Get our email updates
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
What's New
Upcoming Events
CNYBJ Job Board
State unemployment rate falls to 7.4 percent in November
New York’s unemployment rate declined to 7.4 percent in November, from 7.7 percent in October, hitting its lowest level since January 2009. That’s according to
A discussion with marketing-management consultant Mike Duda
Upstate New York provides a great environment for entrepreneurial activity. One of the key ingredients to building a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem is mentorship. First-time or inexperienced entrepreneurs have a need for consultation and guidance. That mentorship provides for much greater outcomes as the business matures. Strategy, connections, insight, and a few gray hairs provide much-needed
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Upstate New York provides a great environment for entrepreneurial activity. One of the key ingredients to building a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem is mentorship. First-time or inexperienced entrepreneurs have a need for consultation and guidance. That mentorship provides for much greater outcomes as the business matures. Strategy, connections, insight, and a few gray hairs provide much-needed support.
The mentors active in the region come from all walks of life and geography. Most importantly, they have had substantial success from which others can learn. One such mentor is Michael Duda. He’s a native of Syracuse and a graduate of St. John Fisher College, near Rochester. Upon graduation, Duda spent a couple years in Rochester before moving to New York City in 1995. He now resides in Connecticut with his wife and three children.
Duda is the co-founder/managing partner of Consigliere Brand Capital, a marketing-management consultancy with a venture-capital fund. Consigliere features a unique group of business athletes joined together to work with ambitious entrepreneurs to install fundamental marketing principles at the operational level to help propel brands to go further, faster. Consigliere’s portfolio includes the likes of Under Armour, Chobani, Warby Parker, Birchbox, and Harry’s — to name a few.
Previously, Duda spent 17 years in the world of Madison Avenue, the last 12 at Deutsch Inc. As partner, chief corporate strategy officer, he oversaw business development, corporate strategy, public relations, and agency brand development as well as relationships with brands ranging from the Fortune 500 to upstart firms closing in on them.
Duda is a board member of Syracuse University’s David Falk School, winner of Crain New York’s coveted “Top 40 Under 40” New York City business people award, and can often be found yelling at referees at sporting events.
Duda embraces his affinity for the upstate New York region by providing mentorship to early-stage companies. His passion and connection to the region can be felt in the answers he provided to the questions we asked him.
Q: Mentorship is an important ingredient to entrepreneurial success. Why is it important to you, and what propels you to take action given your busy schedule?
A: My dirty-little secret belief of mentorship is that I benefit as much, if not more, than the person seeking counsel. Meeting with all sorts of people helps me stay apprised of what’s going on across the business landscape as well as to identify incredible talent and teams. And as a good Catholic boy from St. Ann’s School in Syracuse, I feel it really is just the right thing to do.
That said, I wish I could point to being perfect on the time-commitment element. Unfortunately, as a fellow entrepreneur whose business is also driven by unforeseen marketplace or portfolio-company needs, I wish I was better at taking more action.
Q: How did you get connected into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in upstate New York after you left?
A: I grew up in an era where Syracuse was (perhaps painfully) transitioning from a thriving blue-collar city to health care, technology, and services. I still remember the day when Allied Chemical announced its pull-out. I did not realize the gravity of the situation, but knew it could not be good given how local news outlets were reporting it.
Over time, I came to appreciate that in the face of tough times, the pendulum must swing the other way. And it has been germinating for a while when you look at what Eric Mower, Mark Russell, and Pinckney Hugo have done in advertising, Welch Allyn in medical devices, and Chuck Stormon, Nasir Ali, and Mitchell Patterson in entrepreneurship in different ways. Then there are the Howard Dolgons, Bob Congels, Ray Halbritters, and Hamdi Ulukayas of the region. The list is deeper than people realize, and given the continued uncertainty of big companies like Lockheed Martin, the ability of entrepreneurs to light a number of mini-torches for growth will provide a great path for the region’s future.
Syracuse is too damn good of a town with great people to stay down for a sustained period. Those mentioned above, be it directly or indirectly, have motivated me to reconnect and help make the community where the bulk of my family lives everything it can and should be.
Q: A lot has changed in the region since you graduated from college in 1993. Why is it more advantageous for graduates to stay in the region today compared to then or even just a few years ago?
A: With the advances in technology and the strong education base, there are few reasons why the next great company can’t come out of a Syracuse or Madison, Wis. or Des Moines, Iowa. The idea that entrepreneurs must go to Silicon Valley, New York City, or Boston to make it is not true. Sure, those ecosystems are strong and bountiful, but those too have been self-built.
Coupled with the rise of the Millennials, a generation intent on having strong personal goals as well as a business, Syracuse is a great place to live and raise a family. That matters.
Ultimately, those who have the drive, passion, vision, and a chip on their shoulder tend to lead the way. And, I think that is happening right now in the 315 area code.
Q: The region has tremendous untapped value that can lead to exponential growth. What valuable characteristics do you see that maybe others don’t?
A: The biggest negative of the region is a too-widespread mentality that the glass is half empty, that in the wake of economic decline, the doldrums are the new mainstay. And for a while, I think a lot of people have been waiting for someone else to do something.
But the people in the Syracuse area tend to have a lot of genuine heart, hustle, and work ethic in their bones. They care for others. They are proud, and even those who might self-loathe about the area will be the first ones to speak passionately about it to out-of-towners.
On top of that, the region has some tremendous minds and young ones who might be wonderfully naïve enough to not know what they can’t accomplish when you look at Cornell University, Syracuse University, and other schools.
More people are asking, “Why not?” than thinking “Cannot.” And, that’s why I am bullish on Syracuse and Onondaga County.
Q: If people reading this decided they wanted to become a mentor, what are some steps they could take in order to make that happen?
A: Figure out what you know and have the mindset built on empathy for the person across the table. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
Robert M. (Rob) Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO. Contact him via email at: rsimpson@centerstateceo.com. Kyle Blumin is an entrepreneur in residence at Syracuse’s StartFast Venture Accelerator. Contact him on Twitter at @kyleblumin
Wilson ramps up Moe’s & Hoopla!
