Jake Van Ness, Author at Glens Falls Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2440 Articles

Kim Stote Named SUNY Empire State Dean Of School Of Nursing And Allied Health

March 17, 2021

Kim S. Stote, dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health at SUNY Empire State.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

SUNY Empire State College named Kim S. Stote as dean for its School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Stote, Ph.D., MPH, RDN, succeeds M. Bridget Nettleton in the role.

Prior to her new role as dean, Stote served as the associate dean of health professions for the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has been a faculty member since 2009.

“Kim has been an invaluable member of our School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has the skills and experience necessary to fulfill this important role,” said SUNY Empire State College Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea. “Kim is the right person at the right time for this position.”

“I am honored to serve as the dean for the School of Nursing and Allied Health. This is an interesting and challenging position that aligns well with my background and strengths. I continue to be impressed with SUNY Empire State College’s culture of innovation, which offers alternative learning experiences that encourage student success through degree completion,” said Stote.

She is a clinician scientist conducting research on understanding how dietary components interact with physiological, sociological, and environmental factors that affect the health of the population. Her research experience also includes investigating the effects of differing food components in human health which resulted in a twice Fulbright Scholar award as the research chair of nutrisciences and health, at the University of Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

U.S. Census: Millions Of Women Living With School-Aged Children Didn’t Work In January

March 17, 2021

From U.S. Census Bureau

Around 10 million U.S. mothers living with their own school-age children were not actively working in January—1.4 million more than during the same month last year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on employment overall but especially on mothers’ paid labor. The 10 million not working accounted for over one-third of all mothers living with school-age children in the United States, according to the Current Population Survey.

Last spring, between March and April, some 3.5 million mothers living with school-age children left active work — either shifting into paid or unpaid leave, losing their job, or exiting the labor market all together.

Some 45 percent of mothers of school-age children were not actively working last April.

The school year began in earnest months ago but deep into the academic year, school systems are still trying to figure out how and when to return to in-person classes.

Some have found ways to juggle work, child care and virtual schooling. By January 2021, more than 18.5 million mothers living with their own school-age children were actively working — still 1.6 million fewer than in January 2020.

‘Down To Earth Aerial’ Specializes In Making Virtual Tours Using Drone Video Production

March 17, 2021

This photo fall foliage in the North Country, with Lake George in the background, was taken by Down to Earth Aerial, a company specializing in drone photography and video production.
Courtesy Down to Earth Aerial

By Christine Graf

After the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted the cruise industry, Capital Region native Chris Spangler found himself in need of a new job. Spangler had been employed as a tour guide in an Alaskan town that was a stopover point for cruise ships.

“Thanks to the pandemic, the cruise ship business obviously tanked which removed my Alaskan job,” said Spangler.

As a result, he decided to open his own business, Down to Earth Aerial. The Saratoga-based company specializes in drone photography and video production.

“I really enjoy aerial photography and flying drones, so I tapped into some of the contacts I have in this area in the construction industry and the real estate industry and worked to build a photography business specializing in aerial photography as well as virtual tours,” said Spangler.

He said it can be especially helpful in the effort to market commercial real estate to investors who are not familiar with the area. It is also useful in marketing residential real estate because it offers a different perspective on the property.

“It’s really nice for people who aren’t from the area to be able to look at a plot that they are considering and be able to see the surrounding area from the air,” he said. “And with the real estate industry for homeowners, it’s just a really nice way to show off the entire space as well as break up the images from just standard terrestrial shots of the house inside and out. It gives you a different viewpoint from up in the air. The big thing we try to talk to clients about is showing what they have from a different perspective.”

Spangler’s customers also include homeowners interested in purchasing aerial photos of their homes.

Bonnie View Resort On Lake George Is Sold; Future Of Property As A Resort Is Unknown

March 17, 2021

By Jill Nagy

The Bonnie View Resort on Lake George was sold in December for $4.4 million.

The buyer is a limited liability company (LLC) created for the sole purpose of holding the property. It was purchased by an investor from Rhode Island.

The resort, at 4654 Lakeshore Drive, on a six-acre lakefront property in Huddle Bay, had been in the Lauro family for 50 years. It has 386 feet of lake frontage.

The resort included 60 motel rooms and cabins, a heated pool, tennis court, and six steel docks. Recently, the buyers’ real estate agent, Jim Casaccio of Bolton Landing, said he drove by the property and saw someone at work cleaning out the buildings.

Business Briefs: March 2021

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

The Arrow Family of Companies announced that its local charitable giving in 2020 was $470,000 and Arrow Team volunteerism exceeded 3,300 hours throughout its service footprint in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Essex and Clinton counties.

During a very difficult year, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. and Upstate Agency LLC supported hundreds of community groups, business associations and local non-profits help to meet the critical needs of our communities.

“By investing in, and partnering with, local organizations through volunteerism and charitable contributions, we help improve the quality of life for our neighbors and the communities in which they live and work,” said President and CEO Thomas J. Murphy. “This year, it was more important than ever to step up our giving back to local communities.”

