
39 ANNUAL BUSINESS PERSON of the YEAR AWARD
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022













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39 ANNUAL BUSINESS PERSON of the YEAR AWARD
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022













Special Guest: Entertainer, Magician, and Comedian - Sky Sands
WELCOME
• Nikki Rudd, News10NBC Anchor/Reporter
REMARKS
• Sarah Compter, President, Small Business Council
• Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS
Special Guest: Entertainer, Magician, and Comedian - Sky Sands
2022 BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTATION
• Under 50 Employees Finalists Showcase
• 50 or More Employees Finalists Showcase
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
• Under 50 Employees Winner Remarks
• 50 or More Employees Winner Remarks
• Sarah Compter, President, Small Business Council

SELECTION COMMITTEE:
Kate Polozie, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Paul Kaiser, Savannah Bank
Wayne France, Simon Business School, University of Rochester
Rick Dougherty, Echelon Wealth Advisors, LLC
Abby Reinhard, GP Flooring Solutions
Kim Gangi, Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP
Greg Vangellow, RW Dake Construction
The Small Business Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber affiliate, is pleased to present the 39th Annual Business Person of the Year Award finalists and welcome you to our celebration.
Founded in 1983, this award was established to honor the achievements of exceptional business leaders in the Greater Rochester region. More importantly, it was established to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and business lives. Our community benefits greatly from the service and vision of each of these individuals, who strive to achieve greatness in all they do.
This award recognizes outstanding leadership and growth in the Greater Rochester region despite challenging times. As you read and learn more about the Business Person of the Year Award finalists in this special publication, we know you will agree that they are outstanding examples of success and service.
We appreciate the tremendous generosity of our sponsors, whose contributions have allowed us to celebrate vision, leadership, and success. We also thank the community for its continued support and participation. Your attendance today is an important part of the success of all small businesses - the backbone of our Greater Rochester economy. We are honored to spend this time with you and recognize such a distinguished group of business leaders.
Best of luck to all!


Sarah Compter 2022 Board President Small Business Council


Bob Duffy President and CEO Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce










• Bank of America
• The Bonadio Group
• Consiliarium Group, LLC
• Davie Kaplan, CPA, P.C.
• ESL Federal Credit Union
• HR Works, Inc.
• M&T Bank, Rochester Division
• MVP Health Care
• Rochester Business Journal
Greater Rochester Chamber and its Small Business Council affiliate gratefully acknowledges the generous support for this event from its partners and sponsors. To sponsor this event next year, contact Cassidy Franklin at Cassidy.Franklin@GreaterRochesterChamber.com



2020/21 over 50 - Jay McHarg, AeroSafe Global
2020/21 under 50 - Jill Knittel, JK Executive Strategies, LLC
2019 over 50 - Greg Vangellow, RW Dake Construction
2019 under 50 - Nicole Mahoney, Break The Ice Media
2018 over 50 - Timothy Fournier, Conifer Realty, LLC
2018 under 50 - Abby Reinhard, GP Flooring Solutions
2017 over 50 - Steve Carl, Operation Brain Freeze
2017 under 50 - Traci Adolph, Samson Fuel
2016 over 50 - Cyndi Weis, Breathe Yoga & Juice Bar, Inc.
2016 under 50 - Michael Pavia, Sydor Technologies LLC
2015 over 50 - Ken Rosenfeld, eHealth Technologies
2015 under 50 - Mike & Sitima Fowler, Capstone Information Technologies, Inc.
2014 over 50 - Robert Healy, LaBella Associates, DPC
2014 under 50 - Michelle Ashby, Tipping Point Communications
2013 over 50 - Mark E. Davitt, ConServe
2013 under 50 - Amy Castronova, Novatek Communications, Inc.
2012 over 50 - Ray Isaac, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
2012 under 50 - John Ford Nichols, The Nichols Team
2011 over 50 - Sharon Napier, Partners & Napier
2011 under 50 - Mark Gentile, Odyssey Software
2010 - Eli Futerman, Dan Chessin, Hahn Automotive
2009 - Tom Bonadio, The Bonadio Group
2008 - Kenton Fiske, SenDEC Corporation
2007 - Richard Kaplan, Pictometry International Corp.
2006 - Joe Klein, Klein Steel
2005 - Jim Hammer, Hammer Packaging
2004 - Linda Yaniszewski, ExecuScribe
2003 - Chris S. McVicker, The Flanders Group
2002 - Steven B. Sauer, Business Methods, Inc.
2001 - Lauren Dixon, Dixon Schwabl Advertising, Inc.
2000 - Kenneth McAlpin, McAlpin Industries, Inc.
1999 - Sarah Jane Clifford, The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester, Inc.
1998 - Nicholas Juskiw, Trident Precision Manufacturing, Inc.
1997 - Robert T. Tobin, Tobin & Associates
1996 - David Christa, Christa Construction
1995 - James Isaac, Isaac Heating and Cooling
1994 - Richard J. Dorschel, The Dorschel Automotive Group
1993 - I.C. Shah, ICS Telecom Inc.
1992 - Robert “Bud” Frame, Trillium Group
1991 - John (Dutch) Summers, Jasco Tools
1990 - Betty Perkins Carpenter
1989 - C. S. “Chic” Lewis
1988 - Robert Sperandio, Sporting Dog Specialties
1987 - Wayne Scheible, Flower City Printing
1986 - Jane Pitt, JP Associates
1985 - Matthew Augustine, Eltrex Industries
1984 - Charlotte Hegedus
1983 - Robert Hall