ENDICOTT — In 1984, at age 16, Larry Wilson walked into BSB Bank and asked for $300,000. This wasn’t a holdup; the teenager wanted a loan to start a video business. His collateral was $42,000 of Victory Markets stock he had parlayed from a $3,000 investment. BSB said yes to Wilson’s request, and three years
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
ENDICOTT — In 1984, at age 16, Larry Wilson walked into BSB Bank and asked for $300,000. This wasn’t a holdup; the teenager wanted a loan to start a video business. His collateral was $42,000 of Victory Markets stock he had parlayed from a $3,000 investment. BSB said yes to Wilson’s request, and three years later loaned him another $2.1 million. The entrepreneur sold the 33-store chain, Video King, to Blockbuster in 2006.
In 2005, Wilson and his partner Scott Searles opened their first Moe’s Southwest Grill franchise restaurant in Vestal. On Dec. 12, 2013, they opened the most recent location at 7560 Oswego Road in Clay. Moe’s is a rapidly growing, national, fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in Atlanta that appeals to young people with its signature dishes such as the Homewrecker burrito, the Close Talker salad, and the John Coctostan quesadilla.
Wilson and Searles now have Moe’s restaurants in Auburn, Binghamton, Camillus, Cicero, Clay, DeWitt, Ithaca, New Hartford, North Utica, Vestal, and Clarks Summit, Pa. The pair will open a location in Rome in February 2014 and are projecting more openings later that year. “Moe’s is on fire,” says Wilson. “Our units have the second highest volume [in the national franchise], and we are opening stores at a [blistering] pace … The store footprint is around 2,800 square feet, and we [generate] 15,000 single transactions a month … The average sale is $8.78 [which yields] … more than $1.5 million annually per store.”
FOCUS Brands, Inc., which owns the Moe’s Southwest Grill chain, is careful to find qualified candidates for its expansion. Each franchisee must have restaurant-management experience as an owner or operator, have a net worth of $1.5 million and liquid assets of $500,000, and be capable of opening a minimum of three restaurants, according to the Moe’s website. The initial franchise fee is $30,000. In addition, the franchisor charges 5 percent for a royalty fee and another 4 percent for marketing. The marketing fee is returned to the franchisee if his marketing is approved by the home office. “When we started with our first Moe’s, it cost $350,000 to open a store,” says Wilson. “Today, it’s closer to $650,000. We generally lease our space, but I bought the [7560 Oswego Road, Clay] building, which was originally occupied by Friendly’s [Ice Cream, LLC]. The … store cost $1.7 million for the land, the building, and the build-out.”
The national office recommends that Moe’s be sited in “strong anchor centers or highly visible convenience centers” that offer a strong retail synergy. Within a two-mile radius, there should be a minimum population of 30,000, of whom 15,000 are employed. The median income is $50,000, the “median age is 40 and below, and the household size is 2.5+,” according to the Moe’s site. While Wilson and Searles generally follow the guidelines, “we prefer to be in neighborhoods where families live, play baseball, and go to school,” says Wilson. None of the Moe’s has a drive-through. The DeWitt store offers catering, of which 90 percent is to area businesses.
The reasons for Moe’s popularity are many. The chain insists on fresh foods including cage-free chicken, steroid-free pork, grass-fed steaks, and only fresh produce. Moe’s uses no microwaves or freezers, no trans-fats, and no MSG. For those who favor vegetarian, low-calorie, or gluten-free selections, there are plenty of choices, along with a kids’ menu. On Mondays, Moe’s features the $5 burrito. Many of the menu items are named for popular TV and movie characters, and the background music suggests a “hip” atmosphere. Convenient locations and ease of parking also ensure Moe’s popularity.
Wilson and Searles established Southwest Grill of NY, LLC in June 2004. Headquarters is located at 111 Grant Ave. in Endicott. Each location is incorporated separately. Wilson and Searles are the two principals in the business.
Diversifying into yogurt
Last year, Wilson’s son Christian, now a freshman at Binghamton University, came to his father with another idea for an eatery. The concept was to create a frozen-yogurt venue where the customer picked the toppings and paid for the dessert based on the weight. The key was to use fresh dairy products and real fruit purees cut fresh daily. Keeping to the healthful theme of yogurt with its vitamins, minerals, and pro-biotics, most of the flavors would be gluten-free and certified kosher.
Twenty-four toppings would add variety and flavor.
Not one to dawdle, Larry Wilson opened his first Hoopla! Frozen Yogurt store this year on Aug. 1 in Binghamton. More stores followed in Cortland, Auburn, and North Utica. The New Hartford store opened Dec. 20, with additional store openings planned. Wilson and Kevin Blake are the principals in this company, along with investors Travis Hayes, Todd Mansfield, Scott Searles, and Christian Wilson. “We see a synergy between Moe’s and Hoopla,” says Wilson. “That’s why we plan to locate the two franchises together. Both [restaurants] focus on fresh food and appeal to the same people … Eat at Moe’s and have your dessert at Hoopla … The Hoopla footprint is smaller than Moe’s, around 1,500 square feet. We get the same traffic count, about 15,000 transactions a month, but the average sale is only $3.89. Where Moe’s stores average $1.5 million a year [in revenue] Hoopla’s stores average around $700,000.” Wilson says he hasn’t decided yet whether he and his partners will become a franchisor of Hoopla, but the answer is “probably.”
By February, the two principals will have opened 12 Moe’s stores, following the Rome opening. “We’ll have 15 open next year and 19 by 2015. Combined with Hoopla’s growth, our revenues should double in the next 36 months to $45 million a year … That means the current 450 full- and part-time employees are projected to grow to 1,000 by 2016 … Our [expansion] strategy will take us south to Lancaster [Pa.] and York. Next, I’m looking at Cleveland,” Wilson says.
For Wilson, training is a key to success. “We bring up a trainer from Moe’s in Atlanta for two weeks of every month, both for in-store and class training,” declares Wilson. “It’s a [sizable] expense, but that’s what really separates us from the competition. Our employees need to know not only our [offerings] but also the Moe’s experience. You don’t come here just to eat Mex–Tex. It’s the fun atmosphere [that sets the stage]; customers come for the total experience.”
Never one to miss an opportunity, Wilson incorporated Southwest Grill Maintenance, LLC in June of this year. He is the sole stockholder. “We do all of our own build-outs, now,” says Wilson. “Currently, we are working on four locations [simultaneously].”
Wilson attributes the success of Moe’s, in large part, to the management team, which includes Wilson, Searles, Joe Tebsherany as the store operator, and Chris Heirman as CFO. He also notes his long-standing relationship with M&T Bank. “They are fantastic,” says Wilson. “They have never said no.” He has also been a client of Binghamton–based Piaker & Lyons [,P.C.] since he was 16 years old and has relied on The Law Office of John G. Dowd Attorney for his legal work. “Our major food suppliers are Rinehart Food out of Sunbury [Pa.] and Syracuse Banana for our fresh produce,” avers Wilson.
