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VOL. 32 NO. 01
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MARCH 2020
SUNY Empire State And SUNY Adirondack FirstLight Tech Company Acquires PrimeLink, Agree To Joint-Admission Pact In Business Enhancing Its Position In Upstate New York
SUNY Empire State President Jim Malatras and SUNY Adirondack President Kristine Duffy, seated, join other officials at the signing of a joint-admission pact in business and management. Courtesy SUNY Empire State
SUNY Empire State College and SUNY Adirondack Community College have approved a phase-one agreement for five joint-admissions degrees in business and management at SUNY Empire’s Saratoga Springs campus. Under the agreement, SUNY Adirondack students will benefit from increased access to SUNY Empire’s campus in Saratoga Springs, where they can matriculate in bachelor’s and eventually graduate programs in a convenient location
upon completing their degree at SUNY Adirondack. While SUNY Empire has shared space on other college campuses around New York state—including Alfred State College, Cayuga Community College, FultonMontgomery Community College, SUNY Adirondack, and SUNY Plattsburgh—this is the first time in its nearly 50-year history that SUNY Empire will host a fellow SUNY institution, creating greater opportunity Continued On Page 13
BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER PrimeLink Fiber Optic Internet and Phone Services is being acquiring by FirstLight, a fiber-optic data, internet, data center, cloud computing and unified communications services provider. Vicki Marking, marketing manager for PrimeLink, said the sale would be complete later this year. “We are really excited about it. It will be our local team and FirstLight’s extensive resources. FirstLight’s infrastructure goes all over New York state. It’s a great compliment to them. The local team will remain in place. The transition will be slow and over a long period of time,” she said. For now, PrimeLink and FirstLight are operating as two separate companies. The agreement has been signed, but the contract has not yet been closed. The company will go through the state regulatory process for communications companies. Marking anticipates the approvals taking at least four to six months. The agreement was signed on Feb. 11. “This transaction reinforces our commitment to ensuring that businesses throughout New York have access to the fiber-based broadband services needed to keep pace with technological innovation,” said Kurt Van Wagenen, president and CEO of FirstLight. “The acquisition will deepen our fiber footprint in the North Country and provide additional fiber capacity on a unique route from Albany, New York up into Montreal, Canada, which will help facilitate cross border communications.” “I am excited that PrimeLink and FirstLight are joining forces. The companies
PrimeLink, with offices in Glens Falls and Queensbury, has been acquired by FirstLight. Courtesy Vicki Marking, PrimeLink
have a complementary footprint and service portfolio as well as a shared philosophy of offering high quality, locally-based service and support to the communities in which we serve,” said Trent Trahan, CEO of PrimeLink. “Now as part of FirstLight, our goal of enhancing the region’s economics and improving the North Country’s quality of life and business climate can be better realized.” “Since acquiring FirstLight in 2018, our goal has been to ensure that it has the guidance and resources necessary to support its organic and strategic growth initiatives. Continued On Page 11
CEO: AngioDynamics Is Making Changes Paul Dowen Receives 31st Juckett Award At To Position Itself For A Stronger Future ARCC’s Annual Dinner At The Sagamore
Jim Clemmer, center, AngioDynamics CEO, speaks at the EDC Warren County Economic Outlook breakfast with Ed Bartholomew and Heather Briccetti looking on. BY R.J. DeLUKE AngioDynamics, the medical device manufacturer with facilities in Glens Falls, has stood true to its promise to change— not to become bigger, but better, its CEO said in his remarks at EDC Warren County’s Economic Outlook breakfast in February at the Queensbury Hotel.
Andrea Harwood Palmer
“We’re going to change because we have to,” said Jim Clemmer. “So that we have a future and not just a past.” AngioDynamics has some 480 employees based in Warren County, including production sites, offices and a distribution center in Glens Falls and Queensbury. Continued On Page 7
Paul Dowen, left, received the ARCC’s J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award on March 6. With him are ARCC President Michael Bittel, center, and Jeff Mead of Cool Insuring Arena. Paul L. Dowen, CPA and managing partner of Whittemore, Dowen and Ricciardelli LLP in Queensbury, received the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award at the organization’s annual dinner on March 6 at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing. More than 300 attended.
The organization’s award is named after J. Walter Juckett, whom ARCC notes had a remarkable business career and was recognized as a major community leader in his adopted home, the village of Hudson Falls, and the entire region. His leadership and commitment traversed a wide range of civic, charitable, Continued On Page 11
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Personnel Briefs
The Lake ChamplainLake George Regional Planning Board announced that Andrea Harwood Palmer has joined the organization as the economic development coordinator for Warren, Washington, Essex, Clinton and Hamilton counties. Palmer will oversee the Revolving Loan Fund program, working with business owners and partnering with commercial lenders in the region. Palmer brings 12 years of experience in the finance sector. She is a former small business owner. Palmer is active in the community as a volunteer and a board member. She maintains a long-term membership with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and is an alumni of the ARCC Leadership Adirondack Class of 2015. She is a volunteer, board of directors member and Finance Committee member for the Open Door Mission. She lives in Queensbury with her family. * * * Glens Falls Hospital welcomed four new members to the hospital’s board of governors: Kate Herlihy Schwenker Esq., Dr. Geoffrey L. Serfilippi, Thomas J. Guay and Courtney M. Haskins Esq. The new board members have diverse career experiences and backgrounds but are united in their commitment to the mission of Glens Falls Hospital. Schwenker is a partner at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, an Albany-based law firm. She received her undergraduate degree
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from Amherst College and attended law school at Fordham University School of Law in the Bronx, New York. Kate also serves as the chair of the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation’s board of trustees. Serfilippi has served as co-director of intensive care medicine at Glens Falls Hospital since 2014. He also practices medicine at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Binghamton and Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niskayuna. Serfilippi received his undergraduate degree from Siena College and received his medical degree from the Albany Medical College of Union University in Albany. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowships in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Guay is the general manager of The Sagamore Resort since 2008 and regional manager for the Lake Placid Lodge in Lake Placid. He brings more than 35 years of AAA Four- and Five-Diamond resort hospitality experience. Previous roles include executive chef at The Woodstock Inn and Resort in Woodstock, Vt., and executive chef at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa. Guay received his degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Haskins has served as Continued On Page 15
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SUNY Empire State Saratoga Office Will Be Used To Help People Complete Online Census
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SUNY Empire State President Jim Malatras speaks at an event announcing a program to help the public complete the 2020 Census online. SUNY Empire State College will open computer labs at five of its campuses and learning hubs across New York state to the public to help ensure an accurate, complete count in the 2020 census—the first-ever census to be conducted primarily online. One of the labs is in Saratoga Springs. Residents will receive instructions from the Census Bureau in the mail that explain how to officially respond to the census online, by phone or by mail. Empire campuses in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Rochester, Manhattan, and Long Island will be open to the community to complete the online questionnaire. The census is a constitutional requirement to count every resident in the United States every 10 years. The Census Bureau expects six out of 10 households will fill out the form online, while the rest respond over the phone or by the traditional paper form. Officials said this change in process may present obstacles for residents with limited internet access or for those who are not digitally literate. The 2020 census forms the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to support housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and other vital services. Every household in the country is expected to complete the 2020 census questionnaire by July 31. To accommodate the busy schedules of residents, SUNY Empire has expanded its standard business hours to include evenings and weekends. Hours of operation can be found at www.esc.edu/2020Census for anyone looking to complete the questionnaire at a SUNY Empire census site. In Saratoga Springs, the office at 111 West Ave. will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, April 2, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. SUNY Empire’s Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies, one of the nation’s leading labor schools, is also working with the New York
Courtesy SUNY Empire State
City Central Labor Council to launch the SUNY Empire Labor Counts organizing committee. Students involved with the committee will be trained to aid the Census Bureau in its efforts to count every New Yorker in the five boroughs. In addition to their regular curriculum, students will earn extra credit through this special topic course to develop a campaign strategy focused on community outreach and ways to inform the public about the importance of the census. “A fair and accurate 2020 Census count of every person living in New York is essential to making sure New York gets its fair share of hundreds of billions of dollars of federal aid,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “SUNY Empire is uniquely positioned to support this critical effort by opening its doors and its computer labs to our neighbors. Our labor students are stepping up big time by developing a strategic outreach program to connect with our hard to reach communities, while gaining invaluable experience in the field. We are proud to do our part to help keep our democracy strong.” “The 2020 Census will determine how hundreds of billions in federal funds are distributed across our nation for the next 10 years. It will impact funding for transportation, education, healthcare, community development and more,” said U.S. Rep. Paul D. Tonko said. “We must all do our part to ensure our Capital Region is completely counted. My thanks to SUNY Empire for their vital role and hard work they are performing to get the job done.” “Our goal is to maximize participation in the 2020 Census by educating our community members, especially in historically hard-to-count communities, on the importance of participating in the census count. It’s safe, easy and will have a substantial impact on ensuring our communities receive the funding, representation and resources they need to be successful,” said Peter Gannon, president and CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region. “We encourage everyone to text PLEDGE to 211-211 to receive information and text reminders about the 2020 Census.”
