2023 Business Person of the Year Award Magazine

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

PROGRAM Agenda

Welcome

• Lynette Adams, News10NBC Anchor/Reporter

Remarks

• Sarah Compter, President, Small Business Council

Special Guest

• Ian Mortimer, President, Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship

2023 Business Person of the Year Award Presentation

• Under 50 Employees Finalists Showcase

• 50 or More Employees Finalists Showcase

Business Person of the Year Award Winners Announced

• Under 50 Employees Winner Remarks

• 50 or More Employees Winner Remarks

Closing Remarks

• Sarah Compter, President, Small Business Council

Selection Committee:

Robert De Leon, Rochester Economic Development Corporation

Wayne France, Simon Business School

Paul Kaiser, EVP, Savannah Bank N.A.

David Powe, Greater Rochester Black Business Alliance

Abby Reinhard, GP Flooring Inc.

SBC BPOY Winner 2018

Greg Vangellow, RW Dake Construction

SBC BPOY Winner 2019

Keith Williams, Consiliarium Group, LLC

SBC BPOY Winner 2022

Celebrating Business Leaders in Greater Rochester

The Small Business Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber affiliate, is pleased to present the 40th Annual Business Person of the Year Award finalists and welcome you to our celebration.

Founded in 1983, this award was established to honor the achievements of exceptional business leaders in the Greater Rochester region. More importantly, it was established to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and business lives. Our community benefits greatly from the service and vision of each of these individuals, who strive to achieve greatness in all they do.

This award recognizes outstanding leadership and growth in the Greater Rochester region despite challenging times. As you read and learn more about the Business Person of the Year Award finalists in this special publication, we know you will agree that they are outstanding examples of success and service.

We appreciate the tremendous generosity of our sponsors, whose contributions have allowed us to celebrate vision, leadership, and success. We also thank the community for its continued support and participation. Your attendance today is an important part of the success of all small businesses - the backbone of our Greater Rochester economy. We are honored to spend this time with you and recognize such a distinguished group of business leaders.

Best of luck to all!

Sarah Compter 2023 Board President Small Business Council

Bob Duffy President and CEO Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors

Media Partner

• Chase

• Davie Kaplan

• ENALAS

• GreenSpark Solar

Corporate Sponsors

Premier Reception Sponsors Supporting Sponsors

• HR Works

• Indotronix Avani

• Livingston Associates

• ESL Federal Credit Union

• M&T Bank

• Nazareth University, School of Business and Leadership

• SFG Wealth Management

• Walsh Duffield

Winners 1983-2022

2022 over 50 - Kevin Schulte, GreenSpark Solar

2022 under 50 - Keith Williams, Consiliarium Group, LLC

2020/21 over 50 - Jay McHarg, AeroSafe Global

2020/21 under 50 - Jill Knittel, JK Executive Strategies, LLC

2019 over 50 - Greg Vangellow, RW Dake Construction

2019 under 50 - Nicole Mahoney, Break The Ice Media

2018 over 50 - Timothy Fournier, Conifer Realty, LLC

2018 under 50 - Abby Reinhard, GP Flooring Solutions

2017 over 50 - Steve Carl, Operation Brain Freeze

2017 under 50 - Traci Adolph, Samson Fuel

2016 over 50 - Cyndi Weis, Breathe Yoga & Juice Bar, Inc.

2016 under 50 - Michael Pavia, Sydor Technologies LLC

2015 over 50 - Ken Rosenfeld, eHealth Technologies

2015 under 50 - Mike & Sitima Fowler, Capstone Information Technologies, Inc.

2014 over 50 - Robert Healy, LaBella Associates, DPC

2014 under 50 - Michelle Ashby, Tipping Point Communications

2013 over 50 - Mark E. Davitt, ConServe

2013 under 50 - Amy Castronova, Novatek Communications, Inc.

2012 over 50 - Ray Isaac, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

2012 under 50 - John Ford Nichols, The Nichols Team

2011 over 50 - Sharon Napier, Partners & Napier

2011 under 50 - Mark Gentile, Odyssey Software

2010 - Eli Futerman, Dan Chessin, Hahn Automotive

2009 - Tom Bonadio, The Bonadio Group

2008 - Kenton Fiske, SenDEC Corporation

2007 - Richard Kaplan, Pictometry International Corp.

