NNY Business March 2016

B

Y usIness // Annual women in business issue

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SPECIAL Healthy Women 7-page bonus section

A call to serve MARCH 2016

Volume 6 No. 4 $2.95

Women lead in north country’s public sector

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// Northern New York’s Premier Business Monthly //

2 | NNY Business | March 2016

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March 2016 | NNY Business

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Inside MARCH 2016 14

18 28 |

COVER |

18 PUBLIC SECTOR women For five women, the path to a career in public service has been a rewarding journey. |

SMALL BIZ STARTUP |

14 A Whole new Glow One St. Lawrence County woman is using farm-fresh ingredients for skin care. |

WOMEN IN BUSINESS |

28 Finding her niche A Jefferson County woman puts service first as co-owner of a longtime flooring business.

37 |

REAL ESTATE |

31 TOP TRANSACTIONS Top 10 sales in Jefferson, St. Lawrence nearly $8.8m.

32 Community TOP OF MIND Real estate a welcome ‘second act’ for firm’s broker-owner. |

HEALTHY WOMEN

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38 FIND Spiritual health Practicing meditation can help lesson stress, fatigue.

39 A MENTAL FLOSSING Getting stuck in a mental rut will sabotage long-term goals.

40 PATIENTLY PERSEVERE Success takes hard work before lasting results come.

41 STRIKE A GOOD BALANCE Balance between work and life is no easy feat to find.

42 EMBRACE FAILURES Don’t get knocked off your path by a fear of failing. |

BUSINESS SCENE |

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

March 2016 | NNY Business

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C o n tr i b u t o r s

BusIness www.nnybizmag.com

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Lance M. Evans is executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. He writes about residential real estate sales. (p. 30)

Kylie Peck is president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce.

She writes about north country women in business. (p. 46)

Max DelSignore is assistant director of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

He writes about the foundation’s LEAD Council. (p. 47)

Editor & Publisher John B. Johnson

Co-Publisher

Harold B. Johnson II

Magazine Editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

Magazine Associate Karee M. Magee

Contributing Writers

Norah Machia & Joleene Moody

Photography

Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp. He writes about the coming Maple Weekends. (p. 49)

Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 28-year IT veteran. She writes about employing the right tools to manage IT disruption. (p. 48)

Sarah O’Connell is an advisor for the state Small Business Development Center at SUNY Jefferson. She writes about a recent trip to a Maine sea salt producer. (p. 50)

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison Jason Hunter, Stephen Swofford

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Magazine Advertising Manager Beth Hornbarger

Advertising Sales

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

Advertising Graphics

Brian Mitchell, Rick Gaskin, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules Norah Machia is a freelance writer and veteran Watertown Daily Times reporter. In this month’s cover story, she writes north country women in public service. (p. 18)

Joleene Moody is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski with her husband and daughter. She writes a series of stories for our Healthy Women section this month. (p.37)

MARKETPLACE Alpine Seeding Co. ..................................... 15 Amy Earle School of Dance ........................ 16 Aubertine & Currier Architects ..................... 8 Augustinian Academy ................................. 16 Bianchi’s Catering ....................................... 44 Bond Schoeneck & King .............................. 3 Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina .................. 60 Caskinette’s Ford ........................................ 59 Carthage Market ......................................... 15 Chiappone’s Tire ......................................... 33 Church Street Diner .................................... 16 Clayton Dental Office .................................. 29 Coleman’s Corner ....................................... 44 Colleen’s Creeekside .................................. 17 Community Bank Wealth Management ...... 13 Cortel Improvement ...................................... 7 CREG Systems Corp. ................................... 9 Croghan Meat Market ................................. 17 Development Authority of the North Country ................................... 64 D.L. Calarco Funeral Home ........................ 50 D.G.M. Coon & Company .......................... 54 Doyle’s Pub & Restaurant ........................... 17 Dr. Guitar Music ......................................... 29 Fairground Inn ............................................ 44 First Class Auto Glass ................................ 62 Stephen C. Foy Inc. .................................... 31 Foy Agency Inc. .......................................... 41

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Fuccillo Automotive .................................... 33 Fuller Insurance .......................................... 41 Garlocks Design Center .............................. 12 GWNC Chamber of Commerce Job Expo ..... 62 Lori Gervera Team ...................................... 15 H.D. Goodale Co. ....................................... 41 Hefferon Real Estate .................................... 15 Herzig’s Convenience Stores ..................... 17 HighTower Advisors ................................... 36 Hilton Garden Inn ......................................... 4 Hospice of Jefferson County ...................... 60 Independent Medical Evaluation Co. .......... 15 Immaculate Heart Central Schools ............... 3 Ives Hill Country Club ................................ 44 Johnson’s Sand and Gravel Inc. ................... 8 Krafft Cleaning Service ............................... 55 Laughing Hyena IT Solutions ..................... 15 Liberty Glass & Window ............................. 30 Lisk’s Florals ............................................... 16 Macar’s Inc. ................................................ 42 Marzano Real Estate ................................... 14 Marzano Paving .......................................... 14 Nancy D. Storino ........................................ 15 NNY Community Foundation ..................... 43 Northwestern Mutual .................................... 7 Nortz & Virkler Ford ................................... 33 Rainbow International ................................. 43 RBC Wealth Management ........................... 40

Ridgeview Inn ............................................. 17 River Hospital ............................................. 39 Rusty Johnson Masonry ............................... 8 Sashes & Lace ............................................ 29 SeaComm Federal Credit Union ................. 57 Select Screen Printing ................................ 17 Seniors Helping Seniors ............................. 16 Sew What .................................................... 15 Shred Con .................................................. 48 S&J Properties of Watertown ..................... 46 Slack Chemical Co. .................................... 49 Strategic Development Specialists ............. 63 Sunnycrest Flowers ...................................... 9 The Hayloft at Moonshine Farm ................. 17 The Scrub Hub ........................................... 16 Tug Hill Vinyards ........................................ 17 Ruggers Family Restaurant ......................... 17 Tunes 92.5 / 104.5 FM WBLH Radio .......... 58 Waite Indian Motorcycle ............................. 56 Waite Toyota ............................................... 51 Watertown Auto Repair ............................... 33 Watertown Daily Times ............................... 44 Watertown Savings Bank .............................. 2 Watertown Spring & Alignment .................. 33 Wise Women OB/GYN ................................ 38 T.F. Wright & Sons Granite Foundry ........... 52 WWTI-TV 50 ............................................... 45 Ziebart Tidycar ............................................ 33

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

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

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

Call 315-782-1000 to subscribe.

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

Please recycle this magazine.

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INTERVIEW

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ABOUT THE COVER

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34 A new sheriff in town After 32 years as a New York State Trooper, Colleen O’Neill became the first woman ever elected to a sheriff’s office in state history. She reflects on her first year in office. |

COLUMNS

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46 COMMERCE CORNER 47 NONPROFITS TODAY 48 BUSINESS TECH BYTES |

DEPARTMENTS

8 9 10 12 14

49 AGRI-BUSINESS 50 SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS 51 ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE

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EDITOR’S NOTE PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT BUSINESS BRIEFCASE SMALL BIZ STARTUP

We Support You:

30 31 52 54 62

real estate roundup TOP transactions CALENDAR BUSINESS SCENE NEXT MONTH

For our annual Women in Business cover, shot in Watertown’s historic Flower Memorial Library, photographer Justin Sorensen captured, from left, Elizabeth Swearingin, Lewis County manager, Sharon Addison, Watertown city manager, Ruth Doyle, St. Lawrence County administrator, and Deanna Nelson, assistant New York State Attorney General. Our cover story about north country women in public service by writer Norah Machia begins on page 18.

“As a woman-owned business, we honor and thank all women in a wide variety of professions.”

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March 2016 | NNY Business

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T

his month we are proud to present our sixth annual Women in Business issue. Inside you will find a special section titled “Healthy Women,” which contains a series of stories by freelance writer Joleene Moody aimed at helping working women manage the demands of family and career. From tips on how to improve spiritual health, overcome the fear of failure and attain an appropriate work-life balance, I hope you find some great tools to help achieve lasting success.

“Healthy Women” begins on page 37.

In this month’s Ken Eysaman cover story, veteran writer Norah Machia profiles five women who work in the government and public service fields. A pair of county managers, a city manager and two attorneys — one elected and one appointed — share their stories of how they’ve managed careers and families while also maintaining the public trust. For our cover shoot, four of our five public sector professionals met photographer Justin Sorensen at Watertown’s historic Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library where we elegantly styled them in the library’s first-floor reading room. Thank you to library director Yvonne Reff and her staff for allowing us unfettered access to a typically quiet room in the popular city gem. Unfortunately, an empaneled grand jury prevented Lewis County District Attorney Leanne K. Moser from joining us at the library. Fortunately, a portrait of Ms. Moser in the Lewis County Courthouse taken by retired photography editor Norm Johnston during her re-election campaign last year proved a perfect alternative.

This month we also profile Mary Adair, Exit More Real Estate broker-owner, and Joyce Bradley, who, along with her husband, Stephen, co-owns Watertown’s Abbey Carpet.

Each year in March, we return to this topic because it is Women’s History Month. And as long

as north country women are breaking ground in business, we will continue to tell their stories of success that serve as inspiration to others.

I hope you enjoy this edition. It is the work of many talented writers and photographers who helped tell the stories of Northern New York’s Women in Business. As always, if you have any questions, comments or general feedback, please contact me at keysaman@wdt.net or 661-2399.

20 QUESTIONS — This month we sit down with the first woman in New York State to ever win an election as sheriff. Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen M. O’Neill was sworn in to office Jan. 1, 2015, following a campaign that saw her pull off a primary win before beating a hard-fighting Republican challenger for the county’s top law enforcement job. She reflects on her first year in office and speaks candidly about some very real challenges facing Jefferson County and the north country.

Our interview with her begins on page 36.

BUSINESS SCENE — This month’s Scene section, which begins on page 54, features 54 faces from 40 different businesses and organizations from across the north country.

On Feb. 11, we joined the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, for the 64th annual Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award presentation and dinner. Congratulations to Mary Corriveau, who was honored as the 2015 award recipient.

On Feb. 24, we joined the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce at the Ramada Inn, Watertown, for February’s Business After Hours. The next day, Feb. 25, we joined the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at Wood Boat Brewery, Clayton, for February’s Business With a Twist. On Feb. 27, we were back in Clayton for Hospice of Jefferson County’s second annual Cinderella Ball.

Finally, on March 3, we joined the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce at Savory Downtown for the Business of the Year awards luncheon. Congratulations to all who were honored for their success.

Yours in business,

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PEOPLE O N T H E MO V E

CITEC Business Solutions Got business milestones? names executive director n Share your business milestones with NNY Reg Carter, who joined CITEC Business Solutions in 2013 as a business advisor, has been named the organization’s new executive director.

CITEC is a notfor-profit business consulting organization that helps small and mediumsized enterprises in Northern New York to thrive.

Since joining Carter the organization, Mr. Carter has led the delivery of executive services, including working with the leaders of the north country in the areas of strategic planning, business assessments, succession planning and executive coaching with companies.

Mr. Carter had served as interim director since October 2015 before named executive director effective Feb. 10.

Mr. Carter earned a bachelor’s degree from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, and an MBA from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. He began his career at General Electric until 1995 when he became executive vice president and general manager of AB Electrolux in Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. Carter also served as senior vice president of operations at Columbias Gas of Ohio. He worked through the ranks at NiSource from executive vice president and chief operating officer to president of transaction services, and then vice president of new business.

Before joining CITEC, Mr. Carter was an independent consultant in Plattsburgh from 2007 to 2013.

Earns senior living financial designation

Brian D. Wilcox, of Northwestern Mutual, the Greater New York Group, has earned the Chartered Advisor for Senior Living designation from The American College.

Founded in 1927, The American College, located in Bryn Mawr, Pa., is a leading educator of professionals in the financial services industry. The college offers a wide range of specialized designation programs, a master’s in financial services and continuing education programs for those who

Business. Email news releases and photos (.jpg/300 dpi) to editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net. The deadline for submissions is the 10th of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page.

pursue a career in financial services.

With his latest designation, Mr. Wilcox has completed one of the most comprehensive curriculum available addressing the many financial and lifestyle considerations affecting seniors in retirement and individuals preparing for retirement.

The new designaWilcox tion allows him to continue to provide guidance and solutions on a broad range of financial topics.

Mr. Wilcox is based in Watertown. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Lawrence University. He lives in Theresa with his wife, Lori.

New engineer at CITEC Business Solutions

Kate Chepeleff recently joined CITEC Business Solutions, Potsdam, executive director Reg Carter announced.

Ms. Chepeleff will serve as a project/process engineer. She brings 20 years of progressive engineering experience in heavy industry and manufacturing and is recognized for her Chepeleff leadership on teambased initiatives for operational excellence, continuous improvement expertise and as a technical leader. She is also an experienced new equipment installation startup leader with a solid background in training program development and delivery. Her familiarity with plant environment includes corporate standards, such as OSHA, DEC, ISO, contracting put, purchasing and corporate auditing roles.

Please see PEOPLE, page 60

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March 2016 | NNY Business

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NNY

Economic indicators Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers January 2016 $1.58 December 2015 $1.64 January 2015 $1.80

12.2%

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

Vehicles crossing the Thousand Islands, OgdensburgPrescott and Seaway International (Massena) bridges 319,740 in January 2016 349,266 in December 2015 320,796 in January 2015

0.3%

Source: NYS Department of Agriculture

Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

ECON SNAPSHOT

January 2016 $2.11 December 2015 $2.21 January 2015 $2.55

10 | NNY Business | March 2016

17.3%

Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil January 2016 $2.23 December 2015 $2.33 January 2015 $3.08

27.6%

U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar) $1.41 on Jan. 29, 2016 $1.38 on Dec. 31, 2015 $1.27 on Jan. 31, 2015

11.0%

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.

Nonagriculture jobs in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence counties area, not including military jobs (3-year average) **

Average NNY price for gallon of residential propane January 2016 $2.56 December 2015 $2.47 January 2015 $2.84

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

9.9%

90,800 Annual average 2015 89,817 Annual average 2014 89,783 Annual average 2013

1.1% 2014-15

Source: NYS Department of Labor

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales

St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales

70, median price $151,500 in January 2016 112, median price $125,000 in December 2015 70, median price $159,900 in January 2015

39, median price $90,350 in January 2016 53, median price $106,000 in December 2015 32, median price $87,000 in January 2015

Sales

9.3% Price

Source: Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Inc.

21.9% Sales

1.5% Price

Source: St. Lawrence Board of Realtors Inc.

New automobiles (cars & trucks) registered in Jefferson County Cars 302 in January 2016 396 in December 2015 309 in January 2015

2.3%

Trucks 109 in January 2016 117 in December 2015 118 in January 2015

7.6%

Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

Passengers at Watertown International Airport

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

2,248 inbound and outbound in January 2016 2,655 inbound and outbound in December 2015 2,297 inbound and outbound in January 2015

2,340 in January 2016 2,305 in December 2015 2,361 in January 2015

2.1% Source: Jefferson County Board of Legislators

0.9% Source: Social Service Depts. of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

NNY unemployment rates n Due to annual data updates at the New York State Department of Labor, unemployment and jobs data were unavailable at press time this month. Unemployment figures will return in the April issue.

Visit nnybizmag.com for up-to-date jobs and unemployment data.

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

DBAs

DBA (doing business under an assumed name) certificates filed at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office Feb. 1 to Feb. 29, 2016. For a complete list of DBAs filed in past months, visit www.nnybizmag.com.

Feb. 29: Martin Road North Gardens, 28483 Martin Road North, Evans Mills, Bruce Carl Johnson, 28483 Martin Road North, Evans Mills.

St. Larry’s, 38234 Windward Cliffs, Clayton, Laura Cerow, 38234 Windward Cliffs, Clayton.

Little Green Valley Ranch, 2294 Glass Road, Black River, Jason W. Akins, 22994 Glass Road, Black River, Amanda M. Horton, 22994 Glass Road, Black River.

Umstead’s General Construction, 27707 County Route 192, Redwood, Sandra L. Umstead, 27707 County Route 192, Redwood.

Feb. 26: MMA Enterprises DBA American Top Team of Watertown, 1041 Arsenal St., Watertown, Jerry Heath, 25 Grant St., Dexter, Marc Stevens, 22479 Waterville Road, Lorraine.

M. Couture, 538 Emerson St., Apt. 101, Watertown, Maricel Ann Prou, 538 Emerson St., Apt. 101, Watertown.

Mimi’s Miniature Horse Farm, 23152 Wyman Road, Rodman, Kathleen A. Lister, 23152 Wyman Road, Rodman, Peter C. Lister, 23152 Wyman Road, Rodman.