At 45, Wilson says he will work five more years. “Then I would like to turn it over to my three children … I want to help the kids run the business,” says Wilson. “Life is great. It’s been a blast … My father always told me to give the customers what they want and when and how they want it. It’s great advice that I’m passing on to my children.”
Wilson and his partners are on a tear to open Moe’s and Hoopla stores. At the rate he’s going, the companies could hit $100 million in sales by the time he retires.
Contact Poltenson at
npoltenson@cnybj.com
2013: The Year that was in Central New York business news
The past year in Central New York business news included stories on company expansions and relocations, key executive changes, new funding sources, mergers and acquisitions, and closings. Below is a brief month-by-month recap of the year that was in Central New York business news, as we reported it in our weekly editions. JANUARY Following
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
The past year in Central New York business news included stories on company expansions and relocations, key executive changes, new funding sources, mergers and acquisitions, and closings. Below is a brief month-by-month recap of the year that was in Central New York business news, as we reported it in our weekly editions.
JANUARY
Following a year of growth in 2012, Blue Ocean Strategic Capital, LLC unveiled plans to relocate from its 4,200-square-foot space at 443 North Franklin St. to a 7,500-square-foot space at the Washington Station building at 333 W. Washington St. in downtown Syracuse.
Primet Precision Materials, Inc., an Ithaca–based advanced materials company, announced plans to start licensing its technology to larger businesses. The firm’s core technology involves the production of very small particles on the micron to nano scale that have a range of applications, including materials used in making lithium-ion batteries, says Lawrence Thomas, Primet CEO.
The Upstate Venture Association of New York, Inc.’s (UVANY) new executive director Samuel Ticknor unveiled plans to double the number of programs UVANY runs in 2013. The Albany–based nonprofit works to increase capital investment in private companies throughout upstate New York.
The law firm Bond Schoeneck & King formed a new practice group focusing on long-term care after the addition of six new attorneys from Albany–based Ruffo Tabora Mainello & McKay, P.C., a firm specializing in that field.
Syracuse’s StartFast Venture Accelerator introduced a new entrepreneur-in-residence who believes the region is poised for success and more growth in the years ahead. Kyle Blumin was born and raised in Central New York and graduated from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1993.
Accounting firm Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC expanded its presence in the Utica area with the addition of Calogero & Associates. The firms combined their operations at the start of this year. Financial terms of the arrangement weren’t disclosed.
FEBRUARY
Central New York companies J.R. Clancy, Inc. of Van Buren, TDK Engineering Associates, P.C. of Camillus, and Blair Construction and Fabrication of Auburn worked to design and build a beacon for the last section of the spire topping One World Trade Center, the building formerly referred to as the Freedom Tower.
Oberdorfer Aluminum Foundry, LLC, a DeWitt–based aluminum-casting manufacturer, disclosed plans to close its plant at 6259 Thompson Road. Oberdorfer set its closing date for May 3, leaving 86 employees without jobs.
Strides of CNY, LLC, a strength and conditioning firm, moved into 4,800 square feet of space at 738 Spencer St. from its previous location at the CNY Family Sports Centre at 7201 Jones Road in Van Buren. With the move, it gained more space and a more central location, says owner Michael Derecola.
Holt Architects moved into 1,500 square feet of space at 132 E. Jefferson St. in downtown Syracuse, its first satellite office outside its 6,500-square-foot headquarters at 217 N. Aurora St. in Ithaca.
Rural/Metro Medical Services of Central New York departed its shared space provided by the Liverpool Fire Department at 1110 Oswego St., moving across the street into 5,000 square feet of space at 114 Salina St.
MARCH
The New York State Attorney General’s (AG) office on Feb. 26 announced an agreement with Price Chopper that will require the supermarket chain to change some advertising practices and pay a $100,000 penalty.
Dupli Envelope & Graphics acquired business-mailing supplier Lettergraphics, Inc. to create a new service division named Dupli Direct. Lettergraphics, located at 433 West Onondaga St. had been providing marketing mailing services in Syracuse since 1910.
Sarasota, Fla.–based Sand Oak Capital Partners committed to invest $250,000 in this year’s StartFast companies. The investment helps separate the local program from the pack, according to StartFast Managing Director Nasir Ali. He believes the StartFast Venture Accelerator will have to work hard to stand out in an increasingly crowded field of startup accelerators.
Avalon Document Services expanded its business in the Buffalo area thanks to a merger with a copy center there that got its start in 1945. Syracuse–based Avalon announced the merger with Delaware Copy and Repro Center in February.
A “severe” and “abrupt” downturn in Scotsman Media Group’s Pennysaver business prompted the company to stop publishing the weekly newspapers March 10 and cut about one-third of its workforce as a result. The downturn began last December and continued through February, Scotsman president William Veit said.
CenterState CEO announced plans to relocate to the Pike Block project in downtown Syracuse from its current location at the former Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce building at 572 S. Salina St.
First Niagara Financial Group (NASDAQ: FNFG) on March 19 announced that president and CEO John Koelmel had left the Buffalo–based banking company. A news release from First Niagara described Koelmel’s departure as “mutually agreed upon” and the bank’s representatives said no one would be available for immediate further comment on the move.
The Central New York Sales and Marketing Executives honored Peter Belyea, president of Salina–based CXtec and Teracai with its 2013 Crystal Ball Award, handed out annually to a local businessperson who has contributed to the sales and marketing profession and has worked in community development and support.
APRIL
A Buffalo–based nonprofit group aiming to aid entrepreneurs and young companies across upstate New York named an entrepreneur in residence for the Syracuse area. Paul Brooks, former vice president for entrepreneurship at the Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse, was tabbed for the role for Launch NY. The organization focuses on a 27-county region stretching from Buffalo to Syracuse and down to Binghamton.
Five Star Urgent Care, an upstate New York emergency medical-service provider, unveiled plans to expand in Cicero in May. It came just one month after the company added its third location in Ithaca on March 4. The agency also operates sites in Jamestown and Big Flats.
CenterState CEO on April 8 awarded the $200,000 top prize in its Startup Labs Syracuse business competition to Rosie Applications, Inc., an Ithaca–based maker of an online shopping application.