2006 - Joe Klein, Klein Steel

2005 - Jim Hammer, Hammer Packaging

2004 - Linda Yaniszewski, ExecuScribe

2003 - Chris S. McVicker, The Flanders Group

2002 - Steven B. Sauer, Business Methods, Inc.

2001 - Lauren Dixon, Dixon Schwabl Advertising, Inc.

2000 - Kenneth McAlpin, McAlpin Industries, Inc.

1999 - Sarah Jane Clifford, The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester, Inc.

1998 - Nicholas Juskiw, Trident Precision Manufacturing, Inc.

1997 - Robert T. Tobin, Tobin & Associates

1996 - David Christa, Christa Construction

1995 - James Isaac, Isaac Heating and Cooling

1994 - Richard J. Dorschel, The Dorschel Automotive Group

1993 - I.C. Shah, ICS Telecom Inc.

1992 - Robert “Bud” Frame, Trillium Group

1991 - John (Dutch) Summers, Jasco Tools

1990 - Betty Perkins Carpenter

1989 - C. S. “Chic” Lewis

1988 - Robert Sperandio, Sporting Dog Specialties

1987 - Wayne Scheible, Flower City Printing

1986 - Jane Pitt, JP Associates

1985 - Matthew Augustine, Eltrex Industries

1984 - Charlotte Hegedus

1983 - Robert Hall

Winners

KEVIN SCHULTE

CEO & Co-Founder, GreenSpark Solar 2022 Business Person of the Year Award Winner

1. What has been your journey since receiving Business Person of the Year recognition?

When I received the Business Person of the Year award last year, I challenged those in attendance to commit to diversity, use their business as a force for good, and care for their people. In making such a challenge, I aspire to meet my own ideals. Over the last year, GreenSpark has enhanced our salary and benefits package, updated policies to be more equitable, instituted our first Wellness Week, and advanced our HQ move to the City of Rochester, simultaneously doubling the scale of our impact to slow the role of climate change on our population.

2. What advice would you give to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders?

My guidance to all leaders is to own the privilege of leadership, and inspire your people through genuine care. Aspire to use the opportunity of leadership to improve the lives of those you lead, as well as those impacted by the work you do. Most importantly, use your position as a leader to give everyone that you influence an opportunity to thrive, independent of their background or sensibilities, or how they may be different from your own. I strive to do better in these ways every day I am on this journey.

BUSINESSES WITH Under 50 EMPLOYEES

AHMON BRYANT Owner • Sharp Edgez Barber Institute

PAUL CYPHER President & CEO • CypherWorx, Inc.

RICHARD A. DOUGHERTY Managing Director • Naviter Wealth

ANTHONY VALERIO Owner • Four Winds Chimney

PHIL YAWMAN President • Cooley Group Inc

Ahmon Bryant, an entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for barbering, owns and operates the nationally-accredited Sharp Edgez Barber Institute. His career in the industry started in the late ‘90s, later in 2009, establishing a barbering school that has become a beacon for aspiring barbers in Western New York and beyond. Ahmon’s commitment to education and empowerment is unyielding, demonstrated by the institute’s expansion from a single location in Rochester to multiple branches in Buffalo and plans for future growth in Syracuse, Albany, and New York City.

Within just three years of its inception, his innovative approach to barbering education led to federal recognition and opportunities for students to access education funds. This dedication to community and civic responsibility, fostered by his Political Science degree from SUNY Brockport, extends to Sharp Edgez’s community outreach. Thousands of free haircuts have been donated yearly in Rochester and Buffalo, earning Ahmon the 2017 Elliot Landsman Head Start Community Volunteer Award from Action for a

Outside of shaping the future of barbering, Ahmon enjoys spending quality time with his family, and indulging in hobbies like tailoring and bingewatching TV shows. His personal style is refined through tailoring and shoe collecting, balanced with regular workouts and church attendance. Honored to be nominated as the business person of the year, Ahmon’s journey embodies continuous growth, learning, and a firm commitment to making a positive difference in his community.