Feb. 25: Tricia’s Cleaning Services, 12222 House Road, Clayton, Patricia R. Bushey, 12222 House Road, Clayton.

Upstate Parachute Services, 15375 Ikeys Crossing Road, Adams, Joshua Allen Brewer, 15375 Ikeys Crossing Road, Adams ODP’s Mobile Auto Detailing, 25788 Pink Schoolhouse Road, Theresa, Peter Marshall, 25788 Pink Schoolhouse Road, Theresa.

B & B Carpentry Masonry, 35870 Sayre Road, Carthage, Robert J. Brotherton III, 35870 Sayre Road, Carthage, Gilbert Barlow Jr., 45 Liberty St. Carthage.

Feb. 24: DMY HVAC, 40274 Rogers Crossing Road, Carthage, Dana Maxim Yuhas, 40274 Rogers Crossing Road, Carthage.

Stolen Moments, 418 Brainard St., Dexter, Melissa Green, 418 Brainard St., Dexter.

Feb. 23: Northern New York Garage Door, 22209 County Route 47, Carthage, Riley Eddy Woodworth, 22209 County Route 47, Carthage.

Feb. 22: LaDuke Auto Sales, 23438 State Route 12, Watertown, Maverick Dean LaDuke, 19052 State Route 177, Adams Center.

Jody L. White DDC’s, 8743 State Route 178, Henderson, Jody L. White, 8743 State Route 178, Henderson.

Nova Concealment, 22570 Cullen Drive, Watertown, William E. Martin, 544 Broadway St., Apt. 1, Cape Vincent.

Black Creek Ranch, 35193 Countryman Road, Theresa, Randall A. Hofer, 35193, Countryman Road, Theresa.

Daydreamy Graphic Design, 7049 State Route 289, Mannsville, Marie Whitnee Miner, 7049 State Route 289, Mannsville.

Feb. 18: B&B Forever Flooring 21761 State Route 180, Lot 15, Dexter, Sean Mitchell Berry, 21761 State Route 180, Lot 15, Dexter.

Feb. 11: Engrauagraphix, 35390 County Route 28, Philadelphia, Kim Jeffrey Daniels, 35390 County Route 28, Philadelphia.

NNY

Feb. 10: Beese Apiaries, 26246 Cramer Road, Watertown, John Douglas Beese Jr., 26246 Cramer Road, Watertown.

Fibonacci 321, 321 James St., Clayton, Karin S. Robertson, 28279 Route 126, Black River.

Northern Light Structures, 405 Arsenal St., Watertown, Charles R. Skellen, 405 Arsenal St., Watertown.

Feb. 9: Gifted Grape Unique Gifts, 28164 County Route 69, Copenhagen, Jennifer Renee Groff, 28164 County Route 69, Copenhagen.

Carter St. Customs, 31125 Carter St., LaFargeville, Kenneth E. Cote, 31087 State Route 180, LaFargeville.

Feb. 8: Modsquad Performance, 24544 County Route 138, Calcium, Christopher James McConnell, 2455 County Route 138, Calcium.

C & S Flooring, 411 Binsse St., Watertown, Roger A. Schager Jr., 411 Binsse St., Watertown, Joseph F. Cota, 25004 County Route 57, Three Mile Bay. Thousand Reasons Properties, 15227 Heritage Drive, Clayton, Erich L. Leonard, 15227 Heritage Drive, Clayton.

Michael J. DeWitt, 20743 Reasoner Road, Watertown, Michael John DeWitt, 20743 Reasoner Road, Watertown.

St. Larry’s River, 38234 Windward Cliffs, Clayton, Laura Chambers Cerow, 38234 Windward Cliffs, Clayton.

BLI Construction, 32008 Miller Road, LaFargeville, Bert Lee Ives, 32008 Miller Road, LaFargeville.

Feb. 5: Rosner Financial Group, 120 Washington St., Suite 420, Watertown, Samuel A. Rosner, 20892 Strickland Road, Carthage.

Ylionx, 747 Jay St., Utica, Leonardo LaPaix, 807 Tamarack Drive, Apt. D, Carthage.

Mind Fit Center, 1116 Arsenal St., Watertown, Larry Silverstein, 16228 Deer Run Road, Watertown, Rebecca Keshmiri, Deer Run Road, Watertown.

Northern Lights Wellness Center, 1116 Arsenal St., Watertown, Larry Silverstein, 16228 Deer Run Road, Watertown, Rebecca Keshmiri, Deer Run Road, Watertown.

Posture Rehab Center, 1116 Arsenal St., Watertown, Larry Silverstein, 16228 Deer Run Road, Watertown, Rebecca Keshmiri, Deer Run Road, Watertown.

Buneta Family Farm, 38400 U.S. Highway 11, Antwerp, John Joseph Buneta Jr., 311 Main St., Antwerp, Amber Buneta, 311 Main St., Antwerp.

Family Herbal Counseling Services, 18560 County Route 162, Watertown, Erika Lynne Laudon, 18560 County Route 162, Watertown.

Pan de Vida Boricua, 8727 Noble St., Evans Mills, Nueva Vida Christian Church, 8727 Noble St., Evans Mills.

Anthem Entertainment, 21837 Farney Pit Road, Carthage, Tyler Clemons, 21837 Farney Pit Road, Carthage.

Feb. 3: Waorgany Brewing LLC, 30100 State Route 37, Evans Mills, Paul Jerome Kilgore, 30100 State Route 37, Evans Mills.

Great Wall TEFL, 41181 State Route 180, Clayton, Joseph C. Moore, 41181 State Route 180, Clayton.

Circle H Ranch, 21516 State Route 411, LaFargeville, Dale L. Hunter, 21516 State Route 411, LaFargeville.

Feb. 17: Grace’s Barbershop, 210 Franklin St., Watertown, Hyung Gyung McCartney, 1620 Huntington St., Apt. E8, Watertown.

Feb. 2: Anderson Enterprises, 23745 Cemetery Road, Felts Mills, Keith L. Anderson, 23745 Cemetery Road, Felts Mills.

Bouncing Bug, 20768 State Route 12F, Watertown, Molly DeJourdan, 619 Thompson St., Watertown, Michael Uebler, 619 Thompson St., Watertown.

Thousand Islands Hunters & Jumpers, 19892 County Route 3, LaFargeville, Laurel Noreen Leiendecker, 19892 County Route 2, LaFargeville.

Feb. 16: Cookhill Farm Plateau, 37469 Spicer Road, Antwerp, Jennifer A. Cook, 37460 Spicer Road, Antwerp.

Feb. 1: Carthage Revolution, 18464 Country Route 69, Thomas J. Shultz, 10606 Pictorial Park Drive, Tampa, FL.

transactions

Third Generation Home Improvements, 4 Greenhouse Road, Apt. 4, Alexandria Bay, Phillip Herbert Roberts, 4 Greenhouse Road, Apt. 4, Alexandria Bay.

Mountain Run Realty, 935 West St., Carthage, Matthew M. Szeliga, 935 West St., Carthage.

March 2016 | NNY Business

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BUSINESS BRIEFCASE TOURISM

1000 Islands to host tourism conference

The New York State Tourism Industry Association will host the 2016 Empire State Tourism Conference from May 2 to 4 at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Clayton.

The theme of this year’s conference, “The Future is Now,” will be complemented by breakout sessions and panel discussions on topics including social media to audience targeting.

Keynote speakers include Barbara Wold, an internationally known speaker and authority on the retail, consumer, hospitality and tourism industries with 40 years of experiences, and Michael Johnson, dean of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

The three-day conference will kick-off with opening remarks by New York State Sen. Richard Funke, chairman of the Senate’s Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Parks & Recreation Committee, and a presentation

by I Love NY. Evening festivities include a tour boat ride and reception at Boldt Castle.

The conference’s logo was designed by Riverside Media of Clayton and features the 1000 Islands International Bridge, the Rock Island Lighthouse and the Antique Boat Museum’s commuter yacht Zipper.

To register for the conference, visit nystia. org/estc. Contact Dawn Borchert, dawn@ nystia.org, for sponsorship opportunities.

SMALL BUSINESS

Granger Nursery & Gifts opens on Arsenal Street

Granger Nursery recently relocated from West Main Street to the building previously occupied by the Cardinal Shoppe at 834 Arsenal St., according to an announcement on the business’s Facebook page, and has changed its name to Granger Nursery & Gifts.

Tracy A. Granger, who took over the building last month from James Livingston, plans to sell an array of plants, flowers, gifts and collectible items and provide horticultural services, according to the announcement. Due to renovations, the store temporarily closed last week and is expected to reopen on Saturday.

The building, which has more space than the former 949 W. Main St. location, will enable the business to sell a larger inventory of plants and flowers in the spring. It will be open year-round and new inventory will be added weekly.

Follow the business on Facebook at www. facebook.com/grangernursery.

COMMERCE

Potsdam Chamber seeks award nominations

The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2016 Business of the Year award.

This award is presented to a Potsdam business that has excelled in at least one of the following areas: improvements that enhance the community, increases in the volume of economic activity growth in employment levels or excellent customer service.

Nominations can be made to the chamber by an application provided by them or a letter explaining how the business meets the criteria.

The award will be presented at the chamber’s annual Spring Luncheon during the second week of May. The nomination deadline is 4:30 p.m. April 12. Send mailed nominations to 24 Market St., Potsdam, NY 13676, or email them to potsdam@slic.com.

12 | NNY Business | March 2016

BUSINESS BRIEFCASE EDUCATION

St. Lawrence University receives endowment

Film actor Kirk Douglas, a 1939 graduate of St. Lawrence University, and his wife, Anne, have pledged $2 million to the university to further endow student scholarships and the operations of the residence hall named after Mr. Douglas.

The gift designates $1 million to the Kirk Douglas Scholarship fund, established in

1999, and $1 million to the improvement, repair, maintenance and operation of Kirk Douglas Hall, a 155-bed residence that opened in 2014.

Two Douglas Scholars are selected each year from underrepresented and lowincome backgrounds. They are chosen for demonstrated leadership skills, ambition and potential to contribute to diversity in the campus community.

The scholars receive mentoring, a loanfree education and a guaranteed experiential learning opportunity that could include

an internship, research fellowship or a self-designed opportunity.

The university currently has six Douglas Scholars from California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and New York.

The Douglas’s have donated a total of $7 million to St. Lawrence University since 2012 through the Douglas Foundation.

Mr. Douglas grew up in Amsterdam and graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in English. The university awarded him an honorary degree in 1958.

March 2016 | NNY Business

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S mall B usiness startup BUSINESS

into a packaging facility.

“I have about 100 essential oils that I purchase just to play with,” she said. “It’s not manufactured somewhere. I’m literally making it on the farm.”

The process wasn’t without its complications, though, and Mrs. Gendebien had to hire two chemists to help her get the lotion and the body oil just right.

“The apple lavender was probably the most challenging to get the right mix,” she said. “I knew what I wanted. It was just a lot of research and a lot of working on the recipes.

Her experimentation resulted in the apple lavender lotion, blueberry mint body scrub, the bath bar, a rose and mamey body oil and the milk bath, which was her husband’s creation.

A Wholesome Glow (skin care) THE INITIAL IDEA

When Manhattan native Carmen Gendebien moved to Lisbon with her husband, Blake, to expand the family farm, she never thought that it would lead to an expansion of her own business, Glow Skin Care & Spa in Canton.

As her spa approaches its fifth anniversary in May, Mrs. Gendebien’s most recent project has hit the market: a luxury skin care line made with ingredients from the family farm.

“Our spa consultant couldn’t believe we were dairy farmers,” Mrs. Gendebien said. “She said ‘you’re doing this stuff. You’re growing these products. You could do this.”

Mrs. Gendebien took that advice to heart and spent a year working on the products before launching her new skin care business, A Wholesome Glow, in January.

TARGET CLIENTELE

A Wholesome Glow was designed as a national skin care line that would take the name of the north country and its scents to every corner of the country.

“What we really wanted to do was promote the north country and all the north country has to offer,” Mrs. Gendebien said.

“When people in New York City get this, they’re getting a piece of the north country.”

Despite aiming for a luxury clientele, including spas, hotels and resorts, Mrs. Gendebien created the products for individuals as well.

“It’s very popular,” she said.

“Women love it, women and men.”

Typically, apple- and blueberry-scented lotions and body scrubs wouldn’t draw men, but Mrs. Gendebien said she designed the products to have subtle scents and the fruits are north country agricultural products that she chose from a survey of local residents.

What makes the products

IN FIVE YEARS

JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS

“The success of this will be the success of the north country. We’re taking everyone with us.”

— Carmen Gendebien, owner,

A Wholesome Glow and Glow Skin Care & Spa popular among men, particularly those who work outdoors in Northern New York, are the other ingredients including cow milk, alfalfa, and oats. The products are packed with good moisturizers and exfoliates, Mrs. Gendebien said.

“I already have men hooked on the bath bar,” she said.

The luxury products are very affordable for locals, who receive 20 percent off on purchases, because they deserve it, Mrs. Gendebien said.

THE JOURNEY After mov-

ing to Lisbon, Mrs. Gendebien wanted to explore her passion for skin care and open her own spa, but the closest licensing program in Syracuse.

She proved her dedication

by driving five to seven hours a day during the winter down to Syracuse because it was the only season that she could take off from the farm.

It paid off when she emerged a licensed Esthetician after six months with added licenses in nails and waxing.

“I was kind of a one man show at the spa for a year and a half,” Mrs. Gendebien said.

As the spa took off and had more, it didn’t seem far-fetched to her to create her own product line because she has experimented with body scrubs and similar items at the spa.

In 2015, she began experimenting with ideas, starting with a three-product plan that became five. She converted a garage into her lab and their Amish house

A Wholesome Glow is already on shelves at Mrs. Gendebien’s spa, Traditional Arts in Upstate New York and the gift shop at ClaxtonHepburn Medical Center.

As the skin care line hits its two month anniversary the product has been sold online as far as Seattle, Connecticut and North Carolina.

The next step for Mrs. Gendebien is to dive into the luxury resort and hotel market.

“I would love to get this into the hotel chain,” she said. “A lot of hotels are getting rid of Jacuzzis and putting in soap tubs.”

Mrs. Gendebien is proposing a minibar of wellness for the luxury tubs, featuring her products, to bring luxury products directly to the hotel’s customers.

She said that one resort has already expressed interest in the idea.

Her business plan includes future product lines as well.

“My goal is to have an SPF line by the summer, good SPF for farmers and a kid’s line,” she said.

Mrs. Gendebien also plans a product line just for men.

“The success of this will be the success of the north country,” she said. “We’re taking everyone with us.” ­— Karee Magee

WHERE Lisbon | OPENED January 2016 | WEB awholesomeglow.com 14 | NNY Business | March 2016

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COV E R STORY

Women answer the call for public service From county and city managers to district attorneys, an assistant attorney general, state lawmakers and the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, north country women have blazed a progressive — and impressive — trail in public service.

TEXT BY NORAH MACHIA | PHOTOS BY JUSTIN SORENSEN

T

There are many women in the north country who provide invaluable leadership in the public sector as a result of their strategic skills, energy, knowledge and commitment.

But several have also made their family a top priority, and some even manage to find the time to volunteer in their communities.

Based on the numbers in the north country, it appears the practice of hiring the most qualified candidate, regardless of gender, has become more of the rule than the exception in the public sector.

Here, we profile five local women who serve in public service leadership roles.

Ruth A. Doyle Ruth A. Doyle, 40, was appointed St. Lawrence County administrator last year, after working for the county for more than a decade, and serving as assistant admin-

18 | NNY Business | March 2016

istrator since 2008.

At work, she has oversight of 807 county employees in 25 departments with seven bargaining units. The other part of her job is to effectively communicate with 15 elected county legislators.

At home, she and her husband, David R. Doyle, are raising four children — Isabella, 11, Reid, 10, Kerrigan, 6, and Anderson, 3.

Mr. Doyle had been teaching third grade at Morrisville Central School, but after his wife was appointed county administrator, the couple decided to make some changes.

They moved from Lisbon to a new home in Heuvelton, where Mr. Doyle took a teaching position in the Heuvelton Central School District, the same district their children attend. The move helped them balance their new work and family commitments, Mrs. Doyle said.

“It has been a big year of change,” she said.

Mrs. Doyle was selected from a pool of 23 applicants, and her supporters noted that she had a solid grasp of county government operations due to her many years working with the county.

At the time of her appointment, Mrs. Doyle joked that her husband and children “heard a lot about Monday nights,” referring to her attendance at the county’s weekly meetings.

Mrs. Doyle, who graduated in 1997 with a degree in political science from LeMoyne College, is a native of Lisbon. She had worked in the hospital administration field before joining county government.

