any U.S. Normal School.

Normal School becomes the Potsdam State Teachers College.

July 1, 1942: POTSDAM STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE — Potsdam

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1950: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CAMPUS BEGINS — Following the

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C O V E R S T O RY DIMITRI PITTAS Class: 1999 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in music, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam; Metropolitan Opera’s Young Artist Development Program CAREER: Tenor opera singer who has performed for the Bavarian State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera House of Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Bolshoi Opera of Moscow, Hamburg State Opera, and the Canadian Opera Company.

PATRICIA RITCHIE

community, though, Mr. Collins said, is the diverse population it attracts including many engineering students who have interests in pursuing music at the Crane School of Music and faculty with trailing spouses that have three other distinct universities where they can forward their careers.

The diverse student and faculty population brought to the region by the four schools is one benefit of the partnerships and the educational atmosphere of Potsdam where SUNY Potsdam sees a future for growth.

According to Ms. Esterberg, SUNY Potsdam’s student population is made up of one-third north country students. The school has become increasingly popular with students outside of Northern New York and international students.

“That just adds an extraordinary richness to the cultural life of our commu-

nity,” she said.

Part of the school’s mission, she said, is to become an inclusive place as the world becomes a global economy.

Over the past two centuries, SUNY Potsdam has succeeded in expanding its impact and influence beyond the north country and into the rest of the state.

“If you go to just about any school district throughout the north country, so many teachers, superintendents and principals have come from SUNY Potsdam,” Ms. Esterberg said.

SUNY Potsdam totaled nearly 37,000 active alumni in the U.S. and its territories as of June 2013, 24,495 of whom remained in New York State. SUNY Potsdam graduates can be found in all 50 states and every territory.

Ms. Esterberg said a good portion of those students come from New York City and Long Island, and they take the

it was first constructed.

It is the campus’s first and only clock tower. creation of SUNY, the College begins construction of a new campus on its Pierrepont Avenue land.

1954: THE ICONIC CLOCK TOWER — The clock tower atop Satterlee Hall is the main symbol of the college since

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STEPHAN SAVOIA Class: 1975 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degrees in social theory and art photography, SUNY Potsdam; master’s in journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia CAREER: Photographer, Associated Press; received the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography in 1993 for images of the 1992 presidential campaign; won the same prize in 1999 for photographs of key players and events stemming from former President William J. Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinksy and the impeachment hearings.

JAMIE SZAFRAN Class: 2008 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degrees in musical studies and computer science, SUNY Potsdam; master’s degree, University of Buffalo CAREER: Aerospace technologist, NASA; lead developer on the spacecraft command and control system’s common services team; engineer working with the SwampWorks rapid prototyping research and development lab.

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renames it Snell Hall.

1954: DOWNTOWN BUILDING PASSED TO CLARKSON — The College passes ownership of its former downtown red sandstone building to Clarkson University, which

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Class: 1991 EDUCATION: Associate degree in social work, Mater Dei College of Ogdensburg; bachelor’s in pyschology, SUNY Potsdam CAREER: New York state senator since 2010; chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committee; deputy majority leader for Senate and Assembly relations.

1958: CRANE PERFORMS AT UNITED NATIONS — The Crane Chorus is invited to perform with the Symphony of the Air, in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York City.

1964: COLLEGE OFFERS ITS FIRST LIBERAL ARTS DEGREES. 1971: CRANE SCHOOL OF MUSIC IS ESTABLISHED — The Crane Department of Music becomes The

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Crane School of Music, the college’s third school to confer degrees.

1972: SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES ESTABLISHED — The School of Liberal Arts, which later becomes The School of Arts and Sciences, is established.

1980: CRANE AT 1980 WINTER OLYMPICS IN LAKE PLACID — The Crane School of Music was invited to

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COV E R STORY DAVID VALESKY Class: 1988 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, SUNY Potsdam; master’s in public policy research, University of Connecticut CAREER: New York state senator since 2004 representing the 53rd Senate District, including Madison County and parts of Oneida and Onondaga counties; vice chairman of the Health Committee; deputy leader of the Independent Democratic Conference.

LISA VROMAN Class: 1979 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in music education, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam; M.F.A, Carnegie Mellon University CAREER: Soprano who starred for several years as Christine Daae in the Broadway musical “The Phantom of the Opera;” Well known for her performances in “Die Fledermaus” and “Les Miserables.”

MARILYN WEINER Class: 1963 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in education, SUNY Potsdam CAREER: Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker who has produced more than 225 documentaries and four public television series including “Journey to Planet Earth,” “Women at Work,” “Faces of Man,” and “The World of Cooking.”

EILEEN GOSS WHELLEY Class: 1976 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in sociology and political science, SUNY Potsdam; master’s, Bowling Green State University, Ohio CAREER: Executive vice president and chief human resources officer, XL Group PLC; executive vice president, human resources, Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.; executive vice president, human resources, Hartford Investment Management Company; executive vice president, human resources, NBC Universal Inc. and General Electric.

north country home with them. Many even become world-renowned like opera singers Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blythe.

“I hope they’ll remember their experience and the impact we had on them,” Ms. Esterberg said. “What’s really important is that north country students interact with students from all over New York and with international students so they are well-prepared to live and work in a global society.”

SUNY Potsdam’s third century In preparation for its bicentennial, SUNY Potsdam’s administration placed a lot of consideration on how they would approach the third century of the university.

The university once again looked back to its roots with its Looking to the Future Project, inviting input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and the entire community on the future of the school.

“It’s everyone’s campus,” said Joshua LaFave, chairman of the Goals and Planning Committee at SUNY Potsdam. “We are all stakeholders. We all have a part to play. The campus has been successful because of the contributions of all stakeholders.”

In that spirit, the Goals and Planning Committee will begin strategic planning soon and present a report to the administration about the local community’s contributions.

Though it is early days, Mr. Sitton said the university is going to continue with that same tradition of innovation that created the liberal arts foundation of teacher education and the Crane School of Music.

“We’re not trying to go too far to the fads, but go to our strengths and develop

May 1986: CRANE SCHOOL OF MUSIC CENTENNIAL — The Crane School of Music celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1986.

July 3, 1986: CRANE CHORUS AT UNVEILING OF STATUE OF LIBERTY — The Crane Chorus was invited to perform at the unveiling of the

serve as the official musicians for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., the second time the Adirondacks have played host to the winter games.

1970

1975

20 | NNY Business | April 2016

1980

what makes sense,” Ms. TempletonCornell said.

The university’s newer majors in music business, graphic design, exercise science and computer science look at taking traditional coursework at SUNY Potsdam and finding ways to make it current, according to Ms. Esterberg.

The evolution that Ms. Esterberg sees, though, moves beyond simply adding more majors, but looking toward making programs more accessible to anyone who wants to attend SUNY Potsdam.

This goal includes new additions to the campus like the Center for Applied Learning, the first in the SUNY system, to ensure that every student has the opportunity to complete more high-impact learning experiences including internships, study abroad or research opportunities.

“Our challenge is how to create more opportunities for young people who want to stay in the north country,” she said.

“How can we help them translate their ideas into business opportunities?”

This idea has been set in motion with initiatives like Start-Up NY, a program that allows new and expanding businesses to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near eligible university or college campuses. The program seeks to create new jobs and increase economic development.

Ms. Esterberg, though, said that SUNY Potsdam will be looking for additional ways to promote more accessible education and opportunities for the students in Potsdam and those taking classes through its Watertown extension.

Accessibility could mean anything from more flexible class schedule for working graduate students to more summer session offerings.

refurbished Statue of Liberty.

1998: 50 YEARS OF SUNY — The State University of New York marks its 50th anniversary. SUNY Potsdam remains the oldest of the system’s 64 campuses.

Potsdam celebrates the grand opening of its new $55 million Performing Arts Center. The state-of-the-art facility is home to the college’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

April 2014: PERFORMING ARTS CENTER COMPLETED — SUNY

2013: DR. KRISTIN G. ESTERBERG — 16th president of SUNY Potsdam and first woman to lead the institution

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

C OVER S TORY “We’ve got this incredible location and we don’t fully use this beautiful place in the summer,” Ms. Esterberg said.

Another goal is to improve the inclusiveness of Potsdam’s programs for veteran and Native American populations, specifically the Akwesasne population.

The university opened its expanded Center for Diversity in February as part its Native American Teaching Initiative and to aid the 30 percent of students who identify as students of color.

The center now has a new computer lab, new staff and student offices, work station, and student lounge.

The Center for Diversity seeks to assist all students in their transition at SUNY Potsdam, as well as their development.

The Native American Teaching Initiative, Ms. Esterberg said, is a grant-based program created to alleviate the shortage of Native American teachers in the state.

The grant allows participants to receive financial assistance, academic support services, field experiences, job placement and mentoring services.

Although the university is still early in the process of developing a strategy as it begins its third century, Ms. Templeton-Cornell said any changes will be in keeping with the mission of SUNY Potsdam.

“The landscape is going to change, but we are going to stick to our mission of delivering a high quality of education,” she said. “It’s not always a consistent pattern in schools that you say what you are and continue to be what you say, but that is what we do at SUNY Potsdam.” n KAREE MAGEE is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2381 or kmagee@wdt.net.

in inaugurated president of the college.

March 25, 2016 – BICENTENNIAL MARKS THE FOUNDING OF ST. LAWRENCE ACADEMY — SUNY Potsdam celebrates its 200th anniversary on the St. Lawrence Academy’s Charter Day.

2010

2015

2016

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 21

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

Students work in the tutoring area of the new $14 millon Collaborative Learning Center at the JCC campus, which opened to students last month. The project broke ground in 2015 after having been in various stages of planning since 2008. The 41,000-square-foot center is named in honor of John W. Deans, who served as the school’s third president from 1992 to 2002. His service to the college spanned 35 years.

