Starting Up: Woman Invests $130,000 in a New Gluten-Free Bakery in Fulton
OSWEGO COUNTY
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June / July 2016
OswegoCountyBusiness.com
The New Plant Manager at Huhtamaki A conversation about growing up in a farm, returning to Red Creek in Wayne County and managing one of the largest manufacturing companies in Central New York
New Advanced Manufacturing Institute to prepare workforce
June / July 2016
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Issue 144
JUNE / JULY 2016
PROFILE LAURIE DAVIS As Oswego Industries / ARC of Oswego County faces major challenges, the new executive director —the daughter of a former county health commissioner — says she is ready to make her agency as responsive as possible ................12
SPECIAL FEATURES Q&A with Jim Fox New chairman of CenterState CEO talks about plans to move Central New York forward ................................. 41
COVER STORY Mark Southwick, the new plant manager at Huhtamaki, talks about his career, plans Page 52
Manufacturing / Economic Development
• Advanced Manufacturing Institute to prepare workforce • Kevin Shutts becomes plant manager during epic period for Novelis • Grand opening in South Korea to reverberate in CNY • North Country benefits from Ft. Drum, proximity to Canada
Banking
Page 66
• Four organizations that help women succeed •Profiles of business women Page 71
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Pollster to Practitioner Pollster John Zogby now heading an entrepreneurship program at Le Moyne school of business............... 45 SUNY Oswego Ranks Low Report shows local grads make less than students graduating from other Upstate colleges................. 48 Is Exelon Next? Nuclear power operator relying on Clean Energy Standard to level playing field................................................... 75 Real Estate: End of Era Oswego County Board of Realtors becomes part of Syracuse Realtor’s group............................................. 78
STARTING UP Cindy Swartwood putting the final touches on cupcakes at her new business, Sweet Cindy’s Gluten-Free Bakery. She invested $130,000 in the business.
Page 56
• Pathfinder is No. 1 bank in market share in Oswego County • KeyBank’s focusing on community benefits
Women in Business
Oswego County Turns 200 Early settlers had their differences about where the county seat would be located ................................... 43
DEPARTMENTS How I Got Started Dave Canale, Canale Insurance........... 10 Where in the World... Nicaragua, the new Costa Rica........ 16 Business Updates....................................... 28 Dining Out Rudy’s Lakeside Drive In, Oswego.............. 26 Economic Trends 10 regions compete for up to $750 million .. 51 My Turn One year after Clerk Kim Davis’ debacle............ 68 Last Page NBT’s Martin Dietrich on his decision to retire ..... 90 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home................................ 29 ALPS Professional Services.............................. 62 Amdursky, Pelky, Fennell & Wallen............... 11 Amerigas............................... 19 Arise...................................... 83 Berkshire Hathaway ............. 47 Blue Moon Grill.................... 25 Bond, Schoeneck & King, Attorneys at Law................ 7 Brookfield Renewable Power.................. 37 Burdick Ford......................... 11 Burke’s Home Center............ 23 C & S Companies................. 47 Canale Insurance................... 29 Canale’s Italian Cuisine........ 25 Cancer Services Program...... 24 Cayuga Community College............................... 92 Century 21 Galloway Realty.................... 19 Century 21 Leah Signature................... 23 Chase Enterprises.................. 91 Chirello Advertising................ 9 Community Bank.................... 9 Computer Accounting Services ............................. 42 Crouse Hospital....................... 2
Advertisers Davis-Standard LLC............. 24 Disciplined Management Capital.................................. 5 Dusting Divas........................ 50 Eis House.............................. 25 Entergy.................................. 79 Exelon Generation................ 84 Fastrac..................................... 6 Fitzgibbons Agency................ 8 Foster Funeral Home............. 44 Fulton Community Development Agency......... 62 Fulton Oswego Motor Express............................... 61 Fulton Savings Bank............... 7 Fulton Tool Co...................... 61 Gannon Pest Control ............ 23 Glider Oil................................ 6 Harbor Towne Gifts.............. 31 Hardwood Transformations................. 22 Haun Welding Supply, Inc.... 20 Hillside Park Real Estate...... 50 Holiday Inn Express.............. 91 Interface Solutions ............... 63 J P Jewelers........................... 31 Johnston Gas......................... 22 Key Bank.............................. 70
Local 73, Plumbers & Steamfitters....... 42 MetLife Ins. Co..................... 29 Mimi’s Drive Inn................... 25 Mr. Sub.................................. 25 NBT Bank............................. 14 Nelson Law Firm.................. 37 North Bay Campground........ 31 Northern Ace......................... 19 Novelis.................................. 66 Operation Oswego County.................................. 2 Oswego County Federal Credit Union......................... 8 Oswego County Mutual Insurance............................ 42 Oswego County Promotion Tourism Department......... 85 Oswego Health ..................... 15 Oswego Industries................. 47 Oswego Valley Insurance...... 42 Over the Top Roofing............ 23 Parker’s Excavating.............. 22 Parker’s Service.................... 20 Pathfinder Bank..................... 55 Patterson Warehousing.......... 61 Peter Realty / Simeon DeWitt................................ 83
Phoenix Press........................ 62 Port City Copy Center........... 21 Port of Oswego Authority..... 68 Pro-Build............................... 21 Public Health Nursing........... 83 Riccelli Northern................... 55 River Edge Mansion............. 31 RiverHouse Restaurant......... 25 Rudy’s................................... 25 SAM North America............. 68 Scriba Electric....................... 20 Servpro of Oswego County... 19 Storage 48............................. 21 Sunoco..................................... 3 SUNY Oswego, OBCD......... 44 Tailwater Lodge.................... 15 Technology Development Organization (TDO)......... 63 Uniforms Etc......................... 21 United Wire Technology....... 55 Universal Metal Works......... 61 Valley Locksmith.................. 19 Vernon Downs Casino Hotel..................................... 5 Volney Multiplex.................. 22 Watertown Industrial Center of Local Development.......... 91 White’s Lumber & Building Supply................. 23 Wiltsie Construction............. 61 WRVO................................... 65
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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COVERING CENTRAL NEW YORK OswegoCountyBusiness.com
Insurance for families, business, farms throughout CNY
Together serving all of Central New York
Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto
Associate Editor Lou Sorendo
Columnists
L. Michael Treadwell Bruce Frassinelli Sandra Scott, Jacob Pucci
Writers & Contributing Writers
Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Matthew Liptak, Nicole Shue Carol Thompson, Jamieson Persee
Advertising
Peggy Kain Shelley Manley
Office Manager Alice Davis
Layout and Design Eric Stevens
Cover Photo
Charles Wainwright
Oswego County Business is published by Local News, Inc., which also publishes CNY Summer Guide, Business Guide, CNY Winter Guide, College Life, In Good Health– The Healthcare Newspaper (four editions), CNY Healthcare Guide and 55PLUS, a Magazine for Active Adults (two editions) Published bi-monthly (6 issues a year) at 185 E. Seneca Street PO Box 276 Oswego, NY 13126. Subscription: $21.50 a year; $35 for two years © 2016 by Oswego County Business. All rights reserved. Third class postage paid at Syracuse, NY. Permit Number: 244
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P.O. Box 276 Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: 315/342-8020 Fax: 315-342-7776 Email: Editor@OswegoCountyBusiness.com
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
GREAT CLIENTS, OUTSTANDING RESULTS, FOR 20 YEARS! Chirello.com
Roettger Appointed Acting Provost at Oswego
S
UNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley has announced the appointment of Walter Roettger as acting provost and vice president for academic affairs. As the college’s chief academic officer, Roettger is responsible for leadership of all instructional and academic programs across the college, including Oswego’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, and School of Communication, Media and the Arts. “Dr. Roettger has an outstanding record of leadership in higher education,” said President Stanley. “We look forward to benefiting from his wealth of experience and insight.” Roettger is the president emeritus of Lyon College in Arizona, which he led to top-tier status among national liberal arts colleges. During his lengthy career he has served other colleges and universities as a vice president, provost, associate provost and dean, among other administrative positions. Since his retirement from Lyon, he has provided interim leadership previously to three institutions around the nation. He is contributing to a book on leadership in higher education forthcoming from the Johns Hopkins University Press. A graduate of Stanford University, Roettger received his doctorate in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He served with the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty with the rank of captain. As a professor, Roettger was first tenured at Drake University, where he received the Honor Teacher Award. He now resides in Oswego with his wife, Peggy Roettger. JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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How I Got
Started Dave Canale
Dave Canale, owner of Canale Insurance and Computer Accounting Services, began his business from scratch 13 years ago. He invested $10,000 and had no employees. Gross revenues now are in the millions and the business employs 13
Q.: How did you first get into the insurance industry? A.: After spending 11 years working for another agency, my brother Tracy and I opened our own office on May 1, 2003. We were located in the back of the old firehouse building on East Sixth and Bridge streets in Oswego. We occupied a small space and had barely enough room to put two desks in it. Our goal was to keep expenses as low as possible until we were financially ready. Q.: What did it cost to first start your business? A.: To start a business, you should be prepared to go up to a year before taking any kind of paycheck. When we opened, our monthly fixed expenses were around $1,500 total and, of that, 65 percent went toward advertising. We started with nobody — zero customers — and worked our way up. Now, we probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,500 policyholders and another 800 to 900 clients on the tax and payroll side. We were very fortunate in that we actually made a profit starting out in our very first full month in business. Q.: How did you market the business once it was launched? A.: We really focused on advertising in the Yellow Pages back then, which is not even a player anymore in terms of client exposure. We spent a lot of money up front on Yellow Pages advertising while also doing a lot of face-to-face interactions with prospective customers in the community. We are from Oswego and know thousands of people in and around Oswego. We went out and shook some hands, and participated and sponsored large bowling and golf leagues. We had plenty of prospective clients within arms’ reach, and the second we opened, a lot of friends and family were more than willing to say, “Hey, if you can help me out, I’d rather have my business with you than someone else I don’t know.” Q.: You purchased Computer Accounting Systems, once owned by Bill Symons, in February of 2014. How has that benefited your operation? A.: That was really a push to diversity while offering additional financial service products to our existing clients. It helps us because
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of the payroll, bookkeeping and tax clients. We have the appropriate insurance products to meet all their needs. Of course there have been some hurdles, the first being having two separate locations in the same city, which we are in the process of fixing. We recently purchased the First Turn Inn building on East Albany Street next to Oswego Speedway. We are in the process of renovating it and are planning on moving into the new location on Aug. 1. Once we combine the two offices, we’ll be able to capitalize on the centralized exposure. There’s about 2,500 square feet to house the nine employees we’ll have at that location. Q.: How much will the relocation cost? A.: The building was less than $100,000 and we’re going to put another $30,000 to $40,000 into it. You’re looking at roughly about $125,000 to $130,000 to have a fully renovated office building with plenty of parking. Q.: Your brother Tracy was also a co-founder of the business. How did you two complement each other when it comes to running the business? A.: From a business perspective, he came into the business with a sales certification from Xerox Business School and was a recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps, and I’m a numbers guy. He has a sales focus and I am the administrator. The true complement is that we both work to each other’s strengths in business. Every salesman would love to go out and spend a fortune advertising and sponsoring this, that and the other thing to try to get the opportunity to write new clients. I provide the voice of reason by weighing and valuing each one of those items before spending anything on them. Q.: What have been the keys to your success over the years? A.: In business and in life, the key to success is plain and simple — hard work. Everybody thinks they are going to kick the doors open today and be a successful businessperson tomorrow. And as we know, the majority of them will fail, some of them within a month, a year, or up to five years. Ultimately, the majority of them fail because they are not JUNE / JULY 2016
prepared to work hard or they lose sight of the fact that they have to continue to work hard to maintain their business. I work on average 50 hours a week, and during tax season, make it 80. Q.: You have other locations in Fulton and Stamford. How are they faring? A.: We’ve been at the Stamford location since 2005, and it holds its own. It has got a salesperson who is motivated there by contractual agreement to sell insurance and that’s what he does. We established the Fulton location on Dec. 23, 2005. We went from a two-person office to adding a third person over the last 10 years. When you look around at the local insurance environment in Oswego, you’ll notice that since we opened in 2003, two of the largest insurance agencies in New York state have closed their Oswego offices. And recently, a large national carrier closed its office as well. It’s been a business environment where everyone is eliminating the local bricks and mortar part of their operations and consolidating down with out-of-town offices. We, on the other hand, are expanding and here to stay. Ultimately for us, the growth opportunity is going to be there for the next five to 10 years due to these consolidations. We feel there’s a value to being a part of the community and maintaining a local presence, whereas the other big agents don’t anymore. Q.: What are your future expansion plans? A.: We are going to add another office somewhere between Fulton and Syracuse within the next 12 to 18 months, probably in the first quarter of 2017. We’re also exploring a few other opportunities that have presented themselves. I’m am a firm believer that you should analyze any opportunity and keep an open mind to both the benefits and pitfalls that may be associated with them. In this day and age, change is the only constant in life. There truly is no time sit back and say, “I think we’re good,” so I therefore always monitor our operating variables and make changes when deemed necessary.
By Lou Sorendo OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
26 East Oneida Street Oswego, NY 13126
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Profile By Lou Sorendo
LAURIE DAVIS New executive director of Oswego Industries, ARC of Oswego County ready to flow with changes
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vices area,” she said. aurie Davis is picking up where resident said. “My parents instilled the imporher mother and mentor left off. Her mom’s county post gave Davis Davis is the new executive direc- her first exposure to the field of human tance of working hard and in giving back tor of Oswego Industries, Inc./ARC of services. “When I was young, I started to the community. They are retired now, but continue to serve on local boards,” Oswego County. working sumshe said. Kathleen Smith, her mother, once mer jobs for With a wealth of experience to rely served as the commissioner of public the counon, Davis is taking the leadership health for Oswego County. ty and reins at OI/ARC during a time of One of Davis’ mentors, the late Eliz- that extransition. abeth “Betty” Vaught Baasch, worked at posed Davis had anchored the business OI/ARC for over 30 years before retiring me to finance office for six years prior to her as the executive director in 1999. t h e new post, mastering regulations and Davis, 49, had the opportunity h u programs while navigating through to work with Baasch, considered a m a n the mandatory tasks of compliance visionary leader in the developmental s e r and cost reporting to the state. disabilities profession. “Our business is challenged by OI is a private, nonprofit agency in many factors, among them a decrease Fulton that has been providing programs in manufacturing contracts that support and services to adults with disabilities our workshop as well as the transition since 1968. The ARC was formed in 1953 of funding from site-based vocational by a group of parents concerned about services to a prioritizing of commuthe lack of educational services for nity-based services,” she said. their developmentally disabled “With a county as large children. as ours, the transporThe ARC chapter is more tation of individuals to focused on adult day habilitacommunity vocational tion programs and is looking sites is a challenge. The to expand services to more shifts within both the seniors in the community. business arena and the ARC of Oswego, which field of developmenalso offers respite activital disabilities over ties, is one of 48 chapters the last 10 years is the under the umbrella of most significant that the NYSARC. I have ever experiAs the leader of enced. It reveals both two agencies with similar Birth date: Nov. 12, 1966 many challenges and missions, but different Birthplace: Oswego opportunities for us.” service delivery systems, In response, DaDavis is tasked with Current residence: Oswego vis is making the overseeing the develop- Education: Bachelor of Science degree in in human resources, SUNY Brockport agency as efficient ment of both business Career Highlights: Served as director of finance for six years prior to assuming the and as responsive as and social service ac- executive director’s role at Oswego Industries, Inc./Arc of Oswego County Affiliations: Financial Management Association; NYSARC Executive Directors’ possible. tivities. “We’ve had a lot “We are sister agen- Association of changes over the cies and share a lot of Family: Lives in Oswego with her fiancé, John Masuicca, and his son Nicholas last six months, but staff and collaboration,” Hobbies: Enjoys travel, golf, and supporting Syracuse Athletics as a football season they all appear to be the Oswego native and ticket holder
Lifelines
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pretty positive changes,” she said. One of her first moves was to restructure the administrative team to be more efficient and effective, building on the strengths of the leaders around her. OI/ARC of Oswego County went from a senior leadership team of seven to a team of four in Davis’ first six months. “I created three key positions that I believe are necessary for our continued success in an uncertain time for nonprofits,” said Davis, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in human resources at SUNY Brockport. These positions are associate executive director for programs (Alissa Viscome), director of administration (Darcy Antonucci) and director of operations (Igor Kasovski). Davis said the new leadership position of associate executive director of programs enhances the organizations’ missions. The new leadership position is responsible for the administration and implementation of new initiatives, the expansion of existing programs and enhancing OI/ARC’s presence in the community. “I like to surround myself with capable people. My three key directors are very good at what they do. I don’t feel it’s necessary to micromanage. I let them do their thing because they are great at it, and they appreciate it,” she said.
Funding challenge
Davis said 60 percent of OI/ARC’s revenue comes from Medicaid, while the balance is derived from various lines of business and other local and state funding. “Medicaid really looks at how we spend money and wants to reimburse us for what we are spending,” she said. However, “it’s been a struggle with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and some of the mandates he has put down to the Department of Health,” she said. Also, cuts at the federal level for Medicaid services have exacerbated the situation, she noted. To make matters worse, OI’s lines of business have shrunk over the years. The contracts that have fueled OI’s traditional workshops have disappeared as customers redirect assembly and packaging work to other areas or send it overseas, Davis noted. “Our strong lines right now are our textile, Novelis assembly/packaging business and our custodial/grounds division that provides grounds mainteJUNE / JULY 2016
“I know enough to not try to fix every problem from my level. I have been fortunate enough to recruit and retain great people around me on my team.” nance services to commercial customers in Oswego and Onondaga counties,” she said. “We are mining our strengths currently and expanding and hopefully growing over the next few years.” “It’s really about the individuals that we serve and seeing the difference we make in their lives,” she said. “The need is here and I don’t think many people realize how much of a need there is.” Davis recently had a conversation with a volunteer parent whose son receives services at OI. The parent said she was really trying to think about what makes OI different from other nonprofits. “It’s the way your staff treats my son,” Davis was told. “What we have done for her son for the past 11 years means so much to her.” However, Davis said it’s been difficult to get new individuals enrolled in services since the state stiffened regulations several years ago. “The state made it more difficult to bring people into the programs, so that’s why we are shifting into more community-based programs,” said Davis, noting that her strategic plan calls for more site-based outreach outside the confines of the organizations’ headquarters at 7 Morrill Place. “We’re currently doing intensive behavioral services one-on-one in people’s homes,” she said. “Our respite program is also taking individuals into the community in small groups. We’re looking to expand our presence in the community with new initiatives.” As of late April, OI/ARC of Oswego County was attempting to ramp up its staffing in order to provide adequate outreach into the community. Davis said it was a struggle getting positions filled. “I’m not sure if it’s the type of jobs that we are advertising for,” she said. “It takes a special kind of person to work in a direct-support professional position. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Plus it’s hard for us to compete, especially when there is talk about raising the minimum wage. There’s no funding that comes along with that. It’s going to be a struggle.”
Busy agenda
Davis’ days include meetings with her administrative team to review federal and local production contracts, business development, and production planning work, as well as habilitative and employment services for individuals with disabilities. A significant portion of her time is also spent in working with funders and representatives on regional and state levels to advocate for business and the needs of individuals that her team supports. Davis characterizes herself as being “very detail oriented, but someone who also looks at the big picture. “I like to look at our current contracts, initiatives, and programs and then project where we will be in the future. I believe in always looking ahead rather than looking backwards.” Davis said she recently saw a quote by Sir Ken Robinson that sums up her leadership style: “The role of a creative leader is not to have all the answers. It is to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they are valued.” “I know enough to not try to fix every problem from my level. I have been fortunate enough to recruit and retain great people around me on my team,” Davis said. “My job is to help facilitate their greatness and then get out of their way.” Davis said she loves to travel to experience bigger cities, but it’s the close-knit community here in Oswego County that keeps bringing her back. Her favorite places to visit? “Anywhere with a beach,” said Davis, who attended St. Paul’s Academy and Oswego Catholic [Bishop Cunningham] High School] in Oswego as a youth. Her parents spend six to eight weeks wintering in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Davis’ family makes it a point to spend time with them in the Sunshine State. She also enjoys visiting New York City. Davis is affiliated with the Financial Management Association and the NYSARC Executive Directors’ Association. She lives in Oswego with her fiancé, John Masuicca, and his son Nicholas. She enjoys golf and supporting Syracuse University athletics as a football season ticket holder. 13
Publisher’s note
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f you are one of those people who complain there is nothing to do in town, I have good news for you. Rush to the nearest hotel, motel, diner or any high traffic location in the region and grab a copy of the 2016 Summer Guide — The Best of Upstate New York. Even better, check the guide online at www. cnysummer.com. We just published our 22th annual summer guide and it is one of our best to date. With a colorful, attractive glossy cover, we list more than 1,000 fun events taking place from Buffalo to Albany with a focus on Central New York. We also bring feature stories ranging from a description of various castles in Upstate New York (I can’t get enough of the Boldt Castle in the the Thousand Island region — what a great asset to the region it is) to stories featuring some of the top museums (Eastman House in Rochester, the Jell-O Museum in LeRoy and Safe Haven in Oswego come to mind).
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By Wagner Dotto
The guide has been successful since the first time we launched it — in 1995. At the time, we had a local tourism industry that was discovering its potential. Ours was the very first professional “destination” guide in the region
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
to promote the tourism industry locally. Over the years, we have invested a great deal on resources into producing and distributing a guide that’s interesting, widely available and inexpensive to advertise. We’re excited with the new issue. The guide looks a lot more colorful and the colors are sharper, livelier, more eye catching. As in the past, we hope the guide is an important tool to promote the local tourism industry and the businesses that make this industry work.
WAGNER DOTTO is the publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine.
JUNE / JULY 2016
You Asked. We’re Changing. Oswego Health is collaborating with the best regional and national healthcare organizations to continue advancing care in Oswego County.
Chuck Gijanto Oswego Health President and CEO
Oswego Health I
oswegohealth.org 315-349-5500
JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Where in the World is Sandra Scott? By Sandra Scott
Nicaragua
The New Costa Rica Managua is still a draw, but colonial cities of Granada and Leon are getting more popular among those looking to explore Nicaraguan history
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icaragua is the “New Costa Rica” — in other words, it is the new place to experience Central America without scads of tourists and accompanying high prices. The country has recovered from the devastation of the 1980s and 1990s caused by conflict between the socialistic Sandinista junta and the opposition, the U.S.-backed contras. It wasn’t the first involvement by a group from the United States. Every school child in Central America learns about William Walker, an American who invaded Nicaragua with his private army in the 1800s. Walker became president of Nicaragua
from 1856 to 1857. Around the same time, Cornelius Vanderbilt considered building a canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by connecting the natural waterways. The idea was dropped with the building of the Panama Canal but now a Chinese tycoon has decided to build a new trans-isthmus canal. It was to start in 2016 but little work has been done and work is at a standstill. Nicaragua has tropical rainforests, long sweeping beaches on the Pacific Ocean, colonial cities, unique islands and amazing wildlife much of which hasn’t been “loved to death” by tourists. All visits start in Managua, which at one time was the most developed city
in Central America. All that changed on Dec. 23, 1972 when a major earthquake destroyed 90 percent of the downtown area and killed nearly 20,000 people. Many countries sent millions of dollars of aid but stories that the aid was not reaching the people caused Roberto Clemente, a popular All-Star baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, to personally accompany one of the flights to oversee the distribution of goods. That flight crashed on Dec. 31, 1972, killing Clemente and other passengers. The center of the city laid in ruins for decades with the skeleton of the cathedral a constant reminder of the devastation. Today, the city is once again
San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua is the most visited beach in Central America. It combines tropical rainforests and long sweeping beaches.