“I believe there are some aspects to leadership positions that are more challenging for women, but generally, I believe working in leadership positions is difficult for both genders,” she said.

Although historically, leadership roles

Ruth A. Doyle, 40, was appointed St. Lawrence County administrator last year, after working for the county for more than a decade, and serving as assistant administrator since 2008.

C OV E R STORY Notable north country women in public service

n The notion that women in the north country are limited by a “glass ceiling” is largely a thing of the past. In addition to the five professional women profiled in this issue, here are 11 others who represent a wide range of elected and public service at the county and state levels in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties. By no means is this an all-inclusive list.

Judy Drabicki

Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick

POSITION: Regional Director, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 6 APPOINTED: 2007 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, Cornell University, Ithaca; law degree, Syracuse University College of Law POSITION: Jefferson County Board of Legislators, District 12 in the City of Watertown (also served as its first chairwoman 2011-2015) ELECTED: 1999 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from DeLima Dominican Sisters College, Oxford, Mich.

POSITION: Lewis County Attorney APPOINTED: 2014 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree SUNY Stony Brook, law degree, Hofstra University School of Law

Joan E. McNichol POSITION: Jefferson County District Attorney ELECTED: 2015 EDUCATION: Baldwinsville High School; Ithaca College 1992; law degree, Syracuse University School of Law, 1995

Kristyna S. Mills

Please see NOTABLE, page 23 20 | NNY Business | March 2016

The Ruth A. Doyle file Professional: St. Lawrence County manager Family: Husband, David R., teacher in the Heuvelton Central School District; four children, Isabella, 11, Reid, 10, Kerrigan, 6, and Anderson, 3.

Sharon A. Addison, 52, was appointed Watertown city manager in 2012 following a 27-year career with the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

Education: Lisbon Central School, 1993: bachelor’s degree in political science, LeMoyne College, Syracuse, 1997.

Community: Volunteers to help coach children’s sports for the town recreation departments in Lisbon and Heuvelton.

Recommended Read: “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead,” by Sheryl Sandberg.

in the public sector have often been filled by men, “recently there have been additional efforts to recognize women for their work,” Mrs. Doyle said.

“In recent years, I think the increase of women taking the initiative successfully is becoming more prevalent,” she added. “Both my predecessors were recognized for their leadership; one a man and one a woman.”

Regardless of gender, there are several skills needed for successful leadership, such as “the ability to build and maintain honest relationships, which transcends all sectors of business,” Mrs. Doyle said.

She added that “traits like humility and compassion” are also important components to public service.

Successfully managing a county government involves “the importance of recognizing how to efficiently address both the needs of staff, and the needs of the citizens of the county, which is paramount to achieving success,” she said.

It also involves working effectively with others, Mrs. Doyle said.

“The people I work with are an extremely talented group of people,” she said. “The county has seven bargaining units that are full of extraordinary staff working to serve the county every day.”

Leadership “can be gained from those we supervise as well as those we work alongside of, and if I could share the need to be open to finding aspects of leadership in unsuspecting places, that is what I would share,” she said.

Mrs. Doyle is a member of the County Administrators Association and the Canton Human Services Initiative Board of Directors.

Sharon Addison Sometimes Watertown City Manager Sharon A. Addison, 52, just wants to be known as “mom.”

It’s not unusual to find this single mother on the sidelines helping to coach her daughter Kiara’s sixth-grade basketball team at Immaculate Heart Central,

or attending other school events for her 14-year-old daughter, Mckayla.

And if anyone asks her outside of work what she does for a living, she will often just say “I work for the city,” Ms. Addison said.

She also has a son, Brennan, 26, who lives in Maryland, where he works in a management position for The Cheesecake Factory.

As city manager, Ms. Addison oversees 18 departments and 428 full and part-time, as well as seasonal, employees. Ms. Addison accepted the position in 2012, after working in the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md., for 27 years.

She started as a technician/analyst in the federal agency, and worked herself up to the position of division chief responsible for overseeing programs in intelligence.

Ms. Addison, who graduated with a math/ computer degree, readily admits in her past career field, “It was still male-dominated.”

“But I did come across a few women leaders, so I knew it was possible,” she said. “There were so many men in that field, but the dynamic was slowly changing. I didn’t let it intimidate me.”

For example, when she worked in the federal agency’s software development program, “I could count the number of women on one hand,” Ms. Addison said.

“But I earned their respect,” she added.

“They wanted to do the technical work, and not my management job.”

In her job with the NSA, Ms. Addison had the opportunity to brief “high-level representatives” in both the Senate and

House Committees on Intelligence regarding personal recovery efforts and direct threat warnings to the United States and Allied Troops who were deployed.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the agency became involved with coordinating rescue efforts when a helicopter carrying American troops was shot down. She also worked in Europe for three years as an analyst for the agency.

“I pushed myself to change jobs every three years within the organization because I wanted to diversify and grow,” Ms. Addison said. “Each one brought a new challenge.”

But when she reached a point in her career where the next step for advancement would be to apply for an executive position, she decided to change her focus.

The Sharon A. Addison file Professional: Watertown city manager Family: Mother, Joyce Addison, Scotia; children, Brennan Furrow, 26, Glen Burnie, Maryland, Mckayla Weber, 14, and Kiara Weber, 11, both of Watertown.

Education: Scotia-Glenville High School, 1981; bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science, SUNY Potsdam, 1985.

Community: Board Member Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County; Board Secretary North Country Family Health Clinic; Assistant Coach Immaculate Heart Central Girls 6th grade Basketball; and assists with Watertown City School District Backpack Program Recommended Read: “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek.

March 2016 | NNY Business

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Elizabeth Swearingen was appointed Lewis County manager in February 2014. She previously served as the director of business strategy and operations at CYCLE Kids, a nonprofit agency in Cambridge, Mass., dedicated to physical and mental health issues of children.

C O V E R S T O RY “It would have been too many hours, and too difficult to balance family and work at that time,” Ms. Addison said.

Ms. Addison was already familiar with the north county when she decided to apply for the city manager position.

A 1985 graduate of SUNY Potsdam, she owns property along the St. Lawrence River in Fisher’s Landing, and her sister, Laura L. Lamon, is a teacher at Guardino Elementary School in Clayton.

“I always thought I would stay with the NSA until I retired, but the doors kept opening for other opportunities,” she said.

Ms. Addison recalls driving with one of her daughters in their Severn, Md., neighborhood, when the phone rang. She pulled over to answer the call, which was from former Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham, who conducted an impromptu phone interview. When she finished, her daughter turned to her and said “Mom, you hit that one out of the park!”

She notes that her work as division chief in the NSA overseeing 12 program managers and a more than $100 million budget has some “strong parallels to where I am now.”

Being a good leader is not so much dependent on gender as it is on a person’s skills and personality, Ms. Addison said.

“A good leader must be more of an extrovert and have a passion for leading people,” she said. “It’s important to have good communication and listening skills, integrity, and be honest and truthful.”

But a good leader can never be successful alone, Ms. Addison said.

“We have a very talented group of people working for the city of Watertown,” she said. “Everyone brings a unique perspective to the table, and has a different set of skills.”

Her role is to “help remove roadblocks to empower and enable them” to carry out their job responsibilities, Ms. Addison said.

“I have always been in operations management,” she said. “That’s what drives me, the day-to-day challenge.”

Ms. Addison said she has developed a true appreciation for the north country since relocating to the area more than three years ago.

“This is a unique area,” she said.

“People are very driven, passionate and dedicated. It’s also a very strong faithbased community.”

Ms. Addison serves on the board of directors for the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County and the North Country Family Health Center.

She is also involved with the Backpack Program at Starbuck Elementary School, which provides nutritious and easy to pre-

pare food for low-income children to bring home for the weekend.

Organizers are hoping to expand the program to other elementary schools in the Watertown City School District, but are in need of a volunteer to coordinate that effort, she said.

Elizabeth Swearingin Elizabeth Swearingin, 57, never considered her gender would be an issue with the Lewis County Board of Legislators when she applied for the position of county manager.

“I happen to fit their need” for the leadership position, she said.

She was hired as county manager in February 2014, from a pool of 25 candidates.

“I don’t believe there is a gender issue involved with leadership skills as much as it is an understanding of the cultural differences, particularly between working in the public and private sectors,” said Mrs. Swearingin, a native of Brooklyn.

At the time she applied for the Lewis County Manager position, Mrs. Swearingin was working as the director of business strategy and operations at CYCLE Kids, a nonprofit agency in Cambridge, Mass., dedicated to physical and mental health issues of children.

She had been previously employed by ICF International, New York City, as a principal in the Aviation and Aerospace Consulting Division. In that position, she was responsible for business development and customer satisfaction in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.

Mrs. Swearingin had also worked for the fifth largest steel producer, U.S. Steel, as

notable, from page 20 POSITION: Watertown City Court Judge APPOINTED: 2012 (City’s first woman appointed to the bench) EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, Albany Law School

Catherine J. Palermo POSITION: Ogdensburg City Manager APPOINTED: 2015 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from DeLima Dominican Sisters College, Oxford, Mich.

Sarah Purdy POSITION: St. Lawrence County District Attorney ELECTED: 2013 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in public justice, SUNY Oswego, 1983; law degree, Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law, 1995

Mary E. Rain

The Elizabeth Swearingin file Professional: Lewis County manager Family: Husband, Mark, vice president technical operations at Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, based in NYC; two children, George Jackson, Minneapolis; Alex Jackson, a student at Purdue University; three stepchildren, Sara, Denver; Jason and Mark, Louisville, Ky.; and two grandchildren.

Patricia A. Ritchie

POSITION: New York State Assemblywoman, D-Theresa ELECTED: 2008 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree University of Albany 2000, law degree Syracuse University College of Law, May 2003

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Tufts University, Medford, Mass.; Master of Business Administration, Babson College, Wellesley, Mass.

Community: Previous member of the Citizen’s for Reform of Allegheny County Government, a volunteer for the Quaker Valley Hockey Association and former member of the Pittsburgh Women’s Shelter board.

Recommended Read: “George Washington,” and “John Adams,” by John McCullough; “Steve Jobs,” and “Einstein,” by Walter Issacson, and “Titan — Story of John Rockefeller” by Ron Chernow.

POSITION: New York State Senator, RHeuvelton ELECTED: 2010 EDUCATION: Associate degree in social work, former Mater Dei College, Ogdensburg, 1985; bachelor’s in psychology, SUNY Potsdam, 1991

Addie J. Russell Please see NOTABLE, page 27 March 2016 | NNY Business

| 23

Deanna R. Nelson, 46, has been the assistant attorney general in charge of the Watertown regional office, which covers Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, since 2008.

general manager, corporate supply chaincustomer service in Pittsburgh, where she led North American order management and customer service. She spent 16 years with U.S. Airways as managing director of supply chain, planning and finance, and worked for two software companies in aviation and workforce management.

She and her husband, Mark, had purchased a home three years ago in Brantingham Lake. Mr. Swearingin is vice president technical operations at Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, based in NYC. Both had developed a strong interest in living fulltime at their home in Lewis County, and that’s what made her decide to apply for the county manager position.

24 | NNY Business | March 2016

Even though Mrs. Swearingin had worked as the “boss” for 30 years at her previous positions, one of the most important things she decided to do when taking over the county manager position was listen to others.

“You need to be aware of cultural norms that exist,” she said. “You need to understand the barriers to change in the public sector that are not always present in the private sector.”

When Mrs. Swearingin first took the position as Lewis County Manager, “the key was listening and learning” from others, particularly those who had been employed by the county for a long time, she said.

In her position, she reports to 10 county

legislators, oversees 28 departments and more than 350 employees.

“It involves real communication and problem-solving skills,” she said. “The opinions and ideas of my staff really matter.”

“I’m not the expert in all these areas, they are the experts,” Mrs. Swearingin added. “I view my role as taking down barriers that may be preventing them from being where they need to be, and guiding them to get there.”

Her official job duties as county manager include serving as the chief budget administrator for the county and “making sure the budget is administrated properly and the government runs as efficiently and

C O V E R S T O RY could find that was written by a successful woman who provided inspiration and insight for others, Mrs. Swearingin said.

It’s that inspiration that she has tried to pass along to younger women in an informal way, such as helping them with their resumes and interviewing skills.

“It’s really important for women like myself to help younger women see the opportunities that are available to them,” she said.

Mrs. Swearingin obtained her master’s degree in business administration from Babson College, Wellesley, Mass., and her bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, Medford, Mass.

Prior to accepting her new position in Lewis County, she had served as a member of Citizen’s for Reform of Allegheny County Government, a volunteer for the Quaker Valley Hockey Association and was a member of the Pittsburgh Women’s Shelter board. She enjoys reading, theater, canoeing and traveling.

Mrs. Swearingin has two children, George Jackson, Minneapolis; Alex Jackson, a student at Purdue University; and three stepchildren, Sara, Denver; Jason and Mark, Louisville, Ky.; and two grandchildren.

effectively as possible,” she said.

The position also involves “making sure services are being delivered to the county residents, and constantly working to improve things for them,” she said.

There were not many females who could serve as mentors in her previous profession. When she worked in the finance and operations sector of the aircraft maintenance field, it was not unusual for her to attend a meeting where she was “one woman among three hundred men,” Mrs. Swearingin said.

But there were some positive male mentors in the field, she noted.

“I had to chart that course on my own,” and one way was by reading any book she

Deanna Nelson Deanna R. Nelson, 46, has been the assistant attorney general in charge of the Watertown regional office, which covers Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, since 2008.

Just three years after her appointment, State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman tapped Ms. Nelson, to also lead investigations into complaints of local governmental corruption by designating her the office’s public integrity officer, along with keeping her current title.

The Watertown office is one of the smaller regional offices, with just two attorneys and four staff positions. They offer consumer mediation services and also conduct community outreach regarding a variety of issues that affect consumers. The office is also responsible for affirmative litigation against businesses engaged in illegal or deceptive practices, oversight of charitable organizations, and responding to litigation related to multiple state facilities in the region.

“The Watertown regional office is a great place to work, and we have been involved in numerous cases, some of which are local and others which have had a national

The Deanna R. Nelson file Professional: Assistant New York State Attorney General in Charge, Watertown Regional Office Family: Mother Patricia F. Nelson, Rodman; three children, Grailey L., Bradley P. and Ella M. Walton, Rodman.

Education: Bloomfield Central School, 1987; bachelor’s degree, Nazareth College of Rochester, 1990; law degree, University at Buffalo School of Law, 1993.

Community: Jefferson County Bar Association; American Constitution Society; New Forest Pony Society of North America; First Presbyterian Church of Watertown.

Recommended Read: “John Adams,” by David McCullough; “The Bucolic Plague,” by Josh Kilmer-Purcell.

impact,” Ms. Nelson said.

Because the Watertown regional office is in close proximity to Fort Drum, there has been a great deal of work done by the office staff for service members of the 10th Mountain (Light Infantry) Division. As a result of this involvement, Ms. Nelson was also appointed as Mr. Schneiderman’s Veteran’s Affairs representative to the National Association of Attorneys General.

In 2013, she was invited to present testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, as part of a panel addressing predatory military lending issues. Ms. Nelson later spoke on military focused consumer protection topics to the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute, and was recognized by Mr. Schneiderman with the Louis J. Lefkowitz Award for outstanding service.

Ms. Nelson, a graduate of University at Buffalo School of Law who has practiced law since 1993, decided to move from the private to the public sector in hopes of making a greater impact.

“After many years in private practice, the ability to serve my community directly was very exciting,” she said. “These are the cases that change policies and stop bad practices, and tend to be the cases that aren’t readily available in the private sector.”

Ms. Nelson believes leaders in the public sector throughout the north country are chosen for their skills, with gender not necessarily being a consideration.

“At least during my professional years, Northern New York has been a great place for female leaders in the public sector,” she said. “During the last twenty years, our region has seen effective leadership by March 2016 | NNY Business

| 25

Leanne K. Moser, 49, is serving her third term as Lewis County District Attorney. She was first elected in 2007. She has a dual responsibility as the Lewis County Coroner. Ms. Moser sits in a courtroom at the Lewis County Courthouse with portraits of past presiding judges behind her.

women in district attorney offices, county and city manager positions, elected officials and military posts.”

“The willingness to accept effective leadership irrespective of gender has been a benefit to the region,” Ms. Nelson added.

“Perhaps it is the hardiness of the people who live here, but there seems to be a preference to choose a leader based upon skills over gender.”

Ms. Nelson has drawn inspiration from many others, both male and female role models, including her own mother.

“No doubt my mother’s early admonitions to work hard and do anything I set my mind to are bedrock for me,” she said. “If your mother tells you something, you listen!”

Ms. Nelson is herself a single mother to three children: Grailey, Bradley and Ella Walton.

