NNY Business October 2016

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OCTOBER 2016 Volume 6 No.11

nnybizmag.com

***

THE INTERVIEW Business consultant Peter J. Whitmore p. 34

20 Under 40 alumnI

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2 | NNY Business | October 2016

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4 | NNY Business | October 2016

>>

Inside October 2016

13 14 27

23 |

SMALL BIZ STARTUP |

|

COVER |

|

FEATURES |

|

13 Leave it to soirÉe One entrepreneurial woman is building a reputation and brand as a go-to event planner. |

14 alumni talk careers Six years after NNY Business launched its 20 Under 40 program, we visit with alumni. |

23 A sizzling season North country tourism officials say the region’s summer season was a success, despite little rain.

SPECIAL SECTION |

|

REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP |

|

TOP TRANSACTIONS |

|

27 NNY BUSINESS FACTBOOK A preview of a new supplement planned for the January issue of NNY Business magazine.

32 where we want to live A generational look at the neighborhoods and housing were people want to live.

33 TOP TRANSACTIONS Top 10 sales in Jefferson and St. Lawrence, counties top $6.6m in the month of August.

ENTREPRENEURS |

44 growth is important It’s OK to be a hermit crab in business as long as you are still growing in your shell.

BUSINESS SCENE |

48 networking, nny style Businessmen and women connect for success across Northern New York.

ONLINE |

nNYBIZMAG.COM Connect with us online for daily updates, more photos and exclusive Web content.

October 2016 | NNY Business

|5

BusIness

C o n tr i b u t o r s

nnybizmag.com

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Lance M. Evans is the executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors. He writes about what different demographics want when buying a home. (p. 32)

Ian Grant is population health program manager for Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization. He writes about how to put personal health data and community health indicators to work. (pg. 38)

Brooke Rouse is past president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. She shares a few tips for businesses to prepare for the coming holiday season. (p. 39)

Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 28-year IT veteran. She offers some easy steps to safeguard your network against common internet security breaches. (p. 40)

Editor & Publisher John B. Johnson

Co-Publisher

Harold B. Johnson II

Magazine Editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

Magazine Associate Holly C. Boname

Contributing Writers

Norah Machia & Joleene Moody

Photography

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison Jason Hunter, Stephen Swofford Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp. He writes about new ag opportunities for hemp production in New York State. (p. 41)

Bob Gorman is president and CEO of United Way of Northern New York. He writes about volunteers and the recipients of this year’s Macsherry Family Community Spirit Awards. (p. 42)

Jennifer McCluskey is an advisor for the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton.

She explains how best to put Instagram to use in your small business marketing mix. (p. 43)

Joleene Moody is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski with her husband and daughter. She writes about how it’s OK to behave like a hermit crab as long as you’re still growing. (p. 44)

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Magazine Advertising Manager Beth Hornbarger

Advertising Sales

Justin Sullivan, Jill Halley, Laurie Denesha, Barb Loomis, Jim Homa, Katie Nelson, Cindy Aucter, Yvonne Houppert and Megan Cole

Advertising Graphics

Brian Mitchell, Rick Gaskin, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

Holly C. Boname is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. She visits a young entrepreneur who is building a solid reputation and brand as an event planner in the north country. (pgs. 13)

Norah Machia is a freelance writer and veteran Watertown Daily Times reporter. In this month’s cover story, she visits with seven 20 Under 40 alumni who have each advanced in their careers. (p. 14)

Marcus Wolf is a Johnson Newspaper Corp. staff writer. He examines results of the north country’s recent summer tourism season.

Despite record heat, visits to the region — and spending — climbed. (pgs. 23)

MARKETPLACE Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina .......... 26 Caskinette’s Ford ................................ 51 Community Health Center of the North Country ........................... 54 Cheney Tire ........................................ 38 Chiappone Tire ..................................... 4 Clayton Dental Office .......................... 45 Coleman’s Corner ............................... 45 Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall .... 24 Cortel Improvement ............................ 25 D.L. Calarco Funeral Home ................ 39 DGM Coon & Co. Commercial Property Management ........................ 50 Dr. Guitar Music ................................. 45 Fairground Inn .................................... 45 Foy Agency ........................................... 4 Fuccillo Automotive .............................. 4 Fuller Insurance .................................... 4

6 | NNY Business | October 2016

Garlock’s Design Center ..................... 33 Gerald A. Nortz ..................................... 9 Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce ...................... 12 H.D. Goodale Co. ................................. 4 High Tower Advisors .......................... 36 Hospice of Jefferson County .............. 25 Immaculate Heart Central Schools ....... 3 Jefferson Community College ............ 24 Liberty Glass ....................................... 32 National Grid ...................................... 56 NNY Community Foundation ............. 37 Overhead Door Company ................... 45 Paradise Energy Solutions ................. 22 Pearl’s Pastry Shoppe ......................... 45 Purcell Construction ............................. 3 RBC Wealth Management ................... 26 Samaritan Medical Center .................. 55

SeaComm Federal Credit Union ......... 43 Spring Valley Garden Center & Gift Shop ......................................... 45 Thousand Islands International Tourism Council ................................. 31 Tug Hill Vineyards .............................. 41 Tuggers Family Restaurant ................. 52 Tunes 92.5 FM .................................... 48 Waite Indian Motorcycle ..................... 40 Waite Toyota ....................................... 49 Watertown Daily Times Total Talent Reach ............................... 54 Watertown Family YMCA...................... 8 Watertown Savings Bank ...................... 2 Watertown Spring & Alignment ............ 4 TF Wright & Sons Granite Foundry .... 44 WWTI-TV50 ........................................ 53 Ziebart Tidycar ...................................... 4

NNY Business (ISSN 2159-6115), is published monthly by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2010-2016. All material submitted to NNY Business becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

Subscription Rates 12 issues are $15 a year and 24 issues are $25 for two years.

Call 315-782-1000 to subscribe.

Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email bhornbarger@wdt.net, or call 315-661-2325 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail blabrake@ogd.com, or call 315-661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y., a Forest Stewardship Certified facility.