Facility a new jewel on JCC campus Collaborative Learning Center offers variety of services under one roof

A

NNY Business staff reports

more than eight-year-old idea is now a fully built learning center which is already being utilized by Jefferson Community College students.

The idea for the new Collaborative Learning Center was put into JCC’s facilities master plan in 2008.

“The genesis of the idea took place well before that,” said JCC President Carole A. McCoy. “We were very confident that we needed to consolidate our various services into one location.”

The two-floor, 41,000-square-foot center houses the library, tutoring services, space for students to work together or study alone, as well as veteran services and security headquarters.

Students began taking advantage of the new center, which combines resources designed for student achievement in one building, as crews worked to complete the finishing touches in February. The project broke ground in 2015 and almost a year later students are enjoying the various spaces studying or learning.

22 | NNY Business | April 2016

“We had planned for so long. It is one of those long processes,” Mrs. McCoy said. “It was surprising when we broke ground. The realization that it was finally real.”

The center, which cost about $14 million, includes outlets and USB ports in every room, furniture, classrooms and test spaces on the first floor, and study spaces on the second floor and in the library. Tabletops and study booths have USB ports and electrical outlets so students can charge electronic devices. Study rooms have Wi-Fi access and display screens for sharing information from individual computers or tablets.

“There is incredible student space in this building,” the president said. “This building is for the students and every choice was made with them in mind.”

Mrs. McCoy said consolidating services is something a lot of schools are doing but the first floor space for tutoring, testing and instruction is unique.

“We had seen different facilities and this was Jefferson’s take on what we had seen,” she said. “We had as many ideas as we had people working on the project.”

Jefferson County sponsored the project

for state funding. Eventually the state did fund the project but there was a delay.

“We got county sponsorship about three years ago, but we got left out of the state budget, one of those years,” Mrs. McCoy said.

Everything from the old library, including 30,000 books, has been moved to the new center and employees are setting up their new offices.

“We brought some desktops over, but we are going all laptops,” said Connie A. Holberg, library director at JCC. “We bought 40 new laptops and brought over the 20 we already had.”

She said they compacted space for books in the library to make more space for students.

The library will be open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The first floor will be open space 24-7.

“The first floor [is] comprised of academic support services for students including academic coaching, new student services, placement testing, transfer counseling, career planning and job placement, veterans services and the TRIO Strategies to Achieve Results program. The second floor [is]

FEATURES comprised of the Scanlon Tutoring Center, the college library and media center,” according to information provided by JCC. “Both floors contain technologically smart classrooms, group study space and wireless Internet. In addition, the building serves as a central home base for the office of campus safety and security.”

Other notable features include an information center, a café, and an open, multi-purpose space that can function as a student lounge or serve as a gathering space for college and community functions.

This space is accentuated with a fireplace and adjacent outdoor landscaped patio.

The new facility also distinguishes itself by interweaving academic resources with the study spaces. It’s just a short trip for students to find pertinent material in the library or media center. And by locating the tutoring center in the facility, students have easy access to assistance in many different topics.

Members of the JCC Board of Trustees approved a resolution at their Feb. 3 meeting to name the Collaborative Learning Center in honor of John W. Deans, who served as the school’s third president from 1992 to 2002. His service to the college spanned 35 years.

In addition to president, Mr. Deans was a professor of history and political science, department and division chair, and academic dean. He created the college’s Center for Community Studies, which surveys the needs of local communities.

He also established JCC’s Small Business Development Center and expanded workforce training opportunities.

“John Deans is connected with so many community organizations; his commitment to Jefferson Community College and to [the] north country is truly outstanding,” Mrs. McCoy said. “But first and foremost, John is a scholar, an educator, a true champion for student success. Dedication of the John W. Deans Collaborative Learning Center, a building designed for the purpose of helping students to succeed and achieve their academic goals, is a most fitting tribute to Dr. Deans.”

Given his contributions to the north country, naming the Collaborative Learning Center after Mr. Deans is quite appropriate. The college hosted a Spirit of Jefferson dedication of the new facility while honoring the former president on April 8. The event included a fundraiser with money going toward the John W. Deans Endowed Scholarship.

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April 2016 | NNY Business

| 23

M ILE ST ONES

Eye for solutions fuels success Carthage firm celebrates 15 years of personalized public relations

By Joleene Moody

P

NNY Business

ublic relations doesn’t look like it did 15 years ago when Christopher A. Lorence started an entrepreneurial journey as a public relations professional for small- to medium-sized businesses in the north country. The landscape was much different. To get the word out, he worked to master press releases, television and radio ads, and finding and targeting the right demographic for clients. Fast forward a decade and a half and the environment in which he operates is much bigger and far more digital.

“Social media plays a big part in a public relations strategy because now you can get the word out instantaneously with a single post,” he said. “Radio is still utilized, but it just doesn’t have much of a news presence anymore. Newspaper and television still do. Many businesses have a target audience that still reads the newspaper every day.

The nightly news in Northern New York is as popular as ever, too. Those areas still work very well in this region.”

Mr. Lorence attributes the continued use of newspaper and television advertising to small town characteristics still found in many places across the region. While businesses in larger metropolitan cities may not turn to newspaper advertising as a primary vehicle, Mr. Lorence said he believes print and local television are still very effective in the north country, pulling large numbers of potential buyers into businesses that utilize those mediums.

“Marketing is not rocket science,” he said. “Marketing is about reaching your demographic and your customer. They key is finding the blend that works best in the most cost-effective way. I can take all of these different mediums and help identify who my customers are trying to reach.”

Mr. Lorence learned the public relations and advertising trades during 12 years in and around the campus of Carthage Area Hospital, including stints with the hospital and Hospice foundations. It was there, working with small business owners, that he saw just how much businesses needed guidance when it came to marketing and

24 | NNY Business | April 2016

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

In 2001, Christopher A. Lorence left his job in Carthage to launch a solo public relations and marketing venture. Fifteen years later, he continues to see success, helping small- and medium-sized businesses with Christopher A. Lorence Public Relations and Marketing Services.

public relations. So he decided to be their solution, leaving his regular job to launch his own business. Now, exactly 15 years later, he serves businesses with a solutionsdriven approach across the state.

By helping business owners identify what they need based on what they don’t know or don’t have, Christopher A. Lorence Public Relations and Marketing Services creates a strategy that can reach a target audience quickly and efficiently.

Mr. Lorence determines what is needed during a consultation and crafts a plan that can help business owners realize returns fairly quickly.

From website design, to social media, to ad sales and marketing, he doesn’t work alone. A handful of reliable, expert subcontractors comprise his team. Mr. Lorence could expand his business by bringing employees on board, but he chooses to remain a sole proprietor intentionally.

“I like the one-on-one personalization I can offer those I work with,” he said. “If I move beyond where I am now, I can’t offer

that personalization anymore. And that, in my opinion, is what small businesses need.

Especially because I see so many of them spending money on the same old methods, just because that’s what they’ve always done. Sometimes they’re spending needlessly because a representative from a media source has convinced them their way is the best way to go. I want to give these business owners the time they really need to step back and take a good look at what the best direction is for their business.”

Mr. Lorence wants his current and future clients to think of his team as their parttime marketing department, without all of the overhead expenses.

His greatest joy is relieving the stress so many small business owners have when it comes to a well-managed marketing strategy.

It’s been his joy for the past 15 years, and will continue to be his joy for 15 more to come. n Joleene moody is a freelance writer, blogger and speaker who lives in Oswego County with her husband and daughter. Contact her at joleenemoody.com.

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April 2016 | NNY Business

| 25

R EAL E STATE ROUNDUP

Property condition a required disclosure

L

ast month I wrote about the agency disclosure form that New York state mandates all real estate agents present to buyers and sellers of one-tofour family homes, condominiums or cooperative apartments. This is a licensing obligation.

Another required form is the Property Condition Disclosure Statement. Since March 1, 2002, every seller of one-tofour-family residential housing, whether working with an agent or selling it themselves, has been required to provide a completed property condition disclosure statement to potential buyers. The form is mandated in New York State Real Property law. It may not be altered or amended since it is set by statute.

The form is filled out by the seller based on his or her knowledge of property. It is not a warranty of any kind by the seller or by an agent representing the seller in the transaction. The seller is asked to complete the form themselves and answer all questions based upon actual knowledge. There are opportunities throughout the form to check “N/A”(non-applicable) if the item does not apply and “UNKN” (unknown) if the seller does not know an answer.

It is not a substitute for any inspections or tests that normally occur in the transaction. The buyer is encouraged to obtain his or her own independent professional inspections and environmental tests and also should check public records pertaining to the property.

A completed form must be provided to

the buyer or buyers prior to them signing the purchase offer for the property. A copy is included with the signed contract.

While the seller completes the disclosure Lance Evans form without assistance from a real estate agent, agents do have certain duties under the law. These include agents educating their seller or buyer clients about the law and agents educating their customers. Many agents provide the blank form to their seller and will put a completed copy of it in the property file.

This helps agents working with a buyer obtain a copy easily.

The form contains questions about the structure and property such as length of ownership, age and who else may have legal access to any or all of the property.

It asks environmental questions regarding petroleum products and hazardous or toxic substances that the owner knows to have been spilled, leaked or otherwise been released on the property or from the property onto any other property.

There are questions about structural issues such as water or fire damage, pest infestation, and the roof and foundation.

There is a section that covers mechanical systems and services including water, power, and sewage services, and mate-

rial defects in a variety of items in the house and on the property.

At the end of the form the seller signs a statement that the information is true based on actual knowledge as of the date signed. The seller can update the form if something changes or he or she finds out more information.

So what happens if the seller fails to provide the completed form to the buyer?