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building and improving. However, it is the colonial cities of Granada and Leon that are the draw for those looking to explore Nicaraguan history. For those wishing to bypass Managua there is a Best Western hotel directly across from the airport. Many tourists come for the beautiful, unspoiled beaches. Pochomil and Montelimar are the closest to Managua. Montelimar is now managed by the Barcelo Hotel chain but was once the sugar plantation and beach retreat of the infamous Anastasio Somoza. La Flor Beach is a wildlife refuge for sea turtles and one of the five places in the world where they come ashore to lay their eggs. San Juan Del Sur is without a doubt the most visited beach in Central America. All the beaches are popular with Nicaraguans during holidays. Lake Nicaragua is the 19th largest lake in the world and the largest in Central America. The lake has interesting islands and is noted for having elusive fresh-water sharks. Ometepe Island is easily identifiable by its twin volcanic peaks. It has become popular for eco-tourists and those looking for a sublime getaway. The Solentiname Islands have no roads, electricity or running water but are famed as an artist colony where families have been creating bright-colored artwork for generations. Getting around Nicaragua is easy. The major roads are well-maintained and the drivers follow the rules making it a good place to rent a car. The bus system is also good. Accommodations run the gamut from homestays to exclusive luxury resorts. Visitors need a valid passport. There is a $10 entry tax — cash only, but major credit cards are widely accepted and there are convenient ATMs. Do not change US dollars into foreign money at the money exchange in an international airport — ever! According to statistics by Interpol and the United Nations, Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in the Americas, and the safest in Central America.
The skeleton of a cathedral in Managua is a reminder of the devastating earthquake that hit the city in 1972, destroying 90 percent of the city and killing 20,000 people.
Conception Volcano on Omepete Island, which sits on Lake Nicaragua, the 19th largest lake in the world. It has become popular for eco-tourists and those looking for a sublime getaway.
Sandra Scott, a retired history teacher and the co-author of two local history books, has been traveling worldwide with her husband, John, since the 1980s. The Scotts live in the village of Mexico. JUNE / JULY 2016
Cultural show taking place in Managua. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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NEWSMAKERS NEWS BRIEFS ON LOCAL BUSINESS & BUSINESS PEOPLE
NBT’s New Leadership Announced The board of directors of NBT Bancorp Inc. recently elected President and CEO Martin A. Dietrich to the position of chairman, following the retirement of Daryl R. Forsythe. Dietrich also announced his intention to retire from active employment in December. Dietrich began his career in financial services with NBT Bank, N.A. in 1981. He joined the bank’s senior Dietrich management team in 1995. Dietrich became president in 2000; advanced to president and CEO of the bank and president of NBT in 2004; and ultimately became CEO of NBT in 2006. He joined the bank board of directors in 1993 and NBT’s board of directors in 2005. Dietrich is a graduate of Colgate University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. The NBT board of directors also unanimously endorsed a succession plan that calls for the promotion of John H. Watt, Jr. to the position of president of the bank effective immediately and expanded roles for other members of NBT’s executive management team. Upon Dietrich’s retirement from active employment, Watt will succeed him as chief executive officer of NBT and the bank. “NBT has benefited from consistent leadership for several decades,” said Dietrich. “We are pleased to have the resources within our organization to create this succession plan. The board’s unanimous endorsement of the plan speaks to the high level of confidence they have in John Watt and NBT’s entire executive management team.” Watt joined NBT in 2014 to lead the bank’s expansion into Maine and establish a regional headquarters in Portland. Since joining NBT, his role has expanded to provide executive 18
leadership for credit administration, consumer lending, marketing and product development. He was promoted to executive vice president and joined NBT’s executive management team Watt in 2015. Watt has over 30 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining NBT, he was executive vice president of commercial banking, investment management and bank operations at Alliance Bank, N.A.
through the merger with the NBT in 2013. He was also a member of the board of directors for Alliance Bank and Alliance Financial Corporation. Previously, he was employed by JP Morgan Chase and its predecessors. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned his Juris Doctor degree from The National Law Center at George Washington University. Executive Vice President and President of Wealth Management Timothy L. Brenner’s responsibilities have expanded to include oversight of all nonbank business, including wealth management and financial services, Brenner NBT’s 401(K) plan recordkeeping firm, EPIC Advisors,
OCO Salutes Oswego County Federal Credit Union
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swego County Opportunities (OCO) Executive Director Diane Cooper-Currier (third from left) presents Oswego County Federal Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Bill Carhart (third from right) with OCO’s Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award. Oswego County Federal Credit Union staff was recognized for their support of OCO’s annual consumer Christmas dinner. Also pictured from left are Oswego County Federal Credit Union staff members Brian Cummings, vice president of branch operations; Aimee Glerum, vice president of lending; Mary Greeney, vice president, member services; and OCO Board President Connie Cosemento. “The staff of Oswego County Federal Credit Union went above and beyond in support of our annual Consumer Christmas Dinner,” said OCO Development Coordinator Margaret Barclay. “They assisted with set up and decoration the day before the dinner as well serving dinners, helping with the entertainment, and cleaning up following the event. They are already looking forward to this year’s dinner and will be assisting with the planning process as well.” OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
Inc., and NBT-Mang Insurance Agency. Brenner has more than 25 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining NBT in 2012, he was employed at M&T Bank as senior vice president of M&T Investment Group where he managed their multi-state Institutional Services Division. He was also president of MTB Funds and M&T Life Insurance Company. He holds a certified financial planner (CFP) designation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College and his master’s degree in education from John Carroll University. Executive Vice President Matthew K. Durkee was promoted to the position of president of New England. Durkee joined NBT in 2009 to lead the bank’s expansion into Vermont. His leadership responsibilities have expanded as the bank’s presence in New England has Durkee grown to include Massachusetts, New Hampshire and now Maine. He also provides executive oversight for the bank’s residential mortgage division. Durkee was promoted to executive vice president and joined NBT’s executive management team in 2015. Durkee has more than 30 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining NBT, he was senior vice president of regional financial services and president of Chittenden Canada for People’s United Bank, based in Bridgeport, Conn., and its predecessor, Chittenden Bank, based in Burlington, Vt. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Green Mountain University and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Executive Vice President Joseph R. Stagliano is also taking on a broader leadership role and now has responsibility for retail banking in addition to his duties as chief Stagliano information officer where he oversees functions related JUNE / JULY 2016
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to information technology, operations, systems development and facilities. Stagliano’s new title is executive vice president of operations and retail banking. Stagliano has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined NBT in 1999 and has held a number of leadership positions in operations. He was promoted to chief information officer and joined NBT’s executive management team in 2006. Prior to joining NBT, Stagliano was employed by MetLife and advanced to leadership roles in customer service and call center management during his tenure there. Stagliano holds a bachelor’s degree in business and public management from the SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica.
Barton & Loguidice Acquires Firm Barton & Loguidice of Liverpool has recently acquired David Clouser & Associates (David Clouser Engineering, PLLC), based in New Paltz. As a result of the acquisition, the employees at David Clouser & Associates have joined the Barton & Loguidice staff. The Clouser firm was established in 1995 to provide professional engineering and land planning services to the public and private sector. The firm has a broad background in civil and environmental engineering, including environmental review and permitting, design and construction administration. The Clouser firm has a proud history and strong reputation for developing state-of-the-art designs that consider short-term and longterm affordability, aesthetics, and an appropriate emphasis on environmental compatibility and development sustainability. David Clouser will lead the ongoing project efforts for Barton & Loguidice in New Paltz. Richard Straut, executive vice president of Barton & Loguidice, will continue to lead the firm’s overall efforts in the Hudson Valley offices, which include Albany, Newburgh and Ellenville. “This acquisition strengthens and enhances our presence in the Hudson Valley and provides us the opportunity to serve new public and OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
private clients throughout the region,” said Nicholas Pinto, president of Barton & Loguidice. He added, “Dave Clouser is an experienced, highly regarded and very well respected engineering professional and we are very excited to have him and his staff join our team.”
Frassinelli Honored by Media Association Oswego County Business Magazine and 55 Plus columnist Bruce Frassinelli has won second place in the Pennsylvania Keystone Press Awards competition, sponsored by the Pennsylvania News Media Association. Frassinelli was cited for three opinion columns he wrote on local issues for the Times News, the daily newspaper in Lehighton, Pa. The Keystone Press Awards reinforce excellence by individuals in the news media profession by recognizing journalism that “consistently provides relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers, Frassinelli and faithfully fulfills its First Amendment rights/ responsibilities,” according to Executive Director Melinda Conlon. Frassinelli, who teaches an online communication ethics course for SUNY Oswego and an in-classroom state and local government class at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, Pa., is the retired publisher and editor of The Palladium-Times. Before his promotion to that position, he was the general manager and editor of The Express-Times in Easton, Pa.
Harshbarger Elected at Lawyer’s Foundation Laura H. Harshbarger, an attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King in Syracuse, has been elected director of the Onondaga County Bar foundation board. Harshbarger is the chairwoman JUNE / JULY 2016
of the Fourth Department Judicial Screening Committee and a member of the Statewide Judicial Screening Committee. She was appointed to these committees in by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013. These committees evaluate the qualifications of judicial candidates and make recommendations to the governor with respect to which candidates are qualified to hold judicial positions. She is Harshbarger also a member of Bond’s management committee. Harshbarger practices labor and employment law and higher education law and strives to be actively engaged with her clients, taking the time to understand each organization’s unique needs and goals, and providing tailored, practical advice.
Burritt Motors Adds Two Sales People Brian Joyce and Gino Ruggio recently joined Burritt Motors as sales representatives “We’re delighted to add to our growing sales team,” said Rich Burritt, the dealership’s owner. “Both have excellent rapport skills and a reputation for putting customers at ease and making sure that they are delighted with their visit to Burritt Motors.” Joyce has worked in Joyce insurance sales for the last six years and has prior experience at dealerships in Syracuse. Joyce is an Oswego native who resides in Sterling with wife Cari, daughter Chloe, and son Ethan. Ruggio is an
Ruggio
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United Way Names Campaign Assistant Kalyn Duguay has been named campaign assistant for United Way of Greater Oswego County. A graduate of SUNY Oswego with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business, Duguay previously served as an intern with the agency. Duguay will be involved in all aspects of the United Way’s annual campaign and special events, including the upcoming United Way golf tournament, the Stuff-A-Bus Duguay campaign, and the annual United Way breakfast.
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Shawna Perau, manager at Thunder Island Amusement Park in Fulton, has recently graduated with honors from Florida Gulf Coast University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies with minors in political science and philosophy. Perau is currently interning at the New York Perau State Division of Human Rights in Syracuse. She plans to attend law school in the fall of 2017. She is the daughter of Harry and Tammie Perau and granddaughter of Evelyn and Robert Crandell and Harold and Ann Perau.
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Dannible & McKee Tax Partner Speaks at Expo Dannible & McKee, LLP Partner Michael J. Reilly recently spoke at the 2016 AIA Westchester Hudson Valley Design & Technology Expo. The event was held on March 14 at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. Reilly’s presentation focused on ownership transition for the design professionals. The 2016 Expo Reilly represented the continuing evolution of architectural technology and practice and served as an arena for networking, product research and continuing educational credits. AIA Westchester Hudson Valley represents more than 600 members. The chapter has a focus on more humane built environment and a higher standard of professionalism for architects throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region of New York state. Reilly is partner-in-charge of the Dannible’s tax department. Since beginning his career in 1979, he has developed experience in all areas of income and estate taxation, with a strong emphasis in individual and corporate tax planning, business valuations, ownership transition and employee benefits. He concentrates in various industry specialties, including manufacturing, construction, automotive dealerships and professional service organizations. Reilly received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Le Moyne College, and is a certified public accountant in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
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he American Council on Education has named Kristen Eichhorn, professor of communication studies at SUNY Oswego and faculty fellow in the college’s president’s office, as an ACE Fellow for academic year 2016-17. Eichhorn is one of 33 fellows, nominated by the senior administration of their institutions, who were selected this year following a rigorous application process. The 51-year-old ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration. “During this yearlong fellowship, my goal is to investigate campus culture and its relationship to greater efficiency and productivity,” Eichhorn said. “I am most interested in developing strategies across institutional units to effect positive change that is aligned with the institution’s mission.” In SUNY Oswego’s president’s office, Eichhorn has been involved with reviewing, devising and implementing college-wide policies and procedures, including diversity and inclusion training, family leave and lactation rooms, faculty and staff search processes, and child protection policies. Eichhorn is one of two faculty senators representing SUNY Oswego in the SUNY-wide Faculty Senate. She is director this year of the Eastern Communication Association’s undergraduate scholars conference and director for educational relations of the International Society of Communication Science and Medicine. Her first academic posting was at Towson University. She moved to SUNY Oswego in 2007, and from 2010 to 2013 she chaired Oswego’s department of communication studies. She served as the interim dean of the division of extended learning in 2013.
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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in New York State and cancer prevention screenings help detect cancer early, when treatments can be most successful! Screenings for breast, cervical and colon cancers can prevent cancer from ever developing. Research has shown that offering designated time off for cancer screenings increases employee screening rates. A business can realize a return on investment for this policy. A cancer diagnosis is estimated to cost a business more than $1,600 annually per employee in lost productivity. Cancer is the second leading cause of long-term disability. Additional costs can be avoided from higher health care costs, short-term disablitity and life insurance premium. The sooner policies are implemented, the sooner businesses will realize the savings and a healthier workforce
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Eichhorn Named Fellow at American Council on Education
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DiningOut By Jacob Pucci
Restaurant
Guide
Rudy’s Lakeside DriveIn has been a staple in Oswego on the shores of Lake Ontario near the SUNY Oswego campus.
Rudy’s Lakeside Drive-In It makes some of the best hot dogs in Central New York, but don’t leave without eating a haddock sandwich
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or 70 years, the return of Rudy’s has meant springtime and the beginning of warm weather in Oswego. Rudy’s Lakeside Drive-In, a Lake Ontario landmark, has been serving fried seafood, Hofmann hot dogs and other fare for so long, SUNY Oswego was still known as Oswego State Teachers College. Ordering at Rudy’s can be a bit of controlled chaos, but thanks to arriving at 3 p.m. on a recent Sunday, the crowds were largely kept at bay. The menu is written on black letter boards behind the counter that runs the length of the restaurant. There are 26
a few seats inside, good for those early spring or late fall days when the lake breeze is a bit too chilly, but Rudy’s is best appreciated while sitting at a picnic table, listening to the gentle waves crash against the shore. I’ve never left Rudy’s without eating a haddock sandwich and I was not about to make an exception now. The beauty in the haddock sandwich ($6.94) lies in its simplicity. It’s a generous, nearly foot-long filet of haddock, breaded and fried and served on a hamburger bun comically small by comparison. While each bite is delicious, the thickest part of the skin-on (as is the norm for haddock OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
in Central New York) filet is melt-in-ourmouth tender, disappearing as softly as the fluffy bun. An order of fried smelts, fried clams, salt potatoes and a coney topped with Texas hot sauce, chopped onions and mustard rounded out our order. Any menu item can be made “hot” (topped with Texas hot sauce, onions and mustard) for an extra $1.20. While waiting for the order, I saw several “hot” haddock sandwiches ordered by other diners. I applauded the genius of those who thought to order such a great combination, but was envious that I’d have to wait until next time to try it. JUNE / JULY 2016
The beauty in the haddock sandwich ($6.94) lies in its simplicity. It’s a generous, nearly foot-long filet of haddock, breaded and fried and served on a hamburger bun.
At Rudy’s, a Texas is a frankfurter, or red hot, while a coney is a snappy griller, or white hot. In Michigan, the Texas hot would be called a coney. In the North Country, it’s called a Michigan. On Coney Island, you’d be hard-pressed to find either kind of coney. While the name is confusing, it’s crystal clear that Rudy’s makes some of the best hot dogs in Central New York. The natural-casing dogs appear to be deep fried and retain their snap, even under a thick hot sauce cloak. The spice of the hot sauce, which Rudy’s sells by the pint, is balanced with the sweetness from the onion and richness from the beef. I can see why people put it on top of everything. The fried smelt ($4.15) was a generous serving of an underappreciated fish. The small fish are served whole
The natural-casing dogs appear to be deep fried and retain their snap, even under a thick hot sauce cloak. The spice of the hot sauce, which Rudy’s sells by the pint, is balanced with the sweetness from the onion and richness from the beef. Next is fried clam strips.
and simply fried with a side of tartar sauce. They have a stronger flavor than the haddock, but are mild enough for easy snacking. Salt potatoes ($2.30) come three to an order and are nearly as tender and sweet as the bath of melted butter that comes with the potatoes. Don’t be shy about dipping other things in the leftover butter once the potatoes are gone. Clam strips are all too often more like clam-flavored breading than actual fried seafood, but at Rudy’s, the strips ($2.70) are plump, large and delicious, especially when dipped in tartar sauce or leftover salt potato butter. The special seasoning on all Rudy’s food is the view. It’s the spraying waves hitting your nose just as you take a bite of fish sandwich, or sitting on the ledge and watching the sunset over the lake
with a cold beer in your hand. Rudy’s food is great enough to stand alone, but why should it?
Rudy’s Lakeside Drive-In
Address: 78 County Rte. 89, Oswego, NY 13126 Hours: Open from March until Columbus Day Wed. thru Sun, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: 315-343-2671 Website: www.rudyshot.com Note: Cash only. ATM in the parking lot.
The menu is written on black letter boards behind the counter that runs the length of the restaurant. JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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The Browngardt family has taken over ownership of Northern Ace Home Center at state Route 3 and Silk Road in Fulton. Members include, from left, Timothy, Rachael, Chasity and Michael Browngardt.
New Owners Cultivating Business at Northern Ace Home Center
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Family of former employee making a go of Fulton hardware store
he new owners of Northern Ace Home Center in Fulton hold the high cards as the home improvement and gardening seasons kick into high gear. Northern Ace Home Center is located at 2721 state Route 3 (32 Silk Road), Fulton. When Riccelli Enterprises, a trucking firm headquartered in North Syracuse, acquired the majority of The Northern Group in Fulton from Tom Venezia in 2014, it opened the door for the Browngardt family. The transaction included Venezia’s concrete block plants and aggregate businesses, but did not include the home center. Michael Browngardt worked for Northern Ace Home Center for 15 years and when Venezia decided to retire last
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year, he saw an opportunity he couldn’t big box stores where you have to look pass up. for what you need or find someone who The transaction was worth $750,000, knows what you need,” he added. and included property and inventory. Rachael said more customers are Michael has been in the building traveling long distances to visit the store industry for 25 years and knew that he because of the one-on-one interaction. could grow the business. “At a larger retail store, staff might Joining Michael at the business is his be able to point me in the right direction, wife Chasity, brother but I just don’t need a product. I need Timothy and sister-in- someone to tell me how to use it,” she said law Rachael. “We are pulling in more clientele Michael said pro- aside from contractors, and also have viding one-on-one ser- female clientele that are coming in with vice gives his business do-it-yourself projects,” she said. “They a competitive edge. say, ‘I need this, but I’m not really sure “When you walk in, you’re going to what else I need.’ It’s a great thing to get greeted. We’re going to be here to take watch employees interact with the care of your every need and whatever customers and help them get further Deborah Cabral, also known as The you’re looking for,” he said. and help them go about DeClutterinformation Coach. “You’re not going to walk around getting that project done.” and search the store like you do in the Half of Northern’s customer mix
BUSINESS UPDATE
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
are contractors while the other half are do-it-yourselfers and homeowners.
Changing inventory
The business has changed its product mix, adding items it did not feature before. It has transitioned from Northern Concrete Block, primarily designed as a supply house for contractors, to a business that carries a more diverse inventory. “I like to tell everybody we can do anything from the ground up for your house, from the foundation all the way to the roof,” Michael said. “In this community, people like to come in and shop and visit with owners that are a part of their community,” Chasity said. “It’s much more personable than your big box options. We decided that it would fit our family needs and with young children in school, our schedules are more flexible.” Chasity said the business features a knowledgeable staff and provides excellent customer service. The business offers a full-service lumberyard with delivery, as well as a full line of hardware products and building materials in the store. “If we don’t have it, we can get it,” Chasity said. “We are just now getting our expanded sales space up and running so customers can view all of our hardscapes, such as pavers and retaining walls,” she added. The business also sells bulk aggregates that include topsoil, runner crush and stone. It rents a variety of equipment such as demo saws, jackhammers, tampers, rototillers and wood splitters. Northern Ace Home Center also provides key-cutting services, pipe threading and fills propane tanks. The center also plans on establishing a new garden center focused on plants and outdoor accessories. “We plan on working with our local greenhouses to expand our selections of plants and flowers,” Chasity said. The center will feature products ranging from soils and mulches to wheelbarrows, pressure washers and lawn mowers. Diversifying with a garden center will be beneficial, particularly when many customers are do-it-yourselfers in need of items such as mulch and garden soils, Michael said. The business is gradually starting to expand product lines, and recently added the Traeger grill line. “We are also starting to focus more JUNE / JULY 2016
on outdoor furniture and yard accessories,” Chasity said. “For years, we focused more on the contractor business and now we are starting to bring in more items that home owners like to see.
Getting the word out
The new owners said one of the most significant challenges in launching his new business is getting his name out there and letting people know there was an ownership change. “We are outside of the city so we are not visible to everyone.” Chasity said. “We get a lot of people who stop in and say, “We didn’t even know you were here.” Michael said people don’t associate Northern Concrete Block as a supplier of soil or planting materials, and he wants to change that image while getting a feel for what his customers want. Michael plays all roles at the business, and his customers appreciate that. “When people find out I’m the one ringing you up, or at the counter selling, or I’m the guy in the yard loading you up because my guys are all busy, people tend to gravitate toward that,” he said. Northern Ace Home Center has 11 employees, and Michael noted his building is conducive to future expansion. “We can’t get too big where we forget about taking care of everybody who comes through the door,” he said. “I won’t let that happen.” Northern Ace Home Center provided materials to help with the revitalization of Hulett Park in Fulton last fall, an endeavor spearheaded by Friends of Fulton Parks. “It is very important for us to give back to the community that is so generous to us,” Chasity said. “I believe we need to help revitalize the parks for the younger generations to come.” They are still working with Kelley Weaver, board member of Friends of Fulton Parks, and continuing to contribute to the Hulett Park project. Michael and Timothy have children who participate in local youth soccer leagues, and the owners intend on supporting those organizations as well. Rachael is a victim services specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the business intends on supporting that cause. Michael, 41, is originally from Syracuse. The Fulton resident and his wife have a daughter and son.