Mohawk Global Logistics acquired a Chicago competitor, OEC Freight Chicago, Inc. to expand its presence in the Midwest and boost its freight volume.
Syracuse University (SU) received $250,000 from the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council to fund the launch of the second round of the Connective Corridor Façade Improvement Program to spruce up downtown buildings.
CenterState CEO, National Grid, and New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) on April 19 awarded five Central New York companies grant funding to assist in commercializing clean-energy technologies. The awards were part of the Syracuse Center of Excellence’s (Syracuse CoE) Commercialization Assistance Program. The Syracuse CoE hosted the announcement of the grant awards that totaled $250,000.
MAY
The Bonadio Group acquired a Vermont accounting firm, called Independent Audit Associates, specializing in internal audits for banks. The move boosts growth at Bonadio’s Syracuse–based internal audit team, the firm said.
Galaxy Communications, IMG College, and the Syracuse University (SU) athletic department on April 30 finalized the renewal of a five-year contract for broadcast rights to Syracuse University football, basketball, and lacrosse.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on May 6 announced the selection of Louis J. DeMent, CEO of DeWitt–based Giovanni Food Company, Inc. as the New York winner of the 2013 Small Business Person of the Year award.
Pathfinder Bank (NASDAQ: PBHC), an Oswego–based community bank, unveiled plans to open a loan-production office in downtown Syracuse — its first-ever physical location in the city.
Gannon’s Isle, a local family-owned business that has specialized in making homemade ice cream since 1982, on May 13 opened a new location in the Dey’s Centennial Building, also known as Dey’s Plaza, at 401 S. Salina St., the company’s third store.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on May 22 unveiled Tax-Free NY, an initiative intended to transform university campuses statewide into tax-free zones that attract start-ups, venture capital, new business, and investments from around the world.
Tax-Free NY offers new businesses the chance to operate completely tax free, including no sales, property, or business taxes, while partnering with the higher-education institutions in SUNY.
Construction began at Le Moyne College to renovate the school’s Mitchell Hall to house the Madden School of Business. The first phase, which started May 20, includes the renovation of the building’s first floor and the transformation of the building’s exterior. Le Moyne named the school after Michael (Mike) Madden, managing partner of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.–based BlackEagle Partners, LLC, who provided a $7 million donation in 2012.
JUNE
The Syracuse law firm Scolaro, Shulman, Cohen, Fetter & Burstein, P.C. and its health-care practice group separated, and each group of attorneys formed new law firms and intend to continue their respective practices in the same building at 507 Plum St. in Franklin Square. The Scolaro firm changed its name to Scolaro, Fetter, Grizanti, McGough & King, P.C. The former health-care practice group is now called Cohen Compagni Beckman Appler & Knoll, PLLC.
Area SUNY campuses will share in grant funding benefitting four projects in the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge grant program. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 3 awarded a total of $60 million in equal amounts to the projects that included the SUNY Institute of Environmental Health and Environmental Medicine, the SUNY Manufacturing Alliance for Research and Technology Transfer (SMART), and the New York State Bioenergy Learning Collaborative (NYSBLC).
CenterState CEO on May 31 announced the winners of the 10th round of its Grants for Growth program, a seed program that supports applied-research projects between universities and industry to improve business competitiveness and create jobs. CenterState CEO awarded six “emerging regional companies a total of more than $398,000.
Syracuse–based engineering firm O’Brien & Gere, Inc. opened an office in Utica to serve its clients in the Mohawk Valley. The Utica location, which is the firm’s eighth office in New York, is situated in a 2,000-square-foot space at 101 First St. in the Hurd building.
JULY
Visitor-travel spending grew 3.5 percent in Onondaga County during 2012 compared to the previous year, according to Economic Impact of Tourism in New York, a report analyzing the impact of tourism in the state. The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau released details about the report on June 21.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center agreed to join Livonia, Mich.–based Catholic Health East (CHE) Trinity Health, the second-biggest Catholic health-care system in the nation, in a move to boost its standing in the changing health-care market as the national health-reform law is implemented. The move will shift the sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities to Catholic Health Ministries, the group that sponsors CHE Trinity Health.
BAE Systems Plc (OTC: BAESY) won a contract to provide the spoiler-control electronics for the new Boeing 737 MAX. The firm’s Endicott location will develop the plans and its facility in Fort Wayne, Ind. will handle manufacturing duties.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), a Hartford, Conn.–based insurance company that operates a field office in Syracuse, on July 23 announced plans to cut 450 positions nationwide, including about 180 in the Syracuse office. The layoffs will continue through late 2014, a Travelers spokesman said.
BlueRock Energy, Inc. of Syracuse on July 1 announced an agreement with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League to become the team’s “official” electricity provider.
AUGUST
VIP Development Associates, Inc. (VIPDA) agreed to purchase the 22,000-square-foot building that houses the headquarters of CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO) at 572 S. Salina St. in downtown Syracuse.
Attorney Barry Shulman, the former president and CEO of Scolaro Shulman Cohen Fetter & Burstein, P.C. in Syracuse, discussed his new job at the Syracuse law firm of Gilberti Stinziano Heintz & Smith, P.C. He had joined the firm June 18 following his departure from the Scolaro firm.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), parent of Berkshire Bank on July 24 announced it agreed to acquire 20 retail bank branches in upstate New York from Bank of America, including 11 offices in Oneida and Herkimer counties.
With several members of the business community involved, a new group calling itself Save81.org announced opposition to any plan that would divert Interstate 81 (I-81) away from downtown Syracuse, including a “boulevard” option that would re-route I-81 to the east of the downtown area. Save81.org described itself as an “advocacy group” of business owners, concerned citizens, elected officials, unions, and community groups.
The local unit of CNA (NYSE: CNA), a Chicago–based commercial-insurance broker, on Aug. 12 opened its new 26,000-square-foot office space in AXA Tower II at 120 Madison St. in downtown Syracuse. The move brought about 120 positions to downtown Syracuse, says Roy Orr, vice president of commercial clients for CNA.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Community Plan announced it plans to hire more than 60 new employees to support its recent expansion in New York, including additional counties in Central New York.
Syracuse University (SU) announced the signing of an agreement with SRC, Inc. that transfers the assets and employees of its bioforensics group to the school.
New York state on Aug. 20 renamed its health-benefit exchange “NY State of Health,” executive director Donna Frescatore said during an online announcement.
