By Paul Post

Binley Florist has been there for its customers’ best and worst of times, welcoming new life to the world, weddings, milestone anniversaries, and painful loss when flowers voice expressions of sympathy.

But after decades on the job, owner Wally Hirsch has sold the iconic, 130-year-old business to long-time employee and general manager Tami Field and her husband, Dave.

“I’m 75,” Hirsch said. “I’ve probably been doing this for 60 years. It’s time. Tami has really earned her place at the helm. She’s been a good, faithful employee. I’ve had a lot of good employees over the years. They’ve been loyal to us through recessions, through pandemics. This is an old business. We’ve seen it all.”

Arrow Financial Corp. announced the appointment of Penko Ivanov, CPA, MBA, as chief financial officer, executive vice president, treasurer and chief accounting officer of Arrow and its two subsidiary banks, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co., as well as its insurance subsidiary, Upstate Agency, LLC.

The appointment is effective Feb. 21.

As CFO, Ivanov will be responsible for planning and management of all finance, treasury and accounting functions for Arrow, which reported $3.97 billion in assets as of Dec.  31. 

He will be based in the company’s Glens Falls headquarters and report to Arrow President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Murphy.

“We are pleased to welcome Penko to the Arrow family of companies,” said Murphy. “His 30 years of experience and expertise in financial planning and analysis, controllership, financial reporting, treasury and more will be invaluable as we build upon Arrow’s strong financial footing and continued growth.”

“I am excited to join Arrow and contribute to its track record of stellar financial performance and management. I look forward to assisting the company in its strategic and financial goals,” said Ivanov.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announced that the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award will be presented to Dr. John Rugge, retired physician, and the founder of Hudson Headwaters Health Network.

Rugge will be presented with the award at the ARCC annual dinner on  March 10, at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration and a cocktail reception. At 7 p.m. will be dinner with live music. The Juckett Award ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m.

“We are excited to celebrate Dr. John Rugge as the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett award honoree,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers. “Dr. Rugge is so deserving of this honor. As the founder of Hudson Headwaters Health Network, his passion and drive to further healthcare in our region is admirable. We are fortunate that Dr. Rugge chose to stay in our region and establish a healthcare system that helps so many of our community members.”

Rugge was a family physician who came to the Adirondacks to finish writing a canoe book in 1974. He then accepted a position with the Glens Falls Hospital to serve as supervising physician at a new health center in Chestertown, with the intention of practicing for six months before returning to Albany Medical Center.

The board of trustees of The Hyde Collection  announced the election of John Lefner as the museum’s new chief executive officer (CEO). 

Lefner will replace retiring CEO Norman E. Dascher Jr. on May 1.

“We are very thankful to Norm Dascher for his exceptional leadership during a difficult period for The Hyde Collection,” said Jason Ward, chair of the board of trustees. “His vision and business acumen financially stabilized our organization, reducing expenses by creating a five-year capital replacement plan and instituting smart financial decisions to minimize monthly expenses for the organization. 

“He established a successful new development program, implemented a new position for the curator of modern and contemporary art, updated hardware, software, and the security system, led the organization through a successful American Alliance of Museums Museum Assessment Program (MAP) review, updated the strategic plan, and so much more. The Hyde is very well-positioned for a leadership transition.”

Ward said Lefner’s “will mark a new era of growth and civic engagement for the museum. John is deeply committed to pursuing the vision to bring exceptional exhibitions and programming to The Hyde, like this summer’s premiere Songs of the Horizon: David Smith, Music, and Dance. 

IGNITE Fitness Holdings, one of the largest Planet Fitness franchisees, has announced the complete remodel and expansion of its club at the Aviation Mall in Queensbury.

IGNITE officials said the company invested approximately $1 million to add 2,000 square feet to the club, bringing its total size to approximately 16,523 square feet, giving members even more room to work out. 

The club also features new, updated cardio equipment and a new HydroMassage bed, and is equipped with the PF 360, a functional training machine packed with kettlebells, resistance bands, and more.

“As the Queensbury community works toward their fitness resolutions or are looking to get moving, we’re happy to announce this expansion, providing even more space for our members to spread out and utilize our state-of-the-art equipment,” said John Hrinda, upstate New York vice president of operations for IGNITE Fitness Holdings. 

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has automated its online sales for all day-use permits at the Lake George Islands.

“Automating the sales of day use permits for the Lake George Islands is easier and faster for visitors,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Instead of boating to an island headquarters to purchase a permit through a manual, labor intensive process, visitors can now quickly and easily book their day use permit online and spend more time enjoying the beauty of Lake George.”

By Susan Elise Campbell

After five years operating Mr. Electric out of their home, co-owners Sean and Jeanne Dion have relocated to a 1,500-square-foot office space at 94 Big Boom Road, Queensbury. 

According to Jeanne Dion, the franchise covers all the electrical needs of clients located between the Twin Bridges and Ticonderoga.