By Lou Sorendo OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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An all-female team of attorneys: Audrey Flynn, from left, Allison Nelson and Rachael Flach. The business recently relocated to the west side of Oswego.
Nelson Law Firm Relocates to West Side of Oswego
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llison Nelson, owner of Nelson Law Firm and Oswego native, has recently moved offices and is now located at 209 W. Seventh St. in Oswego. The building was formerly owned by physician Selma Sheridan. Her husband, Chris Nelson, who is a State Farm Insurance agent in Oswego, has also moved his office to the same location. The newly renovated building has two conference rooms, a wheelchair ramp and private offices for each of the three attorneys. Audrey Flynn will join Nelson and Rachael Flach as the firm’s third attorney June 20. Flynn’s focus will be family law. With two conference rooms, the firm is able to do more than one real estate closing at a time. The setup, Nelson says, is better for confidentiality and separates clients from the firm’s now six support staffers.
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Nelson said she began to look for a new office more than a year ago, when her former office began to run out of storage space and room for personnel. The transaction closed on Halloween of last year, and the firm officially relocated on April 1. “This was a perfect time for us to relocate. The new offices enable us to accommodate our clients more effectively and efficiently,” said Nelson. “We have grown a lot in the last five years, and faster than anticipated.” The Nelson Law Firm serves clients in the areas of estates and trusts, real estate, vehicle and traffic matters, municipal law, and business and corporate law. Nelson says that her business has seen a significant increase over the last five years in handling estates and real estate transactions. The Nelson Law Firm has new clients, which include the municipalities of Central Square and the town of Sterling as well as three major clients, OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Pathfinder Bank, Empower FCU and M&T Bank. Nelson has practiced law for over 17 years in Oswego County. The Nelson Law Firm is a New York State Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise. This certification is something that Nelson wanted to pursue when she first started her practice. She said it allows her to offer certain government-funded loan programs to the 15 municipalities she represents. Nelson comes from a family of entrepreneurs. The new LED overhead lighting at the law office is from her father Gerry Standard’s Fulton Business, Gosch Supply & Lighting Center. Nelson’s grandfather owned a State Farm agency in Oswego County in the 1950s. “My mother would say that I have my father’s drive,” said Nelson. “Running businesses is something we all do, it’s in our blood.”
By Nicole Shue JUNE / JULY 2016
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Launching a new business
Alice Davis recently opened Alice’s Scoops, located off George Street in the former Ponderosa Steakhouse parking lot off state Route 104 East.
Inside Scoop New ice cream parlor — Alice’s Scoops — opens on Oswego’s east side
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hat’s the scoop? With a hot and dry summer expected, ice cream enthusiasts will be out in force looking for a cool and refreshing treat. Enter Alice Davis and her new ice cream parlor, Alice’s Scoops. The business is located at 147 George St., Oswego, at the former Ponderosa Steakhouse parking lot off state Route 104 East. “Once I realized there wasn’t anything on the east side of Oswego that offered the whole ice cream experience, I figured this was an opportunity waiting for me,” she said. The business features vanilla, chocolate and twist soft ice cream as well as 10 different varieties of hard ice cream, including favorites such as sea salt caramel malt, black raspberry and cotton candy. She also offers flurries, milk shakes and banana splits. “I get a lot of comments by people who are surprised at the variety I have for such a small shop. Everybody loves the simplicity,” she said. The business also features picnic tables with umbrellas providing shade. For her soft serve ice cream, Davis uses a high custard content. “I’ve got
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a lot of compliments on it, so I hope it’s something that sets me apart from others,” she noted. Davis has a background in business and the hospitality field. She graduated with a degree in business administration from Cayuga Community College and worked as the office manager for Local News, Inc., publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine. “With my business degree, I understand how to manage the books, marketing aspects and the importance of customer service,” Davis said. She also graduated from the Oswego County Micro-Enterprise Business Training Program. “It taught me basically what’s allowed and what’s not allowed,” she said. It also provided vital marketing tips to Davis, and underlined the importance of reining in her expenses. “A lot of ice cream businesses go under because their owners get in over their heads,” she said. They tend to purchase tens of thousands of dollars in state-of-the-art equipment, but quickly find they are starting out in a deep financial hole. Davis expects to gross anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 a month, numbers she garnered from other owners in the business. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
“My husband, son and myself were sitting in our vehicle at PJ’s Ice Cream in Oswego. My husband has always thought I could run a business and that I would do well, and I thought, ‘I can do this.’” She noted the east side of the city did not feature an ice cream parlor, and she jumped on the opportunity. “I spent a lot of time researching and trying to learn as much as could about what I need to know and how to go about it,” she said. “People think you just scoop or swirl ice cream onto a cone, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.” Among Davis’ greatest challenges when launching her business was navigating through the maze of complex paperwork at City Hall and the Oswego County Health Department. When the dust did clear, she did qualify for a $50,000 loan administered through the city of Oswego Community Development Office, which alleviated any financial challenges she faced. Among her major expenses was a trailer that cost $25,000. Other costs included new equipment, power installation, and fees and permit application expenses. Her husband Kane attends to all her maintenance needs while their son Kane II provides his mom relief after school. Davis has been using social media outlets such as Facebook to get the word out on her new business. “Social media has been great for me. It spread like wildfire. I had people coming in saying I was the new talk of Oswego,” she said. Davis is looking to the community for support, and wants to network with other small commercial enterprises to do business with them on a cooperative basis. “If we do business with each other, the sales tax stays here, we keep our taxes lower and help our neighboring businesses. I think that is a great thing,” she said. The business is seasonal, opening as soon as weather permits and closing in September. Her future goals include establishing a permanent location on the city’s eastside and adding staff. Alice’s Scoops is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and longer if customer demand is there.
By Lou Sorendo JUNE / JULY 2016
Robin Caster is the owner of Caster Well Drilling and Water Conditioning in Fulton.
Family Business Runs Deep
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Caster Well Drilling providing water drilling for over 100 years
e knows the drill. Robin Caster is the owner of Caster Well Drilling and Water Conditioning, 380 Lakeshore Road, Fulton. In its 105th year, the family-owned business is one of the longest-standing companies in Oswego County. Besides well drilling, it installs and services water pumps and pressure tanks while providing water treatment service. It all started when Caster ’s great-grandfather, Ozias, and his great-uncle, Leon, bought a well-drilling machine in the early 1900s. They started drilling in Pulaski and worked together for a few years before going their own ways. Leon went to Cleveland in southern Oswego County and drilled into the 1970s. Ozias moved to Richland and then Scriba before settling on the California Road in Southwest Oswego. The family business was based there until Caster moved it to Fulton in 1979. “I’ve been running the business for 37 years but actually have been drilling for 40, ever since I got out of high school,” he said. “The business is 105 years old and I’ve been here for 40 of it. All of a sudden, I realize that, ‘Wow, I’m getting old.’” Caster said the business’ longevity is attributed to a solid business reputation. “We make a lot of our customers and people very happy with our work and our prices are fair,” he said. JUNE / JULY 2016
Caster said he runs a service-related business and if a customer is out of water because of a pump issue, he is there with a fix. “We have five service trucks and there are 10 of us in the family business. If someone is out of water, we go. Usually within 24 hours of when someone calls, their water is going again,” Caster said. While making and keeping customers satisfied, Caster also networks extensively with different contractors and people in the business world. “I like to try to make friends with everybody we work for. I try to make them feel comfortable enough so if they have a problem, not only will they call back, they are more than happy to recommend us. We try to leave them with a good taste in their mouth,” he said. Caster’s market area is within a 60to 80-mile radius of Fulton and includes Wayne and Cayuga counties. “With our size business, if we had to depend on the work that is within a 10-mile radius of Fulton, we’d starve,” said Caster, noting there is not a lot of new construction going on locally. “You have to go where the work is.”
BUSINESS UPDATE
Market wide open
It was just a three-man crew when Caster began running the family business in 1979. Ten years ago, there were 10 other OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
well drillers in Oswego County, Caster said. “Today, there is one other person in Oswego County, and he doesn’t even do residential. He does commercial and geothermal,” Caster said. However, a void was created due to well drillers retiring or passing on. “We do the majority of our work in Oswego County. We have the equipment, the know-how and three of my sons who work with me have the energy to get work done,” he said. Caster is the managing partner of the corporation. “Sooner or later, one of the sons will take over or hopefully they will work together as a group to continue the business,” he said. He said all three of his sons have different skill sets and gifts. “That is something that we’re going to have to work through over the next 10 years or so,” said Caster, who recently turned 59. Well drilling is good up until December, when the cold and snow deters folks from wanting to do such things, Caster said. January and February are notoriously slow as well for the same reason, he added. Water treatment jobs, however, are weather-proof, giving his business a 12-month revenue stream.
Accommodating sportsmen
Much activity for Caster happens in the Redfield and Orwell areas of Oswego County, along its easternmost border. There, people from places such as New York City, Boston and Philadelphia establish seasonal residences to take advantage of the region’s fishing, hunting and snowmobiling opportunities. Last year, Caster established wells at about 30 properties within a 10-mile radius of the Redfield area. “No matter where you are, there’s still people wanting to get away and are buying and drilling in places where there is no city water,” he said. Caster said demand for drilling wells is “very consistent.” Last year, he drilled about 180 wells. Normally, it ranges between 150 and 200. The average drilled well in Oswego County is 70 feet deep, and the average cost of having it done is about $3,100, according to Caster. That figure can range between $2,500-$3,500. “Once you get it in and it’s a really good one, you can turn the hose on and let it run all the time and don’t have to worry about restrictions,” he said.
By Lou Sorendo 33
Cindy Swartwood putting the final touches on glutten-free cupcakes at her new Fulton bakery.
Gluten-Free Bakery Opens in Fulton Owner investing $130,000 in Fulton business; expects to break even within a year
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gluten-free facility has opened in Fulton. Sweet Cindy’s Gluten-Free Bakery opened to the public in late April. Owner Cindy Swartwood invested roughly $130,000 into her new business, which includes renovation, equipment and legal fees. The building, located at 55 W. First St. South, is also her residence, as well as her husband Todd’s custom woodworking shop. “I would be very happy to break even in our first year. I know the first
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three years will be the toughest, but I think there is enough demand, and our closest competition is Syracuse,” said Swartwood. Swartwood is originally from Canada, where she worked in the food services industry for more than 10 years. Six years ago she began her own baking business, and sold her glutenfree breads and cookies to Hot Crouse Buns in Syracuse and at the Fulton
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Farmer’s Market. Around the time that Swartwood started baking for herself, she met Todd, a Pennsylvanian, and they married. Todd has a condition called dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, a chronic disease that carries with it gluten intolerance. With her dream of opening up her own bakery and Todd’s support, she began looking in the United States for a building that could be both their residence and shop. Swartwood became the owner of the West First Street South property in 2012. Before then, various companies used the building for warehouse space. The bakery was expected to open in 2015, but Swartwood ran into issues with customs. She quips that changing marital status and moving to the United States as a permanent resident wasn’t enough (albeit good) stress, she had to take a risk and open her own business too. In the last year, the Swartwoods have put all of their energy into renovating the bakery. “Yager’s Plumbing & Heating Inc and Dave McCann at Volney Multiplex were both instrumental in getting over some hurdles near the end of renovations.” She added that the bakery also received help from the Oswego Small Business Association, the Fulton Community Development Agency, Operation Oswego County and Empower Federal Credit Union. Swartwood’s mission goes beyond birthday cakes and muffins. She would like for her business to be a resource for those who are newly diagnosed with gluten sensitivities. “You shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices to eat gluten-free,” said Swartwood. To keep her prices down, Swartwood uses local products as much as she can. She has four dealers for dry goods, and buys in bulk from Wholeshare, that works with local farms and distributors. Currently, Sweet Cindy’s GlutenFree Bakery has one part-time employee. As the business grows, Swartwood plans to make the position fulltime, with one part-time assistant baker.
By Nicole Shue JUNE / JULY 2016
Brian Cummings standing in front of the new Fulton office. He is Oswego County FCU vice president of branch operations.
Newly Opened Fulton Branch is a Home Run for OCFCU
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he Oswego County Federal Credit Union recently opened its fourth branch, which is located in the former Bank of America building, located next door to McDonald’s in Fulton. CEO William Carhart said that the credit union is “growing at a healthy rate.” Looking to expand, a demographic analysis was done, and Fulton was chosen for its potential for members. Carhart said that the former Bank of America building was the best piece of commercial property for sale in Fulton, and he couldn’t have asked for a better location. OCFCU purchased the property for $400,000 and invested $500,000 in renovating the building. Carhart called the project a complete gut job — the credit union is almost entirely brand new construction. Currently the top floor of the credit union is vacant. Carhart said the space will be developed in the future. The new branch will employ five
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people a with plans to add another two employees. According to Carhart, the credit union adds 100-110 new members each month. Recently OCFCU broke 11,000 members, whose deposits total $66.4 million. Carhart is a big believer in listening to what his members want, including how they want to communicate with the credit union. OCFCU is rolling out a “text concierge” service to its members, where members can ask questions to the credit union by sending text messages, which will then be returned and answered by the OCFCU customer service team. “Members, especially Gen X and Gen Ys, already enjoy the tech suites that we offer. We are one of eight locations in the United States to use this service,” said Carhart. Carhart says he is open to adding more branches in other communities, as it makes strategic sense. For now, he is focused on making the Fulton branch successful. “Fulton is a home run for us, OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Interior of the Fulton branch. there is a big need here for well priced financial services, and we have high expectations.” The Fulton branch is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday to Friday. The location has two drive-thru lanes, and a drive-thru ATM.
By Nicole Shue 35
piano and organ and occasional substitute teaching.
Humble beginnings
Steve Chirello at his office in Fulton on funding his startup agency 20 years ago: “Because I started at home, it wasn’t a huge investment,” he says.
Passion for Promoting
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Steve Chirello Advertising hits high note with 20th anniversary milestone
ho said marketing and music don’t mix? Steve Chirello, owner of Steve Chirello Advertising, 121 S. First St., Fulton, has a passion for both public relations as well as music. In fact, if he didn’t choose public relations and advertising as a career choice, he would probably be a music teacher. Chirello is celebrating his 20th year of doing business. “When I got out of high school, I was at a crossroads. Many of my friends decided to study music and become performers or teachers. I decided to study journalism and writing because I was really taken with that,” he said. “But if I had not pursued journalism and writing and then ultimately advertising and public relations, I would have studied music and perhaps been a music teacher.” Chirello has never stopped playing the trombone. He has played for more than 20 years at Breitbeck Park in Oswego in
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the Oswego Summer Sunset Concert Series with the jazz band and occasionally the concert band. He also plays in the pit orchestra for G. Ray Bodley High School musical performances. “I like to keep my hand in because I love to play and love to sing,” he said. “You have to have some balance and something else to do.” Chirello and his wife Cathy have two grown daughters. Caitlin is a firstgrade teacher at Granby Elementary School in Fulton. She and her husband reside in Radisson. Their younger daughter, Mary, lives in the Baldwinsville area and is the youth minister for the DeWitt Community Church in Syracuse. Cathy taught music in the Fulton City School District for 33 years and retired at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. She still stays active by teaching
BUSINESS UPDATE
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Chirello earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SUNY Oswego and an associate’s degree in journalism from Morrisville State College. Chirello, who will turn 61 in July, began his business from his home on Highland Street, and was in a home office for two years. When his accountant told him he could afford his own space, he moved to his present location on South First Street in Fulton. “At the time I launched the business, there was another ad agency that had been here for many years. When I decided to start my own business, nobody knew me for being an independent businessperson. They knew me for my associations with major companies and universities, having worked at Miller Brewing, Syracuse University and Carrier Corp. in the past. “I was fortunate in that those positions gave me the chance to meet so many people and create such a good network,” he said. Chirello spent the first couple of years working hard to establish the business. “Because I started at home, it wasn’t a huge investment,” Chirello said. “I had to buy a computer, some accessories for that, and invest in the Internet and some basic office equipment.” His total investment was approximately $7,000. “It was really minimal, and one of the things I credit to being able to do it is technology,” he said. “With computers, the Internet, email, PDFs, scanners and fax lines, you can do so much more now.” Chirello did say face-to-face interaction with a client is still the preferred method, but “clients are very busy people too. When you can streamline the process by Skyping, sending a PDF or link to something, you can save a lot of time. So, technology enabled me to start the business at less of a cost than somebody who did not have those kinds of advantages.” Chirello subcontracts work out to a team of graphic designers, video production people and media and research specialists. “I put the team together when I need them,” he said. He said keeping overhead costs JUNE / JULY 2016
down in this manner has been a key to his success. Today, Heather McCoy is Chirello’s creative director, and specializes in graphic and Web design while handling bookkeeping and billing. Chirello said he works a minimum of 60 hours a week. “We’re really beholden to our clients’ schedules. You try to keep it within business hours, but if there is something happening after 5, you got to be there or make allowances for that. You might have to shoot a commercial on a Saturday or start something early in the morning,” he said.
NELSON LAW FIRM
Attorneys at Law Allison J. Nelson, Esq. Rachael A. Flach, Esq.
NY Certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise
• Real Estate • Wills • Estates • Estate Planning • Municipal Law • Traffic Matters New Location: 209 W. Seventh St., Oswego, NY 13126 Tel: 315-312-0318 • Fax: 315-312-0322 • Web: anelsonlaw.net
Changing business landscape
The Fulton native and resident said his industry has changed dramatically over the years. “A lot of advertisers are sliding more from print media into perhaps digital or some other kind of media. Being able to offer those alternatives or working with them on promoting themselves online has been tremendous,” he said. Chirello features in-house video production, and recently finished a series of tutorial videos for Oswego County Federal Credit Union’s mobile banking apps. After graduating from college, Chirello worked for a Syracuse-based ad agency. “There was tremendous staying power with clients because once you formed a relationship, you were that client’s agency for a long time,” he said. “As time progressed, it became much more cost competitive. It’s more of an accomplishment in this day and age to have clients stay with you for longer periods of time.” He said other keys to longevity include changing with opportunities and adapting to what’s out there, and not being a “one-trick pony.” “We are not just a business-to-business agency, or handling retail or doing public relations. You try to stay flexible so that you can address all those things,” he said. “By the same token, you must keep pace with technology and update services.” Some of his major longtime clients include Eastern Shore Associates, Burritt Motors, Oswego County Federal Credit Union and the Fulton City School District.
By Lou Sorendo JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Business Excellence Award Given to
Fulton Animal Hospital, Eis House Restaurant
Two Oswego County small businesses — Fulton Animal Hospital and Eis House Restaurant — have recently received the U.S. Small Business Admin-
istration’s 18th Annual Small Business Excellence Awards during a luncheon May 6 in Syracuse. They were selected for the awards
based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.
Eis House Restaurant
Eis House Restaurant was the recipient of the Small Business Excellence Award. From left are James Conroy, New York Business Development Corp.; Dave Daino, Operation Oswego County, Inc.; Dustin Trimble, Deborah Trimble, Eis House Restaurant and Event Center, Barry Trimble, Eis House Restaurant and Event Center; and Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA.
In 2014, Deborah and Barry Trimble purchased the iconic Eis House Restaurant and Events Center from the previous owners who had operated the facility for 39 years. Their son Dustin, a recent graduate of SUNY Oswego, is also involved in running all aspects of the business. With approximately four acres of land, the Eis House is located on a pristine river, with beautiful grounds that draw customers to the facility for lunch, nightly dining and special events. Recently, the Trimbles converted the summer house and an area within the main building into four overnight-stay rooms and an executive bar. The business was appointed to the award by Operation Oswego County, Inc.
Fulton Animal Hospital
While attending SUNY Oswego, Andrea Dattellas volunteered at Fulton Animal Hospital. Upon graduation from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, she completed her internship under veterinarian Daniel Spier, who had opened Fulton Animal Hospital in 1987. Following her internship, Dattellas began working in the practice. Learning the practice was to be sold, she worked tirelessly with Pathfinder Bank and Operation Oswego County to purchase the animal hospital. Dattellas has since updated procedures and equipment, expanded the services offered and hired two additional staff. She was appointed to the award by Oswego County’s Small Business Development Center. 38
Fulton Animal Hospital was recently recognized with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 18th Annual Small Business Excellence Award. From left, James Conroy, New York Business Development Corp.; John Halleron, NY SBDC Oswego; Andrea Dattellas, Fulton Animal Hospital; and Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
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Onondaga County Businesses Honored
Right Price Companies, Inc. is among local companies honored by the SBA. From left: James Conroy, NYBDC; Darin Price, Right Price Companies, Inc.; Paris Vanderpool Price, Right Price Companies, Inc.; Calvin Corridors, Pathfinder Bank; and Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA.