Ahmon BRYANT Owner

Sharp Edgez Barber Institute

Paul Cypher is the founder and CEO of CypherWorx. Paul first discovered a love for learning and software programming as a “tech geek” at a young age. In his early teens, he built computers and programmed simple machines by assembling mail-order computer parts. Through his career as a nonprofit leader, Paul managed several projects that included technology and software development, and also managed teams that required annual certifications and training. In 2009, Paul became an entrepreneur marrying his two loves—learning and software—when he founded CypherWorx. CypherWorx provides a unique holistic model for learning performance improvement. The CypherWorx team of talented professionals provides content and systems to make it easier for organizations to assign, create, and track required training needs and improve employee performance. CypherWorx is proud to support universities, K-12 educators, childcare providers, correctional facilities, cultural and social service agencies, fire and EMS providers, unions, and small business clients that have a need to constantly train their members and employees. Paul is active in the community as a coach, board member and mentor, and is the father of two adult children, Emma and Will.

Paul CYPHER President & CEO CypherWorx, Inc.

Richard A. DOUGHERTY

Managing Director Naviter Wealth

Anthony VALERIO Owner

Four Winds Chimney

Originally from Auburn, NY Rick found his way to Rochester to attend St. John Fisher University and graduated in 2007 with a BS in Corporate Finance. While attending Fisher, he was a member of the golf team and had the opportunity to caddie at Oak Hill Country Club. Through various networking opportunities as a caddie, Rick secured an entry level position with Westminster Financial shortly after graduating.

Early in his professional career he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designations while also becoming a minority owner in the firm in 2012. Over the next four years Rick gradually became 100% owner and rebranded the firm to Echelon Wealth Advisors.

The firm experienced considerable growth under Rick’s leadership, and in 2018 his wife, Alecia Fisher Dougherty, also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ joined the firm as a partner.

Over the past five years the firm has experienced considerable revenue growth, made additional strategic hires and purchased their own office building. In April, 2023 Echelon merged into Naviter Wealth, where Rick and Alecia serve as Managing Directors.

Today, they are proud members of Oak Hill Country Club and reside in Pittsford with their two Newfoundland’s, Oliver and Sadie.

Anthony was born into a family of masons. Working alongside his uncle who is also a mason, from a very young age, he got to a point in life where he knew he wanted more. He wanted to create something of his own & provide not only for his family but for future employees. In 2018 he took a leap & started his own business. Four Winds Chimney started with 1 employee & now has 28 in 5 short years. He has not only grown a successful business but is recognized as a leader & mentor in his field nationally.

Anthony’s philosophy has been consistent & he contributes his success to that. People over profit. Treat your employees well & in return they provide high quality work & customer service. He started with nothing & built a very successful business in this community. He also gives back to the community that has contributed to his growth by donating to charities & supporting local needs of the community.

His success is driven by hard work & the support of his family. His wife Laura, children Evie & Michael are his motivation & support. He believes in family first for himself & his staff. His philosophy, genuineness, & hands on approach, are what make him great business owner.

Phil Yawman is the President and Board Chairman of the Cooley Group, a nationally recognized branding services provider specializing in print and promotional products. During his tenure, the company has earned numerous awards, including the “Best Companies to Work For” designation from the New York State Society for Human Resource Management. 2022 was a record year, achieving the highest revenue and net income in the employeeowned company’s 78-year history.

Yawman’s expertise lies in strategic planning and positioning; executive leadership coaching and mentoring; start-up, expansion, and growth management; marketing, sales and business development. He previously held executive positions at Annese and Associates and co-founded Choice One Communications, a telecom start-up which grew rapidly under his leadership.

Yawman serves as the Vice Chair of the St. John Fisher University Board of Trustees and sits on the boards of Monroe Community College Foundation and Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center (CMAC). He was also on the Executive Committee of the 2023 PGA Championship, which put Rochester in the national spotlight and brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy.

Yawman holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an MBA from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. Yawman is a former 40 under 40 recipient and inductee of Fairport High School’s Alumni Wall of Fame. He is married with two daughters and enjoys golf, music, and coaching basketball.

