Glens Falls Business Journal - September 2021

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SEPTEMBER 2021

Krystal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Is Some 50 Area Businesses Sign Pact Stating Building New Facility In Warrensburg Commitment To Protect Lake Water Quality

This is a rendering of the new Krystal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat building that is under construction on Route 9 in Warrensburg. V&H Construction is heading the project.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Krystal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat of Warrensburg broke ground last month on a new facility, located down the road from their current Route 9 space.

Steven Lofgren, a principal of the company, said the new property more than doubles the current space at 4488 Route 9, Warrensburg, and will allow for a larger showroom to better accommodate consumer demand.

“The decision to build a new facility was fueled by our growing business. New vehicle sale volumes have risen over the past few years due to the increasing popularity of the Jeep and Ram brands. Pre-Owned vehicle sales have doubled for us over the past few years as well,” said Lofgren.

The 21,000-square-foot location will include a sales area, a showroom and administrative offices

Courtesy V&H Construction

totalling approximately 9,000 square feet, with service and parts departments taking up about 12,000 square feet. Lofgren said the floor plan will align with the specifications of the vehicle manufacturers.

“It is a state-of the-art facility, meeting strict criteria that is placed by the manufacturer. There are separate and exclusive Jeep showrooms adjacent to the Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Fiat combined showroom,” said Lofgren.

“We will be hiring approximately three service technicians and an additional service writer to help with customers. As we move in and get things rolling, there may be a need for more administrative, sales, and auto detail personnel. With the help of the expanded facility we can grow our business and continue to thrive off our stellar reputation,” said Lofgren.

He said V&H Construction of Fort Edward is Continued On Page 10

More than 50 area businesses and organizations have joined together to sign a historic compact declaring their ‘united commitment’ to protecting the Lake George water quality.

Driven by the arrival of two significant water quality threats on Lake George over the past year—harmful algal blooms and the hemlock wooly adelgid—more than 50 area businesses and business organizations have joined together to sign a historic compact declaring their “united commitment to protecting the lake that means so much to all of us.”

The Business Compact on the Economic Imperative of Protecting Lake George was spearheaded by the Lake George Association’s Council of Business Advisors and presents data on the lake’s regional economic impacts and the water quality challenges that threaten them.

It also spells out ways in which the business community will work together for

Courtesy Lake George Association

lake protection.

The compact can be signed by any business or organization that values the fundamental role the lake plays in the economic health of the region and the regional quality of life, the association said. It can be viewed online and signed at LakeGeorgeAssociation.org/ Business-Compact.

The first 58 signatories endorsed the compact within a week of its development.

“This is just the beginning of an unprecedented collaborative effort on the part of the region’s business community to invest in, advocate for, and take direct protective actions to safeguard Lake George’s legendary water quality for the long-term,” said Kathy Flacke Muncil, CEO Continued On Page ??

Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds For New Race Course Meet Eclipses $800 Million In Edward M. Bartholomew Jr. Memorial Fund Handle To Set New Track Wagering Record Ed Bartholomew, former mayor of Glens Falls and president of EDC Warren County who died in July of 2020, was honored after the disc golf tournament on Friday, Sept. 17, in Crandall Park, presented by the EDC. The event was a benefit for the new Edward M. Bartholomew Jr. Memorial Fund.

The Edward M. Bartholomew Jr. Memorial Fund, informally called “The Ed,” was established in August

by EDC Warren County and the Bartholomew family to honor the EDC’s former president and Glens Falls’ former mayor, carrying forth his legacy of dedication to public service, his passion for the community, and his enthusiasm for economic development by investing in the next generation of leadership.

The Ed provides funding for paid internships for students, veterans, and people with differing abilities at Warren County nonprofits and small businesses, matching interns with internship locations twice yearly.

It is overseen by EDC Warren County and the Bartholomew family along with an independent appointee from the Bartholomew became a leading architect of the modern City of Glens Falls when in 1977 he was elected mayor at just 28 years of age. He was the youngest mayor in New York state at the time.

He made it his mission to make the Glens Falls

Ed Bartholomew was a former Glens Falls mayor and head of EDC Warren County.

Courtesy EDC Warren County

Civic Center a success. He recruited a big-name center director in Union College’s legendary hockey coach Ned Harkness and landed an American Hockey League—Adirondack Red Wings.

Continued On Page 10

For the first time in its history, the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course generated all-sources wagering handle of more than $800 million, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced.

Having established the new record on Sept. 1, with five racing days remaining in the season, the 2021 summer meet ended with all-sources handle of $815,508,063, a 15.6 percent increase over the prior record of $705,343,949 set in 2019, officials said.

With paid attendance totaling 1,046,478, and excluding 2020 when fans were not permitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 marked the sixth consecutive season of more than 1 million in paid attendance at Saratoga Race Course. Average daily attendance during the 40-day meet was 26,162.

“Thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and support of the best fans in horse racing, the 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course has been a tremendous success,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “This has been a summer reunion like never before, and we’re especially pleased that the return of fans has translated into strong business for downtown Saratoga Springs and the entire Capital Region community. The summer meet at Saratoga is as strong as at any point in its storied history.”

Average daily handle over the 40-day meet was $20,387,702, which is the first time that average daily

Essential Quality, left, wins the 152nd Travers at Saratoga Race Course.

Courtesy NYRA

handle has eclipsed $20 million.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which directly supports horsemen competing at Saratoga Race Course, Continued On Page 3

2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021

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Personnel Briefs

Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. announced that Matthew Curren has been promoted to retail banking regional manager for the Adirondack Region.

Curren will oversee the banking operations, customer experience and staff of 14 offices located throughout Warren, Essex and Clinton counties.

He joined Glens Falls National Bank in 2018 as branch manager of the Schroon Lake office and was most recently the regional operations manager.

Curren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Potsdam. He grew up in Bolton Landing and currently lives in Schroon Lake. He is involved in the community as a board member of the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival. *

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Northern Insuring Agency, Inc. announced the addition of Patrick Kowalczyk to its Personal Insurance Division sales team.

Kowalczyk began his insurance career in 2010 and currently holds his state property and casualty license and a state life, accident & health license. He will begin courses to earn his Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.

He is a native of the Utica area and a 30-year resident of the Glens Falls area.

He currently resides in Queensbury.

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Law Firm Little & O’Connor Attorneys Merges With FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth •

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The Double H Ranch announced the election of a new slate of officers to its board of directors following the annual meeting in August.

The new appointments are Charlie Crew, chairman; Lisa Moser and Kevin Johnson, co-vice chairs, Charlene Wood, secretary; and Michael F. Zovistoski, treasurer.

Crew is a resident of Lake George, New York. He is a graduate of Villanova University. His 30-year career at General Electric Plastics Division focused on executive management, sales and marketing. Most recently he is the retired president/CEO of SABIC Innovative Plastics and executive vice president of SABIC Co. He is currently on the board of directors of the Lake George Association, Unistress Corporation and a number of private equity portfolio companies.

He also serves on the Center for Global Leadership at Villanova University and is a former advisor to Autism Speaks.

The Double H Ranch also welcomed Dr. Angela Antonikowski, associate dean of professional wellbeing at Albany Medical College and Albany Med’s first chief health equity, diversity and inclusion officer, to the board.

Antonikowski is trained as a Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in child and adolescent health psychology.

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BY CHRISTINE GRAF Attorneys Michael O’Connor and Elizabeth Little of Little & O’Connor Attorneys PC of Glens Falls have merged their practice with FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth PC. Both attorneys and their paralegals have made the move to 68 Warren St. where FitzGerald Morris is headquartered. Prior to the merger, the firm employed 14 attorneys and a total staff of 32.

According to FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth managing partner John Aspland Jr., he and O’Connor have been friends for many years.