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en local small businesses were recognized during National Small Business Week at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 18th Annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon in Syracuse May 6. Small businesses are selected for the awards based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions. They are: . Citizens Bank honored Tile and Carpet Town Carpet One based in DeWitt. Started in 1962, Tile & Carpet Town Carpet One is a second-generation, family-owned flooring retailer. Owned by Stuart Shapiro, Robert Shapiro and Stanley Speer, the company has four locations in Central New York: Auburn, Cicero, DeWitt, and Liverpool. The company also offers installations services to both residential and commercial customers for all types of flooring, window treatments, etc. . Greater Syracuse Business Development Corporation honored Heid’s of Liverpool based in Liv-
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erpool. Heid’s of Liverpool is a landmark fast-food restaurant that specializes in hot dogs and coneys year-round and ice cream treats at their Sweet Treats facility during the summer months. Valentine Heid founded the business in 1883 and it is one of the oldest and best-known “Hot Dog Stands” in the country. In 1995, brothers John and Randall Parker purchased the business and then together with their spouses purchased the real estate in 2002. Built in 1937, the restaurant design was copied from a 1935 World’s Fair Bavarian sausage house. . KeyBank, N.A. honored 2LS4G based in Liverpool with a 2016 Small Business Excellence Award. Larry Hayes began his career as a FedEx driver. He soon saw an opportunity to purchase a contract and several vehicles to begin his own courier and delivery business contracting with FedEx Ground. Revenues since his first year in business have increased 3,500 percent and employees have increased to 75 people. With a focus on on-time delivery and superior customer service, Larry
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
along with his business partner, Mark Cady, have worked diligently to grow the company and make it successful. . KeyBank, N.A. honored Borough Furnace, Inc. based in East Syracuse. John Truex and Liz Seru design handcrafted artisanal cookware and home-goods with a focus on sustainable production processes. Borough Furnace’s signature products are cast iron frying and braising skillets, along with hearth tools. The hands-on manufacturing process includes the design, molding and casting of each product in a sustainable manner that uses repurposed waste metal. Borough's products are as much art as they are function. They have been featured in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Wired, The Wall Street Journal and a video for a web series with international chef, Anthony Bourdain. . NBT Bank, N.A. honored Upstate Imports Auto Repair, LLC based in Baldwinsville. The business specializes in European car repairs, including Audi/Volkswagen; BMW; Land Rover/Jaguar; Mini; Porsche; SAAB; and Volvo. Owners Jeff Thomas and Matt
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DeGracia have a loyal following of clients due to their belief in superior customer service that includes performing the best level of service possible for their clients. The owners plan to expand in the near future with a new location on Erie Boulevard. The new location will continue to provide the same level of services, including SAAB factory authorized repairs, warranty, parts and recall work. . NY SBDC Onondaga honored N. K. BHANDARI, Architecture & Engineering, P.C. based in Syracuse. Christopher Resig became president and owner of N. K. BHANDARI, Architecture & Engineering, P.C. in 2015. He has been with the firm for 18 years and became the firm co-owner with his brother James Resig in 2012. For over 35 years, NKB has provided architectural and engineering services for Federal, State, Health, Corporate, Industrial, Education, and Facilities clientele. Representative projects include: Hanley Federal Building Façade Restoration, Syracuse, NY; Massachusetts National Cemetery Expansion, Bourne, Mass.; Veterans Administration Medical Center Parking Structure, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Process Research Center Expansion, Corning; and Barracks Restoration, US Military Academy, West Point. . NYBDC honored New York Bakery of Syracuse, Inc. based in Syracuse. The New York Bakery of Syracuse is a family-owned and operated bakery. The company produces traditional breads, rolls, bagels and
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wraps under their private label for sale to grocery stores, delis and restaurants. Additionally the company provides contract baking for other companies. The bakery recently introduced a new product line called P28 representing 28 grams of protein in each serving. With financial assistance from NYBDC and SBA, the New York Bakery of Syracuse is distributing the P28 brand to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Australia, UK, Singapore, Canada and throughout Europe. . Pathfinder Bank honored Right Price Companies, Inc. based in Syracuse. The business is the only dual-certified, woman/minority-owned furniture distributor in Upstate New York. The company specializes in commercial furniture and provides full service to customers in both the private and public sectors including government, education, healthcare furnishings and fixtures and has recently added a new division, Right Price Companies Technology. The company’s 8(a), SDB, HUBZone and MWBE certifications bring added value and benefit to their customers and the manufacturers they represent. Roughly 90 percent of their revenues are comprised of state and federal government agencies. Recent projects include SUNY Cortland/Upstate/Oneonta and Fort Drum. . The 504 Company honored Custom Lawn-Scapes, Inc. based in Canastota. Paul Fried is the owner of Custom Lawn-Scapes, a full-service
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property maintenance company that concentrates on lawn maintenance and snow services. The company also provides many more services that include: pavers, retaining walls, water features, landscape services, lawn renovations, composting, mulching and hydroseeding. Custom Lawn-Scapes serves both commercial and residential customers in the Greater Syracuse metropolitan area. The company also offers nuisance goose control using humane and environment-friendly techniques that include professionally trained border collies to rid properties of Canada geese. . WISE Women’s Business Center honored Tech4kidz based in Manlius with a 2016 Small Business Excellence Award. Tech4kidz offers engaging technology classes and summer camps to kids aged 6-15 in the computer labs of LeMoyne College. Instructors currently offer several classes including programming, animation and game design, mobile apps, math and coding using robots. In addition, Tech4kidz works in conjunction with the Maker Zone at LeMoyne College to provide robotics classes. The classes provide students with the skills and confidence to become makers of technology and not just users of it. These technology classes promote computational thinking and provide students with problem solving skills that they will apply in all areas of their personal and school life.
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Tile & Carpet Town Carpet was one of 10 companies in Onondaga County recognized. From left are James Conroy, NYBDC; Larry Harris, Citizens Bank; Robert Shapiro, Tile & Carpet Town Carpet One; Stanley Speer, Tile & Carpet Town Carpet One; Stuart Shapiro, Tile & Carpet Town Carpet One; and Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA. 40
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
Q A & with
Jim Fox By Matthew Liptak
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New Chairman of CenterState CEO
im Fox, the CEO and chairman of O’Brien & Gere, a Syracuse-based provider of engineering, construction and operational services for a variety of industries, has been appointed chairman at CenterState Corporation for Economic Development, Central New York’s chief economic development group. He succeeds Deborah Stanley, president of SUNY Oswego, who served in the position for three years. Q.: What’s your main objective as chairman of CenterState CEO? A.: It’s an honor to serve CenterState CEO. It’s a great organization with a great leadership team. I’d like to do what I can to help CenterState CEO meet its strategic objectives. It has a strategic plan focused on some very core areas. If that happens, good things are going to happen for the region. In my own business experience, one of the key things for me is developing a strategic plan, and then how to translate that plan into implementation and getting good alignment of key stakeholders and leadership within the region. I’d like to be able to support CenterState CEO with that experience. Things like the Upstate Revitalization Initiative as well as the traditional business activities of business retention and recruitment — that’s obviously a key focus. I really believe that a key core focus area is innovation and entrepreneurship JUNE / JULY 2016
in the region. We focus a lot on that at O’Brien and Gere. I want to make sure we stay balanced in terms of our economic inclusion. We want to make sure our entire region benefits from our economic development activity and continues to advocate for a pro-business climate so that we’re creating both short- and long-term sustainable initiatives. That will create a competitive advantage for our region. Q.: What are some of the biggest problems facing the region? A.: The way I would prefer to look at it is, what are some of the challenges that we’re focused on in terms of Central New York? We’re certainly interested in the long-term sustainable growth of the region in terms of economic development. A lot of our strategic and operational focus is the economic strength of the region in the long term. There are a number of different initiatives that are areas of focus. Obviously the retention of our businesses first and foremost is important. It’s also important how we create a better environment for them to prosper and grow as well as attracting new business. Things like the URI initiative and other programs that are out there are very positive and have the potential to strengthen business growth in the region in the long term. A key initiative is how we can be more efficient in the region. We want to look at things like government modernization and consensus and explore areas where we can become more efficient as OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
a region. Q.: Do you support government consolidation? A.: I think that word is probably not the word to focus on. I think really it’s thinking about our governance and the governance of services in the region in a way a business would look at it in terms of efficiency. How can we deliver better services in a more efficient manner? So, we are looking at things from a different perspective in terms of how we can evolve or adapt to be able to do more with resources available to us. Q.: Why does CNY lag in the number of jobs and business creation A.: I’m not an economist. There are a lot of different businesses that make decisions of where they invest and where they see growth. I think we as a region have to create that type of environment that will retain and attract businesses to want to invest and grow. There are a lot of ideas out there. I think looking at the cost of doing business in the region and the state is something the business community continues to explore and approve. That leads to things like taxes and obviously wanting to take advantage of a talented workforce by leveraging the great educational institutions we have. There are a lot of attributes that we can continue to focus on. It’s complex. There are some structural things we need to focus on and then there are some very entrepreneurial things that we frankly are focusing on. 41
On top of that, we must leverage the natural resources in the region. At O’Brien and Gere, we look at our core strengths and I think that’s what the region has done. We’re in advanced manufacturing and energy, water and environmental technologies. We’re continually looking at making investments in ideation and innovation to continue to differentiate our business. Q.: Are you satisfied with the pace of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative? A.: I think with any major program, sometimes it takes a little bit of an effort to get it moving. I like to think in terms of we have a great opportunity before us. We’ve got some tremendous financial capacity that comes along with that. I think it’s not something that’s just going to happen overnight. It’s truly a strategic, big-picture initiative and it’s going to take time to unfold. I’m not going to say I’m satisfied or dissatisfied. We’ve got to move as quickly as we can into a number of the initiatives there. We need to stay focused on moving forward just as prudently and as quickly as we can.” Q.: In what time frame do you see it happening? A.: Things are already happening. There’s a lot of planning and there’s a lot of collaboration. Sometimes just because it may not be apparent on the surface, there’s a lot of activity that’s ongoing right now. There are a number of different initiatives, and there’s going to be times when there’s more progress in some areas than others. Overall, I know the various teams are working very diligently.
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Q.: What’s your background? A.: I’m going to be turning 55 later this year. I’ve been with ideation for 33 years this summer. I’m a Clarkson grad. I started with O’Brien and Gere right out of school. I’ve had the privilege to be the CEO for the last five years. We just celebrated 70 years at the end of last year as a company headquartered here in Central New York. We’re very proud of that. I’m married and have two grown sons. We’re fortunate to have them here in Central New York. I’d love to make sure that we’re building a strong sustainable region for the future. In my free time, I like to get out on the water in the summer with a boat and spend time with my family. I’m not a very good golfer, but I like to play golf. JUNE / JULY 2016
200 Years of
Oswego County By Carol Thompson
Initial setting of a county seat became a contentious matter among early settlers
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ntil the late 1800s, it was possible to travel from Moscow to Fredericksburg in a day by horse. Today, the same trip can be made in 45 minutes to an hour. The difference is today Moscow is now called Orwell and Fredericksburg is now the land where Schroeppel, Scriba and Volney sit. How did Orwell come to be named Moscow and its town hall known as the Kremlin? A small boy, Elliott Eastman, who was a smart, precocious child, chose the names. Eastman was the son of one of the county’s founders, and to humor the boy, he was given the task. It is a part of Oswego County’s history that is being shared with the community during its bicentennial. Two hundred years ago, on March 16, 1816, nine men representing the towns of Constantia, Hannibal, Mexico, Richland, Redfield, Volney, New Haven, Scriba and Williamstown met at the home of Calvin Tiffany in Mexico to form the first Oswego County government. In the months preceding this meeting, a state-appointed commission consisting of Senators Perley Keyes and Stephen Bates, along with former Assemblyman Ethel Bronson had set the boundaries of the new county, carving eight townships JUNE / JULY 2016
from Oneida County and a portion of one from Onondaga to form current boundaries. Settlement in Oswego County had developed early on in the two extreme east/west sections. In the western portion, along the Oswego River, settlement had grown at the site of present day Oswego City. Guarded by Fort Ontario, and before that Fort Oswego on the opposite bank of the river, the Village of Oswego had all the natural prospects for success being at the mouth of the Oswego River with a deep port on Lake Ontario. To the east, a larger settlement had grown in Redfield, benefiting from its position as a halfway point on the Rome-Sackets Harbor Military Road. Downstream, along the Salmon River, a settlement known as Pulaski showed promise. With two diverse settlement patterns, the initial setting of a county seat became a contentious matter, and so the decision of the initial commissioners, reaffirmed by the first meeting of the board of supervisors, laid the county out as a Half-Shire county with two seats of government, one in Pulaski and the other Oswego. Today, the two seats remain, with most of county government activities located in Oswego. The legislature does, however, hold a meeting at the OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse in Pulaski each August to acknowledge its second seat. The celebration thus far has included the swearing in of legislators holding family Bibles, and each month at the meetings a historical overview is assembled and presented by Legislator Shawn Doyle, who also serves as a local historian. “I’m proud to be a part of this important recognition,” Doyle said, noting that some residents were surprised to learn Oswego County was once a part of Oneida County. Mayor Billy Barlow offered his congratulations to the county. “I look forward to working with county government to ensure the future is just as exciting as our past.” The short-term future includes the inclusion of the bicentennial in Oswego’s Fourth of July parade. County Administrator Phil Church said he hopes residents will enjoy what is being offered. “Modern life is busy. It’s a bombardment of job pressures, family crisis and happy milestones, news of economic troubles and triumphs, terror attacks and the latest political hype and dramas. Understandably, this leaves little time for history. So a 200th anniversary of the county’s founding 43
is a good time for people to pause and think about where Oswego County came from and discover the people and events that still influence all of us today.” Church added that the story of the county reads like a James Michener novel. “It’s the story of the formation of a unique land and Great Lake and of native peoples long before political boundaries were drawn. It’s an epic of explorers’ heroism and survival on wilderness trails, and of forts and battles and clashes of navies that helped shape young America. It’s a tale of generations of people and families who created farms from forests, who drove commerce and industry forward and westward, who became state and national leaders, who committed acts of heroism in wartime, and who compassionately welcomed Holocaust refugees. It’s a true story that all county residents can be proud to be part of.” Now, as then, the county has been blessed by good and plentiful water, Doyle said. “The Finger Lakes system empties into Lake Ontario through the Oswego River in the west, while the Salmon, Little Salmon and countless other creeks nourish and drain the eastern shire lands. In the early 1900s marshlands in the interior were successfully turned into rich ‘muck land farms,’ which today still produce crops of lettuce and our famed “Oswego Bold” onions.”
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Oswego County’s Bicentennial Celebrations. Several events are planned to commemorate Oswego County’s 200 years. Among them are: • July 2 — Commemorative postal cancellation at fort Ontario. From noon to 3 p.m. Official postal imprint commemorating Oswego County’s Bicentennial. Reception will follow the ceremony. Fort Ontario State Historic Site, 1 E. 4th St., Oswego. • July 3 — Community picnic at Fort Ontario. To be held at 4:30 p.m. after the Oswego Independence Day Parade. A fireworks event will follow. • Aug. 11 — Pulaski Legislature meeting and reception. Held at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse in Pulaski. For more information visitwww.oswegocounty.com).
JUNE / JULY 2016
From Pollster to Practitioner John Zogby leads the launch of new Keenan Center at Le Moyne College By Lou Sorendo
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ohn Zogby has learned from his mistakes. America’s popular pollster and founder of the Zogby companies was recently appointed director of the fledgling Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship at Le Moyne College’s Madden School of Business in Syracuse. As director, Zogby will help develop a vision and plan to position the Keenan Center as a driving force for economic development within the Upstate New York small business community through entrepreneurial leadership, education, opportunity and training. Zogby didn’t get there without making his share of errors. “I’ve already made all my mistakes up front. That’s how you become an expert,” said the highly acclaimed interpreter of politics. In fact, Zogby ran unsuccessfully for mayor of his hometown of Utica in 1981. He lost the Democratic mayoral primary that year. “I polled my own mayoral race and knew exactly how much I was going to lose by,” he said. “When you lose, you become an expert. I know everything I did wrong.” JUNE / JULY 2016
Zogby, 67, the son of Lebanese Catholic immigrants, is the founder of the Zogby Poll and the Zogby companies. He is also a best-selling author and much sought-after public speaker. He gained the most publicity for his polls of U.S. presidential elections. “I have started a successful business and am now starting a new one with my sons, so will be an entrepreneurial practitioner while I am directing and encouraging others. There’s no better place to do this than where my education began,” the ’70 Le Moyne graduate said. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history as a Le Moyne Dolphin, and would later get his Master of Arts degree in history at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University, in 1974. He also earned an-all-but dissertation at S.U. Prior to his new job, Zogby met with Le Moyne College leadership, including president Linda LeMura and Jim Joseph, dean of the Madden School of Business, to explore roles he could play at the school. The director’s position emerged shortly after that meeting, and “it sounded exciting and the sort of thing that I can do as opposed to being a scholar OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
in residence or something like that,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to utilize some of the skills I had developed over the years.” Zogby, a resident of New Hartford, hasn’t been a complete stranger since graduating. He was on the board of trustees at the college for nine years, and has been a speaker on campus as well. “Every time I visit, there is a new building of some sort. There is double the students on campus than there used to be,” he said. “There’s a special vibrancy that I sense, especially over the last couple years, with programs expanding and opportunities to visit with some very smart young people.”
Overseeing the launch
Zogby is spearheading the “soft rollout” launch of the Keenan Center. An entrepreneurial program did precede it, but now a center is fully funded and named. “My job is to take the baton from John Liddy, who was here in a consulting capacity,” he said. Zogby said the first priority is to create a strategic vision. “I’m going to interview as many 45
of the stakeholders as I can, then try to integrate the center into the rest of the school and build an entrepreneurial culture,” he said. He also intends on expanding some of the programs already in existence, such as its Famous Entrepreneurs Series. The series regularly features top executives from Fortune 500 companies, offering access to some of the world’s most admired CEOs and management thought-leaders. Within the series, students get to hear from people who have succeeded and attained both fame and fortune. These are business people “who made their mistakes but are willing to share and talk,” he said. “Those real stories are what teaches and grab people.” “I made a lot of mistakes. Hence, I’m an expert in starting and running a business,” he said. “In that sense, I’m older, wiser and more experienced.” Zogby embraces the idea of encouraging young people to not only start businesses, but be able to wind their way through what is referred to as the “gig” economy, he said. “Many of these young people are going to have four or five gigs before they are 30, and 10 or a dozen by the time they are 40,” he said. “That requires a lot of the same skills that it takes to run a business.” “That’s what I hope to be able to impart because I survived the polling company in Central and Upstate New York. There was no welcome mat,” he said. Zogby said he has strong management experience and the ability to work both leading a team and being part of a team.
Choice of Zogby ‘Perfect,’ Dean Says John Zogby is certainly sitting in the pole position as the new director of the Keenan Center at the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. “He is not just a choice. He is the perfect choice,” said Jim Joseph, dean of the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College. Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and the Zogby companies. Joseph referenced “We are Many, We are One: Neo-Tribes Tribal Ana46
“I’ve worked for decades now helping businesses, agencies and governments — large and small — create strategic visions,” he said. Zogby has a wealth of marketing and communications experience. “I created a decent brand and know a bit about how you take a brand, refine it and globalize it,” he added. “They are important and necessary skills sets. The whole world is a playing field.” Zogby is vice chairman of the Arab-American Institute, which his brother James founded. He is also chairman emeritus at Sudan Sunrise. There, he works to continue the vision of NBA player Manute Bol to bring peace to Sudan through education. Zogby is also a board member with Upstate Venture Connect.
Making of the entrepreneur
“You have to look at a day in terms of 24 hours if you’re going to be an entrepreneur,” he said. Zogby said it is vital for an entrepreneur to “know that your world is your playing field. “You have to be up 7 and 24, and be nimble enough to seize your opportunities when you can.” When the center gets up to full power, it will have competitive edges over like institutions, he said. “I have long been an advocate of an Upstate New York sensibility as opposed to pockets like Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse,” he said. “So being physically located in the center of Upstate is vital.” Another competitive edge is the school is the only Jesuit institution in the region. “There is a form of pedagogy,
lytics in 21st Century America,” a book authored by Zogby that explores the proto-typical Millennial. “He continues to add to the knowledge base and is one of the leading experts on the Millennial Generation,” said Joseph, noting Zogby explores “how they tick, what motivates them and what de-motivates them.” “He has an incredible optimism that the world is going to be in very good hands once the Millennials take over,” Joseph added. The dean said he wants a leader at the Keenan Center who will engage, understand, appreciate and “root for” Millennials, which make up most of the OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
scholarship and practical learning that is unique to the Jesuit tradition,” he said. “I think the school’s leadership is a great alignment of the sun, the moon and the stars.” “Linda [LeMura], who was provost and on the faculty for many years, is a person with great vision and people skills,” he said. “I am very proud to be working with Jim Joseph. Here’s a guy who ran a major corporation and knows the area and pockets of Upstate,” he said. He is tireless and a great resource to have.” Zogby characterizes the school’s leadership as aggressive and not “laid back.” “There appears to be an openness and willingness to be innovative,” he added. A student at Le Moyne can minor in entrepreneurship, but it has yet to reach major status. “The Madden School of Business’ reputation for business education has grown by leaps and bounds since its formation [in 1997],” he said. Zogby is a columnist for Forbes. com, writes a weekly Report Card on the President for Washington Secrets of the Washington Examiner, is a regular analyst for both the BBC and CBC and is a founding contributor to The Huffington Post. In 2008, Zogby authored the New York Times bestseller, “The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream” (Random House, 2008). Zogby and his wife Kathy have three sons. He enjoys golf, traveling and reading novels.
student body on campus. “He loves young people, he loves this generation and he believes in this generation,” Joseph said. Joseph, an ’83 graduate of Le Moyne, said Zogby “loves his alma mater, and is going to pour his heart and soul into his role.” “He hasn’t been an employee and reported to anybody in 40 years because he has been his own boss,” Joseph said in reference to Zogby, who created the Zogby Poll and the Zogby companies in the early 1980s. “I see him as not even equal. There will be times I feel like I’m reporting to him,” Joseph said. JUNE / JULY 2016
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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SPECIAL REPORT ByLou Sorendo
SUNY Oswego Ranks Low in Region on College Scorecard College officials criticize validity of report
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ust because it’s on the College Scorecard doesn’t mean it’s true. That’s the assertion of SUNY Oswego administrators while reacting to the college’s relatively low ranking among other educational institutions in the Central New York region when comparing post-graduate salary numbers. The U.S. Department of Education recently released its interactive College Scorecard, which provides students and families “the critical information they need to make smart decisions about where to enroll for higher education,” according to the DOE. The scorecard —part of President Obama’s continued efforts to hold colleges accountable for cost, value and quality — highlights key indicators about the cost and value of institutions across the country to “help students choose a school that is well-suited to meet their needs, priced affordably, and is consistent with their educational and career goals,” the DOE reports. Within the scorecard are rankings of colleges and universities based on median earnings of former students 10 years after they entered school and who received federal financial aid. According to the scorecard, among the 34 colleges and universities within approximately 100 miles of Syracuse, SUNY Oswego is ranked 25th in median salary — see table. Gary Morris is the director of career services at SUNY Oswego, and responded to the results of the report. “I am always concerned when SUNY Oswego is not portrayed as the leader that I think we are in so many 48
areas,” he said. “We control what we can.” Morris said the validity and accuracy of the report have been questioned and flawed methodology may have been used in compiling the data. “I certainly don’t want to sit here and say it’s a bad report and Morris that is why we’re low, or it’s a bad report and that’s why we are high, or something in between,” Morris said. He noted his response to the study would be the same regardless of where SUNY Oswego is ranked. “I think many people have come to the conclusion that the report is flawed in some ways, not the least of which is the subset of students they were looking at,” Morris said. “I can’t find that they made any sort of correlation between earnings of alumni who have been out 10 years after they enrolled and the field they go into.” Morris said given SUNY Oswego’s emphasis on the liberal arts, he has several concerns. “Statistically speaking, liberal arts graduates will make much higher salaries than their technical counterparts over the lifetime of their careers,” he said. He said the College Scorecard has the 10-year clock ticking the moment a student enrolls at Oswego. “This arguably only gives a large OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
swath of our students maybe four to five years — and maybe a little more if we are lucky — to get out and have the income growth that we expect our students to have over time,” he noted.
