Category Archives: Business News

On the evening of Friday, March 8th at the beautiful Sagamore Resort, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) celebrated Robert Nemer with their 35th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award. Over 330 friends, family, and community members joined the celebration. 

Nemer is a founding member of the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, Inc. that was responsible for the acquisition of the Glens Falls Civic Center/Cool Insuring Arena from the City of Glens Falls. He also started the Kids with Packs Program, in partnership with The Post Star and the Tri-County United Way, to provide school supplies to children in need in 14 schools in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, and other counties. Nemer also serves as a board member for Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and the SUNY Adirondack Foundation.

Mr. Nemer is a major and regular contributor and sponsor for many community organizations and their events. Through the Nemer Motor Group, he has made considerable contributions to Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital, and Hudson Headwaters Health Network. Nemer and his wife Franny (Francine) have also personally donated time and funding to these health centers. The two have also contributed to the youth education efforts of The Hyde Collection.

By Paul Post

“It stings. We rent hundreds of hotel rooms just to the athletes, let alone all the fans that come from all over New York state, so it’s a big hit for the local economy.” — Jeff Mead, Cool Insuring Arena general manager.

 “Four hundred room nights in any month is a blow, especially March. The bigger economic impact for the county is sales tax. Everything from Stewart’s to The Bullpen, Raul’s, and all the other great restaurants downtown. Before and after games, everybody goes to lunch, goes to dinner and fills up their gas tanks. That’s where you’re going to see the biggest loss.” — Tyler Herrick, Queensbury Hotel general manager.

“This setback is a significant loss. The tournament not only generates a direct economic impact, but also serves as a means to promote Lake George and Warren County for prospective future tourism visits.” — Gina Mintzer, Lake George Chamber of Commerce executive director.

These are among the many impacts that will be felt locally following Glens Falls’ loss of the New York State high school basketball championships from 2025-27.

Glens Falls hosted the weekend-long event, held each March, for 35 years from 1981 to 2016 when Binghamton was awarded a three-year contract.

Glens Falls won it back and hosted this year’s tourney from Thursday, March 14 to Sunday, March 17, only to lose it again to Binghamton in a highly-controversial recent decision.

Pilot Knob on Lake George, New York – Pilot Knob Marina is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark O’Dell as their new General Manager! With over 25 years of experience, Mark started in the industry at the young age of 14 as a dock hand pumping gas. He has since worked in virtually every position a marina and boat dealership has to offer. From turning a wrench as a marine technician, finance manager helping people fund their dream boats, to sales manager leading multi-million dollar sales teams, and at the helm of the dealership, as general manager. “You must know how to pull an oar before you can man the helm.” O’Dell quotes, “Knowing what each team member is going through allows me to be able to assist where needed and understand the challenges they’re facing.” says O’Dell, “That’s how you build a solid team and earn their respect” An avid boater himself. O’Dell knows both sides of the industry, boating on Great Sacandaga Lake for many years with his family. “I work in the boating industry, but it’s my hobby, too. I enjoy it. You have to love what you do!” This move is important to O’Dell because it gets him back on the water, but why Lake George? “Leadership is about passion, and this area has ignited mine. The scenery from our marina is inspiring and reminiscent of the great camps of the adirondacks. That style, nostalgia, and level of hospitality is what we are bringing to Pilot Knob.”

By Christine Graf

Glens Falls resident Tim Schultz has opened the first Gotcha Covered franchise in Upstate New York. With more than 170 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom window treatments, offering end-to-end consultation to meet the specific needs of each customer. The franchise is expanding rapidly, with 30 new locations opening last year.

Before opening the Upstate New York franchise in February of this year, Tim spent 20 years working in the tech industry, selling data security tools to companies.

“I recently left corporate America, and joined with a designer who has over 20 years of experience in the design and window treatment industry,” he said.

Gothca Covered, offers custom window treatments including, draperies, indoor shutters, shades and indoor and outdoor motorized awnings and screens from the leading manufacturers. All can be integrated into broader home automation technologies.

“The Northeast is the largest market for outdoor awnings, and a motorized awning can really transform your outdoor space,” said Schultz. “And, you can put a power screen on your garage door. You just hit a button and the screen comes down.”

STRIDE Adaptive Sports, one of America’s most respected nonprofits committed to empowering individuals through life-changing sport and recreation programs, is proud to announce the appointment of Alex Brame as its new Executive Director.

Alex joins STRIDE with an impressive background and passion for making a positive difference in sport.  Alex was the executive director of New York West Youth Soccer Association for 7 years, fundraising and advocating across New York State for youth programs, competitions and tournaments across a 54,000 membership. With a focus on inclusivity and a proven track record of strengthening organizational funding, Alex is well-positioned to lead STRIDE into its next chapter of growth and impact.

Alex inherits the leadership of STRIDE from Mary Ellen Whitney, the Founder and CEO of STRIDE for almost 40 years.  The Board of Directors, staff, and all of STRIDE’s communities are indebted to Mary Ellen’s immeasurable dedication to build and lead STRIDE since 1985.  Under Mary Ellen’s leadership, STRIDE hosts and delivers more than 14,000 annual adaptive lessons and activities at sites across the New York Capital region, positively impacting the lives of more than 2,500 families annually.

“I am thrilled that we have hired Alex as the next executive director of STRIDE after a 16 month search,” said Mary Ellen Whitney. “I know that Alex will be a significant asset to drive the future of STRIDE.  I am looking forward to focusing on my passion and first love of teaching and volunteering with STRIDE athletes. I will also be joining the STRIDE Board of Directors in an ex-officio capacity, and I will be working within the STRIDE community to support Alex’s leadership and the next chapter of STRIDE’s journey.”