The idea of merging firms began to take root 10 years ago.

“We had some communications about 10 years ago where we started discussing some of the synergies between what he does and what we do and the clients that we have that have some common interests. We started that conversation and occasionally over the years revisited the discussion. He is an icon in the local legal community and has some fantastic clients that are very active,” Aspland said.

They recently revisited the idea and after determining that a merger would enable them to better serve their clients, they decided to move forward. The agreement was finalized on July 8 and took effect Aug. 1.

“It just made a ton of sense, and the timing seemed right,” said Aspland. “From his client’s perspective, they have the benefit of Michael’s years of experience and the additional benefit of our experience and our team size. That’s a big thing for him and has always been a big thing for us.

“We really approach all of our clients’ needs from a team-based aspect. We have people who tend to focus their legal practices in certain areas. Instead of trying to wear too many hats, we try to be very good at the one hat that we are wearing. That gives each of our practice areas a tremendous amount of backup.”

O’Connor brings with him more than 50 years of experience in real estate, land use, and development. He will join FitzGerald Morris’ existing real estate practice as a senior council.

“We brought in five decades worth of knowledge,” said Aspland. “From our end it was a great acquisition. Everyone is beyond thrilled.”

Attorney Elizabeth Little specializes in litigation and also performs extensive nonprofit and pro bono work. She will continue in all roles at FitzGerald Morris and will also bring her mediation skills to the practice.

“She a fantastic asset,” said Aspland. “She also has a mediation practice where she focuses on the alternative resolution approach.

Instead of going to court on everything, she tries to resolve conflicts outside of court,” said Aspland. “That’s a bit of a new venture, and she has become certified as a mediator. I think that’s a great avenue for us to work with her on and we have the space for it.”

The building at Warren Street is almost 25,000 square feet with conference rooms “that are well sized and well outfitted. Two of them have the technology to conduct virtual mediations and virtual depositions,” he said.

According to Aspland, the firm’s preCOVID investment in technology paid off when the pandemic forced the closure of their

Michael O’Connor, left, and John Aspland Jr. have merged their law firms.

Courtesy Normandin Marketing

office. He credits practice manager Kyle Fish for ensuring that the firm was at the forefront with its technology which allowed the firm’s staff of 32 to work remotely.

“We were right there ready to answer the call when the pandemic started. We had all of the pieces in place. A few friends of mine weren’t as ahead of the curve as we were, and it was a scramble in order for them to be productive from home,” he said.

Their entire staff has returned to the office, but mediations, arbitrations, court appearances, and depositions remain predominantly virtual.

“Some people can’t wait to get back to in person and I’m one of those people,” he said.

“I like the personal interactions with the court and the other attorneys, but not having to drive to the courts is a benefit to our clients because they aren’t paying for us to travel.”

The firm’s trusts and estate group has been unusually busy as a result of the pandemic. At a time when people are dying from COVID, many people have become concerned that they have no estate planning in place.

“Those are the things that people put on the back burner like getting a will or health care proxy done or setting up a trust or doing estate planning,” said Aspland. “People have been more focused on that which means that they come to us. My partner that runs that group, Carl Baker, is at the top of the pile of statewide practitioners of trust and estates. He’s been doing this for probably 45 years or so, so he’s been getting a lot of calls from people.”

With the addition of O’Connor and Little, Aspland said attorneys at the firm will be busier than ever. O’Connor brings with him 50 years worth of clients who will have access to attorneys with a wide variety of specialties and similar values.

“We have a very similar philosophy. This is a personal relationship business, and people hire us for the work that in certain respects and at certain times is most important thing going on in their life,” he said. “When you have 50 years worth of clients that are coming into a new environment, from the client’s perspective they want to know ‘Do I still have the same team and is my team even better?’

And I think the answer is yes.”

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021 • 3

Diane Shugrue To Retire At End Of Year Tiki Tours Adds 30-Foot Pontoon Boat To Its After 14 Years As CEO Of Glens Falls Hospital Fleet, Expanding Presence On Lake George Glens Falls Hospital President and CEO Dianne Shugrue will retire Dec. 31 after a 14-year career at Glens Falls and 40-year career in health care.

Paul Scimeca Sr., vice president and chief operating officer, has been named interim president and CEO. Shugrue led the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, through significant financial challenges, a historic affiliation with Albany Medical Center and national health care accreditation.

“Dianne Shugrue took over as president and CEO of the hospital at a crucial time,” said Glens Falls Hospital Board of Governors Chair George Ferone. “Her steady, courageous leadership, collaborative and personal approach and deep knowledge of health care have paid huge benefits for this hospital and this community. She has been a fierce advocate for our physicians, nurses, staff, community and the institution itself. ” Dr. Chris Mason, president of the Glens Falls Hospital Medical Staff, said Shugrue “has experienced many challenges during her tenure, from navigating the uncharted waters of COVID19 to leading the institution through a major affiliation. This visionary leadership has helped Glens Falls Hospital maintain critical services for the community and provide opportunities for collaboration with partners in the Capital Region.

Glens Falls Hospital has a tremendous future ahead due to Dianne’s foresight.”

Among Shugrue’s most significant accomplishments include cementing the affiliation between Glens Falls Hospital and the Albany Med Health System. In addition, this year Glens Falls Hospital received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), one of only 8 percent of all hospitals in the U.S. to receive this milestone achievement.

“As a team, we have come through some amazing highs and lows together,” she said. “But in the end, we can all be proud of how this indispensable community hospital has always been there for the people we serve. Whether through a once-a-century pandemic, achieving Magnet Recognition, or making sure that state-of-the-art, compassionate, high-quality healthcare is a permanent fixture in the North County, Glens Falls Hospital really has been here through it all. I am so proud of the team here.

It has been the honor of my career to serve as CEO of

Track Handle

Continued From Page 1 Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack, as well as the hundreds of businesses reliant on a thriving thoroughbred racing industry. Beyond the purse account, these funds are invested in capital projects to improve and modernize NYRA facilities while prioritizing safety and integrity.

The highlights of the Saratoga meet included: • Klaravich Stables led all owners with 21 wins.

Chad Brown claimed the H. Allen Jerkens training title with 41 wins, and jockey Luis Saez captured the Angel Cordero Jr. riding title with 64 wins.

• The 2021 meet played host to a significant milestone as Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen became the all-time winningest thoroughbred trainer in North America when he won the 9,446th race of his career on Whitney Day, Saturday, Aug. 7.

• Nearly 1.1 million viewers tuned in across the country to watch Essential Quality capture the 152nd edition of the Runhappy Travers on FOX,

Glens Falls Hospital President and CEO Dianne Shugrue will retire Dec. 31.

Courtesy Glens Falls Hospital

this hospital.”

In June of 2013, Shugrue was appointed president and CEO of Glens Falls Hospital. She joined Glens Falls Hospital in 2007 as its executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Prior to joining Glens Falls Hospital, she held various healthcare leadership positions including vice president for nursing governance at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare System, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, N.Y., and executive vice president/chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady .

Glens Falls Hospital maintains a service area that spans 6,000 square miles across five counties.

Founded in 1897, it operates an advanced health care delivery system featuring more than 20 regional facilities.

The main hospital campus is home to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, the Joyce Stock Snuggery birthing center, the Breast Center and a chronic wound healing center. The hospital is a nonprofit organization and the largest employer in New York’s Adirondack region, with over 2,500 employees and a medical staff of over 460 providers. For more information visit www.GlensFallsHospital.org.

Tiki Tours has added a new 30-foot tikied pontoon boat to its fleet. The second boat allows Tiki Tours to offer more trips to meet growing demand.

Tiki Tours has added a new 30-foot tikied pontoon boat to its f leet.

The second boat allows Tiki Tours to offer more trips to meet growing demand, the company said.