Please recycle this magazine.

| THE INTERVIEW |

| ABOUT THE COVER |

34 MEET Mr. business ‘fixer’ North country native and longtime businessman Peter J. Whitmore has fashioned himself a reputation for heavy lifting when it comes to organizations in need. We sat down to learn a few of his secrets. | COLUMNS |

38 39 40 41

Economically speaking commerce corner BUSINESS TECH BYTES AGRIBUSINESS

42 nonprofits today 43 SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS 44 ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE

| DEPARTMENTS |

8 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 NEXT MONTH 9 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE 10 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT 12 BUSINESS BRIEFCASE

13 SMALL BIZ STARTUP 32 real estate roundup 33 TOP transactions 46 CALENDAR 48 BUSINESS SCENE

NNY BUSINESS MAGAZINE

For this month’s cover photo, staff Photographer Justin Sorensen captured NNY Business 20 Under 40 alumni Erika Flint and Jeffrey Ginger in the board room of our main offices. Writer Norah Machia caught up with Mrs. Flint, Mr. Ginger, and five other alumni who have advanced in their careers to new jobs since the magazine honored them. Norah’s cover story starts on page 14.

NORTHERN NEW YORK’S EMERGING LEADERS

Save the date for the 6th annual NNY Business 20 Under 40 Awards

Look for profiles of this year’s class in december’s issue of Nny business. n Join us for a luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St., Watertown, on Wednesday, Dec. 7 to recognize the 2016 class of 20 Under 40. Complete luncheon details and registration will be published after nominees are selected and announced. RSVP to Editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net by noon, Friday, Dec. 2. Luncheon is $25 at the door.

Pre-pay by Dec. 1 and save $3 per ticket. Corporate tables of eight and 10 are available for $225 and $275, respectively.

Need a hotel room the night before? Mention the NNY Business magazine 20 Under 40 event for a 12 percent discount.

Sponsored by:

Jefferson County Economic Development

October 2016 | NNY Business

|7

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his month’s cover story is a slightly less than traditional feature for the magazine.

Writer Norah Machia connects with seven alumni of our 20 Under 40 program, which has honored 103 emerging leaders in Northern New York under the age of 40 since its inaugural class in 2011. Norah visits with past honorees from each of the five 20 Under 40 classes to see what kind of an impact the award and recognition had on their careers and lives.

Norah’s cover story begins on page 14.

In features this month, Johnson Newspapers Staff Writer Marcus Ken Eysaman Wolf takes aim at the results of this summer’s tourism season. Despite record days of heat and little rain, tourism operators and seasonal businesses report a very successful season with visits to the north country — and spending — up overall.

Finally, we present a preview of a new special supplement planned for our annual Outlook Issue in January. NNY Business Factbook will examine the tri-county region through a series of facts and figures about who we are, where we work and our quality of life. Information from 12 different sectors of our region and its economy will be featured, including: agriculture, business, community, construction, education, government, health care, manufacturing, military, retail, real estate, and tourism.

20 QUESTIONS — This month we sit down with north country native and longtime businessman Peter J. Whitmore, a man who has gained a reputation as the guy to call when help is needed. A multi-unit Jreck Subs franchisee for nearly 35 years, Peter has a wide range of experience as a small business owner, operator and community volunteer who hasn’t quite yet mastered the art of saying no. He serves on a host of boards in the nonprofit and business community.

Most recently, he was interim executive director at the Jefferson County Historical Society, a temporary post he held while the organization transitioned to a new permanent director. Our interview with Peter starts on page 34.

For more information contact:

782-3100

www.watertownymca.org 8 | NNY Business | October 2016

20 UNDER 40 — Nominations for our 6th annual NNY Business 20 Under 40 closed Friday, Sept. 30, with close to record numbers.

Nearly 100 people submitted nominations for 60 nominees, just one less than the all-time record number of nominations we received in 2014. We are pleased and excited to see such positive community engagement. Our selection committee now has the unenviable task of choosing a class of 20 from all who were nominated. Look for a selection announcement of this year’s class on our website, nnybizmag.com, and our Facebook page the week of Oct. 17. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, we will recognize the class of 2016 during a luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown.

CONTACT US — As always, if you have any questions, comments or general feedback, including story ideas, please call me at (315) 661-2399 or email keysaman@wdt.net. NNY Business strives to publish an accurate magazine each month. If you spot an error of fact, please let me know.

Yours in business,

next month n family business: In our November issue, our annual salute to family businesses, we visit new and longtime multi-generation businesses.

Watertown Family YMCA

BUSINESS SCENE — This month’s Scene section, which begins on page 48, features 53 faces from three-dozen businesses and organizations across the region.

On Sept. 14, Carthage staffer Elaine Avallone joined the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce for Business After Hours at Carthage Elks Lodge #1762. On Sept. 21, we joined Samaritan Health for an opening reception at its new stateof-the-art Family Health Center of Adams. That same day, Magazine Associate Holly Boname joined the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce for its September Business After Hours at Community Bank’s downtown Watertown branch.

On Sept. 22, we joined the South Jeff Chamber of Commerce for Business After Hours at S&R Automotive in downtown Mannsville.

The next day we joined the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce for its Jefferson Leadership Institute 25th class kick-off dinner at Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina in Alexandria Bay. Finally, on Sept. 29, Holly joined the Clayton Chamber of Commerce for its September Business With a Twist at Northern Flow Vineyards in Clayton.

n BUSINESS HISTORY: Our monthly feature about a north country business from the past recalls a once-thriving Lewis County business. n SMALL BIZ STARTUP: A feature story about a recently opened north country small business in St. Lawrence County. n 20 QUESTIONS: An in-depth interview with a north country business leader.

n PLUS: NNY Snapshot, DBAs, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Entrepreneurs, Agribusiness, Real Estate, Business History and Business Scene. n VISIT US ONLINE at nnybizmag.com for exclusive daily Wed content. Follow us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/nny business, and view eEditions at www.issuu. com/NNYBusiness.