Upstate Shredding, LLC and its sister business Ben Weitsman & Son, Inc. on Aug. 14 announced the acquisition of Reamer Recycling of Ithaca, just five days after opening a $15 million export facility in Albany.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center on Aug. 26 announced the appointment of Meredith Price as CFO, effective Sept. 1. She most recently served as chief-administrative officer for Upstate University Hospital’s Community campus, according to St. Joseph’s
SEPTEMBER
Unshackle Upstate, a business-advocacy organization, released its new economic-revitalization agenda (ERA) for Upstate. The proposal includes five points designed to deliver “broad-based” tax relief and stimulate job growth across upstate New York, Unshackle said in a news release.
Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian steakhouse chain, on Sept. 3 opened a restaurant at Destiny USA. The new 8,000-square-foot eatery features a main dining area and an open-air patio in its location in the center of the mall. It can accommodate 225 customers, according to the restaurant.
BlueRock Energy, Inc. recently created the position of CFO to help spearhead its growth and expansion efforts. The firm announced Aug. 21 the appointment of Jason Klaben as vice president and CFO. He started with the firm Aug. 12. Klaben oversees BlueRock’s corporate finance and accounting functions and reports to Philip Van Horne, president and CEO.
Adirondack Barrel Cooperage was named the winner of the EDGEccelerator Business Competition put on by Mohawk Valley EDGE. The startup barrel-manufacturing company brings home $20,000 in cash and qualifies for a $50,000 loan to help it launch, according to a news release from Mohawk Valley EDGE.
The Central New York business community on Sept. 24 gathered for a half-day conference that focused on efforts to sell more products and services in overseas markets. The Sheraton Syracuse University (SU) Hotel & Conference Center on the SU campus hosted the event, “Growing Global Sales.”
Syracuse University (SU) on Sept. 12 introduced Kent Syverud as the school’s 12th chancellor during an event at Hendricks Chapel. He was selected to replace Nancy Cantor, following her departure to become chancellor of the Rutgers University-Newark campus.
POMCO Group, a third-party administrator of self-funded health-care and risk-management plans, announced it will be expanding its geographic reach in the West while also boosting hiring locally. The Syracuse–based firm announced Sept. 16 it will expand its service offerings into additional regions of the country, including Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and California. It later announced on Sept. 20 plans to hire about 40 employees following the firm’s selection as an administrator for a health plan that’ll be available through NY State of Health, New York’s health-insurance marketplace.
The Bonadio Group, upstate New York’s largest independent CPA firm, agreed to merge with Gaines Kriner Elliott LLP (GKE), Buffalo’s 11th largest accounting firm. The combined business will now be Buffalo’s second-largest independent accounting firm, Thomas F. Bonadio, CEO and managing partner of the Bonadio Group, says. It’s the largest merger the Rochester–based Bonadio Group has ever done. The merger added 88 employees.
OCTOBER
EBS-RMSCO, Inc. and Support Services Alliance, Inc. (SSA), both subsidiaries of the Rochester–based Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Inc., on Sept. 30 announced they had merged into one company and would initially operate under the name EBS-RMSCO.
The Central New York Community Foundation (CNYCF) announced Oct. 8 that its board of directors voted to renew its $1 million commitment to the Syracuse chapter of Say Yes to Education, called Say Yes Syracuse.
Utica College of Oct. 3 formally opened a simulations laboratory and testing site for its Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDN) program at the school’s site at the Thruway Office Building at 290 Elwood David Road in Salina.
Harden Furniture landed a $600,000 New York State Economic Development Council grant that will help the company launch a three-year, $6 million technology upgrade that expands upon technology innovations installed at the company’s McConnellsville furniture factory a year ago.
CenterState CEO on Oct. 10 kicked off the second round of Startup Labs Syracuse, which will award a total of $260,000 in cash and prizes to three teams. As “the region’s largest business competition,” Startup Labs seeks to support the region’s entrepreneurs and accelerate their ideas to the marketplace, the organization said.
Six global technology companies will invest $1.5 billion to create Nano Utica, the state’s second major hub of nanotechnology research and development, according to Gov. Cuomo who made the announcement Oct. 10 in Utica. The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) and the SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) are spearheading the partnership that is expected to create more than 1,000 new high-tech jobs on the campus of SUNYIT in Marcy.
SUNY Upstate Medical University on Oct. 21 formally opened its more than 158,000-square-foot Neuroscience Research Building (NRB), an expansion of Upstate’s Institute for Human Performance (IHP). The one-block long, five-story addition, which is adjacent to the IHP, cost $72 million, according to Upstate Medical University.
Syracuse University’s (SU) South Side Initiative Office and the Southside Community Coalition on Oct. 15 formally opened the Eat to Live Food Cooperative store at 2327 S. Salina St. in Syracuse.
Galaxy Communications, LLC, the Syracuse–based operator of 14 radio stations in the Syracuse and Utica markets, announced the creation of a sports-marketing division.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
The local franchise of Fleet Feet Sports on Nov. 1 opened a second store located at 4136 Route 31 in Clay in the Market Fair North Plaza, across from the Great Northern Mall. Franchise co-owners Edward and Ellen Griffin opened the 5,000-square-foot store, citing business growth in the past three years at the store’s location in DeWitt.
The Central New York International Business Alliance (CNYIBA), an organization formed to enhance global sales of companies in the 12-county region, on Oct. 24 relaunched with the announcement of new programs and services to support growth through exporting.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Oct. 29 announced an award of $3 million for the Greater Syracuse Property Development Corp. as part of his Land Bank Community Revitalization Initiative. The Syracuse land bank is among six such organizations statewide awarded a total of $12.4 million in grant funding in the first round of competitive awards under the initiative.
SUNY on Nov. 5 announced that Dr. David Smith, president of Upstate Medical University, was placed on leave due to “an ongoing review of compensation issues” and “recent health issues.” SUNY appointed Dr. Gregory Eastwood, who previously served as school president, as officer-in-charge. Smith announced his resignation a few days later.
Anaren, Inc. will become a private company with its planned sale to Veritas Capital Fund IV, L.P., a New York City private-equity firm, and Anaren leaders say that will offer the technology firm some competitive advantage. Veritas is acquiring Anaren in a cash transaction worth about $381 million, or $28 a share. Anaren on Nov. 4 announced the signing of the merger agreement and expects the acquisition to close during the first quarter of 2014.