“Tiki Tours has seen tremendous growth in the last few years and is excited to add another vessel on Lake George,” said Tiki Tours co-owner Gregory Teresi. “This 30-foot tikied pontoon adds a whole new level of comfort to the Lake George experience. We want to thank the Lake George Beach Club, the Village of Lake George, the Lake George Park Commission and the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce for their

Courtesy Tiki Tours

continued support.”

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB celebrated the expansion on Aug. 23 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the dock behind Lake George Beach Club at 3 Montcalm St. in Lake George. It was sponsored by Kingsbury Printing.

Tiki Tours offers 75-minute boat rides seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from mid-May through September. The maximum capacity per tour is currently 12 people.

Tiki Tours LLC is owned by Kandi Kelley, Larry Davis, Anthony Ali and Teresi.

marking the event’s highest ratings since 2015 when Triple Crown champion American Pharoah made his one and only appearance at Saratoga.

An audience of 1,089,000 watched this summer’s Runhappy Travers, which was broadcast on FOX for the third consecutive year.

• Fans and viewers were treated to more than 220 hours of live programming during Saratoga Live which aired on the networks of FOX Sports, the show’s most extensive and comprehensive coverage since its introduction in 2016.

• A charitable program under NYRA’s stewardship requires every owner competing at NYRA racetracks to donate $10 per start to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), which funds the aftercare organizations that provide homes for retired racehorses.

As a result of the 3,253 starts recorded during the 2021 meet, TAA will receive a $32,530 donation. In addition, New York’s horsemen donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of every horse claimed at a NYRA track to Take the Lead (TTL) and the TAA. Claiming activity during the 2021 summer meet will result in a donation of $18,690 to TAA and TTL.

Amy L. Potter Marketing, Communications Director EDC Warren County Reads

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4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021

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Editorial: RJDeLuke@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke 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 Lisa Balschunat 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.

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General Contractors Of America Says Finding Workers To Fill Jobs Is Still Problematic Construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire, even as they continue to be impacted by pandemic-induced project delays and supply chain disruptions, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk.

The survey results underscore how the coronavirus pandemic has created constraints on the demand for work even as it limits the number of workers available to hire, association officials said.

The association and Autodesk conducted the Workforce Survey in late July and early August. Over 2,100 firms completed the survey from a broad cross-section of the construction industry, including union and open shop firms of all sizes. The 2021 Workforce Survey is the association’s ninth annual workforce-related survey.

“Market conditions are nowhere near as robust as they were prior to the onset of the pandemic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same time, the pandemic and political responses to it are limiting the size of the workforce, leading to labor shortages that are as severe as they were in 2019 when demand for construction was more robust.”

Simonson noted that nearly nine out of ten firms (88 percent) are experiencing project delays. Among these firms, 75 percent cite delays due to longer lead times or shortages of materials, while 57 percent cite delivery delays.

Sixty-one percent of firms said their projects are being delayed because of workforce shortages.

And delays due to the lack of approvals or inspectors, or an owner’s directive to halt or redesign a project, were each cited by 30 percent of contractors.

An even higher percentage of firms, 93 percent, report that rising materials costs have affected their projects. These rising materials costs are undermining firms’ abilities to profit from the work they have, with 37 percent reporting they have been unsuccessful in passing those added costs onto project owners.

As a result of these supply chain challenges, more than half of firms report having projects canceled, postponed or scaled back due to increasing costs. Twenty-six percent of firms report their projects have been delayed or canceled because of lengthening or uncertain completion times and 22 percent say changing market conditions have led to project delays or cancellations.

The association said the market conditions are a key reason why 26 percent of respondents expect it will take more than six months for

their firm’s revenue to match or exceed yearearlier levels. And 17 percent are unsure when to expect a return to previous demand levels.

While the pandemic has led to project delays and cancellations nationwide, contractor expectations of recovery do vary by region.

Forty percent of respondents in the Northeast expect it will take more than six months for their firm’s volume of business to return to normal, compared to only 12 percent of respondents in the Midwest, 22 percent in the West, and 34 percent in the South, officials said.

There are also some differences by project type and revenue size, Simonson said. For instance, 100 percent of building contractors and 97 percent of firms that work on federal government projects report at least some projects were canceled, postponed or scaled back, compared to 61 percent of utility infrastructure contractors and 56 percent of highway and transportation contractors.

Two-thirds of the firms with revenues that exceeded $500 million increased their headcount in the past 12 months, compared to just over half (53 percent) of midsized firms— those with revenues of $50.1 million to $500 million—and slightly more than one-third (36 percent) of firms with revenues of $50 million or less.

The association said that despite these challenges, contractors report as much difficulty filling positions as they experienced before the pandemic. Eighty-nine percent of firms that are seeking to fill hourly craft positions report having a hard time doing so. And 86 percent of firms seeking to fill salaried positions are also having a hard time hiring.

According to the association, there are two main reasons so many firms report having trouble finding workers to hire. The first is that 72 percent of firms say available candidates are not qualified to work in the industry due to a lack of skills, failure to pass a drug test, etc. The lack of qualified candidates affects union and openshop firms almost equally: 70 percent of firms that always use union craft workers exclusively and 74 percent of open-shop firms report a lack of qualified candidates. And 58 percent of respondents report that unemployment insurance supplements are keeping workers away.

As a result of these shortages, almost onethird of firms report they have increased spending on training and professional development. Most firms, 73 percent, report they have increased base pay rates during the past year. And just over one-third of firms have also provided hiring bonuses or incentives during the past year.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021 • 5

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Home / Energy

Those Working At Home Advised To Have CEG Launches Region’s Largest Offshore Space That Is Both Productive And Pleasing Wind Industry Attraction Initiative

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans are working from home than ever before. The remote workforce grew from 22 percent in 2019 to forty-two percent in 2020. In some whitecollar professions, 80 percent of workers continue to work remotely, and because employers are realizing that employees can be just as productive from home, remote work options are expected to become common even after the pandemic ends.

For those who are spending more time in their home offices, interior designers suggest having a space that is both productive and aesthetically pleasing.

Proper lighting in a workspace can increase productivity while poor lighting can cause eyestrain and headaches. Research shows that poor lighting can also contribute to depression and other deficiencies in the body. Adequate light has been shown to improve both mood and energy levels.

According to Lake George Design owner, interior designer Katelyn Moskos, those who don’t have access to natural light have various options.

“You can layer lights if you don’t have natural light. Don’t just use the light on the ceiling, and use accent lamps. You want lights coming from all different angles as opposed to just head on.”

According to Shelly Walker, interior designer and owner of Finishing Touches Home Décor in Malta, home offices have become a staple in people’s houses.

“People really want to make their home offices comfortable because they are going to be there a lot.

Some of my clients say they aren’t even going back to the office and will be working from home from now on,” she said. “People are definitely dressing up their space behind the computer for having Zoom calls.

They also want the lighting to be right for being in the meeting and for just being in the room. You want a lot of light including natural light.”

According to Walker, more people are choosing to purchase height-adjustable desks as well as ergonomic chairs and keyboards. Height-adjustable desks can be easily raised and lowered and allow a person to work while sitting or standing, and an ergonomically designed workspace can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries including strains and aches. While minor in the short-term, they can develop into serious injuries over time.

When deciding on a color scheme for a home office, Moskos suggests that her clients chooses colors that inspire them. When it comes to furnishing the space, she believes less is often more.

“Simple and minimal goes a long way. You don’t want to overdo it. You are what you surround yourself with whether it be clutter or chaos or things that are simple and peaceful. A lot of people make the mistake of doing open shelving and having all of their chaos on the shelving exposed.

