Glens Falls Business Journal

Personnel Briefs: July 2024

July 22, 2024

The Arrow Family of Companies has announced the appointment of Valerie Patrenets to branch manager of the Glens Falls Main Office for its subsidiary bank Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company.

Patrenets is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community.

She has seven years’ experience in banking, most recently serving as branch manager of the Saratoga National Bank Corinth Office.

Before her time with Glens Falls National Bank, Patrenets served as branch manager and float personal banker with Ballston Spa National Bank.

The Corinth native attended SUNY Oswego.

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JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C., a Glens Falls-based firm specializing in higher education planning and design, has announced the addition of Theresa Loeber as project architect.

Loeber holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and a master of architecture from the University of Colorado at Denver.

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Queensbury-Based Hutchins Engineering PLLC Forms A Partnership With Team Members

July 22, 2024

Hutchins Engineering PLLC has announced the newly formed partnership with team members Lucas W. Dobie, P.E., of Queensbury, and Thomas R. Center, P.E., of Glens Falls.

Hutchins Engineering’s Principal Engineer Tom Hutchins commented on the addition of the new partners, stating, “Over the years, Lucas and Tom have been pivotal in driving progress and growth within our company and both are tremendous assets to the company. As partners in the business, they will continue to provide critical insight, accelerate the value to ongoing and future projects, and help Hutchins Engineering continue to thrive while providing essential engineering services to the greater community.”

A Hudson Falls native, Dobie is a 2002 graduate of SUNY Adirondack, a 2005 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and has been an employee of Hutchins Engineering since 2003. Subsequently, he earned his New York State professional engineering license in June 2016.

Dobie’s particular areas of expertise are in residential, lakefront property development; site work; on-site wastewater systems and stormwater management; and subdivision projects.

Lucas is experienced in working with regulatory and municipal entities such as local town planning and zoning boards, the Lake George Park Commission, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Adirondack Park Agency.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. Appoints Siena College President Charles Seifert to its Board of Directors

July 22, 2024

Charles Seifert, Ph.D., has joined the Pioneer Bancorp Board of Directors.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc., a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Charles Seifert, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Seifert join our board of directors and to draw upon his extensive leadership, management, and banking experience to advance our strategic plan,” said Thomas Amell, President and CEO of Pioneer. “Dr. Seifert’s expertise will help Pioneer execute on our growth objectives and deliver long-term shareholder value.”

Dr. Seifert currently serves as president of Siena College (“Siena”), a private Franciscan liberal arts college located in Loudonville, New York. Prior to serving in that role, he has served as a faculty member at every rank, dean, and interim vice president for academic affairs for Siena. Dr. Seifert is also the founder of Siena’s Institute for Leadership Development and has steered numerous committees and task forces. He taught as an adjunct professor at several other Capital Region colleges prior to joining Siena’s faculty.

“Pioneer has an outstanding reputation in the Capital Region as a local financial institution that cares deeply about making a positive impact in the community,” said Dr. Seifert. “I look forward to working with my board colleagues and Pioneer’s leadership team to fulfill their mission.”

Uncle Mario’s Garage Serves Delicious Food In Exciting Antique Car-Themed Environment

July 22, 2024July 26, 2024

A 1939 Ford stakebed pickup is just one of many antique and classic vehicles on display at Uncle Mario’s Garage, a restaurant that opened recently in Queensbury.
Courtesy of Uncle Mario’s Garage

By Helise Stamos

Mario DiSiena has brought his love for antique cars and food together in a new enterprise. Uncle Mario’s Garage, a restaurant and bar, recently opened in Queensbury.

The building housing the business was formerly Sutton’s Marketplace. Extensive revovations, which took two years, were required before opening.

“We had repairs that needed to be addressed, but we also reinvented our building into something great,” said DiSiena. “I brought my love of antique cars, motorcycles and trains into my restaurant.”

Twenty employees work with the DiSiena family to operate the restaurant. Mario’s wife, Diane, keeps the books. His daughter, Emily, greets customers and manages the multiple floors that display products for sale. His son, Michael, oversees deliveries. Emily’s boyfriend, Steve Lisciani, helps with anything that’s needed. Jeanette Walter, who worked 20 years as a manager at Panzas in Saratoga, is the general manager.

Common Roots Bierhall And Barrel House To Host South High Bulldog Hall Of Fame

July 22, 2024

The South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame will welcome five new members at its 15th induction ceremonies at Common Roots in South Glens Falls on Oct. 25. A reception starts at 6 p.m. The ceremony starts at 7 p.m.

The 2024 inductees are:

*Jack Celeste, Class of 1979, a community icon whose years of coaching girls’ softball helped the Bulldogs set the stage for state championships in 2002 and 2007. Celeste joins two of his daughters in the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. His daughter Lindsey Fredette was on the 2007 team that was inducted in 2023. Eldest daughter Brittany Smith was a member of the 2002 team that was inducted in 2010.

*Ellen (Donohue) Marcantonio, Class of 1972, an all-around athlete before Title IX who went on to a legendary coaching career in field hockey at Hadley-Luzerne. Marcantonio joins her sister Mary Donohue Matusiewicz in the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. Matusiewcz was inducted in 2012.

*John Vishneowski, Class of 1977, was a wrestler for the Bulldogs who went on to a Hall of Fame coaching career at Ravena Coeymans Selkirk, where he started the wrestling program. Vishneowski is the longtime Section II wrestling chairman. He joins his father, the late Alex Vishneowski, in the Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. Alex Vishneowski was in the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2007 with Murry O’Neil.

