NNY Business December 2011

Howard Orthotics in step with technology page 32

Leann I. West

Charles M. Capone II Commercial loan officer, Watertown Savings Bank

Government relations Wladis Law Firm

Brian J. Wohnsiedler

Jennifer Dindl-Neff

Executive director, Jefferson County Soil & Water

Owner, Humes Realty and Appraisal Service

NORTHERN NEW YORK’S

EMERGING LEADERS $2.95

/nnybusiness @NNYBusinessMag

+

n Biz Tech n NNY Snapshot n Business Scene n Real Estate

Northern New York’s Premier Business Monthly Dec. 2011 | Vol. 2 Issue 1 | www.nnybizmag.com

20UNDER40

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

Jenny D. & Brian A. Walker Owners, 1844 House, Potsdam

Lynn M. Pietroski President & CEO, Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce

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NNY Business | December 2011

Joseph R. Lawrence

Field Crops Resource Educator, Cornell Coperative Extension of Lewis County

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

20UNDER40

Jason S. Christman

Erika F. Flint Executive Director Watertown Urban Mission

Co-owner, Christman Fuel Service

Angela M. Gray, CPA Partner, Gray & Gray CPAs

Kyle R. Hafemann Owner, Otter Creek Winery

December 2011 | NNY Business

|3

20UNDER40

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

M. Andrew Short CIO / vice president, information services, Samaritan Medical Center

Taylour L. Scanlin Fort Drum Liaison, Carthage Area Hospital

Daniel J. Dupee II Vice president for administration and finance, treasurer, Jefferson Community College

Christine M. Cisco Certified Financial Planner, RBC Wealth Management

4|

NNY Business | December 2011

December 2011 | NNY Business

|5

ConTRibuToRs

BusIness

www.nnybusiness.net

Publishers

John B. Johnson Jr. Harold B. Johnson II Donald C. Alexander is CEO of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency.

He writes about the need for a long-term economic development vision. (p. 38)

Lynn Pietroski is president and CEO of the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce. She offers a ‘Top 10’ list that all leaders should live by. (p. 40)

Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp. He writes about local ag products that make great holiday gifts. (p. 41)

Sarah O’Connell is an advisor for the New York State Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College.

She offers some tips for good business websites. (p. 43)

General ManaGer John B. Johnson

executive editor Bert Gault

ManaGinG editor Robert D. Gorman

MaGazine editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

editorial assistant Kyle R. Hayes

advertisinG director Karen Romeo

Rande Richardson is executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. He writes about maximizing yearend charitable giving. (p. 40)

Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran.

She writes about new trends in mobile tech and offers a gift guide for the holidays. (p. 33, 42)

Lance M. Evans is executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. He shares some advice on staging a home for a quick sale. (p. 35)

advertisinG sPecialists

Clarissa Collins, Katie Nelson, Connie Campany

circulation director Cindy Werner

PhotoGraPhy

Norm Johnston, Justin Sorensen, Jason Hunter, Melanie Kimbler-Lago, Amanda Morrison

ad GraPhics, desiGn

Rick Gaskin, Julia Keegan, Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules Nancy Madsen is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer. She writes about the arrival of American Eagle’s jet service to Chicago from Watertown International Airport. (p. 28)

Joleene DesRosiers is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski.

She takes an exclusive look at a Watertown business providing prosthetics to wounded warriors. (p. 32)

Lenka Waldroff is curator of collections for the Jefferson County Historical Museum.

She writes about the history of Watertown’s Knowlton Technology. (p. 52)

MARKETPLACE A.G. Netto Realty …........ 36 Allen’s Liquor & Wine ….. 55 AmeriCU Credit Union .... 10 Ameriprise Financial …... 31 A New Attitude …............ 47 Beardsley Design …........ 56 Carthage Federal Savings and Loan …......... 8 Cavallario’s Cucina ...…. 51 Center for Sight …..... 14, 15 Cheney Tire …................. 46 Clarence Henry Coach ............................. 34 Convenient Storage …... 49 For Pete’s Sake Entertainment ….............. 36 Foy Agency Inc. .......….. 55 Gray & Gray CPAs …........ 9 H&R Block ….................... 30

High Tower Advisors ….... 37 Howard Orthotics …........ 40 Innovative Physical Therapy …........................ 39 JCJDC ….......................... 53 Lofink Ford Mercury ….... 45 Netto Fire Equipment …... 10 NNY Community Foundation ….................. 30 NNY Magazines ….......... 55 Northern Federal Credit Union …................ 31 Painfull Acres Amish Furniture …............. 9 Regional Medical Management …............... 43 Renue Spa and Skincare …............... 54 Sashes and Lace …........ 55

6 | NNY Business | December 2011

SeaComm Federal Credit Union …................ 38 Shred Con …................... 11 Slack Chemical Co. …... 41 SMR Fibre …..................... 50 Spring Drive …................. 42 St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union ..............….. 50 St. Lawrence NYSARC .... 15 Syracuse Stage ………… 33 Truesdells Furniture …..... 48 Waterbury Fine Jewelers …....................... 55 Watertown Local Development Corp. ….... 35 Watertown Savings Bank ..............…. 29 Westelcom ….................. 53 WWTI-50 …......................... 5

NNY Business (ISSN 2159-6115), is published monthly by Johnson Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Copyright 2011, Johnson Newspaper Corp.

All material submitted to NNY Business becomes property of Johnson Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

subscriPtion rates 12 issues are $15 a year for Watertown Daily Times and affiliate newspaper subscribers and $25 a year for non-subscribers.

Call 315-782-1000 for delivery. subMissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net advertisinG For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, e-mail ccollins@wdt.net In St. Lawrence County, e-mail knelson@ogd.com Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y. Please recycle this magazine.

>>Inside DECEMBER 2011

28

16 32 |

COVER

|

16 20 UNDER 40 NNY Business presents 20 Northern New York emerging leaders under the age of 40.

18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27

Taylour L. Scanlin Daniel J. Dupee II Angela M. Gray Jason S. Christman Jennifer Dindl-Neff Nick O. Williams Lynn M. Pietroski Charles M. Capone II Krystal A. Rupert Brian J. Wohndiedler Erika F. Flint Kyle R. Hafemann Christine M. Cisco Reginald J. Schweitzer Jr. Dr. Deanna L. Fuller, DVM Joseph R. Lawrence Leann I. West M. Andrew Short Jenny D. & Brian A. Walker Zachary K. Chapman

30

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REGION

33

|

|

REAL ESTATE

52

|

28 TAKING OFF Watertown International Airport kicks off jet service to the Windy City.

36 ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY Real estate transactions totaled $2.08m over a threeday period in early October.

| ENTREPRENEURS |

37 LEWIS COUNTY Real estate transactions totaled $2.04m over a 19-day sales period in October.

30 SAVING IN CYBERSPACE A north country man has developed a way to save big on online shopping. |

SMALL BUSINESS

|

32 IN STEP WITH TECH Howard Orthotics marks a milestone for one wounded warrior from Ft. Drum. |

BUSINESS TECH

|

33 HOLIDAY GADGET GUIDE Our resident geek gal takes a look at what’s hot for 2011.

|

BUSINESS HISTORY

|

52 THE NATION’S OLDEST Knowlton Technologies has an impressive history that spans more than 200 years. |

CONSTRUCTION

|

54 ADDITION UNDER WAY Car-Freshner Corp. is expanding its footprint at its Watertown headquarters.

December 2011 | NNY Business

|7

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NNY Business | December 2011

| ON THE COVER |

| iNTERViEw |

Editor’s Note: 20 Questions will return in next month’s issue. | COLUMNS |

38 EConoMiCALLY sPEAKinG 39 nonProFits todAY 40 CoMMErCE CornEr

41 AGri-BUsinEss 42 BUsinEss tECH BYtEs 43 sMALL BUsinEss sUCCEss

| DEPARTMENTS |

10 11 12 14 35

Editor’s notE PEoPLE on tHE MoVE EConoMiC snAPsHot BUsinEss BriEFCAsE rEAL EstAtE roUndUP

44 46 50 52 54

CALEndAr BUsinEss sCEnE FinE dininG BUsinEss HistorY WHAt’s HAPPEninG HErE?

For this month’s cover, which is extended through page 4, our photography staff captured full portraits of our 20 Under 40 selectees. On the outside cover, from left, Charles M. Capone II, Watertown Savings Bank, Leann I. West, Wladis Law Firm, Jennifer Dindl-Neff, Humes Realty and Appraisal Service and Brian Wonsiedler, Jefferson County Soil and Water District.

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Open Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm (Monday-Thursday by Appointment only. Call 778-4314) December 2011 2011 || NNY NNY Business Business || 9 9 December

T

EDITOR’S NOTE his month we are proud to present NNY Business magazine’s 2011 Class of 20 Under 40.

I first mentioned our 20 Under 40 project in this space in our June issue. During the past five months, nominations steadily flowed in via email, telephone calls and on our Facebook page.

The Ken Eysaman response to our call for nominations was nothing short of terrific. In October, staff from the magazine and the Watertown Daily Times sat down to review a list of polished young professionals with the daunting task of winnowing the number down to 20.

As others here will attest, cutting the list was a challenging order.

While we hear reports with some frequency that the north country falls short on young talent, I urge you to flip to page 16 and begin reading the 20 stories of top-flight talent right here in Jefferson Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Here are a few statistics about our 2011 Class of 20 Under 40: Average age of those profiled: 33 Median age of those profiled: 33 Youngest profiled: 24 Oldest profiled: 39 Youngest business owner: 28 Number under 30: 4 Number of small business owners profiled: 7

SALES & SERVICE

Number of women: 10 Number of men: 11 (I know, the total is greater than 20, but I will get to that.)

Number of agency leaders: 4 Vice president or higher: 6 North country natives: 17 Number in Jefferson County: 13 Number in Lewis County: 4 Number in St. Lawrence County: 4 Highest level of education: Juris doctorate and doctor of veterinary medicine.

Average level of education: bachelor’s degree Number with post-graduate degrees: 8 The numbers alone tell an impressive story, especially the fact that 17 of those who are profiled are north country natives who are either still in the north country or who have returned to NNY to live and work and help make our communities better places.

So why is our final count 21? Enter Jenny and Brian Walker at the 1844 House in Potsdam.

The husband and wife team is inseparable. We just couldn’t feature one without the other. Let’s just call them our 20 Under 40 Class Couple.

I hope you all enjoy reading about the fine group of talented young people this month. We’re already working on next year’s list, so if you come across anyone we missed, let me know at keysaman@wdt.net.

Yours in business,

RONALD NETTO RONNY NETTO, JR. rnettojr@centralny.twcbc.com

WELDING SUPPLY, LLC FIRE EXTINGUISHER RECHARGE & INSPECTION WELDING SUPPLIES • SAFETY EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIAL GASES 731 LeRay Street • Watertown, NY 13601 Phone: (315) 782-0242 • Fax: (315) 786-FIRE OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00-5:00

10 | NNY Business | December 2011

PeoPle on the move New editor named

Jeremiah S. Papineau has been named managing editor of the Journal and Republican in Lowville and the Carthage Republican Tribune.

He succeeds Thomas Lloyd.

The papers are owned by the Johnson Newspaper Corp., Watertown.

Papineau Mr. Papineau, a Carthage native, served as a reporter for the Carthage Republican Tribune from February 2003 to September 2007 and, during that time, was promoted to assistant editor. For the past four years he has overseen two weekly newspapers for the Plattsburgh office of Denton Publications.

During that time, he served as a member of various organizations, including the Adirondack Young Professionals and the United Way of the Adirondack Region.

Contact him at jpapineau@lowville.com.

NYSID honors NYSARC employee

In honor of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, St. Lawrence NYSARC announced that employee Timothy Reese of Ogdensburg was presented with the Outstanding Performer Award by New York State Industries for the Disabled Inc. Mr. Reese has worked for more than four years as part of the agency’s Seaway Industries Custodial Crew. He supervises at various locations including the Ogdensburg Mental Health Clinic and Hamilton Hall at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

NYSID’s Joslin Award Program honors people with disabilities whose work on NYSID contracts is outstanding. Mr.

Reese is one of the 54 people from more than 6,000 state-wide employees who are being honored for their personal success through employment on a NYSID preferred source contract.

Cape chamber presents awards

The Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce presented awards to several winners from throughout the area during its recent annual membership dinner.

The Focus on the Cape amateur photo contest first-place winner was Jeffrey Cougler, Rochester, for his photo, “Lightening Over Wolfe Island.” Second-place winner was Tom Rowe of Cape Vincent, for his photo “Anna.” Third-place winner was Nancy Dummer from Cape Vincent for the photo “Carleton Island Sunset” and the People’s Choice Award was won

by Teri Imes for her photo entry named “Touch of Earl.”

The Community Achievement Award was presented to the Cape Vincent Local Development Corp. for its contributions to the community including the remodeling of the Roxy Hotel and for their part in the relocation of MetalCraft Marine to Cape Vincent.

The 2011 Citizen of the Year award went to Gary and Sheri Hall. A surprise concert was performed for Mrs. Hall by her fourth-grade students from Cape Vincent Elementary under the direction of Tammy Beerman.

Wins award

Former Jefferson County resident Aaron Reid is the recipient of a prestigious Market Research Industry Award.

Mr. Reid’s business, Sentient Decision Science, Portsmouth, N.H., and PepsiCo are recipients of the 2011 Explor Award.

Got business milestones? n Share your business milestones with NNY Business. E-mail 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.

Now in its twelfth year, the Explor Awards is an annual case study competition, honoring technology innovation in marketing research. Innovation leaders from global corporations, research agencies and academia are invited to submit cases where technology and innoReid vation have advanced the research and insight process.

The awards are sponsored by uSamp, one of the world’s fastest-growing technology and online sampling companies.

A psychologist by training and a businessman by trade, Mr. Reid founded Sentient Decision Science to bridge the gap between behavioral science and business. With a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Ohio University and a published research record in consumer decision-making, Mr. Reid has developed advanced methods of assessing the subconscious drivers of consumer behavior.

In addition to his work as chief behavioral scientist at Sentient, Mr. Reid is an adjunct professor of psychology at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Mr. Reid is a son of Jo Ann Reid, Henderson Harbor, and David Ross Reid, Adams Center. He graduated from South Jefferson Central School, Adams, in 1990, attended Jefferson Community College

Please see People, page 15

Locally Owned and Operated ~ Mobile Shreds Onsite ~ Fast, Safe & Secure.

Call to set up free estimate or schedule service ~ Servicing Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence and parts of Franklin and Essex Counties ~ WE PROVIDE RELIABLE, TIMELY SERVICE, AND STAND BEHIND THAT. December December2011 2011||NNY NNYBusiness Business||11 11

ECON SNAPSHOT

NNY

Economic indicators Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers Oct. ’11 $1.68 Sept. ’11 $1.83 Oct. ’10 $1.52

10.5%

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

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

Source: NYS Department of Agriculture

432,537 in Oct. 2011 465,102 in Sept. 2011 431,246 in Oct. 2010

Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

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

Oct. ’11 $3.65 Sept. ’11 $3.79 Oct. ’10 $2.94

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

24.2%

Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil Oct. ’11 $3.71 Sept. ’11 $3.71 Oct. ’10 $2.97

24.9%

0.3%

$0.99 on Oct. 28, 2011 $1.04 on Sept. 30, 2011 $1.03 on Oct. 22, 2010

3.9%

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

Oct. ’11 $3.31 Sept. ’11 $3.24 Oct. ’10 $2.85

92,300 in Oct. 2011 92,000 in Sept. 2011 92,100 in Oct. 2010

16.1%

0.22%

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

Source: NYS Department of Labor

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales

Passengers at Watertown International Airport

103, median price $140,150 in Oct. 2011 128, median price $140,000 in Sept. 2011 109, median price $137,500 in Oct. 2010

627 in-bound and out-bound in Oct. 2011 546 in-bound and out-bound in Sept. 2011 413 in-bound and out-bound in Oct. 2010

5.5% Sales

1.39%

51.8%

Price

Source: Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Inc.

Source: Jefferson County Board of Legislators

Jefferson County unemployment Oct. 11

8.8%

Sep. 11

8.7%

Aug. 11

8.2%

July 11

8.7%

June 11

8.9%

May 11

9.1%

April 11

10.0%

Mar. 11

10.9%

Feb. 11

11.6 % 11.8%

Jan. 11 10.3 %

Dec. 10

10.0%

Nov. 10 Oct. 10

9.0%

Source: New York State Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted) Note: Due to updates in some “Econ. Snapshot” categories, numbers may differ from previously published prior month and year figures.

12 Business |NNY NNY Business |April December 2011 812 Business | |April 2011 8|||NNY NNY Business | December 20112011

NNY

Economic indicators St. Lawrence county unemployment rates

Lewis county unemployment rates

9.0% in Oct. 2011 9.4% in Sept. 2011 9.6% in Oct. 2010

8.1% in Oct. 2011 8.3% in Sept. 2011 7.9% in Oct. 2010

0.2

0.6

Percentage points

Percentage points

Source: NYS Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted)

Source: NYS Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted)

St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales

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

51, median price $82,500 in Oct. 2011 61, median price $80,000 in Sept. 2011 32, median price $80,000 in Oct. 2010

1,905 in Oct. 2011 1,887 in Sept. 2011 1,764 in Oct. 2010

Sales

3.1%

8.0%

Price

Source: St. Lawrence Board of Realtors Inc.

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

Real estate sales

tRaNsactioNs

59.4%

Turn to pages 32 and 33 for a look at recent real estate transactions in St. Lawrence and Lewis counties.