“All of your storage should be in storage, and open shelving is for things that just make you smile. I also suggest de-cluttering weekly because a cluttered workspace clutters productivity.”

Both designers agree that having a designated work space is especially important for parents who have children at home.

“It’s easy to get stuck in the rut of being at home

Katelyn Moskos is the owner and interior designer at Lake George Design.

Courtesy Lake George DesignF

especially when you have kids at home. You need to remind yourself that it is a work space,” said Moskos.

Walker’s clients are choosing to make their home offices more cohesive with the rest of their homes.

They are adding comfortable accent chairs,colorful patterns, and rugs to make the space more welcoming.

“People are starting to get away from all of the whites and grays, and they are choosing lighter woods,” she said. “Another trend is that people are going with more wallpaper, and it’s becoming a staple in everyone’s house--especially temporary wallpaper that can be removed. Big patterns are very popular.”

Wallpaper—both traditional and temporary— is also popular with Moskos’ clients. Many are choosing what she describes as a busier design.

“They are doing a very simple room with that one bold accent wall,” she said.

When it comes to color, white remains popular at Lake George Design. Because it reflects so much light, white makes rooms looks brighter “People are really responding to white. People like the lightness, the cleanness, and the simplicity of it,” said Moskos. “They also like more natural products and combining different textures—maybe a fluffy pillow with a leather pillow and switching out the throw pillows every couple of months. It brings new light to the space that you are looking at every day.”

According to Walker, her clients also gravitate towards products made of natural materials such as wicker and rattan. Woven rugs and greenery—both real and artificial—are also popular.

Although it’s easy to get caught up in choosing furnishing and accents that are trendy, Moskos advises against it. She and her husband own Northern Living Vacation Rentals, and they have purchased and renovated many lakefront properties over the years.

“When I first started to do it, I was doing things that are trendy at the moment. Over the years, I have learned to do things that never go out of trend— things that are classic.”

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is involved in an initiative to bring more offshore wind (OSW) development to the Capital Region and beyond in New York state.

The agency, dedicated to driving economic growth in an eight-county region that includes Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties, said there are two companies that are working with the technology. Through them, CEG will help bring the energy source to the region.

“With Equinor and Ørsted/Eversource planning major offshore wind component manufacturing operations in the Capital Region, we have the wind at our back. We want to further build out here the supply chain for this emerging industry on the East Coast that will drive the creation of thousands of jobs,” said CEG Chief Economic Development Officer Katie Newcombe.

CEG promoted local OSW opportunities at the Business Network for Offshore Wind’s International Partnering Forum (IPF) in Richmond, Va., in August. IPF is the largest offshore wind conference in the Western hemisphere, bringing together the global offshore wind supply chain for business growth and networking opportunities.

At IPF, CEG and its partners looked to build on the momentum for the Capital Region’s emerging OSW component manufacturing industry created through the state’s awards of wind energy solicitation from 2019 (1,700MW) and 2020 (2,500MW).

As a result of these awards, Sunrise Wind, a joint venture of Ørsted A/S and Eversource Energy, plans to make advanced foundation components in the Capital Region. Equinor plans to manufacture concrete gravity-base foundations at the Port of Coeymans and at the

Chuck Ciaccia 27 years

Jude Gosh 32 years

Port of Albany it will create the nation’s first OSW tower and transition piece manufacturing facility for its projects. The Port of Albany OSW facility alone is expected to create up to 350 direct jobs.

Since 2018, CEG has been raising awareness with international OSW developers about the capabilities of the Capital Region’s ports while also readying a regional supply chain and workforce.

This work has included: • Raising the Capital Region’s profile with international OEMs by participating in 11 OSW conferences.

• Working with NYSERDA and OEMs to build out the region’s OSW supply chain.

• Connecting local manufacturers with OSW original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

• Organizing the Virtual Offshore Wind Tour, presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and CEG. • Assisting WRI Energy in Glens Falls make connections with the OSW industry.

• Highlighting Wind Energy R&D capabilities in the Capital Region.

As a nonprofit regional economic development organization,CEG attracts investment and talent; grows manufacturing and workforce capabilities and develops an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It strives to be a catalyst to work with partners and stakeholders to prepare the region to compete and move high-impact strategies and projects forward.

CEG is supported by investors in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sectors who are committed to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

For more information on CEG, visit www.ceg. org.

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6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021

SPECIAL SECTION

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Insurance / Employee Benefits Adirondack EAP Provides Employees In The Area With Counseling And Training Services •

Richard Demers is retiring soon as executive director of Adirondack EAP and Susan McManus, now program director, will be stepping into that position.

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL The Employee Assistance Program of Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties (Adirondack EAP) will turn the corner on 40 years with a new executive director at its helm.

Richard J. Demers is soon to retire as executive director after 36 years.

Over the decades Demers and his staff established Adirondack EAP as a valuable community resource providing free and confidential assessment, counseling, and referrals for employees of member organizations and their families, according to Tracey Riley, president of the board of directors and vice president of human resources at Finch Paper.

Adirondack EAP is a local, rather than a national EAP, with its main office at 559 Glen St. and affiliated offices in Plattsburg, Saratoga Springs, Albany, Clifton Falls, and other locations.

Today there are 60 member companies and 25,000 employees and their families have been served, Riley said.

EAP counselors work in a consultative role with managers and supervisors of member companies, providing them mindfulness training or other assistance, such as helping with transitions if there

has been a tragedy in the workplace, McManus said.

“Rick has exemplified what an EAP should be, providing wonderful services for employees to work through whatever issues may be affecting their work,” said Tracey Riley, president of the board of directors and vice president of human resources at Finch Paper.

Demers said leading the team has been a “profound honor and a sacred privilege.”

Riley announced that the directorship will be assumed by Susan K. McManus, who joined the staff as program director in April. McManus is a licensed clinical social worker who is completing her EAP credentials as Demers transitions to retirement.

“During my 17 years with Glens Falls Hospital as a mental health professional I worked closely with Rick and the EAP team,” said McManus.

Her history with the community, particularly her experience with substance abuse and recovery, will help inform her role and her goals with EAP, as drug and alcohol abuse has been increasing in the area, according to McManus.

Continued On Page 7

Business Report Cyber Insurance Is Important

BY MELISSA DAVIDSON Cyber insurance, which not too long ago was thought of as a want and not a need, is now considered a primary component in many business insurance policies. Cyberattacks are on the rise with breaches becoming more frequent and losses becoming more severe.

According to AM Best, “The loss ratio for cyber insurance rose dramatically in 2020, [up] to 67.8 percent from 44.8 percent in 2019. However, the increase was not limited to just a few insurers— the loss ratio rose for 15 of the 20 largest cyber insurers.”

Cyber liability insurance generally covers a business’s liability for a data breach involving sensitive customer information: such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, account numbers, driver’s license numbers and health records.

Those costs can include lost income due to a cyber event, costs associated with notifying customers affected by a breach, costs for recovering compromised data, costs for repairing damaged computer systems and more. Moreover, cyber coverage is not automatically included in general liability coverage and is generally excluded. This coverage needs to be purchased separately.

Cyber insurance claims can be triggered by an assortment of incidents, but currently the most common are ransomware, fund-transfer fraud attacks, and business email compromise scams. The cost of cyber insurance will depend on the size of the business and the annual revenue generated. Since the market is changing rapidly so is the application process. The application process is becoming more involved as companies are conducting cyber assessments—to evaluate if adequate cyber security defense is already in place—before approving coverage.

Many carriers are now requiring companies to use nultifactor authentication (MFA). Factors are something only you know, like a password.

Other factors may include a device only you have access to, like a token or a smartcard, or it could be biometric identification through a fingerprint.