P E O P L E O N T H E M O VE

Child psychiatrist joins Children’s Home

Dr. B. Harrison Levine, M.D., has joined the staff at the Children’s Home of Jefferson County. Dr. Levine is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, teens and young adults.

Dr. Levine’s expertise is in anxiety and mood and psychotic disorders with a Levine focus on clarifying diagnoses and treating debilitating symptoms. Most recently, Dr. Levine was in private practice in Denver, Colo. He has also served as medical director, psychiatric consultation/liaison and emergency services, Bridge Clinic, and Med/Psych Clinic — all at The Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado at Denver.

For the past five years, Dr. Levine has been selected a “Top Doc” by Denver’s 5280 Magazine. In 2010, he was honored

by The Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado at Denver, for the “Development and Implementation of the Behavioral Assistance Resource Team.”

Dr. Levine is a graduate of Columbia University Medical School for International Health, Beersheva, Israel, as well as the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pa. He completed residency in general Adult psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich., and held a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell universities, New York City.

Got business milestones? n Share your business milestones with NNY Business. Email news releases and photos (.jpg/300 dpi) to editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net. The deadline for submissions is the 10th of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page.

general manager of the Watertown restaurant, 20988 Salmon Run Mall Loop West.

Before he was named general manager, Mr. Yoder worked in all areas of restaurant management at the Rochester, Big Flats and Watertown Olive Garden locations.

Carthage Area Hospital physical therapist New provider at Carthage hires Carthage Area Hospital recently welFamily Health Center comed physical therapist Karlye R. East Kelsey Mollura, PA, has joined Carthage Area Hospital as the latest primary care provider at the Carthage Family Health Center, Carthage.

Ms. Mollura earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa., and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies Mollura from Arcadia University, Glenside, Pa. Previously, Ms. Mollura worked in an internal medicine/geriatric office in Pittsburgh and in an ENT/sleep medicine office in Greenbelt, Md.

man to its Carthage Therapy Services staff.

Ms. Eastman completed her education at Clarkson University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 and received an Innovation and entrepreneurship degree with Eastman a concentration in pre-physical therapy. She completed a doctor of physical therapy in 2016.

She is an avid reader and enjoys incorporating evidence-based practice into her daily treatment sessions. Ms. Eastman has clinical experience with workers compensation, the military population, schoolbased pediatrics and acute care.

Named general manager at Watertown Olive Garden Historical Society North country native Tim Yoder was appoints new director recently named general manager of the Watertown Olive Garden restaurant.

Mr. Yoder began his career with Olive Garden in 2004 as a line cook in State College, Pa. During the past 12 years, he has used his industry knowledge and leadership skills to advance with the company.

Mr. Yoder will lead 80 team members as

The Jefferson County Historical Society Board of Trustees recently appointed Jordan B. Walker as executive director.

Ms. Walker will continue the transition begun under the leadership of interim executive director Peter J. Whitmore, Please see PEOPLE, page 22

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Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers

Average New York surrogate* price for on-highway diesel

August 2016 $1.49 July 2016 $1.38 August 2015 $1.60

August 2016 $2.45 July 2016 $2.51 August 2015 $2.81

6.9

Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

Vehicles crossing the Thousand Islands bridge

15.6%

253,758 in August 2016 262,262 in July 2016 255,826 in August 2015 Source: T.I. Bridge Authority

16.2%

Vehicles crossing the Ogdensburg-Prescott bridge 64,379 in August 2016 64,728 in July 2016 65,326 in August 2015

Average NNY price for gallon of residential propane

10.8%

Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority

Vehicles crossing the Seaway International (Massena) bridge

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

203,528 in August 2016 204,159 in July 2016 203,944 in August 2015

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales 149, median price $133,500 in August 2016 122, median price $125,000 in July 2016 131, median price $144,500 in August 2015

Seaway International Bridge Corp.

U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar)

7.6%

$1.31 on Aug. 31, 2016 $1.30 on July 29, 2016 $1.32 on Aug. 31, 2015

Price

St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales 74, median price $108,250 in August 2016 57, median price $106,000 in July 2016 80, median price $88,900 in August 2015

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.

Nonagriculture jobs in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence counties area, not including military positions

21.6% Price

Source: NYS Department of Labor

5.5

5.6

July 2016

August 2015

United States 5.2

5.4 August 2016

New York State

August 2015

Lewis County

6.4 August 2015

6.0

5.7 August 2016

July 2016

5.6

5.2 July 2016

August 2015

5.1

St. Lawrence County

5.1

NNY unemployment rates

July 2016

Source: Jefferson-Lewis / St. Lawrence boards of Realtors Inc.

Jefferson County

0.8%

5.0

Sales

90,800 in August 2016 91,500 in July 2016 90,100 in August 2015

August 2016

7.5%

0.8%

5.0

Sales

0.2%

August 2015

13.7%

1.5%

5.0

August 2016 $2.57 July 2016 $2.53 August 2015 $2.32

0.8%

July 2016

August 2016 $2.18 July 2016 $2.19 August 2015 $2.60

August 2016

ECON SNAPSHOT

Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil

4.9

August 2016 $2.27 July 2016 $2.35 August 2015 $2.69

12.8%

*Prices are the composite area that includes New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

Source: U.S. DOE, Energy Information Administration

Source: NYS Department of Agriculture

10 | NNY Business | October 2016

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

August 2016

NNY

Economic indicators

Source: U.S. Department of Labor and New York State Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted. Latest available data reported.)

Note: Due to updates in some “Econ. Snapshot� categories, numbers may differ from previously published prior month and year figures.

Economic indicators New automobiles (cars and trucks) registered in Jefferson County Trucks Cars 132 in August 2016 556 in August 2016 98 in July 2016 491 in July 2016 147 in August 2015 518 in August 2015

7.3%

NNY

10.2%

Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

No airport data

n Passenger totals for Watertown International Airport were unavailable at press time this month due to a later release of information by American Airlines.