The following sales were recorded in the Jefferson County clerk’s office:

A. Driver, Fredericksburg, Va., sold to Sean M. Cavaliere, Cortland Manor, $100,000

Oct. 27

n 414 S. Meadow St., United States of America, acting by and through, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., sold to Orion E. Delgado and Abigail A. Delgado, Watertown, $80,000

Oct. 26

Oct. 13

Watertown city sales

n Two parcels, 570 Morrison St., Brian A. Bromka, Marietta, sold to Michael Baker, Watertown, $28,000 n Howk Street, Barry Wright, Fulton, administrator, estate of Ethel Wright, late of county of Oswego, sold to Matthew A. Barnhardt, Watertown, $59,000

n 0.201 acre, Davidson Street, John L. Kamide, Watertown, sold to Christopher J. Kamide II, Carthage, $80,000

Oct. 25

n 647 Grant St., Hanni M. Harrigan, by Mary J. Ortiz, attorney in fact, Clarksville, Tenn,, sold to Tyne K. McCreadie, Cortland, $100,000

n Lot 51, Moffett Street, Rodger A. Litchfield and Ellen C. Litchfield, Watertown, sold to Jason P. Grower and Bonnie L. Grower, Watertown, $80,000

Oct. 21

n Two parcels, 1313 Sunset Ridge, W. Barton Van Slyke and Anna J. Van Slyke, Watertown, sold to John J. Condino and Susan G. Condino, Watertown, $232,500

Oct. 24

n 0.17 acre, 285 Ontario Drive North, Susan E. Radell, Whitesboro, sold to John M. Rotella and Cabrina A. Rotella, Watertown, $80,000

Oct. 11

Oct. 7

n 0.378 acre, LeRay Street, Gary L. Gebo II and Tamy S. Gebo, Watertown, sold to Ricky J. Jarrell, Evans Mills, $175,000 n 875-877 LeRay St., Robert H. Kizzer, Watertown, sold to Jason T. Kiernan and Theresa M. Kiernan, Watertown, $93,500

Oct. 5

Oct. 20

n 0.249 acre, 315 Holcomb St., Family Chiropractic Care P.C., Watertown, sold to Bradley L. Backus and Janette K. Backus, Brownville, $82,000

n 126 and 128 High St., Aaron A. Netto, Rodman, sold to Amarjit Samra, Watertown, $65,000

n 216 Colorado Ave., William B. Spencer and Julie W. Spencer, Marcellus; and Ann M. Chase, life tenant, by her attorney in fact Peter Whitmore, Watertown, sold to Arthur J. Sboro, Watertown, $114,000

n 0.563 acre, State Street, Anna M. Musto, Watertown, sold to Robert Robertson, Fort Drum, $235,000

n 233 N. Indiana Ave., Richard Todd Barber, executor, estate of E. Timothy Barber, Holliston, Mass., sold to Michael T. Kogut, Watertown, $93,000 n 0.099 acre, Academy Street, Jose R. Ortiz, Watertown, sold to Tom J. Batchlear and Inkyoung Seok, Calcium, $161,000

Oct. 17

n 0.186 acre, 302 Knowlton Ave., Roxane Phillips, Natural Bridge, sold to Joseph Jech Jr. and Gayle A. Jech, Watertown, $139,000

Oct. 14

n 0.127 acre, 657-659 Bronson St., Bryan J. Driver and Bethany

Oct. 4

n 0.23 acre, 1323 Sherman St., Mark S. Bellinger and Roxanne M. Bellinger, Watertown, sold to Joshua E. Coffie and Whitney K. Coffie, Watertown, $170,000

$2,167,000 City real estate sales recorded over a 24-day period, Oct. 4-Oct. 27, 2011

December 2011 | |NNY Business | ||13 December 2011 | NNY Business April 2011 Business April 2011 |NNY NNY Business |913 9

Business Briefcase Chocolatiers launch website

Covered in Chocolate, Theresa, has launched its online home and e-commerce site at www.covered-in-chocolate.com.

Covered in Chocolate is owned by mother-daughter team Jennifer L. McConnell and Susan M. Tanner. They have a storefront at 125 Commercial St. in Theresa and now sell several of their chocolate covered treats through their website.

For more information, contact coveredinchoc@aol.com or 767-5006.

GWNCC receives accreditation

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce received its first five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in November.

The chamber is the only five-star accredited chamber in the state and one of only 75 in the country. There are about 7,000 chambers in the country, but only 234 reach the first level of accreditation.

The chamber received four-star accreditation in 2002 and 2006. This time around, the chamber made improvements in government advocacy, according to former chamber CEO Peter J. Whitmore.

The chamber was examined by the U.S. chamber’s accreditation program on its governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, technology, communications facilities and benchmarking.

Afgritech LLC open for business

The Afgritech LLC feed mill at 200 Willow St. in Watertown began full production in mid-November. The mill produces protein meal that is easier for cows to

14 |

NNY Business | December 2011

Got business news?

n Share your business news 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 tenth of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page.

digest and nutrients from more than traditional sources.

Afgritech, a joint venture of Carrs Billington Agriculture, Stanwix, England, and Afgri Operations Ltd., Centurion, South Africa, bought the former Blue Seal Feeds facility a year ago and has spent about $5 million to upgrade it into what company officials called the most technologically advanced plant in North America.

This is Afgritech’s first plant in the U.S. Other plants are in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Argentina. Long-term goals include plants in California and the Midwest.

New flower shop makes home in Watertown

Mother-daughter team Rhonda HallAllen and Lori L. Allen have opened Allen’s Florist and Pottery Shop at 1092 Coffeen St. in Watertown. The shop offers fresh arrangements, flowers, plants and pottery to be painted.

Ms. Hall-Allen, a retired Indian River Central School District art teacher, sells her artwork and ceramics. The shop has a pottery painting room for parties and group events, where customers can choose from a wide variety of figurines and designs. Ms. Hall-Allen’s paintings, a friend’s jewelry and gifts such as fairy and angel figurines are also for sale. Ms. Allen makes fresh arrangements and custom arrangements, including Christmas wreaths of different colors.

Ms. Allen has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The telephone number is 786-6300.

Coughlin lauded

Watertown’s Downtown Business Association named Coughlin Printing Group its member of the month for October.

The company has consistently promoted and supported the DBA. Over the past year, Coughlin Printing expanded, moving to 210 Court St., Suite 10.

The business has been in operation for more than 100 years. It offers commercial printing, automated mailings, promotional products and professional website design from three locations, which also include Lowville and Carthage.

More information about Coughlin Printing and its services are available at www.coughlinprinting.com. The group was chosen as member of the month because of its downtown spirit, support and business achievement.

Advanced Business Systems marks 20 years

For more than 20 years, Advanced Business Systems, Murrock Circle, Watertown, has been a well-known commodity for office technology solutions. Now owner Ed Jones is taking his team to new heights and moving the company closer to a full-line solutions provider in the world of office equipment.

The company has added a full line of postage machines and has expanded their territory to include Oswego and Onondaga counties. Advanced Business Systems employs 27 people after adding three new hires over the past six months and expects to add to that total over the next year.

For more information about ABS, visit www.abscopiers.com.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE PEOPLE, from page 11 from Middlebury College in 1996. He resides in Portsmouth with his wife, Amy, and their baby daughter, Celia.

RBC adds two financial planners

Two bank executives from the downtown Watertown branch of HSBC Bank USA left the company in November to join RBC Wealth Management.

Christine M. Cisco Cisco and Patrick A. Signor were vice presidents and financial advisers with HSBC. HSBC announced in August that all upstate New York branches would be sold to First Niagara Financial Group Inc., Signor Buffalo. But First Niagara expects to sell off some of the branches, including the ones in Northern New York located on Washington and Arsenal streets in Watertown and in Evans Mills, Adams, Carthage, Alexandria Bay, Potsdam, Massena, Malone, Lowville and Saranac Lake.

Earlier in the year, Elizabeth C. Fipps left her position as senior vice president and market manager of the North Country/Mohawk Valley market to become executive director of the Samaritan Foundation of Northern New York. And Jeffrey T. Fallon, who was vice president and business relationship manager at HSBC, joined Community Bank’s staff as a vice

president and commercial lending officer.

RBC’s offices are at 111 Washington St. in Watertown. Mr. Signor worked at HSBC for about two decades. His father, James F., also worked at HSBC and Marine Midland Bank, its local predecessor, for 36 years. Mrs. Cisco was employed by HSBC for more than 10 years.

New orthopedic surgeons at Claxton-Hepburn Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, has hired two part-time surgeons for its orthopedic surgery staff.

Dr. Jeffrey Haasbeek, a pediatric and hand surgical specialist, returns to the hospital after spending several years out of the area.

Cornwall, Ontario, sports medicine specialist Dr. Richard Tombler will work two days a week in the hospital. Now, orthopedist Dr. Thomas Herzog handles the bulk of the hospital’s cases.

ing for the Central New York District. He is responsible for business development, serving as account executive and adviser for area clients.

Mr. Mitchell previously worked as a commercial banking manager for HSBC Bank USA’s Syracuse region and as marketing and sales manager for GLV Black Clawson Kennedy.

Mr. Pedrotti has been named vice president and senior relationship manager for business banking in the district. He is responsible for small business lending in the Syracuse and Watertown markets.

Completes drivers course

Dean Johnson, 46, of Mannsville, is a recent graduate of National Tractor Trailer School in Liverpool. He has begun a new career as a tractor-trailer driver for Laser Transit. Previously, he worked for the U.S. Army.

Mr. Johnson earned his certificate by completing 602 hours of training in NTTS’s Advanced Commercial Drivers Course.

New at KeyBank

KeyBank has hired Stephen A. Mitchell and Joseph A. Pedrotti to cover territory including Watertown.

Mr. Mitchell, a former executive director and chief operating officer for Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, is vice president and senior relationship manager for commercial bank-

December 2011 | NNY Business

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20UNDER40 NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

w chaRlEs capoNE ii — watERtowN saviNgs baNk w zachaRy chapmaN — massENa mEmoRial hospital w jasoN chRistmaN — chRistmaN fUEl sERvicE w chRistiNE cisco — Rbc wEalth maNagEmENt w jENNifER DiNDl-NEff — hUmEs REalty & appRaisal sERvicE w DaN DUpEE — jEffERsoN commUNity collEgE w ERika fliNt — watERtowN URbaN missioN w DR. DEaNNa l. fUllER, Dvm — coUNtRysiDE vEtERiNaRy hospital w aNgEla m. gRay — gRay & gRay cpas w kylE R. hafEmaNN — ottER cREEk wiNERy w joE lawRENcE — coRNEll coopERativE ExtENsioN w lyNN piEtRoski — gREatER watERtowN-NoRth coUNtRy chambER of commERcE w kRystal RUpERt — RUpERt law fiRm w tayloUR scaNliN — caRthagE aREa hospital w REg schwEitzER — NEighboRs of watERtowN, maggiE’s oN thE RivER, chaUmoNt haRDwaRE w m. aNDREw shoRt — samaRitaN mEDical cENtER w bRiaN & jENNy walkER — 1844 hoUsE w lEaNN i. wEst — wlaDis law fiRm w Nick o. williams — otis tEchNology w bRiaN j. wohNsiEDlER — jEffERsoN coUNty soil & watER DistRict w

A

A lAwyer, A pAir of heAlth cAre professionals, small business owners, a veterinarian, entrepreneurs, nonprofit directors, a CPA, a Realtor, an engineer, a financial planner, an information technology manager, a banker, restaurateurs, an agronomist, a chief financial officer and a government relations specialist. They represent a diverse cross-section of business in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Taken together, NNY Business magazine’s 2011 class of 20 Under 40 is a veritable who’s who of young professionals, each working to be the best in their fields while giving more of themselves to their communities, volunteering their time to improve life for all who live in the north country. Not only are these men

16 | NNY Business | December 2011

and women emerging leaders as judged by the staff of NNY Business, they are leaders who have caught the attention of others. All 20 people featured in our first 20 Under 40 issue were nominated by people outside the magazine, a fact that speaks volumes about what north country residents think of the future of leadership in Northern New York. What’s more, we had a very challenging time narrowing the list to a top 20. With nearly twice the number of nominations as those selected for this year’s honors, we now have a head start on next year’s class. On Dec. 15, NNY Business will recognize these 20 individuals and their companies during a special celebration at the Black River Valley Club in Watertown.

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

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Zachary K. Chapman Senior director for physician practices, Massena Memorial Hospital

Reginald J. Schweitzer Jr. Dr. Deanna L. Fuller Veterinarian, Countryside Veterinary Hospital

Krystal Rupert Attorney / owner Rupert Law Firm

Deputy director, Neighbors of Watertown, co-owner, Maggie’s on the River and Chaumont Hardware

December 2011 | NNY Business

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NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

Taylour L. Scanlin, 24

Daniel J. Dupee II, 35

Carthage area hospital

Jefferson Community College

T

aylour L. Scanlin saw herself as a broadcast journalist, and maybe someday she will be. But when she graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh, she found a job right at home in Carthage.

Taking on a newly created position at Carthage Area Hospital, she is proud of what she is doing.

“When I arrived here, I found the hospital’s website to be outdated. I reached out for help and improved it. I was so Hometown: Carthage.

Professional Position: Fort Drum proud of that because it relates liaison, Carthage Area Hospital. directly to my job, helping family: Daughter of David Scanlin, Fort Drum people and setting Carthage, Linda T. Scanlin Fish, and stepdaughter of Dr. Kenneth Fish, both up social networking.”

Since Fort Drum is one of of Carthage. the two Army posts in the education: Carthage Central School, 2005; Jefferson Community country without a base hos- College, 2007; broadcast journalism, pital, it’s important that a SUNY Plattsburgh, 2009. community hospital can pro- community involvement: vide for military families “a President, Greater Watertown Jaycees; conduit with doctors and the board of directors, Jefferson County Historical Society; Carthage Free hospital,” she said. “We have Library expansion committee; Fort Drum made a connection to make Regional Health Planning Organization. sure that the care they receive last book read: “Eat, Pray, Love” is not only quality but also as by Elizabeth Gilbert. pleasurable as possible.”

She attributes whatever success she has realized so early in her career to her work ethic, as well as connecting in the community.

“By work, work, work, I realized how important it is to become involved,” she said. “The people who complain there is nothing here are the people who don’t get involved. With the Jaycees, a young peoples’ organization, you partner with other groups. It is a coming together to work for a better community.”

She brought to the job a background in entertainment, which she attributes to her father, a musician. At Plattsburgh, she interned with the Press Republican, doing online video journalism.

Her early paychecks came from her stepfather’s office, where she was a receptionist — “it could get hectic there at times.”

Dr. Fish, she said, serves as her role model.

“He was a foster child in Rhode Island. He served in the military, put himself through college and medical school, and he has built a successful family practice in Carthage.”

But she looks to her mother as the biggest influence in her life.

“She has gone through a lot of hardship, and she has shown me how to hold my head up high. She also taught me how to be a lady.”

From her upbringing, she expresses three philosophies: “Do not let anybody deter you from what you want to achieve. Keep plugging away. Hard work and dedication will ultimately lead to success.” And, “I want to be the best that I can be.”

— Dave Shampine

18 | NNY Business | December 2011

D

aniel J. Dupee II, vice president for administration and finance for Jefferson Community College, believes in education. After spending time studying to become a gym teacher at Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, his plan post-graduation from Watertown High School, he decided that wasn’t the right path to take.

He wanted a different future for himself. However, at Hometown: Watertown 19 years old, he was not quite Professional Position: Vice President for Administration and Finance, sure what direction to take.

Treasurer for Jefferson Community “Education would be my College. path to success and also refamily: Wife, Krista L.; two daughters, searching the job market and Emma L., 8, and Lily E., 6. education: Bachelor’s degree and what was going to be a field master’s degree in business administraof need,” he said. tion from Columbia College, Missouri; Mr. Dupee was raised Certificate of Advanced Studies in in Watertown, but moved Education Leadership from Le Moyne to Syracuse to work for a College, Syracuse. community involvement: Treasurer private business. After he was married, he and his wife of Jefferson Country Historical Society, member of Jefferson Leadership Institute decided to move back to and Watertown Noon Rotary.

Watertown to raise a family last book read: “The Intentional where they grew up. It was Leader” by Kenneth A. Shaw. personally important to him that the job he would accept be local so he could be involved in the community again as he was when he was younger.

After going back to college to get his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration at Columbia College, he found a job at JCC as comptroller. Wanting to advance his career, he sought a certification of advanced studies in leadership education.

He said he has his father to thank for his career success.

His father was a regional manager for National Grid, and Mr. Dupee gained much of his career sense by being around him and working for him for five years. Mr. Dupee said his father earned success through hard work.

Mr. Dupee’s influence goes beyond the office, however. He gives his time and expertise to students and his service in Watertown Noon Rotary and the Jefferson County Historical Society as well as involvement in various local benefits.

“I never look at myself as too good to do something or above doing something,” he said.

While he worked for National Grid from 1999 to 2004, Mr. Dupee has found out how to separate but balance his professional and personal life. He is the most proud of his ability to work while juggling his attention at home and other extra activities.

— Reena Singh

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

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Angela M. Gray, 33

Jason S. Christman, 34

graY & graY cpas

christman fuel service

ngela M. Gray knew she wanted to be an accountant from an early age, the same way other children dream of being a teacher or police officer.

“My father is a CPA. I think it was a positive influence in my life,” she said. “My family, back to my grandfather, has run small businesses. I always enjoyed math and science.”

After her graduation, Ms. Gray worked for accountants Hometown: Waddington Professional Position: Partner in downstate before returning Gray & Gray Certified Public Accounto the north country to join tants, Canton. her father, John J. Gray Jr., in family: Partner, Jay A. Simmons. education: Bachelor’s degree in business. accounting and master’s degree in in“I was a partner here formation systems, both from Clarkson before I was 30,” she said.

University, Potsdam.

“People say it’s a family busi- community involvement: Treasurer, ness but I can definitely attest Canton Rotary Club, Seaway Valley Prevention Council and North Country that I worked for it. It wasn’t Children’s Clinic; board member, Trasomething that was handed ditional Arts in Upstate New York and to me.”

Canton-Potsdam Hospital Foundation. last book read: “Outliers: The Story Hard work is what drives of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell.

Ms. Gray to success.

“It was instilled in me that if you put in a hard day’s work you never have to worry,” she said. “Every day, I try to give it my best and be thankful.”

As an accountant, Ms. Gray sees the inside workings of many small businesses.

