Glens Falls Business Journal

Personnel Briefs: April 2023

April 18, 2023

Tyler Poitras has been named the new senior sales manager at the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (LGRCVB).

Poitras, a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, began his hospitality career in 2015 at Walt Disney World, Florida, supervising multiple Food & Beverage locations including Hollywood Studios and Wilderness Lodge. He joined the Team at Disney’s Pop Century Resort working as concierge and operations support, eventually shifting to Front Desk Supervisor.

Poitras will prospect and generate new business relationships to achieve booked business and overnight room goals, and secure future bookings that will meet rate and occupancy goals of the destination partners throughout the Lake George Area.

In 2021, Poitras returned to the area, working in the finance sector for Trustco Bank as senior universal banker and eventually transitioning to a business banker. He led multiple branches to grow business in Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties. He then joined KeyBank to enter a training course and complete his exam to become a financial advisor.

***

Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. announced the recent promotions of Wendy Lanzone to senior vice president, customer experience and director of deposit and loan services and Daniel Segrell to senior vice president, director of consumer lending.

Lanzone is responsible for promoting digital strategy and operational efficiency, while collaborating with other business units and leaders at the bank to identify opportunity areas to improve and promote the customer experience.

She has nearly 35 years of experience, with extensive management, electronic and deposit services practice.

Lanzone has been with Glens Falls National Bank for 13 years, starting as assistant vice president and manager of the electronic banking department. Most recently, she was vice president, director of deposit and loan services.

Lanzone lives in Stillwater and is an active member in her community, serving on the Tri-County United Way Allocations Committee.

He is responsible for working with Consumer Lending teams and collaborating with other departments throughout the bank in support of continued loan growth, efficient operations and enhancing the customer experience.

Segrell joined the bank in 1990. Throughout his tenure with the bank, he has held various credit and lending positions, and was most recently senior vice president and director of indirect lending.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Active in the community, he serves on the board of directors of Liberty House Foundation, Tri-County Literacy Center and the Family Service Association of Glens Falls. He lives in Queensbury.

***

Owner Of Warren Tire Continues To Grow Business, Will Build New Shop In Greenwich

April 18, 2023

Warren Tire Service Centers, which has stores in Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park, has plans for a new shop and will hire two additional service technicians.
Courtesy Warren Tires

By Paul Post

One of the Capital Region’s largest tire retailers is growing again with the $400,000 expansion of existing facilities in Greenwich, Washington County.

Warren Tire Service Centers, which has stores in Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park, has purchased a vacant former Cumberland Farms store, with plans to create three new service bays, add 14 parking spots and hire two additional service technicians.

“We’re expecting a 30 percent increase in business,” company President Robert Kellogg said. “It’s a growing area. Greenwich is a hub for a lot of surrounding towns such as Schuylerville, Salem and Argyle, plus the town of Greenwich itself is growing. It’s a little overwhelming with the amount of space we have currently. We need more space to accommodate all our customers.”

The Queensbury-based company, which has 16 stores in seven counties, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. It was founded by Kellogg’s 80-year-old father, Wayne, 80, the chief executive officer who is still involved with daily operations, although he is no longer an owner.

DeCrescente Distributing Wins President’s Award From Molson Coors For 10th Time

April 18, 2023

DeCrescente Distributing Co. has been in business for 75 years.
Courtesy DeCrescente Distributing

DeCrescente Distributing Co. in Mechanicville has won the Molson Coors President’s Award for the second consecutive year and 10th time overall.

The company is in its 75th year as a family run local beverage distributor.

DeCresente distributes over 11 million cases of beer, soft drinks, and snacks to 11 counties in the Greater Capital Region, including Warren, and Washington.

Only 32 beverage distributors nationwide earn this prestigious award each year. Winning the award twice in two years is uncommon and a testament to the hard work and creativity of the DeCrescente team, said company president C.J. DeCrescente.

“We set a high bar here,” DeCrescente said. “Each year, we create a strategic plan for each of our suppliers to help take their products to new heights. Winning this award proves that our entire team brought their A-Game to help us achieve our ambitious goals for the Molson Coors family of brands in 2022.”

In addition to winning the President’s Award, DeCrescente Distributing is one of seven Molson Coors Founders Award finalists. The award recognizes the nation’s top Molson Coors distributor for exemplary sales and distribution performance over the last year. DeCrescente is the only distributor in the nation to have ever won the Founders Award four consecutive times.