WCNY, Central New York’s public-broadcasting company, on Oct. 30 formally opened its new, 56,000-square-foot broadcast and education center at 415 W. Fayette St. in Syracuse. It previously operated at 506 Old Liverpool Rd. in Salina.
CenterState CEO and the Brookings Institution on Nov. 7 released a metropolitan business plan that identifies five “key” findings with “clear” implications for “redefining the region’s economic profile. That’s how the organizations described the report, titled “CenterState Agenda for Economic Opportunity,” which they released during an event at Syracuse Stage.
Le Moyne College recently announced a partnership with the New York Family Business Center (FBC) that will involve a number of ongoing activities and collaborative initiatives to benefit both organizations. The school made the announcement at the 4th annual Family Business Conference held Nov. 4 at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Inc. in LaFayette.
Time Warner Cable, Inc. (NYSE: TWC) plans to develop a $7.3 million business-services center in a 55,000-square-foot space in the former Hechinger shopping plaza at 3179 Erie Boulevard in DeWitt. The project will create 95 new jobs over the next four years and move 171 existing Time Warner Cable Business Class jobs into the new facility, which had long been vacant.
The board of directors at Loretto recently named Kimberly Townsend, who has served on the organization’s board for 10 years, president and CEO. Her new position is effective in January. Townsend assumes the CEO role from Bruce Buchanan, managing director of Philadelphia, Pa.–based Health Management Partners, which has worked with Loretto to help it streamline its operations and establish a “firm financial base,” according to Loretto.
The Bonadio Group has appointed Donald R. Taylor as managing partner in the firm’s Syracuse office. In that role, Taylor is responsible for overseeing office operations and partner and employee relations, fostering client services, and growing new business opportunities, the firm says.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
City Electric opens new location in Potsdam
POTSDAM — Syracuse–based wholesale electrical distributor City Electric Company, Inc. opened a new site at 6768 State Route 56 in Potsdam this fall. City Electric acquired VanNess Co., a one-location electrical distributor, and its 6,000-square-foot warehouse to expand its coverage of the Northern New York region, according to Ron Conroy, vice president of marketing and
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
POTSDAM — Syracuse–based wholesale electrical distributor City Electric Company, Inc. opened a new site at 6768 State Route 56 in Potsdam this fall.
City Electric acquired VanNess Co., a one-location electrical distributor, and its 6,000-square-foot warehouse to expand its coverage of the Northern New York region, according to Ron Conroy, vice president of marketing and business development at City Electric. He says the acquisition closed on Oct. 1, but he declined to disclose the price or other financial terms of the deal.
City Electric acquired VanNess’s inventory and one of the two company employees, Conroy says.
“The addition of the Potsdam location enhances our ability to serve our current customers in Northern New York. We are looking forward to providing Potsdam and the surrounding communities with dependable, reliable and resourceful solutions,” he says.
City Electric provides a wide variety of electrical materials for commercial and residential electrical contractors, hospitals, schools, manufacturers, utilities, and other organizations pursuing renovation or construction projects.
City Electric is a woman-owned wholesale electrical distributor that was founded in 1919. It started out as a small electrical appliance and apparatus store. Sandra Rosecrans is the firm’s current president and CEO. The firm is a woman-owned business enterprise, certified by New York state, the state Department of Transportation, and Amtrak, according to the City Electric website.
The company owns more than 100,000 square feet of warehouse space for its inventory, and employs about 100 people, Conroy says.
City Electric now has three locations in Northern New York — the new Potsdam office plus Ogdensburg and Watertown. The company’s four other locations include its Syracuse headquarters, Oneida, Oswego, and Rochester.
The company’s annual revenue is nearly $50 million, according to the 2013 Business Journal 500 publication.
Contact The Business Journal at news@cnybj.com
Study: NY Jets’ training camp in Cortland has nearly $3.7M economic impact
CORTLAND — The New York Jets’ football training camp generated an estimated $3.68 million in economic activity in Cortland County this past summer. That’s
SU Coach Shafer: Texas Bowl is a “business trip with benefits”
SYRACUSE — As his football team readied for the 2013 Texas Bowl, to be held on Dec. 27 in Houston, Syracuse University (SU) Head Coach Scott Shafer said, “It’s a business trip with benefits.” Shafer, speaking at a Dec. 17 news conference at SU’s on-campus football facility, said the main mission for the
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
SYRACUSE — As his football team readied for the 2013 Texas Bowl, to be held on Dec. 27 in Houston, Syracuse University (SU) Head Coach Scott Shafer said,
“It’s a business trip with benefits.”
Shafer, speaking at a Dec. 17 news conference at SU’s on-campus football facility, said the main mission for the 6-6 Orange is to defeat the 8-4 Minnesota Golden Gophers, but noted that the bowl game also offered some benefits to the SU players and the football program.
“It’s an opportunity for the kids to get down there and enjoy Houston and the atmosphere, as well as the culture of Texas,” Shafer said.
I asked the first-year head coach what qualifying for a post-season bowl game does for the football program as he tries to build it into a consistent winner that attracts fans and future players.
“There’s so many fronts that are conducive to take a program a step forward when you’re playing in a bowl,” Shafer replied.
First, he noted the extra practice time the team gets because it qualified for a bowl. That allows younger players to get practice repetitions they wouldn’t otherwise receive and offers the coaches a chance to evaluate the talent with an eye toward the 2014 football season.
Second, Shafer pointed to the exposure Syracuse football would receive from playing in the Texas Bowl and talked about how that could help recruiting.
“Just the fact that people are talking about Syracuse during December and the holidays is advantageous to our recruiting front,” Shafer said. “The chance to be on national TV and play two days after Christmas… And all those recruits that we’ve been working hard to try to get here at Syracuse will get a chance to watch our product on TV.”
He summed up by saying the Texas Bowl is an opportunity for “free advertising” for the SU football program and Syracuse University as a whole.
The Texas Bowl (www.thetexasbowl.com) will be played on Friday, Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. (EST) at Houston’s Reliant Stadium and televised nationally on ESPN.
Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com
SUNY-ESF offers online course to tackle worker shortage in radiation curing
SYRACUSE — The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) is offering a new online program that will provide “specialized” training to address, what is seen as, a “workforce shortage” in radiation curing, also known as energy curing. Radiation curing is a manufacturing technique that uses ultraviolet light (UV) or
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
SYRACUSE — The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) is offering a new online program that will provide “specialized” training to address, what is seen as, a “workforce shortage” in radiation curing, also known as energy curing.