The law says that if the seller fails to provide the buyer with the Property Condition Disclosure Statement “prior to the signing by the buyer of a binding contract of sale, the buyer shall receive upon the transfer of title a credit of $500 against the agreed-upon purchase price of the residential real property.”

There are some exemptions to the law.

It does not apply to new construction, condominiums, or and co-op apartments. In addition, if an estate is selling a property or a bank is selling a foreclosure property, no form is required. There is an exemption for property transferred as part of a settlement due to divorce, annulment, or legal separation or when the property is turned over to another co-owner of the property, or to a spouse or relative from a common ancestor, such as a parent, grandparent, child or grandchild.

I will continue the discussion on forms sellers and buyers may see in a real estate transaction next month. n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

Liberty GLASS & WINDOW INC.

26 | NNY Business | April 2016

RE A L E STAT E / top transactions The following property sales were recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in the month of February: $950,000: Feb. 8, Town of Alexandria: No acreage, all that island formerly called “Maud Island” and “Linlithgow Island” situate in the St. Lawrence River, S&D Realty of Palm Beach Gardens LLC, Palm Beach Garden, Fla., sold to Belle Island Inc., Halifax, Nova Scotia. $950,000: Feb. 10, Town of Alexandria: 2 acres, Ina Island in St. Lawrence River, Judith V. Fulmer, Alexandria Bay, sold to Stephen R. Wood, Swampscott, Mass. $739,000: Feb. 4, Village of Evans Mills: 76.29 acres, Steinhilber Road, Evans Mills Speedway Inc., Watertown, sold to Home Loan Investment Bank F.S.B., Warwick, R.I. $575,000: Feb. 10, Town of Champion: 172.76 acres more or less, County Route 47, John H. Hanson and Linda S. Hanson, Carthage, sold to Jeffrey L. Sullivan, Carthage. $450,000: Feb. 17, Town of Hounsfield: Stephen C. Greene and Nancy A. Greene, Oswego, individually and as trustees of Greene Family Revocable Trust, sold to Alexander R. Mehran Jr. and Margaret-Mary Mehran as trustees of Mehran Family Trust, San Ramon, Calif.

$490,000: Feb. 26, Town of Stockholm: 36.79 acres more or less, Lot 50, bounded

by May Road, Karin Barragato and Jose L. Lizardi III (executor), Last Will and Testament of Gina M. Lizardi, Potsdam and (cotrustees) The Gina M. Lizardi Testamentary Trust, Potsdam, sold to Ross E. and Heidi W. Dickstein, Ogdensburg. $350,000: Feb. 16, Town of Fowler: 163 acres more or less, bounded by South Bank of Island Branch, Gary C. and Sherrie A. Williams, Gouverneur, sold to William J. and Brittany M. Wood, Heybun, Idaho.

Reminderville, Ohio. $260,000: Feb. 17, Village of Potsdam: 0.53 of an acre more or less, Lot 13, bounded by Drumlin Drive, Emma Marie Sanders, Potsdam, sold to Donald and Bette S. Bergeron, Hamden, Conn. $213,000: Feb. 2, Village of Morristown: Parcel 1) 0.18 of an acre more or less, parcel 2) 0.16 of an acre more or less, parcel 3) Unknown acres, bounded by Main and Water streets, Beverly L. Ouderkirk, Morristown, sold to David James and Barbara Ouderkirk, Weedsport.

$289,500: Feb. 9, Village of Massena: 0.8513 of an acre more or less, bounded

by Heritage Place, David C. and Beth Ann P. Mock, Massena, sold to National Transfer Services LLC, Houston, Texas.

$190,000: Feb. 11, Town of Norfolk: 9.75 acres more or less, Mile Square 53, bounded by Raquette Road, Jia Cheng Shi and Min Ting Liu, Massena, sold to Michael P. Hayden, Massena.

$275,000: Feb. 25, Village of Massena: Parcel 1) 0.89 of an acre more or less, Parcel 2) Unknown acres, Block A, bounded

by Riverside Parkway, Dan Doran, Massena, sold to Peter Paul, Hogansburg.

$189,000: Feb. 26, Town of Hopkinton: 40.40 acres more or less, Lot 37, bounded

by Fort Jackson-Beechertown Road, Sandra J. Burns, Watertown, sold to Luc Perrier, Ogdensburg.

$264,000: Feb. 8, Town of Pierrepont: Unknown acres, Lot 3, known as River Woods Estates, Robert L. and Carolyn K. Badger, Londonderry, Vt., sold to Sergio A. Garcia and Adriana C. Quiroga-Garcia,

$188,000: Feb. 26, Town of Potsdam: 113.77 acres more or less, Lot 8, Lot 9 and Lot 10, bounded by Dolittle Road, Ronald J. Garrow, Plattsburgh, sold to Jennifer Ward Nye, Potsdam.

$406,000: Feb. 4, Village of Clayton: 4.82 acres, Graves Street, Lana Linda Inc. (formerly Ridgeline Industries), Clayton, sold to Fourth Coast Realty LLC, Clayton. $350,000: Feb. 25, Town of Theresa: Six parcels, 100.5 acres, no address listed, Millsite Family Adventures Inc., Carthage, sold to Regina A. Pinotti and John Shields, Marbeth, Pa. $320,000: Feb. 8, Town of Clayton: 1.377 acres, Carrier Ridge Road, Theresa E. Tornatore, Clayton, sold to D. Barton Haxall, Clayton. $318,383: Feb. 12, City of Watertown: Three parcels, no acreage listed, 244 Clinton St., Lionel Hector, Watertown, as referee for Michele Deeney, executor, Kevin W. Deeney estate, sold to Federal National Mortgage Association, Washington, D.C. $247,500: Feb. 8, Town of Watertown: 9.04 acres, East Gotham Road, Stephen C. Gaines and Lori B. Gaines, Watertown, sold to Derrick D. West and Nicole R. West, Watertown.

The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office in the month of February:

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 27

20 qu estions

A higher ed calling W

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

hen St. Lawrence University president William L. Fox first arrived on campus in 1971 for a visit during his senior year of high school, he instantly knew that he’d found his undergraduate home. Fast-forward some 38 years to 2009, and Mr. Fox, a 1975 graduate, made a serendipitous return to campus as the university’s 18th president. With the nation’s economy in a tailspin, he’d take the reins at the storied institution while facing incredible challenges as the university’s endowment plunged 35 percent, losing nearly $100 million. But, as Mr. Fox tells it, the perseverance of an academic institution revered by its alumni helped to carry it through hard times. Now in his seventh year at the helm, Mr. Fox and the team he leads have set a course of innovation and adaptation that he believes will propel St. Lawrence well into the future. We sat down with Mr. Fox last month for a conversation about what makes St. Lawrence a jewel in the crown of higher education.

1

NNYB: You’re a St. Lawrence alum. As a young man growing up in Washington, D.C., what lead you to Canton?

FOX: It’s one of those happy accidents of life. I had known I was going to college, had particular interests in a smaller institution. Family circumstances prevented me from doing a traditional college tour with my father and mother. I went to a very large metropolitan high school, so I was the kind of student nobody really worried about. I was a good student. Counselors just didn’t have to give me much time. As a result of the gap in the college search process, our family minister advised me. He had done a lot of college speaking all over the U.S. and recommended three or four colleges in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Looking back, he played me like a trout on a fly rod. I asked him, what about

28 | NNY Business | April 2016

n William Fox, SLU ’75, leads university steeped in tradition to new, lasting heights

your alma mater, St. Lawrence? I’ve heard you talk about it my entire life. He told me I might like it there. A couple weeks later, he called the house and said ‘I’m going up to St. Lawrence, would you like to go?’ I knew the instant I set foot on campus that October afternoon that this was the place for me. There was no other place I wanted to go.

2

NNYB: SLU has an impressive alumni network.

What inspires many alums to give so generously to their alma mater?

FOX: There’s a tradition of belonging at St. Lawrence that I would argue differentiates us from most other American colleges and universities.

Part of it is defined by our geography. This is not a location that is anywhere near metropolitan distractions and therefore students come here with a certain intensity of experience that lasts for a lifetime. Lifelong friendships are formed here, quite naturally. I could say more about the founding of St. Lawrence, the people and the culture they created, which has leant itself to that kind of community building, but we’re 160 years old and I’ve known it for over 25 percent of its history, as a graduate, and it in so many ways had that indelible way of marking all of us who called each other Laurentians with this very powerful tradition of friendship.

3

NNYB: You have a variety of published essays on the necessity of liberal arts learning. At its core, SLU is a liberal arts school. How does a liberal arts education best prepare students for such a wide range of vocations?

FOX: A liberal arts education is the finest education available in the world and there is no better preparation for a career, but more importantly a better preparation for a life; a life of the mind, a life in a community. I would say that the St. Lawrence version of a liberal arts education, what I’ve been calling the St. Lawrence three ‘Rs,’ would begin with relationships, their intents. I promise every entering class that every single student will have a professor or a coach or a dean who will forever change their life, the one who they’ll never forget. More importantly, that person will know them, will know their name. They may have more than one of those kinds of key mentors, but that scale of learning works and St. Lawrence has the ability to deliver that for every student. The second ‘R’ I would call rhetoric. While we could say all philosophy is a footnote to Plato, I don’t mean rhetoric in the sense that the Greeks and Romans taught. I mean the ability to communicate and at St. Lawrence that is across the curriculum, the presentation skills, the writing skills, the ability to think with confidence, the ability to disagree with a professor is encouraged. That is notable when employers tell us that they see graduates from the big brand-name institutions and our students stand apart because they have this capacity for being quick on their feet, being able to handle the written language, and demonstrate an oral competency.