“I watch what other people do and take what’s working for them and make it my own,” she said. “We sell nothing tangible here. The best we can do is give people great customer service and I think that makes us successful.”

Ms. Gray believes that flexibility also is key.

“I think my sense is to always be open to accepting challenges and help make it a better place,” she said. “I believe in always being the best person you can be.”

Ms. Gray said it is important to her well-being to contribute to community activities.

“I’m always looking for ways to give back. I definitely have been blessed in my life and if I can spread that around, that’s how I give back, it has a circle effect.”

Ms. Gray credits her father and her mother, Christine D. Gray, a vice president at SUNY Canton, with shaping her world view.

“My father’s been a great mentor as far as business goes,” she said. “My mother’s been a great mentor as far as leading a full life and having a career.”

— Martha Ellen

T

here’s a lot to be said about a person who can keep their word, and that ideal is something that drives Jason S. Christman.

“If I tell somebody something’s going to happen, I’ll find a way to make it happen,” Mr. Christman said.

A partner and co-founder of Christman Fuel Service, Carthage, he started the business from scratch in October 2003 with Hometown: Carthage Professional Position: Partner and his father after being told by an acquaintance that a mutual co-founder, Christman Fuel Service. family: Wife, Samantha, three sons, friend was selling a fuel truck. ages 9, 8 and 4.

“He’d bought a truck, did education: Carthage High School, 1995. one winter, and thought it community involvement: West Carwas too much for him,” Mr. thage Fire Department, 1996-2008.

Christman said. “We decided last book read: Newspapers and we’re going to go ahead and magazines. try it.”

Spending $15,000 in start-up costs, Christman Fuel Service was in business. Mr. Christman fulfilled orders for the new company while still working as an equipment operator for the West Carthage Department of Public Works. While he worked during the day, his wife would take orders in a makeshift office organized in the family’s home. He would then deliver the orders after work.

His sales at the end of the first year were approximately $50,000, not much given the profit margins of 10 to 15 percent.

However, Mr. Christman said he had to quit his job to run the business full-time in only its second year. While he initially spent big for advertising, he said he was able to create a stream of new business from word of mouth. He now has 5,500 residential and commercial customers in Lewis and Jefferson counties. Starting with the single fuel truck he now has a fleet of 13 trucks.

Selling a combination of heating oil and diesel fuel, Mr. Christman said the company has seen growth in sales of nearly 200 percent every year. In 2010, the business racked up approximately $14 million in sales, and he estimated that in 2011 he would see sales of $17 million. Mr. Christman said his proudest achievement has been his company’s ability to create what he called “career jobs.”

Starting from zero employees, the company expanded to 10 employees. He then added three more full-time employees as the company expanded into the sale of propane in May. “Basically it was like starting a brand new business,” Mr. Christman said. He offered some advice for aspiring business owners: Treat your customers fair and everything you do, do the best in it.

“Don’t be afraid to try something,” Mr. Christman said. “If you don’t try it, it’s never going to happen.”

— Gordon Block December 2011 | NNY Business

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Jennifer Dindl-Neff, 31

Nick O. Williams, 30

humes realty & appraisal service

otis technology

J

ennifer Dindl-Neff says the key to her success is surrounding herself with people who have experience.

What the 31-year-old jack of many trades doesn’t say, but what is plainly obvious, is that she surrounds herself with a good number of those people by virtue of her many community activities.

Hometown: Black River Ms. Dindl-Neff is the Professional Position: Owner, owner of Humes Realty Humes Realty and Appraisal Service; certified appraiser and broker; partand Appraisal Service; the time staffer for Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie. president-elect of the local family: Husband, Andrew Neff; Board of Realtors; a part-time son, Nicholas, 10, and daughter, staffer for state Sen. Patricia Veronica, 8.

A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton; and education: Indian River Central School; bachelor’s degree in public soon to be a member of the justice, SUNY Oswego.

LeRay town board. community involvement: Board “I do what I love, and I member, Town of LeRay; director, NNY All Starz competitive cheer and love what I do,” Ms. Dindldance team.

Neff said. “People say I last book read: “If You Have to work a lot, but I don’t see Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things it as working a lot. It’s easy, Your Mother Never Told You” by Kelly Cutrone. if I want to take my kids to events. I really enjoy working with the senator. I don’t consider it really work. I love being there, and I love what I’m doing.”

In business, criticism is part of the job, she said. She has learned to treat it as a blessing in disguise.

“Nobody likes to hear things that you’ve done wrong,” she said. “If you listen to it, take it in, don’t take it personally, there’s so much you can learn from that.”

She also makes sure she has time to spend in more personal pursuits, like spending time with her family and participating in community service. She spoke to NNY Business while she was on vacation with her family in Florida. Owning her own business allows her such flexibility.

She also works with NNY All Starz, a competitive cheerleading troupe.

Much of the focus is on athletic performance, she said, while adding: “I expect them to be leaders. A good chunk of that is participating in community events and community service.

She said that Lisa A. Weber, the CEO of Timeless Frames, and Mrs. Ritchie are heroes of hers in the business world.

Asked what the best advice she ever followed was, Ms. Dindl-Neff said: “Just be true to your dreams. If you want something, you have to work hard and go for it.”

— Brian Amaral

20 |

NNY Business | December 2011

N

ick O. Williams can recall a time in his childhood that established his work ethic that continues today.

He learned from his father, Jerry Williams, to do “what we needed to do to get by,” Nick recalled. His parents, having lost their home he explained, “Made the best of the hand we were dealt.”

Hometown: Boonville They turned to sustenance Professional Position: President of farming to survive.

Engineering at Otis Technology, Lyons He combined that work Falls. ethic with what some people family: Wife, Brittany; son, Parker, 5, daughter, Elyse, 19 months. call luck. He advised, “The education: Adirondack High School, harder you work, the luckier Boonville; manufacturing and engineeryou are.” ing, Rochester Institute of Technology, Mr. Williams also continues 2004. to follow advice given by his community involvement: Fundraising efforts for Lewis County Humane mother, Lori Williams.

Society and Morale, Welfare and “Don’t worry about things Recreation at Fort Drum. you can’t change,” he said she last book read: “Lone Survivor: The taught him, adding, “it’s hard Eyewitness Account of Operation to do, but I try.”

Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10” by Marcus Luttrell.

As a teenager, Mr. Williams began working for Otis Technology, the family business. Early on, he discovered his direction with the company when he vertically integrated the company’s machine components. Just 15 years later, the company has expanded to nine in-house machines.

When putting his ideas to work, Mr. Williams will, “make solid models to put ideas to work,” he said.

If something is beyond his capability he consults, he admitted, “with those who can make it reality.”

That doesn’t pertain to Otis Technology alone. Mr. Williams has branched personal businesses in commercial and industrial real estate, as well as a foreign business that caters to tourism.

With a large percentage of the people in his area employed at Otis Technology, it’s easy to make an impact on the community.

“People should go home happy and know they brought something worthwhile to their job,” Mr. Williams said.

He does this he explained, “By valuing everybody that works for you, recognizing that everyone brings something to the table.”

The small community of Lyons Falls is also the perfect backdrop for Mr. Williams to connect with people not employed at Otis. Everywhere he goes, he is constantly running into people he knows or grew up with, to which he said, “It’s great to know everyone, their past, their families and what they are doing.”

If his childhood struggles and seeing his hard work benefit himself, the company and his community have taught him anything, words to live by he said are, “inaction is the wrong action.”

— Christina Scanlon

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

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Lynn M. Pietroski, 37

Charles M. Capone II, 34

Greater WatertoWnnorth Country Chamber of CommerCe

WatertoWn savinGs bank

ynn M. Pietroski continues to learn from her best friend, the late Heather A. Freeman.

Mrs. Freeman, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2007, gave Mrs. Pietroski a motto: “Sing the best you can.”

“I take that to mean doing the best you can, no matter what,” Mrs. Pietroski said.

That has helped her work Hometown: Watertown for the community, first at the Professional Position: President and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Children’s Home of Jefferson County and now at the Great- Country Chamber of Commerce. er Watertown-North Country family: Husband, Troy R. Pietroski. education: Immaculate Heart Central Chamber of Commerce.

School, 1992; attended Jefferson “Knowing her from when Community College; bachelor’s she was young, there are so degree, Columbia College, 1996; finishing master’s degree in public many things she taught and inspired me to do and maybe administration from Bellevue University, anticipated graduation in June.

I didn’t really understand community involvement: Member, them earlier, but they are Jefferson Community Services Mental coming back to me and makHealth Subcommittee, Marketing ing sense to me now,” Mrs. Council of Jefferson County Job Development Corp. and the JeffersonPietroski said.

Lewis Workforce Investment Board; Now, she is using her outpresident, Heather A. Freeman Foungoing personality and comdation; secretary on the board, Credo munication skills to take the Community Center; officer, Watertown chamber in a new direction.

Sunrise Rotary Club.

“I have a huge vision for last book read: “You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader” by Mark Sanborn. the chamber — it includes growth and collaborating with other chambers, like the smaller ones in the area, and providing the community with resources they don’t have and haven’t been exposed to,” she said. “One of the things I’m trying to do is to get us more involved in volunteering, like Christmas decorating at the zoo and doing the Festival of Trees, trying to get out and volunteer.”

She encourages staff members to take local board positions, a model she learned from her 11 years at the Children’s Home.

Mrs. Pietroski was the associate director when she left in September to lead the chamber.

“You always need a great team behind you and at the Children’s Home we had a senior management team and we were a very close-knit group, and I want to use the same strategy here — encourage all the young professionals to get involved,” she said.

She feels confident that the chamber and larger community will respond to the new vision.

“I have good backing from the board, I know the support is there and they want to help in any way they can,” she said.

“They’re letting me run with this role and I feel very fortunate with that.”

— Nancy Madsen

I

n a banking industry that can feel confusing and impersonal to clients, commercial loan officer Charles M. “Chuck” Capone II has worked to set himself apart by taking a personal approach to client relations.

In more than a decade working at Watertown Savings Bank, he said he considers it an advantage to get to know his clients Hometown: Evans Mills Professional Position: Commercial better than a competitor Loan Officer, Watertown Savings might.

Bank.

“It’s nice to see people’s family: Single. day-to-day character,” Mr. education: Associate degree, Jefferson Community College; bachelor’s Capone said.

As a part of his job, Mr. Ca- degree in business economics, SUNY Potsdam, 2000. pone works to help businesses community involvement: Member, gain lines of credit and secure Rotary International, Italian-American Civic Association, Fort Drum Regional loans.

“Good lending ensures peo- Liaison Organization, AUSA. last book read: “The Blind Side” by ple of the county have better Michael Lewis. options for their goods and services,” Mr. Capone said.

He started working as a part-time bank teller while he worked toward an associate’s degree at Jefferson Community College.

After finishing a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Potsdam in 2000, he began working in the bank’s commercial lending department.

Sitting in the bank’s office on Clinton Street, Mr. Capone reflected on what led him to stay in the community.

“I realized this was a good place with good people,” Mr. Capone said.

He said he’s learned a lot in collaborating with successful clients.

“Each customer has different attributes,” Mr. Capone said.

“You get experience, and see what people do as a professional.

Knowing people who have had success, you can pull from that.”

That kind of expertise has helped as he assists people he’s seen since he started as a teller.

“You see the customers from 10 years ago,” Mr. Capone said.

“They’re the same ones coming in today.”

Mr. Capone is optimistic about the prospect of local lending in the near future. He said his bank is still lending and looking for prospective loans from credit-worthy clients.

“There’s a lot of positive things out there, and as a lender, we’ll be there to assist them,” he said.

As for working to make his community a better place, Mr. Capone is an active member of Rotary International, the ItalianAmerican Civic Association and the Northern New York-Fort Drum Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.

— Gordon Block December 2011 | NNY Business

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Krystal A. Rupert, 32

Brian J. Wohnsiedler, 39

attorney & sole proprietor, rupert law firm

jefferson county soil and water conservation district

A

ttorney Krystal A. Rupert was the first female partner for the Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall law firm in Watertown and now has ventured out on her own, hanging out her shingle in Lowville.

After clerking at a civil law firm in Buffalo during college, Mrs. Rupert started as a law clerk at the Conboy firm in Hometown: Lowville 2004. She became an associate Professional Position: Sole proprietor, Rupert Law Firm, Lowville. attorney following being adfamily: Husband, Heath, a state mitted to the New York State trooper stationed in Carthage; two Bar and the United States children.

District Court for the Northeducation: Sackets Harbor Central School, 1997; bachelor’s degree, ern District of New York Bar in 2005 and was made partner Keuka College, 2001; juris doctorate, State University at Buffalo Law School, in January 2010.

2004.

She sees opening her own community involvement: Board of law practice as her greatdirectors, Carthage Area Chamber of est career achievement.

Commerce, Carthage Area Hospital Foundation and Lewis County ChamThe Lowville firm utilizes ber of Commerce. an associate attorney and a last book read: “What to Expect: legal secretary. Mrs. Rupert The Toddler Years” by Arlene Eisenfeels her practice impacts the berg, Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff and community by bringing more Sandee E. Hathaway. options for criminal defense, family court matters, divorce, landlord-tenant issues and guardianship. Personally, she hopes her involvement on boards and in community activities makes an impact. She connects to the community through participation or sponsorship of such events as Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival. She also is involved in Bar Association activities.

A believer in Karma, Mrs. Rupert lives by the words, “What goes around comes around,” She also believes you should be nice to others, should help others if you can and should always be careful what you say and how you say it.

Her mother, Nan Petrie, of Sackets Harbor, is her role model.

She admires her mother for being a young single mother who went to college to better her life and obtain a career. Mrs. Rupert said her mother has always supported her whether it was helping with the children or giving emotional support. Her mother also taught her to new let an opportunity pass you by and was very supportive in the opening of the Lowville firm.

The attorney feels although she had the benefit of learning to run a business first hand from her partners at Conboy, her business role model would be Renee L. Renzi who practices in family court in Jefferson and Lewis counties.

“She encouraged me to go out on my own and she makes it all look easy,” Mrs. Rupert said.

— Elaine M. Avallone

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NNY Business | December 2011

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rian J. Wohnsiedler has been the executive director of the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District for more than a decade. He has helped local farmers and agricultural organizations keep up with and understand ever-changing government regulations and requirements.

He credits his success to his family, “Especially my very Hometown: Carthage supportive wife of 10 years.”

Professional Position: Executive diHis extensive community rector, Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District. involvement and his interest family: Wife, Krista; children, Kaylen to serve the public also have J. Sullivan, 15, Keegan G. Wohnsebeen important factors. idler, 9, Ryenne E. Wohnseidler, 6.

“I’ve always had an interest education: Carthage Central School; in public service and the inNew York State Ranger School, Watrinsic rewards that keep you nakena; SUNY School of Environmental Science and Forestry. interested,” he said. “Almost community involvement: Member, everything we do has a net positive benefit. We’re usually Zoning Board of Appeals, town of Diana; chairman, Jefferson County Water there to solve a problem.”

Quality Coordinating Committee; vice And the Soil and Water chairman, St. Lawrence River WaterConservation District has shed Partnership; member, advisory board for the Venter for Community solved many problems. The Studies; treasurer, Black River St. Laworganization lead by Mr. Wohnsiedler has offered much rence Resource Development Council. last book read: “One Man’s Wilderhelp to the north country ness, an Alaskan Odyssey” by Sam agricultural community. Mr. Keith from the Journals and photoWohnsiedler said leading the graphs of Richard Proenneke. district to success took respect, integrity, decency and professional development.

“If you exemplify those qualities, then at the end of the day you’ll find success,” he said.

A strong and reputable character and some good advice to follow can go a long way. Mr. Wohnsiedler lives by words first uttered by a cricket wearing a top hat and holding a cane.

“I tell my kids all the time, ‘let your conscience be your guide’,” he said.

Living by those words has helped Mr. Wohnsiedler achieve many milestones in his career. He has helped his board grow the district, but most importantly, he said one of his biggest achievements is being one of the largest support systems for local farmers.

“They are my role models. The small farmers who are struggling to hold on to a family business,” Mr. Wohnsiedler said.

Mr. Wohnsiedler grew up watching his parents run a small family furniture business in Carthage. From this experience, Mr. Wohnsiedler learned to have a strong work ethic to succeed and also learned the importance of family.

“My father was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known, he was the least judgmental,” he said. “My wife and I are building a house on our own; it’s an old 1880s vintage barn. We also own a small sugar bush.”

—Sarah Haase

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

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Erika F. Flint, 30

Kyle R. Hafemann, 28

watertown urban mission

otter creek winery

orn in Lowville and raised in Croghan by her mother, Kathleen R. Bush, with the support of her extended family, Erika F. Flint has dedicated her professional career to assisting others in the north country to lead better lives.

She started her career in the nonprofit sector at the Children’s Home of Jefferson County, where she worked for five Hometown: Croghan years before she became Fort Professional Position: Executive Drum Regional Health Plandirector of the Watertown Urban Mission. ning Organization’s regional family: Husband, Travis J.; and recruitment project manager.

17-month-old son, Lukas B. “My professional career has education: Beaver River Central High been all about nonprofit work School, Beaver Falls, 1999; bachelor’s and helping others,” Mrs. Flint degree from SUNY Oswego and massaid. “I’ve always believed that ter’s degree in business administration it’s extremely important to give from University of Phoenix. back to the community.” community involvement: Boards of Her biggest accomplishments directors of WPBS, North Country Children’s Clinic, Samaritan Auxiliary, Jefmay seem small to others, Mrs. ferson County Community Services and Flint said, because it is the Watertown Local Development Corp.; achievement of those she has member, Watertown Noon Rotary and helped that makes her proud. the Greater Watertown Jaycees.

Mrs. Flint said she often tells last book read: “Winter Garden” by herself, “It is what it is.”

Kristin Hannah.

“You’ve got to do the very best you can but ultimately surrender at the end of the day,” Mrs. Flint said.

Although she works for a nonprofit, she always had with her an “entrepreneurial spirit” to successfully achieve her goals.