1. What has been your journey since receiving the Business Person of the Year recognition? Receiving the BPOY recognition was an incredible honor. I am so grateful to be surrounded by an amazing team that has helped me bring JK Executive Strategies to heights I never imagined. I have seen immense positive change in our organization since my recognition, including my own personal growth. JK Exec has propelled our recruiting efforts into a regional and national space, and yet I found most of my learning was right here in Rochester. As leaders, we should be on a non-stop learning journey. I can say that I’ve learned so much from my team and from the Rochester community. I look forward to continuing my journey and discovering how all of us at JK Exec can continue to expand the breadth and depth of our capabilities.
2. What is your advice to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders? Never stop learning and evolving. We are witnessing constant change in every way, shape, and form. Becoming adaptable is the best way to address fallout from these changes, and the best way to learn. Listen to those around you and the voices in your community. They all can offer you something meaningful.
JAY MCHARG
CEO AEROSAFE
1. What has been your journey since receiving the Business Person of the Year recognition?
The 2021 award was a recognition for the AeroSafe Global team who have demonstrated strong dedication and hard work during this challenging time. This award also gives us more confidence to tackle the most pressing challenges in the global pharma supply chain industry, such as supply disruptions, workforce shortages and increasing costs. Times are changing, so is the cold chain business. However, our commitment to helping improve patient lives by ensuring safe and sustainable delivery of biopharma therapies remains as strong as ever. We will continue our exciting journey to grow our business propelled by innovation and customer dedication.
2. What is your advice to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders?

We never set out to win an award. We were just following our most important core value, which is to be customer obsessed. Focusing on customer needs and delivering on solutions will always lead to more opportunities. Solving problems and creating value makes everyone feel good, especially your employees. Employees that feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment make better teams, that in-turn make customers even happier…a self-fulfilling prophecy!


1. What has been your journey since receiving the Business Person of the Year recognition? It is an incredible honor to have been recognized as BPOY nominee. I enjoyed the event reception and the many opportunities to meet new business leaders in our region. It is worthwhile to become involved in the community and understand further local needs and important issues. This can lead to new opportunities to volunteer, support an event or raise awareness about issues important to you. The experience can be as big or as small as you would like it to be.
2. What is your advice to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders? I would encourage anyone who is thinking about joining the BPOY program to definitely move forward. If nothing else, the questions in the application require you to share your leadership strategy and tell your company story. This alone is a valuable exercise.

PRESIDENT AND CEO
1. What has been your journey since receiving the Business Person of the Year recognition? The past few years have been a rollercoaster for all of us, and I just feel fortunate to be on the ride with my team. Overall at GP Flooring Solutions, we’ve had more growth, we’ve added wonderful people to our team, and we’re optimistic about the future – because no matter what happens, we’re adaptable problem solvers. As for myself, especially as a woman in the construction industry, I feel I’ve come into my own a bit more in recent years, not only with the amazing and unexpected BPOY recognition, but also with nearly 8 years under my belt of owning my business. I’ve now navigated through enough challenges and opportunities to feel confident. I’m grateful to serve on the boards of Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance, Rochester Builders Exchange, Innova Girls Academy, and Rochester Area Community Foundation. I’m even more grateful to have a healthy and happy family, including three awesome kids and a supportive husband.

2. What is your advice to those aspiring to join this elite group of business leaders? I urge you to apply, because even the act of filling out the application is a worthwhile experience. If you’re anything like me, you may tend to focus more on what your company hasn’t yet accomplished rather than on how far you’ve come, and so it’s rewarding in the application process to reflect on all of the strengths and achievements. Also, you just never know what can happen – so go for it. When I was nominated, I didn’t think I would likely win and so I almost didn’t fill out the application. But then I thought about my kids and how I’d be disappointed if they were nominated for an award and didn’t see it through – so I did it and am grateful. If you’ve experienced growth in your business, you love your team, and you’ve contributed to the community, I highly encourage applying. Be sure when you do that your passion comes through. As a reviewer of the applications this time around, I was moved by the responses of the nominees who clearly put their heart into everything they do. They’re the leaders who stand out.