For example, being asked to input a code texted to your cell phone after entering a password on your computer is MFA. Adding MFA helps to protect a business by adding an additional layer of security, making it more difficult for cyber criminals to gain access to sensitive information. Unfortunately, having just a password does not offer enough protection as they are frequently compromised and posted on the dark web. Therefore, best practices include requiring employees to use complex passwords

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Melissa Davidson, licensed sales executive at Northern Insuring Agency.

Courtesy Northern Insuring Agency

and having multifactor authentication in place to keep your organization’s cyber defenses resolute and robust.

Have you ever received an email that looks exactly like a co-worker’s email address? Social engineering, or phishing, is an attempt to convince a user to take an action under false pretense.

It is an effective way for attackers to get around existing technological defenses. It is highly advised that all employees receive periodic security awareness and phishing training to ensure that they are following policies and procedures regarding security threats.

The best way to minimize your exposure is to employ regular training and phishing exercises which can closely replicate all types of social engineering tests. Companies should have a comprehensive written policy and program in place just as they would for workplace safety and other important topics.

You may have heard the statement, “It’s not a question of if your organization will suffer a breach, but when.” As the frequency of cyberattacks continues to increase, the way cyber insurance operates will continue to evolve. Cybercriminals continue to wreak destruction on businesses of every size.

According to the National Security Institute, the average ransom fee requested has increased from $5,000 in 2018 to around $200,000 in 2020. Ransomware is an ever-growing issue in the cybersecurity space and continues to shape the insurance landscape today. Take the steps to prevent an attack and data loss within your organization. The alternative isn’t worth the risk.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021 • 7

State Comptroller: Employer Contributions To Retirement System Will See A Reduction State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced reductions in employer contribution rates to the New York state and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for both of its systems—the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS).

He said the adjusted rates will impact payments in the State Fiscal Year 2022-23.

In addition, DiNapoli lowered the long-term assumed rate of return on the Fund’s investments from 6.8 percent to 5.9 percent.

“The fund’s strength gives us the ability to weather volatile markets. Our prudent strategy for long-term, steady returns helps ensure our state’s pension fund will continue to be one of the nation’s strongest and best-funded,” DiNapoli said. “While the reduction in employer contribution rates is welcome news for taxpayers, our investment decisions are always made based on what is best for our 1.1 million working and retired members and their beneficiaries.”

The estimated average employer contribution rate for ERS will be lowered from 16.2 percent to 11.6 percent of payroll. The estimated average employer contribution rate for PFRS will be reduced from 28.3 percent to 27 percent of payroll.

According to the fund’s actuary’s estimates, the expected total employer contributions for Feb. 1, 2023 are $4.4 billion, which is $1.5 billion less than the expected employer contributions during the same period for 2022, the lowest level since 2011.

This marks the fourth time that DiNapoli has lowered the state pension fund’s assumed rate of return as economic and demographic conditions have changed. In 2010, he decreased the rate from 8 percent to 7.5 percent, in 2015 to 7 percent and in 2019 to 6.8 percent.

The median assumed rate of return among state public pension funds is 7.0 percent as of August

2021, according to the National Association of State Retirement Administrators. Thirty-four out of the 133 state public pension plans listed had assumed rates of return of less than 7 percent. There are plans that have a fiscal year end date of June 30, 2021 and many have already announced intentions to lower their assumed rates of return further.

Employer rates for NYSLRS are determined based on investment performance and actuarial assumptions recommended by the Retirement System’s Actuary and approved by DiNapoli. A copy of the Actuary’s report can be found here.

In 2012, DiNapoli began providing employers with access to a two-year projection of their annual pension bill. Employers can use this projection in the preparation of their budgets.

Projections of required contributions vary by employer depending on factors such as the types of retirement plans they adopt, salaries and the distribution of their employees among the six retirement tiers.

There are more than 3,000 participating employers in ERS and PFRS, and more than 300 different retirement plan combinations.

Payments based on the new rates are due by Feb. 1, 2023, but employers receive a discount if payment is made by Dec. 15, 2022.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third largest public pension fund in the United States with estimated assets of $268.3 billion as of June 30.

The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation. The fund’s fiscal year ends March 31.

Adirondack EAP

were facing in life,” said McManus.

“First we help employers help employees, and then help with a breadth of services that employees can connect to,” said McManus.

“The employer does not know when an employee has reached out to EAP,” Riley said. EAP provides “a private and safe resource through personally challenging times.”

“Our goal is to keep our name fresh in the minds of employees,” said McManus. “We give human resources a supply of our business cards and provide a monthly newsletter to employees. Wordof-mouth is very powerful. If an employee has a good experience they will tell their peers about it and suggest contacting EAP.” The efforts of EAP can help an entire community “understand mental wellness and become more healthy in every area of life,” she said.

Demers said staff possess a “mix of professional expertise, genuine compassion, and an unyielding commitment to inspire hope and encouragement in every person and every situation.”

“I’ve always belonged to the mental health world and the idea of normalizing mental health issues is very important to me,” said McManus. “I am eager to continue EAP’s vision of community wellness at this really important time.”

Continued From Page 6

“The opiate crisis in the U.S. was leveling off in 2018 because of community awareness,” she said.

“But the problem has been growing again since COVID because isolation is a fearful thing for people struggling with substance abuse.”

The mission of an EAP is to address a broad and complex body of issues affecting mental and emotional balance. This can include stress, grief, family problems, and psychological disorders, and can extend to situations in the workplace such as accidents, violence, or other traumas.

“We look for patterns to areas where people in the community are struggling and address how to manage them,” said McManus.

One struggle is the growing number of employees who are caregivers to family members with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, she said.

“They work full-time and have another 40-hour, full-time job caring for their loved ones,” she said.

There were four major enterprises who in 1982 founded Adirondack EAP after determining “they needed to respond to employees and the issues they

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Business Briefs

• The Glens Falls Collaborative has postponed its

health and wellness festival, FitFest, due to rising COVID-19 cases in the area.

FitFest was scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 2. A rescheduled date for 2022 has not yet been set.

Fit Fest is an annual festival highlighting fitness, health and wellness businesses and organizations in the area.

“It is with incredible sadness that we have to postpone another event. COVID has made an unfortunate return, and with numbers spiking, vendors are more reluctant to attend or send people to events,” said Glens Falls Collaborative President Robin Barkenhagen.

The festival typically includes sample fitness classes. interactive demonstrations, vendor booths with giveaways, children’s activities, information about organizations and services and more.

The Collaborative also recently announced the postponement of its popular Wing Fest and PetFest events. *

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Associates of Glens Falls Insurance (AOGF) has been named Michigan Millers’ New York Agency of the Year for 2020.

The local independent agency quickly earned a position among the top 10 percent of Michigan Millers’ agencies. The award is based on overall results in 2020 in several areas, including, premium written, growth, loss ratio and the recommendations from the Michigan Millers’ team assigned to the agency.

Jason Pirozzolo, Vice President of Associates of Glens Falls, said, “We sincerely appreciate the great partnership we have with Michigan Millers and it has been the key to our mutual success over the past few years. We look forward to many more productive years together.” *

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Glens Falls Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines -Stroke Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and speeding recovery times.

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment

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guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home. *

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The Double H Ranch will host the annual Backyard Oasis Gala on Saturday, Sept. 18, to raise funds and awareness for year-round, in-person, and virtual and alternative programs for children living with a serious illness. It will be a virtual event.

To join, visit www.doublehranch.org/specialevents/oasisgala.

Virtual guests can gather in their own “backyard oasis,” wherever it may be, while enjoying Gala To Go food delivered by Mazzone Hospitality with signature cocktails and beer provided by DeCresente Distributing.

A highlight of the Double H Ranch Gala is the live and silent auctions. Over 150 items are available online, starting at $50.

