Category Archives: Personnel Briefs

Roohan Realty is thrilled to announce that Brendon Teetor has joined the commercial division as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. He is licensed in both New York and Florida with more than a decade of experience spanning residential sales, property management, and real estate investment.

After founding and leading Sterling Teetor Realty Group in Fort Lauderdale, Brendon expanded his practice to upstate New York, bringing his deep understanding of both South Florida and Capital Region markets to Roohan Realty. His career has covered every facet of industry from helping first-time homebuyers and investors find the right property to managing multi-unit portfolios and collaborating on commercial development projects.

Brendon and his wife relocated from Fort Lauderdale to Saratoga Springs in 2021, where they’re raising their two children and embracing all that the region has to offer. When he’s not working with clients, Brendon enjoys backcountry camping in the Adirondacks, tending his vegetable garden, and watching movies with his family.

Known for his calm, hands-on approach and genuine passion for helping people, Brendon blends big-market experience with small-town care—making every client feel like a neighbor and every transaction a shared success.

Brendon can be reached at 954.242.2326 or brendon@roohanrealty.com.

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Tully Rinckey PLLC is pleased to announce the promotion of Benjamin Westerman, Esq. to Senior Associate.

Mr. Westerman joined the firm’s Latham office in 2023 and focuses his practice on employment law. Mr. Westerman works with clients on various labor and employment matters, including EEO/discrimination claims, wage/hour law, accommodations, and compliance requirements. Mr. Westerman was also named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2025.

“We as a firm are thrilled to promote Benjamin Westerman to Senior Associate,” said Allen Shoikhetbrod, managing partner of Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Latham office. “Throughout his time here, he has demonstrated his exceptional legal skills and unwavering dedication to clients. We look forward to his continued growth and success at our firm.”

Mr. Westerman obtained his law degree from Albany Law School.

For more information about Mr. Westerman’s promotion, please contact Scott Brewster at (518) 640-1261 or via email at sbrewster@tullylegal.com

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Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine, PLLC is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Patrick O’Connor to its medical team, further expanding the practice’s specialized care for patients throughout the Capital Region and North Country.

Dr. O’Connor is Board-Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve and musculoskeletal conditions. He earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his Doctor of Medicine from Albany Medical College. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Rochester, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. O’Connor also completed a North American Spine Society (NASS)–recognized fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Rochester.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. O’Connor to our team,” said Todd Jorgensen, MD, a senior partner of Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine. “His expertise in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine complements our existing services and strengthens our ability to provide exceptional, patient-focused care in the region.”

Dr. O’Connor is now accepting new patients. Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine offers a wide range of services, including:

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John B. Cannie has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Environmental, Land Use & Development, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Mr. Cannie was an Associate at Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox LLP, where his practice focused on land use, zoning, and real estate development and transactional matters. He has represented clients in a variety of development projects, including residential, commercial, and public benefit initiatives, assisting with contract negotiations, securing government approvals, and finalizing transactions.

Mr. Cannie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Bates College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2014.

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John M. Czajka has joined the firm as partner and John F. Wirenius has joined as of counsel.

Czajka, who spent the last 15 years in New York State government service, most recently serving as General Counsel to the New York State Police, will join the Litigation and Government Relations practice groups. Wirenius is the immediate past Chair of the New York State Public Employment Relations Board and will join the Labor & Employment and Litigation practice groups.

Czajka, who has over 19 years of criminal and civil investigatory and litigation experience having served in various capacities in both the private and public sector, also brings to the firm extensive legislative and policy making experience as a former Albany County Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Counsel to the Governor, General Counsel of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, and most recently as General Counsel of the New York State Police. While Counsel at the NYSP for the past five years, Czajka served as the chief legal officer responsible for providing legal and ethical advice to the NYSP Superintendent and the more than 4,000 sworn and non-sworn NYSP personnel. During his tenure with the Troopers, Czajka was also responsible for managing the drafting of proposed legislation, implementing policy and legislative initiatives, coordinating and managing all State Police involved litigation, managing labor and employment issues, and advising the agency and the Governor’s office on the legal, regulatory, administrative, and legislative matters facing the agency.

He is a graduate of Union College and in 2004 earned his law degree from Albany Law School and his MBA from Clarkson University. He is a resident of Guilderland.

Adirondack Winery has announced the appointment of Courtney Rankin as the organization’s inaugural female winemaker. With over six years of experience in winemaking, she will assume the responsibility of overseeing the production of over 35 wines and six hard ciders, as well as leading the development of new wine and hard cider releases for the company.

Ms. Rankin’s career started by getting involved in the craft beer industry. After completing her bachelor’s degree in film and screen studies, she changed direction to study craft beer brewing at Schenectady County Community College, where she got firsthand experience with local brewers. Through this introduction to the beverage industry, she found Galway Rock Winery in Ballston Lake. She started out apprenticing as the assistant winemaker for the owner and winemaker, Kate Soldani, learning the world of winemaking by, again, getting hands-on experience. 

At Adirondack Winery, Ms. Rankin’s responsibility for wine and cider production will more than triple. Adirondack Winery’s wine production reaches 20,000 cases annually, while its Extreme Heights Cidery brand is fledgling. The Queensbury wine making facility has capacity to grow to a 50,000 case annual production volume.

Shortly after starting her new position at Adirondack Winery, Ms. Rankin demonstrated her expertise in the field by passing the Level 1 Sommelier exam. To earn this status, she had to pass a wine theory exam in which she was tested on different wine types and the various regions they represent. 

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