MICHAEL COLYER CEO Foundry
JEFFREY COOK Managing General Partner & Chief Executive Officer Cook Properties
MARK GOLDBERG President
Operation Brain Freeze (Carl Group Enterprises, LLC)
DAVID J. RIEDMAN President & CEO Riedman Companies
VICTOR E. SALERNO CEO O’Connell Electric Company, Inc.
KEVIN M. SCHULTE CEO GreenSpark Solar

Mike joined Foundry as its founding CEO in October 2019. Previously, Mike focused on business development at Core Scientific, which is now North America’s largest cryptocurrency hosting company. He was also the President and COO of Savage IO, a small, Western NY-based 3MW mining company. The Rochester-native has spent the last 5+ years navigating the large-scale mining space, building strong relationships with key industry participants. Before his pivot into the crypto industry, he was an operational and commercial executive at manufacturing and distribution firms for more than two decades, starting his career at GE and often serving at the behest of private-equity backers. In 2007, Mike and his wife, Lisa, co-founded the Clairebear Foundation, a non-profit that supports families with sick children. Mike graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Corporate Finance.
Jeff Cook lives and breathes real estate. After accumulating and later selling a portfolio of Class C multi-family properties in the City of Rochester, Jeff purchased his first mobile home park in 2008. Since then, Jeff has successfully amassed a portfolio of 100 communities totaling 6,500 pads. In April 2022, Cook closed on a massive acquisition, making Cook Properties the largest owner and operator of manufactured housing communities in New York State. Cook also owns multiple self-storage facilities along with 250,000 square feet of local office and retail space. Jeff finds great fulfillment in the transformation of poorly performing properties, resulting in a very attractive product. He graduated with high honors from Binghamton University with a master’s degree in public administration. Jeff lives in Honeoye Falls with his wife and two children.


Mark is the President and CEO of Operation Brain Freeze (OBF). Founded in 2011 and located in Rochester, OBF operates Dairy Queen Grill and Chill restaurants spanning upstate New York.
Mark is a graduate of Clarkson University and has worked in the service industry for over 30 years. Starting as an Assistant Store Manager, his career path includes: Store Manager, District Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing, VP of Operations and COO.
In 2021, OBF was awarded numerous sales awards leading all DQ franchises in the primary growth category of yearover-year same store sales. In 2015 and 2020, OBF was awarded a “Rochester Top 100” company. As measured by Dairy Queen, operationally, OBF functions at the level of “excellence”; a distinction fewer than 5% of restaurants ever obtain.
As a recipient of the Miracle Marker Award in 2016, Mark is most thankful for is his relationship with the Golisano Children’s Hospital. He has, devotedly, represented the DQ Corporation as an Ambassador to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the last 4 years.
Mark is most proud of his family and the support they have provided him throughout his career. He and his wife, Robin, have been married for 30 years. His son, Casey, currently serves as an officer in the United States Marine Corps while his daughter, Leah, is a recent college graduate pursuing OBF as the “Manager of Training and Development.”
David is the Founder and President & CEO of Riedman Companies.
Since its formation in 1993, the company has specialized in real estate development, construction, and property management across the Upstate New York, Finger Lakes, and Northwestern Pennsylvania regions. With a focus in real estate development, investment, and asset management, Riedman Companies designs, develops, owns, builds, manages and markets a wide variety of residential and commercial properties. David graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture.

David contributes his development and finance expertise both philanthropically and professionally to a number of organizations within the community. He became chair of Rochester Regional Health in June 2022 and led the Search Committee for the selection of the new CEO of the health system. He will begin to serve as chair of the YMCA of Greater Rochester in January 2023 while currently serving as vice chair. He is a board member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Foundation, ROC2025, and the Rochester Home Builders Association. He is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders.
He previously served as chair of the board for the Seneca Park Zoo. David also serves as trustee of The Riedman Foundation, a private family foundation.
After 14 years as CEO of O’Connell Electric, Victor Salerno retired in April 2022 with an accumulated 50 years of service to the company. Vic’s leadership has led O’Connell to great heights over the past several decades, including surpassing his personal goal of reaching a “quarter billion dollars” in revenue before he retired, which the company accomplished in 2019. When he finally handed the reigns to Tom Parkes this Spring, the company had reached over $360 million in sales and now employs over 1,000 people.
Vic has been instrumental in leading O’Connell through tremendous growth. He led with a passion for our employees, a safety-first mindset, and strict rules to “always pick up the phone or return calls to customers within 24 hours.” Along with his business acumen, Vic’s altruistic tendencies to support our local communities has inspired countless employees and community leaders to volunteer time and resources to give back whenever we can.