She was hired in February to lead the Watertown Urban Mission as its executive director and runs a tight ship to fulfill the needs of the less fortunate during the holiday season.

“I’m a big-picture person, not a micro-manager.” Mrs. Flint said about her management style.

She sets goals, provides her staff with information and support but allows people to work independently.

As a leader, she said, you always need to be willing to work as a team, be persistent and work extra hours.

But in the end, family comes first for Mrs. Flint.

“Community involvement is my hobby and we do it as a family,” she said, adding that her 17-month-old son, Lukas, has tagged along to many board meetings and fundraisers.

And Mrs. Flint believes she is able to better relate with people in the community because she is often seen with her family at such public events.

Her biggest influence in life is Lukas and her husband, Travis, and Mrs. Flint learns a lot from clients and fellow community leaders to do a better job for the Urban Mission.

“The best advice I’ve ever followed? Family comes first. And I manage my time in my family’s best interest,” she said.

— Jaegun Lee

K

yle R. Hafemann pauses briefly as he reaches for the name of someone who has been biggest role model in business.

That’s because he was something of a pioneer in the north country’s now-burgeoning wine-making industry when he started Otter Creek Winery in Philadelphia as a 22-yearold. With the exception of Thousand Islands Winery Hometown: Philadelphia owner Stephen J. Conaway in Professional Position: Owner, Otter Alexandria Bay, there were Creek Winery, Philadelphia; motor vehicle inspector, senior technician with few people around he could Kay & Associates Inc., Fort Drum. question about what he was family: Single. supposed to be doing. education: Four-year automotive engi“My parents thought I was neering degree, SUNY Morrisville. nuts, but they’ve always been community involvement: Board right there for me,” Mr. Hafeof directors, Jefferson County Farm mann said.

Bureau and Thousand Islands Seaway His parents have been his big- Wine Trail. last book read: “Where Have All the gest supporters and influences; his father, Rick, built the winery Leaders Gone?” by Lee Iacocca. building and his mother, Reggie, works there when she’s not teaching school. Mr. Hafemann has also surrounded himself with trusted workers he thinks of as family.

“I still try to run it like it’s one big family here,” he said. “I think you get more out of employees when they understand everything they’re doing. They come in, they know what to do and how to do it.”

Mr. Hafemann said the biggest achievement in his five-year career was overcoming an obstacle over which he had little control: “breaking through the system” and obtaining a state liquor license at such a young age, a process that took more than a year.

“Don’t ever think that you can’t do something and don’t be afraid to get out there and try something different,” he said are words he lives by.

Mr. Hafemann, who also works full-time as a motor vehicle inspector on Fort Drum, concedes there have been times when he has questioned whether his business would be a success, but said the best advice he ever got was to never give up.

“This business gets really overwhelming at times,” he said. “Sometimes I just want to run away, but you have to stick with it.”

He said community support, from his regular customers to neighbors who offer a wave as he drives by, made him realize that his endeavor is worthwhile.

“You’ve got to be willing to be out there, get your voice out there,” he said. “You have to be involved with boards, like I am with the Farm Bureau. You have to have a voice for agriculture.”

Mr. Hafemann said it is important to try to come up with fresh ideas and products for the winery.

“If it’s something we think we can do, we do it,” he said. “Not everything works, but if you have an idea, you might as well go out and make it work.”

— Brian Kelly December 2011 | NNY Business

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NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

Christine M. Cisco, 39

Reginald J. Schweitzer Jr., 34

rbc Wealth maNagemeNt

C

hristine M. Cisco understood money from childhood.

Mrs. Cisco, a vice president and financial adviser with RBC Wealth Management, Watertown, was taught about the value of money by her father, Thomas F. Hanley.

“When I was about seven, my dad taught me how to read the stock market pages — he keeps a ledger of his stocks and watch them rise and fall,” she said.

Hometown: Watertown He and his wife, Mary Anne, paid their daughters for Professional Position: Vice president and financial advisor with RBC extra chores they did; there Wealth Management, Watertown. was no weekly allowance. family: Husband, Brian L.; sons, Benja“I was paid $10 a time to min T., 11, and Andrew A., 9. mow the yard, so I would do education: Immaculate Heart Central School, 1990; bachelor’s degree in it three times a week,” Mrs. business administration, concentration Cisco said, laughing. “When we moved to Watertown, our in marketing and minor in fine arts, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, 1994; new house had over one acre licensed as a Certified Financial Planof land and I said that using ner since June 2009. a push-mower wasn’t fair community involvement: Member because it was too much work of Watertown Noon Rotary Club a total of 14 years, lifetime member and for the price. My father said, past president of Samaritan Auxiliary, ‘When this breaks, I’ll buy a past board member of Samaritan riding mower,’ and I just hap- Medical Center, Samaritan Keep pened to run over the dogs Home and Samaritan Foundation and leash soon afterward.” of the United Way. last book read: “The Help” by Mrs. Hanley pushed the three girls to reach high goals Kathryn Stockett. educationally.

“Her focus was always on the education,” Mrs. Cisco said.

“You can have all the financial sense in the world, but the education will help you get the career.”

After college Mrs. Cisco first worked as a marketing director for several credit unions, then as a financial adviser at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. and HSBC Bank USA. Recently, she joined RBC Wealth Management.

Mrs. Cisco’s biggest professional accomplishment was becoming a Certified Financial Planner, a license given after five classes and a passing grade on an exam through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

“The board holds Certified Financial Planners to a code of ethics,” she said. “When you’re dealing with a Certified Financial Planner, you’re getting the code of ethics requirement, which is a real standard — people can lose their certification.”

Mrs. Cisco also learned and now models community involvement in her family. Though much of her time is focused on planning, her favorite saying relates to unplanned events.

“A co-worker said this to me once and I love it — life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it,” Mrs. Cisco said. “If you stick to it every day, good things happen.”

— Nancy Madsen

24 | NNY Business | December 2011

R

Neighbors of WatertoWN maggie’s oN the river, chaumoNt hardWare

eginald J. Schweitzer Jr. has some simple advice for business success — work with, and surround yourself with, the right people.

He’s done that in both of his two main business endeavors outside of his day job as deputy director of Neighbors of Watertown Inc. It has worked for him as a co-owner of Maggie’s on the River restaurant and bar in Watertown Hometown: Chaumont and Chaumont Hardware, Mr. Professional Position: Deputy direcSchweitzer said. tor, Neighbors of Watertown Inc. since He has found that hard work, dedication and recogniz- 2007; co-owner, Maggie’s on the River and Chaumont Hardware. ing people you can trust in a family: Single. venture is a recipe for success. education: Lyme Central School, “If you find someone who Chaumont; associate degree in math and science, Jefferson Community Colyou can build a business lege, 1997; attended Florida Atlantic around, it doesn’t matter what University, Boca Raton, Fla. kind of business it is,” he said. community involvement: Building Most people in Watertown restoration with Neighbors; member, probably know of his work River Committee; various charitable with Neighbors. He’s helped work. the nonprofit organization relast book read: “The Constables” by Edith Pilcher. store some historic landmarks, including the $10 million renovation of the Franklin Building, and oversees a downtown facade improvement program that has resulted in several buildings along Public Square getting facelifts.

He first got involved in restoration work by fixing up about 10 old houses that he turned into apartments, some of which he retains as owner. Initially working as a maintenance worker at Neighbors for a few months, Mr. Schweitzer was first hired as a housing inspector for the organization. His experience flipping houses helped a great deal in that position, he recalled.

When he began at Neighbors in 2002, the organization had a staff of eight people and it has grown to today’s workforce of 25. Through the years, Mr. Schweitzer moved up the ladder while Neighbors grew as a player in redeveloping properties and running housing programs.

It was actually his experience becoming a landlord and property owner that led him to Maggie’s. About three years ago, he was talking to bankers about a loan for some property when they asked if he’d be interested in buying the restaurant that had been sitting idle.

He had never been involved in running a restaurant — not even waiting tables — but he and his partners said yes. It opened two years ago and employs about 60 people.

Mr. Schweitzer grew up on a 400-acre hay and grain farm in Chaumont, where his father, Reginald Sr., taught him about work ethic, he said.

“I don’t know if I could still keep up with him today,” he said.

He has also learned early on that you have to rely on others to be successful. “I recognize that I can’t do it all myself,” he said, noting that, “Anyone who’s never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

— Craig Fox

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

D

20UNDER40

Dr. Deanna L. Fuller, 32

Joseph R. Lawrence, 29

countryside veterinary hospital

cornell cooperative extension of lewis county

eanna L. Fuller doesn’t remember always wanting to be a veterinarian, but her mother does.

“I don’t remember this, but my mother does and I said I wanted to be a veterinarian,” said Dr. Fuller.

“I grew up on a beef farm, so I was always interested in doing large animal medicine.”

Dr. Fuller grew up in Hometown: Salesville, Ohio.

Professional Position: Veterinarian, Salesville, Ohio and credits Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lowville. her family farm’s veterinarfamily: Two cats, Harry and Roy. ian with mentoring her. The education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and doctorate in veterinary veterinarian had a small medicine from Ohio State University. practice that covered a large community involvement: Board area, but Dr. Fuller said he al- member, Lewis County Humane ways took the time to answer Society; member, Lewis County Animal Response Team, Cornell Cooperative her questions.

Extension Lewis County 4-H Program “Part of his impact on me Committee; teacher, 4-H Veterinary Sciwas that he was so caring for ence Program; Beef Quality Assurance Program with Cornell Cooperative his variety of clients,” she said. “To have that kind of an Extension; participated in the JR Beef BQA Program. impact, even for his short vis- last book read: “The Adventures of its, was amazing to me and I Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan want to follow that example.” Doyle.

Dr. Fuller earned a bachelor’s of science in agriculture and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University. She counts her acceptance at OSU as her biggest achievement because of the intense competition to get into veterinary school. Finding her way to New York seemed more like fate.

“It sounds corny. We were driving and they were showing me the area and we saw two rainbows. And I said that has to mean something,” she said.

Her practice includes small animals at the Countryside Animal Hospital. She volunteers at the Lewis County Animal Shelter, works with the county Animal Response Team and the Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Committee, leading the Horse Bowl Team to regional wins and sending youth to the state competition. She teaches a class that introduces kids to vet medicine and participates in a Beef Quality Assurance program to educate beef producers.

“Without the support of my family and all the people in the community where I grew up, I could never have attained my goals,” said Dr. Fuller. “It’s extremely important to me that I serve as a role model to others who have an interest in veterinary medicine and agriculture.”

—Tiffany Watts

G

rowing up on a Cape Vincent dairy farm, Joseph R. Lawrence early in life learned the value of hard work and achievement.

Now, Lewis County farmers and community members are benefitting from those lessons.

“I’ve always been driven to achieve more and do better,” said Mr. Lawrence, who has served as field crops educator Hometown: Martinsburg at Cornell Cooperative Exten- Professional Position: Field crops educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County for the sion of Lewis County. past four years. family: Wife, Kelli; son, Ben. In his youth, Mr. Lawrence education: Thousand Islands Central said his parents, Richard and School, Clayton, 2000; associate Sheila, would pay him only for degree, SUNY Canton; bachelor’s the work he did on the farm. degree, SUNY Cobleskill; master’s “I figured out pretty young degree, Cornell University, Ithaca. community involvement: Volunteer that if I wanted something, I for Lewis County Amateur Hockey had to work for it,” he said.

Association; writes agricultural column Mr. Lawrence said he also for weekly newspaper; assists with learned the value of teamFFA land judging event; works with work, which has served him local agriculture students on agronomy well in working with the training; member, Lewis County Water Lowville Extension office and Quality Coordinating Committee last book read: Agricultural periodiother farm agencies. cals, newspapers and magazines.

“I like to be a member of a team,” he said, adding that his niche has often been to “rally the troops” to take projects from the idea stage to organization and implementation.

Through his day job, the Martinsburg resident has a large impact on the community, particularly farmers, by providing technical resources and assistance on ways to increase crop yields and avoid problems caused by the weather, pests or other factors.

Earlier this year, Mr. Lawrence took his community education a step further by contributing a weekly agricultural column to the Lowville Journal and Republican.

Mr. Lawrence initially studied civil engineering technology during his two years at SUNY Canton. However, he credited the professor of his soil science class, technically an engineering course, with giving him flexibility to bring an agricultural aspect to his projects. That ultimately led him on his current career path.

“I certainly credit all three schools with giving me some direction,” said Mr. Lawrence, who also earned degrees from SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell University.

Mr. Lawrence said he enjoys working with high school students through agricultural classes and career days to make sure they are aware of all the career opportunities in his field. That also allows him to pass along the tenets of teamwork, continuing education and hard work to the next generation.

“If you want something, you need to earn it,” Mr. Lawrence said. “You can’t succeed if you don’t try.”

—Steve Virkler December 2011 | NNY Business

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NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

Leann I. West, 29

M. Andrew Short, 35

WLADIS LAW FIRM

SAMARItAn MeDIcAL centeR

L

eann I. West, a government relations specialist at the Wladis Law Firm in Syracuse, wants to give north country companies and communities a fighting chance when competing with other regions of New York for state grants and programs.

“I don’t want to take anyHometown: Henderson thing away from what the Professional Position: Government north country has done for relations specialist, Wladis Law Firm, itself, but at the same time, I Syracuse. family: Married, husband, Ryan. feel like it’s more and more education: Belleville-Henderson competitive every year for Central School, Belleville, 2000; funding for different projbachelor’s degree in French and global studies, St. Lawrence University, ects,” Mrs. West said.

Canton, 2004.

“If we don’t do something community involvement: Helped on different and go out and the airport marketing committee that advocate on our own behalf, the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce assembled; we’re going to be stuck.

Other communities have been road races to benefit different charities. last book read: “The Lincoln Lawyer” advocating any lobbying for

by Michael Connelly. themselves for a long time.

Wladis was one of the first firms to put a focus on this part of the state.”

She recently worked on the project to bring boat builder MetalCraft Marine to Clayton, she said. She also helped with the marketing committee for Watertown International Airport that the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce assembled.

“In my current position, my biggest accomplishment is building credibility,” she said. “It’s starting to pay off. We’re signing clients on up here, so now we’re looked at as a credible resource.

People know we can get things done. I think that’s been a really big achievement.”

Mrs. West bounced around in the beginning of her career, but has been at Wladis for the past year and a half. She started as a union organizer, went to work at a law office, then worked in international sales for Car-Freshner Corp.

A St. Lawrence University graduate, Mrs. West majored in global studies and French.

She’s satisfied with her job, even though it sometimes requires thick skin, particularly given the fact that she is a 29-year-old woman in a field that is dominated by older men.

“Thick skin means I don’t have to sit there and defend myself,” she said. “I think it’s more important to do what you say you’re going to do and prove yourself through your actions and not get caught up in the negativity.”

— Brian Amaral

26 || NNY NNY Business Business||December December2011 2011 26

M

. Andrew Short knows what it’s like to work from the bottom up.

He began his career at Samaritan Medical Center as a billing clerk in 1997 and transferred departments for three years before joining the information technology team. That was an unplanned move that Hometown: Gadsden, Ala. Mr. Short said has paid off.

Professional Position: Chief “I started out as a biller, Information Officer and Vice President basically printing and mailing of Information Services at Samaritan bills to insurance companies,” Medical Center. family: Daughters, Skylar P., 14, and he said. “They kept moving Kelsey A., 11; son, Charles M., 2. me to other jobs. I worked as a education: Associate degree in collector, but as a 21-year-old business administration from Jefferson guy I wasn’t very good at it.”

Community College in 1998 and a bachelor’s degree in business learning After taking a job in acand administration from SUNY Empire counts payable, becoming a State in 2000. staff accountant and a syscommunity involvement: Board of tems analyst, Mr. Short began Trustees, Samaritan Foundation, and is involved with Children’s Miracle to see his career evolve. In Network of Northern New York at 2006, he became the hospital’s Samaritan Medical Center. applications systems manager last book read: “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. and in 2009 he became the chief information officer.

“Like many kids in school, it’s tough knowing what you want to be when you grow up,” he said. “At one point I wanted to be in banking and a lawyer. I thought something from the finance side would be a good career. Then I thought I’d have fun in IT. It’s the future of where health care is changing.”

He said he has his boss, his biggest professional inspiration — Samaritan CFO Paul A. Kraeger — to thank.

“It was his pushing me in different areas where he saw my ability matching up with the task at hand,” Mr. Short said.

He said his career continues to evolve at Samaritan, as technology is rapidly changing. Mr. Short said when he first worked in the billing department 14 years ago he made paper copies of bills. He didn’t get a work computer until nearly a year into his employment.

“Now, [most] of our bills are electronic,” he said. “The transfer of information, the amount of information we collect and what our caregivers need to make decisions on is just mind boggling.

We’re trying to take an industry that was for a long time on paper and make it online in five years. It’s incredibly scary.”

No matter how busy or challenging work can be, Mr. Short said he lives by words of his father: Always make sure to take time away from work. He does so by golfing, riding his bicycle and downhill skiing, among other physical activities.

“Never let work consume you,” he said.

— Rebecca Madden

NORTHeRN New yORk’s emeRgiNg leadeRs

Jenny D., 33, and Brian A., 38, Walker

Zachary K. Chapman, 37 massena memorial hospital

1844 house

F

ive years ago Jenny D. Walker and her husband, Brian A., were looking to buy real estate in the Adirondacks, but instead walked away with keys to a Potsdam restaurant.

The culinary couple has worked hard since establishing the 1844 House, 6885 State Route 11, as one of the highest-quality restaurants in the region.

The Walkers want guests to Hometown: West Potsdam leave the 1844 House — which Professional Position: Brian: Executhey describe as “an American tive chef, Jenny: Dining room manager, bistro” — feeling like they’ve the 1844 House, Potsdam had a special experience. family: Daughters, Savannah, 8, Summer, 6, and Ella, 4.