The auction will remain open until 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Bidders can register for free at doublehranch.cbo. io, and do not need to be attending the virtual event on Saturday to participate. Auction items include a one-week stay and farm tour at Live Oak Stables in Ocala, Fla.; Lake George getaway for up to 18 people at Villa Nirvana; a one-week stay in Anguilla at Villa Abbey, which sleeps up to 12; and a Florida fishing charter.

Virtual guests are also invited to sponsor a camper at Double H by visiting fundraise.doublehranch.org/ oasisgala *

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The Glens Falls Collaborative announced a Halloween House Contest for the month of October.

The Collaborative wants to find out who has the spookiest decorations in Glens Falls! City residents are invited to decorate their homes for the Halloween season. Friends and neighbors will then vote for their favorite display at the Glens Falls Collaborative website, glensfallscollaborative.com.

The competition is limited to houses in Glens Falls only. The Collaborative asks the displays be PG-13.

Judging will only include the portion of your yard or house that is visible from the driveway or street. This is a socially distanced event.

The display and voting period will be from Oct. 1 through midnight on Oct. 29. The winner will be announced on Facebook Live on the Downtown Glens Falls page and in-person at Boo2You in the bandstand at 3:50 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Boo2You is set for Saturday, Oct., 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. Additional details are forthcoming.

Visit glensfallscollaborative.com to register for the contest and to vote. Registration to compete closes at midnight on Sunday, Sept. 26.

8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Fitness / Nutrition

Planted Platter Of Saratoga Springs Provides Experienced Area Yoga Teacher Opens Cooking Classes And Wellness Programs ‘Grounded on Glen’ Studio In Glens Falls For plant-based cooking and nutrition instructor Deb Czech, the ongoing COVID pandemic and its health impacts have expanded the reasons why people are starting to put more plants on their plate.

Czech is the owner of Planted Platter of Saratoga Springs, a business providing plant-based cooking classes, coaching services, and customized workplace wellness programs. Planted Platter also collaborates with Capital Region nonprofits on plant-based cooking events for their members and clients.

To address rising consumer interest in plantbased diets, Planted Platter is offering a dozen online classes this fall that people can mix and match to their own health needs.

“The fundamental principles of a wholefood, plant-based diet remain the same across all classes,” said Czech. “What changes is the presentation of medical information and research specific to a given condition, whether that’s Type 2 diabetes or heart disease or anxiety or menopause or something else.”

More information about classes is available at plantedplatter.com.

Plant-based diets have been scientifically proven to prevent and even reverse many diet-related chronic diseases and that supporting research is shared in the classes. For most of Planted Platter’s programs (offered via Zoom due to COVID), Czech teaches curriculum developed by the medical team at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit organization founded by plant-based nutrition expert Dr. Neal Barnard.

Class participants learn how plant-based diets can help people attain a healthy weight, prevent and sometimes reverse chronic diseases, boost immunity, and lower health risks.

“These Food for Life classes not only teach people the health benefits of plant-based eating, but also show them how to put together simple, affordable meals. We discuss practical strategies to shift to eating more plant foods, while respecting everyone’s need to make changes at their own pace,” said Czech.

Each class covers important nutrition topics

Deb Czech is the owner of Planted Platter of Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Deb Czech

with short videos from the Physicians Committee’s medical experts followed by Czech showing participants how they can put this information into practice at home in delicious and easy-toprepare recipes, such as plant-based burgers, global cuisine, and healthy desserts.

Czech, owner of Planted Platter of Saratoga Springs, became a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee in 2019 and has been a plant-based eater and cook since 2012, when she earned a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Foundation.

Designed by the physicians, nurses, and registered dietitians of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (pcrm.org), Food for Life is an award-winning nutrition education and cooking class program that provides an innovative approach to diet-related chronic diseases.

Since 2001, Food for Life has been a pioneer in delivering hands-on information about the direct role of plant-based nutrition in health and disease prevention to communities around the world.

Kayla Craft has been practicing yoga for 20 years and in July moved her business to 282 Glen St., naming it Grounded on Glen. The studio offers mediation, pilates, retreats and more.

BY LISA BALSCHUNAT Kayla Craft has been practicing yoga for 20 years and has owned and operated the Yoga Kayla studio for the past seven on the second floor of 206 Glen St in Glens Falls.

Since 2014, yoga enthusiasts have climbed an old 20-step wooden staircase to enter into the yoga studio.

In early July, Craft moved her New York State Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) down the block to 282 Glen St. She expanded the studio’s offering and renamed the business Grounded on Glen St. “When I first opened Yoga Kayla, it was just me teaching. But now I have 18 instructors and offer mediation, pilates, teaching certification and retreats,” she said. “Rebranding the business was a must.”

Grounded on Glen St is located on the corner of Glen and South streets. It is now a street-level studio that features group classes, one-on-one private sessions, yoga weekends, urban retreats, wellness programs, meditation and mindfulness classes taught by the 18 certified instructors.

Her first space had room for 10 mats, Craft said.

“I took on instructors and quickly outgrew the space. We expanded to the adjacent room, then, again we ran out of space.

“Being on the ground level is really nice. It’s more accessible and people can find us easier. It’s brighter and has a really good vibe.”

Grounded on Glen St instructors focus on wellness, overall health and wellbeing. classes include vinyasa, gentle flow, yin, guided meditation, yogalates, kundalini and kambala disciplines.

Most instructors specialize in one discipline and teach multiple classes. In the new studio, Craft will be introducing a new hatha vinyasa style class, a

Lisa Balschunat

breath work training class for health care workers to incorporate into their patient care efforts.

“We are passionate about getting people moving and breathing to find focus, clarity and productivity,” Craft added. “My goal is to inspire, empower and motivate people to be educated, committed and responsible for boosting their own health and wellness.”

Classes were conducted online during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was concerned as to whether online classes would really work. People like being physically in a class together ... Technology can be a challenge, but I did it,” she said. “We had 30 to 40 people at the start, then it dwindled a bit.”

Online classes kept the business afloat, in addition to $7,500 Small Business Administration COVID-19 relief funds.

“The lockdown was intimidating, but we got through it, and it gave me time to work on the move to this new space.”

Craft was the creative mind behind the Yoga on Glen Street event held in 2018 and 2019 in cooperation with the Glens Falls Collaborative.

“I asked the city of Glens Falls for a permit to close the portion of Glen Street from the circle to the library,” she said. “The first year the city said, ‘No to closing the street.’ But I could hold an outdoor class on the sidewalk. We had a bunch of people that year.

The second year, I was granted the permit and over 100 people were doing yoga on Glen Street.”

The event was designed to be inclusive and to build community. Donations to participate benefited the Tri-County United Way. COVID-19 put a halt to the event last year, but Craft plans to bring it back this fall.

For more details about Grounded on Glen St and a class schedule, visit groundedonglens.com.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021 • 9

Behavioral Health Services North Buys Queensbury Building, Solidifying Its Presence •

This 36,000-square-foot office building at 25 Willowbrook Road in Queensbury was sold by developer Rich Schermerhorn to Behavioral Health Services North.

BY JILL NAGY Behavioral Health Services North has solidified its presence in Queensbury by purchasing the building it had been occupying as a tenant.

The organization, based in Plattsburgh, took over the mental health and substance treatment services previously provided by Glens Falls Hospital.

Behavioral Services North became a sub-tenant in the offices the hospital had been renting. On July 30, they closed on the purchase of the 36,000-square-foot office building at 25 Willowbrook Road from developer Rich Schermerhorn. The purchase price was $2.85 million.

“We’re really excited to be in Washington and Warren counties to serve a population in need of services,” said David LePage, chief financial officer of Behavioral Sciences.

Currently, they are serving approximately 1,400 clients in Washington and Warren counties and they have waiting lists for both mental health and substance abuse care, he added. The COVID pandemic has “only made it worse,” increasing the need for services.