Radiation curing is a manufacturing technique that uses ultraviolet light (UV) or electron beam (EB) processing to cure coatings, inks, adhesives, composites, and other materials.
The school cites information from the New York State Department of Labor that nearly 1,000 chemists with bachelor’s degrees have sought employment in New York in recent years, but that figure didn’t address the shortage of workers qualified to handle a job focused on radiation curing.
It’s a “very specialized” chemistry and process, and only a few U.S. colleges and universities offer programs that are related to the technology, says Daniel (Dan) Montoney, chief technology officer at Rapid Cure Technologies, Inc. and an adjunct professor in the ESF program.
“There’s specialized equipment that needs to be understood and the chemistry itself is somewhat unique as well,” Montoney says.
Rapid Cure Technologies is headquartered at the Tech Garden at 235 Harrison St. in Syracuse. The firm also operates a laboratory facility at the Central New York Biotech Accelerator at 841 E. Fayette St. in Syracuse.
Rapid Cure Technologies specializes in custom formulating and developing unique chemistries and processes for various manufacturing operations, such as those in the industrial, medical, and military sectors. Its efforts include a focus on radiation curing.
RCP
The Radiation Curing Program (RCP) at SUNY-ESF aims to provide specific job skills for individuals seeking careers in related fields, practicing industry professionals, upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, and recent graduates.
The RCP is a response to nationwide demand for training and education related to radiation curing, the university said.
The program targets people who are working in a manufacturing job to make them aware that the technology exists and it may be feasible for their manufacturing process, Montoney says.
CenterState CEO’s Clean Tech Center is also funding an incentive program enabling employees at Central New York businesses that use radiation or energy curing in their manufacturing processes to take one or more RCP courses at no cost, Montoney says.
“We’re communicating with all the manufacturers we’re familiar with in the area that are either using the technology or could potentially use the technology, and have people within their organizations that would benefit from these courses,” Montoney says.
The program includes three online courses, including: Introduction to Polymer Coatings; Radiation Curing for Polymer Technologies; and Radiation Curing Equipment, Instrumentation and Safety.
Enrollees can also earn an advanced certificate, if they take the courses for credit.
Curriculum
Montoney worked with “industry professionals” from companies such as Essington, Pa.–based Esstech, Inc. and Rolla, Mo.–based Brewer Science, Inc. in developing the curriculum for the program. ESF’s Mark Driscoll, who operates the UV/EB Process Curing Systems Technology Center at the school, also helped the curriculum-development process, Montoney says.
The curriculum seeks to reflect current and emerging applications.
The online program is a collaboration involving SUNY-ESF; RadTech International North America, a Bethesda, Md.–based nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of ultraviolet and electron beam technologies; CenterState CEO; the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY); and other organizations, SUNY-ESF said.
A U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant helps support the effort.
“It’s in round numbers about $1.4 million. We’re responsible for matching 50 percent of that,” says Charles (Chuck) Spuches, associate provost for outreach at SUNY-ESF.
Central New York participants will have additional opportunities for course-related demonstrations and site visits to the UV/EB Process Curing Systems Technology Center and the laboratory at Rapid Cure Technologies, Montoney says.
UV and EB curing refer to the “special” ways in which coatings, inks, adhesives, composites and other materials may be cured as an alternative to traditional energy-intensive methods that create harmful emissions, ESF said.
The processes entail using ultraviolet energy from a UV lamp or focused beams of electrons to instantly cure or cross-link specially formulated chemistries, using less energy and costing less than conventional methods.
Energy-cured applications include everyday products like cereal boxes, CDs and DVDs, magazines, credit cards, cell phones, contact lenses and keyboards, along with an increasing range of consumer and high-tech products.
The advantages of UV and EB are well-documented, particularly when used with manufactured products that require fast processing or on substrates that are sensitive to heat. In addition, UV and EB are considered environmentally responsible since most or all of the solvents in traditional processes may be eliminated.
“This notion of radiation curing an industrial sector is about a $1 billion dollar a year industry in North America and growing,” Spuches says.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Murray reflects on her accomplishments at HCCC
HERKIMER — While her tenure may not have been as long as her predecessors at Herkimer County Community College (HCCC), retiring President Ann Marie Murray leaves behind a legacy full of accomplishments at the school. Murray, Ph.D., began her role as the college’s president in August 2008, taking over for Ronald Williams, who served as
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
HERKIMER — While her tenure may not have been as long as her predecessors at Herkimer County Community College (HCCC), retiring President Ann Marie Murray leaves behind a legacy full of accomplishments at the school.
Murray, Ph.D., began her role as the college’s president in August 2008, taking over for Ronald Williams, who served as president from 1986 through June 2008. Before him, Robert McLaughlin served as HCCC’s first president from its inception in 1966 through 1986.
While Murray finishes up her last weeks at HCCC, a school with a $24 million budget for 2013-14, the college’s board of directors is already at work mapping out a plan to find its fourth president.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of researching search firms,” says Isabella Crandall, vice chair of the board. The HCCC board has narrowed it down to five search firms that it is now studying further. Crandall, speaking with The Business Journal on Dec. 12, said the board hoped to have a better idea of its next steps after a meeting planned for Dec. 18.
“It’s such an important decision to make that we want to cover all the bases,” she says. Faculty, staff, the college community, and the surrounding community will all have an opportunity to provide input as the process moves forward, she notes.
“She’s been amazing,” Crandall says of Murray, and replacing her won’t be easy. The HCCC board wants to make sure it finds the right person to follow in Murray’s footsteps.
Murray herself had some big shoes to fill and some key tasks to accomplish as HCCC’s third president. Right off the bat, she was given two directives by the college’s board of directors — improving the school’s image within the community, especially student behavior, and addressing the college’s at-risk accreditation with the Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation is crucial for an institution to be able to access financial aid for its students, Murray notes, so her mission was a critical one.
With those directives in mind, Murray spent her first two years as president working to make sure that HCCC met the goals set by the Commission of Higher Education to improve its performance in the areas of strategic planning, mapping institutional effectiveness, and assessing student-learning outcomes. The college adopted a new five-year strategic plan in June 2010 and took the necessary steps to improve the other areas, Murray says.
“It’s very, very important,” she says of the accreditation, “and we received accreditation for 10 years.” The college was such a success story, she says, that it was invited to the commission’s national conference to share its story and help other schools struggling with accreditation.
Students also came under Murray’s watchful eye in other ways including their involvement in the community through volunteering and other efforts as well as their academic efforts.