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 3
Subway Store Will Be Part Of Plaza Project On Owners Of Grey Ghost Bicycles In Glens Falls Route 9 In Queensbury; Set To Open In May Have Expanded With New Saratoga Shop
This is a sketch of the plaza being built in Queensbury. The $2.2 million, 11,800-square-foot plaza will include a Subway and a Spectrum office. BY CHRISTINE GRAF Local entrepreneur Russ Faden is finishing construction on a $2.2 million, 11,800-squarefoot plaza at 894 Route 9 in Queensbury. The project was financed through Pioneer Bank. Once construction is completed, Faden will relocate his Subway franchise currently at 870 Route 9. In addition to Subway, the plaza will be home to Sports Clips and Spectrum. There are two additional spaces available for rent, he said. The vacant spaces measure 1,700 square feet and 2,400 square feet. According to Faden, he hopes to have his Subway relocated and operational by May 15. He expects Sports Clips and Spectrum to open some time in June. Faden operates 18 Subway locations between Northway exits 9 and 20. He employs approximately 100 full-time and part-time employees. Faden and his wife, Carrie, purchased their first Subway in downtown Saratoga in 2007. At the time, he was a full-time officer in the Saratoga Springs Police Department. In recent years, Faden has focused his efforts on building plazas that are large enough to house his Subway restaurants as well as additional tenants. He owns three plazas in addition to his 894 Route 9 property. With each plaza that he opens, he relocates one of his nearby Subway franchises. “We are relocating and updating as many Subways as we can to better locations and
Courtesy Russ Faden
locations that we own,” said Faden. “Realistically, it will be about five years before we can convert and potentially change all of the stores.” All of his new locations feature the “fresh forward” updated décor that was designed at Subway’s corporate offices. According to Subway, stores that have updated to this new décor have experienced significant increases in both sales and traffic. Faden said he has found this to be true. “The new store will have the brand new décor. It will be bigger and have more seating,” said Faden. “It also has better visibility, better parking, and better access to the traffic light—so the in and out is much better. The three things you look for when you relocate are to update your interior, and get better visibility and better in and out. This locations has all three.” After work on his newest plaza is completed, Faden plans to develop a piece of property he purchased in South Glens Falls. He anticipates starting that project in June and having it completed in October. “This one is about 3,600 square feet, and it’s another (Subway) relocation. It’s probably 200 yards from my current location. It’s a similar concept. It’s a brand new building and a brand new Subway. I’ll also have one other tenant there.” Faden is also seeking approval to build approximately 50 apartments on vacant land at the corner of West Avenue and Station Lane in Saratoga Springs.
Grey Ghost Bicycles, based in Glens Falls, has opened a new store in Saratoga Springs, located at 60 West Ave. The new retail space is more than 2,000 square feet. Grey Ghost Bicycles in Glens Falls has opened a new store in Saratoga Springs. Located at 60 West Ave., the new retail space is more than 2,000 square feet and is part of the larger retail strip building that contains other businesses such as Wolberg Lighting Design & Electrical Supply. According to Steve Fairchild, general manager of Grey Ghost Bicycles, the existing space only needed light modifications, including cleaning and painting, which is being done by the company. Launched in 2012, Grey Ghost Bicycles is a full-service bike shop. Along with e-bikes and professional mountain and racing bikes, they also sell bikes for children and casual riders. The company recently moved their main store into the former Post-Star building in Glens Falls.
Like the Glens Falls store, the Saratoga site has accessible parking for customers, located right in front of the building. “Initially we plan on having two or three employees on staff in Saratoga. We will likely use some existing staff as well and maybe add a new hire or two as we grow,” said Fairchild. Grey Ghost intends to keep the same hours as they do for their Glens Falls location: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The store will be closed on Sunday and Monday. “We will be offering some bicycle fitting services in Saratoga, but our main fitting studio will remain in Glens Falls, as we have dedicated space for it in Glens Falls that doesn’t exist in the Saratoga location,” said Fairchild. For more information, visit greyghostbicycles. com, or call 518-223-0148.
4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
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79th Harness Racing Season Is Underway At Saratoga Casino Hotel With $15M In Purses
Casino officials will look to build on the success of last year’s performance, where all-source handle exceeded $48 million and racing was simulcast to over 400 outlets worldwide.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL 2000 Business Of The Year
Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com
Editorial: RJDeLuke@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke
Saratoga Raceway’s 79th season of live harness racing is underway at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Coupled with the 2020 racing season is the unveiling of the SaratogaBets Simulcast Center, a new trackside venue offering carrel seating, self-service and live teller wagering options, in addition to bar and food service at Diamond Jim’s. This season the casino will look to build on the success of last year’s performance, officials said, where all-source handle exceeded $48 million and the Saratoga Harness simulcast signal was broadcast to over 400 outlets worldwide. “We’re very excited to welcome fans back for the 79th year of harness racing,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of exciting and quality racing here at the historic Spa Oval.” A highlight of the upcoming racing season will once again be the 12th annual Joe Gerrity, Jr. Memorial Pace, which will feature one dash for $260,000 on July 18. Collectively, horsemen will be competing for over $15 million in purses at Saratoga Casino Hotel in 2020. Additionally, continued benefits and rewards will be available throughout the
Washington County New Business Registrations FEBRUARY
Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Production Manager Graphic Precision Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Christine Gaf Andrea Palmer Rachel Phillips Glens Falls Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Warren and Washington counties. Glens Falls Business Journal is independently owned and is a registered tradename of Weinhagen Associates, LLC, P.O. Box 766, Saratoga Springs, New York l2866 (518) 581-0600. Glens Falls Business Journal is a registered tradename in New York. Glens Falls Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Warren and Washington counties and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York. Rights to editorial content and layouts of advertising placed with Glens Falls Business Journal which are the creative effort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Glens Falls Business Journal are the property of Glens Falls Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Glens Falls Business Journal.
Courtesy Saratoga Casino Hotel
2020 racing season for users of SaratogaBets, the casino’s online interactive wagering platform. On Wednesdays and Thursdays for the entire 2020 season, a 10 percent bonus will be added on all winning Saratoga Harness wagers placed on any self-service kiosk with a valid SaratogaBets account. Signing up for a SaratogaBets account is free and can be completed on SaratogaBets. com or in the mezzanine at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The full 2020 season schedule is available at SaratogaCasino.com. People must be 18 years of age or older to play video gaming machines or wager on horses. Saratoga Casino Hotel, located on Crescent Avenue in Saratoga Springs, features over 1,700 slots, a 117-room luxury hotel, electronic table games, Vapor, Morton’s The Steakhouse, two full-service restaurants with buffets, a casual dining restaurant, three full-service bars including a sports bar, deli and a variety of guest services including valet parking and coat check. Operating hours for the gaming facility are 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. every day. Simulcast races can be viewed seven days a week and live harness racing runs through mid-December. For additional information, visit www. saratogacasino.com or call 800-727-2990.
The Faithful Steward 84 East Potter Ave. Granville, NY 12832
Ross Custom Bait 24 Meadow Rd. Hudson Falls, NY 12839
James J Paradis Jr. Trucking 335 Geer Rd. Hudson Falls, NY 12839
Sew Dot Calm 75 East Main St. Cambridge, NY 12816
Twilight Treasures 378 County Route 28 Granville, NY 12832
R Clarks Handyman Services 596 County Route 49 Salem, NY 12865
Flooring Guaranteed By Leo and Lana 18 2nd Street Hudson Falls, NY 12839
Tamarack Compost 5898 State Route 40 Argyle, NY 12809
Hunter Hill Farm 58 Farley Rd. Hudson Falls, NY 12839
A Cutler Icons 7 Pearl St. Hudson Falls, NY 12839 The Evil Cookie Company 20 Elm St. Hudson Falls, NY 12839
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 5
Open Door Mission Expands New Clothing Freedom Boat Club Lake George Helps Child’s Pantry, Food Pantry, Barber Shop, Bathrooms Museum Develop A Boating, Fishing Exhibit
The Open Door Mission in Glens Falls expanded its space recently, including the addition of this food pantry available to people in need. BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER The Open Door Mission in Glens Falls recently unveiled expanded space— a clothing pantry, food pantry, barber shop, three new bathrooms, showers and a storage area. It was built through partnership with area organizations such as CDCHP, Hannaford Supermarket, Habitat for Humanity, Hilltop Construction, Fenimore Asset Management, the Glens Falls Foundation, AJA Architectures, electrician Brian Hayward, area churches, and the UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 of Glens Falls. The shelter offers emergency Code Blue shelter to people when temperatures drop in winter months. Hannaford Supermarket donated funds as well as materials and 100 cases of food to stock the food pantry, in December when the food pantry first opened. The pantry served 218 families in February. Habitat for Humanity provided many volunteers to work on the construction. “We could not be more thrilled for this partnership, and to see the fruits of our combined labor—a beautiful new shelter, complete with pantry, bathrooms, bedrooms, a barber shop and so much more,” said director Adam Feldman. “The pride that the Open Door staff have in their work, and the
Andrea Harwood Palmer
dignity with which they treat their guests, radiates throughout the space. We are so happy to call those at Open Door partners, and friends.” CDPHP sponsored the naming opportunity for the clothing pantry. The clothing pantry is for people coming to the mission homeless. Clothing items are in new, like new or very good condition, and are free. Pine Knolls Alliance Church sponsored the naming opportunity for the food pantry. Many volunteers from area churches gave their time and skill to building the additional rooms. The Glens Falls Foundation awarded the Open Door Mission with a grant when the capital campaign began. Since that time, the foundation has awarded additional funds to the shelter that were used in this expansion project. The Local 773 Pipefitters sent apprentices to the shelter to do all plumbing for the additional bathrooms and showers. Apprentices logged work hours while the shelter received pro bono labor. “This is the first step in ministering to the whole person, so we can get people stable, housed and healthy. Then we can work with them to get them into training and living wage jobs. We are proud to be collaborating in the community to that end,” said Cook.