Phil YAWMAN President Cooley Group Inc

BUSINESSES WITH 50 Or More EMPLOYEES

JASON AYMERICH

President • JN White

JASON BARRETT

Founder & President • Black Button Distilling

ANTHONY DITUCCI

President & COO • Livingston Associates, Inc.

SAMEER PENAKALAPATI

Founder & CEO • Indotronix Avani Group

TIMOTHY J POPE

CEO • Ironwood Heavy Highway LLC & Terry Tree Service, LLC

Jason is currently the President of JN White a manufacturer of complex human machine interfaces, located in Perry, NY and Watertown, CT. Under Jason’s leadership JN White has grown to record levels in the company’s 63-year history. In addition to the record growth, Jason invented a single piece polycarbonate face shield and other products to help protect people during the pandemic that was then produced, and sold through e-commerce and B2B. For this work Jason was awarded a patent and was named the 2020 RBJ Executive of the year.

Prior to JN White Jason was the President and minority owner of Complemar Partners Inc., an e-commerce fulfillment company with locations spanning the United States with (7) locations in (4) different states. During Jason’s tenure, the company grew substantially setting record revenue every year, which was achieved organically and through acquisitions.

Jason has been the recipient of numerous business awards, and has an engineering degree from RIT and an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School.

Jason lives in Irondequoit and enjoys spending time on the water with his wife Mindy and their two children Isaac and Sally.

Jason Barrett, the Founder and Master Distiller of Black Button Distilling, discovered his passion for distilling spirits while brewing beer in college. Unable to legally purchase alcohol, he realized he could legally obtain brewing equipment, which led him into the world of homebrewing. Barrett’s interest grew, and he even wrote his senior thesis on the political aspects of Prohibition. After exploring other career paths in politics and accounting, Barrett followed his true calling and established Black Button Distilling in 2012. It became Rochester’s first grain-to-glass craft distillery since Prohibition.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Barrett successfully adapted his business by producing hand sanitizer for the healthcare industry, protecting his employees’ jobs. Now, in the summer of 2023, Black Button Distilling is embarking on a new chapter by relocating to a larger and more advanced facility on University Avenue, Rochester. The expanded location will increase production capacity, allowing for up to 4,500 barrels of spirits per year and providing an enhanced retail tasting room experience with increased seating and event space.

Barrett’s dedication to his craft and community has earned him recognition, such as becoming a member of the UK-based Gin Guild and receiving the Forty Under 40 award from the Rochester Business Journal. Black Button Distilling has also been listed multiple times on the Inc. 5000 as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Jason actively supports charitable organizations through Black Button Gives Back, aligning with the distillery’s mission of community involvement and sustainability.

Jason AYMERICH President JN White

Jason BARRETT

Founder & President

Black Button Distilling

Anthony DITUCCI

President & COO

Livingston Associates, Inc.

With over 30 years of experience, Anthony DiTucci helps to support our community by providing strategic planning and operational support services to a wide range of construction-related organizations.

As President of Livingston Associates, DiTucci’s diverse experience and executive leadership skills enable him to successfully identify and analyze the challenges and opportunities that are often involved with dynamic organizations and complex projects. His team works with clients to develop, improve, and execute various systems with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability.

During his tenure, Livingston Associates has experienced significant growth and expansion. LA was also recognized as one of Rochester’s “Top Workplaces” in 2022 and 2023.

DiTucci serves as a member of the Executive Board for the Builders Exchange of Rochester, where he also chairs their Workforce Development committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Advisory Board for BOCES/ Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

He is also involved with several other organizations, including Camp Hard Hat, The Margaret Home, St. John Bosco Schools, Catholic Charities, and the Boy Scouts of America.

DiTucci earned his master’s degree from Central Michigan University and his bachelor’s degree from Saint John Fisher University. He resides in Pittsford with his wife Karen and their five children.

Sameer PENAKALAPATI

Founder & CEO Indotronix Avani Group

Sameer Penakalapati is an exceptional serial entrepreneur and visionary leader in the technology startup landscape. With a primary focus on HR Tech and AI, Sameer has founded and acquired over six companies in the past decade. His ventures include two major staffing firms, multiple SaaS platforms, and a digital marketing agency, all of which have served a vast global clientele.