26 | NNY Business | March 2016

“I have learned that being in a leadership role is more than having good ideas,” she added. “Rather it is a privilege made possible only by the efforts and skills of an excellent team.”

Every “good leader is the result of being a part of a strong team of people and helping pave the way for them to be successful,” Ms. Nelson said.

Leanne K. Moser Leanne K. Moser, 49, is serving her third term as Lewis County District Attorney.

She is overseeing one of the smallest DA’s offices in the state, with the help of just one assistant district attorney.

And she has a dual responsibility as the Lewis County Coroner. The county is one of only three statewide whose district attorneys also act as the coroner.

Prior to making the decision to first

run for Lewis County District Attorney position, Ms. Moser had been working as a Monroe County assistant district attorney. She had also been a prosecutor with the state Education Department’s Office of Professional Discipline in Rochester.

She grew up in Lewis County, and is a graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School. She decided to return to her roots when the county made the District Attorney position a full-time one.

One of her proudest accomplishments in Lewis County has been starting up a victim impact program. As part of the program, those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs hear from family members of people injured or killed by impaired drivers.

She has also worked to establish a system that prevents cases from slipping through the cracks, by practicing “com-

C O V E R S T O RY The Leanne K. Moser file

notable, from page 23 POSITION: United States Representative, R-Willsboro

Professional: Lewis County District Attorney and Lewis County Coroner Family: Parents, Wilbur and Sharon Moser, Castorland; two older brothers, living in Texas and Long Island; three nephews and one niece.

Education: Lowville Academy and Central School, 1985; bachelor’s degree, Syracuse University, 1988; law degree, Syracuse University Law School, 1991.

Community: Member of the Board of Directors, District Attorney Association of the State of New York.

Elise M. Stefanik

Recommended Read: “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.

NORM JOHNSTON | NNY BUSINESS

munication and efficiency” with other law enforcement officials.

“I’ve had some great role models, both male and female, from law professors to other prosecutors,” Ms. Moser said.

“Truth be told, it’s more personality as opposed to gender.”

But “that doesn’t mean that in some ways, it’s still a male-dominated world, although I never felt that in my career,” she said.

“There still may be some old school beliefs about a woman being in power,” Ms. Moser said. “But it is what it is.”

One of the most important traits in being a good prosecutor is that “you have to learn to overcome things, and you have to have good negotiating skills,” Ms. Moser said.

After working in a private law firm for four years, Ms. Moser decided to enter the public sector because “while I really enjoyed

the people that I worked with, the private law practice was just not my calling.”

“From the beginning, I wanted to do prosecuting,” she said.

It’s a profession with mixed rewards, Ms. Moser said.

“It’s rewarding to help victims, but you can also get burnt out by the horrible things that happen to people,” she said. “It’s the parts of the job that keeps you going which can also wear you down.”

One challenge for women in the law enforcement profession is recognizing the fact that men and women are different, and will often not respond the same way to the same situation, she said.

Sometimes their behavior, however, is still interpreted based on their gender, Ms. Moser said.

“A woman being aggressive can sometimes be interpreted differently than a man being aggressive,” she said.

What has concerned her in recent years is the rise of social media, which allows for more wide open and anonymous criticism of public officials, both male and female, she said.

“I have no problem with honest debate and differences of opinion, but not personal attacks,” she said. “The age of anonymity has taken that to a whole new level, because people write what they won’t say in person.”

“You have to have thick skin, but that doesn’t mean things don’t hurt,” she added.

Ms. Moser is a member of the New York State District Attorney Association Board of Directors. n Norah Machia is a freelance writer who lives in Watertown. She is a 20-year veteran journalist and former Watertown Daily Times reporter.

Contact her at norahmachia@gmail.com.

Peyton A. Taylor

ELECTED: 2014 (She was the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress at age 30.)

EDUCATION: Albany Academy for Girls; Harvard University POSITION: Director, State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Thousand Islands Regional Office APPOINTED: 2015 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in natural resource management from the University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree in American history from Johns Hopkins University.

athena international award recipients n Since 1991, the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce has presented annually the Athena International Award to a deserving north country woman. The place of work listed is at the time of the award.

1991, Rose Frattali, New York Casualty Insurance 1992, Michelle Pfaff, Community Bank, N.A. 1993, Janice Charles, North Country Children’s Clinic 1994, Chandler Ralph, Adirondack Medical Center 1995, Lana Brown-Taylor, Indian River School District 1996, Cathy Pircsuk, WWNY-TV 7/WNYF Fox 28 1997, Beth Fipps, HSBC Bank 1998, Deborah McGloine, Jefferson Community College 1999, Jayn Graves, United Way of Northern New York 2000, Maria Roche, Carthage High School 2001, Margaret “Peg” Fargo, YMCA 2002, Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, Samaritan Medical Center 2003, Pamela Caswell, Watertown Urban Mission* 2004, Jane Gendron, American Red Cross 2005, Mary Corriveau, Watertown city manager 2006, Cindy Intschert, Jefferson Co. district attorney 2007, Kate Fenlon, Jefferson Community College 2008, Donna Dutton, Watertown city clerk 2009, Jody LaLone, Car-Freshner Corp.

2010, Pamela Beyor, AIA, Bernier, Carr & Associates 2011, Lisa Weber, Timeless Frames, Expression & Décor 2012, Denise Young, Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization 2013, Margaret “Peggy” Coe, physicist 2014, Erika Flint, Watertown Urban Mission 2015, Carolyn Fitzpatrick, Jefferson County Board of Legislators *Deceased March 2016 | NNY Business

| 27

women in business

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

Joyce Bradley of Abbey Carpet of Watertown in the showroom of the Court Street store. Mrs. Bradley is co-owner with her husband, Stephen.

A client-first culture

For Abbey Carpet’s Joyce Bradley, customer comfort is a top priority

By Karee Magee

F

NNY Business

or Joyce Bradley, co-owner of Abbey Carpet of Watertown, patience truly is a virtue, a lesson she’s learned over 30 years of working with customers and managing changes.

Mrs. Bradley and her husband, Stephen, moved back to Watertown from Syracuse in 1986 to take over the shop-at-home carpet business when his father decided to retire. She took over the secretarial duties including bookkeeping and scheduling while her husband did installs and carpet cleaning.

Running a carpeting showroom was

28 | NNY Business | March 2016

the last thing on her mind when they opened it in 1987 and became an Abbey Carpet franchise.

“It probably would’ve been the furthest thing from my mind,” she said.

“Over time I’ve come to love being selfemployed and flexible. It’s rewarding.”

It was about 10 years ago that she took over running the showroom while Mr. Bradley ran the installations, but she took the change head on by attending conferences and learning everything she could about flooring.

“I found I really liked that niche,” she said. “It’s nice to help someone with a project and make their home nicer.”

Mrs. Bradley is far from complacent,

though. Knowledge about her products and her field isn’t taken for granted.

“You have to keep current with your product,” she said. “It takes time. I had to learn that. I’ve read a lot and try to keep up with the fashion trends.”

Mrs. Bradley said that knowledge sets their business apart from the big box stores because they know all of the products, they are able to determine the best type of flooring for a project and how to best install it.

She said national retail stores usually don’t always have employees familiar with the best way to measure or what the best product is to use.

Her knowledge, though, isn’t the only

women in business trait that set’s her business apart from the big box stores, said Dacia VanEenenaam, a long-time customer and friend.

“Not only is she hugely organized, but she is extremely patient,” Ms. VanEenenaam said. “She’s bright, capable and calm.”

Ms. VanEenenaam said that their friendship developed out of their business relationship over the past 19 years.

“Not only am I confident with them, but I’m comfortable with them in my home,” she said.

Ms. VanEenenaam said that she would even be comfortable with them installing a carpet when she was out.

It’s that comfort that Mrs. Bradley aspires to and the way she sees her own business.

“I see a retail store where someone can come and be comfortable,” she said “A relaxed atmosphere where they can buy materials to make their home more beautiful.”

Customer service is her top priority because Mrs. Bradley said it will reflect

The Joyce Bradley file HOMETOWN: Clayton Professional: Co-owner, Abbey Carpet of Watertown Family: Husband, Stephen Bradley; daughters, Amber Bradley and Caitlyn Virkler; son, Matthew Bradley; three grandchildren Education: Thousand Islands High School; associate degree, Central City Business Institute, Syracuse.

Community: Ambassador, Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce; Jefferson County Historical Society; Downtown Business Association.

Recommended Read: “Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul” by Hanoch McCarty, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Meladee McCarty.

back on her.

“If they come here, they deal with me from start-to-finish,” she said. “I try not to be pushy. Sometimes it takes more than one time for a customer to come in and get the perfect fit.”

In order to better serve her customers,

Mrs. Bradley said that being successful also involves embracing changes.

“You can’t change it, so it’s better to brace for it,” she said.

The biggest change for the store was the advent of computer technology, including electronic bookkeeping.

“I didn’t want to do it at first,” she said. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, but now I love it.”

She said it’s made a lot of her work easier like electronic pricing systems.

That was a task that would have taken her a full day to do before.

The significant challenge, though, remains the recruitment and retention of adequate help, Mrs. Bradley said, and she hopes to bring in more people for installations.

Despite the ever-present challenges, though, she expects the business to keep growing and changing.

“There’s never a dull moment,” she said. n karee magee is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at kmagee@ wdt.net or 661-2381.

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R EA L E STATE ROUNDUP

Understanding residential transactions

I

n the coming months, I will discuss some common forms a buyer or seller encounters during a real estate transaction starting with the Agency Disclosure Form. This is the one form you should see in any transaction involving real estate agents and sales of property ranging from single-family residences to four-family homes. Remember that all parties should alwaays be given a copy of any contract or form that is signed.

The Agency Disclosure Form is mandated by New York state. It is presented to buyers and sellers by a real estate agent at “first substantive contact” and tells the buyer or seller who the agent represents.

There are three basic scenarios. The listing agent provides the form to a seller before entering into the listing agreement and the seller signs the acknowledgment. Similarly, a buyer’s agent provides the form to a buyer before entering into an agreement to act as the buyer’s agent and the buyer signs the form. Finally, a seller’s agent provides the form to a buyer or buyer’s agent at the time of the first substantive contact with the buyer and the buyer signs while a buyer’s agent does the same when encountering a seller or seller’s agent at first substantive contact with the seller and the seller signs.

Under state law, an agent who is acting as a seller’s agent represents the interest of the seller and a buyer’s agent does the same with the buyer. He or she has duties of reasonable care, undivided loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience, and a duty to account to whoever he or she is representing in the transaction.

n

n

n

The New York State Association of Realtors held its winter business meetings and leadership conference at the Desmond Hotel in Albany from Feb. Lance Evans 7 to 11. Fifteen Realtors from the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors joined me during the five-day event.

One of the highlights was the inauguration of Lisa L’Huillier, Hefferon Real Estate, as president of the New York State Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. In her role, she will work with the eight chapters and more than 600 WCR members statewide as well as her counterparts across the country. Women’s Council is the 12th-largest U.S. women’s professional organization and has one of the most successful communication networks in the National Association of Realtors family. Chapters include real estate professionals who support the objectives of Women’s Council and are interested in serving the industry, the community, and fellow Realtors.

Other highlights included the leadership conference, which was designed to assist association leaders from New York’s 31 local associations with issues that impact them throughout the year. Topics covered were governance, legal, policy

and procedure, and economic issues.

During the business meetings, attendees discussed issues affecting real estate in their local area, regionally, statewide, and nationally. They worked on policies and governance issues affecting the real estate industry, heard from industry and governmental speakers, and exchanged ideas and information with real estate professional from around the state.

In addition to Ms. L’Huillier, several other area Realtors have leadership positions in 2016. Linda Fields, Linda J. Fields, Broker, is vice chairwoman of the Education Management Committee. Karen Peebles, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CNY Realty, is the Legal Action Committee vice chairwoman. The vice chairwoman of the Second Home, Resort and Global Markets Committee is Jennifer Stevenson, Blue Heron Realty.

Others attendees from the two associations included Jennifer Dindl, Humes Realty and Appraisal Service, Carolyn Gaebel, Exit More Real Estate, Debbie Gilson, County Seat Realty, Janet Handschuh, Heart Homes Real Estate, Lisa Lowe, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CNY Realty, Al Netto, Weichert Realtors Thousand Islands Realty, Doreen Radway, County Seat Realty, Randy Raso, Raso Real Estate, Nancy Rome, Rome RSA Realty, Charles Ruggiero, Hefferon Real Estate, and Vickie Staie, Staie on the Seaway and Appraisals USA. n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

Liberty GLASS & WINDOW INC.

30 | NNY Business | March 2016

RE AL E STAT E / top transactions The following property sales were recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in the month of January: $1,625,000: Jan. 26, Towns of LeRay and Pamelia: Three parcels, 3.96 acres, Holbrook Road, and 1.68 acres, Route 342, U-Lock It LLC, Watertown, sold to Home Loan Investment Bank F.S.B., Warwick, R.I. $1,250,000: Jan. 22, Town of Alexandria: No acreage listed, all that island known as St. Elmo Island, Mary M. Farley, Gouverneur, and Patti A. Farley-Spillman, Gouverneur, sold to St. Elmo Island Inc. c/o Valdi Private Islands Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. $680,000: Jan. 21, Town of Alexandria: No acreage listed, Lot 11, Tennis Island, Joseph J. Widenbeck Jr., Edgewater, Fla., sold to Vojtech Slezka, Evans Mills. $630,000: Jan. 5, 2016: Town of Clayton: 2.5 acres, Basswood Island, Charles W. Heinrich and Deborah S. Heinrich, Lockport, sold to Basswood Heights Associates LLC, New York City. $500,000: Jan. 7, Town of Orleans: Two parcels, 160.56 acres, state Route 180, John Ebblie, Watertown, sold to Jonathan M. Northrop and Jennifer M. Northrop, Dexter. $393,389: Jan. 8, City of Watertown: No acreage listed, Burchard Street at North Rutland Street, Daniel S. Dickinson III, Watertown, as referee for Burchard Street Properties LLC, Darrell L. Owen, Daniel Secklin, Brent J. Lewis and Kristin M. Lewis, sold to BofI Properties LLC, San Diego, Calif.

parcel 5) 11.25 acres more or less, parcel 6) 20.43 acres more or less, parcel 7) 27.26 acres more or less, parcel 8) 13.86 acres more or less, parcel 9) 30 acres more or less, parcel 10) 15.31 acres more or less, parcel 11) 0.22 of an acre more or less, Mile Square 61, bounded by Smith Road, James Steinburg, Madrid, sold to Mapleview Farms LLC, Madrid. $392,150: Jan. 29, Town of Waddington: 126.120 acres more or less, Mile Square 15, David Morris, Lisbon, sold to Mapleview Farms LLC, Madrid. $375,585: Jan. 27, Town of Lisbon: Parcel 1) 50.40 acres more or less, Parcel 2) 0.28 of an acre more or less, Parcel 3) 48.09 acres more or less, Parcel 4) 20.54 acres more or less, Parcel 5) 35.04 acres more or less, Parcel 6) Unknown acres, Parcel 7) Unknown acres, Mile Square 5, bounded by Fulton Road, (foreclosure),Thomas R. Adams (referee in action), Susan Sattler and Louis Sattler, et al, no addresses given, sold to Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, St. Paul, Minn. $350,000: Jan. 29, City of Ogdensburg: Parcel 1) 1.082 acres more or less, parcel 2) unknown acres, bounded by Franklin and Jay streets, Richard C. Fox, Estero, Fla., sold to SCI California Funeral Services Inc., Houston, Texas. $265,000: Jan. 4, Town of Stockholm: Parcel 1) 0.30 of an acre more or less, Parcel 2) Unknown acres, Parcel 3) 1.059 acres more

or less, Parcel 4) Unknown acres, Parcel 5) Unknown acres, Parcel 6) Unknown acres, bounded by Route 57 and Water Street, Sarah H. Stretton, Lake Placid, sold to Darrin R. Munson, West Stockholm. $255,000: Jan. 22, Town of Potsdam: Parcel 1) 1.49 acres more or less, Parcel 2) 1.59 acres more or less, Section 68, bounded by Perrin Road, Robert J. and Deborah B. Twyman, Potsdam, sold to John S. and Andrea L. Duffy, Potsdam. $225,000: Jan. 21, Village of Canton: 0.27 of an acre more or less, bounded by Hodskin Street and Chapel Street, Hang T. Nguyen, Canton, sold to Compass II, LLC, Watertown. $207,000: Jan. 21, Village of Potsdam: Unknown acres, bounded by May Road and Leroy Street, Paul M. and Lynda J. Karpick, Potsdam, sold to Feng Hong and Yimei Zhu, Potsdam. $202,000: Jan. 4, Town of Parishville: 1.10 acres more or less, Mile Square 41, bounded by the West Branch of the St. Regis River Allens Falls Flow, Timothy Strong, Potsdam, sold to Peter S. Brouwer, Potsdam. $196,000: Jan. 8, Town of Norfolk: 10 acres more or less, bounded by Lacomb Road, Kenneth E. and Amy N. Grey, Norfolk, sold to Micheal J. Summers Jr. and Heidi Summers, Massena.