Geographic variable
Morris said there is a geographic component to consider as well when viewing the report. He said it is “no secret” that Central New York in general is not as prosperous as other regions. “It’s just hard to find a more economically depressed area really anywhere,” he said. “I’m unsure where graduates from say Cortland or Oneonta end up after they leave; I just know where our graduates go. They overwhelmingly stay in New York, and the biggest group of graduates gravitates around Central New York,” he added. He said that fact alone depresses salaries and income levels. He said SUNY Binghamton is also located in a severely economically depressed area. “But their graduate salaries are higher because their students are drawn from and return to much more lucrative urban environments like Manhattan and Long Island,” he said. “People who go to Syracuse University are coming from all over the country and going back all over the country,” said Julie Blissert, director of SUNY Oswego’s Office of Communications and Marketing. “For some of those schools, students are probably coming from generally higher Blissert socio-economic backgrounds and have more connections in that level of society.” Morris said the report is valuable in some ways, but “it doesn’t take into account the fact that the top 25 percent of teachers over time make about the same as the bottom 25 percent of engineers and chemists. It doesn’t factor in some of those variables,” he added. JUNE / JULY 2016
Blissert agrees, saying the report would indeed be fairer if discipline was taken into account. “If your major is in political science, history or English, you can have a very successful career in the big picture over two or three decades,” Blissert said. “But in this five-to-10 year time range, you are not going to look as good as someone who majored in accounting.”
Alternative views
Morris said there are other criteria that can be used to gauge the effectiveness of colleges and universities in preparing their students for careers. He said SUNY Oswego does gather reliable data on where its graduates go after leaving college. “We have probably one of the highest response rates from our alum for that first destination out,” he said. “We are probably one of the top three SUNY wide.” He said once the college has sufficient data, it then becomes a question of discovering how many graduates are working and pursuing continuing education. He said within a year of leaving school, 95 percent of SUNY Oswego graduates are either working or going to school full time, or some combination of the two. “We got about 1 percent that go off and do something amazing. Last year, we had one student who literally was doing a walkabout in Australia,” he said. He said the remaining 4 percent “are still looking for that perfect spot.” Morris said it then becomes a matter of determining what percentage of those working is actually doing so in their field of choice. “Consistently over the last three years, about 86 percent of our graduates who are out there are working, studying and involved in their career field of choice, which is pretty significant,” he said.
How about grad school?
Missing from the report is the impact of graduate school on salaries. Morris said he knows other bodies of research that clearly indicate the higher the educational level, the more earnings a graduate generally makes over his or her lifetime, and certainly JUNE / JULY 2016
College Scorecard
Median salary for graduates 10 years after enrollment Upstate Medical University
$112,900
Cornell University
$70,900
Colgate University
$61,500
SUNY Binghamton
$58,400
Hamilton College
$57,300
Rochester Institute of Technology
$56,900
Syracuse University University of Rochester Ithaca College
$56,600 $55,500 $50,400
Le Moyne College
$48,800
Hobart William Smith Colleges
$48,600
SUNY IT
$47,900
SUNY Geneseo
$46,700
Hartwick College
$46,100
SUNY Cortland
$45,300
St. John Fisher College
$44,800
Utica College
$44,700
SUNY College of Environmental Science
$44,600
Nazareth College
$43,900
Elmira College
$43,600
Keuka College
$43,300
SUNY Oneonta
$42,400
Alfred University
$42,300
Robert Wesleyan
$41,300
SUNY Oswego
$40,700
SUNY Brockport
$40,100
SUNY Alfred
$35,300
SUNY Cobleskill
$34,800
SUNY Delhi
$34,600
Wells College
$33,600
Cazenovia College
$31,900
Morrisville State
$31,300
Davis College
$28,300
Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York
Not Available
Source: U. S. Department of Education, College Scorecard OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
over the short term. “We struggle like every school out there to get our graduates to tell us their salaries,” said Morris, noting to many it is private information. However, Morris noted graduate students are more willing to provide salary information. After one year from leaving school, SUNY Oswego Master of Business Administration graduates make about $67,000 a year on average, while those coming out of its computer science graduate program pull down about an average of $56,000. A SUNY Oswego Master of Education graduate earns about $53,000 on average after being a year out of school. “That is way above what you would have on average for a bachelor’s degree just about anywhere. It’s a great investment, and frankly a lifetime investment, that really can’t go bad,” Morris said. He said it is a combination of both the learning institution and an individual’s characteristics that can make a difference in one’s earnings. “You can have underperformers coming out of Harvard who don’t really amount to a whole lot in the workforce, and then people coming out of a more typical college who do very well over the course of their lifetime,” he said. He said a college or university plays a significant role in supporting students as they go through the experience of trying to determine the life they were meant to live and develop strategies and timelines to go after that life. Not only does the college or university provide the opportunity to develop the needed skill and knowledge, but it also allows students to compete for jobs and slots in graduate school. “The student has to be motivated and engaged in this process,” he said. Morris said it is fairly common to come across students who exhibited great potential and landed in a “great” place, but never made anything out of it, and vice versa. “I tell students all day long that if you are so motivated and want to succeed in life, it doesn’t matter what you want to do, you can absolutely get there,” he said. Regardless of a “really tough” 49
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www.divasdusting.com Gift Certificates Available job market in a severely depressed area, “any student at this college can be as successful as they want right out of the gate. It doesn’t have to be five, 10 or 20 years from now. It really depends on what you have done with your experience here and how hard you are willing to work to get ahead.” “I think the development of a student is an institution-wide effort,” he said.
The school/work connection
Morris said it is imperative to infuse a career-readiness perspective into the curriculum. “If you teach a course in creative writing, or theater, or computer science, maybe there’s a component to that course that connects it to practical applications and workforce development,” he said. Morris said it is crucial for colleges and universities to drive experiential learning deep into their cultures. “When a student arrives, he or she will know it’s an expectation that their resume has to be exemplary based on in and out of class experiences,” he said.
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Within a year of leaving school, 95 percent of SUNY Oswego graduates are either working or going to school full time, or some combination of the two, according to the college. Morris said his department over the last year and a half has shifted from a generalist model to an industry-centric model. “We have experts on campus who are both experts in not only the content, but also in the process,” he noted. Morris said he has office professionals who are proficient in such fields as entertainment, performing arts and media; business and communications; and education and public and human services. “That becomes their entire world,” he said. “I think if a college can develOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
op something like that and begin to build communities of influence and support for students, we can start to connect faculty, employers, alumni, students groups, career services and any number of areas to work together to support students who want to go in a certain direction from a career perspective,” he said. “I think the help we give students would be a lot more meaningful and deeper and the impact is going to be greater in the end,” he said. Another problem critics cite concerns the nature of the employment data itself. "Most significantly, the government’s new earnings data reflect only the achievements of students who received federal financial aid, which several experts said would significantly skew the data and either understate — or, in some cases, possibly overstate — the actual median earnings of a college’s former students,” according to www.insidehighered.com. For a glance at the rankings of colleges and universities in the region, visit https://collegescorecard.ed.gov. JUNE / JULY 2016
L. Michael Treadwell ooc@oswegocounty.org
10 Regions Competing for Up To $750 Million Deadline to present plans for round 6 of Gov. Cuomo’s economic development competition is July 2
T Workshop to help those interested in applying for economic development funds will be held June 17 at Onondaga Community College.
L. MICHAEL TREADWELL, CEcD, is executive director of Operation Oswego County based in Oswego. JUNE / JULY 2016
he Central New York Regional Economic Additionally, up to $530 million from dozens Development Council (CNY REDC) was of state agency programs will also be awarded very successful in rounds 1 through 4, through the CFA process. The 2016 REDC guidebook and list of receiving a total of $344.5 million for 311 projects, with a solid vision to create “a diverse, available resources are available at http:// sustainable and globally competitive economy regionalcouncils.ny.gov/. For applicants, the while preserving and enhancing the region’s CFA is available at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/ treasured quality of life,” as well as goals to apps/cfa/. A CFA workshop was held on May 20 at the strengthened targeted industry, leverage our best assets, improve competitiveness and Cayuga Community College Auburn campus to help applicants understand the CFA process. revitalize main streets and neighborhoods. The final workshop will In round 5, the CNY Economic Trends be held from 9:30 a.m. REDC was very fortunate through noon, June 17 at to receive one of the top honors as one of the three regions selected as an Onondaga Community College. To RSVP for the workshop or for more Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) winner. Through the URI, CNY REDC was awarded information, visit the CNY REDC webpage up to $500 million to be distributed over five at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/ years, plus up to $30 million in agency funds central-new-york. awarded through the Consolidated Funding Downtown Revitalization Application. In 2015, CNY REDC was awarded Initiative — This year, Gov. Cuomo also $122 million for 93 projects. introduced a new competition, the $100 Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched million Downtown Revitalization Initiative round 6 of the Regional Economic Development (DRI). The initiative invites communities Councils, officially kicking off the 2016 throughout the state to compete with others competition. This year, the 10 regional councils in their region to be selected by their Regional will once again compete for awards for up to Council for $10 million awards. The awards $750 million in state economic development will help transform 10 communities ripe resources. for development into vibrant communities The process to compete for funding in where tomorrow’s workforce will want to round 6 is through the Consolidated Funding live, work and raise families. Application (CFA), which was opened to The Regional Councils will use a template applicants May 2 with an application deadline to nominate downtowns by June 30. The at 4 p.m. on July 29, allotting ample time for Department of State, in partnership with the Regional Councils to solicit and identify NYS Homes and Community Renewal, will projects in their areas. This extended period then launch a Fast Track Planning Initiative also provides additional time for businesses, in July to develop strategic investment plans municipalities, nonprofits and the public for each of the 10 certified downtowns. Each to apply for assistance from dozens of state community whose downtown has been funding programs for job creation and certified by the state will form a local planning committee that will be provided with technical community development projects. Round 6 of the REDC initiative will award support from private sector and state planning up to $750 million in state funding and tax experts to draft a DRI plan. Local assets and incentives. To continue to motivate investment opportunities will be examined, and a unique opportunities and job creation, the REDCs vision for revitalization will be developed for will compete for up to $220 million from each downtown. For more information about the Downtown Empire State Development ($150 million in capital funds and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Revitalization Initiative, consult the 2016 Credits) for projects and activities identified REDC guidebook at http://regionalcouncils. by the councils as priorities in their regions. ny.gov/. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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COVER By Lou Sorendo
From Farm to Factory New Huhtamaki plant manager has roots in local agriculture
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ark Southwick knows what it takes to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. After all, he grew up on a farm. Southwick, 37, is the new plant manager at Huhtamaki in Fulton and is bringing a solid work ethic to an environment that demands nothing less. He succeeds Thomas Meucci, who has been employed by Huhtamaki for 28 years. The Fulton facility is part of a 16-plant manufacturing system in North America. Huhtamaki specializes in providing shaped paperboard packaging and filling systems focusing on primarily the food industry. “The main focus of the facility is frozen dessert packaging and this is an industry where good quality products and service is most important,” Southwick said. “This facility has delivered on that promise for many years.” Finland-based Huhtamaki, Inc. acquired the Fulton operation in 1998. Formerly known as Sealright, the plant has been operating for more than 100 years in Fulton. The Auburn native grew up on
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a farm in Red Creek, and recently returned to his roots. He and his wife built a home on the family farm after getting a job with Huhtamaki in 2007. Southwick said the keys to his personal and professional success involve “hard work coupled with staying grounded and engaged with the people who support me.” Developing a strong work ethic early in his life has contributed to a high level of success. “I have always had some sort of job, starting with work on the farm,” he said. “This has given me all sorts of great experiences to learn from,” he said. “Some of what I have learned has been through hard lessons. However, each of them has given me an opportunity to adapt and grow.” When his son David was 1 year old, Southwick and his wife made the decision to move back from western Maryland to Red Creek so they could be closer to their parents. “My wife was teaching and in the fall we picked a date on the calendar after her school year was completed that we would move back,” he said. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
“I started looking for jobs within 100 miles of Red Creek, and was fortunate enough to apply and be offered the Bulkan engineer position at Huhtamaki prior to the date we had picked to make the move happen.” Southwick said it is a challenge to balance his career with outside obligations. “However, things often find a way of working out,” he said. “I have a loving and supportive family network of my wife, my mom and dad as well as my mother-in-law and father-in-law,” he said. “I seem to sign my immediate family up for many activities and between all of us, we figure it all out.”
Working the land
Southwick is the youngest of four boys. His father was a farmer and then truck driver, while his mom was a teacher in Sodus. His parents are both retired and live only a quarter-mile away in the farmhouse the family grew up in. “I had a traditional rural, agricultural upbringing,” Southwick said. He worked on a dairy farm that JUNE / JULY 2016
Mark Southwick in front of a display at Huhtamaki featuring the packaging the company manufactures in Fulton. featured 100 head of Holsteins until he was 10 years old. His dad then sold the cows and began to drive a truck. “With this change the daily chores with the livestock went away and our work on the farm turned more to growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay and logging wood lots for firewood, lumber and veneer logs,” he said. When Southwick was 14, his dad purchased a Wood-Mizer sawmill and they manufactured 20- and 40-bushel crates for potatoes and apples. It was a job Southwick worked through graduation at college. As a youngster, Southwick did find time to participate in sports and remains an avid soccer enthusiast. “I did OK in school when growing up, but often found myself interested in things other than my school work,” he said. JUNE / JULY 2016
Lifelines:
Birth date: April 25, 1979 Birthplace: Auburn Current residence: Red Creek Education: Bachelor of Science degree in
paper science engineering, minor in management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, magna cum laude Affiliations: Member, Cayuga Community College Business Program Advisory Board; board of directors, CenterState CEO; governance team member, Oswego County P-TECH; coach, RC Rage Soccer Association Personal: Married with two children — son David, 10, and daughter Rose, 7 Hobbies: Playing and coaching soccer, hiking, fishing, snow and water skiing and camping
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Southwick graduated 11th in his class in high school. When he attended SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, Southwick became much more serious with his studies and graduated magna cum laude. “My favorite subject was science. I have always enjoyed figuring out how things work and why,” he said. Southwick had some strong influences on his life as a youngster. Along with parents who provided guidance, he had brothers who “always pushed me in many ways and a series of coaches that helped me learn some of life’s secrets,” Southwick noted. “Among my fondest memories are trips we would take to my grandparents’ fishing camp on Devil Lake at Westport, Ontario, Canada. My whole family would go and we would 53
COVER spend a week each summer fishing, swimming, hiking and enjoying time around the campfire at night,” he said. “I am fortunate that I now can bring my family to the same camp each year and spend time with my parents and brothers with their families doing the very same things I did growing up.”
Learning from others
It was Southwick’s farming background that drew him to SUNY ESF. “An academic scholarship in paper science engineering gave me specific expertise in paper,” he said. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in paper science engineering and also minored in management. “I have been fortunate enough to have had several great mentors over the years and always work to maintain someone or several folks in my life at all times to help me with the journey,” he said. “Some of those people include a coach in high school who told me some things I needed to hear, a professor in college who helped me establish a path, and several good bosses who honed my career and leadership skills,” he said. “Others have included peers who I have respected and who have given me feedback and a few people who have worked for me who have been frank and provided tremendous insight on my leadership style as well as invaluable information on the project or issue at hand.” Southwick’s first job out of college was at a large paper mill in Luke, Md., now owned by NewPage. He started as a project engineer, and advanced into positions in material procurement and as a process engineer, technical assistant and production supervisor. Southwick began his career at Huhtamaki as a process engineer for Bulkan, then was transferred to production maintenance manager. He then became operations manager before being named plant manager several months ago.
Challenging position
Southwick said the Huhtamaki plant in Fulton is a large facility with many employees and moving parts going all the time. 54
Huhtamaki: Oswego County’s Second Largest Manufacturer Huhtamaki is the sixth-largest private employer in Oswego County with 550 employees. Among top manufacturers in Oswego County, it stands second only to Novelis Oswego Works. Huhtamaki logged another strong year in 2015 with solid improvement in profitability that yielded all-time high earnings before interest and tax, EBIT margin and earnings per share. In 2015, Huhtamaki had $2.7 billion in net sales and $1.65 earnings per share. The company enjoyed a 4 percent increase in net sales compared to 2014. The company employed 15,844 in 2015. Its products are quite visible to consumers: They range from paper cups to food packaging to egg cartons. “This is a well-established business that has enjoyed stable employment levels for many years,” Mark Southwick, the company’s new plant manager, said. “We do not anticipate a large addition to the payroll, but levels should remain steady.” The Fulton plant is well positioned to supply its customers on the East Coast well into the future, Southwick said.
“Fortunately, I have a great team and a leadership group I can lean on to keep everything moving forward,” he said. “As far as challenges are concerned, I think we face the same challenges as many other industries such as rising costs of raw materials, energy and constantly looking for ways to be more efficient,” he said. “I have an experienced team to help keep track of those challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.” Southwick characterized demand for Huhtamaki products as “good, but OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
it’s something we constantly work to maintain, like any good business does. “Our short-term outlook for growth is positive, but we keep a sharp eye on changing market conditions while looking for ways to be more productive and efficient.”
Family man
Southwick has been married for 13 years and has known his wife since elementary school. They started dating in high school and have been a couple for 21 years. “I have two children who are a major focus of my life outside of work,” he said. His son David is 10 years old and his daughter Rose is 7 years old. They both have birthdays in May — May 18 for Rose and May 19 for David — which makes May “a crazy busy month for celebrations in my home,” he said. Southwick coaches his daughter’s soccer team that consists of second and third graders. David is a member of the Red Creek Middle School Band, brass ensemble, all county band and helps with the beginning band students. Like his father, he is also an avid soccer player and plays for a local travel team as well as the Fusion Soccer Club in Syracuse. Southwick enjoys just about any outdoor activity, including hiking, fishing, snow and water skiing and camping. He just earned his national “E” license from U.S. Soccer, acquired after developing core coaching competencies necessary to teach the 9 to 12-year-old athletes and team. “I enjoy the overlap between professional leadership and leadership as a soccer coach,” he said. “The ‘E’ license class highlighted the importance of asking open-ended questions and having young athletes or employees I work with solve problems in their own way.” Southwick does have some advice for the younger set as they start out in life. “Enjoy your youth, have fun, work hard and learn. These things will help you in so many ways in your future,” he said. JUNE / JULY 2016
United Wire Technologies Inc.
Producers of Copper Alloy Wire 1804 State Route 49, Constantia, NY 315-623-7203 phone • 315-623-7207 fax www.unitedwiretechnologies.com
Jim Ransom • Mike Ransom • Don Ransom
JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Manufacturing / Economic Development
Special Report n The New Advanced Manufacturing Institute n Kevin Shutt steps into plant manager’s post during epic period in Novelis’ history n SAM North America expands in South Korea — with repercussion in Central New York
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
Manufacturing/Economic Development SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Empowering the Workforce New Advanced Manufacturing Institute grooms workers for major employers in county
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ajor manufacturers in Oswego County are hungry. Hungry for employees, that is. The new Advanced Manufacturing Institute featured at Cayuga Community College’s Fulton campus is poised to please that voracious appetite. Manufacturers in the county are facing an urgent need in recruiting qualified personnel as they seek to grow in the region. The AMI is poised to address this problem. “It’s more than a need. It’s a severe need,” said Carla DeShaw, dean of community education and workforce development at CCC. Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, has made a long-term commitment to the institute, which will include an industrial maintenance technician program and an advanced laboratory and training center. Funded in part by an $80,000 endowment by Novelis, the institute’s mission is to equip students with manufacturing skills to develop a talent pool required to fill jobs being created in Oswego County. JUNE / JULY 2016
Carla DeShaw The industrial maintenance technician program will incorporate hands-on training in laboratories that Novelis will also use to train its own employees along with students of the college at the River Glen Mall site. DeShaw said she has been workOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
ing for several years on developing a plan to address the urgent needs of all manufacturers in the county. She said a consortium of manufacturers in Oswego County has been formed. “We began to have discussions with employers and manufacturers in Oswego County to identify what they need both in educational programming and also in training facilities,” DeShaw noted. CCC netted a $700,000 training and advanced manufacturing grant through SUNY that was funded under the Federal Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant. CCC used that to develop an AMI at its Auburn campus. The Fulton campus initiative is modeled after the AMI featured on the Auburn campus. DeShaw said CCC began working with Oswego County manufacturers following the same process. “We collected data and wrote a grant application for facilities, which is currently on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk,” she noted. The grant application seeks $617,000 through Cuomo’s NYSUNY 57
2020 Challenge Grant Program. The governor must approve it for the AMI to become reality. “As soon as the grant is awarded, we will begin work to renovate and get the Advanced Manufacturing Institute developed and opened,” DeShaw said. “It really hinges on getting the money to do it.” Prior to that, the college had to lobby to get space at the Fulton branch, owned by the Cayuga County Community College Foundation. The AMI is going to locate in the former Dollar Tree store, which is approximately 7,000 square feet. DeShaw said CCC is also eyeing the vacant Kmart store for expansion purposes. The expansion would also need the permission of the foundation. A lease agreement between the foundation and Kmart is still active, DeShaw noted.
Manufacturers in gear
Area manufacturers built momentum for the project by providing financial support and supplies. “It’s a much larger initiative in the sense that every manufacturer has something to give to the AMI,” DeShaw said. Cash donors are supporting the cause, including Novelis, Huhtamaki, Operation Oswego County and the county’s Industrial Development Agency. DeShaw said $210,000 has been raised in matching funds for the grant. Besides the facilities side of the mission, there is the program development aspect of the initiative. CCC in Fulton did not feature any mechanical technology, electrical technology or industrial maintenance technical programs on campus. “It is predominately a liberal arts-focused community college, and we are trying to change that,” she said. DeShaw said approval has been given for an industrial maintenance technology program that will be starting at the Fulton campus. This is a program that CCC customized and developed around the needs of local manufacturers. DeShaw said CCC is also working to bring mechanical and electrical technology programming to its Fulton campus. “We’re doing a lot of program development work, with some of it approved and some in the hopper,” she added. 58
Manufacturers in Oswego County are facing an urgent need in recruiting qualified personnel as they seek to grow in the region. The new Advanced Manufacturing Institute featured at Cayuga Community College’s Fulton campus wants to meet that need. “It’s a big undertaking, and at the same time we have combined our efforts with the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation’s division of continuing education. I’m currently overseeing not only the college’s continuing education program, but also CiTi’s continuing education,” she noted. The two educational forces recently collaborated to create the Center for Career and Community Education, a community collaborative between CCC and CiTi. “Instead of competing and working against each other, we are now one entity serving Oswego County for all the adult and continuing education needs of the county,” she noted. She said the current focus is on developing and furnishing an AMI that features middle to high levels of instruction. The CiTi in Mexico now has an entry-level laboratory for advanced manufacturing students. “We’ll be able to use both of them and instead of duplicating efforts, we’re building upon that entry-level lab at Citi. The college lab will be geared toward degree and certificate-level programs,” she added. “Employers have driven it, and that’s the way it needs to be,” DeShaw said. “It’s going to be their center. They are the subject matter experts.”