Open welfare cases in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties 2,300 in August 2016 2,258 in July 2016 2,251 in August 2015

2.2%

Source: Social Service Depts. of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

DBA (doing business under an assumed name) certificates filed at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office SEPT. 1 to SEPT. 30. For a complete list of DBAs filed in March and in past months, visit nnybizmag.com.

Sept. 30: The Jeweler’s Bazaar, 510 N. Hycliff Drive, Apt. D, Watertown, Ryan M. Terry, 510 N. Hycliff Drive, Apt. D, Watertown.

Sept. 29: Stiches and Pics, 220 West Main St., Sackets Harbor, Stephanie M. Shively, 220 West Main St., Sackets Harbor. n Josiphinas Quilting Patch & Alterations, 25600 State Route 342, Evans Mills, Dee K. Kramer, 102 LaFargeville Road, Theresa.

Essex Arts Centre, 622 Boyd St., Watertown, Kimberly A. Essex, 1333 Holcomb St., Watertown.

Sept. 28: Roaron Entertainment, 25133 County Route 180, Dexter, Aaron Hall, 25133 County Route 180, Dexter.

Sept. 27: Gingers Lawn Care and Snow Plowing, 25044 State Route 12, Watertown, Nicholas M. Pickett, 25044 State Route 12, Watertown.

Sept. 26: Jefferson Taxi Service, 653 Leray St., Watertown, Gurpreet Singh, 653 Leray St., Watertown. n VIP Nails, 1063C Arsenal St., Watertown, Lanh V. Nguyen, 15615 Eimicke Place, Watertown, Ha Tran, 851 Coffeen St., Watertown. n Downtown Local Lounge, 137 Franklin St., Watertown, Kevin Hoover Jr., 1411 Washington St., Watertown, April Walley, 1411 Washington St., Watertown.

Sept. 23: C&M Contracting, 15731 Foster Park Road, Dexter, Michael Waybright, 15731 Foster Park Road, Dexter. n Happy @ Home Elder Care, 18576 Fields Road, Watertown, Berenetta J. Rice, 18576 Fields Road, Watertown.

Sept. 22: Stylez, 127 Commercial St., Theresa, Bridgett Weaver, 36665 County Route 136, Theresa.

Sept. 16: Lavish Maids, 109 North Rutland St., Watertown, Michael A. Lopez, 546 Cooper St., Watertown, Sarah A. Sheridan, 109 North Rutland St., Watertown.

Sept. 15: Head Gear, 18008 State Route 177, Adams Center, Christopher J. Jaques, 18008 State Route 177, Adams Center. n Adirondack Rowboats Paddle & Oar, 8606A Hunter Loop, Fort Drum, John Homer III, 8606A Hunter Loop, Fort Drum. n White Lily, 410 West Grove St., Dexter, Carol D. Carliss, 410 West Grove St., Dexter.

Sept. 14: Karma Contracting, 24808 County Route 54, Brownville, Mark J. Webb, 24808 County Route 54, Brownville, Christopher J. Hull, 169 Paddock St., Watertown. n River Valley Charters, 35755 State Route 26, Carthage, Benjamin J. Roggie, 35755 State Route 26, Carthage.

Sept. 12: Let It Beezz Honey, 35211 Spicer Road, Antwerp, Robert A. Laisdell Jr., 35211 Spicer Road, Antwerp, Matthew A. Laisdell, 43823 State Route 37, Redwood.

Sept. 9: Soiree! Event Coordinating, 283 Thompson Blvd., Watertown, Sarah V. Compo, 283 Thompson Blvd., Watertown.

Sept. 8: Olley’s Greenhouse, 43005 State Route 3, Natural Bridge, David C. Olley, 43005 State Route 3, Natural Bridge. n Unplugged, Salmon Run Mall Loop West, Watertown, Christopher J. Pollichemi, 52 Rice Road, Parish. n Wags and Whiskers in Home Pet Care Services, 23023 Spring Valley Drive, Watertown, Lindsay Newtown, 23023 Spring Valley Drive, Watertown.

Sept. 7: Limehill Construction and Maintenance, 311 West Woodruff St., Watertown, Jonathan Streeter, 311 West Woodruff St., Watertown. n Rust Doctor Collision Center & Automotive Repair, 22597 U.S. Route 11, Watertown, Stephen B. Gilbert, 220 East Main St., Brownville. n Fairy Bohemian, 22453 Eacho Drive, Watertown, Ivory L. Carolina, 22453 Eacho Drive, Watertown.

Sept. 6: Carl’s Christmas Trees and Organic Garlic, 40123 Houghton Road, Philadelphia, Lisa L. Kirker, 40123 Houghton Road, Philadelphia, Jeffrey R. Kirker, 40123 Houghton Road, Philadelphia.

Sept. 2: Primos De Ticos Grill and Bar, 25044 Route 47, Great Bend, Elizabeth Gamez, 31878 County Route 4, Cape Vincent.

Sept. 1: Tayloured, 30872 County Route 143, Felts Mills, Taylour L. Scanlin, 30872 County Route 143, Felts Mills. n Cloudy Dream Entertainment, 670 Davidson St., Watertown, Wil Moss III, 670 Davidson St., Watertown. n Wildrides, 19676 Staplin Road, Black River, Randy D. Freeman, 19676 Staplin Road, Black River.

transactions

DBAs

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 11

Business briefcase NONPROFITS

Optometrist hosts foster family day on the river

St. Lawrence County optometrist Dr. Robert Saidel hosted nearly 140 foster children and their foster families for a day of damily fun on the St. Lawrence River Sept. 25.

Dr. Saidel has offices in Canton and Gouverneur. The event was held in conjunction with Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours, Alexandria Bay. The children and families were treated to a “Two Nation Tour” on the boat line. Dr. Saidel also provided snacks and beverages for all attending.

The event was made possible through

Ryan’s Wish Foundation, founded by Dr. Saidel’s to honor the memory of his son. According to the foundation’s website, “Ryan Saidel was only 19 years old when he lost his battle with cancer. During his five-year struggle, Ryan touched the lives of countless people.

To those around him, Ryan defined the word courage, as he lived his life inspiring others to make the best of each and every day.”