Freedom Boat Club Lake George has partnered with the Children’s Museum at Saratoga on a new boating and fishing exhibit. The Saratoga Lake - Let’s Go Boating exhibit will be an interactive, kid-friendly, and colorfully immersive exhibit. It is designed to help young children utilize play as a means to enhance their social and emotional development, as well as learn how to communicate, observe and problem solve with one another as they navigate their way through the exhibit, officials said. The Saratoga Lake exhibit joins long-time museum favorites like the theater, trolley, firetruck, diner, grocery store and bandstand, as well as another brand new exhibit, the barn. The exhibit space will be on the first floor, where the current Congress Park/Saratoga Lake is located. The exhibit will have a grand opening on at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 13. The improved exhibit offers children an opportunity to take a boat ride fueled by their imagination as they discover different animals and plants in their natural habitat. To further enhance the exhibit’s educational value, additional interactives are being constructed for visitors to engage with as they discover life on the lake. Included in the Saratoga Lake exhibit is a revamped rowboat utilizing a reclaimed steering wheel and throttle control, an interactive knot-tying panel featuring four common boating knots, an interactive fishing game and a Life Jacket station. Freedom Boat Club owners Matt and Rebecca O’Hara have been members of the museum for several years and brought the idea to museum staff last year. “We are frequent visitors of the museum with our 4- and 2-year-old daughters and after we’ve seen their joy interacting with the steering wheels and controls on our club boats,
we thought it would be a great addition to enhance the interactivity of the boat exhibit at the Museum,” said Rebecca. “We were thrilled when the museum team was open to the idea of working with us to add not only controls to the boat but significantly upgrading the space by adding the fishing and knot tying panels.” The couple also feels that the exhibit, and future programming designed around it, will allow visitors to have more hands-on experience with the joys of boating, the value of boat safety, and the importance of learning about and respecting the ecosystems around the region’s lakes. “We strongly believe that time spent boating as a family is among the best quality time we have with our kids and want to continue making boating more accessible in the area” said Matt. According to museum board president David Martin, “This is a special year for the museum. We are celebrating 30 years of service to the community. This exhibition marks the beginning of a year of new opportunities that the museum has planned for our visitors, members and community stakeholders. We are profoundly grateful for the donors and volunteers who have made and continue to make this museum a valuable resource for children in the greater Capital Region.” Freedom Boat Club is the nation’s oldest and largest boat club, with over 2,000 boats at 215 club locations operating in 31 states, Canada, and Europe. For more information about Freedom Boat Club in Lake George, call (845) 642-0201 or visit www.freedomboatclub.com Founded in 1990 by community parents and educators, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga is dedicated to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination and nurtures discovery.
Elizabeth LeClaire Sales Manager Home2 Suites by Hilton in Queensbury Reads
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
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SPECIAL SECTION
Banking / Asset Managment Financial Advisors Urge People Not To Panic NBT Bank Implements Several Digital As Coronavirus Causes A Stock Market Stir Initiatives Across Multiple Business Lines BY JILL NAGY Some investors may be panicking, but at least two local brokers are keeping their cool, advising a wait-and-see approach to managing assets. “Focus on the big picture and don’t react to every headline that comes up,” said Ryan Bouchey, CFP and a vice president at Bouchey Financial Group, on the first day of the market decline in response to news of the coronavirus, which has caused the stock market to plunge. “It’s still a strong economy and most clients are fairly optimistic,” said Steve Kyne CFP and partner at Sterling Manor Financial. His independent financial planning company has been around since 2006. There have been ups and downs, he said, “We’ve weathered our share.” Bouchey urged people “not to be too greedy” and to try to protect against unexpected risks. He advised having cash or cash equivalents on hand to meet the needs of the next year or two. This “cash management strategy” should be separate from an investment fund. Recently, investors were worried about trade relations with China. “Right as we solved that, the coronavirus happened,” Bouchey said. Global supply chains will be affected, especially those to and from China. He said some companies will spend less and some may reduce hiring because of the disruption caused by the virus pandemic. On the other hand, Bouchey doesn’t think the presidential election, however it comes out, will affect the overall market, although some sectors will be affected. A change of administration may bring about a ban on fracking. There may be some changes in the health care sector as well. “This is the longest and slowest recovery we’ve ever had,” Bouchey said. “We are almost 11 years into a bull market.” Kyne said cash is “a way to lose money safely.” It loses purchasing power from inflation. However, he does see a need for retirees, in particular, to have cash on hand to help them get through troughs in the market. “One hundred percent of the times the market has gone down, it has come back,” he said, but people have to be prepared to wait. “You need to sit down with somebody and find out what your options are,” he said. People’s needs are different and he would have
Ryan Bouchey, CFP and vice president at Bouchey Financial Group. Courtesy Bouchey Financial Group
Stephen Kyne, CFP, partner at Sterling Manor Financial LLC in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Sterling Manor Financial
to know a businessperson’s goals before giving any advice, Kyne said. Someone concerned about a retirement fund for 20 years in the future has different needs than someone concerned about more short-term obligations.
NBT Bancorp Inc. has executed on digital initiatives based on a technology road map with the objective of delivering features and functionality customers want and need, company officials said. This road map includes the 2020 implementation of several digital initiatives across multiple business lines that will continue to transform the experience NBT delivers to its customers and employees. “All of our customers expect ever-increasing flexibility, accessibility and speed to manage their finances,” said NBT President and CEO John H. Watt Jr. “Strong adoption of our mobile and online banking services and recognitions like our high ranking on the Forbes 2019 World’s Best Banks list and the 2019 Greenwich Awards in Small Business Banking and Middle Market Banking indicate our customer-first approach to NBT’s digital evolution is being well received. “In 2020 and beyond, we will further elevate the customer experience as we implement a series of important digital initiatives that will create efficiencies, increase the scalability of our operations, and support our focus on enhanced resiliency and cybersecurity.” He said in the first quarter of 2020, NBT will introduce Zelle within its mobile and online experiences to enable customers to make fast, safe and easy person-to-person (P2P) payments. In 2020, the Company will also launch a single platform for digital banking called Architect from Fiserv to deliver a consistent experience across all online and mobile channels and provide customers with access to greater functionality. Architect can allow NBT to respond to customer needs and deliver new capabilities faster through in-house development and the use of application programming interfaces (APIs). For small business clients, NBT will launch a new online loan application. Additionally, NBT will expand use of e-signatures and has started to offer small business loans where approval and funding occur swiftly in order to compete with other technology-enhanced lending platforms. Officials said a loan origination system will be implemented for all types of home lending in 2020. Encompass by EllieMae will support all customer-facing and bank processes to provide a streamlined experience for borrowers. The use of integrated services and e-signatures for home lending will make the process simpler and easier
for customers. Work is also underway to transform NBT’s commercial lending capabilities by streamlining and integrating commercial banking processes from end to end with the implementation of the industry-leading platform from the company’s partner nCino, officials said. “As the pace of change accelerates, we will continue to transform our company by focusing on the customer experience,” said NBT Executive Vice President and President of Retail Community Banking Joseph R. Stagliano, who leads NBT’s Operations and Retail Banking divisions and serves as chief information officer. “Our digital mindset is propelling our team to leverage data-driven insights and better understand our customers. This allows NBT to develop better solutions and connect with current and future customers via a more seamless delivery model.” Digital initiatives are continuing to enhance the employee experience at NBT as technology investments have enabled team members from across divisions and geographies to engage more easily, the company said. Moreover, process automation continues to drive productivity and eliminate inefficiencies while providing the opportunity to focus on higher-impact activities. “Our accomplishments to date and the digital initiatives we have planned for 2020 and beyond are evidence that a bank of our size, which is locally-focused and committed to fostering strong customer relationships, can also be the bank of choice for current and future customers as we deliver the experiences and convenience they are seeking in an agile manner,” said Watt. In addition to these significant digital initiatives, the Company’s NBT Capital Management business unit recently introduced a new digital investment solution from Schwab Performance Technologies. Branded NBT Guided Investor, the solution offers fully-online investment management capabilities. Accounts can be opened in as little as 10 minutes and are supported by a dedicated advisor, officials said. NBT Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Norwich, N.Y., with total assets of $9.7 billion as of Dec. 31. More information about NBT and its divisions is available online at: www.nbtbancorp.com, www. nbtbank.com, www.epicrps.com and www. nbtinsurance.com.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 7
Homestead Funding Office In Glens Falls Charles V. Wait Jr. Named President, CEO At Is Growing At The Close Of Its Second Year Adirondack Trust Co. Succeeding von Schenk BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER The Glens Falls branch of Homestead Funding is finishing it’s second year in strong fashion and building its team of in-house loan officers. Maureen Ginter-Grabowski is the branch manager and senior loan officer of the branch, located at 3 Warren Street, Suite #3A. John Homkey is a licensed loan originator, and opened the Glens Falls branch with GinterGrabowski in 2017. “It was just the two of us in the beginning. Now, including myself, we have eight loan officers in our office,” said Ginter-Grabowski. Ginter-Grabowski and Homkey have worked together since 2013, when Ginter-Grabowski was managing a different mortgage firm. Recruited heavily by Homestead Funding, she transitioned to Homestead Funding as the branch manager and senior mortgage loan officer of the Glens Falls branch in 2017. “I told John I was leaving, and he said, ‘Where are we going?’ He was on board right away,” said Ginter-Grabowski. Ginter-Grabowski started in the title insurance industry at the age of 17. A client told her she would be good at mortgages, and in 2000 she transitioned into the industry as a loan officer. “The mortgage industry began to implode around 2006, 2007. It got really ugly, but I stayed in. I just love what I do,” she said. “One good thing that happened in the industry during the housing crisis is that a lot of the poor practices were rooted out. You could see how people got taken advantage of. I never did subprime mortgages. It was an education problem for a lot of people. They just didn’t know what they were getting into,” said Ginter-Grabowski. “I was always the one looking out for what was best for the client. And Homestead has that model. It’s about the clients and what they really need,” said Ginter-Grabowski. Homestead Funding has 34 offices in Saratoga, Clifton Park and throughout New York state and Connecticut. The corporate office is located in Albany. “We are essentially financial and moral counselors. People come in here tell me their whole life story,” said Ginter-Grabowski. “What sets us apart from everyone else is we’re always 100 percent client-focused and what is best for them. We don’t try to kill deals. We try
In 2017, Maureen Ginter-Grabowski and John Homkey opened a Homestead branch. to make things work, as opposed to figuring out how it doesn’t work. We make sure the consumer is getting the best product available to them,” said Ginter-Grabowski. “If you ask any realtor out there, they’ll say they feel better if they have a pre-qualification letter from Homestead Funding. They know we can get it done. It doesn’t matter if it’s me, John or someone else. They know the company behind the loan officer is a great company. You’re not just doing business with Maureen or John. You’re doing business with Homestead Funding,” she said. “With us, mortgages are our sole focus. It’s all we do. We don’t sell checking accounts or savings accounts or other products. We don’t care where you bank. When mortgages are the only thing you do, you have to be really good at it—and we are,” she said. Future plans include growing the loan officer team, as well as having processing and underwriting in the same building. GinterGrabowski and Homkey are each involved in nonprofit organizations. “We want to get more involved in the community. In the short time we’ve been here, we’ve done a lot to invoke ourselves in the community. I’d like to do more,” said GinterGrabowski.