“Not all students come to learn,” Murray acknowledges, and that became apparent as the college evaluated student data and assessed the college readiness of students both within Herkimer County and from other areas. The result was a policy, approved in 2009 and later modified in 2010, requiring that new out-of-county applicants have a minimum high school grade-point average of 68.
“That made a major change,” Murray says. One big change was that enrollment at HCCC fell, but more important was the change in the campus culture, she says. Teachers began seeing that students were more focused on their work, and the entire campus has benefited from a more academic environment, Murray says.
And since then, enrollment numbers have been recovering. HCCC has a current enrollment of 3,221 full-time and part-time students. And, applications are ahead of estimates for the fall 2014 semester, she says.
HCCC offers more than 40 majors, 18 completely online.
While Murray is proud to have successfully met the tasks outlined for her by the college’s board, she’s equally proud of the achievements on her personal list of goals as president. Those accomplishments include:
· Establishing a teaching and learning center for college faculty to continue learning and stay current on trends and technology;
· Creating a Center for Global Learning to better serve HCCC’s international students and students interested in international study;
· Completing a $2.8 million renovation of the college’s science wing to update its lab facilities, funded through a $1.4 million fundraising campaign and $1.4 million in matching funds from the state;
· Completing a $1 million renovation to the college’s cafeteria;
· Relocating the offices associated with the admissions process to make things more streamlined for prospective and new students;
· Centralizing the student advisement area and creating a welcoming and private space; and,
· Establishing a Herkimer Community Museum, located near the Frank J. Basloe Public Library in Herkimer, that displays replicated artifacts and associated paintings and prints and is open to the community. Since it opened in March 2012, more than 1,000 people have visited the museum.
HCCC is also part of the SUNY Manufacturing Alliance for Research and Technology Transfer, which received a $15 million SUNY 2020 Grant from the state in June to build new facilities, develop training programs, and add or expand academic programs. HCCC will use its share of the funds to build its Center for Quality Assurance, where it will offer two quality assurance programs, one for business and one for science.
In her final month as president, Murray will oversee a new branding initiative that will give the college a “whole new look and feel,” she says.
While she is retiring to attend to personal family matters, Murray says she’s not leaving academia entirely. She and her family plan to return to their roots in the Capital District, and Murray says she plans to work with higher-education institutions on matters such as program development.
Prior to joining Herkimer County Community College, Murray served as vice president for academic affairs at Broome Community College (SUNY Broome) and worked for 24 years at Hudson Valley Community College in a variety of positions including dean of business and engineering and industrial technologies. She holds several degrees from the University at Albany, including a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction and master’s degrees in advanced classroom teaching and instructional technology.
Contact The Business Journal at news@cnybj.com
Dr. Baucus is preparing a colonoscopy on business
Max Baucus, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, donned his Dracula costume last month, and proposed retroactive taxation on the business community. Unlike Bela Lugosi in the original 1931 film, where Count Dracula says, “I have come to suck your blood,” Max has pulled on his rubber gloves and decided to probe the
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year’s worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Max Baucus, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, donned his Dracula costume last month, and proposed retroactive taxation on the business community. Unlike Bela Lugosi in the original 1931 film, where Count Dracula says, “I have come to suck your blood,” Max has pulled on his rubber gloves and decided to probe the business community’s colon to see whether it can withstand retroactive taxation.
In the senator’s defense, his goal is to overhaul America’s outdated tax code, which acts like a brake on the economy. He proposes “… to simplify tax rules, reduce the corporate income tax, lessen the burden on small business, and jumpstart job growth.” To accomplish this, Max also wants to raise more revenue to reduce the debt. One attaboy for Montana’s senior senator.
All doctors know, however, that the first rule of medicine is to do no harm to the patient. So what is Max’s prescription to accomplish reform?
While most of us were dreaming of the Thanksgiving turkey, Max and his committee cohorts sent up a trial balloon in the form of drafts of committee-staff discussions. The scope of the drafts expand the definition of taxable income, euphemistically called “base-broadening.”
The first proposal is called “deemed repatriation.” In Washington-speak, this means changing our present worldwide income-tax system, which requires individuals and businesses to pay U.S. tax on income earned abroad as well as on U.S. income. Currently, U.S. taxpayers may claim a foreign-tax credit for income taxes paid to other countries and may defer U.S. tax until they “realize” the income by bringing it back to the states. With anywhere between $1 trillion and $2 trillion in earnings sitting in overseas coffers, Dr. Max wants to change the rules by subjecting these funds to a one-time, 20-percent tax. By simply waving his colonoscope, voila, the funds are repatriated.
Next, our intrepid reformer turned doctor, wants to retroactively repeal the current depreciation schedule, including existing assets. On Jan. 1, 2015, Dr. Max proposes to change existing and future depreciation schedules to extend the period over which depreciation may be deducted against income. Yes, you read this correctly: the new system would apply to existing depreciable assets.
Finally, Max and his minions want to repeal LIFO. Last-in-first-out has been an accepted tool for inventory accounting since the Revenue Act of 1938. Under current law, a business can’t deduct inventory costs until it sells the items. LIFO thus serves as a hedge against inflation, by more accurately mirroring the true cost of the item. The result, typically, is lower reportable income. Enter Dr. Max, who would not only disallow LIFO, but also do so retroactively. Those enterprises utilizing LIFO will be required to convert their inventory recordkeeping to FIFO, first-in-first-out, and pay a tax on the accumulated difference.
Being the generous person that he is, Sen. Baucus would allow businesses eight years to pay for any back taxes on depreciation and LIFO revisions.
So who should enjoy this business colonoscopy? Clearly, the tax collector. Since business has so little time to adjust to these prospective changes, the U.S. Treasury projects a large, monetary windfall.
And who will bear the pain? Businesses. In a period of great economic and political uncertainty, the tax-grab will make companies even more reluctant to invest, because there is no clarity in the after-tax returns of future investments. Furthermore, the retroactive taxes are plainly unfair. Third, large tax increases may strain companies financially, because they have already committed the anticipated funds to other purposes.
At least Count Dracula was confined to celluloid. Dr. Max, a.k.a. your friendly gastroenterologist intent upon confiscating wealth obtained legally, is not contained. I hope the good doctor at least offers the business community a strong sedative before he begins his procedure.
Contact Poltenson at npoltenson@cnybj.com
Get our email updates
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.