The Children’s Home of Jefferson County foster care program provides temporary care for children unable to live with their birth families or guardians. It allows children who may have been abused or neglected or have behavioral challenges and special needs the opportunity to live in a family setting, attend public school and

be an active member of the community. Extensive training is offered to all foster parents.

Call Kim Hierholzer, 229-3481, or email khierholzer@nnychildrenshome.com to learn more about the Children’s Home foster parenting programs.

SMALL BUSINESS

Longtime Massena retail store sets plan to close

After nearly 115 years serving the Massena area, Smith’s True Value Hardware will close its doors for the last time.

“We are going to keep operating this week as normal. Then next week, we are only going to be open on Thursdays and Fridays for a month, maybe a little bit longer,” said vice president Bill Hutchison. “We are just trying to sell off as much merchandise as we can.”

The reason for closing, according to Owner Bob Silmser, is simple.

“We are all retiring,” he said. “Our staff is an older staff and everybody is getting to retirement age. We have had people retire already and that is what it’s turning into.”

The hardware store has been in business in Massena since 1902. It occupied three different storefronts on Main Street before moving to its present location at 50 E. Orvis St. in 1979. Mr. Silmser, 61, who has worked at the store since he was 12, said his father and great-grandfather previously operated the store. He said the patrons have made working at the business a pleasurable experience.

“We have had lots and lots of good customers over the years. We appreciate all the good customers,” Mr. Silmser said. “We haven’t got a firm date or anything yet. Once it gets a little closer, we will be figuring out what we are going to do. It is just one of those things. When it’s time, it’s time.”

GOVERNMENT

Tax cap crimps Jefferson County’s 2017 budget

With public discussions on the Jefferson County budget weeks away, Board of Legislators Chairman Scott A. Gray said devising the county’s tentative 2017 budget will be tough.

“We have some challenges, there’s no question,” he said.

With the state’s 2017 property tax cap at an all-time low of 0.68, this year’s cap was 0.73 percent. First instilled in 2012, the cap limits tax levy increases to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.

The low cap does not bode well for the county’s finances, as Mr. Gray said its tax revenue streams have not been able to keep pace with natural cost increases.

The Jefferson County Board of Legislators Finance Committee has passed a resolution designating the time and place for its 2017 tentative budget public hearing. The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Historic Courthouse at 195 Arsenal St. A tentative budget will be released sometime at the end of October.

12 | NNY Business | October 2016

Small Bu siness startup BUSINESS

Soirée NNY THE INITIAL IDEA After helping friends and family members with their theme parties, weddings and other events it became clear to young entrepreneur Sarah Compo that event planning and execution was her passion — eliminating those day-of-event nerves by taking the reins to plan and execute someone’s special day with ease.

“I’m at the age where a lot of my friends are getting married. I would see how they didn’t have anyone to do those little things and they would ask other people. Or even sometimes, they would hire someone who they knew but wasn’t coming to the wedding,” Ms. Compo said.

Out of this apparent need for event assistance, coupled with her passion for design Soirée NNY was born.

“We get requests from clients who don’t want to burden anyone in the wedding to help, so Soirée NNY will make sure everything is taken care of,” Ms. Compo said.

TARGET CLIENTELE Located in Watertown, but booking events throughout the Thousand Islands and Northern New York region, Soirée NNY specializes in day-of-event coordination, consultation, planning and execution. Ms. Compo launched her business in 2014 and has seen swift growth through word of mouth and support from local venues where she has completed events.

“Sarah came highly recommended by the Antique Boat Museum as they have partnered on many events together. I asked Margaret Hummel who they have used in the past and they jumped to say Soirée NNY,” said Natalia Ingerson-Hatton, a Thousand Islands native and New York City resident. “We really needed someone who was reliable to set up both the wedding and reception venues for us late August. Sarah really helped put my mind to ease knowing that she was following through with our vision.”

Ms. Compo said she prides herself on easing the worries for her clients by staying current on event trends and ideas, something that has increased her bookings.

“We step in to help on the day of an event to do everything that the person who, for example, is getting married, does not have time to do or does not want to ask their friends or family members to take on the day of the event,” Ms. Compo said.

A typical job for Soirée NNY consists of a bride, groom or parent contacting the company and requesting someone to complete design elements, be there the day of the event to set up, monitor the event’s needs, break down and clean up at the end of the event.

“It really was one less thing to worry about as the day drew closer and on the day of. She was very easy to work with. Looking back I wished I knew of her sooner because I found out that I could have given her an idea and she would have

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

“People come from all over to have their special events here. ” — Sarah Compo, owner, Soirée NNY done the leg work and put the plan into motion,” Mrs. Ingerson-Hatton said.

THE JOURNEY

To date, Ms. Compo has been hired to work more than 30 events and continues to grow. Business for Soirée NNY is driven by her reputation — word of mouth — and her online presence on social media and website.

Clients have come from as far as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and even the Midwest.

“People come from all over to have their special events here,” Ms. Compo said. “About 70 percent of the weddings I have done are in the 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River.”

Ms. Compo attributes her success to a mix of her vision and the customers’ needs and wants.

She has found that her clients will either know exactly what they want or, following a consultation, leave the planning to Ms. Compo and her team.

“I take a ton of pictures at events — the unique stuff is amazing, the different ideas I see that people have,” Ms. Compo said.

Soirée NNY recently assisted with a wedding located in Clayton. Ms. Compo said the bride and groom didn’t want to have the traditional wedding cake and instead opted for a donut bar.

“I have never been to a wedding with a donut bar, so now I will have that in my arsenal of ideas,” Ms. Compo said. She adds these ideas to her growing portfolio, something she said is integral to the businesses development.

“She set up the floor plan of the Antique Boat

Museum and the Johnston House according to our design plans and everything was literally perfect. I have heard stories of brides walking into their venues the day of and thinking that this or that was wrong but honestly there was not one thing that looked or seemed out of place to me.

Sarah and her crew were very thorough and listened to everything we wanted as well as executed it all perfectly,” Mrs. Ingerson-Hatton said.