Charles V. Wait, Adirondack Trust Co.’s chairman of the board of directors, announced a senior leadership appointment and an officer promotion within the bank’s management team. Charles V. Wait Charles V. Wait Jr., has become the organization’s new president and CEO, an appointment that was approved by the board of directors, effective Feb. 12. Wait Jr. succeeds Stephan R. von Schenk, who acted as company president since 2014 and CEO since 2017. “Steve has gone above and beyond during his tenure as president and CEO,” said Wait. “He has done much to transform the organization—both inside and out—with his steady leadership, and I thank him for his many years of service at the Adirondack Trust Co.” Another management promotion for the bank includes Brian Charbonneau, who has been promoted to vice president—deposit operations officer, for the bank’s Deposit Operation Department. As chairman of the board, Wait Sr. will continue to focus on the long-term growth strategy for the bank. Wait Jr., who has served as executive vice president since 2014, will assume responsibilities for day-to-day management and will lead the overall operations of the Adirondack Trust Co. Wait Jr. is a graduate of Cornell University and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He also graduated magna cum laude from the New York University School of Law. He practiced law with Jones Day in New York City before joining Adirondack Trust in 2009 as vice president of legal and regulatory affairs. Active in the community, Wait serves as a member of the board of directors of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Adirondack Trust’s board of directors consists of Chairman Wait Sr.; Amsure President Guy Alonge, III; Stewart’s Foundation President Susan Law Dake; Gavin & LaVigne Inc. principal and certified public accountant Mary C. Gavin;
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Charles V. Wait Jr. became the new president and CEO at Adirondack Trust Co. ©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
Skidmore College President Dr. Philip A. Glotzbach; Fort Miller Group President John T. Hedbring; Adirondack Trust Vice President (retired) Douglass M. Mabee; TRC Companies Inc. lead environmental inspector Douglass T. Mabee; Roohan Realty owner J. Thomas Roohan Jr.; Olde Bryan Inn Restaurant and Longfellow’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Conference Center President Stephen F. Sullivan; von Schenk and Wait Jr. Adirondack Trust Co. is an independent, locally owned and operated, community bank offering a wide variety of business and personal financial services. Officials said the bank has more than $1 billion in assets and 13 branch offices. The bank offers banking, trust, insurance, and investment management services, and originates real estate mortgages, both residential and commercial, and commercial business loans throughout its primary market area. It is a Bauer 5-Star Rated Superior bank. The bank’s website is AdirondackTrust.com.
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8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Economic Development Washington County Local Development Corp. Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs Can Win Reviewing 10 New Loan Applications In 2020 Grants From Glens Falls Development Corp. BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL The Washington County Local Development Corp. (WCLDC) closed the year more quietly than in the recent past. But already in 2020, there are 10 new applications for loans in contrast to the five new loans that ultimately closed in 2019, according to Deanna Derway, president and executive director. “Loans were made to a variety of different and unique companies, officially crossing the $18 million mark for total funding lent since the Corporation began in 1985,” said Derway, who has been with the WCLDC since mid2008 and has headed it up since 2013. “That is a significant amount of funding across businesses in Washington County.” January through March is the state reporting season for WCLDC, along with any other entity with public funding, and Derway has been busy with spreadsheets. “Compared to the past four years, activity in 2019 was a little quieter,” she said. “We have nearly $700,000 to loan right now.” A company can borrow up to $150,000. To be considered, the applicant must be partnering with, or have been denied by, a bank. It also must be a for-profit company committed to creating jobs. “Many different companies and startups from a variety of sectors contact us as well as banks looking to partner with us,” she said. “It is going to be another significant year based on the number of applicants I am already working with as of March 1.” As in the past, most of the loans currently in force are represented by the manufacturing sector, which is up to 36 percent of the program’s current portfolio. The next largest sector is food service at 24 percent, according to Derway. The success rate of the WCLDC loan program continues to be very high, as was reported last year and previous years. Derway said WCLDC has a 91.7 percent success rate across their portfolio, leaving only 8.3 percent that has had to be written off. “New York State views around 20 percent or
Deanna Derway, executive director. Washington County Local Development Corp. less written off as positive, so the low rate here in our county speaks to those at WCLDC now and in the past doing their due diligence,” she said. Derway said she was comparing some statistics recently that showed funding activity by decade. Of the low 8 percent of loans that failed to come to term, 71 percent of these were from the decade of the 1980s, she said. “This means that the rate of writing off funding has been very low in the 2000s,” she said. As to what lies ahead, Derway looks forward to working with the five new members of the 17-person town Board of Supervisors that is elected bi-annually and which she said represents a significant turnover. “It is a privilege to work with the board and with businesses in the county,” Derway said. “The best part of my job is working with people and helping them obtain funding they would not get otherwise.” Visit www.WCLDC.org to learn more about economic development in Washington County.
BY RACHEL PHILLIPS Small business owners and hopeful entrepreneurs located in Glens Falls have the opportunity to win up to $40,000 to help fund their businesses. The Retail and Small Business Development Competition will award a total of $280,000 in funding to the winners. Current or aspiring business owners located within the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) area have a chance to build or expand their businesses as part of the effort to encourage economic growth in the city. The Greater Glens Falls Local Development Corporation (LDC) is heading the competition, and will be responsible for picking the winners out of the pool of applicants. The competition, based on other similar types of competitions that have seen success around the country, was the idea of city officials, including Mayor Daniel Hall. In 2017, Glens Falls was the first city in the Capital Region to win the $10 million award granted to one city in each of the 10 DRI areas across New York. Along with the SUNY Adirondack Culinary School and the new marketplace being built on South Street, this competition is one of many projects being funded through the DRI grant program. According to Glens Falls Economic Community Development Director Ed Bartholomew, the competition is part of a greater effort to spur economic development in the area and help fill in existing storefronts in Glens Falls. “It will bring out some innovative ideas from individuals who are thinking outside the box a little,” said Bartholomew. “We’re looking for a startup in retail or business, or a business currently in Glens Falls that is looking for some expansion. We are not going to encourage a business in a neighboring community to move out of their current location. That’s not economic development.” The competition is divided into a retail category and a category for small business. It is open to either startups or existing businesses hoping to expand. Applicants are allowed to apply to one of the two divisions. The terms of the competition classify a small business as one currently in operation within the DRI area with three or less employees; a new business looking to start up within the DRI with one or more employees; or a small business with five or less employees looking to relocate into the city.
Ed Bartholomew, president and CEO, EDC Warren County. Courtesy EDC Warren County
However, Bartholomew emphasized that any business located outside the DRI area would be able to apply only under extenuating circumstances. Eligible retail recipients include but are not limited to general merchandise vendors, specialty food stores and grocers, bookstores, boutiques and more. Restaurants and taverns, as well as religious groups, single-family dwellings, and government entities are not eligible to apply. Businesses may designate how much money they want, up to $40,000, and will receive funds as a declining balance loan. Over the five-year loan period, the principal cost, as well as all interest will be forgiven, as long as the participant continues to adhere to the terms of the competition. Additionally, applicants will have to put down a deposit equaling 25 percent of their grant reward. In order to qualify, applicants must either be located in the DRI area, or have plans to open a business within it. Award funds may be used for equipment purchases, payroll, fixtures, marketing, lease payments, and more. However, paying fines or outstanding loans, costs of litigation or currant or back user fees are not eligible uses of award funds. The deadline for applicants is April 3. Applications can be sent to ebartholomew@edcwc. org. For more information on the competition, call 518-761-6007.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 9
CEG President: Quality Of Life In Warren, Groups Collaborate To Help Expand The Washington Counties Is A Selling Point Focus On Tourism In Washington County BY CHRISTINE GRAF For more than 30 years, Albany’s Center for Economic Growth(CEG) has been marketing the eight-county Capital Region as a great place for companies to do business. CEG, a non-profit regional economic and business development organization, is the primary point of contact for businesses looking to expand or establish operations in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, or Washington counties. They receive funding from local businesses, government grants, and fee for service. “The Capital Region has a population of over one million people, and that puts us in competitive league with other major cities throughout the country,” said President and CEO Andrew Kennedy. “That’s something that is important for businesses when they are considering their relocation efforts. We work to raise visibility of the general population, the strength of our economy, the health of our economy, and the opportunities we see with development sites. That includes sites in Fort Edward, Queensbury, and along the corridor of (Northway) exits 16, 17, and 18 in Warren County.” Kennedy has a wealth of state government and economic development experience. Prior to joining CEG four years ago, he served as deputy director of state operations for Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While working for the governor, Kennedy oversaw the implementation of state policies and programs related to economic development. He also served as Cuomo’s assistant secretary for economic development. CEG employs a staff of 16 experienced economic development professionals. They work extensively with local economic development officials, state government representatives, and regional business leaders. It has long-standing relationships with economic development officials in all eight counties including Warren and Washington. Kennedy said CEG worked extensively with Washington County and local government leaders to bring Texas-based pipe manufacturing company WL Plastics to Fort Edward. In November 2019, the company announced plans to purchase a portion of the property located at the former General Electric dewatering facility. The site will be home to the company’s ninth U.S. facility and its first in the northeast. Fifty new jobs will be created when the manufacturing plant becomes operational later this year. In order to market the 5,336-square-mile Capital Region to companies such as WL Plastics, Kennedy said CEG touts the region’s affordability, livability, accessibility, R&D
Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth. Courtesy CEG
capability, and 24 institutions of higher education. “We spend a lot of time and resources marketing the eight-county Capital Region—including Warren and Washington counties—as a competitive place to do businesses. We do a lot of traveling, going to trade shows and events to engage businesses and talk about the region,” he said. “Companies are looking for sites that are shovel ready and located within a large metropolitan area. We have found success by talking about our sites throughout the eight counties as being part of larger metropolitan area of over one million people.” The Capital Region offers a quality of life that many companies find appealing. The region’s diversity is one of its strongest selling point, he said. “You can get from the woods or a lake to downtown Albany in less than an hour,” said Kennedy. “That’s attractive to companies because they can offer employee a variety of different things—urban, suburban and rural lifestyle. It’s a way to attract the talent they need. For example, we talk about the great quality of life you can experience in Warren and Washington counties. From the revitalization of downtown Glens Falls to the lakes, mountains, and unique farm to table experiences.” In addition to marketing the Capital Region to businesses, CEG offers a variety of fee based services to local businesses. They also receive funding from the federal government to work with small manufacturing and technology companies. “We help companies in a confidential way with business strategy and growth,” he said. “We look at ways we can lower cost of doing business. We also look at ways to reduce utility costs to take advantage of incentives through our state and federal and private utility partners on new technologies.”