$300,000: Jan. 4, Town of Theresa: 10.34 acres, Wilson Road, Edward G. Brown, Russell G. Brown and Scott K. Brown, all of Theresa, as trustees of testamentary trust of Kenneth A. Brown for the benefit of Virginia H. Brown, sold to Land of Lakes Holdings LLC, Theresa. $270,000: Jan. 25, Town of Orleans: 0.7 acres, Wellesley Island, Richard R. Race and Rosalie M. Race, co-trustees of The Race Family Living Trust, Dunellon, Fla. $251,000: Jan. 15, Town of Rutland: 4.952 acres, County Route 161, Michael P. Griep and Nancy L. Griep, Watertown, sold to Jason Paul Kempfer and Melissa A. Kepfer, Fayetteville, N.C. $250,000: Jan. 19, Town of Adams: 4.706 acres, highway between Adams Center and Rodman, Ellen J. Waite, Henderson, sold to Justin P. Waite and Alissa Waite, Adams Center.

The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office in the month of January: $400,000: Jan. 29, Town of Madrid: Parcel 1) 76.04 acres more or less, parcel 2) 75 acres more or less, parcel 3) 29.79 acres more or less, parcel 4) 21.87 acres more or less,

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 31

RE A L E STATE

Mary Adair, broker/ owner of Exit More Real Estate, Watertown and Clayton, in her Watertown office.

Mrs. Adair bought the Watertown real estate franchise in 2011 and has since expanded with a second office in Clayton.

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

A commitment to community Real estate the perfect ‘second act’ for Exit More broker-owner

By Karee Magee

O NNY Business

nly five words are needed to characterize the owner of Exit More Realty Estate: “Mary Adair is always there.”

Mrs. Adair has taken the phrase, designated by her employees and customers, to symbolize her open doorstyle of business.

“Our backbone is the service we give our customers,” she said. “We show them that we care. You have to show them how much you care before they care.”

Making herself available to her customers is the first step to showing that, Mrs. Adair said, whether it’s dealing with home inspections and appraisals or overcoming obstacles with her customers.

32 | NNY Business | March 2016

Mrs. Adair includes not only her customers under her open door policy, but for her business, the same policies start at the office.

“Mary is top of the line,” said Karen Jorden, administrative assistant and agent at Exit More. She’s just like a mother figure. She’s got that way about her.”

Ms. Jorden said Mrs. Adair has made the office environment more like a family culture because she’s always able to listen and help resolve problems.

Mrs. Adair goes out of her way to provide training and resources for her employees as well, Ms. Jorden said, limiting out of pocket costs for her staff.

“I love helping the agents grow and I love watching them grow,” Mrs. Adair said of her job as a mentor to her staff.

For Ms. Jorden, this support from Mrs. Adair meant the world to her when Mrs. Adair recommended her for the job as administrative assistant to their former broker.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Ms. Jorden said. “To be appreciated the way Mary appreciated me is beyond the ability to put into words.

Despite her success, real estate wasn’t a career that Mrs. Adair envisioned for herself, though, while she was an accountant until 2003.

She was convinced to pursue a career as a real estate agent who was working to sell an old house for her and her husband.

“I was tired of sitting behind a desk,” Mrs. Adair said. “I wanted to do something different.”

C The Mary Adair file HOMETOWN: Lowville Professional: Broker and owner of Exit More Real Estate Family: Husband, Jerry Adair; daughters, Tracy Moody and Lorri Norris; two grandsons Education: Jefferson Community College Community: Treasurer, Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Recommended Read: “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson

By the fall of 2003, Mrs. Adair was licensed and working for a small independent real estate company before joining Exit Moore in 2007.

“I’ve found it to be not just a rewarding career, but a challenging one,” she said.

Mrs. Adair said she found her passion in helping people fulfill their dreams, whether it was buying a house or selling one. A passion that led her to be named 2009 Realtor of the Year by the JeffersonLewis Board of Realtors.

To her surprise, though, her journey didn’t end there. Four years after joining Exit More Real Estate, her broker, Debbie Moran, announced she was retiring and asked Mrs. Adair is she would like to buy the business.

“I was very happy where I was,” she said. “I never envisioned this.”

Mrs. Adair said she had decided not to buy the business, but her husband, Jerry, changed her mind.

“He said ‘If you don’t buy it, who will ASE CERTIFIED • HRS: M-F 8 TO 5 buyOffer: it? And will it still be Exit,’” she said.

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“Exit was fairly new, only five years old,” Mrs. Adair said. “No one had heard of it.”

It was during that time that she developed her reputation for always being there with a campaign of consistent community involvement.

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THIS SPACE

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 33

20 questions

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

An agent of change

A

fter only two years of retirement from the New York State Police, an agency where she spent 32 years, Colleen M. O’Neill returned to law enforcement as Jefferson County’s and New York State’s first woman elected as sheriff. She sat down with us to share the experience of her first year in office, the challenges the Jefferson County sheriff’s office faces and what it means to lead as a woman in a historically male-dominated field.

1

NNYB: When did you develop this goal to become sheriff?

O’NEILL: It’s a good example of never say never because I really didn’t think I would run for sheriff when I was with the troopers. When I retired from the troopers I thought, there, that was a great career, hang up my gun belt, go plant some flowers, play with the dogs and have coffee with my mom every other Tuesday or something. I think the timing just lined up correctly. John Burns was retiring and I had a year and a half, almost two years, of retirement under my belt and realized that I still had something to offer. It wasn’t really one thing and it wasn’t something I thought I would do for years before hand. Things just lined up.

2

NNYB: What led you into the race for sheriff?

Was it one issue over another?

O’NEILL: It wasn’t one issue. To be perfectly honest, it was probably the Watertown Times. It was that there was bad news all the time and I knew that there were good things happening here.

34 | NNY Business | March 2016

n For state’s first woman elected sheriff,

spotlight is best shone on staff, deputies I really thought that someone needed to stand up and say hey, this is not a ship going down. This ship may need to be corrected a little bit, but it’s a good, hardy, successful ship.

3

NNYB: Since you’ve come on you have done a big turnaround in public perception and bringing back some transparency. How important was that and what was that process like?

O’NEILL: It’s extremely important to me that the public knows what great work is being done here and really always has been done here. The agency is loaded with talented educated committed deputies and detectives and corrections officers and civilian staff. The easy part of my job, and honestly, the most pleasant part of it is letting the community know how successful and professional and committed all these folks are. I’d like to take more credit than I am actually worthy of. All I’m doing is shining a light on what has been going on here for some time. It’s easy for me to find some examples of great work almost every day. I pick the best of the best of those examples out and I publicize them. I’m not hiding anything. We’ll make mistakes, everybody does, but we’ll own them, we’ll learn from them, we’ll admit them and we’ll ask the community to forgive us if we make mistakes and we’ll move on. The positive light that is being shone on the sheriff’s office now is just me letting the community know how great the people are that work here and that’s easy.

4

NNYB: In your first year, what has been your biggest surprise?

O’NEILL: I guess the amount of time I spend handling issues coming out of the jail. There’s a different issue almost every day. It could be anything from the food supplier to do we have enough inmate workers to help the maintenance down in the jail. Is it a correction officer who’s hurt or use of force that goes down there, which is very minimal I’m happy to say? The biggest surprise would be the amount of attention that the jail requires of me and the undersheriff.

5

NNYB: Is that something that required you to overcome a bit of a learning curve?

O’NEILL: Absolutely. The patrol side I totally understand what the detective’s roles are, what their responsibilities are and what their challenges are, same with the deputies. The challenges, the responsibilities and the goals that the corrections officers face every day I had to learn that. I’ve spent as much time as I can in the jail and I’ve talked to as many corrections officers as I can. I have a very competent jail administrator and second lieutenant and I count on them daily to keep me updated. It’s a very good working relationship.

6

NNYB: How have you approached establishing yourself as a leader?

O’NEILL: If you’re talking in the beginning of the term, not making any sweeping changes right out of the gate. I really don’t believe in changing

2 0 q uestions something just because you have the authority to change it or for the sake of change. I spent probably the first three to four months observing and listening. I had a lot of meetings with corrections officers and deputies and detectives, and asked what’s working, what’s not working, what can I do to help, where do the changes need to be made. Then slowly we started making those changes. Some things were priorities as soon as we got here. There was a big issue with the prearraigned inmates being held in the lock up before arraignment. The Commission of Corrections put some regulations in place that either weren’t there before or weren’t followed before.

That took two months to straighten out, but it’s working like clockwork now. We try to take small bites of big problems if we can. Sometimes we don’t have that luxury, but if we do.

7

NNYB: Were there some things when you came in that made you think the situation in the sheriff’s office wasn’t all bad? Were there some positives you were relieved and happy to see?

O’NEILL: I would argue that I had the opposite opinion when coming in. I really thought that this was a great agency. I had worked here in Jefferson County and I had worked with deputies. I didn’t come in thinking that a whole bunch of things needed to be fixed. I was thinking how can I make it better and help the agency move forward in these trying times. The things that I saw that impressed me were certainly the competency of the detectives, the deputies, the corrections officers and the commitment for all of those people including the civilian staff to do a good job. Everyone wants to do a good job here. It’s an honor to lead people that want to do great work.

8

NNYB: Some people have said that what they appreciate the most about you coming in is finally they have someone who listens and who will show some fundamental respect and that treating people well goes a long way.

O’NEILL: That’s what I learned from that book “Lincoln on Leadership.” Treating people with respect that’s how you become successful. People want to work for people that appreciate you and appreciate good work. Something that I try to do is pick out the good things people are doing and acknowledge them. I write letters all the time for good work that somebody has done in this agency. When something is worthy of the public knowing and acknowledging that’s what I think the community is seeing.

9

NNYB: Heroin is a huge issue and we’re talking about some new solutions. As we’re looking back at your first year in office, what new tools have been successful in battling this problem?

O’NEILL: One of the very first things I did was I sent another detective out to the drug task force and it seems like an easy thing to do, but the truth of the matter is if you take a detective out of the detective’s unit it’s more pistol permits for one thing for those detectives left to handle and general crimes.

Some of those general crimes include things that are very close to the heroin epidemic, which are human trafficking and burglaries, robberies, and larcenies. I try to stay in step with community leaders. I listen and I give my opinion when they ask, but it’s a nationwide problem. I hope while we’re still in my career I see some success in that.

NNYB: How bad is heroin in Jefferson County?

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen M. O’Neill reflects on her first year in office at the Sheriff’s Office last month. She is the first woman ever elected to a sheriff’s office in New York State history.

10

O’NEILL: It’s worse than people think. Traditionally, a lot of folks thought that heroin was somebody else’s problem. Heroin is infiltrating its way into wealthy families and kids that were brought up with dinner on the table at six o’clock. There’s heroin in all aspects of our community. It’s not lower class, lower income. It’s not any particular race or sex.

It’s in the city. It’s in rural settings. I think that’s what people are starting to realize that it’s not the other guy’s problem. It’s cheaper than most other drugs.

It’s easier for dealers to get people addicted to this drug because it is so highly addictive and then they have a customer for life, unfortunately.

11

NNYB: What is the solution and how can we apply innovation toward this solution to get on the right side of this problem?

O’NEILL: Arresting the dealers, focusing on the dealers is obviously a priority, but personally I really think that we have to get to people before they get involved in this drug. I think we need to get the message out to the school-aged kids.

Sadly, like middle schoolers, so they don’t ever think to try it. The vast majority of people that try heroin become addicted to it.

12

NNYB: One thing that you as Jefferson County sheriff have that most counties do not is an international border. Does that present different challenges?

O’NEILL: I’m sure it does. We probably have a greater chance of being noticed by terrorists.

There’s trafficking that goes across the border whether it’s over the bridge or across the river or across the lake. It certainly comes with a different set of challenges. We put our boats on the river and the lake in the summer and we run snowmobiles along the border in the winter if we have enough snow. There are some landlocked counties that probably never deal with border patrol or customs or immigration issues.

13

NNYB: What has been one of your biggest challenges in your first 12 months?

O’NEILL: One of my biggest challenges has been

The Colleen M. O’Neill file AGE: 53 JOB: Jefferson County Sheriff FAMILY: Mother, Marcia; father, Al (deceased); sister, Peggy; brothers, Sean and Michael; fiancée, Mark Daye; four dogs, Tanner, Tessa, Lilly and Alex

HOMETOWN: LaFargeville EDUCATION: Thousand Islands High School, SUNY Cortland

PROFESSIONAL: retired from New York State Police after 32 years on the job in 2012 as a BCI senior investigator stationed in Alexandria Bay BUSINESS BOOK YOU’VE READ AND WOULD RECOMMEND:

“Lincoln on Leadership” by Donald Phillips getting the agency members to realize that the changes that I make are 100 percent in the best interests of the agency. Zero of the decisions that I make are for any benefit of my own. When I make a decision, especially a big one, something that changes the daily life of someone working here, I think long and hard about it. It needs to be changed because it’s in the best interests of the agency. All of my decisions are based on that.

14

NNYB: Have you had to tighten the reins on discipline at all?

O’NEILL: I think we dot the i’s a lot more and cross the t’s more than was done in the past. I grew up in a world, both in my career and at home where if you said you were going to do something, you did it and you did it correctly. We didn’t grow up by any stretch of the imagination in a harsh household. It’s courtesy, common courtesy, to be where you say you’re going to be and do what you say you’re going to do to the best of your ability.

I’m asking the people at the agency to do that and I’ve gotten very little resistance.

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 35

20 questions

15

NNYB: Where do you hope to focus your attention in the next few years?

O’NEILL: I would say my priority is to continue to shine a positive light on the agency and let the community know that we’re here for them. We’re keeping them safe to the best of our ability. We’re fair and we’re professional and we’re skilled, experienced and committed to doing a great job.

That’s what I do every single day. Aside from that school safety is top priority for me. By school safety, I’m not talking about being ready for an active shooter scenario. I’m talking about stopping bullying. Putting some personnel in the school, even if it’s not a police officer, every single day.

Somebody that the students recognize as a trusting

soul that they can go to and say this happened at my house, is this normal, I’m getting bullied. At a younger age, I want kids to have somebody to turn to. That’s community policing.

16

NNYB: Some people are cynical about bullying in schools. What can and should be done?

O’NEILL: The cynical people say back in the day we just took it out on the playground and we straightened it out. Back in the day, you didn’t have 200 friends liking something disparaging you said about somebody else. It’s the social media that amps it up to a degree that it’s not even comparable to when we were growing up. Taking it out to the school yard and settling it is way in the past.

Because kids’ lives revolve so much around social

media, if you’re brought down in the eyes of your social media environment, I can’t even imagine how overwhelming it would be for a kid that might have self-esteem problems to begin with.

17

NNYB: In 1984, if you think back to your first year as a trooper, it was a much more male-dominated industry. What led you into this field and what strategies have you had to employ in your career?

O’NEILL: In 1974, when my Dad was a captain with the state police in Middletown we would go to the barracks and pick up his paycheck every two weeks. In ’74 that was the first time that females graduated from the state police academy and I saw them there. I knew right away that’s what I wanted to do. Dad supported me in spite of the fact that I don’t think any dad wants to see their daughter go into police work. He supported me 100 percent. Dad gave me a role model. In 1984 there were only a handful of women in my class, but the very first day we were told, and I believed, that we were all the same. I felt that way through my whole career. I felt that if I did what was asked of me, and sometimes volunteered to do a little bit more, I would succeed. I never separated myself from the rest of the pack as a woman trying to do something that wasn’t historically or traditionally a woman’s job.

18

NNYB: What would you say it’s like for young women coming into police work in 2016 versus in 1984 when you started out?

O’NEILL: The work itself I doubt is very different at all. I had been assigned to the state fair for my very first assignment and I had met people that had never seen a woman trooper before. That I’m sure doesn’t happen anymore. When a female deputy pulls someone over, the first thing they think isn’t oh my god it’s a female. They just think, okay it’s a deputy, which is different than when I came on.

I was a trooper, but to the public I was a female trooper. To me I was just a trooper.

19

NNYB: As the first female sheriff in New York, what has the reception been?

O’NEILL: I couldn’t have felt more welcome from the Sheriff’s Association, from all the other sheriffs.

I never felt unwelcome when I was a young trooper in the academy. I think it’s how you carry yourself when you don’t expect to be treated differently. Some of the sheriffs have been sheriff for 40 years or more and they told me to call me any time I needed help, any one of us will help you.