IN FIVE YEARS While business is growing, Ms. Compo still works her full-time job as deputy chief of staff at the office of state Sen. Patty Ritchie.

“My full-time job is my first commitment,” Ms. Compo said, “but I have a ton of fun doing this on the side and I think that it’s a much-needed service around here because there is no one else who is doing it.”

Ms. Compo said she hopes that as business expands and her clientele continues to grow through local venue support, word of mouth and her online presence, she can increase staff and continue to fulfill the needs of brides and those in need of event support.

“I am solo right now. I have had to have people come work for me,” Ms. Compo said, “Especially when I have had multiple events in one day. Usually my mom will step in and assist, but I would like to continue to grow so I can ultimately hire someone to manage things for me.”

— Holly Boname

WHERE Watertown/Thousand Islands | LAUNCHED 2014 | WEB soireenny.com

October 2016 | NNY Business

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COV E R STORY

Northern New York’s emerging leaders: Where are they now? young leaders reflect on career advancement, recognition, and the importance of mentoring future generations to build a stronger region STORY BY NORAH MACHIA | NNY BUSINESS

D

December marks the sixth year that NNY Business magazine will recognize 20 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who live and work in Northern New York.

Selectees embody leadership, professionalism and community involvement. Past recipients have come from a variety of backgrounds throughout Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, and have served as role models in their professions and active volunteers in their communities.

Since the magazine launched its 20 Under 40 program in 2011, it has honored 103 young men and women (three times a husband and wife team were selected) who were nominated by a wide range of people in the communities where they live and work.

At press time this month, the call

14 | NNY Business | October 2016

nominations for the 20 Under 40 Class of 2016 closed with 60 nominees from nearly 100 different nominators. The level of enthusiasm and respect for the program has given it credibility and stature.

Last year, the magazine invited a representative from the region’s business community to join its 20 Under 40 selection committee. “As the program has matured, we felt it was important to gain a perspective on nominees from outside the ranks of the magazine and our company,” said Kenneth J. Eysaman, NNY Business editor.

This year’s nine-member selection committee also includes a seat held by a past 20 Under 40 recipient.

“We are pleased to have a committee that shares the same excitement for advancing the work of our qual-

ity young leaders as those who have volunteered to serve this year,” Mr. Eysaman said. “It is an unenviable task, narrowing the selection to just 20 worthy men and women.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Class of 2016 will be honored during a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown. St. Lawrence County Manager Ruth A. Doyle will deliver the keynote address.

More information on the luncheon, including online reservations, will soon be available on nnybizmag.com.

This month, in advance of our 6th annual NNY Business 20 Under 40 issue, we visit with seven alumni and speak with them about their career advancements and the importance of supporting young emerging leaders in the north country.

C O V E R S T O RY

Erika F. Flint >> Class of 2011 DSRIP Director, North Country Initiative (At the time of her selection in 2011, she was executive director of the Watertown Urban Mission.)

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

I went on to serve the Watertown Urban Mission until December 2015 as the Executive Director. During my tenure, I administered a $1.5 million annual budget, including federal, state, county and private funding.

Our team successfully led the agency’s first ever capital campaign, raising over $2.1 million, which led to the completion of a $1.5 million facility renovation project. A highlight was Meals on Wheels, a separate nonprofit, being merged under the Watertown Urban Mission umbrella.

In addition, I was part of a team that ran seven major community programs, serving several thousand individuals in need each year. In December 2015, I joined the team at the North Country Initiative as Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP) director. My primary role is to provide oversight and coordination of the development and implementation of all projects within the DSRIP. The DSRIP brings the potential of approximately $78 million to the region over a 5-year period for the implementation of clinically driven projects across the Performing Provider System, aimed to improve quality, reduce costs, and improve the patient experience.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

It was very encouraging that recognition in this community is not solely focused on a lifetime of achievement, but as an acknowledgement of someone’s potential.

I was very appreciative and humbled, but mostly I viewed it as a responsibility to carry out the potential that was recognized in me. I am very aware that everything I have achieved has been thanks to a whole host of people, and I will always owe them my best. So I guess you could say that what I appreciate most about the 20 Under 40

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

award is the motivation it gave me to be the kind of leader who isn’t self-serving, but serving of others.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

Not only this award, but NNY Business magazine as a whole, certainly does a tremendous job highlighting the professional achievements of so many in this community. An old saying is that “it isn’t what you know, but who you know” and while it’s a balance of both, having acknowledgement for the work you are doing and the skills you possess can be very beneficial for career advancement.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Recognizing people, especially young people, can serve as a catalyst in two key ways. One is that hopefully the recognition serves as an inspiration for them to be their best. Many of us would agree that one of the best motivations is feeling appreciated, and the 20 Under 40 award goes a long way toward making someone feel appreciated by an entire community. Another value in recognizing young leaders is that the community has a chance to look around and

become aware of the talent surrounding us. Sometimes when trying to fill jobs or board seats we have a limited view of who is available, but the recognition of young leaders serves as a spotlight for future potential in this community.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

Yes. There comes a point in time where connections mean a lot more than a resume, and the sooner that the young people of this community feel connected and valued, the more likely that they will stay rooted and want to continue to contribute to a community they feel part of. I have been asked before what the best part of living in Watertown is and have heard responses such as Fort Drum, four seasons, and the array of beauty and enjoyment from the lakes, rivers and mountains, but I have consistently answered community. We are blessed to live in a place where we don’t only know our neighbors, but sincerely care about them, and that is something special. The fact I have felt embraced by this community has helped our family decide this is a place where we want to remain.

October 2016 | NNY Business

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C OV E R STORY

CLASS OF 2011

Michelle A. Carpenter >> Class of 2012 Director, Jefferson Rehabilitation Center Foundation, Inc. (At the time of her selection in 2012, she was the director of events for the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce.)