The $470,000 in contributions during 2020 helped local organizations focus on food insecurity, affordable housing, workforce development, student success, mental health, financial wellness, economic development and supporting emergency assistance funds among many others.

In addition to sponsorships and financial contributions, volunteerism and education is ingrained in the Arrow Team culture and a big part of the company’s commitment to each community served.

In 2020, Team members donated more than 3,300 volunteer hours of service to 170 organizations, with over 50 percent of those hours dedicated to organizations helping low-moderate income individuals, families and areas.

Visit arrowfinancial.com/caring to learn more.

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Annual Americade Motorcycle Event In Lake George Is Postponed Until July 21-25

May 14, 2020

Americade, a major tourist attraction in Lake George, has been re-scheduled for July.
Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

Americade, a popular tourist attraction in the Lake George region for nearly 40 years, has been postponed during the COVID-19 crisis, but will be held in 2020.

The event is traditionally held the first full week of June, but will be pushed back until the week of July 21-25, said Americade organizer Christian Dutcher.

“The health of our community and our guests is paramount, but it is our sincere hope that by late July, it will be possible to bring Americade back to Lake George as long as there are no federal, state or local regulations that would preclude it,” Dutcher said. “We will be very sensitive to public health concerns. We will conduct Americade 2020 in a manner that is respectful of the terrible ordeal this pandemic has caused.’’

The 2020 “touchless’’ Americade will emphasize current public safety protocols including social distancing and hand washing and scenic tours rather than large group gatherings. Organizers will comply scrupulously with health and safety guidance and work closely with Warren County Public Health Services.

Hotel, Tourism Officials Are Hit With Challenges As Summer Event Season Arrives

May 14, 2020

The Lake George Arts Project conducts the Jazz on the Lake festival each September.
R.J. DeLuke

By Christine Graf

Although it is too soon to know what impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the local summer tourism season, the local business community is trying to remain optimistic.

In Lake George, it will be difficult for hotels to weather any lengthy closure. Dunham’s Bay Resort on the east shore just outside the village, is typically open year-round but has closed its 40-room hotel. It’s restaurant remains open for take out only.

According to general manager Matt Taormino, the hotel furloughed about 10 percent of it staff. He credits the hotel’s New York City owner for making this possible.

“They made a commitment to us when this first started to make sure everybody would have a job that needed a job,” he said. “We’re fortunate that our owners take care of us. They really care about us and take care of the property.”

Warren County Tourism Businesses Form A Commission To Plan Economic Recovery

May 14, 2020

A commission formed in Warren County will examine ways to safely get tourism back.

The Warren County Lodging Association, local Chambers of Commerce and the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with Warren County Tourism Department and government officials, have established a commission to develop specific guidelines and best practices for safely reopening businesses in the county.

Officials said the goal of the commission is to ensure the opening of businesses in the Lake George area safely, responsibly and with the health and well-being of the entire community, guests, and team members at the forefront.

Credible hotel and business experts committed to the safe operations of the region have invested significant efforts to develop an outline of communication and operational actions designed to understand guest needs and concerns and to position the tourism businesses in the Lake George region to safely welcome guests back as soon as possible, officials said.

Marc Monahan Of NBT Bank Becomes Chairman Of ARCC Board Of Directors

May 14, 2020

Marc Monahan has been appointed as chairman of the ARCC board of directors.
Courtesy ARCC

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced that Marc Monahan, vice president and regional executive of NBT Bank, has been appointed as chairman of its board of directors.

“The ARCC has been blessed to have a long history of amazing board of director chairs,” said ARCC President/CEO Michael Bittel.

He said Monahan “continues this tradition. Marc’s business knowledge and passion for our community will help lead us for the next two years. Many thanks to Eric Gilbert as our past chair and for his service to our region’s business community.”

“Working with the Chamber has been a gratifying experience and I am looking forward to my role as chair,” said Monahan. “We currently have an engaged board and executive team ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I am eager to continue work side by side with Michael Bittel and his team Tricia, Amanda and Cheryl. Given the current economic challenges we all face ahead, rest assured that we will do everything in our power to support the local business community and our members.”

Monahan is NBT vice president and regional executive for the bank’s Glens Falls-Saratoga market. He joined NBT in 2010 as a member of the retail team and currently overseas the commercial team as part of the North Country.

As Cuomo Begins To Re-Open NY, Warren, Washington Counties Said To Be ‘Close’

May 14, 2020

Parts of New York’s economy in some areas of the can begin reopening in phases, but not the Capital Region, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 11.

At press time, some of the phasing-in could have started as of Friday, May 15.

Members of the group in the Capital Region leading the reopening effort include Robert Henke, Washington County board of supervisors vice chairman, and Ryan Moore, Warren County administrator.

Other members are Ruth Mahoney, Regional Economic Development Council co-chair and Albany market president for KeyBank; Mike Blue, Capital District Area Labor Federation president; Dan McCoy, Albany County executive; Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County executive; Rory Fluman, Schenectady County manager; Spencer Hellwig, Saratoga County administrator; Shaun Groden, Greene County administrator; Matt Murell, Columbia County board of supervisors chair, and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.