The third ‘R‘ in this framework is research. Our students, when they graduate, ought to know a scholar when they see one. They ought to have done some research themselves. That kind of pragmatic liberal arts has always been a part of the St. Law-

2 0 q u estions rence experience. It creates leadership skills.

4

NNYB: A surprising number of students go on to medical school, go into the sciences. There’s a perception that a liberal arts education isn’t science, medicine or engineering. How does this type of education prepare people to become successful in the sciences?

FOX: We probably should say liberal arts and sciences. Every student who comes through St. Lawrence, even the English major or the music major, is going to have some exposure to the scientific method. Our placement rate is 97 percent. There is not another college or university in America that has a higher placement rate than St. Lawrence. There is a disproportionately high number of science Ph.D.’s produced in America, and M.D.s, that come out of this kind of institution. The reason for that is that when you are taking organic chemistry you’re not in a class with a graduate assistant and 125 other students. You’re with a master teacher who is a Ph.D. scientist with a lot of years of experience. That quality of opportunity is what I think accounts for the very high success rate of our graduates who have gone into the sciences and into medicine. The current head of NYU would tell you as he did our graduates a few years ago, to be a world-class medical scientist it doesn’t matter what your GPA was in biology and chemistry; for him it was the fact that he took studio art, he took a bunch of studies from a premiere scholar of the New Testament, he had leadership opportunities and he would say that’s what made him the kind of physician and researcher that he is today.

5

NNYB: In recognition of your leadership in higher education, the Council of Independent Colleges elected you to its Board of Trustees in January 2011. And in 2015, you were appointed to the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees. How have those experiences helped you as a leader at SLU? FOX: It’s important to know other people who are in this same line of work, other college presidents, and to work together because, especially in the liberal arts arena today we have not had the best press.

Some of it is misunderstanding the tradition; some of it’s been miscast as an easy foil. There have been a number of public officials who’ve made fun of liberal arts education, better to be a welder than a philosopher kind of emanation. With that kind of adversity in the marketplace and, honestly, that kind of just gross misinterpretation, it’s better to stand together than to stand apart. The American liberal arts college with a residential component does not exist on any other continent in the world. It is distinctively and historically American. These are the crown jewels of American higher education, so those of us involved in the leadership of these institutions have to understand and share our best ideas with each other.

6

NNYB: A St. Lawrence experience, you say, is distinguished from other university experiences by a deeply rooted sense of community with shared values and respect for diversity, emphasizing the “Three R’s.” What is most important about that philosophy in the development of future leaders?

FOX: There is an important thing that happens at St. Lawrence that makes it a happy campus. I don’t mean happy in the sense of summer camp. I mean happy in that there’s joy and thinking deeply and with a lot of energy; hard ideas, hard thoughts and having the joy of discovery. The kick of discovery, as Richard Feinman called it. The peer effect here

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

William L. Fox, St. Lawrence University’s 18th president, discusses his tenure leading the university and his own undergraduate experience as a member of the class of 1975 in his Canton office last month.

The William L. Fox file AGE: 62 JOB: 18th president of St. Lawrence University

and senior lecturer in the Department of History

FAMILY: Wife, Lynn; daughter, Hallie, 28; and brother, David

HOMETOWN: Washington, D.C., native; Canton resident

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, St. Lawrence

University, 1975; Master of Divinity, Harvard University, 1978 and Ph.D. in American religious history, George Washington University, 1989

PROFESSIONAL: 20 years as a minister in the Universalist Church; faculty member at Claremont Theological School, Montgomery College, and Howard University; president and senior lecturer in philosophy, religion, and history at CulverStockton College in Missouri, 2003-2009; named president of St. Lawrence University, 2009 LAST BOOK READ: “Empire of Cotton,” by Sven Beckert and “The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War,” by Robert J. Gordon is really exceptional. When you have energetic students and they’re your friends, there is something that is symbiotic that goes on as part of that experience. You may not take a class in economics, but you’re going to know a lot about the chairman of the department who’s a phenomenal teacher and scholar. All of that is part of the package that makes up the St. Lawrence liberal arts way.

7

NNYB: You are also a senior lecturer in the Department of History. Why is it important that you maintain direct instructional contact with students?

FOX: It’s something that students deserve at a place like St. Lawrence to know the president and not just as a picture in a magazine. I eat lunch in the dining halls as often as I can. I attend athletic contests and performing arts events. I love to sup-

port students and they know I’m there. For me, I couldn’t do the job with credibility if I didn’t have that contact with students. I have so much pleasure in it. It’s one of the rewards of the job.

8

NNYB: St. Lawrence has a total enrollment of around 2,500 students from 45 states and 47 countries, the broadest geographical representation ever in the university’s 160-year history. Currently, 360 students are alumni legacies. What makes SLU a family tradition?

FOX: I don’t take it for granted, but it’s been that way for a long time. It’s a tremendous vote of confidence because these are the families who know us best. If they had any skepticism about St. Lawrence it would show up in that forum of the admissions market. Part of is that when you graduate from St. Lawrence you graduate not just belonging to a tradition, to a sense of place and these lifelong relationships, but you graduate with an enthusiasm that gets transplanted from one genetic code. Some of these sons and daughters, they have it. From the day they’re born they’re wearing St. Lawrence logo gear.

9

NNYB: The Class of 2019 will be among the top five largest during the last 30 years. Has SLU made a deliberate choice to stay small and not over expand?

FOX: I think there are strategic size questions that are always going to be hanging above us as our society changes and adapts. There is a threshold of scale that if it’s too small it won’t work financially.

That’s a sad fact, but that’s reality. I feel pretty confident that 2,500 is small enough to keep that intimacy alive and intense, and yet large enough to feel like there is a vitality that’s out of proportion to its size.

10

NNYB: You were named president in 2009, only the 18th in 160 years. When you look back at what you’ve achieved, what are you most proud of?

FOX: When I was first contacted by the search committee about the opportunity to lead St. Lawrence, I wasn’t instantly drawn to it because of one test question that was in front of me. I was at an institution where I was really making a difference. I had to be certain that if I came to St. Lawrence that we could make a difference. I don’t know how April 2016 | NNY Business

| 29

20 qu estions one measures that. My predecessor did a brilliant job and I stand on the shoulders of a lot of significant leaders at St. Lawrence. I help when I’ve had my turn. That’s what will be the result that we made a difference and not just in the way things look, but that I was able to touch some lives at an important point in either a young faculty member’s career or in a student’s formative stage of getting ready for the world they’re going to work in.

11

NNYB: How important to your success are those you surround yourself with?

FOX: I have the really remarkable good fortune to have talented colleagues in every single division.

Experienced, creative, independent, I think that’s an important concept in a team where you have people

who are not like-minded. They approach problems with different intellectual frameworks sometimes and that makes us much stronger. The other simple principle I have with our senior staff is that all titles get checked at the door. We’re very egalitarian.

We’ve got to help each other, so we cross-pollinate a lot. Somebody who is in charge of student life will know a lot about admissions work. Somebody who is the academic dean is going to know a lot about the work of the chief financial officer. That kind of complement is part of why we’re so successful.

12

NNYB: At some point you have to be willing to take a risk and realize it might not be successful.

What’s the culture of risk-taking like at SLU? FOX: We’ve been pioneers for a long time. We

were founded with the experimental idea that men and women could study together. That was a defining moment in the sense that we have always aired on the side that you can die by caution and you can only live by being in motion. We are willing to take risks in the curriculum, in the way we use our campus and its facilities. Fifteen years ago the St. Lawrence board placed a huge bet on the quality of our facilities, the new science center, the athletic complex and improvement in the arts area. There’s already a predisposition to taking risks. Right now, we’re looking at programs that would affect the improvement of the sophomore year. The sophomore year experience around the country is typically not a great one and we’re no different. We want to make sure that’s a better experience, so we’re ready to pioneer programmatically in that part of the college career. We’re looking at ways we can use our interdisciplinary spirit to create fields of study that combine things that are already in place.

13

NNYB: You joined SLU as we were just starting to dig out from the Great Recession. How did that impact operations? To what extent does the university rely on donors and alumni?

FOX: I would still say the economy is stuck in neutral. We learned a lot through that experience. Our endowment had been damaged significantly by about 35 percent. We lost $100 million. That changes everything in your operating assumptions. Our endowment is a little engine that pulls a long train.

It supports financial aid. It supports endowed professorships. It allows for a lot of important programs to take place. We had to realign our operating budget and we did that with good shared governance.

Internal task groups led by faculty with other staff members and students participated in developing a response. That gave us the framework to take steps to contain costs and leverage revenue where we could.

The outcome of that was a strategic shift that let us understand better our capacity that we could incrementally add enrollment. We had a chance to size ourselves up and one of the results was the building of Kirk Douglas Hall with 154 beds. It was an exciting project. We did it through self-funding and donor support. We did not go to the credit market to fund a new residence hall, which is very unusual. So, we came out of that stronger than we would’ve otherwise been if we didn’t face that adversity together.

We realized just how strong and resilient we are and also understood that our future has really got to have a key priority that I call financial equilibrium, which is not the same thing as balancing budgets. It’s got to be much more dynamic and elastic and nimble than that. We had opted to do some innovative things that did not require initially large amounts of seed money.

14

NNYB: As a leader managing a crisis like that what were some important steps that got you through?

FOX: I would say several things. I was new, but I’d had experience as a president elsewhere and the things that I learned before coming to St. Lawrence, my first principles, stayed with me. You have to be transparent. You have to really let people inside your thinking and listen very closely to their ideas, their reactions and reflections. The communication was a critical part of our success. The public forums that I held on campus, the chance I had with alumni to explain where we were. People felt very well informed.

15

NNYB: How do you defend financial decisions like raising tuition?