Wage scales projected
AMI training will be geared for new hires, and a student coming out of the two-year degree program is OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
looking at an annual salary of approximately $45,000, DeShaw said. “They have the potential to make close to $100,000 within four or five years,” she added. “These are good jobs that you can get with a two-year degree,” she said. “You can also do one year of study and start in an entry-level position. You probably will be somewhere in the range of $35,000 to $50,000.” Besides new hires, training will also be geared for incumbent workers, DeShaw said. “Companies need to continue to train their workers that are currently working to help promote them into new positions,” she said. Students have multiple pathways to reach desired job goals. Just recently, CCC graduated nine students in its first non-credit pre-employment advanced manufacturing program. This was put together and taught by employers themselves. CCC also features a one-year credit certificate program. The first wave of AMI students will begin in the fall. CCC’s marketing and admissions department will incorporate AMI information into their regular marketing process. It will also be explained in the upcoming CCC continuing education catalog. CCC also works closely with the Oswego County Workforce NY’s One Stop Career Center to make resources available, and also targets veterans. “There are hundreds of jobs available in Oswego County that we cannot fill,” DeShaw said. Novelis anticipates needing to fill upwards of 250 operating technician and maintenance technician positions at its Oswego plant over the next five years as a result of growth and anticipated retirements, according to company sources. “That’s just one company alone. They [area manufacturers] are all in the same situation,” DeShaw said. In order to be successful, the program is going to need continued support from employers in the form of drawing from their expertise and teaching subject matter, she noted. These experts will not only help teach, but also guide the curriculum to ensure it continues to be up to date, she added. Governmental support on all levels will be needed, as well as continued support by the college. JUNE / JULY 2016
Manufacturing/Economic Development SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Metal Maven
Kevin Shutt steps into plant manager’s post during epic period in Novelis’ history JUNE / JULY 2016
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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New Novelis Boss:
‘This Is the Culmination of an Operations Career’
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t’s an open and Shutt case. Kevin Shutt is the new plant manager at Novelis in Oswego, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. The Hannibal resident steps into the lead position during the apex of a half-billion dollar expansion project fueled by increasing demand for aluminum from the automotive industry. Over the past five years, Novelis has invested more than $500 million in three automotive finishing lines and an automotive scrap aluminum-recycling center at its Oswego facility, creating more than 450 new jobs. While Ford is Oswego’s largest customer, Novelis makes aluminum product for 180 different automotive models across the globe. The Oswego plant produces more than a billion pounds of aluminum sheet each year. For Shutt, attaining the plant manager’s post is a dream come true. “This is the culmination of an operations career,” he said. “This is a realization of a goal that I’ve had for quite some time. Born and raised in Kentucky, Shutt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Western Kentucky University in 1999. “For years, I drove past Logan Aluminum in Kentucky, a plant that we partner with, saying I didn’t want to work in a factory like that. I had the opportunity to begin in a chemistry role there, and I was completely off base. It is not a factory in my traditional definition,” he said. Like Oswego, Logan featured a family oriented and dynamic atmosphere. “The teams work to solve problems and work puzzles each and every day,” he said. Shutt had spent most of his career in supporting roles. He held a variety of leadership positions in technical, continuous improvement, reliability and engineering for more than 20 years at Logan Aluminum and at Novelis North America’s headquarters in Atlanta.
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Prior to his role as plant manager, Shutt served as the hot mill manufacturing unit manager for Novelis in Oswego for the past three years. Shutt said the hot mill in Oswego is the only one in the Novelis system and its success paid dividends for him career wise. “Everything come through the hot mill and it supports other Novelis locations,” he said. “It is really a lynchpin in Oswego.” “I feel very responsible for the nearly 1,200 employees here,” he said. “I feel that we are a team and we have to be successful for each of us to realize what we are here for, as diverse as those reasons may be.” Shutt is a Lean Six Sigma-trained black belt. “That was some of the best training I’ve had in my life,” he said. Lean Six Sigma focuses on eliminating defects and streamlining processes.
The heat is on
For Shutt, the buck stops with him. “Being plant manager is a fairly demanding position, and a lot of folks look for us to be successful here. There’s quite a bit of weight on my shoulders,” he said. “There’s not a great deal of time when I’m not thinking about how well things are doing here.” How does Shutt counter job-related stress? Why, it’s the family dog, Maddy. “She is a great grounding force,” he said. “When I get home, it doesn’t make any difference what time it is or how long I’ve been gone, she is happy to see me. And when I leave, she is sad to see me go.” Along with his wife, he enjoys the peacefulness of Hannibal. “I can look out my back porch and see a Christmas tree farm and a pear orchard. It is a very peaceful sitting on the porch with Maddy there beside us. It is very peaceful and it does help relieve that stress,” he said. The couple has a 29-year-old daughter in Nashville, Tenn., a son OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
who recently graduated from the University of Louisville, and a son who is a senior at Murray State University studying graphic arts. Shutt is a ham radio operator, although he noted he doesn’t have a lot of time for that anymore. “But it is a great winter time activity,” he said. Shutt describes himself as extremely detail oriented. “You will not find someone who is more engaged,” he said. Shutt characterizes himself as “truly an operations guy.” “I really enjoy the family atmosphere and spending time on the floor with operators and taking that information and using that to help us solve problems and take advantage of opportunity,” he said.
Growth spurt
Novelis recently commissioned its third production line specifically designed for the automotive sector. The addition of the continuous annealing solution heat treat lines triples Novelis’ capacity while meeting the demands of Ford and other automotive customers. “It’s really taking off,” Shutt said. “A number of automakers are looking to be able to meet CAFÉ [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] standards, looking to improve their performance and lighten their automobiles, and are looking for aluminum to be able to do that.” “Ford is the largest customer here at this plant, and obviously, the Super Duty is the reason for this line,” he said. The third line has been under construction for more than two years. Shutt said using aluminum allows Ford to increase its towing and payload capacity. Using aluminum lowers the weight on both the F-150 and Super Duty pickup trucks by about 350 pounds, he noted. The creation of the three CASH lines has resulted in 450 jobs and a $109 million economic impact on the local economy, Shutt said. “It’s extremely exciting. We have a great growth opportunity here and a number of automotive manufacturers that are looking to lightweight their vehicles in order to achieve better fuel economy,” he said. Shutt said to expect more opportunity and room for future growth in Oswego. JUNE / JULY 2016
He said sales of automotive aluminum are expected to climb to as much as 25 percent of shipments by 2020. To support that growing trend, Novelis will allocate approximately 80 percent of the Oswego plant’s capacity to the automotive market. The plant also manufactures aluminum sheet products used by the appliance, beverage can, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets.
Job-creating engine
Shutt said to expect the addition of 250 jobs by 2020. “We should be in a position to add those jobs as we ramp up our volume,” he said. With those additional jobs, the total employment figure at Novelis in Oswego will be 1,450. In 2009, that employment figure stood at 742. Meanwhile, Novelis is looking to build a workforce for the future. “We are working with a number of local entities such as SUNY Oswego and Cayuga Community College to build and retain the workforce that we need to support this operation,” he said. Positions available will include technicians, craftsmen and engineers. Marco Palmieri, senior vice president of Novelis and president of Novelis North America, has nothing but high praise for Shutt. “He’s a guy with tremendous experience that has been with Logan [Logan Aluminum in Kentucky] and Atlanta [global headquarters] and has been operating as manager of the hot mill in Oswego. He knows our operations deeply and he is a tremendous addition as a plant manager. He is a great guy and has all the qualities and confidence required for the job,” Palmieri said. “We had no hesitancy to name him plant manager because of all the qualities he brings to the table.” Novelis was spun off from Canadian mining and aluminum manufacturer Alcan and incorporated in 2005. India's Hindalco Industries acquired the company for $6 billion in 2007. The acquisition made Hindalco one of the world's top integrated aluminum players and made Novelis a member of the Aditya Birla Group. Shutt replaces Chris Smith, who retired after 30 years with Novelis and who had served as plant manager since 2013. JUNE / JULY 2016
Growing to Serve You Better Expansion to Include: www.UniversalMW.com
Currently Expanding! 159 Hubbard St. Fulton, NY 13069 Office: 315-598-7607 Fax: 315-598-7613
• Increased painting capabilities • Powder coating • New sand blast booth • Increased machining capabilities • Assembly bay Cell: 315-727-5132 Email: JFSHARKIV@gmail.com
Serving Oswego County Since 1966 Fulton-Oswego Motor Express Inc.
Patterson Warehousing Inc.
592-2290 • Fax 592-2287 592-2288 • Fax 592-2287 100 Hubbard Street • P.O. Box 239 • Fulton, NY 13069
• Full service CNC machine shop • Specializing in vertical and horizontal machining • Small to large capacity • Production of one to thousands
www.fultontool.com OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Manufacturing/Economic Development
SAM Accelerates Global Presence Expansion in South Korea to benefit SAM North America based in Oswego County
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Every year thousands of people buy commercial or residential properties in Oswego County. They all receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Oswego County Business. Reaching new property owners. Another good reason to advertise in Oswego County Business.
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ung An Machinery Co., Ltd. held its inaugural open house at its new research and development center at company headquarters in Seoul, South Korea recently. SAM designs and manufactures an extensive range of machinery and accessories for the printing and converting industry for the converting of paper, film and foil. SAM’s event attracted over 50 key customers and industry partners from all over the world. Participants were presented with an in-depth tour of the new research and development center and SAM’s solution coating lab as well as SAM’s printed electronics lab and overall manufacturing facility. SAM North America has a research and development facility at the Oswego County Industrial Park in Phoenix. The Phoenix facility has become a leading developer of solution and extrusion coating machines, as well as advanced printing machines for the converting and flexible packaging market, including printed electronics. The development center in Seoul is for the company’s solution coating product line while the center in Phoenix is for extrusion. “Both centers allow us to showcase our product offerings, develop new processes, and prove existing ones,” according to Don Teich, vice president sales at SAM N.A. Teich said the center in Seoul
“This new center shows our commitment to research and development and our aggressive growth plan.” OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Don Teich, vice president sales at SAM N.A. allows SAM N.A. to demonstrate its solution-coating capabilities, which will result in increased machinery sales for its U.S. operations. “We now have another resource, similar to our Phoenix operation, for our customers to visit and run trials,” Teich said. “This new center shows our commitment to research and development and our aggressive growth plan.” Teich noted that SAM N.A. in Phoenix has added some new capabilities and has hired some additional lab personnel over the last several years. “We continue to grow and with growth comes expansion,” he said. SAM NA unveiled its 10,000-square-foot, multi-million dollar extrusion technology center — SAMLab 2 — at its new facility in the Oswego County Industrial Park in Schroeppel several years ago.
By Lou Sorendo JUNE / JULY 2016
innovation ManageMent
BuSineSS groWth
Lean Manufacturing & Six SigMa
Workforce training
Strategic PLanning
Helping CNY Businesses Grow. 315-425-5144 • www.TDO.org
The Central New York Technology Development Organization (TDO) is the regional NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center (MEP).
JUNE / county JULYTDO 2016 oswego ad.indd
1
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
63 10/28/09 11:31 AM
David Zembiec
North Country: More Than Just Farmlands ‘Commercial trucks cross the Thousand Islands International Bridge at an average 1,300 vehicles each day, while passenger traffic averages 7,500 vehicles per day.’
DAVID ZEMBIEC is the deputy CEO for the Jefferson County Economic Development, the organization charged with facilitating economic growth in the county through business recruitment and retention, workforce development, related activities. 64
W
Fort Drum, Thousand Islands International Bridge some of the area’s major assets
hile some may be aware of Northern tertown in order to better serve its Canadian New York area around Watertown customers and for its access to the interstate. as being dominated by farm and Roth Industries, which has been located here forest lands, there is actually a fair amount of in 2007 for proximity to the Canadian border, economic activity going is currently planning a on up north. 26,000-square-foot exEconomic Trends For starters, the pansion at its Watertown tri-county region of Jeffacility where it manufacferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties — tures storage tanks for home heating oil and because of the Fort Drum Army installation similar uses. — is the largest defense community in the New York Air Brake has been producing Northeastern United States. In addition to brakes and integrated train control systems for the 19,314 military and civilian personnel the rail industry in its local facility since 1890. directly employed at Fort Drum in 2015, Fort The company just celebrated its 125th anniverDrum related activity last year supported an sary and continues to bring new technology additional 5,973 jobs in the broader regional to the workplace, recently completing the economy. Those are jobs not on Fort Drum, but addition of a 10,000 square-foot test lab facility. they exist off-post because of Fort Drum. Fort The company, the largest manufacturer of air Drum spending in 2015 had a total economic brakes in the world, employs approximately impact of $1.66 billion in the three-county 500 people and is owned by German-based region. Knorr-Bremse. The corporate headquarters The Thousand Islands International for Car-Freshner Corporation, manufacturer Bridge connects northern Jefferson County of the famous Little Tree Air Fresheners, was directly with the Province of Ontario and is founded in Watertown in 1952 and continues a major gateway for international trade and to be a strong global competitor, employing tourism between the U.S. and Canada. Com- over 300 people. Current Applications, which mercial trucks cross the bridge at an average produces custom motors for clients through1,300 vehicles each day, while passenger traffic out the world recently added 10,000 square averages 7,500 vehicles per day. $1.2 billion feet to its facility in order to accommodate dollars in trade crosses the span each month growth and a new product line. ($40 million per day). The agricultural landscape that many Jefferson County is home to a number of associate with the North Country also supworld-class businesses, several of which are ports its own share of corporate activity. The located there because of the easy access to Can- 750 dairy farms in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. ada via Interstate 81 and the Thousand Islands Lawrence counties support five major dairy Bridge. North American Tapes — the second processing facilities. These include the Great largest producer of hockey tape in the world Lakes Cheese cheddar cheese plant; McAdand whose product is used by every team in am Cheese that produces cheddar and other the NHL — is a Canadian-owned business that varieties; HP Hood which produces cottage has completed two recent expansions. Aviagen cheese, sour cream, and some yogurt; and North America (owned by the German-based Kraft Heinz—the largest cream cheese facilEW Group) is the world’s leading poultry ity in the world (and also planning a major breeding company and is preparing to open its expansion). seventh commercial breeding stock hatchery There’s more going on in the North facility in the U.S. The company chose Wa- Country than one might think. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Oswego County Youth Among 29 Junior Dairy Leaders from 3 States
Celebrating More Than 50 Years in Oswego
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ooper Fowler of Hannibal is among the 29 junior dairy leaders representing New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, who will graduate at the 2016 Empire Farm Days event in Seneca Falls in August. The statewide program is for youth between the ages of 16 and 19 with an interest in learning more about career opportunities in the dairy industry and gaining hands-on experience in the field. The 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10 graduation ceremony in the Dairy Profit Seminar Center at Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott & Son Farms, 2973 Route 414, Seneca Falls, provides the junior dairy leaders with the opportunity to highlight their year-long experiences, demonstrating the dynamic aspects of dairy education and career options. The Junior Dairy Leaders Program begins in late September with a seven-day trip to Madison, Wis., to tour dairies and agribusinesses, followed by attending the annual National 4-H Dairy Conference. Throughout the year, hands-on workshops offer learning opportunities on specific facets of the dairy industry, including veterinary science, dairy nutrition, production management, and on-farm production analysis, plus interaction with dairy producers, industry professionals, and other dairy-interested young people. The junior dairy leader class sponsors for 2016 are Pro-Dairy, the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Northeast Ag and Feed Alliance, DEHM Associates, Genex/CRI, Select Sire Power, Cornell University Department of Animal Science, and New York’s dairy producers. The 300-acre Empire Farm Days is the Northeast’s largest outdoor farm show. The event features crop and equipment demonstrations; tractors, trucks, and implements of all sizes and uses; dairy profit and other educational seminars; test drives; live cattle and horse demonstrations; farm safety and family life displays; and information booths by hundreds of agriculture-related vendors, organizations, colleges and associations. For daily schedules and more information visit www.empirefarmdays.com or call 877-697-7837. JUNE / JULY 2016
BANKING SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Leader of the Pack T
Pathfinder Bank remains leader in Oswego County maket
here are eight banks in Oswego County, each vying for a piece of the coveted financial pie. However, only one can attest to being atop the market share rankings. Pathfinder Bank trumped all other financial institutions in local market share and number of local deposits in 2015, according to data released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of Dec. 31, 2015, Pathfinder had $490 million in deposits. Today, that figure exceeds $500 million. In terms of market share, Pathfinder Bank leads the way with 33 percent of the market in Oswego County. Thomas Schneider, CEO and president of Pathfinder Bank, said there has been a “fairly significant” deposit growth since last June, probably in the $60 million range. “A large part of that is municipal and business deposits,” he said. “There’s been a steady, stable growth in retail deposits in the 3 percent range while business deposit growth is more in the 12 to 15 percent range.” He said municipals have a lot of flow-through volatility to them because of tax receipts and disbursements. “What’s happened in that sector is some of the rules for liquidity coverage ratios at the largest institutions have caused them to have challenges in handling the collateralization of municipal deposits, so we’ve seen a lot of movement of municipals toward community banks,” he said. The liquidity coverage ratio refers to highly liquid assets held by financial institutions in order to meet short-term obligations. Schneider said there are a “couple of anomalies” in the FDIC report, including Pathfinder Bank and Pathfinder Commercial Bank being listed separately yet having both totals combined for Pathfinder Bank. Schneider said the commercial JUNE / JULY 2016
Banking Market Share in Oswego County Pathfinder Bank
33%
Fulton Savings
Bank of America
16% 13%
Community Bank
10%
Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of Dec. 31, 2015. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of Dec. 31, 2015. bank line represents municipal deposits. Under general municipal law, municipal deposits can only be deposited in commercial banks. “It changes the percentage a little bit, but doesn’t change it significantly,” he said. “The percentage of our market share to total market is very significant.” Schneider said when comparing federal- and state-chartered banks, “there isn’t much difference in the powers, authorities and capabilities or for that matter, between commercial and savings banks as there was in the past.” Pathfinder Bank is in the process of converting the savings bank to a New York state commercial bank. That will allow it to operate the one bank without the commercial bank subsidiary. The move is primarily for “efficiencies and convenience to customers and avoiding confusion by having the subsidiary commercial bank,” Schneider said. Another anomaly in the FDIC report involves Bank of America totals in Oswego County, Schneider noted. While deposits totaled $597,107 in 2015, that figure was $147,490 in 2014. That’s roughly an increase of $445 million. “For some reason, there was a very OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
large deposit flow. Sometimes it is just a matter of banks shifting deposits around,” he said. Market share is also a function of the number of offices in the county. “We do have the most presence within the county with seven offices,” Schneider said. Fulton Savings Bank has five offices, Community Bank, NBT Bank and KeyBank have four each, and Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Woodforest National Bank have one each. “We just try to position ourselves from a customer experience perspective, from a pricing perspective and from a convenience perspective in a way that they choose us,” he noted. “We want to be the leading provider of financial products in our market.” Schneider said Pathfinder Bank strives to maintain its competitive edge in a number of ways. “We stay true to our message of local trust that we put out there,” he said. “We are very active in the local community and our decision-making is local. I think there is a segment of the population that really seeks that in a more personalized relationship. 67
“I think involvement and activity within communities and support of those communities comes back and is appreciated by those in the community.” Schneider said Pathfinder Bank strives to make decisions that “drive the economic, social and cultural fabric of communities that we serve. I think a lot of people see that and choose to do business with us for that reason.” For example, Schneider said a customer came in recently and “moved money over just because of our support of a local organization.” Schneider said the trend of consolidation in the industry also plays in Pathfinder’s favor. He said recent transactional activity — such as Community Bank System’s acquisition of Oneida Financial Corp., NBT Bancorp’s acquisition of Alliance Financial Corp. and KeyCorp’s plans to acquire First Niagara Financial Group — makes them “a little less local” with each one of those transactions.
The regulatory environment
Another continuing challenge in the banking industry is the regulation-
laden Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, passed in response to the recession the nation was attempting to work out of. It was designed to promote the financial stability of the country by improving accountability and transparency. “Whether it’s the Affordable Care Act or Dodd-Frank Act, there is really very little being done in Congress to make technical corrections to laws they passed because of disparate dysfunction in Congress,” Schneider said. “There is some legislation coming out of the banking committee that would tailor the legislation more to the risk profile of the bank as opposed to these demarcation points of $10 billion and $50 billion, which was how the law was promulgated,” he said. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Federal Reserve to evaluate banks with assets of at least $50 billion more closely than those with fewer assets. C u r re n t l y, o n l y 3 8 o f t h e approximately 6,500 banks in the United States have assets exceeding $50 billion (less than 1 percent).
“I think as an industry we tend to focus a little bit too much on the challenges of the regulatory environment,” he said. “You have to gear up your risk management and compliance management systems and focus on taking care of customers and the community.” Schneider said Pathfinder Bank has “very good relationships” with state and federal regulators and “we don’t find the environment to be challenging beyond our capabilities. “We think we are capable of meeting the regulatory environment as it exists today. There are a lot of changes and I think a lot are favorable to consumers. Therefore, they are good for the economy.” Schneider is the immediate past chairman of the New York Bankers Association. “You have to advocate on behalf of the industry and our state,” he said. “National bank associations do a good job of that. It’s not necessarily to tone down the laws; it’s just to create good balance.”
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
BANKING SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Banking on Outreach KeyBank’s proposed acquisition of First Niagara leads to community benefits plan
B not.
anks are no exception when it comes to “paying it forward,” whether they are obliged to or
KeyCorp, the parent company of KeyBank, and First Niagara Financial Group are in the process of entering into an agreement under which KeyCorp will acquire First Niagara in a transaction valued at about $4.1 billion. With approximately $135 billion in assets, the combined bank will be the 13th largest commercial bank headquartered in the United States. KeyBank has locations in Oswego, Fulton, Mexico and Pulaski. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve will make a final decision on the fate of the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently requested that federal officials block the merger. Cuomo said the proposed acquisition by KeyBank would have a “devastating” impact on consumers and businesses. Critics of the deal say the purchase will decrease the amount of branches as well as cut more than 1,500 jobs due to overlapping. In response to criticism that the merger will lead to less financial support in underserved areas, KeyBank is being proactive in creating a $16.5 billion 2017 National Community Benefits Plan. “The real key is our destinies are intertwined. When our communities grow and prosper, so will the bank and all our institutions, quite frankly,” said Norman Bliss, senior vice president and director of community development for KeyBank. “One of the interwoven threads is we want JUNE / JULY 2016
Norman Bliss, senior vice president and director of community development for KeyBank. “[We have] a long tradition of balancing mission and margin in all of our actions, and the plan reflects our commitment to that tradition.” our communities to grow, prosper and thrive.” The Bank Holding Company Act instructs the board of governors of the Federal Reserve system to consider the “convenience and need of the comOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
munity to be served” in evaluating proposed bank acquisitions. “The National Community Benefits Plan is not a panacea to ease regulatory concern or appease community advocates in the combined KeyBank-First Niagara footprint,” said Bliss. “KeyBank has a long tradition of balancing mission and margin in all of our actions, and the plan reflects our commitment to that tradition.” Bliss leads the oversight of the bank’s community development lending, investment, and service activities nationwide, particularly as they pertain to the Community Reinvestment Act exam. The CRA is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including lowand moderate-income neighborhoods. “The purpose of the National Community Benefits Plan is to express our forward commitment to serving our communities with a particular emphasis on our low- and moderate-income, underserved and rural communities over the next five years,” he said. “It’s really designed to express what our commitment is going to be” and will be manifested through lending, investments and philanthropy. Once the agreement with First Niagara Bank was made public, KeyCorp Chairwoman and CEO Beth Mooney met with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition based in Washington, DC. The NCRC expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed merger on low- to moderate-income clients. “We wanted to be proactive in 69
articulating what this community benefit was going to be and the NCRC we felt was the best partner to work with,” Bliss said. The NCRC’s purpose is to develop and harness the collective energies of community reinvestment organizations from across the country so as to increase the flow of private capital into traditionally underserved communities.