*Richard White, Class of 1980, a multi-sport athlete who became a defensive captain and standout for the Colgate football team before a distinguished career with the New York State Department of Labor. White was one of the top football players in Section II, a dominant force on both defense and offense, and also was a top shot putter in Section II.

Empire State University To Offer Online MA In Higher Education For Fall 2024

July 22, 2024

Empire State University has a new Master of Public Administration program.
Courtesy Empire State University

Empire State University will offer a master of arts in higher education beginning in the fall 2024 term. The online 30-credit degree program is designed to enhance students’ and professionals’ contributions to higher education and prepare them for a broad range of administrative roles and research related to their work.

The program is designed to be flexible and accommodating for full-time and part-time students. Courses focus on contemporary perspectives on careers, policies, administration, history, organization, social justice and educational equality, and data-based decision making and teaching in post-secondary education.

The program provides a graduate-level assessment of prior learning and transfer credits for enrolled students at no additional fee, which can be combined for up to 12 credits toward the degree.

The fully online M.A. in higher education features course offerings such as:

* Economics and Finance of Higher Education

* Administration and Leadership in Higher Education

* Fostering Student Success in Higher Education

* Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood

* History and Philosophy of Higher Education

The Southern Adirondack Child Care Network Provides Invaluable Assistance To Families

July 22, 2024

Lynn Sickles (center left), executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network, celebrates the organization’s relocation with staff and volunteers during a recent open house.
Courtesy of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network

By Christine Graf

For more than three decades, Lynn Sickles has been serving the community as executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network (SACN). Established in 1992, the non-profit is one of 35 childcare resource centers in New York state.

Serving Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties, SACN’s primary role is to help parents find child care.

“If a parent is looking for care, they call us and we put their information into a database that includes all of the regulated child care programs in Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties,” said Sickles, noting that these services are offered free of charge.

The database generates a list of child care providers, ones that meet the specific criteria of each parent. After receiving the list, the parent must reach out to the providers to see if there are any openings.

“We also educate parents on what to look for when they go to visit a program,” said Sickles. “We then follow up with them to see if they were successful in their search. Finding child care remains the number one barrier for them—what many of them are telling us is that there were no openings.”

Delectable Comfort Food Is Available At Big Tony’s At Moreau Lake State Park

July 22, 2024

A fully-equipped kitchen has replaced the vending machines at Moreau Lake State Park, allowing Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk and his wife, Amy, to prepare delicious food for hungry customers.
Courtesy of Big Tony’s at the Lake

By Jill Nagy

After several years of relying on vending machines, visitors to Moreau Lake State Park can once again enjoy real food served by real people. Big Tony’s at the Lake opened May 25 and the place has been busy every day, according to Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk, owner of the business along with his wife, Amy.

The Schunks got into the business almost by chance. They did a lot of cooking for Northway Church in Stillwater, sometimes serving as many as 700 people. That led to developing Big Tony’s Meal Prep, their meal prep business out of the local Elks Lodge. People asked if they could have the meals brought to them for parties and large gatherings, leading to Big Tony’s Catering. A fortuitous visit to Moreau State Park led to an offer to take over the concession stand for the summer. They signed a five-year contract with New York state, beginning this summer. Their eatery is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They may squeeze in a few more weekends in October, Schunk said.

The Schunks and a staff of eight keep both the Stillwater and the park businesses going.

Area Copier/Printer Retailers Adapt To The Digital Age With New Cutting-Edge Technology

July 22, 2024

Document Solutions President Rick Gallup has recently added Epson products to his inventory.
Courtesy of Document Solutions

By Paul Post

The Digital Age has greatly reduced the need for thick, costly paper documents such as annual reports and quarterly financial statements, which can be delivered electronically.

And there’s much less need for office copying because many people work from home following the COVID pandemic.

But two well-known local printing companies continue to thrive by adapting, diversifying and renewing efforts to provide high-quality customer service with new cutting-edge products and equipment.

“In the past people would share a large printer in the office. Now their print needs are at home where you don’t have ready access to the office printer,” said Rick Gallup, owner-president-founder of Hudson Falls-based Document Solutions of the North Country. “What’s new and exciting there is the changes in inkjet technology. Years ago an inkjet printer was something you put in your home, it was slow and kind of expensive to operate. Now the newer ones have the ability to do things that most typical laser-type office copiers can do in terms of speed — 40 to 50 pages per minute or more — and reliability.”

“They’re also more affordable because there’s very few parts,” he said. “Typical laser printers have components like drums, fusers and transfer belts while an inkjet printer doesn’t. They have just ink. So they tend to be more reliable than a laser device. We’re really excited about that product and think it’s going to do well for us.”

Business Report: Use AI To Be More Productive

July 22, 2024

Sara Mannix, president and CEO of Mannix Marketing.

By Sara Mannix

I belong to a group of leaders who are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) every day to make their work more effective and more efficient in an ethically responsible way. We have used AI to create flyers, design presentations, write software code, debug code, and even create movies. And at Mannix Marketing we have built CustomGPTs that perform functions based on our own knowledge bases and rules, and we have discussed and drawn up guidelines about the ethical use of AI.

We have reached the point where if you aren’t using AI in your work, then you are falling behind your competitors who have mastered using the latest breakthrough technology.

The good news is that it isn’t hard to get started and become familiar with some AI tools that can make your life easier. One of the simplest ways to get started with AI is to use ChatGPT.com, a tool that can provide detailed answers in a conversation-like format (its responses build upon the questions and answers that precede them, so no need to start from scratch as a conversation is in progress, or even if you need to come back to it). Here are a few simple ways I have used ChatGPT or other AI tools to help you think about how you can use them.