Charles M. Capone II Watertown Savings Bank Zachary K. Chapman Massena Memorial Hospital Jason S. Christman Christman Fuel Service Christine M. Cisco RBC Wealth Management Jennifer Dindl Humes Realty & Appraisal Service Daniel J. Dupee II Jefferson Community College Erika F. Flint Watertown Urban Mission Dr. Deanna L. Fuller, DVM Countryside Veterinary Hospital Angela M. Gray Gray & Gray CPAs Kyle R. Hafemann Otter Creek Winery Joseph R. Lawrence Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis Co. Lynn M. Pietroski GWNC Chamber of Commerce Krystal Rupert Rupert Law Firm Taylour L. Scanlin Carthage Area Hospital Reginiald J. “Reg” Schweitzer Jr. Neighbors of Watertown, Maggie’s on the River & Chaumont Hardware M. Andrew Short Samaritan Medical Center Brian A. & Jenny D. Walker The 1844 House Leann I. West Wladis Law Firm Nick O. Williams Otis Technology Brian J. Wohnsiedler Jefferson County Soil & Water District

16 | NNY Business | October 2016

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

Whle it was difficult to leave my former position at the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, making the move to the JRC Foundation was like coming home. I knew a great number of staff here already through their involvement in the Jefferson Leadership Institute program, and I have been truly blessed to get to know so many of the people that the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center supports. As the first director of the foundation, I’ve had the opportunity to utilize my knowledge and experience to provide structure for the foundation and lay the groundwork for our future growth. My responsibilities entail overseeing all of their fundraising efforts to include special events, our annual appeal campaign, and our planned giving program.

In addition, we have now implemented a new employee donation campaign, through which employees can donate back to the foundation through payroll deduction. In my position, I also oversee the funding request process and assist staff with making requests to the foundation for the people that we support for items and equipment not covered by their insurance. With the help of our board of directors and staff, the newly created foundation has been successful in increasing our fundraising efforts and also our visibility in the community. We have many great plans on the horizon, and I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization that is vital to the people of our community with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

At the time of my recognition, I was a single mother of three young girls trying to balance a career and caring for my children, while trying to remain involved in the community. Although I’m not one who is driven by praise, being acknowledged in this way was very meaningful to me. I was both proud and humbled to be recognized with such a great group of people and young leaders of our community.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

I believe that every position I’ve held and

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

all of my past experiences, including the 20 under 40 recognition, have helped me to grow both personally and professionally.

With every experience, there are lessons to be learned and positivity to be gained.

Being a part of the 20 under 40 was a great experience, and definitely helped in growing my self-confidence.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Recognizing young leaders is important in reinforcing that it is possible to have a good work/life balance, in addition to giving back to the community. The young leaders of today will be carrying on the torch of volunteerism and community enrichment to pass on to the next generation. An acknowledgement such as 20 under 40 not only recognizes current young leaders for a “job well done,” but in turn provides the next generation of young professionals with role models to look up to and to learn from.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

The Watertown area, in my opinion, has grown significantly throughout my lifetime. I myself left for several years, seeking larger opportunity for personal and professional growth in a large city. Like many young people who leave the area, I returned home realizing that I could still advance my career in this area, while being close to my family and while giving back to a community that has helped to make me the person I am today.

C O V E R S T O RY

Jesse C.P. Roshia >> Class of 2012 Manager of education services, Samaritan Health (At the time of his selection in 2012, he was director of residential services for the Children’s Home of Jefferson County.)

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

Following my award, I was promoted to director of human resources at the Children’s Home of Jefferson County. This promotion allowed me to better utilize my education and look at things from more of an organizational and operational standpoint. I was also able to obtain my Society of Human Resources Management certification as a certified professional in the Human Resources field.

In August of 2016, I accepted the Manager of Education Services position with Samaritan Health, and am looking forward to starting the next journey in my career.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

It’s very easy to get caught up in the day to day duties and responsibilities we have

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS

CLASS OF 2012

both inside and outside of the workplace.

This award was nice because it was recognition from my peers and the community.

It also allowed me to take a step back and pat myself on the back, recognizing that the hard work I had put in educationally and professionally was paying off.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

I no doubt believe this recognition had an impact on my career advancement. It looks excellent on your resumé, puts a spotlight on your accomplishments, and perhaps most importantly, creates a very well respected group of professionals with whom to network.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Individuals are all motivated in different ways, some intrinsically and some extrinsically. This award hits both forms of motivation. You are awarded extrinsically with gifts and plaques, but also intrinsically by being able to feel a greater sense of self-worth due to the accomplishment.

I think young people need that as they are trying to find their way in their profession.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

This recognition has played a role in affording me the ability to accomplish my career and family goals in the place where I was born and raised. It was an important stepping stone to be recognized and respected locally, and while I may have had aspirations of living the big city life following college, this community and all that it offers will be where I raise my family.

Joshua Coburn U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Real Estate Division Michelle A. Farrell GWNC Chamber of Commerce Blake P. Gendebien Twin Mill Farms, Twin Mill Lubricants, Jules of Life Foundation Lucy M. Gerviss Schwerzmann & Wise Daegan A. Gonyer Blue Sphere Industries Ltd. Jessica Hart N.Y. state Department of Environmental Conservation Victoria E. Hasseler-Collins Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall Kenneth M. & Katrina G. Hebb Blackbird Café, St. Lawrence Brewing Co. Jonathan L. Hirschey Climax Paperboard Jennifer L. Karelus Miller Spraying, Lewis County Farm Bureau Christina L. LeBoeuf Light Touch Acupuncture Tracy L. Leonard Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization Arian Mahmoodi Sell Your Old iPhone.com Daniel M. Myers Lowville Academy, Double Play Sports & RBI Bats Andrea C. Pfeiffer River Hospital Foundation Molly C. Reilly Alexandria Central School Jesse C.P. Roshia Children’s Home of Jefferson County Timothy P. Sweeney Tunes 92.5 FM WBLH Radio Jake R. Tibbles Thousand Islands Land Trust Scott M. Wright Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers October 2016 | NNY Business