Ready to execute
“The plan is finished, but the way I tell people is that we are at the end of the beginning,” Bliss said. As KeyCorp put the plan together, officials traveled across the company’s footprint, including Upstate New York, and met with community groups across its markets as well as the leadership team of NCRC. “We used those opportunities to listen to community members who provided us insight on what their needs and concerns are,” he said. “We took that insight and built it into the plan.” While the plan is finished, “the execution of the plan is really where the fun is,” said Bliss, noting it will
kick off next year. “This represents a rising tide that will lift all the boats,” Bliss said. He said to expect an increase in the main elements of the plan: mortgage lending to low- and moderate-income areas to low- and moderate-income people; small business lending, particularly smaller dollar lending; community development lending; and philanthropy. “What really makes the plan work is our proactive engagement in the community,” he said. Knowing that the city of Oswego was recently awarded funding through the Central New York Regional Economic Council toward furthering its economic development goals, KeyBank wishes to engage around those plans. They include waterfront development and infrastructure improvements. According to KeyBank, its plan will stimulate substantial job and economic growth in communities such as Oswego. KeyBank has also committed to being a leader in reducing neighborhood blight as well as maintenance
and disposition of foreclosed properties. “Also, we’re always looking for more opportunities to do what we do — we’re a bank,” he said. Bliss said in developing the plan, KeyBank officials specifically talked about oversight and monitoring. “This isn’t something that sits up on the shelf and you dust it off. This is a living, breathing document,” he said. A national advisory committee will be formed before the end of 2016. It will be a group that convenes twice a year to manage, monitor performance and “make sure we’re hitting on all the right metrics,” Bliss said. “We’re also going to have local advisory committees as well to help us make sure we’re being impactful, staying focused and that we have the right partners and people at the plate to help this thing be successful,” he said. KeyCorp recently came to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and will sell 18 First Niagara branches in Erie and Niagara counties in order to make its pending acquisition more palatable.
Pick up a free copy at various high traffic locations in CNY or read it online at CNYsummer.com 70
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
WOMEN IN BUSINESS Special Report n Oswego Woman Trains the Dogs Among Us n Four Organizations Strive to Help Women in Business n Pathfinder Forges Partnership to Create HerPath to Success n Former Community Services Director from New Haven Finds Success in the World of Art
JUNE / JULY 2016
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Oswego Woman Trains the Dogs Among Us Formerly with law enforcement, Andrea Giordano devoting energy to her passion: pet training
A
s it turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Andrea Giordano had always told herself that when she retired from law enforcement, she wanted to work as a dog trainer. She had always enjoyed dogs and saw a local need for companion dog training. She invested what she described as "probably more money in dog training than my graduate and undergraduate education combined" to learn from numerous top animal trainers as part of her preparation for her new career. She founded Dogs Among Us, LLC in Oswego (www.dogsamongus.com) on eight acres in 2011. Since then, she has added an entire canine campus, complete with indoor arena, puppy room and two fenced training yards of 100 by 100 feet. Giordano funded the enterprise with her own savings and a small loan. Many of her dog training clients bring new puppies for training. 72
"People are starting to realize you don't wait a year before training your puppy," she said. "That's old school thinking. Now, people know there's a more humane way to train and get good results." She starts puppies as young as 8 weeks in socialization and training for basic manners. "Starting with a young puppy, you don't have to un-train jumping if they're trained to sit when people come inside," Giordano said. "You get ahead of behavior problems." Giordano belongs to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Family Paws Parent Education, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, International Veterinary Forensics Science Association, National Association of Canine Scent Work, Pet Professional Guild Member and Women TIES. She has found that joining local and industry-related organizations has OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
helped enhance her credibility, and afford her opportunities to network with other trainers. "I have hundreds of other trainers to contact," she said. "If I need a second opinion or need some more information, this can provide information very quickly. "Sometimes you have to draw on others' experience." Giordano takes a different approach to animal behavior. Though clients bring in their pets for training, "most dog training is actually people training," Giordano said. "What I do is coach owners on how to train their dogs." Since she doesn't offer boarding and training, owners must bring their pets and work with them to reach the goals they and Giordano set together, such as preventing or curbing bad behavior. "Some people don't realize that if they don't give the dog something to do and help them burn energy, the dog will JUNE / JULY 2016
find something to do," she said. "Dogs have needs beyond being there waiting for people to pay attention with them." She is certified for teaching K9 Nose Work, an activity for dogs to do with their owners. "Anyone with a dog can do it," Giordano said. "Some people don't care if their dog won't come when called or that it begs at the table. Nose Work isn't about general obedience." In fact, her website states, "Prerequisite: Dog must have a nose." She offers a free introduction class to returning veterans. Giordano feels strongly about buying local. She likes staying connected to her community by supporting it through purchases for her business. Since her facility hosts dog events and training workshops, which have attracted visitors from as far as Oregon and California, she gives back to the community through travel dollars flowing into the economy. "I generate income for other people because they all need to eat and sleep when they get here," she said. "I give them a list of restaurants and give suggestions of what to see while they're here in the area. I wish that we had more hotels that accepted dogs, though." Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, executive director of Women TIES, LLC in Syracuse, said that the businesswomen's networking and promotional organization has helped Giordano strategize ways to "get more people in the door," Higginbotham said. Giordano has been an active participant in Women TIES' educational programs since joining in 2011. Higginbotham encouraged her to seek not only individuals who desire better-behaved dogs, but also to broaden her scope. Making Dogs Among Us a canine training event site has expanded her market. "Once you get into a business, you can look at bigger relationships that can produce more revenue," Higginbotham said. She attributes Giordano's success to her passion for animal training. "She just loves, loves, loves animals and believes strongly in helping people work with their animals and their families," Higginbotham said. "You need to just turn that into a way to make money. She represents what is so great about the women entrepreneurs I meet. They're enthusiastic and willing to make a difference in their industry and marketplace." JUNE / JULY 2016
Women Only Four local organizations strive to help women in business By Matthew Liptak
T
here are multiple organizations in Oswego and Onondaga counties that make it their focus to help women in the area, particularly women in business. Oswego County Business Magazine recently spoke to leaders of four of these organizations to see how they are helping women.
1
. Women's Network For Entrepreneurial Training is a group of local women who meet monthly in the community. “It's a networking group and we meet once a month from September through June,” said Evelyn LiVoti, one of the group's leaders. “At each meeting, we have a speaker or some activity on various topics that are beneficial to mainly women entrepreneurs, but we do have other women in business who attend as well.” Recent topics have included social media, marketing and posing hypothetical business challenges. LiVoti said a wide range of age groups come to the organization’s meetings and events with usually about 10 to 20 attending. Even some men attend, she said. The group takes input from those attending about what business topics they'd like presented in the future and leaders will sometimes come up with other events that are timely. “I think we fill a niche,” Livoti said. “You talk about the old boys’ network that used to be. We're just providing a place where women can come and have their needs met as far as what problems they're having or concerns or things that they don't know or new areas they can branch out into.” LiVoti said women who are just considering going into business are invited to attend too. Each meeting costs $15 to attend as a OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
light breakfast is provided. Participants can either pay at the door or online. For more information, contact LiVoti at elivoti@oswegocounty.org.
2
.The Oswego chapter of Zonta International also supports women in business. “We just inducted our 29th member,” said club leader Tammy Thompson. “We come from all walks of professional life. Once a month, we know that we're going to get together and interact. Some women are small business owners. Some work for a political entity. But they're all usually people who have decision-making capabilities whatever profession they're in.” The group raises money for local charities, including the SAF domestic violence shelter. They also provide scholarships for older female high school students. In March of every year, Zonta celebrates International Women's Day by doing a project. “Last year, we had somebody talk about the positive power of the Internet in improving women's status,” Thompson said. Zonta membership costs $120 a year and much of it goes to the international organization to promote women's causes. The local chapter is actively recruiting new members and has brought 11 new women into the club since 2014, Thompson said. “It's a nice networking opportunity,” she said. “I think you can help improve professionally. I know a lot of people who are in the club promote other activities and events so then you have a whole other group of women to tap into to help support your cause, support your business, or even your professional path.” Those interested in the Oswego Zonta chapter can go to www.zontadistrict2. org or email Oswego@zontadistrict2.org.
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3
. The WISE Women's Business Center in downtown Syracuse is an initiative designed to help inspire women to start or grow a business venture. The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University hosts the federally funded program. “Our major goal in Syracuse is to help with one-on-one counseling, training and educational experiences, mentor-protege mastermind groups and networking,” said the organization's director, Joanne Lenweaver. The four main services of WISE are individualized to fit the needs of each woman coming into the program. For counseling, the organization offers a onehour consultation each time a woman comes in to help with creating a business or marketing plan or something else she needs assistance with. The educational and training experiences can be varied. “Our businesses accessed more than 130 classroom activities last year, which is amazing for such a small center,” Lenweaver said. Mentor-protege mastermind groups are small groups of women who work together to set up a plan for business. Lenweaver said the help the support can provide is of great value. “Support groups are really a very important part of growing a business especially for women because we are sometimes very much isolated in the business community,” she said. “It's very important for us to have teams behind us to understand how other people have done it before. A mastermind group would be absolutely perfect for somebody who has no idea what to do.” The fourth service WISE provides is an opportunity to network. “In many cases, we do networking by roundtable discussions,” Lenweaver said. “We have those every week at the WISE Women's Business Center and they range in topics from women in creative businesses to women in food and farming to women in family businesses, women as career changers.” Women are offered a chance to network on a larger scale through the WISE Symposium each year. This event gives 850 to 1,000 businesswomen a chance to hear nationally recognized keynote speakers and also meet with other businesswomen. The symposium is held in Syra-
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cuse and in the past has included such presenters as real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and Bobbi Brown from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Although the symposium costs money to attend, other WISE services are free. “You do not need to be a member of WISE,” Lenweaver said. “All you do is call us. All of our counseling and everything is free of charge.” The WISE Women's Business Center is located at 224 Harrison St., Syracuse. For more information, call 315-443-8634 or visit www.wisecenter.org.
4
. The Women's Opportunity Center is located at 901 James St., suite 2, Syracuse. The organization helps women who are down on their luck prepare for and find employment. The program, funded by the federal Small Business Administration, has a 76 percent success rate in finding women jobs, said its case manager-facilitator Mary “Kiki” White. White explained the secret to the program’s success. “I would say the reason is we have just tailored this program directly to what participants’ needs are and we really do an excellent job of guiding them regarding finding a job and discovering the types of jobs that are available,” she said. “We do a lot of research all the time about what's going on in the community. We read a lot about the poverty rates in Syracuse and we're always looking where the jobs are.” The center's services include training on resume and interview preparation, business writing and customer service skills, and financial literacy, among others. The center does Microsoft Office training at its computer lab, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. It also offers one-on-one career counseling and provides a clothes closet for women preparing for interviews. Women in need of assistance are invited to contact the center at 315-4460550 or visit www.womensopportunity. org/career-services/syr-services. “If they're interested, they come in and we give them a folder of a lot of community resources for the unemployed,” White said. “We talk about the programs and what we have to offer and see if it's the right place for them.”
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Pathfinder Forges Partnership to Create HerPath to Success
P
athfinder Bank recently announced a partnership with Leisha Doherty Dukat, the founder & CEO of Her HeartBeat, a female-focused communications and public relations firm helping women through success solutions in business, career and life. “Her HeartBeat is honored to partner with an organization that puts its community first,” said Dukat. “Our partnership creates a program with the CNY woman at its heart.” This partnership will combine Her Heartbeat’s expertise in communications and public relations with Pathfinder Bank’s knowledge in all things financial to create HerPath to Success, a customizable and individualized community for empowering women both personally and professionally. HerPath to Success is a program designed to offer education and training, professional consulting, tailored financial services, community partnerships, and networking opportunities to women in Central New York. “Pathfinder Bank’s role in HerPath to Success is to help enhance the financial wellbeing of Central New York women while creating positive banking relationships. We are very excited to announce our new partnership,” said Thomas W. Schneider, President & CEO. “We feel that fostering relationships and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth is essential to success and financial wellbeing.” The program will bring opportunities to the woman through leadership events, Money Smart seminars, consulting hours and more. The first event, a Power Breakfast, will take place at 8:30 a.m. June 21 at the Genesee Grande in Syracuse. For more information and registration, visit https://herpath2successpowerbreakfast.eventbrite.com. JUNE / JULY 2016
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT By Carol Thompson
A Successful Second Act Former community services director from New Haven finds success in the world of art
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trip to a craft show in 1995 led to a profitable and rewarding career for Cindy Schmidt of New Haven. Schmidt’s Cranky Cat Collection, paintings of cute and personable cats, are sold locally, nationally and internationally. For the 61-year-old artist, the road to success came as a bit of a surprise. After working for many years as the town of Schroeppel community services director, Schmidt left in 2000 to pursue other avenues. She had attended a craft show in Syracuse five years prior to leaving her job and after seeing a big crowd around one particular booth she went over to it to see what the draw was. She watched as a woman painted on wood, captivating her audience. When Schmidt left the show she stopped at a store and loaded up with art supplies. Her first venture into the art world soon began with wood paintings of welcome signs and seascapes, but competition was fierce so Schmidt began to research what was selling. That’s when JUNE / JULY 2016
she came up with the idea for cats — but not just any cats. Schmidt said she wanted her cats to have personality. She completed her first painting and put it for sale on eBay. When it sold for $24, Schmidt said she kept on going. Wanting a catchy name for her feline creations, Schmidt said she perused the dictionary to come up with the perfect name and the Cranky Cat Collection was born. She filed for a trademark but because her business only slowly progressed, she wasn’t sure if she should pursue it fulltime. “Several times I sat down with my family and debated whether I should get a real job,” she said. With an undergraduate degree in music and a master’s degree in child, family and community studies from Syracuse University, she could easily step back into the workforce, but with a supportive family that includes her husband and grown twin daughters, Schmidt opted to give the Cranky Cat OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Collection a shot. She travels around the state selling at craft shows. Last year she sold at 20 shows beginning with outdoor events in May and setting up at indoor shows in the fall. She finds prospective shows by researching on the Internet and word-of-mouth from other artists. Schmidt’s big break came when she was contacted by the Bradford Exchange, an opportunity she almost missed. She was contacted by email and first assumed it was spam. “I called the company and learned it was real,” she said. “I’m still thrilled.” She was given a four-year contract renewable for two years under a non-disclosure agreement. The Bradford Exchange produces and markets collectible goods. Schmidt’s Cranky Cats can be found on tote bags, jackets, wallets, checks and checkbook covers. Along with the Bradford Exchange, Schmidt negotiated a contract with a company that produces cross stitch patterns from her paintings. She also 75
sells on wholesalecrafts.com, a site that matches artists with retailers and her work is featured in a shop in Arkansas thanks to her sister-in-law. “She had a tote from the Bradford Exchange with her and plopped it on the counter,” Schmidt recalled. “It’s now one of my biggest wholesale clients.” For archival prints of the Cranky Cats, Schmidt supports local business by using Port City Copy Center. Two of her best sellers are matted prints and notecards. The Cranky Cats can also be found on ceramic trivets, coasters, bookmarks, magnets, and pins. The journey into the art world is something Schmidt wouldn’t have envisioned prior to 2000 when as Schroeppel’s director of community services she organized activities and events for the town. “I had no idea I had talent,” she said. “It was a shock.” Schmidt has no plans to slow down. She said her Cranky Cats have resulted in a rewarding career. “It’s been so much fun because of the customers. I have fans who follow me to art shows.” For more information, visit www. crankycats.com/
Cindy Schmidt’s Cranky Cat Collection — paintings of cute and personable cats — are sold locally, nationally and internationally.
Liverpool Career Counseling Business Celebrates 25 Years Pathfinders CTS, Inc. adapts to changing needs of business community Pathfinders CTS, Inc., a talent management organization based in Liverpool, has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in business. Established in April 1991, Pathfinders was originally created to support organizations and their professional and executive employees who experienced job loss from the downsizings and re-organizations in the 90’s and early 2000’s. As business needs changed and evolved, so did Pathfinders’ service offerings. The outplacement and career transition services are still provided but the agency also has expanded other services. Some of these services include coaching, internal career development, leadership development, and “right fit” suitability assessments for job fit and cultural alignment. “We are proud to have been of support to the greater Central New York 76
business community for the past 25 years,” said Leslie Rose McDonal, founder Leslie Rose McDonald, of Pathfinders CTS. founder and president of Pathfinders. “As businesses are now focusing more on hiring and retention of the best talent, we will continue to provide support for those needs.” Pathfinders is affiliated as a partner/owner in Career Partners International, a career and talent management firm with 270 offices in over 45 countries. For more information about the agency, visit www. trustedcoach.com. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Is Exelon Next? T
Nuclear power operator relying on Clean Energy Standard to level playing field
he impending closure of Entergy’s James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Scriba radiates dismal news for the economy in Oswego County. Will Exelon Corp.’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station suffer the same fate? Unless state officials develop price supports for Upstate New York nuclear plants, Exelon’s Units 1 and 2 at Nine Mile Point may someday face an early closure like FitzPatrick. JUNE / JULY 2016
There are a number of factors that play into any plant retirement decision, according to Jill Lyon, senior communications specialist at Exelon. They include operating costs, total revenue, long-term commitments, and the potential for regulatory or legislative environmental policies that adequately compensate a plant’s around-the- clock zero-emission energy production, she noted. “As long as state and federal policies fail to adequately value the many OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
environmental and economic benefits of Upstate nuclear plants, Nine Mile Point and the R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in the Rochester area will continue to face significant economic challenges,” she said. To ensure grid reliability, the Exelon-owned Ginna facility is committed to operate under a reliability support services agreement, a longterm cost-justified agreement with Rochester Gas & Electric through March of 2017. 77
Exelon officials remain hopeful that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s progressive Clean Energy Standard will provide a regulatory solution, “but if we do not see a long-term path to sustainable profitability, we must consider all options, including shutdown,” Lyon said. Cuomo’s proposed new standard calls for 50 percent of the state’s electricity to come from alternative sources by 2030. The standard also includes the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40 percent. Supporters of nuclear power facilities, including the Upstate Energy Jobs coalition, claim the emissions standard cannot be reached without Upstate nuclear plants such as FitzPatrick, Nine Mile Point Nuclear and Ginna. Statewide hearings by the Public Service Commission have been held — including two in the city of Oswego — to provide an opportunity for elected officials, community members, employees and the general public to voice their support for the role of Upstate nuclear facilities in achieving the state’s clean energy goals. The UEJ coalition is made up of more than 200 businesses and community leaders that are heavily lobbying the PSC, which is expected to decide on including nuclear power in the CES in July.
Change or perish
From Exelon’s and the UEJ’s perspective, regulatory changes in Albany are needed in order to guarantee more revenue for Upstate nuclear power stations. PSC staff recently issued a white paper on a new CES proposed for the state, calling for utilities to purchase power from several struggling Upstate nuclear facilities while also boosting renewables and energy efficiency, Tier 3 of the Clean Energy Standard establishes zero carbon credits that will compensate Upstate nuclear units for their many environmental and economic benefits, Lyon noted. The PSC’s white paper outlines the process to price and award those credits. “We are hopeful the final plan adequately recognizes costs and risks of performance through 2030 to ensure a viable, safe and reliable operation,” 78
Lyon said. Lyon said the Tier 3 nuclear component of the CES is the right step toward identifying Upstate nuclear energy plants’ contributions to New York’s environmental goals and objectives. Lyon “Exelon will continue to seek policies and market-based solutions that properly value the Upstate nuclear units for their safety, reliable operation, fuel diversity, economic impact and zero emissions carbon credits,” she noted. Exelon has submitted comments on the CES and remains committed to working with the PSC and other stakeholders to craft a plan that properly values Upstate nuclear units, Lyon noted. “It is important that the state Public Service Commission establishes the Clean Energy Standard swiftly, as directed by Governor Cuomo, so that important decisions on the future of our plants can be made,” she said. New York’s stated climate initiatives, Upstate economy and maintaining a fuel-diverse New York energy portfolio depend on a timely resolution of this process, she added. “In the case of both Ginna and Nine Mile Point, we are evaluating the solutions contemplated by the New York Clean Energy Standard as a long-term solution for continued operation,” Lyons said. “We are working hard to communicate the economic challenges to ensure we have sustainable alternatives in place to preserve the plants and their many economic and environmental benefits.” Lyon said Exelon remains focused on operating its plants safely and working with the PSC to finalize the CES. “Exelon appreciates the overwhelming support we’ve received from hundreds of employees, neighbors and local officials who attended the recent Clean Energy Standard public hearings,” she said. “More than 2,300 letters of support have been submitted to date, a strong sign that Upstate New Yorkers support a clean OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
energy future.” She noted New York’s draft CES is already being used as a model for consideration in other states that are working to properly value nuclear energy for its safe, reliable energy and significant economic and environmental benefits.
Save the nukes
Letting nuclear Upstate nuclear plants shut their doors prematurely would hinder New York’s economic and carbon reduction goals,” said L. Michael Treadwell, executive director of Operation Oswego County and CEO of the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency. He said the benefits of keeping Upstate nuclear energy plants clearly outweigh the costs of the CES. Upstate nuclear energy plants provide numerous benefits, including nearly 25,000 jobs and saving consumers $1.7 billion a year in electricity costs, he noted. “What’s more, a recent Brattle Group study found the part of the Clean Energy Standard that would keep Upstate nuclear plants open is responsible for over 50 percent of the Clean Energy Standard program’s lifetime financial benefits from carbon avoidance, while only representing 21 percent of the program’s overall costs,” he added. “Valuing nuclear power plants justly, as other forms of energy are valued for the benefits they bring to our state, is the right thing to do, for our economy and for cleaner air,” said Gary Toth, vice chair of the county IDA. Toth said the CES “deserves our support for properly crediting nuclear energy the same way other non-emitting carbon energy sources are, which all play a role in getting our state to its carbon reduction goals.” In addition, a recent report finds that in the early years of the CES, up until 2023, over 75 percent of the carbon avoided by the CES is directly attributable to preserving Upstate nuclear. “Policymakers must act now on the CES to ensure that Upstate nuclear is here for New York’s greener future,” he added.