FOX: I think it is misunderstood by lumping ag-

30 | NNY Business | April 2016

2 0 q u estions gregates that really need to be pulled apart because they are very different. Most student debt is from proprietary institutions that are for-profit or it’s graduate school, law school or medical school where there is very low default rate and very healthy opportunity to return on the investment.

16

NNYB: How has the financial aid climate changed?

FOX: When you look at the service economy, of which higher education is part, our rise in cost is an exact parallel of the cost of dental care or a haircut. The curve is the same over the last several decades. One of the changes that really confused the marketplace is price differentiation and that is what financial aid accomplishes. If you start with the premise that everybody at St. Lawrence, including those families who can pay the published, comprehensive fee, even those families are subsidized because the true cost versus price is different. The true cost of educating a single student at St. Lawrence is about $77,000 a year. Nobody pays that much, but there are differences in what people pay. We try to work with families to find that price point that is affordable. Our students who take on loans, which is part of the financial aid picture today, when they graduate they’re right at the bulls-eye of the U.S. average for all college graduates, including public institutions, at about $27,000 a year. I would argue that’s a lot of money, but I also remind people it’s an investment that only increases in value. The average cost for a wedding in the U.S. today, even in the north country, it’s going to be that or more. One day of your life. America’s most popular vehicle, the Ford F-150 pickup truck, they cost that or more. There are a lot of ways to think of this. It’s a question we agonize over.

17

NNYB: What is your partnership like with SUNY Canton and other local universities?

FOX: It’s a very healthy one. We share a lot of common ground. We don’t compete with each other in the admissions market and we collaborate with each other in every possible way, except when St. Lawrence and Clarkson play hockey. That’s not very collaborative, but it’s great for the north country. We pack both arenas when those two teams match up.

class. I tease our trustees that what were you thinking, I make my living with words. I spend most of my days looking at charts and spreadsheets and budgets. I’ve gotten pretty good at that. You can get really absorbed by that and it can be very seductive and addictive. It’s fun. You can solve problems by understanding how to operate, administer and run things. But the best advice is to think big and keep asking yourself if you’re ideas are big enough. That’s the place where we are right now with St. Lawrence with our leadership, with our trustees, with our donors, with our alumni and with our students. It’s a very exciting time.

20

NNYB: What do you think the next 20 years will bring for St. Lawrence?

FOX: St. Lawrence is going to be even stronger and

better known in the next 20 years. Our reputation is moving in the right direction. We’re global in nature.

When I came to St. Lawrence, like most colleges, even Harvard, very provincial. Most of Harvard’s students came from Massachusetts or Connecticut.

While they’re a giant market leader, we have followed that same trend and it’s only going to continue. My view when I came to St. Lawrence as president was we needed a campus that looks like the world and that’s what we’re building. That would be my expectation that we will be much more diverse in 20 years. I would venture to say that the quality of the institution will be world class.

— Interview by Ken Eysaman. Edited for length and clarity to fit this space.

Northern New York

Community Foundation Nurture. Grow.

Lead. Give Back.

Congratulations to the members of the Community Foundation’s young professionals philanthropic LEAD council.

18

NNYB: How prepared are you seeing the quality of students coming into the freshman class?

FOX: I thought we were pretty good when I came in, very talented, smart people. It was the baby boom.

We were the sputnik generation. Most of us came with good math skills, good English. I think these students are better today than they were a generation ago in many ways. They’re different, but I think they’re preparation is very solid. When they’re doing as juniors some collaborative research in their major, the first whiff of something that’s kind of professional, they’re at a level that would have been graduate school level when I was in my formative years. That’s not just in the sciences; I see that in the humanities, and in the arts.

This is a very impressive generation. In many ways they’re more worldly. They’re definitely more altruistic, they want to give back, they want to make a difference and they care deeply. They want to know the world and we help them get the first taste of knowing the world. We want them to be travelers. In America, fewer than 40 percent carry passports. Canada is about 60 percent. At St. Lawrence 80-plus percent of our students arrive with passports. They come wellmatched for what we hope they’ll do.

19

NNYB: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever followed in your career?

This program is made possible by YOUR gifts to the Friends of the Foundation Community Betterment Fund and

120 Washington Street, Suite 400, Watertown, NY 13601 1 Main Street, Suite 102A, Canton, NY 13617

(315) 782-7110 • info@nnycf.org • www.nnycf.org

FOX: I’m a historian. I never took an accounting

April 2016 | NNY Business

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COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

Adams Saturday, April 16

n 30th Arbor Day Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Jeff High School, U.S. Route 11. Educational activities for children and adults, including exhibits, birds, zoo, sand art and crafters. Lunch

by South Jeff Backpack Program. $1 admission at the door.

Alexandria Bay Saturday, May 28 n Grape Blossom Festival, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thousand Islands Winery, 43298 Seaway Ave. The event includes live music, local crafters, wine and beer, and Thousand Islands Winery’s wine slushies. Music by R-19 and Wagners.

Cost: Free. Information: 482-9306.

Clayton Thursday, April 21

n Business With a Twist, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saint Lawrence Spirits, 38289 State Route 12E. Cost: Members, $3; non-members, $5. Information: 6863771 or info@1000islands-clayton.com.

Monday, May 2 to Thursday, May 5

information on starting a new business.

Information: 772-9611.

Monday, May 2

n Boots 2 Business, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Clark Hall, Mount Belvedere Blvd., Fort Drum. A two-day course for soldiers transitioning out of the service and interested in starting a business. Course offers information on business opportunities in the area, including home-based retail, service industry and online. Participants will learn about researching potential markets and how to find licensing and funding opportunities. Requirement: three-day Department of Labor SFL-TAP briefing. Information: ACAP, 772-3434 or sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu.

Tuesday, May 17

n Armed Forces Day Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Commons at Fort Drum. Luncheon honors military service members, both in the service and those retired. Cost: $22; corporate table for 6, $185; sponsorship for 10 soldiers, $220. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Lowville Saturday, April 16

Includes cocktails, dinner, awards, live auction and diamond drawing. RSVP at mymassena.com/annualdinner. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: 7693525 or massenachamber.com.

Ogdensburg Friday April 29

n No Tap Bowling Tournament, 6 p.m., Ogdensburg Bowl, 1121 Patterson St. Five-person bowling teams compete in a benefit for the Remington Museum. Cost: $20. Information: Debbie Ormasen, ormasen@fredericremington. org or 393-2425

Potsdam Wednesday, April 20

n Economic Fusion, 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center, SUNY Potsdam, 44 Pierrepont Ave. Includes a creative idea competition, alumni entrepreneurship panel discussion and a Schmooze-A-Palooza to connect students with employers. Cost: Free. Information: potsdam.edu/offices/career/fusion/.

Friday, April 22 to Saturday, April 23

n The Home and Garden Business Expo, Cheel Arena, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Ave. This networking event features businesses, vendors and exhibitors seeking to expand relationships with other area businesses and customers. Cost: Home-based business, $95; non-profit with 10 or fewer employees, $100; chamber member exhibitors, $175; corporate sponsored booths, $400. Information: Jo Ann Roberts, 386-4000 or jroberts@ stlawrencecountychamber.org.

n NYSTIA Empire State Tourism Conference, 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, 200 Riverside Drive. The theme of this year’s conference is “The Future is Now” and will include speakers, breakout sessions and panel discussions. The event will include a tour boat ride and a reception at Boldt Castle. Cost: Contact for registration costs. Information: 1- (888) 698-2970 or nystia.org/estc.

n 2016 Black River Valley Concert Series, 7:30 p.m., Lewis County Historical Society, Blue Room, 7552 State St. Featuring The Buskers. Cost: Individual season tickets, $110, includes one guest pass; at the door individual tickets, $20; at the door, family tickets, $45. Information: lewiscountyhistory. org or 376-8957

Thursday, May 19

n Spring Art Show Opening Night, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Blue Room, Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 S State St. Local artists are invited to submit up to five pieces to display.

Participants should email lewiscountyarts@gmail.com by April 29. Cost: No entry fee. Information: 775-8792 or lewiscountyarts.com.

Saturday, April 30

Massena

Syracuse

Thursday, April 21

Wednesday, April 20

n Business With a Twist, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Drive. Cost: Members, $3; nonmembers, $5. Information: 686-3771 or info@1000islands-clayton.com.

Fort Drum Thursday, April 14

n Building Your Own Business, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Army Community Service, P-4330 Conway Road. The Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College partners with enterprise resource planning to provide 32 | NNY Business | April 2016

Friday, May 6

n Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., 6100 St. Lawrence Centre.

n Taste of Potsdam, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Market Street between Elm and Main Streets. The outdoor event seeks to highlight the food establishments and variety of specialty foods available in Potsdam. Cost: Ten “Taste Tickets,” $0.50. Information: Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, 274-9000.

n Building a Website for Your Small Business, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mulroy Hall, 4926 Onondaga Road. Presented

Thursday, April 21

n Networking Works – Professional Networking Training, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., 701 E. Genesee St. Learn techniques for effective networking with Rick Olszewski from Sandler Training. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: kdejoseph@centerstateceo.com or centerstateceo.com.

Saturday, April 30

n Forever Baby Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., SRC Arena and Events Center, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike. This event brings families, providers and retailers together. Cost: Free. Information: forever-baby.com.

Every Tuesday

n Syracuse Business Connections, 3:30 to 5 p.m., North Central Assembly Church, 7463 Buckley Road. Information: Deb Angarano, dangarano@tsys.com.

First Wednesdays of EACH month

n Business Innovation Days meeting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Tech Garden, 235 Harrison St. Entrepreneurs and small business owners meet with a counselor from the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College for advice and assistance opportunities. Information: 498-6070 or SBDC@sunyocc.edu.