“We treat our staff and our education: Brian: Culinary Institute guests like we treat our family,” of America, Hyde Park, and the Art said Mr. Walker. “When people Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Jenny: New come here it’s like we’re welcomEngland Culinary Institute, Essex, Vt. ing them into our living room.” community involvement: Garden Mrs. Walker grew up in Share, North Country Grown CooperDickinson Center, Franklin ative, St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Community Performance Series, County, while Mr. Walker was raised in Sarasota, Fla. The two Traditional Arts in St. Lawrence County met 15 years ago while working and St. Mary’s School, Canton. at a resort in Longboat Key, Fla. Mr. Walker serves as executive chef for 1844 House and was trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Mrs. Walker is the dining room manager. She graduated from New England Culinary Institute, Essex, Vt. Before settling in Potsdam, they worked for catering companies and upscale restaurants in both Lake Placid and Florida, traveling back and forth for several years.

“We were young snowbirds,” Mr. Walker said.

The Walkers credit Ed and Lisa Weibrecht, owners of the Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, with teaching them the value of providing customers with exceptional hospitality.

“They instilled a sense of true hospitality. They held you to a standard,” Mrs. Walker recalled.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker are passionate about cooking with fresh, locally-grown meats, produce and cheese as much as possible.

Their bread is baked at the Potsdam Food Cooperative.

“Nothing here is pre-made, not even a crouton,” Mr. Walker said.

“For us it’s about finding fresh local parsnips and turning them into a creamy soup with toasted hazelnuts.”

Besides offering an enticing menu, the couple focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere.

“We are a chef-owned and operated restaurant, which is completely different from an entrepreneur-owned restaurant,” Mr. Walker said. “For us, it’s all about the quality of the food. It’s the cooking that makes us want to come to work every day.”

The couple also makes financial contributions to several community organizations, as well as donating their time and energy to causes they believe in.

— Susan Mende

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T

he senior director for physician practices at Massena Memorial Hospital says self-motivation helped him get where he is in life.

Zachary K. Chapman said he wanted to work with others to better himself and his community at large.

“I wanted to blend my skills with other people’s skills to make health care more accessible Hometown: Watertown and quality-driven,” said Mr. Chapman, who arrived at Mas- Professional Position: Senior director for physician practices, Massena sena Memorial Hospital in May Memorial Hospital. from Carthage Area Hospital. family: Wife, Torri; sons, Joshua and Mr. Chapman’s grandfather Terry. has had the biggest influence education: Immaculate Heart Central; on his life. He promoted educa- bachelor’s degree in business administion, working hard to take care tration; master’s degree in health care of the family and making good administration. community involvement: Habitat business decisions. for Humanity, the American Heart Jack Welch, a president and Walk, Chamber of Commerce and CEO at General Electric, also Northern New York Rural Health Care inspired him, he said.

Development.

Mr. Chapman holds a bache- last book read: “An Inconvenient lor’s degree in business admin- Truth” by Al Gore. istration, a master’s degree in health care administration, and was one of only 29 people selected to take part in an 18-month fellowship program called “Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders.” The program is a collaborative initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Center for Creative Leadership, which aims to enhance the leadership capacity of community-based nonprofit health organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Mr. Chapman has worked to map out projects to better serve the medical needs of local communities. Before acting on them, though, he said he takes the time to think the ideas through.

“It’s sitting down with paper and pen and putting down the pros and cons, basically crossing out each other to see if it’s a solid decision or not,” he said.

That paper-and-pen process was put into action when he was comanager and part-time executive director of a start-up urgent care facility in the Lowville area. Mr. Chapman developed a business plan and secured financing for a facility that’s now in its third year of operation.

While at Carthage, he helped develop clinics to bring more services to the hospital and increase accessibility for people.

Building and maintaining a cohesive relationship with his staff is also important to Mr. Chapman.

“My philosophy — and I say it to my staff — is I would never ask you to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”

And the other part of that philosophy is what carries him from day to day, he said, “Never settle, always achieve and accomplish what you know you can do.”

— Bob Beckstead December 2011 | NNY Business

| 27

REGION

The ‘Eagle’ has landed

n North country celebrates jet service connecting to Chicago

By NaNcy MadseN

A

NNY Business

merican Eagle Airlines’ direct service from Jefferson County to Chicago gives hope for easy travel for business travelers and economic growth for the region.

American Eagle began flying 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 aircraft between Watertown International Airport, Dexter, and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Nov. 17.

The air service to Chicago provides many businesses with expanded national and international travel options. The aircraft are much larger than the nine-seat planes Cape Air flew from Albany to Watertown and back.

“I could see how it will assist companies that do international travel,” said David J. Malone, chairman of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors. “Travelers will save on parking cost compared to other New York airports and for businesses to have the travel option right out of Watertown makes it very convenient.”

During the winter, the local airport will enable travelers to avoid driving through lake effect snow bands that frequently cause treacherous travel on Interstate 81 between Watertown and Syracuse.

“Stebbins (Engineering) has a number of vendors in the Chicago area and this service will really assist us in streamlining our travel and minimizing the cost with vendors,” Mr. Malone, who works at Stebbins, said. “Also, because of the Chicago connection, we’re also looking at options to travel into South America and Canada and the western states because we expect it to be a lot more cost-effective.”

Other businesses with international accounts have said the new service will shorten travel time and ease global travel.

For personal travel, Mr. Malone booked a three-person trip to San Diego through Chicago that cost less than $1,000.

“It was extremely cost-effective,” he said.

The county has high hopes that the new service will encourage personal, business and military travel directly from the county and attract new businesses and grow others.

28 | NNY Business | December 2011

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

Jefferson County Administrator Robert F. Hagemann III addresses a packed hangar on Nov. 17 at Jefferson County International Airport. American Eagle began jet service between Watertown and Chicago last month.

“It adds job opportunities and opportunities for other planes and private jets,” said Mary Anne Hanley, marketing manager for the Jefferson County Job Development Corp. “It opens up some more doors for us in the way of transportation, getting executives or sales people back and forth.”

The corporation’s sister organization, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, has bought property near the airport to begin a business or industrial park.

“The jet service will be a benefit for logistics for products getting in and out for manufacturers,” Mrs. Hanley said.

When the county is approached by site selectors for businesses, the Chicago flight service will be a plus, she said.

“American Eagle has been very receptive to expansion and to working with the community to increase their business and our business,” she said.

The service was greeted Nov. 17 by about 125 local businessmen, Jefferson County officials and residents.

“The eagle is about to land,” said Jefferson County Legislature Chairwoman Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, R-Watertown. “We know we had two other airlines before and we thank them for getting us off the

ground, but we went searching and they found us.”

American Eagle will receive $3,047,972 annually through a federal Department of Transportation Essential Air Service contract for 12 weekly flights each way. County officials have hoped that larger planes with a connection to a major hub will push the airport over 10,000 boarding passengers, qualifying it for a larger annual subsidy from the Federal Aviation Administration and making it at least self-sufficient.

“This is a very exciting day,” said Gary D. Foss, vice president of planning and marketing with American Airlines Regional Network. “You are not getting just a flight to Chicago, but we provide connections with other airlines around the world under the name One World Alliance.”

American Eagle, Fort Worth, Texas, has 1,700 daily departures from 180 airports. It is the regional service partner of American Airlines.

“It is very true how we’ve said there are very community spirit-minded people here,” he said. “People really want to make it successful.”

The chamber and JCJDC worked with Jefferson County on selling the new

REGION service to area businesses, Canadian travelers and tourists to the Thousand Islands region.

The airline offers corporate rates and benefits, on top of lower introductory and military rates. American Eagle officials touted the airline’s partnership with the USO, free upgrades for soldiers and other military perks and programs.

About 30 people took advantage of the first flight out.

Brett Hooyerink, in advertising and international marketing with American Airlines Regional Network, said bookings

started off slowly, but have picked up.

“We started advertising in the market a couple of weeks ago and it started looking up,” Mr. Hooyerink said. “But when we get to the holidays, a couple days around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, the flights are booked to capacity both in and out.”

Flights from Watertown leave at 7:10 a.m. for an 8:55 a.m. arrival at O’Hare, every day except Sunday, and at 5:05 p.m. for a 6:45 p.m. arrival at O’Hare, every day except Saturday. Flights from Chicago leave at 1:30 p.m. for a 4:25 p.m. arrival in

Watertown, every day except Sunday, and at 6:30 p.m. for a 9:30 p.m. arrival, every day except Saturday.

Tickets are available through travel agents and the American Airlines website, among others. Watertown airport’s call letters are ART, while O’Hare’s are ORD. “I am grateful and excited at the wonderful opportunity to welcome American Eagle to Jefferson County and Watertown International Airport,” said Lynn M. Pietroski, president and CEO of the chamber. “We hope this will attract more tourism and, in turn, bring more business to the surrounding area.”

December 2011 | NNY Business

| 29

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entrepren eurs

NNY innovator aims to ease e-commerce n Beesavy.com ‘takes the sting out of online shopping’

By STEVE VIRKLER

A NNY Business

north country man has launched a website intended to make online shopping easier and less expensive.

“You don’t have to go to multiple sites to buy what you want to buy,” said Robert E. Honer, the founder of Beesavy. com. Mr. Honer, an Adams resident and Lewis County native, has spent the past Honer decade working in the enterprise software business, selling advanced planning systems to Fortune 500 companies.

The website venture, including 21 months of development split between teams in San Diego, Calif., and India, stemmed from a desire to simplify online shopping and, given the stagnant economy, help shoppers save money, he said.

The project was also attractive because, unlike his day job, it offered the potential for a large volume of users and no need for technical education, Mr. Honer said.

“It’s the opposite of what I do in my job,” he said.

The site offers links to nearly 2,000 online retailers and will search for the lowest prices on any item, figuring in any available discounts, along with sales tax and shipping costs.

“We got just about all the big boys signed up first,” Mr. Honer said.

The retailers also pay a percentage commission, which varies by the store and even the day, to Beesavy.com for sending shoppers their way, he said.

30 | NNY Business | December 2011

e nt r epreneurs

Half of that commission is paid back to the shopper, provided he or she is a registered Beesavy.com user, while the other half goes to members of his referral chain. The person who refers the shopper directly gets 40 percent of the referral pot, while those going back from two to seven referral levels get 10 percent each.

“It’s no investment, and people don’t have to tell anybody,” Mr. Honer said.

However, the site does offer several methods, including email, Facebook and Twitter messages, to advertise the site and seek referrals, he said.

“We’ve added a social media concept to it,” Mr. Honer said.

The site had 577 registered users at the end of October, and more than 1,000 are projected by the end of this month, he said.

“It’s an easy sell, because it’s not a sale.” Mr. Honer said.

Cash-back totals may be claimed by check or PayPal or donated to several major charities.

People may also choose to use the site as a side business, with brochures, business cards and other such products available for purchase, and free Internet ads for Beesavy.com may be placed on websites or blogs to “monetize” them, Mr. Honer said.

Churches, schools and other charities could also use the site for fundraisers by referring people to it, he said.

While on-site advertising and undistributed cash-back payments provide some revenue for the site, Mr. Honer said the project was more of an effort to create a shopping site he would like to use than a massive money-making venture.

“And I would like nothing better than if local people would make money,” he said.

Mr. Honer, a Beaver River Central School graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University, Potsdam, in 1998 and a master’s degree from Syracuse University in 2000. He lives in Adams with his wife, Rebekah. n Steve Virkler is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer. Contact him at svirkler@wdt.net or 3763811.

December 2011 | NNY Business

| 31

SMALL BUSINESS

In step with technology

n Howard Orthotics fits Drum soldier with first-in-state BiOM

By Joleene DesRosieRs

I

NNY Business

t was a big day for 22-year-old Army Spc. Matthew Hayes. For the past several months, he has been working with Roger Howard of Howard Orthotics and Prosthetics, Watertown, to get fitted with what is known as a BiOM ankle and foot: the first bionic lower leg system created to replace lost muscle function normally and naturally.

A Fort Drum soldier originally from Michigan, Spc. Hayes lost his lower right leg while overseas.

“I was on a mission in Northern Afghanistan and I stepped on an anti-personnel mine, which pretty much shredded my right leg and did some damage to the left. They had to amputate it,” he said.

That meant big changes for the soldier. He imagined he would spend the rest of his days “dragging around a prosthetic,” as he put it. But thanks to Mr. Howard, Spc. Hayes will be walking very closely to the way he did before he lost his lower leg.

“The BiOM foot is changing everything in the name of prosthetics,” Mr. Howard said.

“The foot actually propels the amputee to activate the ankle portion of the unit.

The ankle is able to think for itself. It’s been proven that the ankle normalizes the energy expended by an amputee as compared to a normal ablebodied individual. Typically, an amputee will spend two to three times more energy just to walk. But not anymore, not with the BiOM foot.”

The entire unit is powered by several microprocessors, which are brought to life through a battery pack. Just as a cell

32 |

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

Roger R. Howard, Howard Orthotics, Watertown, tightens Army Spc. Matthew Hayes’ biometric foot as he recieves the first one of its kind in upstate New York last month. Spc. Hayes lost his leg in Afghanistan, and the new batteryoperated prosthetic acts much like a regular foot.

phone needs charging regularly, so do the battery packs. As Mr. Howard fits the carefully designed foot onto the soldier, he describes the significant difference between his old prosthetic and the BiOM. “On the BiOM it feels like I’m walking again,” Spc. Hayes explained. “I feel like I have more of something to balance myself on. I kind of drag the other one around. This one I don’t drag at all. I just take a step and it pushes me forward and I feel like I’m actually walking. When I first got onto a prosthetic, I thought learning how to walk

NNY Business | December 2011

would be like learning how to ride a bike again. But that wasn’t the case. Yet with this new foot, it seems much easier to get back into what feels like me walking again.”

The bionic units are designed by iWalk in Massachusetts.

Sean Sweeny, the regional director of iWalk, says the BiOM is the first in a series of products that will emulate or even augment physiological function through electromechanical replacement. Mr. Sweeny looks on as Mr. Howard fits Spc. Hayes with the foot.

“When he says it’s easier for

him to walk with the new foot it’s because the BiOM is recreating the power,” Mr. Sweeny explained. “When he said he was dragging his prosthesis along, that’s essentially what he was doing. He was relying on that prosthesis, but it wasn’t creating energy for him. The new foot is a passive prosthetic that is actually creating the energy he needs to walk normally.”

Mr. Howard is the first certified prosthetist-orthotist to fit the BiOM on an amputee in Upstate New York and is proud to be. He is excited about the new opportunity his office offers. Mr. Howard’s first experience with a BiOM unit brought him to Washington, D.C., where a Fort Drum soldier was learning to walk again after a similar accident.

“I went to the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center to assist with a project study for a microprocessor knee about a year and a half ago,” he said.

“We worked well facilitating a solider here at Fort Drum during the study. It’s allowed the soldier to come to our office for adjustments as opposed to going out of state and spending all sorts of money to get there.”

Having a local location is a huge benefit for soldiers and other amputees. Travel is no longer an issue, as Howard Orthotic and Prosthetics is now certified to take care of wounded warriors with the latest technology at the office in Watertown. The commercialization of true bionic products by iWalk in continuing, and Mr. Howard is ready and willing to lead his patients by way of the bionic systems.

For more information on BiOM, visit www.iwalk.com. n JOLEENE DES ROSIERS is a freelance writer and public speaker who lives in Pulaski. Contact her at myddes@hotmail.com.

BUSINESS tEch

’Tis the season for tech gadgets

By JILL Van Hoesen

S

NNY Business Tech Columnist

ometimes techies can be the hardest people to buy for. Not only are they very particular about their gadgets but they do seem to already have the latest “thing”.

This year you will find that technological gifts come in all shapes and sizes; here are a few great gift ideas to assist in your quest for the perfect “geek gift.”

ture Windows based laptop but an easy to use web based laptop.

FoR thE iFAN

The Pioneer Appradio (starting at $399) is not a Pioneer car radio you are familiar with. The Pioneer Appradio is really an iPod Touch and iPhone accessory. The Appradio is also designed to act as a regular radio, with an AM/FM tuner, as well as

the usual smartphone bells and whistles, like hands-free calling and iPod playback.

The standout feature of the Appradio is its ability to interface with any iOS device it is connected to acting as an external display on its 6.1” capacitive touchscreen. iLuv Creative Technology has numerous innovative gadgets for the IPad 2. It’s iSP210 iLuv Portable Speaker (starting at $60) comes complete with built in vol-

REPLACING AN AGING LAPtoP?

The future is in the tablet and if you are Mac user the choice is simple – Apple Ipad 2 (starting at $499) is still the best tablet computer available. It comes available in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and cellular for both Verizon and AT&T networks. It is has the most apps available and the easiest interface to master.

The one flaw that can be found is that it still will not play nicely with Adobe Flash which will cause some websites to not load correctly.

This is where the Android-based tablets have found a niche. The Samsung Galaxy Tab (starting at $500) available in both 10.1 and 8.9 inch versions is light, fast and wellbuilt with plenty of Android app options.

The Lenovo ThinkPad (starting at $499) is a great business option with tons of business-focused apps and an optional pen with digitizer, a keyboard/stand complete with the Thinkpad “nub” which can be used for mouse navigation on a tablet, this ThinkPad can prove to be a solid business investment.

The Toshiba Thrive (starting at $400) boasts the same Android 3.1 Honeycomb as the Lenovo and Galaxy and USB and SD port options not available with the Galaxy, but seems to act and feel like a giant smartphone even with the 16.9 inch screen.

Another option if you were thinking laptop replacement is the Chromebook — (starting at $349). The Chromebook is geared toward your tech savvy early adopter. This innovative computer boasts speed and simplicity. It will boot in eight seconds, resumes from sleep instantly and has more than 8 hours of battery life.

Presently being manufactured by Samsung and Acer, the 11.6-inch screen from Acer is available in Wi-Fi only, while the Samsung has a larger 12.1-inch screen and available with Wi-Fi only (starting at $429) and Wi-Fi and 3G connections (starting at $499). Just remember this is not a full feaDecember 2011 | NNY Business

| 33

BUSINESS tEch ume knob and two speakers.

If your iFan has all the iDevices than the iLuv iMM747 Speaker Deck (starting at $150) would be a great gift selection, as it is designed to work with IPads, IPhones and IPods in any style or flavor.

