By Susan E. Campbell
Local banks can have both a stabilizing and energizing influence on a community’s economy, which is the main reason why Kerri Lewis of TD Bank and professionals like her have pursued careers in banking.
“Connecting with clients is why I’ve been a career banker,” Lewis said. “It’s a position that provides me the opportunity to have a strong pulse on the needs of the community and help make an impact.”
The Capital District Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a nonprofit organization serving women in the construction and related industries, will bring together New York State Women Business Enterprises (WBE) construction businesses and state agencies at its annual WBE Showcase in March.
The fifth annual event is slated for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at the Century House in Latham. The showcase will run from 5-7:30 p.m.
Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2014 mandate to increase statewide MWBE utilization goals to 30 percent for all state contracts, it is crucial for businesses that are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by women to get certified and market themselves as certified businesses, according to NAWIC.
Student loan debt is a challenge gripping the nation with $1.5 trillion in debt, transcending all generations, with statistics showing that nearly one-third of borrowers are over the age of 40.
In response to this troubling trend, NBT Bank has launched its own Student Loan Repayment Program for its full-time employees to help them reduce the outstanding balance on qualifying student loans.
The program is part of the company’s financial wellness initiatives.
The 18th annual Pizza, Wings & Baskets of Things, a fundraiser for the Wait House, will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday March 27, at Cool Insuring Arena, Glens Falls.
Tickets include pizza, wings, beer/soft drinks, and dessert. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win over 100 prizes.
All proceeds will benefit WAIT House in Glens Falls, a 501(\)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help, support, and house homeless youth in our community.
Stewart’s Shops has acquired an area gasoline and diesel distribution business that will allow it to distribute gasoline from Sunoco, Citgo and Mobil to dealers located in some of its coverage area in upstate New York.
The local company acquired the distributorship from Polsniello Fuels, a 68-year-old third-generation company in Rensselaer.
Stewart’s said it plans to continue working with dealers who previously did business with Polsinello, and is considering a remodel for some of the acquired gas stations.
“As we continue to grow our business, this acquisition gives us the opportunity to diversify by expanding deeper into the fuel wholesale business,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in a news release.
Polsinello now will focus on its lubricant and motor oil supply business. Lou Polsinello, company vice president, said in a release that the business will continue to deal in lubricants and motor oil distribution, and that dropping out of the gasoline retail business will help them to grow in those other areas.
“Finding the right partner to entrust our legacy and customers was our highest priority,” Polsinello said.
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe in Glens Falls is enjoying its new location in what is known as the “green roof building” of The Shirt Factory.
Owner Matt Funiciello said the new space has allowed them to expand their vegan menu, including what he is most excited about: pizza.
“People are telling us it is the best pizza in town, and we are just so excited about that type of feedback,” he said. “This space has pizza ovens, giving us more of an entree option for our customers. Our patrons who have followed us up the Northway to our new space know they love our soups and sandwiches. But when they come in we ask them, ‘have you tried the pizza?’”
Glens Falls Hospital officials said the executor of the estate of lifelong Glens Falls resident John E. Herlihy has informed them that he has bestowed a “significant endowment” to th hospiyal and to Crandall Public Library.
Mr. Herlihy, who died in July 2019, bequeathed each non-profit organization with approximately $2.2 million from his estate, officials said.
“We are truly humbled by Mr. Herlihy’s thoughtfulness,” said Kate Herlihy Schwenker, chair of the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation board of trustees. “We will honor his legacy by ensuring that the hospital uses these funds to continue increasing the community’s access to high-quality care.”
“Mr. Herlihy was an important part of this community for so many years,” said Barbara Caimano, president of the Crandall Public Library board of trustees. “As the library begins a new strategic planning process this year, his incredible generosity will impact how we, together with our stakeholders, can continue to best serve the library community.”
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced that Eric Gilbert, is serving the last year of his two-year term as chair of the board of directors of the organization in 2020.
Gilbert has been a member of the board since 2013.
The ARCC also recognized Tim Jansen, of Wel-Dun Air & Water Systems, as the immediate past chair of the board.
“Our community is so blessed to have volunteer leaders like Eric Gilbert and Tim Jansen. Tim has put his heart and soul into the ARCC. Eric has certainly carried on his legacy,” said ARCC President/CEO Michael Bittel.
The Chamber announced five new board members in 2020, including:
• Damian D’Angelico, Director of Sales & Marketing, at Fitzgerald Bros. He began his career in the beverage distribution industry in a warehouse role, then moved onto a route driver role. He joined Fitzgerald Bros. in 1994 as a salesman and moved into a management role years later.
By Jill Nagy
Sensations Play Gym in Fort Edward offers children a safe place to play and exercise all of their senses, according to the owner and operator Gayle Pliscofsky.
The facility opened shortly before Christmas in a former billiard hall at 49 Broadway.
Pliscofsky is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, much of it working with children. She now works in early intervention and preschool services for children with special needs.
While the environment at her new center is “very therapeutic,” she said it is “appropriate for children of all abilities.”
StoredTech has announced the addition of four new employees.
Bill Craver has 20 years of IT business experience and holds sales and technical certifications in VMware, Veeam, Fortinet, Cisco, HPE, AWS, NetApp and Extreme Networks. He will be responsible for new business development as an account executive based at the StoredTech office in Albany.
Tim Mallon has over 23 years experience in the IT industry beginning in the 1990s with “white box” manufacturers in Greene County and for the past 13 years in the MSP field in the Albany area. Mallon joins StoredTech as a senior MSP engineer in the Albany office.
Eva Richard, a U.S. Air Force veteran specializing in communications, brings 20 years of IT experience working with medium to enterprise firms. Richard joins StoredTech as a systems engineer in the Plattsburgh office.