Every Wednesday

n Introduction to Business Startup, Small Business Development Center, 4 to 6 p.m., Mulroy Hall, Onondaga Community College, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike. Information: 498-6070 or onondagasbdc.org. n Syracuse Business Networking, 6 to 7 p.m., Barbieri’s Restaurant, 304 S. Main St. Cost: Free. Information: Kim Bachstein, 414-8223 or info@SyracuseBusinessNetworking.com.

Every Thursday

n Free Business Counseling with SCORE, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, 80 North Ave. Information: Tioga Chamber of Commerce, 1- (607) 687-2020.

Every Friday

n 40 Above: Workers in Transition, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Northern Onon-

daga Public Library at North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Helping job seekers aged 40 and above in search of work. Information: John A. Cruty, 569-3964 or crutij@yahoo.com.

Watertown Thursday, April 14

n Job and Career Expo, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bruce M. Wright, 1291 Faichney Drive. The largest hiring event in the north country with more than 100 employers and about 1,200 job seekers participating. Cost: $130. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 17

n 40th Annual North Country Home Show, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, Watertown Municipal Arena, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 970 Coffeen St. Businesses sponsor booths to display household services. Sponsored by the Northern New York Builders Exchange Inc. Cost: Adults, $6; military and seniors, 65 and older, $5; children 16 and younger, free. Information: 788-1330 or nnybe.com.

Wednesday, April 20

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Savory Downtown, 300 Washington St. Register by noon, April 19. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Wednesday, April 20 n Planning and Promoting Your Personal Success Seminar, 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., Room H-116B, East Residence Hall, Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen St. The workshop demonstrates how to promote your best self when searching for a job. Cost: Free.

Information: 315-786-2271.

Thursday, April 21

n Small Business Development Center’s Entrepreneurial Training Course, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dulles Building, Room 3-106, 317 Washington St. A seven week course where new and existing business owners will receive tools and

tips on how to develop sound business practices. Cost: $195. Information: Continuing Education, 786-2438.

Monday, April 25

n ServSafe Certification, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Extended Learning Center, E-129, Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen St. Workshop teaches the skills needed to prepare and serve food safely. Test is taken during final 90-minutes of the course. Those who need to retake the exam register for “exam only” portion. Instructor: Pope Vickers. Cost: $275. Information: Continuing Education, 786-2438.

Saturday, May 21

n Armed Forces Day Parade, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Washington Street. Prizes are awarded to first, second and third place in Best Scout Group, Best Float, Best Marching Group and Best School Band. Cost: Free. Information: Nancy Datoush, ndatoush@fdrlo.org.

Wednesday, May 25

n Watertown Farm & Craft Market Opening Day, 6:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 317 Washington St. The market will operate every Wednesday through Oct. 5 with the exception of Federal Holidays. Cost: Free admission. Information: watertownfarmersmarket.weebly.com.

Thursday, May 26

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jefferson County Historical Society, 228 Washington St. Register by noon, May 25. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

by the Small Business Development Center. Cost: $55. Information: 498-6070 or sbdc@sunyocc.edu.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

n Jefferson Leadership Institute Class of 2016 graduation luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration: 11:30 a.m., program and lunch at noon. Watertown Elks Lodge 728 Bradley St. $23 per person, $20 JLI Alumni. Information: Alekzandra Huttemann-Kall, 788-4400, email: Ahuttemannkall@watertownny.com.  GOT A BUSINESS EVENT or calendar item? Email nnybusiness@wdt.net.

Deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNYBusiness or www.nny bizmag.com for events calendar updates.

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 33

COM M E R CE CORNER

Six ways colleges impact local economies

T

he north country is fortunate to be home to many institutions of higher education.

Many businesses in college towns feel the ebbs and flows of a “semester-based business cycle” and periods of particular peaks during move in, move out, graduations, family weekends, reunions and sporting events.

The influx of students and their families, as well as a constantly revolving pool of faculty and staff, presents challenges and tremendous opportunity for the local economy. Here are six ways that colleges help to drive the local economy: 1) Colleges are top employers in the region, maintaining a population base in rural communities that have lost other forms of industry. Jobs bring — and retain — people, families, their ability to purchase homes, pay taxes and spend money in local businesses.

2) Colleges require a lot of stuff. Colleges have extensive needs in order to keep their operations functioning, productive and comfortable. Although many services are accomplished on site, there are many opportunities for businesses to fit into the needs of the colleges; from services such as landscaping or painting, to large-scale use of light bulbs, paper products and food. Connecting with purchasing officers at the institutions and providing them with your capabilities can open a new scale of demand.

3) Communities have access to business development resources hosted at the colleges. Small Business Development

Centers exist on three north country SUNY campuses — Canton, Jefferson and Oswego — offering free oneon-one business counseling.

Several campuses are part Brooke Rouse of the Start-Up NY and Innovation Hot Spot incentive programs working to attract companies to the area. Potsdam’s

skills and effort can go a long way toward accomplishing goals, while also hosting a risk-free trial for a potential full-time hire.

5) Colleges are known for their events, with guaranteed attendance and overnight stays. In addition to the many planned activities for families, alumni and visiting athletes, the colleges have attracted new visitors to the area who have enjoyed the surrounding on an “off weekend” when they can get off campus and explore the region. The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York reported that $5.2 million is spent annually on college-related visitation among the three independent colleges in the north country — Paul Smith’s, St. Lawrence University and Clarkson — alone.

6) Colleges provide a strong tax base. Operating as nonprofit entities, the institutions are exempt from property taxes, which applies only to properties associated with fulfilling the academic mission of the school. Several of the north country colleges also own properties to house faculty and staff or buildings that indirectly support their mission, which are taxable to the local municipality, county and school district, making many of them the toppaying entities in their communities.

Colleges require a lot of stuff. Connecting with purchasing officers at the institutions and providing them with your capabilities can open a new scale of demand.

34 | NNY Business | April 2016

Clarkson University offers its expertise and student learning to teach workshops and aid businesses through the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship and the Shipley Center for Innovation. This type of business support is extremely unique for a rural region, and would not be possible without the commitment of the colleges to their local economies.

4) Colleges have skilled students available for internships, co-ops and other project-based opportunities. Businesses have access to career services offices for assistance designing internships, recruiting workers and placing them. It’s challenging for most small businesses to accomplish everything they want to do for their business, therefore new vision,

n Brooke Rouse is executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agent. She is a business owner, holds a master’s degree in tourism and is a former SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center Advisor. Contact her at brouse@ stlawrencecountychamber.org or 386-4000.

N O N P RO FIT S T O D AY

Working for north country businesses Editor’s note: The following information was presented March 3 during the Business of the Year Awards given by the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce. The United Way of Northern New York was named the Small Nonprofit of the Year at the event.

E

very day the Watertown Daily Times prints the names of people charged with driving under the influence. It’s easy to dismiss the names as representing the dregs of society.

But if you are in management around here long enough, one day one of those names will belong to one of your employees, a person who is crucial to the success of your business.

And at that point you want to know right away — what is my employee going to have to do to continue being a productive member of my staff?

Fortunately, our community has recovery programs through two nonprofits, Pivot and Credo, both with solid records of helping good people who have made bad decisions get their lives — and careers — back on track.

At the United Way, we raise money and awareness for 44 nonprofits. The first reason is obvious: We do it to help people who need help. But the second reason might not be as obvious: We support nonprofits because it’s good for business.

The house fire you hear about next week is going to affect some company’s employee. And that’s why we support the Red Cross. We know the sooner a family gets help with food, clothing and lodging, the sooner an employee can return to work.

And that’s why we support the SoZoTeen Center at the Children’s Home. We

135 Keyes Avenue, Watertown, New York

315-782-4910

want disadvantaged teenagers to one day become productive, taxpaying members of society rather than yield to the temptation to do destructive things to the community and themselves.

Bob Gorman And it’s why we support JRC and DPAO. Not just because they work with developmentally disabled citizens, but because these organizations free parents from being 24-hour-aday caregivers. It allows a parent to hold a job and advance a career.

Like the doctor who has been keeping an eye on my health needs for the last 15 years.

In September, the United Way of Northern New York will be 95 years old. Since 1921 we’ve had one goal: Be the bridge that links businesses and nonprofits, knowing that nonprofits can’t exist without vibrant businesses, and that businesses aren’t as vibrant if their employees can’t get imme-

diate help in times of crisis.

To those of you who support the United Way, thank you. Without you, we would not be here today getting this award.

And for those who don’t, well, our birthday is coming up in September and I know the perfect gift. n ROBERT D. GORMAN is president and CEO of United Way of Northern New York. Contact him at bgorman@unitedway-nny.org or 7885631. His column appears every other month in NNY Business.

Kylie Peck, Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce president, presents the Small Nonprofit of the Year award to the United Way of Northern New York staff. From left, Trudy Slotnick, administrative assistant, Michele Richter, accountant, Patricia Aitcheson, campaign director and Bob Gorman, CEO.

(315) 782-4910 • 1-800-772-4201 • Fax: (315) 785-8248 www.dlcalarco.com • francee@dlcalarco.com

April 2016 | NNY Business

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b usiness tech bytes

Modern classrooms require good tech

Y

ou have heard it before: technology is everywhere.

It is part of your everyday life and it affects most every facet of it. Technology is a valuable learning tool and with the everincreasing presence in our lives today, how can it not become part of every student’s curriculum?

Technology has already shown to influence the way we work, socialize, shop and play, so of course it will impact how we learn. In his 2005 book, “The World Is Flat,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman writes about the critical role of education in today’s knowledge economy.

“As we push the frontiers of human knowledge, work at every level becomes more complex, requiring more pattern recognition and problem solving. On such a flat earth, the most important attribute you can have is creative imagination — the ability to be first on your block to figure out how all these enabling tools can be put together in new exciting ways to create products, communities, opportunities, and profits. That entrepreneurial spirit depends on a high-quality education system aligned to the realities of globalization and democratization of technology.”