Passionate about talent acquisition, engagement, and total talent management, Sameer has established himself as a thought leader in the industry. His thought-provoking contributions to HR publications and induction into the Forbes HR Council attest to his expertise and forwardthinking mindset.

Sameer’s remarkable achievements have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including recognition from esteemed institutions such as Inc 500/5000, Rochester Top 100, Deloitte Fast 500, Forbes Best Startup Employers, USPAACC, SIA Fastest Growing Companies, and SIA Largest Staffing Companies. These accolades underscore his exceptional entrepreneurial skills and the substantial impact of his ventures. Moreover, Sameer demonstrates a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility by actively engaging in philanthropic endeavors focused on children’s education and youth development in the US and India.

Timothy Pope is the CEO of Terry Tree Service, LLC & Ironwood Heavy Highway, LLC; two Rochester based companies that provide services including residential and commercial tree clearing, civil construction, vegetation management, environmental matting, and storm disaster recovery. Tim has been in this role for 28 years, dating back to 1995 when he and his past partner, Thomas Terry III, started Terry Tree Service, LLC. Ironwood Heavy Highway, LLC was established in 2003, expanding those services offered to local and regional utility providers. Under Tim’s leadership, Terry Tree Service and Ironwood Heavy Highway have consistently grown, currently employing over 300 people from Rochester, NY headquarters. Tim is proud of the storm disaster relief efforts he has led to help restore communities across the nation after a natural disaster. Tim has overseen 500 crews in response to storms such as Hurricane Katrina, Super Storm Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, the Joplin Missouri Tornados, etc. Tim also takes pride in his community service, specifically with his involvement with Warrior Salute Veteran Services. In Tim’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Theresa, their four children and granddaughter. Tim is an avid outdoorsman and Miami Dolphins fan!

Timothy J. POPE CEO

Ironwood Heavy Highway LLC & Terry Tree Service, LLC

Business is Complex. Paychex Makes it Simple.

HR, benefits, payroll, and insurance are complex. Make it simple.

Congratulations to the 2023 Business Person of the Year finalists .

HR | Payroll | Benefits | Insurance

Congratulations to the finalists of the 40th Annual Business Person of the Year Awards!

These individuals have demonstrated the passion and dedication essential to building a successful business and a thriving community. They have invested their time and energy in creating a brighter future for the Rochester community. Paychex is proud of their accomplishments and is honored to recognize them for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

We thank them for their contributions to our economy and salute them for their dedication to helping build a stronger and more prosperous future.

Insero & Co.

Insero & Co. would like to congratulate all of this year’s Business Person of the Year Award finalists. As Rochester’s premier business advisory firm, we know that this honor is a reflection of your hard work and perseverance.

We have worked closely with many of you and have seen first-hand how your leadership and passion help drive your businesses and fuel Rochester’s economy. We look forward to celebrating with all of you and the Small Business Council of Rochester.

For more than 40 years, Insero has served the Rochester business community with a commitment to The Highest Standard. Whether through talent acquisition, outsourced accounting, audit, tax, or business advisory services, you can count on us to listen to your situation, deliver solutions to your challenges, and bring you the ideas to take you to the next level of success.

We also serve the Rochester community as an employer committed to transforming the employee experience. Our firm has repeatedly been recognized as one of Rochester’s Top Workplaces, a Best Company to Work For in New York State, and one of the Best Accounting Firms to Work for in the US.

Congratulations Paul for being a Business Person of the Year finalist!

We would like to congratulate all finalists for all of your exceptional achievements!

It is with your dedication, as well as the support of your employees, friends, and family, that helps lift Rochester to be the extraordinary city it is today.

We wish all the finalists the best of luck, and look forward to continuing to make Rochester a great place to live and work.

WOODS OVIATT GILMAN LLP IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL'S BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE NOMINEES! WE SALUTE YOU FOR ALL YOU AND YOUR BUSINESSES DO FOR THE ROCHESTER COMMUNITY.

- The CypherWorx Team