For the Geekiest oF All

Touch Tec Gloves for Tablets — Touch Tec’s patented technology puts fibers that mimic human skin into gloves. This means you will not have to remove your gloves to use your touchscreen. Several manufacturers have signed on to include Burton, Fownes Brothers, Gaspar, and Cletek.

Look for gloves that have the Touch Tec branding, prices will vary.

Speaking of keyboards the Celluon LaserKey CL50 (starting at $197) is a portable keyboard that can be projected onto all flat surfaces.

Check before you buy as it does not work well with all

34 |

NNY Business | December 2011

mobile platforms but is undoubtedly a pretty unique gift!

For a note-taking gadget even smaller than a tablet, look to the Livescribe Echo Smartpen (starting at $169). The Echo will record audio while you write! Be sure to check out the Livescribe app store for even more features like language dictionaries and games.

For your Bluetooth wearer, Looxcie has created a wearable Bluetooth camcorder (starting at $180), just hit the button and you’ll have 30 seconds of constant video.

For the lAst-minute shopper

Accessories will always make the

perfect gift. Should you know the cell phone make and model, numerous accessories can be found for under $30.

A fancy case, FM transmitter or even a screen protector are just some of the items you are sure to find plentiful selections of. Also keep in mind tablets, like smartphones, beg to be accessorized with keyboards and cases in your recipient’s unique style.

Technology is a superb choice when considering what to purchase this holiday season. There are selections sure to please everyone, from tech-savvy to the most technologically challenged person on your list this season.

r e a l e s tat e r o u n d u p

Staging a home for a good sale

E

ach day, the Board of Realtors receives calls from its members and the public. A few weeks ago, Santa Clause called. Being a magical figure, he talks “house” and had been contacted by a local home that had some concerns.

The house knows its owners are getting older, want to downsize, and want to get a good price. Santa told the house that he would contact me to write a column for potential sellers. I asked various real estate professionals for advice.

Brenda Malone of Coldwell Banker Rimada Realty suggests painting rooms neutral colors especially if they are purple, red, orange, etc., de-cluttering kitchen counter tops and the front of the fridge, packing up knick knacks (“less is more”), keeping rooms simple and clean, and making sure your home doesn’t have unpleasant odors from pets and smoking.

Jenn Dindl-Neff of Humes Realty and Appraisal Service LLC urges sellers to check nnymls.com or slcmls.com to see what area homes are selling for and then meet with their Realtor to price it right.

Ask if the home meets the minimum standards for a Veteran’s Administration or Federal Housing Administration loan as these are popular.

Les Henry of Thousand Islands Realty notes that while curb appeal is important, it is difficult to make changes to the exterior in colder weather. However, it is a great time to tackle inside improvements that will help out when you want to list. If you have old wallpaper, it might be worth the work to remove it. Little things can make

a big difference; he suggests fixing a sink that has rust or hard water stains and ceilings that have cracks from bathroom leaks.

Beth Hopkins of Lake Ontario Realty suggests Lance Evans that owners think about adding some features that would accommodate the handicapped, which helps resale value.

Melanie Curley of Thousand Islands Realty suggests walking around the house with a critical eye and thinking like a buyer. Pretend this is a home that you are thinking about purchasing. Look at the window and door frames and apply a fresh coat of paint to make the room look fresh and clean. Check the grout between tiles and if it is worn, stained, or cracked put new grout down. Scrub the showers and tubs with “Magic Erasers.” Winter is a great time to clean out the basement and the attic and get rid of things you don’t need. If your appliances are shabby and worn or outdated, you may want to purchase new ones as kitchens and appliances help to sell homes. As it gets closer to spring, start thinking about your landscaping, and put fresh mulch and flowers in all the gardens.

Patrick Henry of Peebles Realty reminds sellers that houses sell year-round.

Winter has lower inventory and there is

usually a more motivated buyer. As the saying goes, “If your hook is not in the water then you can’t catch the fish.”

Finally, ask a Realtor for other ideas on ways to sell your home faster. n n n Each year, the New York State Association of Realtors accepts nominations for its Realtors Honor Society. Nominations are based on involvement on the local, state and national levels. Local 2011 inductees are Walter Christensen, Christensen RealtyUSA, Patrick Henry, Peebles Realty, Michael Kassian, Kassian Real Estate, Karen Peebles, Peebles Realty, Korleen Spilman, Century 21 Millennium Realty, and Jennifer Stevenson, Blue Heron Realty. n n n The Tri-County Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors inducted its officers for 2012 on Nov. 30. The new president is Lisa L’Huillier, Hefferon Real Estate, with Vickie Staie, Staie on the Seaway, as president-elect, Janet Handschuh, Heart Homes, as vice president of membership, Charles Ruggiero, Hefferon Real Estate, as secretary, and David Barron, Husky Properties, as treasurer. n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. He has lived in the north country since 1985. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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Watertown Local Development Corporation (WLDC) 82 Public Square Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315.786.3494 Fax: 315.786.3495 email: don@watertownldc.com December 2011 | NNY Business

| 35

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s t. l aw r e n c e c o u n t y The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County clerk’s office:

Oct. 5

n Town of Oswegatchie: Parcel 1) 8.82 acres

more or less, Parcel 2) 0.93 of an acre more or less, both Parcels bounded by Riverside Drive, Manuel C. and Sally F. Palao, Ogdensburg, sold to Long Tan, Beaverton, Ore., $600,000

n Town of Norfolk: 47.90 acres more or less, bounded by Brouse Road, Alice L. Haig, Massena, sold to James and Jane Sebastian, Massena, $35,000 n Village of Massena: Unknown acres, being

a part of Lot 6 in Block 36, bounded by Belmont Street, Wendell L. Perry, Woodburn, Ore., sold to Paul L. and Tara J. Bestor, Roanoke, Ind., $45,000

n Town of Lisbon: 50.4 acres more or less, being a part of Lot 3, bounded by Pray Road and Bouke Road, Patricia A. Burwell, Lisbon, sold to Christopher Murphy, Ogdensburg, $30,000 n Village of Massena: Unknown acres, situate in Block 30, bounded by Liberty Avenue and Ober Street, Massena Savings and Loan, Massena, sold to Luke A. Irwin, Brasher Falls, $39,000

Oct. 3

n Town of Macomb: Unknown acres, bounded

Oct. 4

n Town of Brasher: 0.39 of an acre more or less, being a part of Lot 21, bounded by St. Lawrence County Route 53, Joseph and Sharleen Gallo, Brasher Falls, sold to Kevin J. Weller and Sally K. Mulvana, Brasher Falls, $35,000

by Mud Bay and Pleasant Lake, Carl G. and Sandra S. Weed, Weedsport, sold to Daniel M. Russo Jr. and Susan M. Russo, Clinton, Ohio, $67,100

n Town of Louisville: 0.49 of an acre more or less, being a portion of Balch Acres Section 1, Sandra A. Gale, Bombay, sold to Diana M. Dow and Lawrence E. Clark, Massena, $78,000 n City of Ogdensburg: 3 Parcels, unknown acres, all Parcels being a part of Lot 8 in Block 21 and bounded by Ford Street, Douglas G. Sholette, Ogdensburg, sold to Ethan D. and Ju-

NNY REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY “W e of my call me or on results.” st be r fo ts agen

36 | NNY Business | December 2011

n Village of Norwood: Unknown acres, bounded by Mechanic Street, Daniel J. Colbert, Norwood, sold to Joshua C. Gilson and Jeffrey L. Gilson, Canton, $34,000

n Town of Piercefield: Unknown acres, situate in Town Lot 38 in Township 3, bounded by Eagle Crag Lake, Anne M. Gordon, Bethesda, Md., sold to Daniel Muccia and Theresa DeSalvio, Glen Ridge, N.J., $187,000

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n Town of Parcel: 1) 32 77/100 acres more or less, Parcel 2) 3.10 acres more or less, Parcel 3) 3.21 acres more or less, all Parcels are bounded by Adams Road, Brothers’ Lumber and Millworks Inc., Norwood, sold to Phillip Brothers and Lynn Brothers, Madrid, and Brothers Firewood LLC., Brasher Falls, $86,500 n Town of DePeyster: 3.49 acres more or less,

bounded by East Road, Andrew A. and Amanda Fenton, Heuvelton, sold to Jillian A. Woodward, Heuvelton, $38,000

n Town of Pierrepont: Unknown acres, situate

in Lot 3, bounded by Cross Road and Church Road, Lawrence A. and Brenda M. Martin, Potsdam, sold to Lei Wu and Jie Li, Potsdam, $180,000

n Town of Oswegatchie: 0.26 of an acre more or less, being a part of Lot 9, bounded by Bloodough Road, Richard L. and Pamela A. Gilbert, Ogdensburg, sold to James Fred Cornish, Hammond, and Devan James Cornish, Naples, $57,000 n Town of Massena: 3.77 acres more or less, bounded by North Raquette River Road, Karl M. and Lanette R. Butz, Massena, sold to Weichert Relocation Resources Inc., Morris Plains, N.J., $255,000 n Town of Massena: 3.77 acres more or

less, bounded by North Raquette River Road, Weichert Relocation Resources Inc., Morris Plains, N.J., sold to Thomas J. and Erin N. Carter, Massena and Walter Wercholak, Massena, $244,450

$2,086,050 County real estate sales recorded over three-day period, Oct. 3-5, 2011

R e a l e s tat e / l e W I s c o u n t y The following property sales were recorded in the Lewis County clerk’s office:

Oct. 21

n Village of Copenhagen: 10016 State Route 12, Morris Lucia sold to Arion A. Vincent, $112,000.

Oct. 20

n Town of Pinckney: Parcel on Denning Road, Donald Gregory sold to Joel T. Smith, $20,000.

Oct. 19

n Town of New Bremen: Parcel on Adams Hill Road, Ronald Deem sold to Matthew E. Bush, $6,000.

Oct. 18

n Town of Leyden: Parcel on Muha Road, Terrence Holt sold to Andrea L. Reppard, $36,000.

Jackson sold to Matthew L. Kohler, $156,000.

Oct. 4

n Town of New Bremen: 8597 Devines Road, Jacqueline A. Queen sold to Richard A. Beehm II, $260,000.

n Village of Copenhagen: 9728 High St., Lawrence G. Woodruff sold to Joanna C. Nickel, $196,000.

Oct. 5

n Village of Copenhagen: 9835 Maple Ave., Theodore Micek sold to Chadler G. Fisk, $124,000.

n Town of Diana: Parcel on State Route 3, Pamela Lozo sold to Todd A. Lozo, $4,500. n Town of Lowville: Parcel on Rice Road, Sophie M. Zubrzycki sold to Jacob M. Stoltzfus, $75,000. n Village of Lyons Falls: 6965 Laura St., Rick Cartwright sold to Holly L. LaFountain, $78,000. n Town of Watson: 6626 Erie Canal Road, Isabel M. Gascoigne sold to Donald C. Musnicki, $25,000.

Oct. 3

n Town of Watson: 6693 River Road, Gregory E. Widrick sold to Brian H. Taube, $91,700.

$2,049,650 County real estate sales recorded over 19-day period, Oct. 3-21, 2011

Oct. 17

n Town of Diana: 7495 Cassie Circle, St. Rita Oratory sold to Timothy J. Bura, $72,600. n Town of Montague: Parcel on Pitcher Road, Lee Northrup sold to Bruce D. Williams, $5,500. n Town of Pinckney: 279 State Route 177, Creekside Convenience Store sold to Colleen’s Creekside Inc., $200,000.

Oct. 14

n Village of Castorland: 9648 Elm Street, Fredy Caballero sold to Jacob L. Sullivan, $80,000. n Village of Harrisville: 14344 Pearl St., Lewis County sold to Rushton Dowling, $500. n Village of Lowville: 5350 Clinton St., Ruth G. Stewart sold to Laurie B. Pendergraft, $91,000. n Town of Watson: 6676 Pine Grove Road, Dean M. Smith sold to Roger L. Cobb, $74,460.

Oct. 13

n Town of Montague: 1720 Gardner Road, Samuel C. Bolton sold to Gordon J. Belair Jr., $119,000. n Town of West Turin: 3645 Smith Road, Thomas E. Davis sold to David Carey, $16,000.

Oct. 12

n Town of Croghan: Parcel on Third Road, 2096 Dennis LLC sold to Stacy L. Greaud, $35,640. n Town of Greig: 5333 North South Road, Elizabeth A. Spencer sold to Anthony T. Fraietta, $35,000. n Town of Harrisburg: Parcel on Woodbattle Road, Becky McNulty sold to Brian J. Dykeman, $3,300. n Town of Turin: Parcel on Johnson Road, Gerald R. Reed sold to Todd Ossont, $8,000.

Oct. 11

n Town of New Bremen: 9725 State Route 126A, Landmark Investors Group sold to Russell J. Prashaw, $22,500.

Oct. 10

n Town of Leyden: Parcel on Canal Street, Terry Newvine sold to Gerald W. Schaffner, $10,000.

Oct. 7

n Village of Harrisville: 8264 Locust St., Ruby Lavancha Estate sold to Lisa Hewitt, $38,450. n Town of Osceola: 1260 Milk Road, Keith R. Fletcher sold to Douglas Hinchey, $53,500.

Oct. 6

n Village of Lowville: 7726 Dewitt St., William B.

December 2011 | NNY Business

| 37

E c o n o m i c a l ly s p E a k i n g

Sieze the moment in development

W

hen, in late 1983, discussions began in earnest about the expansion of Fort Drum to house the newly reconstituted 10th Mountain Division, the anticipation of a rebirth of economic activity was palpable.

Many immediately grasped the incredible significance of what changes for the good this community was about to undergo. Looking back now over more than two decades, not only was that promise fulfilled but exceeded beyond our wildest expectations.

From a sleepy little community on the northern fringes on the state, we have become a brightly-burning cauldron thanks to Fort Drum. Of course, the changes precipitated by the post have presented challenges for nearly all of our community sectors but those challenges have been and continue to be met because we would all agree that the good far outweighs the bad.

We now need to evaluate our future by thinking further down the road. We must plan for types of development based on platforms other than the military.

One of the major pluses felt by the omnipresence of the military is the vitality, the world-wide focus on our community, the entree to investment capital that stimulates further development in the region, a workforce consisting largely of military spouses that has become an attractive and beckoning resource for outside interests and a host of other collateral benefits.

Are we taking advantages of those positive attributes? In my view, the

38 |

NNY Business | December 2011

answer is no.

It is clear, based on changing national priorities we will soon be seeing a slow-down of military construction dollars, perhaps a decline in the private Fort Don Alexander Drum workforce and other tell-tale impacts of shrinking federal dollars. This is not to suggest that Fort Drum will cease to be our largest economic driver, it is just defining the financial reality of today’s economy.

Based on these changing realities, I would suggest that the window of opportunity is short. In my view, we must engage now while the momentum continues, to develop a blueprint for what this community can become in five, 10 or 20 years.

This activity would, in my view, not replace any planning activity of the regional councils, the recent initiative of the governor, but would more specifically tailor the direction of our community to better suit its own goals. The vast land-area of the Northern Regional Council does limit the focus that detailed discussions of this area would precipitate. And in this instance we are not discussing project-specific evaluation but more strategic thinking related to our own wants and wishes.

Further, I am of the opinion that the private sector in our community has to

become the driving force behind the plan for the future. Government, in all of its numerous iterations, is severely limited by what it can do to be proactive, promisorial or visionary. It must be those who ultimately foot the bills through their tax dollars that must insist on and participate in developing that plan.

What do you think this community should look like in 25 years? If we can address that question then we have a much better understanding of the impacts of the daily decisions all of us must make.

That blueprint should be developed using the best thinkers we have in our community. It should be viewed first from the 30,000 foot viewpoint. What would we all like to see happen to our community and then, more specifically, just how do we make that vision become a reality?

We all could learn a great deal from one of the most famous planners −Walt Disney. Mr. Disney was a man with a vision who developed a planning process par-excellence. Disney knew where he wanted to go and he developed a process that was constantly used to get him there.

Next time you are in Orlando, just ask yourself where would the Disney Theme Parks be without the man with a plan? n DonalD C. alexanDer is chief executive officer of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, the Jefferson County Local Development Corp. and the Jefferson County Job Development Corp. He is a lifelong NNY resident and former broadcaster. Contact him at dcalexander@jcjdc.net. He is a frequent contributor to NNY Business.

N O N P R O F I T S T O D AY

Maximize year-end charitable giving

A

lthough north country residents generously support the work and mission of nonprofit organizations throughout the year, it is usually in December that many look to make year-end contributions. ‘Tis the season for appeals arriving in your mailbox.

Americans are among the most giving on the planet, contributing more than $290 billion to charitable and philanthropic organizations last year.

There are two discussions currently being had that may affect nonprofits in the future. On the national level, there have been proposals to reduce the value of charitable deductions. Since 1917, the charitable deduction has been available to individual taxpayers, since 1935 for corporations. Although research has shown that tax incentives are a secondary issue for the most passionate of donors, it is, nonetheless, something that could significantly reduce overall support of the important work done by nonprofit organizations. Although hard to quantify, studies have estimated that a charitable deduction limitation could result a loss of $4 billion and $9 billion in support of the nonprofit sector. Effectively, it would increase the “price” that would be paid to privately support charitable organizations. Funders such as the Northern New York Community Foundation and the United Way of Northern New York, who also rely on charitable gifts to do their work, are not exempt from this potential loss. This would ultimately add another layer of trickle-down effect in our region.

We all realize that nonprofit organiza-

tions serve a critical function, and often do so with much with so little and with more skill and efficiency than government. They provide all of us with enhancements to quality Rande Richardson of life that the government cannot or should not offer. As part of the overall discussion, it is worth mentioning that nonprofits employ more than 12 million Americans, and in New York State comprise 18 percent of the workforce.

Needless to say, various organizations, including the Council on Foundations, have been actively voicing their opposition to the proposal. For the moment, with the “supercommittee” at impasse, the future of charitable deductions remains in limbo. Overall, I believe most of us would agree that we should be looking at ways to strengthen giving in today’s challenging economic environment rather than stifling it. The overall public benefit provided by the nonprofit sector is too valuable to our communities and society at large.