It has been almost 30 years since the first computer was introduced into schools, but many still debate the value in education. Securedge Networks has put together 10 reasons why schools should implement technology today: 1) If used correctly, it will help prepare students for their future careers, which

will inevitably include the use of wireless technology.

2) Integrating technology into the classroom is definitely a great way to reach diversity in learning Jill Van Hoesen styles.

3) It gives students the chance to interact with their classmates more by encouraging collaboration.

4) Technology helps the teachers prepare students for a real-world environment. As our nation becomes increasingly more dependent on technology, it becomes even more necessary that to be successful citizens, students must learn to be tech-savvy.

5) Integrating technology in education every day helps students stay engaged.

Today’s students love technology so they are sure to be interested in learning if they can use the tools they love.

6) With technology, the classroom is a happier place. Students are excited about being able to use technology and therefore are more apt to learn.

7) When mobile technology is readily available in the classroom, students are able to access the most up-to-date information quicker and easier than ever before.

8) The traditional passive learning mold is broken. With technology in the classroom, the teacher becomes the en-

courager, adviser, and coach.

9) Students become more responsible.

Technology helps students take more control over their own learning. They learn how to make their own decisions and actually think for themselves.

10) Students can have access to digital textbooks that are constantly updated and often more vivid, helpful, creative, and a lot cheaper than those old heavy books.

Unfortunately, and especially in Northern New York due to our rural nature, the true potential of technology to improve learning remains largely untapped in our schools.

We are trying to catch up, as broadband and Internet access continues to expand across our area. It is very important that our local schools have wireless networks that allow the ability to keep up with today’s ever-changing technology. Students are using it outside of school, so they are coming to expect the ease of communicating through email with their instructors, while parents are embracing the use of portals for progress reports and other communications with their children’s educational institution.

It might be slow in coming to the north country but it’s the inescapable future of education as access to the overabundance of online information proves that technology is desperately needed in today’s classroom. Technology will continue to advance educational change as it continues to accelerate worldwide globalization. n Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran. Contact her at jvanhoesen@wdt.net.

Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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agri - b u siness

Big buisiness in high-quality ag products

T

he north country is very fortunate to be home to some of the highest quality agricultural products and businesses. Recently, one of our newest agricultural businesses, Aviagen, was recognized for its excellence as a global poultry genetics company. Aviagen begins operation this spring in the Jefferson County Industrial Park. It purchased the former Morris Northstar Hatchery that operated successfully for several years. Morris Northstar hatched approximately 300,000 chicks a week for export to broiler chicken farms in Canada. Aviagen indicates it is a higher-end hatchery. It will hatch out chicks that instead of growing directly into meat chickens will be used as parent stock to meet other poultry company demands. Aviagen provides the parents for many different poultry operations around the world. Officials indicate many of the chicks born in Jefferson County will be exported around the world. Aviagen is noted as one of the world’s leading poultry genetics companies.

The Aviagen story is not unusual for our agricultural industry in Northern New York. We find many agricultural companies and products that receive the same recognition of excellence. Great Lakes Cheese, HP Hood, formerly Crowley’s, in LaFargeville and Kraft-Heinz in Lowville have been recognized for their excellent dairy products. Great Lakes Cheese, Adams, is well known as one of the world’s best naturally aged cheddar cheese manufacturers. Its manufacturing

process, highly skilled employees and excellent quality milk supply help it to achieve this level of success. The same applies to HP Hood and Kraft-Heinz.

Jay Matteson HP Hood has won numerous awards for its cultured dairy products, including cottage cheese and sour cream.

Kraft-Heinz is not only the world’s largest cream cheese plant, but one of the best.

We are highly anticipating its expansion over the next couple years. It will be very beneficial for our dairy industry and our communities.

At the end of Willow Street in Watertown is another success story of highquality production and exciting growth.

A once abandoned feed manufacturing plant was purchased and refurbished in Afgritech. The Afgritech plant began manufacturing AminoMax, a feed supplement for dairy cattle. The product immediately took off and the plant has undergone three subsequent expansions. The facility in Watertown is now the North American headquarters for its company.

Our wineries also continue to receive awards for their excellence. Go into the tasting room at Coyote Moon Winery in Clayton and you’ll see more “bling” on the wine bottles on display than in many

MTV music videos. I’m not sure if there’s a wine competition of any note that exists where they haven’t won an award. And when you taste their wine, you’ll know why. Thousands Islands Winery, Otter Creek, Cape Winery, Venditti, and Tug Hill Winery have collected their fair share of competition medals, too. It is amazing to watch an industry start in the early 2000s and grow into the award-winning business it is today.

And although they haven’t won awards yet because of the youth of these businesses, I’m watching with excitement the growth of our artisan cheese businesses.

Fultz Family farm, Bechaz Dairy Farm and now Homestead Dairy are each producing great cheese products. In my opinion, all three are making great cheese and I think it’s only a matter of time before they become recognized for their excellence in taste and quality.

These are examples of how well our agricultural products hold up to the rest. Maybe it’s that cold climate that brings out the flavors and quality of the raw products. It could be our highly skilled workforce in the case of our dairy and feed plants. Whatever it is, we are fortunate to live in an area so capable of growing and making high-quality food products. We are truly in the land of milk honey and wine. n Jay M. Matteson is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Local Development Corp. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident who lives in Lorraine. Contact him at coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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April 2016 | NNY Business

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EC ON OMICALLY S PEAKIN G

Local health care reform sees progress

W

hile the health care community has known of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program for some time, community members of the Tug Hill region are now also beginning to recognize this acronym and the work being accomplished. DSRIP has been labeled both unprecedented change and unprecedented opportunity, but the point has finally arrived when planning has become doing, and as changes happen, opportunities are being realized. So it is my pleasure to highlight just some of the critical work of more than 100 partners within the North Country Initiative Performing Providers System.

In aiming to improve quality, reduce costs, and improve the patient experience, DSRIP takes advantage of technological advances, which will facilitate a clinically integrated network. The Patient-Centered Medical Home model has a strong focus on evidence-based practice, population health management, coordination of care, Health Information Technology integration, and practice efficiency. The North Country Initiative’s provider system has committed more than 40 primary care practices and clinics to be level-three certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance by March 31, 2018, recognizing the value and necessity of PCMH in meeting several DSRIP deliverables.

The hard work and leadership of Dr. Karen A. Williams, of Complete Family Care & Laser Center, resulted in her being the first to receive this certification in New York Erika Flint state, while the Initiative’s Performing Providers System is on track to reach the remaining committed targets.

treat the entire person with a health care team, care coordination plays a critical role in the desired outcomes. The NCI was one of the first in the state to develop a care coordination curriculum that is now being offered for a second time at both SUNY Jefferson and SUNY Canton, with 40 participants who have completed the program and approximately 40 who are presently enrolled. The Initiative’s Performing Providers System has also provided direction and input into the creation of a statewide curriculum.

While the NCI’s Performing Providers System is barely a year into this five-year project, and is still working on some of the organizational domains needed to support the 11-system transformative, clinical and population health projects, the accomplishments highlighted here are just a glimpse into the extensive work of each of the partners.

The successes our community is already seeing can only be credited to the unique region we are privileged to be a part of; a region that works together, one that is not forced to collaborate, but thrives on a unified approach, a region that not only knows its neighbor, but cares about them, and finally a region that recognizes an opportunity and seizes it.

As we shift from a health care community working in silos, and begin to treat the entire person with a health care team, care coordination plays a critical role in the desired outcomes.

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There has also been a clear recognition that in order to reduce unnecessary hospital and emergency department admissions, access to primary care must be dramatically improved. A concerted effort has been placed on the recruitment and retention of primary care and behavioral health providers. To date, a total of 15 primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants have been recruited to 10 facilities across the NCI’s region, while funding remains available for additional recruitment of these essential providers over the next two years.

Finally, as we shift from a health care community working in silos, and begin to

n ERIKA FLINT is DSRIP director for the North Country Initiative, a Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization affiliate. Contact her at eflint@northcountryinitiative.org or 755-2020, ext. 26.

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38 | NNY Business | April 2016

small b u siness s uccess

Resources for small business funding

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n our local area, there are several different avenues a business owner can use to fund a start-up or growing small business. I touched on a few resources in a previous column, but there are several others you might want to be aware of. Depending on the needs of the business, the type of business and the size of the project, one funding resource might be better than another. At the Small Business Development Center, we can help direct business owners to the best fit for a project.

Developing a business plan is the first step in the business funding process. This plan will help you figure out how much funding you need, whether your budget will support loan repayments, and will give you a way to communicate information about your business to the funding resource. Be aware that most programs will require at least some equity provided by the business owner and will also require collateral like equipment or real property.

The SBDC can help with business planning, applying for funding, and locating the best funding option for your business.

While other options exist, the following list gives several different resources for funding a business in the north country region: n Bank funding: Many local banks provide funding for small businesses, whether it’s a business loan, line of credit or other option. Usually when we work with business clients we recommend their local bank, where they already have a banking relationship, as the first place to take their business. n New York Business Development

Corporation.

Provides SBAbacked loans for medium- to large-scale projects, above $30,000 or so.

NYBDC will partner with a bank and each will provide half of the projJennifer McCluskey ect. At least 10 percent equity is required. n St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, Local Development Corporation, and Jefferson County Economic Development each offer micro-loan funds for very small businesses. The St. Lawrence County IDA also has larger loan programs for manufacturing, industrial or warehousing options. The Jefferson County IDA has a revolving loan fund for larger businesses, too. n Local area development programs: Watertown, Sackets Harbor, Carthage, Potsdam, Canton, Ogdensburg, Oswegatchie (Heuvelton) and Massena, as well as some other communities, have loan funds for businesses within their towns.