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BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Washington County is the focus of a new collaborative tourism initiative in the region. Jesse Tyree from black dog Designs in Glens Falls, Andrew Meader from 8 of Eight Strategies in Glens Falls and Jessica Ziehm from Cornell Cooperative Extension gathered at RS Taylor & Sons Brewery in Salem recently to announce a long-term strategic initiative. Mannix Marketing in Glens Falls and Lakes to Locks in Crown Point are also a part of the effort. A key part of the effort is the website www. washingtoncounty.fun. A calendar of events allows Washington County businesses to promote themselves and draw visitors to their location. An editorial calendar goes in-depth regarding things happening in the area. As the grassroots movement takes shape, meetings will be held on a quarterly basis. “The meetings are about sharing ideas not only with us, but with each other, on how we can promote Washington County as a tourism destination,” said Meader. Data has been collected over the years on tourism in Washington County. “We feel strongly that we’ll reach most potential visitors primarily through social media. Obviously, that’s not the only way, but it’s the most cost effective and most successful way. That’s where the eyeballs are,” said Meader. Most visitors coming to Washington County come from downstate, officials said. Those from neighboring counties are also part of the tourist data. Mannix Marketing assists in distributing the articles, with hundreds of thousands of impressions, according to their data. In 2019, Washington County AirBnB hosts
brought in just under $2 million in revenue, officials said. HomeAway and VRBO, vacation rental marketers, brought in an additional $2 million. “It really shows that people are coming here and staying here, even with the lack of hotels and motels in our area,” said Meader. Occupancy tax on $4 million would have been $160,000. Though sales tax is currently not collected on this revenue, the earnings do count as earned income. Attendees were presented with two items for discussion. What marketing efforts do businesses participate in and what seems to work best? And, what help, tools, skillsets or resources do area businesses need to reach a larger audience? “How can we work together better? We all have strong businesses and our own niche. We’re stronger together. We want you to tell us—how can we coordinate a larger plan for all of us here in Washington County?” said Ziehm. The next collaborative meeting will be in April and will likely be at Slickfin Brewing Co. in Fort Edward. Washington County businesses and those interested in the initiative are encouraged to attend, to give input on how the collaboration will take place. The Washington County Tourism Business Group page on Facebook is a place to stay informed of future meetings and developments. Any Washington County business that wants to be involved in the initiative can contact Meader, Tyree and Ziem. Meader can be reached at andrew@meader.com, Tyree at creative@blackdogllc.co and Ziehm at jaz67@ cornell.edu. The website for the effort is www. washingtoncounty.fun.
Glens Falls medical device provider AngioDynamics and Queensbury silver refiner and fabricator Ames Goldsmith are among the local companies CEG has worked with. They also have an ongoing relationship with SUNY Adirondack. “We’ve seen success in partnering with our educational institutions such as SUNY Adirondack to take advantage of some of the workforce development programs,” he said. “Local companies can work with them to help launch apprenticeship programs.” Kennedy said CEG is currently engaged with several companies that are considering opportunities in both Warren and Washington counties. CEG does not release the name of the companies they are working with without prior consent. They also sign non-disclosure agreements with some of their fee for service clients. Sometimes New York’s tax rates are an issue when trying to attract new businesses to the state. “There are issues where we have a higher tax structure than other states,” he said.
“But when you look at quality of life and our livability and affordability stats, those are things that are unmatched as compared to other places. Our home ownership and rentals costs are lower than in most other areas. Our average per capita income is higher than in similar metropolitan areas, and we have so many cultural and recreational opportunities. We also have a very robust private sector in manufacturing.” In order to remain competitive with other states, Kennedy said it is imperative that state economic development incentives continue to be made available. It is because of those incentives that companies such as GlobalFoundries have chosen to operate in New York. Due to the Capital Region’s history of stability and its reputation for being able to support large projects, Kennedy believes the region will continue to remain attractive to new businesses. “This is a region that can support large scale deals because we can work together to get things done,” he said.
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10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Women In Business
Dawn VanDerwarker Built A Business Kerri Lewis Of TD Bank Enjoys Connecting Creating Custom, Hand-Carved Signs With Clients To Make Impact On Community BY RACHEL PHILLIPS After 13 years of business, Creative DeSIGNS & Concepts will soon have a new home in Whitehall, NY. Owner and operator Dawn VanDerwarker started her business in 2006 in North Hudson. It was there that she began to accrue a following and clientele for her hand-crafted signs. When VanDerwarker and her husband decided to move to Kingsbury to be closer to her husband’s workplace, she continued her work out of her garage where her business began to grow exponentially from word of mouth. Because she was often working on two to three projects at a time, she began to feel her two-car garage was no longer a sufficient workspace. She eventually found a space in Whitehall in October of 2019. At Creative DeSIGNS & Concepts, VanDerwarker creates custom, often hand-carved signs for businesses. She also does vinyl signs, which includes vehicle and truck lettering, coroplast, PVC and banners. Many of her signs are handpainted. When her shop in Whitehall is officially open, VanDerwarker intends to have an area where customers can design their own personal yard signs or banners. Though she hand-crafts many of her signs, she makes use of a CNC woodworking router for larger projects. She also hopes to sell items such as f lags, stickers, political signs and more in the future. Having come from a family of entrepreneurs, VanDerwarker said she knew she would be happiest owning and operating her own business. “I worked many other jobs and always put 110 percent in, but it never felt as though there was reward in that, other than a pat on the back. And sometimes you didn’t even get that,” she said. “I always felt that if I was going to work that hard, I should do it for myself and build something for my own family.” VanDerwarker also cited Arto Monaco as an important actor in inspiring her to
Dawn VanDerwarker, owner and operator of Creative DeSIGNS & Concepts. start her business. In 1988, she worked for Monaco’s brother, Jim Monaco, hand lettering signs for Frontier Town in North Hudson. She became friends with Arto, who helped her shape her creative ambitions. VanDerwarker takes pride in her work, particularly in the level of detail she includes in each project. “I like to layer the details to make every sign visually pop out,” she said. She also noted that, “Others offer carved signs, but I feel I go a little bit farther in the added detail. I think that comes from starting in such a small town and being given the creative freedom by my clients because of the close relationship we had. They gave me the opportunity to build my portfolio and show what I could do.” Renovations for her new workshop are still underway, but VanDerwarker hopes to be able to open in a few weeks. For more information, visit her Facebook page, @creativedesignsandconcepts, or call 518-532-7179.
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BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL Local banks can have both a stabilizing and energizing influence on a community’s economy, which is the main reason why Kerri Lewis of TD Bank and professionals like her have pursued careers in banking. “Connecting with clients is why I’ve been a career banker,” Lewis said. “It’s a position that provides me the opportunity to have a strong pulse on the needs of the community and help make an impact.” While at South Glens Falls High School and later at college studying math and psychology, Lewis said she knew what her strengths were but did not know which career setting would best apply. “During college I took a number of parttime jobs and one was as a teller at a local community bank,” she said. “I quickly saw that there were unlimited options in a banking career that I wanted to pursue.” Armed with a business degree through University of Phoenix, Lewis later held a variety of full-time supporting and managerial roles at several community, regional and national banks. She had risen to the position of assistant manager for another major financial institution when in 2010 she accepted an offer from TD Bank, one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S. and with roots in the Glens Falls community dating back more than 150 years. “What drew my attention to TD Bank as an employer was their culture and vision and their focus on empowering women to reach their full potential,” she said. Lewis said that the Gender Insights Report, published by LinkedIn last year, found that after viewing a job listing, women are 16 percent less likely to apply for it than men. Overall, women apply to 20 percent fewer jobs than men. “TD Bank continues to find ways to provide support to encourage women to seek all career growth opportunities,” she said. Lewis is currently vice president, store manager of the Queensbury and Glens Falls TD Bank locations. She also supports small business deposit and lending growth across the Upstate region. Such leadership positions in financial institutions were once dominated by men, but no longer, she said. “Gender-dominated roles have changed over the years in the banking industry,” said Lewis. “It used to be that in middle management roles or under, 80 percent of those roles were filled by women. In senior management roles, more than 80 percent were occupied by men.”