Kevin Schulte co-founded GreenSpark Solar in 2002 and was named CEO in 2008. By 2015 he led the company to 11th Fastest Growing Business, reaching #1 in 2017, and #2 in 2021. Kevin currently serves on the board of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, a member-owned purchasing cooperative of over 60 independent, values-driven solar energy companies in all 50 states, Washington DC, Canada and Puerto Rico.
He has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally for his contributions to the growth of the distributed solar industry. Kevin’s leadership in policy & industry standards has taken him to Washington DC & Albany regularly since 2002, advocating on behalf of small and mid-sized solar and wind businesses. While Kevin’s leadership can be calculated in the over 165 MWs of renewable energy installed, he would point to GreenSpark consistently being named a Rochester Top Workplace as his highest professional accomplishment. Kevin is a graduate of JMU’s School of Integrated Science and Technology. He lives in Webster with his two kids, Ardan and Keller.


TINA PARADISO President
Imprintable Solutions Ink
BENJAMIN PEARSON Founder & CEO Enalas LLC

RUSSELL SCHWARTZBECK Founder/CEO SFG Wealth Management
JONATHAN F. SPACHER CEO & Co-owner Fee Brothers, Inc.
KEITH WILLIAMS Managing Partner
Consiliarium Group, LLC
Tina Paradiso is the owner of three social enterprises, following the principles of conscious capitalism and serving leadership. Her personal mission statement is: to defend and champion humankind through strong advocacy for what is right, equitable and just. She spent three years working into the working poor class after experiencing homelessness at the age of 19 and she is a survivor of domestic violence. A decade after settling into Rochester, NY, she purchased her first business at the age of 42. She is an enthusiastic, authentic and relentless non-conformist who has the ability to see through others’ lens, balancing high expectations with heart to serve others through business.
Past Awards:


2018: Small Business Administration (SBA) Outstanding Business person of the year
2019: Center for Youth Chuck Cuminale Youth Advocate Award
2019: Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association Work Force Development Award
2019: Youth Services Quality Council (YSQC) Leadership quality award
2021: Women of Excellence Finalist
Ben Pearson is the CEO and founder of ENALAS. ENALAS began when his sister suggested he become an entrepreneur who helped people. ENALAS –Everyone Needs A Little Assistance Sometimes.
Pearson emerged from academia as a mathematician and physicist where he met, and married fellow physicist, Kelly. After leaving academia in 2006 for a corporate career, four years into his career, he became Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at VWR International. He was further blessed to become a father to 3 beautiful children.

In 2012, Pearson started Enalas and leased industrial space in inner city Rochester and collaborated with Sumit Jain, an international friend from India. Enalas designs, manufactures, and distributes products in the service of science. Pearson soon realized that there were needs and opportunities to apply his analytical thinking to other industries seeking to reach global markets. Today, the company assists brands, companies, artists, and manufacturers access mass scale markets.
Enalas currently houses firms including: Eisco, where they design, manufacture, and sell science equipment, hBAR, an ecommerce retail and Amazon distribution center, Teak Tuning & Stonehaven Minis, a hobby miniature skateboard company, Empirically Made, an ecommerce marketplace, and Fulcrum Holdings, a real estate holdings.
Pearson also serves on the boards of St. Michael’s Woodshop, Special Touch Bakery, and Buffalo Museum & Science Center.

Russ Schwartzbeck is originally from a small town north of Saratoga. He came to Rochester to attend RIT, and during his junior year, he launched SFG Wealth Management. The early years were challenging as Russ didn’t have a large network in Rochester or any start-up capital. What he did have was a vision for what was possible, a strong work ethic, and a passion for helping people.
Launched in his junior year at RIT, SFG Wealth Management has grown into a firm that specializes in investments, insurance, and financial planning. It is a team of 10 members dedicated to making a positive impact on its valued clients in Rochester and around the country. Russ considers the keys to success being a strong work ethic, a commitment to honesty and integrity, and surrounding yourself with great people.
Russ knows that SFG would not be where it is today without a talented team. The SFG team is made up of smart and driven individuals who care deeply about helping clients live the life they want to live. The culture at SFG promotes client service, professional growth, and flexible work schedules.
Russ spends his time away from the office with his wife, Alexa, and two kids, Elisabeth and Andrew. He enjoys giving back to the community by coaching his son’s hockey team, serving on national boards within the financial services industry, and being involved with local nonprofits. He is a past president of the Small Business Council of Rochester, Mental Health Association of Rochester, and alumni boards at RIT.
To learn more about Russ and SFG Wealth Management, please visit sfgwealthmanagement.nm.com.