I did take them up on that. I couldn’t feel more welcomed. If they notice that I’m the only woman in the room, they don’t show it.

20

NNYB: What’s your best advice for any young woman aspiring to serve in law enforcement?

O’NEILL: Go for it. I don’t think there is anything stopping young women from becoming anything that they want to be except whatever is holding them back in their own minds. If they do think there’s obstacles there, that’s the obstacle. I never acknowledged that there was a glass ceiling. If you don’t acknowledge it, it’s not there. That’s how I’ve always felt. I don’t even like to hear other women talking about busting through the glass ceiling. It’s not there.

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

36 | NNY Business | March 2016

Healthy Women A special supplement to NNY Business

Build a success toolkit improve

spiritual health page 38

overcome

mental ‘funk’ page 39

patience

drives success page 40

fight the

fear of failure page 48

H EA LT H Y W OMEN

Spiritual health and the answers within “The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.”

— Alexandra K. Trenfor

By Joleene Moody

N NNY Business

ancy Pfeil is a warrior. At 75, she has faced adversity that most of us can’t even begin to imagine: a broken neck and back, the death of her husband, two bouts of breast cancer and an aneurism on her liver that made her incredibly ill.

She was able to overcome these challenges, she said, because she did what most people can’t: She trusted her inner voice.

“As I experienced more trials in my life, I listened,” Mrs. Pfeil said. “I didn’t run in fear. We have all the answers to life within.

I go within in tragedy.”

Mrs. Pfeil attributes her ability to overcome to many years of practicing yoga. For the past four decades she has been a familiar face at the Kripalu Yoga and Wellness Center in Adams Center, both as a Yogi and President of the Board of Directors. It is here she finds solace. It is here she helps others find the same.

“Yoga is a science that works on the whole body, not just the superficial muscles,” she said. “It works on the body, mind, and emotions. We work with the body through the postures, the mind through meditation, and the emotions with the breath. We slow down all of these so we can hear the answers within.”

For many, hearing that still, small voice to find answers is a challenge. It is overrun by the noise of our fast-paced and often negative culture. When we are bombarded with beliefs and voices that take over our

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

Nancy Pfeil, board president for Kripalu Yoga and Wellness Center, Adams Center, in the yoga studio.

own (especially when we doubt ourselves and the life we are living) this is when we struggle the most. So that we can hear the voice within and begin to make the shift, Mrs. Pfeil said, “We just have to slow down, breathe, and listen. You can’t just do it once and expect results. It takes a while to slow down. Change doesn’t happen after one try.”

The idea of listening to the inner voice is a spiritual tradition that has been written about and practiced for centuries. Mrs. Pfeil calls it ‘listening to the guru within.’

During the most difficult times in her life, she has used this practice to heal and overcome. From meditation to yoga to simple breathing, she saw how this spiritual way

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of health changed her life for the better.

“Yoga enhances any beliefs that you have, whatever they are,” she said. “It makes them clearer. I’m not particularly religious, but I am very spiritual. I was brought up with a devout belief system I thought was narrow-minded. When I got into yoga, it expanded my awareness. I got into my heart center the more I did yoga. It has guided me very well in my life.”

Mrs. Pfeil said she had to have a lot of faith during the difficult times. Her faith may look different from someone else’s, but how one’s faith looks doesn’t matter half as much as how it is practiced. Without practicing a way to trust and go within, little else will matter. Fear will take over and shut you down.

“What you fear, you bring to you,” Mrs. Pfeil said.

Now in the wisest years of her life, Mrs. Pfeil said she knows how crucial her own spiritual practice was and still is to her health.

“With all that has happened, I’m still here,” she said. “I feel I’m supposed to be here and I think the yoga center is a big part of it. I have a purpose. For me it’s serving the community around the yoga center and giving people a chance to open themselves and look at themselves a little deeper. You have to have a purpose, too, and that is to serve the world around you.”

H E ALT H Y W O M E N

Overcome your ‘mental funk’ and soar

By Joleene Moody

I

NNY Business

f you’ve ever had a day or a series of days or even months when crawling out of bed was difficult, you join the ranks of thousands of women just like you. You wear a mask so the world doesn’t see your struggle. You smile when you don’t want to and laugh when you’d rather cry. You’re trapped in a mental funk and it seems like there’s no way out.

The bad news is that the funk brings you further and further down a dark hole. The good news is there are secret passages that lead to brighter days.

Dan Childers, a licensed clinical social worker at Upstate Health Services in Watertown and Central Square, helps patients through this kind of funk every day. Eighty percent of his client base is women, many of whom struggle after a military spouse has been deployed. When a major life change like this occurs, fear and uncertainty creep in.

Mr. Childers stresses the importance of cutting fear and uncertainty off at the pass.

The second you feel like isolating, do the exact opposite, he said.

“When we get into a mental funk we don’t want to see anybody,” he said. “We don’t want to talk to our friends or anyone else. But the more we isolate, the worse it gets. The way out begins by taking care of ourselves mentally and physically. Even if we start exercising 15 minutes a day, studies show it actually increases our brain function which in turn, increases our mood.”

As we work to take better care of ourselves, we have to honor our self-worth at the same time. This means we have to stop saying yes when we really want to say no. When we are at our most vulnerable, we become people pleasers because we feel so alone.

When we are asked to work overtime, we say yes. When we are asked to watch someone’s child when we don’t want to, we say yes. Mr. Childers suggests looking at what we are really saying no to when we give in.

“When you’re saying yes to something you don’t want to do, you’re really saying no to a multitude of other things,” he said.

“So when someone asks you to work extra overtime during the week and you don’t want to, your yes to your employer is really a no to your family and children.”

Mr. Childers recommends making a list of what you value most in life, from your goals to your loved ones. When you’re

Dan Childers, a mental health counselor for Upstate Health Services in Syracuse and Watertown, in his Watertown office.

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

asked a question you feel pressured to say yes to, look at the list and be reminded of what’s most important.

“Ask yourself why you feel the need to say yes to everybody,” he said. “Is it because if you don’t, you think people won’t like you?

It’s likely that the person pushing you is someone who doesn’t have respect for you to

begin with. When you learn to say no, people will actually respect you more because they realize you genuinely value yourself.”

Moving people through the mental funk is also Laurie Smith’s specialty. Mrs. Smith is a certified strategic interventionist and mindset coach. She likes to remind her Please see FUNK, page 43

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 39

H EA LT H Y W OMEN

Success is a process that takes patience “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.”

— Maya Angelou

By Joleene Moody

S

NNY Business

uccess is a funny word. It’s one of those words that means something different to everyone, despite its textbook definition. For some, success is measured by money and popularity. For others, it is measured by how quickly we can reach our goals. Both of these definitions lack luster and come with entirely too much stress and anxiety.

The most realistic definition of success should exclude all pressures and include only the joy of the experience. In a word, success should be about reaching a place of ultimate satisfaction while accepting the journey and the grace that goes with it. While that sounds magical and wonderful, the woman who is constantly trying to control how her path to success unfolds, rarely attains it.

Laurie Smith knows this story all too well.

She is a certified strategic interventionist and

40 | NNY Business | March 2016

mindset coach, trained to help people unravel their interal struggles. Mrs. Smith has seen how crippling it can be when her clients attach expectations to specific outcomes.

“A lot of the conflict and pain we experience comes from when our expectations and circumstances don’t align,” Mrs. Smith said. “For instance, if someone dreams of traveling all the time but can’t because they have children, it makes that dream difficult. Instead of blaming and resenting their circumstance as the reason they can’t fulfill that dream, they have to be willing to tweak the vision and trust they will still get there.”

Mrs. Smith has five children between the ages of 5 and 24. A former hairdresser with a passion to work with and realign the troubled mind, she understands a moving target. Her desire to build a destination where men and women can retreat to soothe the mind, body, and soul, has been percolating within her for some time. She will build it, no doubt, because she refuses to let her present circumstances be any kind of deterrent. She chooses to tweak the vision.

“Having five children was my choice,”

she said. “I never thought I would be working through my current process with a fiveyear-old. Nonetheless, I made that choice. I also made the choice to take time off to start this new journey and career as a coach. It’s definitely not easy. But it’s worth it.”

No journey is the same. No destination is the same. Amanda Sweet, a psychologist at River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, said that if we continue to look outside of ourselves for things and people to make things happen, we will never find true success. But learning to accept the present moment will.

“There is a theory in psychology called the Adaptation Principal,” Ms. Sweet said.

“It says that even after we achieve something we desire, we grow used to it and then we grow unsatisfied. The reason for that is because people look for satisfaction outside of themselves when really, satisfaction is rooted in mindfulness. Its rooted in being in the moment.”

Living in the moment means we have to release control and trust the process that unfolds before us. For those that struggle with this, they will have to let go of old beliefs and control tactics so they can experience success as it is meant to be.

“We are preconditioned to hold onto certain beliefs,” Mrs. Smith said. “Our work begins when we are willing to recondition the way we think and become open to new beliefs. We do this by reconditioning our inner dialogue, our beliefs, and removing blocks and people that don’t serve us.”

Mrs. Smith offers a few tips: Gratitude — Practice daily gratitude.

When you have gratitude in your heart there is little room for anything else. Find the things that serve you and you are grateful for and focus on them.

EXERCISE — Physical strength helps build up inner strength. Even if it’s a 30-minute walk three times a week, start moving.

MEDITATION — Practice going within.

Meditation is different for everybody. Don’t think there is just one way. Find a practice that allows you to relax and release.

MANTRA — Find a mantra and stick with it. Mine is, ‘Just keep swimming.’ Say your mantra when the going gets tough. We need reminders to put us in check.

By releasing our timelines, expectations, and old beliefs, we will find ourselves in a place where we have ultimate satisfaction in success while accepting the journey, and the grace that goes with it.

H E ALT H Y W O M E N

Is a positive work-life balance a myth?

“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

— Dolly Parton

By Joleene Moody

T

NNY Business

he myth of balancing work, life, children, family and a bag of groceries is wearing thin on today’s women.

Balance assumes even distribution of something so that it remains steady. But even distribution with the aforementioned list doesn’t exist in the life of many a working woman. Year after year, articles in women’s magazines across the nation offer tips to help “even” the busy lives of women so they can smile and frolic and feel free. But there really is no even. There is only you, and your ability to accomplish what you can manage in your own time and in your own way.

Amanda Sweet is a psychologist at River Hospital in Alexandria Bay. She’s sees the search for balance in many of her patients. She reveals what balance really looks like: “Balance has to do with resilience and finding flexibility,” she said. “Sometimes you have to put more time and energy into certain aspects of your life. That’s just the way life works. I think when you put numbers on balance, say 50 percent of your time with family and 50 percent of your time with work, you’re trying to control something you simply can’t control.”

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Feeling emotions that aren’t comfortable isn’t bad. It’s part of the human experience. Emotions are a pain in our body. And when we feel pain we don’t desire, we have to do something differently to alleviate the pain. Ms. Sweet offers a four stage process to keep us in check when overwhelm strikes: n Normalize emotions. Understand that your feelings and emotions are perfectly normal. They are not wrong and never will be. n Understand your role. If you need to be a Mom at that moment, be a Mom. If you need to be a wife, be a wife. You have several roles and they switch regularly. n Remind yourself you can’t control what other people do.

We’ve never been able to control others and we never will. n Implement a strategy. Don’t continue to do the thing that causes you angst. Figure out a way to remove yourself from the situation by implementing a new strategy.

We are often thrown off balance because we try to make a living instead of actually living. Thea Durant is a Mental Health Counselor at Carthage Area Hospital Behavioral Health. She often reminds her own patients of this very truth.

“We’re living to enjoy life,” she said. “We’re not living just to work. You have to take time for the little things. So we compromise: What can we do right now that has to be done right now.

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| 41

H E A LT HY WOMEN

Fight back against your fear of failure “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.”

— Napoleon Hill

By Joleene Moody

F

NNY Business

ailure has long been defined as the final result of an expectation that unfolds in a way that makes us feel defeated or unworthy. For many, coming back from defeat is difficult. To avoid further humiliation, we mark ourselves as failures and hide from the world. We are wounded, to say the least. We no longer believe in ourselves, nor do we want to. Because of this, we are less likely to try whatever it was we failed at in the first place.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all wanted out. So how and where do we begin to fight the fear of failure? Is it even possible to defeat? Thea Durant, a mental health counselor at Carthage Area Hospital Behavioral Health, said it can be kicked.

“Failure can help us grow,” she said.

“It’s not always a bad thing. I think starting with a small step to see how we can increase our confidence a little bit is a good beginning. Empowerment activities can help us see what we’ve accomplished, too. Sometimes we don’t even realize what our accolades are.”

One such empowerment activity is listing the things we’ve done that we consider successes, even the little ones. We are so conditioned to focus on all the things that have gone wrong, that we rarely recall all the things that have gone right. Dan

Childers, a licensed clinical social worker at Upstate Health Services in Watertown and Central Square, said this phenomenon of keeping a scorecard on our failures usually develops at a young age.

“It can start in our early years in school,” he said.

“We see another student with more friends or better Durant grades and we feel we aren’t as good as they are. Or maybe we were picked on.

Whatever the experience, it grows with us.

But the truth is, it’s never a failure if we learn from it. And we need to learn from it.”

Ms. Durant and Mr. Childers agree that failure is part of the journey toward success and without it, we wouldn’t know what success really felt like.

“We have to learn what it is we don’t want,” Ms. Durant said. “Take a relationship, for example. We have to learn what it is we don’t want in a partner. There are qualities we like and qualities we don’t like. We won’t know what we like until we experience the whole spectrum.”

One of the struggles in failure is how we think people will respond to us.

Humiliation is often the first emotion that surfaces, causing us to retreat and withdraw. Interestingly, during that withdrawal, we forget that the rest of the world is no different than we are.

“What you feel in that moment is the same thing they felt at one time,” Ms.

Durant said. “We have to remember, too, everyone has an opinion, weather it’s good, bad, or otherwise. What matters most is how you think of yourself.

It takes a lot to accept ourselves. We all have flaws and we all make mistakes. But if we don’t take chances we may never know what’s in store for us. So we have to love ourselves through it all, even when we have a so called failure.

There’s no doubt that others will feed off our pain as we struggle to love ourselves back to success. This happens when the other party is in as much pain, perhaps for different reasons. They want us to feel the same way they feel, and so they put our failures front and center.

“Failures stand out more to us,” Ms. Durant said. “The things that people like to take jabs at are the things we’ve messed up on. Not the things that we’ve accomplished. The only way to change that is to change the company we keep. When you’re around negative people, they have nothing positive to say and everything is always wrong. Why are they being negative? [Perhaps it’s] because they are struggling with something in their life and projecting their frustration on to you.”

And the feeling of failure comes full circle. Fortunately, it is an innate response that can be turned around, provided we change the way we look at it. Failure should no longer be defined as lack of success. Instead, it should be defined as a piece of the puzzle as we move toward success. After all, no successful person ever got where they are without failing a little bit first.

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Manage life your way Here are some tips from our experts to help you better manage your days: n Put “me time” on your calendar — Pencil in a few times in your week where that space is just for you and you alone. (Dan Childers, LCSW-R) n Try yoga — Choose to intentionally slow down. Consider a yoga class to learn how to quiet your mind. (Nancy Pfeil) n Track your days — Find out where your time goes. Write down everything you do for a few days and eliminate needless activities. (Thea Durant, MHC)

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n Put Boundaries in Place — Keep your space personal when necessary. Say no when you need to. It’s OK. (Amanda Sweet, Psy.D.) n Meditate — Practice a meditation that works for you. Find 15 minutes in the morning or evening to unwind in the quiet. (Laurie Smith)

FUNK, from page 39 clientele that self-worth is one of the most powerful tools they have when it comes to responding to others.

“As you move through difficult times, you learn your triggers, you learn your strengths, and you learn how to use them to help you through the bad, inevitable circumstances.

You can’t always control your outside circumstances,” she said. “The only thing you can control is how you respond to them.”

Finally, spend time with those who support you and understand your struggle.

In the wrong circles, your funk becomes food for fodder and can only worsen. By avoiding isolation, standing up for your self-worth, and spending time in support circles, your mental funk begins to dissipate. The dark hole opens up and the secret tunnels become visible.

Begin today with one or more of new tool. Incorporate them each day and watch your world become brighter.

BALANCE, from page 41 What can be put off until tomorrow?”

Different women have different roles.

Some are Moms. Some are Moms and wives. Some are Moms and wives and employees. How these roles are managed depends on what is needed at any given moment. Sometimes more energy has to be put into one role more than another. Determine what your roles are and do your best to fill them. Once you define those roles, you can balance from there. The really good news is that balance can be what you need when you need it, and nothing more.