Kerri Lewis, vice president,store manager of the Queensbury and Glens Falls TD Bank locations. While those percentages have improved, there is still more work to be done, according to Lewis. Work/life balance concerns and lack of confidence are prevailing reasons for the discrepancy. “Banking is a highly performance-driven work environment, which I feel helps build confidence for women,” she said. “It offers work-from-home options, flexible schedules, and groups like the women in leadership committees that actively support and encourage women to reach their highest potential by assisting in resume building, interviewing, and networking.” But often women add self-imposed stress. Lewis’ own workload at times demands bringing work home to complete in the evenings and on weekends, but she has a system for maintaining balance. “My spouse and I discuss ahead of time the work we have and the time commitments,” she said. ”We set aside time where we both complete our work and then cherish our together time without the interruption of checking emails or being on our phones.” When aspiring professionals ask Lewis about the skills they need to work in banking, she explains to them that leadership skills are transferable from one industry to another. “Having a banking background or understanding products or systems aren’t necessarily prerequisites,” she said. “Companies are willing to train when they know the applicant possesses the right leadership attributes.” Continued On Page 7
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PrimeLink Is Aquired Continued From Page 1
This acquisition is ideal in that it enhances FirstLight’s already strong capabilities in a region it currently serves, with a client base that it is familiar supporting. We look forward to realizing the promise that this acquisition presents,” said Kevin Genieser, senior partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners. Marking stressed the commitment both companies have to make the transition as smooth as possible for clients. “Once the contract closes, we have a transition agreement with FirstLight. It’s a minimum of six months and a maximum of 24 months. There’s so much to change over and so much in connecting the networks. We don’t want to rush anything for our clients. It will be seamless, behind the scenes. We’re purposely giving ourselves an abundance of
time to make that happen,” she said. “We’ve always prided ourselves on our personal service. Our account managers aren’t going way. We’re still going to have the same contacts and technicians. We will get the additional resources that a large company like FirstLight brings. We’ll bring all of these things together for our customers. It’s a winwin all the way around,” said Marking. Since its inception in 1997, PrimeLink has carved its niche in the North Country, specializing in business communication solutions and catering to delivering voice and data services to small and mid-size businesses. PrimeLink is a subsidiary of the Champlain Telephone Co., which has over 100 years experience in the telecommunications industry.
Juckett Award
Continued From Page 1 religious, political, business and educational activities. He was recognized with honors for his work and contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, New York Business Development Corp., Salvation Army, Norwich University, Presbyterian Church, Hudson Falls Central School and many other organizations. He served as a director of the Lake George Opera, and as a major force in The Hyde Collection Capital Campaign. Dowen grew up in Saratoga Springs and made his way up to the Glens Falls region in 1976, attending Adirondack Community College (now SUNY Adirondack). Upon his graduation from Castleton State College (now Castleton University) in 1980, he returned to Glens Falls and started his accounting career with the CPA firm of Silverstein and Loftus. Dowen started his own firm in 1987 and has been in partnership with Phillip Whittemore, as well as other partners, since 1994. His longstanding partnership with Phillip Whittemore merged with Edwards, Williams, McManus & Ricciardelli to form Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli in April of 2006. He joined the Glens Falls Rotary Club in 1982 has continued his membership and commitment
to the organization for almost 40 years. He has been involved with numerous other community and charitable groups serving in various roles including board seats, committees and just volunteering his time. Dowen currently serves on the boards of SUNY Adirondack Foundation, the House of Grace of the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Hockey Coalition and Christ Church United Methodist. The format of this year’s event featured an hour-long program where two videos were presented. One was centered around the ARCC’s impact in the business community, and the other honored Dowen. “This is the first time, in recent years, that the Chamber has done a video highlighting our efforts,” said Amanda Blanton, ARCC Marketing and communications manager. “It was a really great experience getting to interview our members and work with a videographer. The crowd seemed to enjoy it.” In addition to honoring Dowen, the ARCC presented its 2019 Ambassador of the Year award to Holly DeKleine of nePROMO, and honored state Sen. Betty Little for her many years of service, dedication and hard work.
Kerri Lewis Of TD Bank Continued From Page 10
To women she explicitly advises, “Have a mentor. Almost every successful businesswoman and businessman attributes success and door-opening opportunities to having mentors that encourage, support, and provide transparent feedback,” said Lewis. “Women should not let themselves settle for average,” she said. “Apply for that position that you can’t master today and place value in your transferrable skills.” Banking, like all business sectors, is influenced by how customers prefer to transact, Lewis said.
“That has been evolving and the speed at which it evolves varies by demographics,” she said. “It’s critically important to us at TD Bank to seek out the voice of our customers, listen to what they tell us, and provide them the best options to suit their personal preferences.” TD Charitable Foundation recently awarded $3.75 million in grants to nonprofit organizations helping to create affordable rental housing in Warren and Washington counties, among others in New York and nationally. For more information, visit www. tdbank.com.
Women In Construction Meeting Is March 24 The Capital District Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a nonprofit organization serving women in the construction and related industries, will bring together New York State Women Business Enterprises (WBE) construction businesses and state agencies at its annual WBE Showcase in March. The fifth annual event is slated for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at the Century House in Latham. The showcase will run from 5-7:30 p.m. Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2014 mandate to increase statewide MWBE utilization goals to 30 percent for all state contracts, it is crucial for businesses that are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by women to get certified and market themselves as certified businesses, according to NAWIC. The annual showcase will create an avenue for WBEs to not only market themselves to representatives from state agencies, architects, subcontractors, owners, developers and engineers, but also give them a chance to network with other WBEs in the state. State agencies will be in attendance, including representatives from OGS, SUNY Construction Fund, Empire State Development, DOT and DASNY. The representatives will provide presentation sessions and workshops to MWBE businesses with focus on securing jobs and obtaining MWBE certifications. Booths are available for $300 for NAWIC members and $350 for non-NAWIC members. The cost will be $40 to attend in advance or $45 at the door. Sponsorships are available for $150 or to participate in the showcase, register at www. nawicnycap.org or contact Stephanie Bryans at stephaniebry92@gmail.com. The Capital District Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) started in 1979 with 21 charter members. The chapter organized with the purpose of providing women with a place to discuss issues unique to women in the construction field. The group has 60 members locally in all trades of construction.
12 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name
Closing Price 02/07/20
Albany Int’l
71.85 74.17 74.29 64.07
Arrow
34.80 34.92 34.89 31.41
AT & T
38.45
Ball
76.92 77.22 76.86 70.46
Ballston Spa National Bank
Closing Price 02/14/20
38.25
Closing Price 02/21/20
38.55
35.22
57.00 57.00 57.00 57.00
Bank of America
34.61 34.85 34.36 28.50
Best Buy
87.02 90.21 90.26 75.65
Citizens Bank
38.42 38.67 37.61 31.69
Espey
21.51 22.74 22.55 21.23
General Electric
12.83 12.83 12.25 10.88
Hilton
110.84 113.23 109.57 97.20
Home Depot
237.30 245.03 245.34 217.84
Int’l Paper
43.56 43.19 43.27 36.96
Key Corp
19.60 19.73 19.67 16.17
Lowe’s
Business Registrations
Closing Price 02/28/20
121.48 125.42 125.31 106.57
Martin Marietta
274.10 263.48 251.42 227.53
M&T Bank
169.95 169.78 168.57 140.38
McDonald’s
211.61 217.09 215.87 194.17
National Grid
65.96 67.38 68.75 63.26
NBT Bancorp Inc.
38.76 39.29 39.28 33.69
Plug Power
4.25 4.42 5.57 4.34
Quad Graphics
4.88 4.97 5.70 4.80
Starbucks
86.42 89.28 87.36 78.43
Sysco
77.36 78.21 77.04 66.65
Target
115.61 115.97 117.01 103.00
The TorontoDominion Bank
56.98 56.82 57.31 51.61
Trans World
4.11 4.24 5.28 3.77
Trustco Bank
7.97 7.89 7.77 6.86
Verizon
59.94 58.51 58.20 54.16
Friday closing quotes for local stocks of interest provided by Thompson ONE courtesy of Pamela Green, Financial Planning Specialist and Paul Hebert, Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC in Glens Falls, NY, phone 518-793-4181. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments.