On the state level, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has formed the Leadership Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization.

The task force is charged with reducing regulatory burdens on nonprofits while also taking a look at strengthening overall accountability in the sector. The group of

29 nonprofit, business and labor leaders will also look at developing legislative proposals to modernize the state’s nonprofit laws, eliminating outdated requirements. Another component involves efforts to enhance board governance and effectiveness. Based on the committee composition and its diverse interests and perspectives, this bodes well for the nonprofit sector. The committee hopes to present its recommendations to the attorney general by year’s end.

Despite the economic challenges of recent years, the north country has continued the tradition of giving their time, talent and treasure. The irony of all the discussion about the mechanics of giving is that the best giving is not motivated by a desire to give less to Uncle Sam, but to return something of meaning in recognition of all that has been given to us. Every act of generosity is a meaningful one, and the important work of the nonprofit sector will always be an essential expression of gratitude.

At this time of year, the joy of giving is more apparent, perhaps because of the heightened awareness of how blessed we are and how each of us benefits from the diligent work of charitable organizations.

Thinking of a community without this would cause even Ebenezer Scrooge to reconsider without Jacob Marley’s persuasive powers. n Rande S. RichaRdSon is executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident and former funeral director. Contact him at rande@nnycf.org. His column appears every other month in NNY Business.

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CommerCe Corner

For the holidays: A ‘Top 10’ to live by

A

s the holidays approach, are you asking yourself what that unique gift is that you can buy a family member or friend?

I discovered hidden treasures in small businesses in quaint towns have the niche of selling these trendy gifts. So as you shop this holiday season remember that small businesses are critical to the nation’s overall economy and you as a consumer can help both our economy and local small businesses.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States in 2010. Not only do small businesses promote economic development, it also has been a source of employment for many people.

The Small Business Administration reports that small businesses employ nearly as many workers as large firms. In supporting small business in your community, you’re are supporting the entrepreneur in some of us and even supporting an underlying cause. Small businesses are the backbone of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce and it is the role of the chamber is to support these endeavors.

Jack Zenger, a bestselling author with more than five decades of experience in leadership development, provides the “Top 10 Leadership Rules” that I believe leaders of small and large businesses

should live by: 1) Ask instead of answer. Don’t be so quick to answer the question, let your employees work things out for themselves.

It is a great teaching mechaLynn Pietroski nism.

2) Give positive feedback. Although constructive criticism is good, being positive is priceless and the return is immeasurable 3) Engage. As Mr. Zenger states “Lead-

tunity to teach without saying a word.

7) Practice self-development. If you are looking to grow your business and improve your business, you may to look at personal growth. Every day we learn something new.

8) Delegate with purpose. Employees are more effective if they know their leader cares not only about the job their doing but about their well-being.

9) Set stretch goals. Work as a team to set goals and then how the group will achieve them. It gives employees a sense of ownership and pride when goals are achieved.

10) Listen. In Mr. Zenger’s own words which I could not agree more with, “the ability to listen well is at the heart of being a good leader.”

So as the holidays approach and as a leader you are asking yourself what can I give to my employees—well I recommended this: Remove yourself from the day-to-day daunting tasks, take the time to sit down with employees and “check-in” with them and how they are doing, provide a positive work environment, actively listen and spend time in your community, getting to know the businesses and the people that compose what we refer to as “our community.”

Ask yourself what you can give your employees.

Remove yourself from the day-to-day daunting tasks, take the time to sit down with employees and ‘check in’ with them and how they are doing. ership is all about motivating people, and motivating people is all about having a connection with them.”

4) Put employees first. Treat employees how you expect them to treat the customers.

5) Seek feedback. Ask the questions, be interested in your employees, and show interest — you never know what you will discover.

6) Be an example. My favorite rule — Be a role model. As a leader you are under a microscope at all times so take the oppor-

n Lynn Pietroski is president and CEO of the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at ceo@ watertownny.com. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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NNY Business | December 2011

Agri-business

Great Christmas gifts for grandma

A

s most have experienced, there are always those on your Christmas or holiday shopping list who are difficult to find the right gift for.

Grandma Matteson is an example in our family. Grandma (my mother) lives with my wife, son and I in our home in Lorraine. Grandma is very picky about her clothes, doesn’t go away from our house very much and in our small home, there’s not much room for adding decorations or knick-knacks. The question comes every year, what special gift may one purchase for that special person?

In the case of Grandma, she likes to help my wife and me out by making dinner for us frequently as we try to keep up with the schedule of busy lives.

She makes nothing French, Asian, Mexican or anything else with a — can on the end of it. Just good wholesome, hearty meat and potatoes type food that you catch a whiff of as you get out of the car on a cold fall night and delights each breath as you enter and walk through your home, unwinding from work.

So, my thoughts are turning towards a gift for her that is made locally, let her try something a little different.

To decide what exactly to get, I go online to Jefferson County’s agricultural website, www.comefarmwithus.com.

There I find the agricultural products menu in the middle of the home page.

The agricultural products menu has a drop down list of food and fiber products grown or manufactured in Jefferson County. I can choose from a variety of

items such as beef, dairy, jams and jellies, sauces, pasta, wine, Christmas trees, maple syrup, honey and more. There is clothing made from Alpaca Jay Matteson and sheep’s wool, goat’s milk soaps and other nifty little things that are locally made and not just the plain, unimaginative big box store, buy it because the person’s on my list, type items.

So, as I’m scanning the list of products, the ideas start to rumble the moths out of the broom closet.

A gift basket — yes I could go to a number of places like Gold Cup Farms in Clayton, Jefferson Bulk Cheese Store on the way to Sackets Harbor, Morgia’s Pasta or North Country Farms on Route 37. They are among several places that make gift baskets or boxes, some to custom specifications that you can purchase and take home, or have shipped out in the mail.

These are great gifts and I’m sure Grandma Matteson will enjoy most of it.

However, Grandma is not a big cheese fan. Yes, I know that sounds like sacrilege in my household. I make up the difference and that would be the problem, I’d eat most of the basket or gift box.

What else?

Goat’s milk soap made by Milk Made Farm in Theresa sounds interesting. I can’t eat the soap on her so that is a plus.

And, Milk Made has a kiosk in Salmon Run Mall for the season so I can go there to buy it.

I’m also seeing on the website Alpaca clothing from Home Again Farm.

Grandma always complains about the cold making her feet ache. I wonder if she’d wear socks made from Alpaca fiber.

Alpaca fiber is soft and warm. And let’s see, maybe I can find a nice handcrafted basket from an Amish Farm, put the goat’s milk soap, the alpaca socks in, let’s try some pasta and pasta sauce varieties from Morgia’s Pasta and Coyote Moon Vineyard, homemade chocolates from Covered in Chocolate, and maple syrup, honey and pancake mix from North Country Farms.

I’ll make her and the rest of the family a nice blueberry and walnut pancake breakfast with maple syrup. And if she’ll let me, dinner will be pasta night. That sounds like a Christmas gift for Grandma she just might enjoy.

With the help of our county’s agricultural website, www.comefarmwithus. com, and with a little imagination, we can find gifts for those you can’t buy just anything for.

n Jay M. Matteson is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Agricultural 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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BUSINESS TECH BYTES

‘Bring your own device’ a new trend

Y

ou’ve made your list, have you checked it twice? What does it include that is shiny and nice?

An iPad, Android smartphone or a tablet? If Santa leaves one under your tree, I bet you will BYOD. BYOD or “bring your own device” is seeping into enterprises large and small upending enterprise mobility. For most businesses, enterprise mobility used to come with a short list of best practices like virtual private network access and IT controlled corporate laptops. BYOD has pushed these channels aside with employees opting instead for the latest consumeroriented gadget.

If IT execs had it their way, the BlackBerry would be the BYOD device of choice considering its proven management controls, such as authentication and encryption. Where Apple’s iOS also outpaces the Android platforms with hardware cryptographic keys and an out of the box application security architecture the Android Honeycomb platform does offer some security capabilities.

Unfortunately, with the Android smartphone markets exploding with hundreds of phone models to choice from, phone manufacturers are scrambling to leverage security across all models. Google is beginning to listen though, and are taking enterprise security more seriously in the latest versions of the Android platform, embedding encryption and Exchange OS support in lieu of vendor specific APIs. Not a moment too soon, as of July Google Android encompassed 42 percent of the 82.2 million user U.S. smartphone market,

42 |

NNY Business | December 2011

up from 36 percent in April.

The Apple iPhone’s market share was 27 percent, outpacing Blackberry, which was 22 percent in July down from 26 percent in April.

The Windows Jill Van Hoesen phone is barely keeping pace with less than 10 percent of the market share.

As BOYD infiltrates your business, refrain from haphazard security measures sure to incite an employee revolt.

Define your mobility strategy like any other business incentive. Form a committee comprised not only of IT, but all lines of business, including your high mobility adopters. Facilitate open discussion on data access and sensitivity, determining your risk tolerance in line with your business model and regulatory compliance requirements. The more sensitive the data your business uses in the course of a normal business day the higher your risks and stricter your security policies should be.

A written policy can serve you well when it includes who pays for the devices and disposal of the old or damaged ones.

Who will retain control over installation and removal of enterprise applications such as email and VPN profiles?

Will it be a corporate paid device? Who gets a phone? Not everyone will get a company provided device — your policy

should spell out device and service plans by job title and responsibilities. Will personal use be allowed? Remember employees talk — if a stipend system will be used insure uniformity.

Who owns the phone number? Your customer facing employees are the face of your company. Issue corporate phones or utilize your onsite PBX for call routing via unified messaging.

Upon separation, will you wipe a phone completely even if the employee owns it?

Will all cameras need to be disabled to insure data theft via camera is minimized?

The policy should also address support — how much time will your IT staff spend fixing a phone that just returned from vacation? Will the corporate device go on vacation?

What happens if there is unacceptable use? At minimum, employees should acknowledge the rules and their role in securing company data and consequences, if any, for non compliance.

The impetus is on you to foster mobility connectivity insuring the highest level of productivity for your workforce while providing secure access. Jon Heimerl of Solutinary agrees BYOD is playing out across the corporate landscape. “We are at the point now where companies are starting to say, “We’ve got to embrace mobile technologies and smart devices and support them, whether we really want to or not, because that’s the way of the world right now.” 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.

SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS

Welcome to the new now in business

R

honda Abrams, a speaker and writer on small business issues, recently shared an article she wrote for USA Today in 1997. Now, 1997 doesn’t sound that long ago (to me, anyway). But when you consider the changes that the Internet has brought, not just to our personal lives but to our businesses as well, it’s staggering.

She started her article with this paragraph: “Don’t be frightened; take a deep breath. I’m discussing a topic that could result with you spending many more hours in front of a computer. (I hear you screaming already.) But I wouldn’t bring up the subject if I didn’t think it was essential: “email” or electronic mail.”

Can you imagine having to even explain what email is nowadays? Her article continues with the many ways that email can help a business run more efficiently by improving and expanding communication with existing and prospective customers. I think there are very few of us today that can deny how important email has become to our work lives.

Now fast forward to 2010. A blog article on entrepreneur.com reported that an Ad-logy study found 46 percent of small businesses surveyed said they did not have a website. A similar poll on Discover Small Business Watch corroborated those numbers and added that many small business owners think it’s a myth that a business must have a website. The author of this article then posed the question, “What are small business owners losing by not having a website?” The answer,

small business owners, is customers.

Websites no longer have to be expensive or complicated to create. There are many affordable local web design Sarah O’Connell services, as well as templates and free website creation sites if you feel capable of doing it yourself. There is no longer a good reason to NOT have a website. Consider it the electronic signage that’s just as necessary as having a sign on your actual location. And consider these benefits: Your website (unlike a Facebook page), gives you a chance to visually impress your prospective customers. An attractive and professional-looking website essentially levels the playing field between you and your bigger competitors.

It gives you a continual presence on the Internet where customers can look up your hours, review your ordering procedures or look over your new products.

You have an immediate forum to sell your business’s competitive advantages, whether it’s special ordering, superior customer service, or just offering a friendly tone.

You can provide answers to frequently asked questions, saving both you and your customers’ valuable time.

You can offer background information

on how and when your business was started, and talk about yourself and your employees.

You can put your website on all your marketing materials: business cards, brochures, print ads, your Facebook and LinkedIn pages, bumper stickers, etc.

It’s never been easier for search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing to find local businesses. Even in a generic search without a locality being entered, these engines direct your prospective customers according to their IP address to the nearest websites first.

So what’s stopping you? You already know that most people today are starting their search for a specific product or type of business by searching on the Internet.

So investing a few dollars for a domain name, a few bucks a month for web hosting, a few to several hundred dollars depending on the needs of your particular site for web design, and you’re out there for all your customers, current and future, to find.

The NYS Small Business Development Center offers individual, confidential counseling at no cost for people with new or existing businesses, as well as other workshop opportunities. We can be reached at 782-9262 or sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu. n Sarah O’COnnell is a certified business advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College. She is a former small business owner and lifelong Northern New York resident.

Contact her at soconnell@sunyjefferson.edu.

Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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COMMUNITY / BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR 44 |

CANTON

POTSDAM

TuesdaY, dec. 13

FridaY, dec. 9, aNd saTurdaY, dec. 10

n Sweet Sounds of Christmas, 7:30 to 9 p.m., TAUNY Center, 53 Main St. Join Barb Heller of NCPR’s String Fever and Hanna Harvester of TAUNY for an evening of Christmas songs. Lyrics provided and singalong encouraged. Reservations appreciated but not necessary to TAUNY, 386-4289 or info@tauny.org. Free.

suNdaY, dec. 18

n Handel’s Messiah, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Church. Performed by the Orchestra of Northern New York featuring vocal soloists from the Crane School of Music’s artist faculty and the Potsdam Community Chorus.

Ticket information: www.onny.org.

ChAUMONT saTurdaY, dec. 17

n Fifth Annual Lyme Holiday House Tour, 6 p.m., begins at the Copley House or the Three Mile Bay Heritage Center, Depot Street. Sponsored by Lyme Community Foundation. Reception with music and food follows at the Copley House. Cost: $20 per person. Reservations required by Wednesday, Dec. 14, to Lyme Community Foundation, P.O. Box 601, Chaumont, N.Y. 13622, or by calling Barb Peck at 649-2236.

FORT DRUM WedNesdaY, dec. 21

n Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., Fort Drum USO, 10502 S. Riva Ridge Loop.

Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. Registration required by Tuesday, Dec. 20. Register: 788-4400 or www.watertownny.com. Cost: $8; non-members, $12.

LISBON saTurdaY, dec. 17, To FridaY, dec. 23

n Lights on the River, 5 to 9 p.m. daily, Lisbon Beach and Campground. Holiday festival of lights and displays. Free admission, donations accepted for north country food pantries. Contact: Scott Wilhelm, 854-2657.

LOwVILLE ThursdaYs, JaN. 12 To FeB. 16

n Farm Business Partner Workshop for Women, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County. “Annie’s Project Risk Management Education for Farm Women.” Cost: $50. Prepaid registration deadline: Monday, Dec. 12.

MASSENA FridaY, dec. 16

n Handel’s Messiah, 7:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Church. Performed by the Orchestra of Northern New York featuring vocal soloists from the Crane School of Music’s artist faculty and the Potsdam Community Chorus. Ticket information: www.onny.org.

NNY Business | December 2011

n Craft, Food and Wine Show, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Clarkson University’s Cheel Arena. Sponsored by St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Booths sold out with vendors from Northern New York, throughout the state and Vermont. Last year’s event drew more than 4,000 people. Admission: $1. Information: St. Lawrence Chamber, 386-4000.

saTurdaY, dec. 17

n Handel’s Messiah, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Church. Performed by the Orchestra of Northern New York featuring vocal soloists from the Crane School of Music’s artist faculty and the Potsdam Community Chorus.

Ticket information: www.onny.org.

wATERTOwN WedNesdaY, dec. 14

n Holiday Pops Concert, 8 p.m., Dulles State Office Building auditorium. Performance by Symphony Syracuse. Advance sale tickets available by calling the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce at 788-4400. All tickets available at will-call the night of the performance. Cost: $20.

saTurdaY, dec. 1 7

n “Glad Tidings” by Watertown Musica Viva, 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church. Part of the Trinity Concert Series. Watertown Musica Viva, under the direction of Kyle P. Ramey, will perform Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 for choir and harp, a collection of carols for choir and four-hand piano and Christmas spirituals. Cost: Preferred seating, $14; preferred seating for senior citizens and members of the military, $12; general admission, $12; general admission senior citizens and members of the military, $10; students, free.

Tickets: www.trinityconcerts.org.

MoNdaY, dec. 19

n “ChristmaSing,” 7:30 p.m., All Souls Church. Performance by Northern Blend Chorus. Music includes “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Diddle Squat,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Baby,” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Information: 788-5967.

ThursdaYs, JaN. 12 To FeB. 23

n Entrepreneurial Training Course, 6 to 9 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by the Watertown Small Business Development Center at JCC. Workshops include preparing a business plan, what types of loans you can apply for, what types of insurance you should have, marketing, bookkeeping and contract agreements.

Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for low-interest, micro-enterprise loans. Cost: $195. Register: 782-9262.

MoNdaYs, JaN. 23 To MaY 17

n Basic Finance Course, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by the JCC Continuing Education Division. Taught by Matthew Doheny. The

course covers fundamental elements of business finance and includes the concepts of financial analysis, time value of money, security valuations, risk and return, capital budgeting and corporate decision-making.

Cost: $220. Register: Continuing Education Division, 786-2438.

MoNdaYs, JaN. 23 To MaY 8

n Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jefferson Community College.

Sponsored by the JCC Continuing Education Division. Taught by Peter Whitmore.

Topics include exploring the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, developing a successful business idea, moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial venture and managing and growing a business. Textbook available, but not required. Course cost: $220. Register: Continuing Education Division, 786-2438.