March 2016 | NNY Business

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COM M E R CE CORNER

North country women ahead of the curve

W

omen have been a part of the working class for decades. Today they represent almost 47 percent of the labor force in the United States, according the U.S. Department of Labor. Historically, women have served as secretaries, administrative assistants and receptionists, as well as nurses and teachers, but there has been a radical change in how women in the workplace are perceived.

As everyone is aware, there is a highprofile presidential campaign taking place this year and one of the major party frontrunners is a woman. No matter the outcome of the election, this is a huge step for women. We as a country are at a pivotal time with women being recruited to serve in combat positions in the military and presently hold some of the top-ranking posts.

Among fortune 500 companies, women make up 15 percent of executive officers.

Although the percentage seems low compared to men, the growth in this statistic is amazing. Nearly a half century ago, no one could have imagined women with such power and leadership abilities. Nationally there is some ground to make up for women in the workplace, but women should be proud of the movement taking place and continue to fight for equality.

With what seems to be a revolution going on around us, the north country has proven to be ahead of the curve. Locally, voters elected Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, to the U.S. Congress. At just 30 years

old when she was elected in November 2014, she is the youngest woman ever to hold a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

We have women serving Kylie Peck in leadership positions across the region, many of whom have been selected by public vote.

The president of Jefferson Community

community service and actively assisted women in achieving success and developing leadership skills.

The chamber has been honored to present this award to 25 deserving individuals who have proven their support of women and our community and continue to serve as mentors to women throughout Northern New York.

Last month, I was humbled and honored to be appointed permanent president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce following eight months as the organization’s interim president. As I settle into a new leadership position, I look forward to working with the many influential leaders of our region, men and women. It takes the involvement of the entire community to make something the best it can be and while striving to achieve excellence in this effort, I will proudly do it as a woman.

Meanwhile, if you know a woman who exemplifies the character of an Athena recipient, consider nominating her for the annual award. The award is presented each fall, typically in early September.

Visit the chamber’s website, watertownny. com, to learn more about this award and others that recognize worthy individuals in the north country.

Among fortune 500 companies, women make up 15 percent of executive officers. Although the percentage seems low compared to men, the growth in this statistic is amazing.

College, Watertown’s city manager and countless numbers of leaders in our nonprofit community are all powerful and influential, each serving as mentors to those looking up to them just simply by being women who have worked tirelessly to earn the respect of the communities surrounding and supporting them.

In order to celebrate and honor these strong, influential women who play such a vital role in continuing to make the north country a better place to live and work, the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce in 1991 introduced the prestigious Athena International Award. Each Fall, the award is presented to an individual who has provided professional excellence,

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n Kylie Peck is the president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Clayton with her husband and two young boys. Her column appears every other month in NNY Business. Contact her at kpeck@watertownny.com or 788-4400.

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N O N P RO FIT S T O D AY

Youths excited to invest in our region

T

he question made Harrison Fish pause for a few moments.

“What are your thoughts on being a community leader as a high school student?”

As a senior at South Jefferson Central School, Mr. Fish has served in a variety of extracurricular clubs. Community service is a likely requirement for his participation. His perspective has changed slightly in recent months though, as he and his classmates engage in the “LEAD Your School Challenge.”

The Northern New York Community Foundation’s LEAD Council launched the “LEAD Your School Challenge” project last fall. The young professionals cohort designed a competition to cultivate and instill a willingness in school students to volunteer in their community. Three local districts — South Jefferson, Alexandria and Copenhagen — decided to join the challenge. Students from each school are asked to outline an action plan to address specific community needs, collaborate with local nonprofits to execute the plan and craft a final presentation describing their experience.

Each school is eligible for up to $10,000 in grant funding for their district. The LEAD Council will assess each school’s community experience and determine the grant awards this spring.

To Mr. Fish, playing a pivotal role for a better community has a different meaning now. Upon digesting the question, he shared his greatest discovery from the competition.

“The challenge has been an experience totally based on the students,” Mr. Fish said. “We created the ideas. We executed the plans. Organizations are calling us.

We are the ones taking control and making a difference. We have been acting as adults, and some students participating in the challenge are only in seventh grade.

It’s been just a great experience.”

What Mr. Fish and his peers are demonstrating is that the next generation of leaders is already here. The key is nurturing their energy and ambition with mean-

ingful civic activities. It is a responsibility of our area’s adult leaders to continue embracing local youth in reallife experiences to cultivate a stronger appreMax DelSignore ciation for the north country.

The “LEAD Your School Challenge” is serving as a developmental vehicle for these students. For some, the project is their first foray into true community philanthropy. They may garner financial support at a grassroots level to support

raisers. Hospice of Jefferson County and the Watertown Urban Mission are two beneficiaries of their work.

The community around Copenhagen Central School has dealt with heartache in recent years, following the suicide of a former classmate. Senior Sydney Greene and her peers were determined to find a solution through education. They are engaging at least two nonprofit organizations to present and raise attention about mental health issues during the school’s spirit week in mid-March.

“Tragedies shouldn’t happen within your school and community,” Ms. Greene said. “This was a great opportunity to bring in services, training and awareness for our school.”

A leadership bridge is still under construction. Afterschool clubs like student councils and National Honor Society chapters offer a plethora of volunteerism opportunities. The Youth Philanthropy Council at the Community Foundation introduces to high school students the core values of philanthropy and provides insight into the mission and purpose of area non-profits.

Programs linking professionals such as LEAD and the Jefferson Leadership Institute widen the lens surveying community perspectives and local needs.

To build a lasting bridge of leadership, the generations must be fused together.

You can add this to the evolving list of community needs. The “LEAD Your School Challenge” is proof that the north country’s youth are enthusiastic about investing where they live. South Jefferson freshman Noelle Lennox may have articulated this need best reflecting on her challenge experience.

“I haven’t been a leader,” she said. “I’ve helped here and there, but we became leaders as a whole. There isn’t one set leader. We are all leaders.”

It is a responsibility of our area’s adult leaders to continue embracing local youth in real-life experiences to cultivate a stronger appreciation for the north country. local nonprofit agencies. Many are eager to volunteer to just help someone else. It is more than hearty competition. These students are taking ownership in enriching their region.

“There are so many diverse voices in these groups working toward a united goal,” said Stacey Eger, LEAD Council member and a Lewis County native. “The groups are so ambitious in reaching out to all needs. It brings me back to an idealistic view of what community is truly about and what we can be as a community.”

Personal investment is what has made the north country great. Sincere leaders emerge when their vision centers on a holistic belief in thriving communities. What matters today is revealing to our youth the strengths and weaknesses of where they live. Listening to their voice is vital in the discussion about our region’s future.

With the “LEAD Your School Challenge,” Alexandria Central School students are collaborating with a local agency to create a mentoring program for local youth. At South Jefferson, students established a co-op model on campus to engage extracurricular clubs in assisting nonprofits through activities and fund-

n MAX DelSIGNORE is assistant director of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

He is a lifelong Northern New York resident and former sports journalist. Contact him at max@ nnycf.org. Nonprofits Today appears every month in NNY Business.

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 47

business tech bytes

The right tools to manage IT disruption

I

s information technology management in your enterprise increasingly about coordinating a concoction of disparate systems? Do you have varying departments making purchasing and usage decisions independently? Has the consumerization of IT, with all the tools and solutions in the palm of your employee’s hand, invaded your enterprise?

I’m sure most of your employees are using some cloud or personal software to abet them with their job.

In the 2015 Harvey Nash and KPMG CIO survey, “Into an Age of Disruption,” a full range of information technology topics, from recruitment and business strategy to overall IT priorities were explored. Nine out of 10 survey respondents believe that digital disruption will impact their organizations within the next decade, and 61 percent said they think they’ll capitalize on this disruption better than their present and future competitors.

“The speed of technology is what’s driving IT today,” said Bob Miano, president and CEO of Harvey Nash USAPAC. “Disruption is the norm now, so it’s about how fast companies can innovate. Pressure to produce at an accelerated pace is felt across all vertical markets, and has direct ties to the talent war.”

So the quandary, how do you deliver stable consistent IT performance that will drive revenue while still containing or even cutting costs? To be successful in managing your IT solutions more effectively, Janco Associate’s CIO Concern Management Toolkit recommends three focus areas of consideration: people, infrastructure and technology.

People — Security rises directly to the top. From cyber attacks to phishing emails, your employees are your biggest security concern.

It goes hand in hand with cloud computing, Jill Van Hoesen how many new applications are being used each and every day on your network that is not under complete control of your IT organization? If you think you know, look again. No matter your business, technology applications are constantly evolving and changing in this digital age.

Infrastructure — Gone are the days of everyone accessing the IBM mainframe in a single location with IT approved standardized hardware and software. As new technologies are being implemented, traditional functions are being eliminated, making way for even further automation.

This automation brings with it mountains of data which needs to be analyzed quickly and efficiently so that the decision making process within your enterprise can be improved. Records management, version control, retention and destruction are just a few of the traditional areas that still need to be under internal management and control.

Technology — BYOD, mobile applications, cloud storage. These represent non vented IT platforms that your employees are using in order to improve theirs and

your bottom line. Your employees will use whatever applications are in the palm of their hands to get these results. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, just to name a few, are the wave of the future and need to be managed more efficiently in most every enterprise today. This management needs to span from advertising to productivity losses. Does your business have a Facebook page? Check out Facebook Business Manager; that will assist with advertising. As for time spent on Facebook and other social media sites during work time? I’m soliciting your comments, suggestions, policies and procedures for an upcoming column.

To be sure, clouds, mobility, social media and BYOD has redistributed power within most very aspect of most every business. In the light of the every growing list of cyber-attacks, now more than ever there is a need to focus on designing an enterprise security and privacy strategic roadmap. These policies and procedures need to be based on governance models such as PCI, HIPAA or SOX depending on the nature of your business. Your end goal is for your people, infrastructure and technology to evolve beyond the point of being a motley and disjointed collection of software solutions, tools, and technologies. You need to attain the mindset and approach that will harness the full power that digital technology has to offer. It will be a challenging balancing act, but many IT teams and technology leaders have the innate aptitude to propel an organization through this complex “age of disruption.” n Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran. Contact her at jvanhoesen@wdt.net.

Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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Time again for the sweet taste of maple

N

othing is as great a harbinger of spring as the aroma of maple sap boiling down to make the golden nectar of the woods — maple syrup.

It is a special delight to enjoy the sweet taste of maple syrup on a plate of your favorite pancakes, or a teaspoon of syrup in your coffee or tea, or maple syrup slathered over barbecued chicken just before you take it off the grill. But if you’ve only enjoyed these wonderful tastes from a jug of maple syrup you purchased at the store, you are missing out on a fun and tasty opportunity.

The maple syrup you enjoy from the store is made during late winter and early spring all over the state. Producers of maple syrup have created a great chance for you to come out and share in what for most is a family tradition, a gathering of friends and a sign that spring will arrive shortly. The opportunity for you to participate is Maple Weekend.

Maple Weekend is March 19 and 20 and again on April 2 and 3. Maple producers invite you and your family to discover the flavors and traditions involved in making maple syrup in the state. Producers open their “sugar houses” to the public so you can learn how maple syrup and other maple products are made. Maple Weekend is a chance to cure cabin fever. You’ll be able to visit one of our local sugar houses open on these weekends to the public.

There you’ll see how trees are tapped. You’ll learn how they capture the sap from the sugar maple tree and boil it down in the syrup many of us enjoy.

Within 50 Jay Matteson miles of Watertown, there are 16 sugar houses open on Maple Weekend.

In Jefferson County, you’ll find Farmhouse Maple located at 14685 Bay Breeze Way in Dexter. Their phone number is

be able to view an interactive map that provides the exact location of each operation. Most of the operations provide detailed information about what you’ll be able to see and do while there. The website also offers recipes, educational resources, and all kinds of interesting facts about maple syrup production. For those interested in learning how to produce maple syrup yourself, the website has a listing of courses available to help you get started.

Sap production depends upon cold nights and warm days. The sugar house you visit may or may not actually be boiling sap depending upon how much sap they’ve already been able to collect and the flow from the night before. The good news is that even if they are not boiling the day you are there, there will still be lots of fun things to see and do.

A word of caution about Maple Weekend is that you should come prepared to enjoy one of nature’s finest and purest foods. Be prepared to buy some fresh maple syrup, maple mustard, which is one of my favorites, and some maple sugar cakes. So get out of the house, bring the kids and welcome spring in the north country by participating in Maple Weekend.

Producers of maple syrup have created a great chance for you to come out and share in what for most is a family tradition, a gathering of friends and a sign that spring will arrive shortly.

486-5981. In Northern Jefferson County, Massey Ranch is located at 20605 Combs Road, Watertown. Their phone number is 783-5939. In southern Jefferson County, you may visit Rudd’s Family Maple Syrup located at 16370 Balch Place in Mannsville. Their phone number is 4654491. All three of these Jefferson County sugar houses are open both weekends to the public. To learn about all the sugar houses open across the north country, visit mapleweekend.com On the Maple Weekend website, you’ll

n Jay M. Matteson is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Local Development Corp. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident who lives in Lorraine. Contact him at coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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small business success

Maine-ly business with some extra salt

T

his is part two of my 1,500mile solo road trip through New England to visit a small entrepreneurial venture way up in Down East Maine.

The story begins when it seemed that everyone I knew started touting “Pink Himalayan Sea Salt.” I don’t exactly possess the palate of a gourmet, so I’m thinking, “Isn’t salt just salt?” Because basically, all salt was originally sea salt, whether it’s mined from deep beneath the earth or extracted from the ocean. But connoisseurs of salt believe that there are big differences in taste, mineral content and processing, and they are willing to pay the big bucks to have their condiment transported 7000-plus miles.

My thought was, surely somewhere in the United States you can get domestic sea salt that compares, and so I jumped on Google. The result of that quest was the Maine Sea Salt Company, a small enterprise in Marshfield, Maine, population 518 in the 2010 census. There are other sea salt companies on both coasts, but I picked this one because it was reachable by car and because Steve Cook was just so friendly when I emailed him about making a visit.

Marshfield is about 80 miles east of Bangor and a couple of hundred miles northeast of Portland. I got there in the early afternoon. Another group of visitors, a couple from Connecticut and their friends from Colorado, had just entered the store, so I immediately lost the “distance farthest traveled” prize. They were there to shop but when they heard that Steve was going to give me the grand tour, they came along, too.

135 Keyes Avenue, Watertown, New York

315-782-4910

50 | NNY Business | March 2016

Steve first told us how he got started. He was between jobs in 1998 when he spotted a jar of sea salt in a coastal shop and thought, “I could do that.”

He began with Sarah O’Connell small packages of salt to be used when cooking lobsters and marketed it to the fish markets in his area. As the business grew and he needed more processing space, he and his wife, Sharon, moved the operation to Marshfield.

So this is how it works. Between April and October, Steve drives his tanker truck 15 miles to the ocean, fills it up and brings the salt water back to a series of plastic covered evaporator houses and pours it onto wide concrete troughs. As the water evaporates using just the power of the sun, he transfers the remaining, increasingly saline fluid into other enclosures until it finally reaches the crystal stage.

He then dries it between linen towels and grinds it to different levels of coarseness.

Some he flavors with other spices (like garlic or herbs), others he flavors with hickory or apple wood in the large smokers out back. Then it’s packaged and sold all over the country to health food stores, restaurants, and individuals. I think Steve told me he sells about 30,000 pounds a year. After the season ends — because he can’t get to the ocean on wintry roads

with his big tanker — he and his wife spend the winter in Florida.

I just loved his story. He came up with his first niche in the local fish markets, and then expanded and diversified to where his products are sold today, in gourmet shops, health food stores, and fine restaurants. We talked a lot about marketing, the different products he sells alongside his salts, the addition of the handy grinder dispensers, Internet sales, Facebook (he admits he doesn’t use it as much as he should), opportunities to expand his wholesale business and more.

I came back to Northern New York with a collection of amazing salt products and an inspiring story for my clients about how one guy with a little idea came up with a business venture that feeds his family and spices up other people’s lives. To learn more about Steve, visit his website at maineseasalt.com. n

n

n

The New York Small Business Development Center at JCC offers free, individual, confidential counseling to new or existing business owners in Jefferson and Lewis counties. For more information, contact 782-9262, sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu. St. Lawrence County residents can contact their SBDC at SUNY Canton, 386-7312, sbdc@canton.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 bi-monthly in NNY Business.

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

E N T RE P RE N E U R’S E D G E

You have the right to personal growth

F

or the longest time I thought I couldn’t be more than one thing. In the December issue of this magazine I talked about creative entrepreneurs who are multi-passionate: People who dabble in more than one arena to satiate their creative genius. Today I recognize that being multi-passionate is more than just wanting to play in different areas to feed the creative genius; it’s about growing.