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• Tyler Northeast Tyler Lapan 1181 Corinth Road Queensbury 12804
IQ Intelligent Quotes Stephen LaFay 5 Warren St., Suite 207 Glens Falls 12801
Prolific Motors Nicholas Leo 211 Maple St. Glens Falls 12801
Whole Lotta Taste Ashley Robinson Thomas Greco 5 Fenway Drive Lake Luzerne 12846
Otterly Magnificent Ashley Temeles 27 Eldridge Road Queensbury 12804 Castro Drywall Etc. Manuel Castro 10B Numan St. Glens Falls 12801 SEG Home Services Steven Garb 11 Aviation Road, #16 Queensbury 12804 JD’s Pump and Drilling Service James Dwyer Route 28, PO Box 78 Wevertown 12886 Persons Martial Arts Thomas Persons 21 Fourth Ave. Warrensburg 12885 Scoutwoven Morgan Farren 22 West Reserve Trail Queensbury 12804 Massage Is Indicated Wayne Humburg 53 McDonald St. Glens Falls 12801 CMB Creates Catherine Benincasa 11 Woodcrest Drive Queensbury 12804 Reflection Salon Cheryl DesChamps 4955 Lake Shore Drive, Suite B Bolton Landing 12814 Asset Strategies Christine Merrill 5 Sagamore St. Glens Falls 12801 JP Craftsman Janis Pipikis 20 Honeysuckle Lane Lake George 12845 Hometown Real Estate And Property Management Elizabeth Papa 264 Warren St. Glens Falls 12801
Adirondack Auto Spa Vanessa Martin James Paro 635 Upper Glen St. Queensbury 12804 Superior Home Maintenance Justin Moore 54 Cherry St. Glens Falls 12801 Two Brothers Adirondack Contracting Jason Mallaney 116 Bay St., Apt. 2 Glens Falls 12801 Busy Like A Bee Services Jessica DiCiccio 187 Duell Hill Road, Unit 2 Brant Lake 12815 Rush Jason Barnes 26 Orchard St. Glens Falls 12801 Tom Watkins Photo Thomas Watkins 9 Minor St. Hudson Falls 12839 Switchback Web Development Gerald Linendoll 28 Colonial Court Queensbury 12804 CMG Excavation Colby Gage 652 Hudson St. Johnsburg 12843 Saphyre Jordan Stewart 2 Henry St., Apt. D Glens Falls 12801 Glens Falls Rustic Studio Morris Kopels 1 White Pine Road Queensbury 12804 Mendoza’s Drive By Detailing Brian Mendoza 111 Aviation Road, Lot 11 Queensbury 12804 Chris Connelly Photography Christopher Connelly 1851 Route 9 Lake George 12845
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 13
Joint-Admission Pact Continued From Page 1
for Saratoga residents to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees close to home. The agreement creates five new pathways guaranteeing admission to graduates of SUNY Adirondack’s associate degrees in business to SUNY Empire’s bachelor’s degree programs in business and management. The focus on business pathways helps meet SUNY Adirondack’s students’ growing demand to upskill or refocus their careers, as well as demand in the field of entrepreneurship and small business development, officials said. The five pathway agreements include: A.S. in accounting to B.S. in accounting; A.S. in business administration to B.S. in business administration; A.S. in business administration to B.S. in human resource management; A.S. in business administration to B.S. in management, A.A.S. in management, marketing and entrepreneurship to B.S. in management. Under the partnership, SUNY Empire will waive the registration fee for applicants and provide a $100 Presidential Scholarship to all transfer students. The agreement also extends to SUNY Adirondack employees, and helps lower the cost and time needed to complete a degree by awarding college credit for professional experience. Students also can complete their degrees entirely online, or at one of SUNY Empire’s 30plus campuses and learning hubs around the state, including in Albany, Latham, Schenectady, Queensbury, and Johnstown. The degrees can be completed from start to finish onsite at SUNY Empire’s campus at 111 and 113 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs, expanding access to a bachelor’s degree for SUNY Adirondack students in Saratoga County. Upon completing their studies at SUNY Adirondack, students will be able to take advantage of the services of SUNY Empire’s recently renovated Student Center, which opened in 2019 following an extensive $4.2 million overhaul. The 52,000-square-foot student center is home to SUNY Empire’s financial aid offices, information center, student accounts, registrar, and bookstore. Students will be able to connect with staff, and easily begin the transfer process. “This is an incredible opportunity for countless hardworking students in Saratoga to earn a business degree on their terms, while saving time and money, all in their community,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “This is the
model of the future and SUNY Empire is proud to collaborate with SUNY Adirondack to provide community-based opportunities for working students looking to earn their business degrees in Saratoga Springs. This is an exciting first step toward a larger partnership with SUNY Adirondack.” “This joint admission 2+2 partnership with SUNY Empire is about more than ease of transfer, it is about a shared vision to remove barriers for students to achieve their associate and bachelor’s degrees. Through this agreement, we will remove the needless paperwork and bureaucracy and focus on guiding students to achieve their goals,” said SUNY Adirondack President Kristine Duffy. “Earning a degree while working is no easy task, and this partnership will make the path to a needed credential much easier through intentional advising, convenient course scheduling and offerings, and attention to the needs of the busy student of today. We are excited to work more closely with the faculty and staff at SUNY Empire.” Officials said the joint-admission agreements allow students to seamlessly transfer all lower-division credits at SUNY Adirondack to SUNY Empire, more than half the 124 total credits required to complete a bachelor’s degree, meaning students can earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as one year after their associate degree. SUNY Empire also offers the opportunity for students to transfer credits for work and life experience through its individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) evaluation. Examples of college-level learning could include military training, professional licenses and certifications, independent study, and internships or volunteer work. “The easy academic transition this partnership between SUNY Empire and SUNY Adirondack creates will be a real benefit for business students in our region,” said state Sen.Betty Little. “This will be an attractive option for students coming right out of high school and for those who are older and looking for a new pathway.” “The partnership will allow many students a pathway to achieving their goal of attaining a four-year degree without having to travel a great distance,” said Assemblyman Dan Stec. “Providing our business community with well-educated and qualified employees will also ensure an environment of professionals ready to strive for success.”
NBT Bank Starts Student Loan Repayment Program For All Full-Time Employees Student loan debt is a challenge gripping the nation with $1.5 trillion in debt, transcending all generations, with statistics showing that nearly one-third of borrowers are over the age of 40. In response to this troubling trend, NBT Bank has launched its own Student Loan Repayment Program for its full-time employees to help them reduce the outstanding balance on qualifying student loans. The program is part of the company’s financial wellness initiatives. “Student loan debt is an issue impacting so many of today’s professionals, yet about 8% of companies offer assistance for their employees,” said Catherine Scarlett, NBT’s chief human resources and ethics officer. “NBT Bank is proud to be out in front of this challenge, in offering our own Student Loan Repayment program to help alleviate this
burden on our employees.” The program offers contributions in the amount of $100 per month to the qualifying loans of full-time employees for up to 60 months. The company has also reevaluated and updated several other employee benefits, including a new paid family leave policy that will provide mothers and fathers paid time off at 100 percent of pay following a birth, adoption or foster placement. This benefit is over and above other paid time off. “When we say that we are a family-friendly company that believes in a healthy work-life balance, we mean it,” said Scarlett. “These policies reflect our commitment to ensuring that NBT Bank remains an employer of choice, able to recruit and retain the best talent.” For more information about careers at NBT Bank, visit www.nbtbank.com/Careers.
Glens Falls Housing Authority Among Those Getting State Funds Across Capital Region The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded more than $2.7 billion to public housing authorities in all 50 states, including those in Saratoga Springs, Mechanicville and Glens Falls. The funding will allow agencies to make needed capital improvements to their properties. In New York, HUD awarded $653 million to housing authorities in the state. Locally, the Saratoga Housing Authority received $764,749, the Mechanicville Housing Authority received $301,925 and the Glens Falls Housing Authority received $463,186. The grants are provided through HUD’s Capital Fund Program, which offers annual funding to approximately 2,900 public housing authorities to build, repair, renovate, and/or modernize the public housing in their communities. Housing authorities use the funding to complete largescale improvements such as replacing roofs or making energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems. “Few issues at HUD are more important to me than the repair and preservation of public housing,” said Lynne Patton, HUD regional administrator for New York and New Jersey.
“HUD’s Capital Fund Program is essential to the restoration of affordable housing because it provides resources to ensure low-income residents live in healthy, safe and sanitary homes.” To help provide residents with decent, safe and sanitary housing and respond to the growing demand for affordable rental housing, HUD uses the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), a comprehensive strategy that complements the Capital Fund Program. RAD offers a long-term solution to preserve and enhance the country’s affordable housing stock, including leveraging public and private funding to make critically needed improvements. Since Congress authorized the RAD demonstration in November of 2011, early results show it is generating significant additional capital for distressed public housing. As a result, 130,000 public housing units have converted to a more sustainable Section 8 financing platform, all without any additional costs to taxpayers. Public housing authorities and their partners have generated over $8.6 billion to preserve or replace distressed units and support local jobs in their communities - all without additional federal resources.
14 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
Lenten Specials at
Business Briefs •
Glen Lake • Breaded Scallops • Fried Fisherman’s Platter • Coconut Shrimp • Haddock Fish Fry • Breaded Clam Strips • Breaded Oysters • Beer Battered Shrimp • Cod Fish Fry
Join Us!!
298 Glen Lake Rd., Lake George • (518) 792-3534 1.3 miles from the Light at The Great Escape Check us out on Facebook!
Open Year Round • docksiderrestaurant.com
When she tells you her favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations.... it’s the perfect time to show her this.