When Jon was born, his parents brought him home to their apartment above the Fee Brothers factory on Portland Ave in Rochester, NY. Little did anyone know that 45 years later, he and his brother, Benn, would become the 5th generation owners of the family business. Jon received his bachelor’s in Insurance from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and built a successful 24-year career in the Insurance industry. In 2021, he retired from the industry as an Officer and Regional President of a national insurance company to lead Fee Brothers as their CEO. Since then, the revenues of the 158-year-old business have doubled, as have the number of employees. Jon enjoys sailing, a skill his father taught him as a young boy. He now shares his passion for sailing with his wife, Jen, and son, Isaiah, aboard their sailboat, Whipjack. As Isaiah is starting his freshman year at Penn State this fall, Jon and Jen are excited to downsize to a condo in Rochester’s Center City and enjoy their empty nest season.
Keith Williams is the Managing Partner of Consiliarium Group, LLC., a privatelyowned employee benefits consulting firm located in Pittsford, NY. Consiliarium acts as an extension of finance and human resources with our employer group clients, providing strategic consultation, healthcare analytics, benefit technology, wellness, compliance, and a strong and proactive service platform to maximize the return on the clients’ employee benefits investment. Keith’s passion and energy sets and guides the Consiliarium team’s vision and customer focus. Within his role, Keith implements business development initiatives as well as maintains strong relationships with clients, vendor partners, and the community. Keith is involved on the board with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), spent 15 years coaching and mentoring young football athletes, and is frequently involved in health and wellness initiatives benefiting the Rochester community. Most recently, Keith chaired the American Heart Association’s Rochester Heart Walk in 2021, and was part of their Executive Leadership Team in 2020 and 2022. As a business and community leader for over 35 years, Keith’s desire continues to be a servant leader, encourage his team to reach their full potential, and to lead through putting others first. Keith’s greatest joy is to watch his colleagues, family, and friends to grow, learn more about what they find fulfilling, and create opportunities for them to truly flourish in their careers and in life.


Bank of America is proud to support local businesses and communities. Congratulations to the 2022 Business Person of the Year nominees for all you do to better the Rochester region.
Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about.





Congratulations
Russell K. Schwartzbeck CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, RICP®

2022 Business Person of the Year Finalist
SFG Wealth Management celebrates the leadership of our Founder & CEO, Russ Schwartzbeck. Our team strives every day to help our financial planning clients live the life they want to live.






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Managing a business, especially in the face of a once-in-alifetime pandemic, is certainly not easy. Your commitment to growth, leadership, achievement and community service is to be commended.


Congratulations to all of the 2022 Business Person of the Year Finalists! Help us Ensure a Happy Thanksgiving for over 3,000 Families in the Rochester Area
November 18-19, 2022
1. Build Food Boxes: rally your company to build food boxes containing the requested items, including a $25 gift card to ALDI, Tops, Walmart or Wegmans, with each box and/or
2. Buy A Box: make a monetary donation of a minimum of $50 to cover the approximate cost of one food box (though a donation of any amount is appreciated)
3. Volunteer Your Time: to pick-up or distribute food boxes Contact rick@echelonwa.com and marcus.cortellini@inserocpa.com for more information!




Insero & Co. would like to congratulate all of this year’s Business Person of the Year Award finalists. As Rochester’s premier business advisory firm, we know that this honor is a reflection of your hard work and perseverance.
We have worked closely with many of you and have seen first-hand how your leadership and passion help drive your businesses and fuel Rochester’s economy. We look forward to celebrating with all of you and the Small Business Council of Rochester.
For more than 40 years, Insero has served the Rochester business community with a commitment to The Highest Standard. Whether through talent acquisition, outsourced accounting, audit, tax, or business advisory services, you can count on us to listen to your situation, deliver solutions to your challenges, and bring you the ideas to take you to the next level of success.
We also serve the Rochester community as an employer committed to transforming the employee experience. Our firm has repeatedly been recognized as one of Rochester’s Top Workplaces, one of the Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the US, and this year were honored as the #1 Best Company to Work For in New York State.
Vic - Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the difference you have made with your tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to O’Connell Electric’s growth and success throughout the years.
May the next chapter in your life bring you endless time to be with your family and do all the things you love most. Cherish and enjoy every moment. You deserve it!
From all of us at O’Connell Electric Company