Really, really growing.

The other day while I was whining and wondering if there was seriously something wrong with me, I came across this quote: “You are under no obligation to be the same person you were a year, a month, or even 15 minutes ago. You have the right to grow. No apologies.”

I was awestruck by that. Truly. I read it a second time. And then a third time. And then all of the worry and stress I harbored about what I wanted to be when I grew up dissolved. It hasn’t returned since.

I have joined networking groups and spent several months or years in those groups only to wake up one day and think, “Umm, I’m good. I don’t need to go there anymore. I want to go explore XYZ instead. And I don’t want to or have to explain myself or apologize to anyone when I leave.”

I have struggled with personal issues that kept me locked in the confines of my home office where I wanted to hide so I could heal. I did what I needed Joleene Moody to do and didn’t explain or apologize to anyone when I did.

I have stood on stages, unpaid by choice, because the organizer claimed,

a client-closing expert, a transformational speaker, a professional speaker, a plain ’ol speaker, and a ka-zillion other things. All the while I thought something was wrong with me because I “couldn’t make up my mind.”

But nothing is wrong with me. (Well, for the most part …) I am merely growing. And I have a right to. So do you.

There will forever be people who don’t understand why you change.

It could be because they’re afraid to explore their own open territory, I don’t know. But it could be because some just can’t fathom someone else continuing to explore unchartered territory outside of the norm. It makes them uncomfortable. As Jack Canfield so profoundly said, “If they can’t have it, neither can you.”

To you I say, go explore. It’s all good. Remember, you are under no obligation to be the same person you were a year, a month, or even 15 minutes ago.

You have the right to grow.

No apologies.

Onward and upward.

There will forever be people who don’t understand why you change. It could be because they’re afraid to explore their own open territory, I don’t know. But it could be because some just can’t fathom someone else continuing to explore unchartered territory outside of the norm.

“We never pay our speakers.” I don’t stand on those kinds of stages anymore.

And I don’t need to explain myself to any organizer when they ask me why I would give up such an opportunity.

I have the right to grow, as do you.

And really, that’s all there is to it.

We grow constantly. Every day. I can’t tell you how many times my title has changed since I’ve been in business. I’ve been a coach, a transformational coach, the “Unstuck Consultant,”

n Joleene moody is a freelance writer, blogger and speaker who lives in Oswego County with her husband and daughter. Contact her at joleenemoody.com. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business. Visit nnybizmag.com to read past columns online.

OUTER WASHINGTON ST. WATERTOWN NY 315-788-6022

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March 2016 | NNY Business

| 51

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDARX

Canton Tuesday, March 29

n Internship Fellowships: Improve Your Odds for Funding, 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monaco Room, 242, Student Center, St. Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive.

Informational session on applying for Career Services funding available to SLU students. Cost: Free. Information: stlawu. edu/career-services/event/internshipfellowships-improve-your-odds-funding.

Wednesday, March 30

n Gateways to Careers, SUNY Canton ROOS House 34 Cornell Drive. The college and career readiness workshop provides students the opportunity to learn job seeking skills. Area employees volunteer to provide constructive comments and guidance. Cost: Free.

Information: Jane Akins, 386-4504 ext.

10413 or jakins@sllboces.org.

Clayton Friday, April 8, to Sunday, April 10

n Thousand Islands Spring Boat Show, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Cerow Recreation Park, 615 East Line Road. Features runabouts, fishing boats, docks, lifts, pontoons and personal watercraft. Cost: Adults, $4; Youth, $2; Children 8 years and younger free.

Information: 686-3771 or 1000islandsclayton.com/1000-islands-claytonspring-boat-show.

Fort Drum Saturday, March 19

n One Night, One Diamond, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., The Commons on Fort Drum. An elegant evening of dining, dancing and a chance to win a halfcarat diamond donated by Waterbury Fine Jewelers. Event proceeds will purchase designated medical equipment

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Tabletops, Desktops, Workbenches and Coffee Tables.

Choose from our Granite & Marble Selections. We also offer a Selection of Stone Veneer.

for use at Samaritan Medical Center.

Information: ONOD@shsny.com.

Monday, April 4

n Boots 2 Business, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Clark Hall, Mount Belvedere Blvd., Fort Drum. A two-day course for soldiers transitioning out of the service and interested in starting a business. Course offers information on business opportunities in the area, including home-based retail, service industry and online.

Participants will learn about researching potential markets and how to find licensing and funding opportunities. Requirement: three-day Department of Labor SFL-TAP briefing. Information: ACAP, 772-3434 or sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu.

Thursday, April 14

n Building Your Own Business, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Army Community Service, P-4330 Conway Road. The Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College partners with enterprise resource planning to provide information on starting a new business.

Information: 772-9611.

Five-person bowling teams compete in a benefit for the Remington Museum. Cost: $20. Information: Debbie Ormasen, ormasen@fredericremington.org or 393-2425.

Potsdam Friday, March 25

n Powerful Presentations: Best Practices Using PowerPoint and More, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Crumb 204, SUNY Potsdam, 44 Pierrepont Ave. Learn how to use digital display, animations and how to deliver a lecture. Cost: Free. Information: 267-2000.

Wednesday, April 20

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

Lowville

Syracuse

Saturday, April 2 to Saturday, April 16

Wednesday, March 16

n 2016 Black River Valley Concert Series, 7:30 p.m., Lewis County Historical Society, Blue Room, 7552 State St. Featuring The Cadleys on April 2 and The Buskers on April 16. Cost: Individual season tickets, $110, includes one guest pass; at the door individual tickets, $20; at the door, family tickets, $45. Information: lewiscountyhistory.org or 376-8957.

Ogdensburg Friday March 25 and Friday April 29

n No Tap Bowling Tournament, 6 p.m., Ogdensburg Bowl, 1121 Patterson St.

n Speed Networking, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 217 Lawrence Road E. Engage in round table discussions with other CenterState CEO members. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: kdejoseph@ centerstateceo.com.

Thursday, March 31

n Nonprofit Awards 2016, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Oncenter, 800 S. State St. Event presented by M&T Bank recognizes individuals and organizations based on their practices in excellence, leadership, fiduciary responsibilities, management practices, creativity and impact on the nonprofit world. Cost: $45 Information: Joyl Clance, 5793918 or jclance@bizeventz.com.

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52 | NNY Business | March 2016

n Professional Skills Development Program, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 700 University Ave. CenterState CEO and the Talent Education Development Center at Syracuse University bring members a three-part program focused on developing skills to enhance effectiveness. Participants will learn skills in leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching/mentoring, conflict and time management, and facilitation and negotiation. Cost: $1,395. Information: lmetot@centerstateceo.com.

Sunday, April 3

n Syracuse Half Marathon, 8 a.m., The Oncenter, 515 Montgomery St. Packet pick-up is at 6 a.m., the race begins at 8 a.m. and the post-race party and runner’s hot food service is at 9:10 a.m.

Registration ends March 29. Cost: $75.

Information: syracusehalf.com.

Wednesday, April 6

n CenterState CEO Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m., 115 W. Fayette St. Cost: Members, $65; table of 10 for members, $625; non-members, $80; table of ten for non-members, $775. Information: CenterState CEO, lmetot@centerstate ceo.com.

Saturday, April 30

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

Every Tuesday

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

First Wednesday of EACH month

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

Every Wednesday

n Introduction to Business Startup, Small Business Development Center, 4 to 6 p.m., Mulroy Hall, Onondaga Community College, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike. Information: 498-6070 or onondagasbdc.org.

n Syracuse Business Networking, 6 to 7 p.m., Barbieri’s Restaurant, 304 S. Main St. Cost: Free. Information: Kim Bachstein, 414-8223 or info@SyracuseBusinessNetworking.com.

Every Thursday

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

Every Friday

n 40 Above: Workers in Transition, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Northern Onondaga Public Library at North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Helping job seekers aged 40 and above in search of work. Information: John A. Cruty, 569-3964 or crutij@yahoo.com.

Watertown Wednesday, March 16

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Carthage Savings & Loan, 146 Arsenal St. Includes networking, prizes and food. Register by noon, March 15. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@ watertownny.com.

Monday, March 28

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

Cost: $275. Information: Continuing Education, 786-2438.

Tuesday, March 29,

n North Country PTAC Matchmaker, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bruce M. Wright Memorial Conference Center, 1291 Faichney Drive. Opportunity to network with procurement and prime contractors and representatives from state and federal agencies in one-on-one appointments. Cost: early registration, $15; at the door, $20. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@ watertownny.com.

Thursday, April 7

n Nothing to Cover Up – Cover Letters,

12:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., Jules Center, Room 6-111, Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen St. Learn what to include in a cover letter. Open to all JCC students. Cost: Free. Information: Career Planning and Job Placement, 786-2371.

Monday, April 11

n Resume Success, 12:20 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., Jules Center, Room 6-111, Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen St. Workshop has been modified to translate military experiences into civilian skills applicable to the workforce or college transfer. For JCC student veterans. Cost: Free. Information: Career Planning and Job Placement, 786-2371.

Thursday, April 14

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

Wednesday, April 20

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Savory Downtown, 300 Washington St. Register by noon, April 19. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15.

Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 7884400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Thursday, April 21

n Small Business Development Center’s Entrepreneurial Training Course, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dulles Building, Room 3-106, 317 Washington St. A sevenweek course where new and existing business owners will receive tools and tips on how to develop sound business practices. Cost: $195. Information: Continuing Education, 786-2438.

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

Thursdays, March 31, April 7 and April 14

n Small Business Development Center’s Entrepreneurial Training Course, 6 to 9 p.m., Dulles Building, Room 3-106, 317 Washington St. Area business professionals offer instruction on business-related topics. Cost: $195. Information/ register: Continuing Education, 786-2438.  GOT A BUSINESS EVENT or calendar item? Email nnybusiness@wdt.net.

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

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 53

business scene GWNC Chamber of Commerce 64th Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award dinner

Caroline Corriveau, U.S. Postal Service, and Pete Peterson, in Syracuse.

Lloyd Hurlbut, Credo Community Center, Watertown, Deborah Vink, Jefferson Rehabilitation Center, Watertown.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Mary Corriveau, retired Watertown city manager and 2015 Israel A. Shapiro Award recipient, and husband, Jim, retired Fort Drum public works director. The Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, hosted the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce’s 64th Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award presentation and dinner on Feb. 11.

Kristen Bloom, Watertown City School District, Watertown, and Rob Bloom, Carthage Area Hospital, Carthage.

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business scene GWNC Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Ramada Inn

From left, James J. Steggeman, Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, and Don Boshart, American Cancer Society, Watertown.

Kellie Drake and Timothy Crytser, both of the Veterans Outreach Center, Syracuse.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Dot Derrigo, Lorrie McFarland and Kim Brislan, all of Party Rentals, Watertown. The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce held its February Business After Hours at the Ramada Inn, Watertown, on Feb. 24.

From left, Emily Herman, The Scrub Hub, Charleen Fiske, Samaritan Keep Home, Bonnie Herman, The Scrub Hub, and Diane Kilburn, Samaritan Keep Home.

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March 2016 | NNY Business

| 55

business scene Clayton Chamber Business With a Twist at Wood Boat Brewery

Allison Sisler, LaFargeville Central School District, and Jeremy Cohen, Waste Management.

From left, Adele Palmer and Melanie Curley, both of Weichert, Realtors, Thousand Islands Realty, Clayton.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Mike Hazlewood, Hazlewood Mechanicals, Clayton, and co-owner, Wood Boat Brewery, Clayton, and Lance Peterson, Peterson’s Painting, Clayton, and co-owner, Wood Boat Brewery. The brewery hosted the Clayton Chamber of Commerce’s February Business With a Twist on Feb. 25.

From left, Karla Peterson, Clayton Improvement Association and Karla’s Christmas Shoppe, Clayton, and Alexandra Buduson, Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

18014 GOODNOUGH ST., ADAMS CENTER, NY • 315-583-5680 MON.-WED. 8-5, THURS. & FRI. 8-6, SAT. 8-2 56 | NNY Business | March 2016

business scene Hospice of Jefferson County Cinderella Ball at 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel

William C. Couch Jr., The Couch Group, Watertown, and wife, Kimberly.

From left, John Gaus, Golden Technology, Potsdam, and wife, Jennifer.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Ganell Tremont and husband, William J., RBC Wealth Management, Watertown. Hospice of Jefferson County held its second annual Cinderella Ball at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Clayton, on Feb. 27.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Andrea Lomber, Thousand Islands Central School District, and husband, Msgt. Kelly Lomber, U.S. Air Force, Syracuse.

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 57

business scene GWNC Chamber Business of the Year awards at Savory Downtown

From left, Jill Parker, Victims Assistance Center, Watertown, GWNC Chamber of Commerce board president, and recipient of Chamber Board Member of the Year, and Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Lori Randazzo, Coyote Moon Vineyards, Clayton, recipient of the Farm & Craft Market Vendor of the Year award, Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce, and Monique Medsger, Coyote Moon Vineyards, Clayton.

58 | NNY Business | March 2016

Joyce M. Bradley, recipient of GWNC Ambassador of the Year award, and Stephen Bradley, co-owners, Abbey Carpet, Watertown.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce, Bob Gorman, president and CEO, United Way of Northern New York and recipient of the Nonprofit Business of the Year Award, 50 employees or fewer.

business scene GWNC Chamber Business of the Year awards at Savory Downtown

From left, Justin C. Krafft, Krafft Cleaning Service, Watertown, Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce, and Lynn E. Krafft, Krafft Cleaning Service and recipient of the For-Profit Business of the Year Award, 50 or fewer employees.

From left, Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce, and Cyril Mouaikel, branch director, RBC Wealth Management, Watertown, and recipient of the For-Profit Business of the Year Award, more than 50 employees.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Kylie Peck, GWNC Chamber of Commerce, Karen Y. Richmond, executive director, Children’s Home of Jefferson County, Watertown, and recipient of the Nonprofit Business of the Year Award, more than 50 employees, and Mike Hawthorne, president, New York Air Brake, Watertown.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Patty Mitchell and Holly Bush, both of M&T Bank, Watertown. The GWNC Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business of the Year Awards lunch on March 3 at Savory Downtown, Watertown.

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 59

PEOPLE, from page 9 Her experience comes from years working with such leading local firms as Alcoa, Hoosier Magnetics and Corning Incorporated.

Ms. Chepeleff holds a master’s in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University, as well as professional training and certifications in Lean Six Sigma, ISO, OSHA, program management and highperformance work systems, among others.

CITEC is a not-for-profit business consulting organization that helps small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern New York to thrive.

New president at GWNC Chamber of Commerce

COMPASSIONATE PERSONALIZED QUALITY CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Hospice of Jefferson County delivers compassionate, personalized, high-quality care. Hospice is committed to comfort, privacy, dignity and control.

SERVICES AVAILABLE IN YOUR HOME OR AT THE HOSPICE RESIDENCE 60 | NNY Business | March 2016

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce appointed Kylie S. Peck as the chamber’s new president and chief executive officer on Feb. 23.

Ms. Peck joined the chamber in 2011 and served as membership development director, as well as the outreach and development Peck director. She has served as interim president and CEO since July 2015.

As outreach and development director, Ms. Peck increased the chamber’s membership base and expanded business-to-business oriented program, as well as provided marketing, budgetary and administrative program oversight.

She presently serves as the chamber’s liaison with government officials and business leaders.

Ms. Peck is a graduate of Thousand Islands Central School. She attended Monroe Community College in Rochester before transferring to Rochester Institute of Technology where she earned a bachelor’s in new media publishing with a concentration in management. She is also a graduate of the Jefferson Leadership Institute.

Ms. Peck is a member of the Northern New York Chapter of the Association of the United State Army and serves on the planning committees for Operation Yellow Ribbon, GPS for Success, Snowtown USA and last year’s FDRLO-Fort drum Rally.

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March 2016 | NNY Business

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“Installing glass with class”

I

N E X T MON T H

n our April issue, Magazine Associate Karee Magee visits with SUNY Potsdam president Kristin Esterberg and other college officials on the occasion of the university’s bicentennial anniversary.

Also coming next month: n JCC’s CHANGING LANDSCAPE: Historically a commuter campus, JCC opened its first residence hall in 2014. This year, it celebrates its new $14 million Collaborative Learning Center

n SMALL BIZ STARTUP: A feature story about a recently opened north country small business in Lewis County. n 20 QUESTIONS: An in-depth interview with Jefferson Community College’s third president, John W. Deans.

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n PLUS: NNY Snapshot, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Real Estate, Agri-Business, Business History and Business Scene. n VISIT US ONLINE at www.nnybizmag.com.

Follow us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nnybusiness, and view eEditions at www.issuu.com/NNYBusiness.

March 2016 | NNY Business

| 63

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