Log Restaurant Jam The
• Lunch & Dinner Daily • Prime Rib • Fresh Chicken & Veal • Char-broiled Steaks & Lamb Chops • Fresh Fish • Live Lobster • 40+ item Salad Bar is included with all Lunch & Dinner Entrees • All Major Credit Cards • Reservations Accepted & Honored
(518)
798-1155
www.logjamrestaurant.com
I-87 Exit 20, Rtes. 9 & 149, Lake George, NY
The Log Jam, located at 1484 Route 9 in Lake George, combines a panoramic view of the Adirondacks, superb dining, and accommodating hospitality, and brings it all to visitors and local residents alike. The restaurant is open daily, 363 days a year, for lunch and dinner. Executive Chef Rod Russo has been with the restaurant for over 25 years, bringing consistency, quality and a reputation for using only the freshest ingredients in his culinary creations. Lunch offers plenty of delicious choices, including Adirondack French fries served with zesty horseradish sauce, as well as crab meat mushrooms baked with a crab meat stuffing and served with a Dijon crab sauce. All entrees include an incredible array of salad items from which to choose. Burgers such as The Adirondack are a customer favorite. Sandwiches include pork and turkey melts, Southwest chicken and the Log Jam’s feature—The Rocky Mount. From the Adirondack French dip to the chef’s own crab cakes, the varieties of fresh foods are all cooked to perfection. The kid-friendly children’s menu includes grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders, and bow tie pasta, all offered with a salad bar and potato chips. Dinner appetizers and entrees are all prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Crab cakes, shrimp ‘n bacon, escargo and New England clam chowder are just a few of the delicious selections. The Log Jam’s famous dinner entrees
offer succulent roasted Long Island duck, fresh twin lobster tails, loin lamb chops, char-broiled prime rib, filet mignon, steak au poivre and steak teriyaki. The seafood offerings include maple Dijon salmon, lobster tail, and fresh sea scallops. The restaurant can seat 225 diners, and will host private parties and events. The Oak Room can seat 65 and The Greenhouse can accommodate 50. Both rooms can be booked for private parties. Special requests are always welcome for people with specific dietary needs. The Log Jam accepts all major credit cards. Lunch is served between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; dinner is served between 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.logjamrestaurant.com or call 798-1155. The Docksider, 298 Glen Lake Road in Lake George, is open seven days a week, year round, from 11:30 a.m. Now serving breakfast Saturday and Sunday 7:30-11am. Chef Michael Squires prepares an array of homemade appetizers, entrees and desserts to satisfy every appetite. His skills bring patrons back on a regular basis to enjoy his regular favorites and special entree’s. The Docksider is very kid-friendly, with a generous menu for children under 10 that offers hamburgers, chicken tenders, personal cheese pizza, spaghetti and meatballs and hot dogs, topped of with ice
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The 18th annual Pizza, Wings & Baskets of Things, a fundraiser for the Wait House, will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday March 27, at Cool Insuring Arena, Glens Falls. Tickets include pizza, wings, beer/soft drinks, and dessert. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win over 100 prizes. All proceeds will benefit WAIT House in Glens Falls, a 501(\)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help, support, and house homeless youth in our community. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite. com/e/18th-annual-pizza-wings-baskets-ofthings-tickets-89587682169?aff=ARCC. * * * The SUNY Adirondack 32nd annual Job Discovery fair will be held noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Northwest Bay Con-
ference Center in Adirondack Hall, SUNY Adirondack, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury. This event is a job fair organized by a volunteer committee comprised of local employers and organizations. Job Discovery is a cost-effective method of recruiting staff and promoting your products and services, as well as an opportunity to network with other employers. Job seekers are encouraged to pre-register for this free event within College Central Network. All candidates should dress professionally and bring plenty of copies of resumes to distribute to employers. There is no way to print or make copies at the event. People with questions can call 518-7432200. Online registration instructions can be found at www.collegecentral.com/ CCNEngine/LiveEvents/LiveEvents. cfm?EventID=4818.
AngioDynamics Making Changes Continued From Page 1
According to Clemmer, the company is undergoing a major transition because the delivery of health care services has changed. He said the company needs to have the right products that the health care industry needs. To accomplish that, innovation has to proceed at a faster pace. AngioDynamics is investing millions of dollars into research and is also hiring talent that can bring about its goals, and retraining and training current staff. “We are going to use science, not size, to deliver to our customers,” he said. After spending two years selling its largest businesses and acquiring four others, AngioDynamics is determined to become a more innovative company focused on higher-margin products. “We are not going to be the biggest or largest medical device company. We are not even the largest one in this region,” Clemmer said. “We want to be the best.” The company has developed a treatment for stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Usually patients diagnosed with that cancer have a one-year life expectancy. With the NanoKnife, patients have lived for twice as long and some were cured, though that is rare, he said. The company makes the NanoKnife at its Queensbury facility. But getting through the FDA for officials approval for the device as a tool against cancer encountered problems. Finally, FDA allowed a study in which anyone who wanted to be treated with the NanoKnife could be treated, and their long-term health results would be compared to the life expectancy of those who do not get that treatment. “They don’t usually bend on these things. To their credit, they did,” Clemmer said. It will take about two and a half years to get results, and the company is confident it will make a major difference in the health care field. That’s the kind of product innovation
driving the company, he said. Also speaking at the event was Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State. She outlined issues they are addressing with the state Legislature to help small business across the state. She said Warren County was “one of the really vibrant communities in Upstate New York, but in terms of job growth, Upstate New York is lagging behind much of the state and the U.S. “New York State is outperforming most of the country, but that is entirely due to New York City,” she said. “The growth is uneven across the state. Basically, it’s the story of different economies across the state.” Among her organization’s significant issues of concern in 2020 are the singlepayer health care system on the state level. “It’s highly expensive. It would be paid for by taxes and lose 60,000 jobs,” she said. The possibility of paying more in taxes is not the solution. “It doesn’t make sense to do it at the state level. We think there’s a better way,” she said. Regarding all the issues facing small businesses, she urged business leaders at the gathering to speak to state representatives about their problems. “Get engaged. You guys are the best lobbyists in the world. You are much more convincing than I am,” she said. On government in general, Briccetti said “we need moderates in office. Stop thinking about partisan; start thinking about what they’re saying. “It’s going to be impossible to elect moderates if we have a knee-jerk reaction of, ‘Oh, they’re in the other party,’” she said. “We need to stop doing that ... We’re all responsible for this division. Is there a middle path to get through some of the policy decisions?” Overall, Briccetti said the Business Council “has a number of people working on every issue that affects business.”
cream for dessert. Appetizers and soups are generous in portion and include focaccia bread served with garlic oil, potato skins with cheddar cheese and bacon, nachos, shrimp and steamed clams. Soups are all made from scratch and include clam chowder, French onion and soup of the day. Lunch offerings include salads, wraps, quesadillas, seafood, burgers, hot dogs and freshly made hot and cold sandwiches ranging from filet mignon, Reubens and crab melts to deli sandwiches and pizzas. Entrees for dinner include New York strip steak, prime rib and filet mignon, all cooked to perfection. Fresh haddock, scallops, oysters, and fried chicken are available,
and all come with soup or salad, vegetable and choice of potato. All menu items are available for dine-in or take-out. Specials are run on a regular basis. The vista from the Docksider is spectacular, with beautiful views of Glen Lake from the deck in season. Patrons are invited to dock their boats and enjoy a deliciously prepared meal with a relaxing lake view. The Docksider’s capacity is 65 diners but swells to 100 with deck seating. The restaurant hosts banquets and private parties with reservations. They accept MasterCard and Visa. For more information, visit ww.glenlakedocksider.com or call 518792-3534.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020 • 15
Available Commercial & Residential Properties
Personnel Briefs Continued From Page 2
a partner with McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum, LLP since 2014. Prior to that, she practiced law at Sullivan & Brill LLP in New York. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University and attended law school at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University in Ohio. Also new in 2020 is the appointment of George Ferone, Queensbury councilman and retired executive director/administration of Gracenote Inc., to the role of secretary of the board of governors. Those who completed their board terms this year include John C. Bieniek, James E. Cullum Esq., Dr. Kevin Herlihy, Glenda B. Kelman, PhD, ACNP-BC and Dr.William H. Reynolds. * * * Cost Control Associates announced that Daniel Conrad has joined the company as an energy analyst. Conrad has abackground in solar energy and marketing. Prior to joining Cost Control Associates, he was marketing coordinator at RISE Engineering in Albany. He has also worked as a technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He received his bachelor of science degree from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
* * *
• Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP announced that Robert T. Schofield has been appointed as co-managing partner of the firm and William S. Nolan has been added as a member of the Ex-
ecutive Committee. Schofield replaces Norma Meacham, who stepped down as co-managing partner after 17 years of leadership with the firm. Meacham will continue practicing law as a partner in the firm concentrating on labor, employment and education law. Schofield joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna as an associate in 2000 and was named partner in 2008. He is a member of the Labor and Employment, Education, and Litigation and Appeals Practice Groups. His areas of focus include public and private sector labor and employment issues, education law, and general litigation. A member of the Litigation and Appeals Practice Group, Nolan has been with the firm since 2001 being named partner in 2012. He has extensive courtroom experience, having tried numerous cases in State and federal courts. He routinely handles toxic tort, property damage, and constructionrelated lawsuits, as well as business disputes, including dissolution proceedings, shareholder derivative actions, and breach of contract litigation arising from sales, licensing, distribution, franchise, joint venture, and non-compete agreements.
We’d like to promote your commercial or residential property. Call us, 581-0600.
•
For LEASE 14,000 sf metal warehouse & office space.
Open Span • Truck Docks • 3 Overhead Doors • Heated & Insulated
Easy access to I-87 exit 16, Wilton, NY Will Subdivide - Call for Details 518-879-6175
WE SELL HOTELS $7,360,000
$1,050,000
$3,670,000
G
The Copperfield Inn Resort - North Creek, NY Sold December 2019
IN
Wingate by Wyndham Lake George, NY Sold July 2018
N
EW
LI
ST
$526,147
The Landmark Motor Inn - Glens Falls, NY Sold March, 2018
Black Mountain Lodge - North Creek NY Sold October 2019
$2,000,000
$3,200,000
54 Kirby Road, Saratoga Springs $475,000
Econolodge - Lake George, NY Sold January 2018
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center Queensbury, NY - Sold September 2017
Contact Mitch Muroff for a complimentary valuation: 617-610-7774 or mmuroff@muroffdaigle.com
www.muroffdaigle.com
One level living at it’s best! Home feels much bigger than 2518 sq ft. Tons of space for family and friends. Perfect for the work from home owner with a private entrance to the first floor study. Large bedrooms and lots of closets space. Full finished basement for your come back college kids, in laws quarters or nanny suite. Zoned heating keeps everyone comfortable. You’ll have the feeling of living in the country with 3+ acres, but you are so close to everything Saratoga Springs has to offer. Large area of the 3+ acres is fenced to keep your family pet safe. Side entry garage allows for extra space and good curb appeal. Don’t miss out on this well priced property. Come SEE Come BUY ! Make 54 Kirby Rd Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 your new address.
Listing Agent: Carol Raike 518.791.2728 | carol@roohanrealty.com
16 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MARCH 2020
UNION SQUARE Investing in South Street before it was cool
Join these fine folks doing business at Union Square!
Call
(518) 441-8272
• LAW OFFICES • Neil Lebowitz Jeffrey McMorris John Silvestri
UNION SQUARE PROPERTIES • 9-11 BROAD STREET • glens falls, NY • WWW.UNIONSQUAREGF.COM