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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real estate SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Real Estate: End of an Era Oswego County Board of Realtors becomes part of Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors
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he trend of mergers and collaborations does not discriminate against any economic sector. The Oswego County Board of Realtors has been absorbed into the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, ending over 70 years of service in Oswego County. Gene Friske, executive officer for the Oswego County Board of Realtors, said confidential merger talks began after the first of this year. “Prior to that, we had made a decision to merge with somebody,” he said. “So then, we started talking with neighboring associations and wound up
selecting Syracuse.” He said the transaction is in the process of being approved by the Department of State. “It’s a done deal. We’re closed,” said Friske, noting it is truly an end of an era involving an organization that has been active in Oswego County since 1945. Friske said it was a combination of factors that led to the shutdown. “In a sense, if members had a choice, I think they would like to stay the way we were, but we just can’t afford it,” Friske said. “We just don’t have enough members. “Like other organizations in Oswe-
Staking his Claim Gene Friske, 81, led Oswego County Board of Realtors for two decades For the past 20 years, Gene Friske has been directing traffic at the Oswego County Board of Realtors as its executive officer. Now at 81 years young, the Fulton native is overseeing his final transaction. The Oswego County Board of Realtors was recently absorbed into the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, It was the interaction with people that kept Friske at the helm of the OCBR. “I had some good relationships with 80
colleagues at other associations. We got along and helped each other out,” the Phoenix resident said. Friske gained great personal satisfaction by providing solutions to problems that members were faced with. “There were a lot of problems that cropped up sometimes and we tried to get them answers,” he noted. The OCBR — incorporated in 1975 — played a vital role on the local real estate scene. It provided brokers OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
go County, we’ve lost members. We’re down to about 98 members, which is not enough to sustain us.” Ten years ago, membership stood at about 150. At one point, membership was close to 200. In addition, the National Association of Realtors has levied many new requirements and “to-do” lists on local associations. “With a shortage of volunteers, there’s not enough people to do them,” Friske said. He noted “it gets old after a while” having the same people take on board tasks. Besides offering access to the Multiple Listing Service, the GSAR will provide more services to former OCBR members, Friske noted. The GSAR offers resources such as expert speakers addressing pertinent topics, an event deemed unaffordable at the OCBR. What’s the future going to be like for the 81-year-old Friske? “I’m retired,” he said. “I’ll find some things to putter around with.” “Members are probably going to miss the personal touch being that the Syracuse organization has a larger number of members,” Friske said. “But once they get used to it, they will be fine.” “My feeling is it was necessary,” he said.
and agents a Multiple Listing Service system, offered continuing education, served as a resource for information and ensured that professional standards were adhered to. “What makes a person a Realtor is the fact they subscribe to a code of ethics and belong to the National Association of Realtors,” Friske said. “Just because you hold a real estate license doesn’t make you a Realtor.” If there was an agent-to-agent complaint regarding procedure or protocol, the OCBR had a process where it could run a hearing to determine the solution. It also served as arbitrator in instances where there was a commission dispute between brokers. “All our brokers are competitors, JUNE / JULY 2016
Gene Friske recently celebrated 20 years as executive director at the Oswego County Board of Realtors. At 81, he is retiring as the group will now be part of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors. but they cooperated and showed each other’s listings. It’s the guidelines set forth and the professional standards that was really the glue that held things together,” he noted. A panel of brokers and agents heard cases and made decisions based on facts, Friske added. Contributing to his longevity at the OCBR was his administrative assistant, Tonya Shampine, who had been with Friske for 19 years. She also served as MLS director and coordinated educational courses for member agents. The state requires agents to have 22.5 hours of continuing education every two years. Friske served in the U.S. Air Force JUNE / JULY 2016
for 28 years. While in the Air Force, he earned the equivalency of a two-year college degree. He retired as master sergeant, which is top of the line within enlisted ranks. After retiring, he sold real estate for 10 years before coming to the OCBR. “A lot of the management-type training that I had from various schools helped tremendously,” he said of his Air Force experience. He belongs to the Air Force Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Today’s real estate scene
Friske said OCBR provided less assistance in its final years helping agents OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
battle technical issues. “It’s been simplified,” he said. “Back when it first started, multiple listing services were on a main frame with telephone modems. “Those were kind of cranky. We were helping somebody almost daily in the early days of DOS.” The OCBR was also a “mini publisher” of the MLS book. It was produced at its New Haven office and then shipped off to a printer. “That wasn’t a 100 percent trouble-free program,” she said. “There was a time we had our modems fried by lightning. In those cases, once the modem was fried, that was it. We had to get them fixed.” Today, the MLS is run off the Internet, resulting in a lot less problems for users, Friske noted. The MLS system has evolved from the days when agents would send cards to each other with listings, to MLS books, and eventually into the computer age. “MLS is kind of closed to the public. However, what is happening from a technical standpoint is the listings now are going out to public-facing sites,” Friske said. Through the MLS, the OCBR supplied feeds to brokers to enable them to put listings on their own websites and make them available to the public. There is also a newer generation of what are termed third-party sites such as Zillow and Trulia that offer real estate listings. Friske, a former realtor himself, said in many instances, a sales agent will find a house that fits a couple’s price range and appeals to them. “But in the back on their minds, there’s that perfect house just over the hill which doesn’t exist,” he said. Today, the public goes online to different sites and searches through a host of houses. “They narrow it down, and I think that helps the agents,” Friske said. “Hopefully they won’t have to show as many houses as they used to.” The MLS system that most Oswego County real estate agents plug into is now split up into three main regions. Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Cayuga and Cortland counties are under the Syracuse umbrella. That association is tied into the Rochester and Buffalo regions. “We are all using the same data base. If one of our agents has a customer looking for property in Buffalo, they have access to that information,” he said. 81
Bruce Frassinelli bfrassinelli@ptd.net
One Year After Clerk Kim Davis’ Debacle
I ‘Lessons learned after a county clerk refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples’
BRUCE FRASSINELLI is the former publisher of The Palladium-Times and an adjunct online instructor at SUNY Oswego. 82
t is just about a year since the U.S. Supreme sworn public duties. court held that the right to marriage is Davis was not jailed for her beliefs. She was guaranteed to same-sex couples. That June put in jail for refusing a federal judge’s order to 26, 2015, decision was flauted almost immedi- obey the law. As an elected official, Davis took ately by Rowan County, Ky., clerk Kim Davis. an oath to uphold the law. Based on this, she There have been millions of words written cannot use her power as an elected official to about Davis’s decision of defiance despite the refuse to grant marriage licenses to couples the high court’s edict and a federal judge’s order. Supreme Court ruled is entitled to those licenses. Davis was held in contempt of court. Davis counters, saying that by her having She said to issue the licenses violated her said the words “so help me God” that she was conscience and runs swearing allegiance to a counter to her religious higher power. My Turn beliefs. Interestingly enough, Davis, a convert the oath of office prescribed to Oneness Pentecostal Christianity, says she in the U.S. Constitution (article 2, section 1) does worships three times a week. She also has not include the words “…so help me God.” By been married four times to three different some accounts, our first President George Washmen prior to her conversion. ington added them after taking the oath of office Her decision to go to jail rather than fol- in 1789, and through tradition, many presidents low the law brought thousands of supporters after Washington have repeated the words. flocking to her side, along with the negative While the presidential oath does not require backlash from critics who branded her actions the office-holder to say, “So help me God,” the as reckless and unlawful. They, along with the oaths taken by members of Congress, federal American Civil Liberties Union, also claim it is judges and civil service employees, do include a significant assault on the First Amendment’s these words, but if a speaker has a personal or separation of church and state principle. moral objection, he or she does not have to say After five days in jail, Davis was released, “So help me God.” Article Six of the Constituwent back to work but again refused to issue tion requires that there be no religious test for marriage licenses to gay couples. Clerks in public office. her office agreed to issue them, so business In the 1803 Supreme Court Marbury v. Madwent on pretty much as usual. Davis wanted ison decision that brought about the principle of her name and office title removed from the judicial review, whereby the high court decides marriage licenses, which got her into hot what is and what is not constitutional, Chief Juswater with the courts again, but she says she tice John Marshall asked in his groundbreaking doesn’t care. She says the law of God trumps opinion whether we are a nation of laws rather the law of man. than of men. Lindsay Graham, the conservative senIf we were to allow public officials to pick ator from South Carolina, says Davis can’t and choose the laws they will follow based on pick and choose which laws she will and will their personal religious views it would lead to not obey. That goes for the rest of us, too, by utter chaos. Just think of the possibilities: A Quakthe way. er sheriff refuses to issue gun permits because Federal Judge David Bunning was right of his pacifist views; a Muslim supervisor at the in sending Davis to jail. He had no choice, Department of Motor Vehicles refuses to issue because he must obey the law and so must driver’s licenses to women because he believes she. “In this country,” Bunning told Davis, Islam opposes women having this right. ``we live in a society of laws.” Rather than uphold the Constitution, as I am sure Davis and her supporters are the officials swore they would do, these elected sincere in their interpretation of Christian officials would make decisions based on their doctrine that homosexuality is a sin, and personal and religious beliefs. gay marriage is “an abomination.” They are It makes no sense and is a concept that would entitled to that belief, but she should not force strike at the very foundation of our Constitution. those beliefs on us by refusing to carry out her OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
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83
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station:
Generating safe, clean and reliable power, fueling the upstate economy and protecting the environment. 866.237.POWER | exeloncorp.com
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Making Oswego More Colorful
everal volunteers from the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Oswego Project Bloom Committee gathered May 28 to plant flowers in the two large planters on Route 481 at the entrance to the city of Oswego. These planters serve as a bright, colorful welcome to local residents and visitors traveling into Oswego. The committee has coordinated the planting and beautification effort in Oswego for the past 24 years. Volunteers work on five parks, three at city entrances along with the Route 104 hillside at Washington Park and the West Riverwalk Veterans’ Memorial Park. Thye also install 24 downtown planters, colorful community banners on the two bridges linking the east and west side of Oswego. Chamber members provide financial sponsorships of the gardens, banners and baskets to make the entire project possible. The City of Oswego Department of Public Works and Traffic Departments provide important logistical and watering support for the project as well. Interested in “Our volunteers and faithful cham-
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ber sponsors really make this whole project possible”, says current Project Bloom chairman Randy Zeigler. “Our volunteers work very hard to design and plant attractive flowers and plants that make our city warm and inviting. Our financial sponsors understand the importance that a vibrant community
is to city residents and to the health of their businesses and we are fortunate to have so many longstanding sponsors supporting this important project.” Interested volunteer gardeners or sponsors can contact the chamber office staff at 343-7681 or Randy Zeigler at 342-1227.
Volunteers planting flowers during a recent weekend in Oswego as part of the chamber of commerce’s Project Bloom. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
JUNE / JULY 2016
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Jamie Persse jamie@jcpersseconsulting.com
Engage Your People, Grow Your Business… ‘As a corporate trainer, executive coach and thinking partner, I work with organizations to help them get “unstuck,” to help them achieve their full potential.’
JAMIESON C. PERSSE is the founder and CEO of JC Persse Consulting. For more information, visit www. jcpersseconsulting.com and send an email to jamie@ jcpersseconsulting.com. 86
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people at varied levels of an organization ost organizations get stuck in to recite the vision and mission of the a particular area from time to organization. Assuming those written time. Maybe it’s in the area of statements exist, surprisingly few can sales and customer retention or perhaps clearly reiterate them verbatim. Sure, folks it’s that you’ve grown your organization will speak in general of and need to develop what the organization new leaders within My Turn does, and what it stands the organization. for. Do yourself a favor Or maybe, you’ve and paint a clear picture. plateaued at a It’s a low cost, high reward communication certain level that you’d like to break that can help you reap massive rewards. through. Regardless of where you’re feeling • The Personnel Question: Simply, stuck, rest assured that you are not alone. do we have the right people in the right And the good news is that the solution places doing the right things? There are a usually isn’t a massive overhaul of the plethora of assessments that exist today organization. that will assess people’s strengths in As a corporate trainer, executive relation to the needs of the organization. coach and thinking partner, I work The old idea of fitting the square peg into with organizations to help them get the round hole just doesn’t cut it. People “unstuck,” to help them achieve their full have inherent strengths and propensities. potential. During our initial onboarding Matching the right people to the right task meetings, I always ask one simple can catapult your effectiveness, as well as question: “In your organization, what is your efficiency! your most important asset?” Invariably, • The Procedures / Philosophy the answer eight out of 10 times is “our Question: Do your procedures match employees.” Of course we all know that our customers, product, systems and our physical plants are all important as well. But since the majority feel that it’s our people that are our most important asset, lets dedicate our efforts there, shall we? To follow are a few questions I would encourage you to ask yourself of your organization. While volumes have been written on each, suffice it to say I’m just hitting the top of the waves here. They may seem obvious, but I encourage you to reflect on them. If answered openly and honestly, you may find some blocks from which you can build upon. • The Vision / Mission Question: This is the “clarity of purpose: the why and what we do” question. I’ll often ask
‘People have inherent strengths and propensities. Matching the right people to the right task can catapult your effectiveness, as well as your efficiency!’
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JUNE / JULY 2016
your philosophy? This relates to the tools, systems and procedures that your people are empowered and encouraged to use. Think of it like this: Is what we’re saying we want to do to serve our customers supported by how we do it? I always like to use the example of the organization that states: “Customer service is our top priority.” Let’s say someone phones the organization and is put into a “please press “x” que” with a lengthy choice of options. They then find themselves going in the right area, only to get someone’s voicemail saying “your call is very important to me…., please leave me a message… .” We’ve all been there, haven’t we? While there are certainly subsets of the above questions, as well as numerous more that can and should be asked, this would be a good starting point. Communication is a critical component of any organization. Here are a couple tips to get you moving in the right direction: • Engage your employees: Chances are pretty good that your front line people, and lower to middle management are going to be a great resource to answer the above questions. Have (or develop) a safe and open communication channel for your people to offer you open and honest feedback. If you want an engaged and energized workforce, include them in the process, and watch morale change. • Engage your customers: There are several “touch points” or “moments of truth” that we have that can either make or break a relationship with a customer. Instead of leaving it to question engage them with asking them how you’re doing and seeking their input on what you could do better to serve them. Not only will you increase your retention of business, but you’ll build a loyal, referring, valued customer! If it is your desire to take your organization to the next level, start with some simple, actionable steps. I truly hope this serves you well. JUNE / JULY 2016
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Why Everybody Loves Christine She is all about workforce development. As the head of the One-Stop Career Center, Christine Weaver’s main job is to help job seekers find a job and employers find workers
Meet 11 women who make a difference in the banking / credit union sectors
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CNY’s Growing Tourism Industry
June / July 2015
INSIDE • More Community Banks Going Out of Business • Start-Up NY Not Working in CNY • Village of Parish in Search of a Bank • Last Page: Restoring Oswego Neighborhoods
Ausugt / September 2015
October / November 2015
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The Millennials
INSIDE
INSIDE Health industry about to see a surge in jobs
SUNY Oswego School of Business has come a long way since it was a campus department, but how well is it preparing students? We spoke with Dean Richard Skolnik, faculty and students
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Who they are, what they do
April / May 2015
Preparing New Business Leaders
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JUNE / JULY 2016
Best Business Directory AUCTION & REAL ESTATE Dean D. Cummins over 35 years experience. All types of auctions & real estate. Route 370 Cato. Call 246-5407.
AUTO COLLISION Northside Collision, Baldwinsville. Upstate’s largest collision/repair center. Lifetime warranty, loaners or rentals. We assist with the insurance claims. 75 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. More information, call 638-4444.
AUTO SALES & SERVIC Bellinger Auto Sales & Service — Third generation business. Towing, auto repair & accessories, Truck repair. Oil, lube & filter service. 2746 County Route 57 Fulton, NY 13069. Call 593-1332 or fax 598-5286.
AUTO SERVICE & TIRES Northstar Tire & Auto Service. Major/minor repairs. Foreign & domestic. Alignments. Tire sales. Call Jim at 598-8200. 1860 state Route 3 W. in Fulton.
BUILDING SUPPLIES Burke’s Home Center. The complete building and supply center. Two locations for your convenience: 38 E. Second St. in Oswego (343-6147); and 65 N. Second St. in Fulton (592-2244). Free deliveries.
COPY + PRINT Port City Copy Center. Your one-stop for all of your copy + print needs. 184 Water St. Oswego (back of Canal Commons). 216-6163.
CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING Picture Connection. 169 W. First St. Oswego. Quality conservation matting & framing for your photos, prints, original artwork & objects. 343-2908.
DEMOLITION
LANDSCAPING
Fisher Companies. Commercial & residential demolition. Great prices. Fully insured. Free estimates. 46 years of experience. Call Fisher Companies at 315-652-3773 or visit www.johnefisherconstruction.com.
D & S Landscaping office. Servicing Oswego & surrounding areas. Quality work, prompt & dependable service. Free estimates. Fully Insured. Backhoe services, Lawn mowing, Snow plowing, Top soil, Tree work. Hydro-seeding & asphalt seal coating. 315-598-6025 (cell 315-591-4303).
EXCAVATING Gilbert Excavating. Septic systems. Gravel & top soil. Septic and tank pumping. 691 county Route 3, Fulton, 13069. Call 593-2472.
GLASS Fulton Glass — Oswego County’s only full service glass shop. Residential. Commercial. Shower enclosures. Auto glass. Window and picture glass. Screen Repair. Window Repair. Beveled Mirrors and Glass. Hrs:M-Th 8-4, Fri 8-noon. FultonGlass.net, 840 Hannibal Street Fulton, NY 13069, 593-7913.
HOME IMPROVEMENT Wet Paint Company. Paint, flooring, blinds & drapes. Free estimates. Call 343-1924, www.wetpaintcompany.com.
LUMBER White’s Lumber. Four locations to serve you. Pulaski: state Route 13, 298-6575; Watertown: N. Rutland Street, 788-6200; Clayton: James Street, 686-1892; Gouverneur: Depot Street, 287-1892. D & D Logging and Lumber. Hardwood lumber sales. Buyer of logs and standing timber. Very competitive pricing. Call 315-593-2474. Located at 1409 county Route 4, Central Square, NY 13036.
OUTBOARD MOTORS Arney’s Marina. Route 14 Sodus Point, NY. Honda fourstroke motors, 2 hp to 250 hp. Repower your boat with the best! Call 483-9111 for more information.
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
Lie detection, EAMS, matrimonial, criminal, custody. Call P.I.B Investigations at 315-952-1118. Liedetectionssyracuse.com. Director: W. Malcom Plummer.
BJ’s Outdoor Power Equipment/ Sales & Service. 3649 state Route 3, Fulton, NY. www.bjsoutdoorpower.com. We sell Ferris, Echo, Central Boiler, and Simplicity products. Call 598-5636.
KILN-DRIED HARDWOODS Lakeshore Hardwoods. We stock kiln-dried cherry, walnut, maple, butternut, ash, oak, basswood, mahogany, cedar figured woods, and exotics. Also hardwood flooring, moldings, stair parts & woodworking supplies. 266 Manwaring Rd. Pulaski. 298-6407 or visit www. lakeshorehardwoods.com.
LAND SURVEYOR Robert M. Burleigh, licensed land surveyor. Quality land surveying. Residential, subdivision, commercial, boundary surveying. 593-2231.
QUILT SHOP Quality fabrics, Notions, Classes for everyone. Explore a new hobby. The Robins Nest, 116 W. Broadway, Fulton, NY 315-598-1170
ROOFING/GUTTERS Over The Top Roofing. Mike Majeski. Commercial & residential roofing. Quality craftsmanship. 50-year manufacturer’s warranty for residential roofs. Best price on seamless gutters. Call 882-5255. 400 Co. Rt. 7 Hannibal, NY 13074.
HEADING: LISTING:
$159 for 1 Year Just fill out this form, and send it with a check to: JUNE / JULY 2016
Oswego County Business • P.O. Box 276 • Oswego, NY 13126 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Last Page
By Lou Sorendo
Martin A. Dietrich NBT Bank chairman and CEO is retiring at the end of the year after working at the bank for 35 years, including the last 12 as president and CEO Q.: What motivated you to select a career in banking? A.: When I was growing up in Norwich, my dad was a teller at a small local bank. A few years after, I earned my degree in economics from Colgate University. I had an opportunity to get into the management development program at NBT, and it seemed like a natural fit for me. Q.: What personal characteristics and strengths do you possess which make you a success in your profession? A.: In business, I think it’s important to be curious. I’m interested in learning new things and looking at challenges from different angles to find the right solutions. From both the personal and corporate perspective, I also think it’s important to operate with a strong set of core values. And, of course, I try not to take myself too seriously. Having a good sense of humor and camaraderie in the workplace is essential to building strong teams. Q.: How would you characterize your leadership and managerial style? A.: I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some great leaders at NBT. When I started at the bank in 1981, Everett Gilmour was our president and CEO. He had a talent for forging partnerships with other banks that ultimately helped the bank to grow. In 1994, Daryl Forsythe was hired to lead the company. He brought me onto the bank’s senior management team in 1995. I had the opportunity to work with him to help the bank reconnect with its community banking values and pursue new growth opportunities. My style has certainly evolved over the course of my career, but these strong positive influences and my own commitment to customer service and ensuring good execution of our strategies have been important to NBT and me. 90
Q.: During your banking career, what were some of the more significant milestones that you achieved? A.: At NBT, we’ve been able to grow through organic expansion and acquisition. I’m very proud of our team and the core competency we’ve developed as it relates to acquisitions. The acquisition of Alliance Bank in 2013 is the largest in NBT’s history. We’re glad that we were successful in making it a positive experience for our customers, employees and shareholders alike. In recent years, we’ve also expanded into New England. In just six years, we’ve established our presence in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with strong local teams and almost $1 billion in loans and commitments. As I look back, our celebration of NBT’s 150th year in business in 2006 is also a highlight for me. Q.: In general terms, how has modern technology impacted the banking industry? A.: Technology has had a tremendous impact on banking during my career. When I started back in 1981, virtually all transactions were completed within the four walls of a bank branch. Over time, advances in technology and changing customer preferences have given rise to automation that has us literally put banking in the palm of your hand. There is still value in brickand-mortar, but how we use our physical spaces is continuing to change and become more OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
focused on consultation and education and less on transactions. Tech-savvy Millennials are particularly interested in remote access to financial tools and information. Q.: What will you miss most once you are retired? A.: I’m going to miss our employees and customers the most. I love watching our team members as they strive to provide our customers with great service and stay engaged in our communities. It’s exciting to see them rise to meet the new challenges that come our way each day. I also enjoy interacting with our customers and helping them achieve their goals. Q.: Are you still going to stay active in some capacity with the banking industry after retirement? A.: At the end of the year, I will turn the day-to-day operation of the company to our new NBT bank president, John H. Watt Jr. At that time, he’ll take on the role of CEO, and I will continue to serve as chairman of the NBT Bancorp and NBT Bank boards. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to focus on my new role in board leadership. I’m also involved in a number of other boards, so I’m confident I’ll remain busy in retirement.
JUNE / JULY 2016