Each is different in what they cover.

The SBDC can provide more information about each or you can speak to your town’s economic development specialist. n Adirondack Economic Development Corp. has micro-loan programs available for start-ups ranging from $500 to $50,000. These loans are for purchase of business machinery and equipment,

renovations and additions to facilities, inventory purchases and working capital.

The maximum loan in this program cannot exceed 40 percent of the total project, up to $150,000. n Empire State Development has a wide range of programs listed at esd.ny.gov/ BusinessPrograms.html n The Development Authority of the North Country has a general loan fund for certain types of businesses and has specific funding programs for agricultural and tourism-related businesses as well. n The North Country Alliance can fund 50 percent of a project along with private bank funding. The minimum equity investment is 10 percent. The alliance is most interested in projects that bring jobs to the region. n Point Positive is a group of angel investors based in Saranac Lake. They are looking for promising and scalable opportunities within around a two-hour drive of Saranac Lake. Entrepreneurs should be receptive to investors and mentors, and typical deals range from $50,000 to $500,000.

As you can see, there are many options available. The SBDC can help you navigate the various funding sources that are available and get your business plan in place. You can contact the Small Business Development Center at either SUNY Canton (315) 386-7312 or JCC in Watertown (315) 782-9262. n JENNIFER McCLUSKEY is a certified business advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton.

Contact her at mccluskeyj@canton.edu. Her column appears bi-monthly in NNY Business.

April 2016 | NNY Business

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EN T R E PR ENEUR’S EDGE

Release your expectations and enjoy

T

he large majority of us have dreams.

Wait, scratch that.

Every single one of us has dreams. Desires. Goals. A things-to-do list or bucket list or whatever-you-want-to-call-it list. For many of us, we make a plan to attain a particular desire or goal and then we attach an expectation to that desire or goal. When that goal isn’t met, then the expectation isn’t met.

That’s when we crumble. We die inside.

We whine and cry and decide to give up, all because we attached an expectation to the end of our desire. But here’s the triedand-true secret to life: If we release the expectation or outcome of any scenario, some seriously incredible and beautiful things can happen.

If you follow this column, you may have read my gush a few months back about my desire to be an actress and a writer and a speaker and blah, blah, blah.

Well, here I am, at the tender age of 44, and Jud Apatow hasn’t called me yet.

Neither has Adam Goldberg. And let me tell you, I’ve written a killer spec script for “The Goldbergs.”

Nonetheless, I continue to write. I continue to dream. I just completed a fulllength screenplay and just pitched it to Panay Films in Los Angeles. My desire?

To sell it, of course. To get out of a limo in Hollywood the night of the premiere in a glittery black dress with my hair all done up in a vintage style from the 1950s, waving at cameras and filthy rich people who could give a hoot who I am.

Just thinking about seeing my words and my story come to life on the silver screen gives me chills. This is something I want, yes. For sure. I always have.

Joleene Moody But the one thing I do differently from so many others is the “release” part. I’ve released the outcome.

I’ve released the timeline of when my screenplay will sell. I’ve released who will produce it and star in it. I’ve even released the naysayers who try and tell me I have a one-in-a-million chance to sell it. Instead, I have embraced the entire process. From the writing to the formatting to the rewrites to registering it with the Writers Guild, I’ve embraced it. From the waiting and the coaching and the reading and the learning, I’ve embraced it. And from the conversations and the encouragement from other aspiring screenwriters, I own all of it.

I’ve enjoyed the journey. And while my screenplay simmers in the universe, another project begins down here on Earth at my little desk. My colorful mind imagines me accepting an Oscar and meeting everyone on set. I still dream, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t hang on for dear life like I used to. When I did that, I literally lost my life. Today I trust

the path a lot more than I did when I was that anxious being. As long as I am doing and working and taking action, it’s all good. I would much rather enjoy each and every day and be grateful for the opportunities and the people in it, than lament about what I don’t have.

As entrepreneurs, we have to learn to release the outcome of anything we create so we can enjoy the process of creating. We have to learn to accept things as they are. One of the greatest anxieties we put on ourselves as a whole is not accepting things as they are. Sure, we get frustrated when things don’t work out as planned, but that doesn’t mean they still won’t. Someone could very well pick up my script. Maybe it’s an indie producer.

And maybe that indie producer thinks I’m super swell and together we write an amazing show that really gets noticed.

Who knows? No one. No one knows.

That’s why the release is so crucial.

Guessing is excruciating. Waiting is even more painful. Appreciate instead.

Appreciate what you are learning and who you are meeting as you forge ahead.

Appreciate the opportunities and recognize they are the true stepping stones to what lies ahead. Be grateful. Release the expectation or outcome of any scenario, and watch some seriously incredible and beautiful things happen. n Joleene moody is a freelance writer, blogger and speaker who lives in Oswego County with her husband and daughter. Contact her at joleenemoody.com. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business. Visit nnybizmag.com to read past columns online.

18014 GOODNOUGH ST., ADAMS CENTER, NY • 315-583-5680 MON.-WED. 8-5, THURS. & FRI. 8-6, SAT. 8-2 40 | NNY Business | April 2016

GWNC Chamber Business After Hours at Carthage Savings and Loan, Watertown

From left, Michelle Buckingham and Linda Keddy, both of Carthage Savings and Loan Association, Watertown.

From left, Jorden Durant, Computech, Watertown, and Shawn Romeo, Black River Electrical Mechanical, Black River.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Bonnie Towles and Brandy Snyder, both of ACR Health, Watertown.

Carthage Savings and Loan Association hosted the March Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at its Arsenal Street offices on Wednesday, March 16.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Lynette Piche, Beaver River Central School, Castorland, and her parents, Bev and Pete Lively, Clayton.

April 2016 | NNY Business

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b usiness scene Lewis County Chamber Business After Hours at 3D Sports, Lowville

From left, Mollie Young and Rob Stroup, 3D Sports, Lowville.

From left, Lydia Young, Young Law Office, Lowville, and Kristen Aucter, Lewis County Opportunities, Lowville.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Jackie Mahoney, Lewis County, Christie Andrus, The Human Factor, Kingston, Ont., and Jamie Nakano, Griffith Energy, Lowville. 3D Sports, Lowville, hosted the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce March Business After Hours on Thursday, March 17.

Eric Virkler, Lewis County Economic Development, Lowville, Margaret Haenlin, New York State OTDA, Lowville, and husband, Jerry, National Grid and Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

DGM Coon & Company is proud to offer space available for rent in some of Watertown’s most desirable office locations.

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Commercial Property Management Services 42 | NNY Business | April 2016

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b u siness scene St. Lawrence Chamber Business Spotlight at Sweeter Creations Sugar House, Waddington

From left, Steve Chambers, Steve’s RV Center, Potsdam, and daughter, Allyssa, Potsdam.

From left, Kristen Ashley, Sugar Valley Bakery, Potsdam, and Nicole Weakfall, Colton-Pierrepont Central Schools and Sugar Valley Bakery.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Matt McKenna, Alpine Foam Insulation, Potsdam, and wife, Maggie.

Debra Kenny and husband, Mike, Sweeter Creations Sugar House, Waddington.

The sugar house hosted the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce March Business Spotlight on Thursday, March 31.

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April 2016 | NNY Business

| 43

business briefcase CONSTRUCTION

NNY Builders Exchange recognizes local A&E firm

We Rent Everything You Need For Any Event!

Aubertine and Currier Architects, Engineers, & Land Surveyors, Watertown, recently received the Excellence in Craftsmanship award from the Northern New York Builders Exchange for its work on phase two of the Clayton Riverwalk project. The Watertown firm was responsible for the design, construction administration and inspection for the project.

This portion of the Riverwalk picks up where the previous portion left off at the Frink Park Pavilion.

The goal of the project was to create an uninterrupted visual and physical connection to the St. Lawrence River for pedestrians walking between the village’s existing commuter docks and the recently completed Frink Park Pavilion and Thousand Islands Regional Docks.

BANKING

Citizens Bank earns top rating Tents, Dance Floors, Tables, Chairs, Linens, Place Settings also Wedding Invitations.

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Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent was awarded BauerFinancial Inc.’s highest five-star superior rating in March.

Citizens Bank has earned the five-star rating for 105 consecutive quarters since June 1990.

The bank also achieved “Best of Bauer” status, a designation reserved for banks that have earned a five-star rating for 25 straight years or longer.

Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent was established in 1919 and operates three branches in Cape Vincent, Chaumont and LaFargeville.

BauerFinancial has been the nation’s leading bank rating firm since 1983.

COMMERCE

Carthage Citizen of the Year nominations sought

“Installing glass with class”

The Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations for its 36th annual Citizen of the Year award.

The award recipient will be chosen based on community activities and involvement by the nominee during the 2015 calendar year. Past accomplishments may be included to support the nomination.

Nominators should submit the entry form and supporting documentation by April 20. News clippings, photos and supporting documents can be included. A review board of seven community leaders will meet April 21.

An annual award banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at the Carthage Elks Lodge.

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The Jefferson County Historical Society recently received a $750 grant from Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match program.

The JCHS was one of 1,500 organizations in New York and Vermont to receive a grant from the 2015 Holiday Match campaign.

The Stewarts Holiday Match program received $1.74 million from customer donations and the Stewart’s Shops match. Program money benefits children within the community in which they are won.

The Historical Society grant will help to fund children’s programs inside the Paddock Mansion and historic campus on Washington Street, Watertown.

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 45

NNY Dining Out

NNY Marketplace

46 | NNY Business | April 2016

April 2016 | NNY Business

| 47

BusIness

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260 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601

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