Nearly half the current staff consists of people who were employed at the Glens Falls Hospital clinic. The rest of the 60-member staff are new hires.

The organization is relatively new to

Queensbury. However, Behavioral Health Services North has been operating in Plattsburgh for 40 or 50 years, LePage estimated. He has been with the organization for 20 years and his office is still in Plattsburgh.

The clinic has an open access policy.

That is, patients can walk in without a prior appointment.

They will also be expanding care in local schools. LePage expects to have mental health counselors in about a dozen schools in the area. He explained that seeing a counselor in school has less of a stigma for a student than leaving school to go to a separate clinic. It is also less disruptive. “It fits into their day,” he said.

The building itself did not need much in the way of renovation. It had been set up as a medical clinic and was a mental health outpatient facility before the current owners moved in. They share the building with Greater Adirondack Home Aid, a home health care service.

LePage said that the operation is looking for another tenant to take over 5,000 square feet of space in the front of the building and plan to expand into other currently vacant space the building.

The organization also has offices in Hudson Falls.

Its website is bhsn.org.

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Business Report A Healthy, Balanced Life

BY AMANDA GUSTAFSON, MS, RD, CDN Your health is an individual journey that should be personalized to your unique needs and circumstances. As a registered dietitian working at Glens Falls Hospital, I strive every day to support our patients where they are in their health journey.

Whether you’ve established healthy routines that work for you or are looking to make a change in your current routine, consider these tips for living a well-balanced, healthier lifestyle: 1. Rely on trusted sources of information for facts about nutrition.

With the influx of social media influencers and advertisements surrounding fad diets and trends, we are constantly bombarded with misleading or false information about what “healthy” means.

Without consulting a trusted source, it can be difficult to identify what type of lifestyle and diet is best for your particular needs. Our society’s diet culture also tends to promote restrictive eating habits, and a one-size-fitsall solution, which doesn’t guarantee weight loss or better health.

Reliable sources for facts about nutrition include a registered dietitian, your primary care physician, books and articles from qualified professionals, and websites from healthcare organizations.

2. Ditch the restrictive diets and consider practicing intuitive eating.

Before you turn to restrictive eating to reach your goals, consider practicing intuitive eating. Th is practice requires you to refrain from looking at food as good or bad and instead listen to your body’s needs, while prioritizing healthy foods, but also recognizing that it is okay to consume treats in moderation. Th is personalized approach takes the pressure away from counting calories or tracking data and instead focuses on becoming more in tune with your personal needs.

Do you feel sluggish after having too much sugar? Does dairy leave you feeling bloated?

Do you need more carbs to fuel your workout?

Are you eating due to an undealt with emotion and not because of hunger? Intuitive eating will help you establish a practice that works for you.

3. Make healthy habits a priority.

A common misconception about making healthier food choices is that it has to be expensive. Shopping for what’s in season and on sale, using coupons and buying store-

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Amanda Gustafson, MS, RD, CDN, is a clinical dietitian at Glens Falls Hospital.

Courtesy Glens Falls Hospital

brand items can make eating healthier a budget-friendly option. Consider giving up a different habit, like eating out or smoking, to make room in your budget for healthy, nutritious food options.

A healthier diet can also have a long-term impact on your overall health, which could potentially reduce your healthcare expenses.

4. Supplement diet with exercise.

A healthy diet should be paired with exercise for the best possible outcome.

Making time in your busy schedule for physical activity can be challenging, but when you make it a priority, you’ll reap the benefits.

You don’t have to go from minimal or no physical activity in a day to becoming a professional athlete. Start small by incorporating things like a daily walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Any type of physical activity is a good place to start. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

5. Partner with someone who can help to hold you accountable to your goals.

Whether you’re working with a registered dietitian or getting healthier with a friend, it can be incredibly helpful to have a trusted partner to help keep you on track. When you work with a dietitian, you can expect an encouraging, friendly face to provide support and help guide you in your health journey.

Living a healthy life doesn’t have to be discouraging, expensive or restrictive and small steps can lead you to an incredible journey.

10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021

1863 Club At Saratoga Race Course Remains Open To Host Events During Track Offseason The 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course will for the fi rst time be available for private events during the racing offseason now through June, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced.

The 1863 Club, which debuted during the 2019 season, is a three-story, climatecontrolled hospitality building located on the Clubhouse turn overlooking the historic main track at Saratoga Race Course. The building features differentiated hospitality options for a wide variety of uses and experiences, including weddings, fundraisers, reunions, and corporate dinners.

The fi rst-floor banquet space, The Rail at the 1863 Club, features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the main track and accommodates up to nearly 500 individuals.

The second floor, presented by Resorts World, accommodates up to 300 guests.

The third floor offers three luxury suites each welcoming between 30 to 45 guests for intimate gatherings.

“We have received tremendous feedback from those who have enjoyed a day at the 1863 Club during the Saratoga racing season and are excited to provide even more guests with the opportunity to experience this unique space year-round,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA vice president of sales and hospitality. “The 1863 Club, with its sweeping views of Saratoga Race Course, is ideally suited to host events of all shapes and sizes during the off-season.”

“We look forward to seeing the 1863 Club come to life during the off-season and are confident that this option will prove attractive for group and corporate outings,” said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus. “We also believe this venue will be a benefit for the Saratoga community by generating incremental tourism and business outside of the traditional summer racing season.”

Mazzone Hospitality will oversee catering operations at the 1863 Club. Mazzone

The 1863 Club debuted during the 2019 season and will be open for private events.

Courtesy NYRA

Hospitality has 30 years of experience in dining, catering, restaurants, social gatherings and special events.

“There’s a special feeling here that can’t be matched anywhere else,” said Angelo Mazzone, founder of Mazzone Hospitality.

“We’ve been working on this partnership for several years and to fi nally be able to say that Mazzone Hospitality is at Saratoga Race Course is a dream come true.”

“The luxurious 1863 Club is a year-round choice venue for upscale conferences and private events,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga. “Thanks to our friends at the New York Racing Association and Mazzone Hospitality, we can ensure that our meeting planners will have a truly memorable experience.”

To tour the spaces and learn more about holding events at the 1863 Club, call 518-6900293 or email 1863Club@mazzonehospitality. com.

Protecting Lake George Continued From Page 1

New Krystal Dealership Continued From Page 1

heading the project, which is expected to be completed by May 1. As with many building projects, the pandemic did provide some labor and product availability challenges, however Lofgren said they are now starting to move past that.

“COVID-19 caused us to delay the start in 2020.

Once economic relief from the federal government

Ed Bartholomew Continued From Page 1

Bartholomew worked on projects over the next 40-plus years to benefit Glens Falls, Warren County and the North Country region.

As mayor, he built a modern ball park and brought minor league baseball to Glens Falls. He brought new industry to Pruyn’s Island and an intermunicipal sewage project to the Upper Hudson River. He helped establish the Greater Glens Falls Transit System.

He helped set the course for the revitalization of Downtown Glens Falls.

After several years in state government,

to unemployed individuals is relaxed, I believe the area will see more jobs being filled. It is challenging finding good employees,” said Lofgren.

“I am very proud of the team we have in place now, approximately 42 employees currently. Our dealership has received the prestigious Customer First Award for Excellence from Chrysler for the last six years in a row. Many of our team members have earned awards from the manufacturer as well, “ said Lofgren.

To learn more visit www.krystalchryslerjeepdodge.net.

Bartholomew became in 2013 the president of EDC Warren County. There, he secured federal, state and local funding for major public works projects and large and small businesses throughout Warren County, including a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant for Glens Falls.