The Founders Award winner will be announced later this year.

Earth Day Family Friendly Festivities Planned For April 22 In Glens Falls City Park

April 18, 2023

A girl writes on the interactive public chalkboard at last year’s event, on which participants of all ages can write messages of hope for Earth Day.
Courtesy Sustainable PR

Sustainable PR, a green-focused public relations agency in Glens Falls, is partnering with the City of Glens Falls and Crandall Public Library to host its third annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s kid- and pet-friendly outdoor community event will be held behind the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls’ City Park. Organizers said they expect more than double the number of exhibitors from prior years.

The day will be packed with interactive sustainability-related activities, informative commentary from notable climate-speakers, an electronics recycling drop-off, and table displays from regional climate advocacy groups, environmental organizations, and local sustainably minded businesses. There will also be electric vehicle (EV) displays, as well as an Earth Day-themed raffle featuring eco-friendly and climate conscious items donated by local businesses.

With activities for all ages, Sustainable PR hopes to continue to build connections and facilitate conversations concerning sustainability and how collaborative action can help protect the environment, create economic opportunities, and thwart climate change.

N.Y. State Getting Federal Funds To Help Areas Where Broadband Service Is Lacking

April 18, 2023

New York state will receive $100 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the American Rescue Plan to expand high-speed internet.

Access to internet broadband has been a problem in some areas of the North Country.

Officials said it is the largest targeted investment in affordable housing connectivity in the nation. New York estimates this funding will allow them to connect 100,000 homes and families to affordable, high-speed internet across the state.

“Affordable, reliable broadband access is essential to connect New Yorkers with work, education, and government services, but still out of reach for far too many families,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “This critical funding to unlock high-speed internet for thousands of New York renters will build on the success of our ConnectALL broadband initiative while supporting the goals our five-year plan to build and preserve more affordable housing.”

U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “$100 Million in federal funding that I secured in the American Rescue Plan is now on its way to boost high quality internet access for over 100,000 families and homes across New York. Long before the pandemic, communities across Upstate New York, from rural communities to bustling city neighborhoods, have struggled to obtain affordable, high-speed internet service.

“These federal dollars will go directly towards closing the digital divide, which means connecting communities to good-paying jobs, better healthcare, and higher-quality education in our schools. I am proud to deliver this major $100 million investment to provide more equitable broadband accessibility throughout the state and help New Yorkers thrive in today’s digital economy.”

“During the pandemic, we saw how important high-quality broadband is for business, health care, school, and more,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “That’s why, when we wrote the American Rescue Plan, we included robust funding for broadband delivery, which can create new economic opportunities, raise property values and improve people’s life and health outcomes.”

ADK Mobile Nurse Services Brings Medical Help To Patients Homes In The Region

April 18, 2023

Lisa Murphy, RN, is the owner/operator of ADK Nurse Services.

By Jill Nagy

If someone needs a nurse, Lisa Murphy can be there without the patient leaving home. Her Glens Falls-based ADK Mobile Nurse Services provides services in patients’ homes—or wherever else they are—in communities within 60 miles of Glens Falls, including Queensbury, Lake George, Saratoga, Albany, and surrounding locations.

Murphy is a registered nurse with 15 years of hospital experience, including case management, and 10 years as a director of clinical services in long term care and rehabilitation facilities. Her office, at 35 Evergreen Lane, Queensbury, is in a senior living facility.

With hospitals discharging patients earlier and providing less outpatient care, there is a growing need for the kind of care Murphy can provide. She can step in to provide follow-up care after hospital discharge, whether managing medications, changing dressings, helping patients adjust to a new lifestyle, or just looking in to be sure someone is getting along well.

In addition, she administers intravenous vitamin and mineral treatments (on orders from a physician).

Entrepreneur Moves ‘Stay In Tux’ Business To New Space On Route 9N In Lake George

April 18, 2023

Cheryl Smith is the owner of Stay in Tux located on Route 9N in Lake George.

By Ann Donnelly

Many entrepreneurs start businesses after years of preparation and dreams of self-employment, but Cheryl Smith had never considered starting her own business. She happily worked for others in hospitality and retail for most of her life.