TuesdaY, JaN. 24

n Economic Forecast 2012 Speaker Series, 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, Savory Downtown.

Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, NNY Business, the Watertown Daily Times and North Country Capital. Featuring Robert Simpson, President and CEO of CenterState Corp. for Economic Opportunity, Greg Gardner, SUNY Potsdam, and Jay Matteson, Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp.

Cost: Chamber members, $10; non-members, $15. Reservations required by Tuesday, Jan. 24. Contact: 788-4400.

TuesdaYs aNd ThursdaY, JaN. 24 To MaY 3

n Legal Issues for Small Business, 3:30 to 4:50 p.m., Jefferson Community College.

Sponsored by the JCC Continuing Education Division. Taught by Larry Covell. Learn about choosing a business organization, zoning approval, licensing and permits, tax implications, small business contracts, small business buyouts and the legal requirements of small-claims court action. Workshop participants may attend as few as four sessions.

Cost: $220. Register: Continuing Education Division, 786-2438.

ThursdaY, JaN. 26

n Small Business Accounting, 6 to 9 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by the JCC Continuing Education Division. Taught by John Gould. Learn basic bookkeeping, income tax filing and other concerns that involve small businesses.

Workshop is in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center Entrepreneurial Training Course. Cost: $40. Register: Continuing Education Division, 786-2438.

ThursdaY, FeB. 23

n “Resources and Tax Incentives for Small Businesses,” 8:30 a.m., Savory Downtown.

Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, H&R Block, NNY Business and the Watertown Daily Times. Speaker: Steve Ingraham. Information: 788-4400.

n GoT a BusiNess eVeNT or calendar item? Email editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNY Business for events calendar updates.

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smAll BusiNess developmeNT CeNTer AT suNY JeFFersoN

www.slrvra.com

www.sba.gov www.facebook.com/SBAAtlantic www.twitter.com/SBAAtlantic

www.watertown.nyssbdc.org www.facebook.com/WatertownSBDC www.twitter.com/nys_sbdc

WATerToWN loCAl developmeNT Corp.

sT. lAWreNCe CouNTY idA / loCAl developmeNT Corp.

WATerToWN sCore

www.slcida.com

www.watertownldc.com

CHAMBER / WEB DIRECTORY

NNY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

www.scorewatertownny.org

www.lcida.org

December 2011 | NNY Business

| 45

BUSINESS SCENE Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, Chip Morris, dean of students, SUNY Potsdam, and John Kaplan, Potsdam Police Department. Mr. Kaplan received the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Commitment to the Community Award during the chamber’s annual dinner on Nov. 14 at SUNY Potsdam. Above, from left, Tangie Moore, Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, Marylee E. Ballou, Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, Rae Hitchman, A Woman’s Touch, A. Fonda, UPS Store, Potsdam, Janice M. Adderly, UPS Store and Potsdam Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Top, from left, Amy L. Flack, Community Performance Series, SUNY Potsdam, and Nicole S. Consiglio, SeaComm Federal Credit Union.

Above, from left, Shawn W. Seymour, Clarkson University, Michael P. Griffin, Clarkson University, and wife, Nancy E., SUNY Potsdam.

788-6840

839 State Street, Watertown

“Since 1954” www.cheneytire.com FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC REPAIRS 24hr TRUCK AND FARM TIRE SERVICE WHOLESALE TIRE DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT NNY 90 Days SMALL ENGINE SALES & SERVICE Same as GRAVELY • SIMPLICITY • SNAPPER Cash.

46 |

NNY Business | December 2011

n VISIT NNY BUSINESS ON FACEBOOK at www. facebook.com/ nnybusiness to view more than 300 additional Business Scene photos from events across the north country since December.

BUSINESS SCENE GWNC Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Best Western

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, James R. Lewis, Watertown Vending Inc., and wife, Jenifer D. Above, from left, Sonia Merryman, Benchmark Family Services, Peg Feistel, owner, Benchmark Family Services, and Kristin Dawley, child care director and pre-kindergarten teacher, Benchmark Family Services. The Best Western Carriage House Inn hosted November’s Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Nov. 16.

Top, from left, Kathy A. Fraser, Best Western carriage House Inn assistant manager, and Tillie L. Youngs, Thousand Islands Tourism Council.

Above, from left, Michael E. Lundy, president, LUNCO Corp., and Lisa Morgia, Indian River Middle School and E-Vino-Mio.

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Visit our website at www.anewattitudewny.com December 2011 | NNY Business

| 47

BUSINESS SCENE 28th Annual Mayor’s Ball at Jefferson Community College

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, Scot P. Zaffora-Reeder, New York Air Brake, and wife, Sarah L., Above, from left, Cary Derrigo, owner, Macar’s, and wife, Jackie. The 28th Annual Mayor’s Ball and Jefferson Community College 50th Birthday Bash was held Nov. 12 at JCC to benefit the college foundation and Transitional Living Services.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, Shane Simser, Publicis Selling Solutions, and wife, Erin, marketing manager, Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes. Above, from left, Tom Cheney, Cheney Tire, and wife, Kathy.

2nd Generation family-owned and operated business.

In business for over 36 years where customer service is our priority.

MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM-6PM SATURDAY 9AM-5PM

• Living Room • Dining Room • Bedroom • Mattresses • Accessories

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22822 US Route 11 • Watertown, NY 13601 • 315-788-1152 • www.truesdellsfurniture.com 48 |

NNY Business | December 2011

BUSINESS SCENE American Eagle jet service kick-off at Watertown International Airport

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, Jefferson County Administrator Robert F. Hagemann III; Dale E. Morris, American Airlines managing director for government affairs and community relations; Lynn M. Pietroski, CEO and president of the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce; Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, chairwoman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators; Brig. Gen. Harry E. Miller, 10th Mountain Division rear detachment commander; Gary D. Foss American Airlines Regional Network vice president of planning and marketing; Jefferson County Legislator Barry M. Ormsby and Jefferson County Legislator Philip N. Reed Sr. Above, from left, Steve Hunt, district director for Congressman Bill Owens, and Kelly Reinhardt, the Bernier Carr Group.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Top, from left, Charlie Schewe, American Airlines regional sales director - Northeast and Canada, Cynthia Sawyer, marketing coordinator, Watertown International Airport, and Arturo Macaltao, American Airlines regional sales manager - Northeast and Canada Above, from left, Jennifer Voss, Jefferson County Planning Department, Torri Richmire, Jefferson County Administration, and Jill Jones, Jefferson County Administration.

RENT-A-COW 782-6836

GREAT FOR LOCAL MOVING! MOBILE & SELF STORAGE CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE AVAILABLE MILITARY DISCOUNTS

December 2011 | NNY Business

| 49

FINE DINING n A directory of fine-dining establishments.

1025 Ruyi Japanese Steak House 1025 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 405-4501 1844 House 6885 U.S. Route 11, Potsdam (315) 268-1844 Apollo Restaurant 1283 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 788-3569 Arbor Restaurant 10700 U.S. Route 11, Adams (315) 232-4842

Bella’s Bistro 602 Riverside Drive, Clayton 9315) 686-2341 Black River Valley Club 131 Washington St., Watertown (315) 788-2300 Café Mira 14 Main St., Adams (315) 232-4470 Cavallario’s Cucina 133 N. Massey St., Watertown (315) 788-9744

Accepting full truckloads of materials - sorted or the same!

Fireside at Partridge Berry Inn 26561 NYS Route 3, Watertown (315) 782-8401 Goodfellos 202 W. Main St. (315) 646-3463 Ives Hill Restaurant 435 Flower Ave. W., Watertown (315) 775-4837 Joey’s at the Thousand Island Club 21952 Club Road, Alexandria Bay (315) 482-9999

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NNY Business | December 2011

FINE DINING Johnny’s D’s Bistro 108 108 Court St., Watertown (315) 755-2333

— ADVERTORIAL —

Panettone celebrates an Italian Christmas tradition

Karen & Jasper’s Bar & Bistro 1322 Washington St. Plaza, Watertown (315) 788-4110 Lobster House 95 S. Main St., Norwood (315) 353-2366

By BRENDA CAVALLARIO

Executive Chef & Owner, Cavallario’s Cucina

P

anettone is a sweet Italian Christmas cake that dates back to the 15th century. Light and fluffy, studded with citron, raisins and candied oranges, it is an awaited Christmas tradition to many family tables throughout Italy, and arrives to in beautiful packaging just prior the holiday season.

The Panettone is an awaited tradition to our family and restaurant. It marks the upcoming end of the year festive season, that will unite the love of family, friends and food, all key “ingredients” that make up one of our unique traditions that will hopefully continue for years to come.

The following recipe for Panettone Bread Pudding with Frangelico mascarpone cream is simple to prepare, will stir the senses and delight the taste buds.

Celebrate a little bit of Italy around your family table this holiday season. Mangia Mangia!

Lucia’s Italian Restaurant 11613 U.S. Route 11, Adams (315) 232-2223 Rainbow Shores Restaurant 186 Rainbow Shores Road, Pulaski (315) 298-5110 Riverhouse 4818 Salina St., Pulaski (315)509-4281 Ryan’s Lookout 9290 State Route 3, Henderson (315) 938-5151 Sackets Harbor Brew Pub 212 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315)646-2739 Savory Café 1511 Washington St., Watertown (315) 785-6464 Sboro’s Restaurant 836 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 788-1728

2 lb. loaf Panettone 2 ½ cup heavy cream 3 ½ cup whole milk 1 ½ cup sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 9 eggs 3 egg yolks 1 cup chopped dark chocolate ¾ cup chopped walnuts 2/3 cup dried cranberries Cut Panettone into 1½ cubes, arrange

Tin Pan Galley 110 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-3812 Willowbrook Golf Club 25075 State Route 37, Watertown (315) 782-8192 n Log on to www.watertowndailytimes.com for comprehensive restaurant reviews by Watertown Daily Times restaurant critic Walter Siebel.

½ into the bottom of a deep 9-by-13 pan.

Sprinkle half of the chocolate, walnuts and cranberries over bread cubes. Repeat layer with the remainder. Whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, eggs & yolks till frothy. Pour evenly over bread layers.

Gently push the bread down into the liquid & let rest for 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1¼ hours until pudding puffs up and center is set. In small bowl, whip 2 cups heavy cream with 2 cups confectioners’ sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in ½ cup Mascarpone Italian sweet cheese and ¼ cup Frangelico liqueur, serve atop Panettone pudding.

Cavallario’s Cucina 133 N. Massey St., Watertown • 788-9744

The Love of Food ~ Family~Friends

Celebrate Around Our Table

Enjoy our Aromas & Flavors...the Christmas Decor & Sounds of this Holiday Season at Cavallario’s Cucina Reserve Now! New Years Eve 2011 *Special Menu* December 2011 | NNY Business

| 51

BUSINESS HISTORY

JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS FILE PHOTO

Knowlton Bros. Paper Mill looking east from factory Street, Watertown, ca. 1867. Knowlton Bros. — now called Knowlton Technologies — is the longest continuously operating mill in the country, dating back 208 years.

An enduring legacy n Knowlton Bros. opened doors when Jefferson occupied White House

By Lenka WaLLdroff

P

Jefferson County Historical Society

apermaking has a long history in the north country. In fact it was on the back of the paper industry that the wilderness of Northern New York was developed.

The first paper mill in the north country was started in 1807 by General Walter Martin of Martinsburg, Lewis County. The machinery employed in the mill was powered by hand and the general was pleased if he made 10 pounds of paper per day. Jefferson County’s first mill was started by Gordon Caswell in Watertown quickly thereafter in 1808. It was called the Pioneer Mill.

At the time, Watertown was only eight years old with an approximate population of 200 people. The mill was located where the Knowlton Factory stands today.

While Mr. Caswell’s machinery was more advanced than General Martin’s it was a far cry from modern papermaking equipment.

Mr. Caswell’s mill used a water powered engine to tear and cut cotton rags, two or three potash kettles to boil the rags, and a vat where the paper was made, sheet by

52 |

NNY Business | December 2011

sheet. After being pressed to expel excess water, the sheets were hung on poles to dry. It was in this manner that he manufactured 100 pounds of paper a day.

In 1816, Holbrook & Fessenden, a small printing and book publishing company from Vermont, purchased the mill from Mr. Caswell after theirs was lost to fire.

Holbrook & Fessenden operated the mill for the next eight years until they tired of managing the business from Vermont — a considerable distance in the early 1800s.

And so, in 1824 the firm of Holbrook & Fessenden sold the mill to John Holbrook’s nephew, George Knowlton, and his good friend Clarke Rice — a young printer who worked for Mr. Holbrook.

Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Rice bought the Pioneer Mill for $7,000 — almost $140,000 in today’s currency.

The two young men were challenged by the enterprise in the wilds of Northern New York State. After settling in Watertown, Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Rice set about retrofitting the mill with new equipment and began to make paper. The two partners experienced success early on in their

venture. With minor exceptions, Knowlton & Rice was Watertown’s only paper mill until the industry broadened in 1854.

But it would be remiss to credit their early success solely to a lack of competition.

Time and again, the business was faced with hardships that the partners not only managed but surmounted. At the time, the paper mills were constructed from wood and lit with oil lamps or candles; as a result, fires were an unfortunately common occurrence. One such fire completely destroyed the Knowlton & Rice mill in 1833, another badly damaged the newly rebuilt building in 1837, and a third completely destroyed it again in 1848. Always turning misfortune to their advantage, Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Rice transformed the 1848 reconstruction of their mill into a business opportunity. They rebuilt the mill larger than before, and with the installation of new machinery, raised their production capacity to 700 pounds per day, a record for the time.

Much like fires, economic downturns and financial depressions were also common in the 19th century. Such a depres-

sion, in the late 1830s, threatened the paper business, but with characteristic ingenuity, Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Rice turned from papermaking to the lucrative (and related) business of book publishing. Mr. Rice was a gifted publisher and together with Mr. Knowlton produced textbooks for schools, almanacs, pamphlets and brochures of all kinds, as well as blank notebooks and diaries. For a full decade, Knowlton & Rice textbooks were staples in classrooms throughout the eastern United States.

By 1854, Mr. Rice was ready to retire and sold his interest in the company.

Ultimately, the men who purchased Mr. Rice’s shares in the company defaulted on their payments and so the ownership of the company reverted back to Mr. Knowlton. By 1861 Mr. Knowlton was in his late 60s and ready to retire as well. He transferred control of the company to his two sons, aged 20 and 22 years — John C. and George W. Knowlton Jr. At that point, the company was renamed Knowlton Brothers. A new mill was built in 1869 and the business expanded again. While the Civil War years were difficult on businesses throughout the country, there was an increased need for letter paper which the company was only too happy to fill.

There was also a market for wallpaper, wrapping paper, and with the advent of the newspaper age, for newsprint. In addition to their manufacturing operation, Knowlton Brothers opened a small retail storefront in the Faust building, originally located where the Black River Valley Club stands today on Washington Street. The store sold diaries, blank notebooks, stationary, schoolbooks and even advertised printing services.

Until the 1870s Knowlton had been making mostly white paper. However they could not keep up with the market demands for increasing brightness with the pollution of the Black River, so they changed course. Knowlton began to make colored paper because there was a great demand. They also produced products for the burgeoning photographic industry that proved to be a steady market for Knowlton over the next century.

So it is despite set backs of all kinds that would have forced any lesser business out of business that Knowlton Brothers, with characteristic ingenuity, flexibility and determination not only became leaders in their industry, but survived to become the oldest continuously running business in Watertown. n Lenka P. WaLLdroff is curator of collections for the Jefferson County Historical Museum. She is a former museum specialist and conservator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. December 2011 | NNY Business

| 53

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G H E R E ?

Car-Freshner Corp. expansion Location: 21205 Little Tree Drive, Jefferson County Corporate Park, Watertown.

SiZE: Two-stories, 17,650 square feet. aRcHitEct: Bernier, Carr and Associates, Watertown. contRactoR: Purcell Construction, Watertown EStiMatED coMPLEtion: March 2012 LocaL JoBS: Several dozen construction jobs through winter.

No additional jobs as result of the expansion. More administrative space for the approximately 115-member administrative, sales and product development staff.

— Compiled by Kyle R. Hayes

PHOTO SPECIAL TO NNY BUSINESS

Construction continues on a two-story, 17,650 square-foot expansion at Car-Freshner Corp.’s corporate headquarters, 21205 Little Tree Drive, Jefferson County Corporate Park. The addition is expected to be complete by March.

NEXT MONTH

i

n our January issue, we examine the economic and business outlook for the Northern New York region in 2012 with a special focus on the north country’s next big trend as economic recovery continues.

Also coming next month: n risinG FroM The ashes: Berry Bros.

Lumber in Adams has undergone dramatic changes in its more than 60-year history. We visit with the present generation of family ownership about how its latest venture is paying off. n 20 QuesTions: 20 Questions returns with New York Air Brake President Paul Morgan. n pLus: NNY Snapshot, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Real Estate, Agri-Business, Business History, Business Scene and more. n FoLLoW us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nnybusiness for more Business Scene photos.

54 |

NNY Business | December 2011

BUSINESS DIRECTORY ALLENS

Scott & Kriss Allen, Owners

Liquors & Wines

Every Day Case Discounting

5 20 % OFF

WHOLE CASE OF LIQUOR

Sales Items Excluded Hours: M-Sat. 9am-10pm Sun. 12pm-6pm

%

OFF

WHOLE OR MIXED CASE OF WINE

Exit 48 off I-81 on Rt. 342 Watertown, NY 13601

(315)785-0431

FOY

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HOME • AUTO • BUSINESS • FARM Deer River 493-2391 Croghan 346-6378 Lowville 376-2731

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Gifts • Antiques • Accessories

TOP OF THE SQUARE 105 COURT STREET, WATERTOWN, NY 788-5287

4912 N. Jefferson St., Pulaski 315-298-3600 • gilsondm@aol.com December 2011 | NNY Business

| 55

BusIness

www.nnybusiness.net

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Watertown, N.Y. 13601

Permit No. 184

260 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

720 Washington St., Watertown, NY • 221-4089

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