“Ed was tireless in his pursuit of progress and entirely bipartisan in his approach to solving problems, and his lifetime in public service had forged close friendships with many federal, state and local officials who admired him and often relied on his wise counsel,” EDC said after his passing.

Those who still want to make a donation to The Ed can send a check written out to EDC Warren County and mail it to 333 Glen St., Suite 101, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

of the Fort William Henry Corp. and chair of the LGA’s Council of Business Advisors. “If Lake George were to lose its water quality, the economic impacts to our region would be unfathomable. Loss of businesses and jobs.

Loss of tax revenue. Loss of property values.

We simply cannot and will not stand by and let that happen.”

“Our tourism businesses can spend all the money in the world on marketing and providing a world-class visitor experience for our guests, but without the crystal-clear waters of the Lake our region would suffer immeasurably,” said Tom Guay, general manager of The Sagamore Resort and a Council of Business Advisors member. “It’s time to focus on the single greatest asset this region has.”

The Business Compact cites a 2020 study by the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board that found Lake George generates $2 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 500 tourism businesses (not to mention the many other businesses that provide products and services to the tourism industry) . It is also responsible for generating nearly $630 million in direct tourism spending.

Also cited is research conducted on Lake Champlain, which found that a three-foot loss in water clarity results in a $12.6 million decrease in summer tourism spending, the loss of hundreds of regional jobs, and a 37 percent depreciation in seasonal home values.

Over the past 30-plus years, data collected

by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Darrin Freshwater Institute in Bolton Landing have documented declining water quality levels throughout the lake, punctuated by a steady increase in nutrients such as phosphorous, which have been linked to the formation of harmful algal blooms.

Lake George experienced its first confirmed harmful algal blooms (HABs)

over the past year. Although these incidents have been relatively small and short-lived, they have demonstrated that the lake is at risk for the extensive blooms that have devastated lakes and lake-based economies across the country.

The summer of 2020 also saw the first significant infestation in the lake’s watershed of the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA), an insect that threatens the health of the hemlock trees that make up a vast portion of the region’s forested landscape and provide critical cooling and cleansing for the lake and its tributaries.

The businesses signing the Business Compact have pledged to: • Advocate for implementation by New York state of the priority actions called for in the state’s HABs Action Plan for Lake George.

• Support scientific monitoring of conditions in Lake George and work with the researchers, advocates, municipal officials, and others who recognize the urgency of actions on both HABs and HWA to protect water quality.

• Support science-guided programs, policies and actions to reduce the risk of future HAB occurrences in the lake and to contain the spread of HWA in forests.

• Evaluate their own businesses’ impacts on the lake, particularly in regard to septic systems and stormwater management, with the aim of making improvements that benefit the Lake and the businesses.

“This demonstration of support for Lake George by our business community is inspiring and absolutely essential for longterm water quality protection,” said LGA President Eric Siy. “Protecting Lake George requires dedicated action by everyone with a stake in the future of our region, and businesses are at the top of that list. We look forward to working with them to turn the Compact into measurable successes.”

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2021 • 11

Boats By George Owner Plans To Make Lake George Forum A Year-Round Show Facility

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Boats By George founder George Pensel recently purchased the Lake George Forum and envisions it as a year-round boat show.

The company’s purchase of the 50,000-square-foot arena is more than a savvy business move.

“This is something I have been dreaming about for the past four or five years, but boating has been a part of me since my family began in the business in 1948. I worked as a dock hand at age 15, and from there continued to learn and work in the business. When my dad decided to step away from it, I guess you could say there was a spark in me,” said Pensel.

“This was a space I had interest in a few years ago but the timing wasn’t right. This time around it was,” said Pensel.

Pensel said although the property needs cosmetic updates, structurally it does not need major renovations. His vision for the space is for visitors to feel as though they are at a boat show. Pensel said there will be memorabilia and other exhibit-type aspects to the facility.

“My vision for this space will be above and beyond, almost like going to a trade show. We’ll have some real special items of interest like classic pieces,” said Pensel.

The current location on Route 149, Pensel said, will still operate as a place for storage, used boats, and as a work space for boat renovations. They will also continue to operate two marinas at Sandy and Warner bays.

The new location, Pensel, said allows for better traffic f low, in addition to offering much needed square footage.

“We simply outgrew the space. This really gives us the opportunity to grow,” he said.

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The Lake George Forum was purchased by Boats by George owner George Pensel.

Courtesy Boats By George

Pensel said in spite of supply chain challenges, the boating industry really took off during the pandemic, giving people a safe way to vacation without travelling too far.

Pensel is optimistic the new location will attract visitors from not only the immediate region but surrounding areas as well. He said they already have established business with boat enthusiasts have come from the Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain areas, as well as local spots like Saratoga Lake and the Hudson River.

At this time there is no set date for the opening of the center.

Boats by George carries Cobalt, Chris Craft, Axis, Malibu, and Barletta brands. For more information visit www. boatsbygeorge.com.

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Spirit Halloween, A Store With A Vast Array 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter Of Costumes, Is Open At Aviation Mall Donates To Therapeutic Horses Of Saratoga

Spirit Halloween offers a selection of Halloween costumes for the entire family along with accessories, exclusive animatronics, party supplies, home décor, and more.

Aviation Mall announced seasonal retailer, Spirit Halloween is open again in the mall’s former Sears space.

With more than 1,400 locations across the United States, Spirit Halloween is among the largest Halloween retailer in North America.

The store offers a selection of Halloween costumes for the entire family along with accessories, exclusive animatronics, party supplies, home décor, and more.

Shoppers will find a vast selection of exclusively licensed merchandise at Spirit, including character costumes from Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, Paw Patrol, ScoobyDoo and more. New lines this year include Suicide Squad 2, Killer Clowns from Outer Space, Disney Princesses and Space Jam. Spirit Hallowe en also g ives back to the communities where they are located through its “Spirit of Children” program.

Spirit of Children brings fun and funding

Expert electrical service.

Courtesy Aviation Mall

to local hospitals at Halloween and all year round. Since 2007, Spirit of Children has raised over $77 million to provide Child Life funding for art, music, aquatic and pet therapy programs as well as the purchase of educational items and toys used for distraction during medical procedures and much more, according to the company.

Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100 percent of funds going to the Child Life department at partner hospitals.

Aviation Mall is a shopping and entertainment destination of the Adirondack region and is located in Queensbury. The center is home to Target, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Regal Cinemas, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and offers many other retail shops.

Additional information regarding Aviation Mall can be found at www.ShopAviationMall.com.

518.389.7411 MrElectric.com/Queensbury Locally Owned and Operated Franchise

Members of 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter present a charitable donation to representatives of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Saratoga Springs.

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs received a $5,600 donation from 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter.

THS is a nonprofit organization that provides psychological therapy services to children and adults through the use of retired race horses that have been rescued by the organization. The donation will be used to build a new run-in shed and make other improvements to their facilities.

100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter consists of a group of women who are from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties.

They support the concept of “collective philanthropy” by pooling their donations for a different non-profit organization each quarter. The group held its first meeting in February 2020, starting with 36 women and gradually growing to the current 70 members.

To date, the organization has donated

Courtesy 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter

more than $23,000 to local non-profit organizations including Gateway House of Peace, WAIT House, Wellspring, THS, and the Warren/Washington CARE Center.

The 100 Women Who Care concept is designed to be simple and efficient, yet with a significant financial impact. The women meet for just one hour every three months to choose from a pool of local non-profit organizations that are nominated by group members. Each member then donates $100 to the organization that receives the most votes during the quarterly meeting.

Founding members include Cheryl Meyers, Beth Purdy, Lori O’Neil, and Jeanne Rizzo.

Women wishing to learn more about the organization are encouraged to visit www.100wwcne.org. An online registration form is available at www.100wwcne.org for women who would like to join.