Still, a series of opportunities presented themselves over a few months in 2021 that led to a new chapter in her life as the owner of Stay in Tux, now located in new space at 2315 Route 9N, Lake George, providing tuxedo, suit, and accessory rentals for weddings, proms, senior balls, and special occasions.

While initially reluctant, she now says, “I feel like I’ve been training for this my whole life.”

Originally from Idaho, Smith moved to Queensbury in 1988 to work as a nanny to two girls. She expected to work for a year and then return to Idaho, but one year turned into four years. As the children started school, Smith went to Adirondack Nautelis gym in her free time. There she met personal trainer Todd Smith and the two were married in 1993.

After leaving the nanny position, Smith worked many years in the office at Adirondack Camping Village and had different part-time retail jobs in the off-season. She decided to take a full-time retail position that offered paid vacation and time to attend her sons’ sporting events.

Dion Puts Her Skills To Work As Owner Of ‘Adirondacks & Beyond Motorcycle Safety’

April 18, 2023

Jeanne Dion gives riding lessons at Adirondacks & Beyond Motorcycle Safety LLC.
Courtesy Jeanne Dion

By Christine Graf

For the past 20 years, Adirondacks & Beyond Motorcycle Safety LLC, has been offering a variety of motorcycle courses for both beginners and experienced riders.

Owner Jeanne Dion purchased the business from Marc and Margie Connelly when they retired in 2021. Before that, she worked for the Connellys as a Motorcycle Safety Foundation certified RiderCoach.

Dion has been riding for about 20 years, and after learning the basics from her husband, she enrolled in a motorcycle course for beginners.

“I took the class within six months of him teaching me to ride,” she said. “I learned so many skills, and it just made riding much more enjoyable.”

A few years later, Dion was working as a civilian at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh when she became a RiderCoach for the motorcycle safety course that was offered there. After she and her husband relocated to the North Country, she continued to work for the military and became a RiderCoach at Adirondacks & Beyond Motorcycle Safety.

Young Entrepreneur Goes From Home Baking To Opening ‘Flour Child’ Bakery

April 18, 2023

After running a baking business from her home, Taylor Suprenant has expanded to open Flour Child bakery with a storefront at 128 Glen St., Glens Falls.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Flour Child Bakery opened in February at 128 Glen St., two years after proprietor and Fort Edward native Taylor Suprenant started her in-home baking business.

“People saw the baked goods I posted online and asked for orders,” she said. “I outgrew my home kitchen and started looking for someplace to do the baking, not necessarily for a storefront.”

She said she was “a little young” at that time, but as it happened, her friend Ashley Kopf, who also had gone from home baker to shop proprietor, was selling Abby’s Cookie Jar after running it for three years.

Suprenant once worked at Abby’s over a summer. Kopf and her husband, who was Suprenant’s high school band teacher, asked if she wanted to take over the business.

She purchased the equipment and display cases and brought over her decorating materials and cookie cutters used to create specialty cookies, macarons and custom cakes and cupcakes.

Brianna Gregory’s ‘Massotherapy’ Business Is Not Just For Relaxation Or Sports Injuries

April 18, 2023

Brianna Gregory, owner, and John Kreig are both LMTs at Outta Sight Massotherapy.

By Susan Elise Campbell

With her new practice, Outta Sight Massotherapy LLC founder Brianna Gregory, LMT, is educating the community that massage is not just for relaxation or sports injuries.

“Massotherapy is a new term that I’m putting in the face of the public,” said Gregory. “I like how people ask about the name and we start the conversation.”

According to Gregory, massage therapists can have very different goals and a range of skill sets.

“Some like a small space for relaxation and to be very Zen,” she said. “Others do sports massage at sporting events, which is very high energy.”

Medical massage can focus on recovery, TMJ, back aches, and more, she said. All massage is about muscular therapy and bodywork, and Gregory said she is equally comfortable with Western and Eastern influences in her treatments.

Gregory said she always wanted to work for herself and took business courses toward her associates degree. She is the owner and business manager of Outta Sight Massotherapy. John Krieg, LMT, is an independent practitioner on staff.

But her first career was as a graphic designer. That path ended in 2020 with a diagnosis of macular degeneration. Working in front of a computer every day was no longer going to be feasible, she said.