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COV E R STORY

CLASS OF 2013

Jeniffer D. Alberry River Hospital Adam A. Carmon Bay Brokerage Matthew J. Cervini Lend Lease Fort Drum Matthew J. Cooper Bernier, Carr & Associates Mickey Dietrich N.Y. State Tug Hill Commission / Green Volt Solutions Adam J. Fuller Fuller Insurance Agency April Halladay AmeriCU Credit Union William D. Hosmer Vermont Info. Processing / Hosmer’s Marina Wayne A. Latham Jr. Latham Auto Sales & Service Jamie Lee SUNY Attain Lab Diane H. Leonard D.H. Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services Amanda J. Miller Lake Ontario Realty Jessica L. Page Page Fitness Athletic Club Victoria M. Peck Children’s Home of Jefferson County Kristen M. Reed Credo Community Center Michelle M. Roden Fort Drum Family & MWR BOSS program Brooke E. Rouse SUNY Canton SBDC / 24 East Main St. B&B Edward C. Siebels Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes Junior J. Stefanini JKA Enterprises Dr. Jason White, M.D. Internal Medicine of Northern New York

18 | NNY Business | October 2016

Brooke E. Rouse >> Class of 2013

JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS

Executive director, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce (At the time of her selection in 2013, she was a small business advisor at the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton.)

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

In 2014, I took the job as executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, where I oversee and implement programming and administration for the 450 member chamber as well as the tourism marketing program for St. Lawrence County, in partnership with New York State’s “I LOVE NY” tourism program. The first two years of my role have included updating technology tools within the organization and for members, launching a new website, starting a monthly business webinar series and a five-week online bed and breakfast course.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

As a young professional, not originally from the area, I made a point to invest my time and energy in the community and in learning new skills to develop as a leader who could make an impact in my job and the community. It was nice to be recognized for that, and it certainly helped to make people aware of who I am and have some face recognition, so that I was not a stranger as I entered meetings and events with people who have been in leadership positions for much longer than I have.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

I think it gave my background more credibility. I was asked to apply for the job, rather than seeking it out specifically. Perhaps the board and search committee saw some value in the fact that I was recognized with the award, and that a young professional with the leadership and experience was a good next step for the chamber.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Often young leaders are just doing what they love to do — getting involved in different opportunities — and they don’t realize how important it is, to them personally and professionally or to the communities and organizations they impact. This award tells them that people are watching, are noticing, and appreciate your hard work and commitment. It’s not always easy to balance personal, professional, and civic life — but the award reminds you of how important it is to stay involved.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

I think the award reminds you that this is a great place to live and work. A little bit of commitment and interest in the community and your profession can go a lot further than if you are in a big city. People are looking for new energy and talents, and as a young leader, if you are honest and hard-working, it is certainly possible to be a ‘big fish in a little pond’ early in your career. That is not always possible elsewhere...you can spend your whole career climbing the ladder.

C O V E R S T O RY

Jacob S. ‘Jake’ Johnson >> Class of 2014

CLASS OF 2014

Krysta S. Aten-Schell Bernier, Carr & Associates Allison I. Carlos Washington Street Properties Sarah V. Compo New York State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie Erica C. Demick YesterYear’s Vintage Doors Rebecca Dunckel-King Beaver River High School STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

owner, jake’s garden center and jake’s lawn care & landscaping

helped me to get my name out around the north country.

(At the time he was selected in 2014, he owned only Jake’s Lawn Care & Landscaping.)

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Everybody needs some encouragement and recognition in order to succeed. To know you’re doing something right, and especially to be chosen by the members of your community, peers, makes you truly feel like a valued asset. I’m thankful to the NNY Business magazine and Watertown Daily Times for starting the 20 Under 40 award program in Northern New York. So many young professionals work very hard and deserve an opportunity to share their success stories.

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

I’m blessed to have continued success in my 12th year of running Jake’s Lawn Care. This year, I expanded my business to include Jake’s Garden Center, which opened in May on Route 11 near the car dealerships, and has been an exciting new venture for me.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

It was a huge honor for me to be chosen by my peers as one of NNY Business magazine’s 20 Under 40 recipients. I’m forever grateful to the community, my customers, friends and family — everyone who has supported and encouraged me through the years since I started in business.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

Receiving this award was great and

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

I think it absolutely helps, it forms a sense of unity. Praise and recognition create an environment that is desirable to want to stay and grow in any community.

Programs like 20 Under 40 are important for young people in the area to have something positive to work for.

Trevor C. Garlock Northwestern Mutual Dr. Shari M. Hogan, M.D. Child & Adolescent Health Associates Joey Marie Horton North Country Family Health Center Jacob S. ‘Jake’ Johnson Jake’s Lawn Care & Landscaping Megan LaClaire Perfectly Polished Nails & Waxing Spa Aaron Miller Miller Spraying & Turf Michelle L. Monnat Children’s Home of Jefferson County Samuel M. Purington Volunteer Transportation Center Michelle I. Quinell-Gayle St. Lawrence NYSARC Amanda Root Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson Co. Stuart Schmitt Watertown Family YMCA Robert M. Sligar Carthage Federal Savings & Loan Association Lucas & Rebekah Wachob Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center David A. Winters Watertown Audiology Jill C. Winters New York Power Authority October 2016 | NNY Business

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COV E R STORY

CLASS OF 2015

Jennifer S. Loonan >> Class of 2015

Morgan O. Bocciolatt Samaritan Medical Center Children’s Miracle Network Sarah J. Bullock Carthage IDA Jeffery L. Cole WWNY-TV 7 / WNYF Fox 28 Max M. DelSignore Northern New York Community Foundation Bridget Fetterly Carthage Savings & Loan Association Dr. Nicholas F. Gardner, D.D.S. Nicholas F. Gardner DDS Jeffrey L. Ginger Watertown High School Erin E. Hunter North Country Family Health Center Dr. Jill Laureano-Surber, D.O. Family Medicine of Northern New York Nathan Lashomb Massena Chamber of Commerce Jennifer S. Loonan Time Warner Cable Media Dr. Thomas McCue IV, D.D.S. McCue Dental Andrea Montgomery St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Brian Peck New York State Assembly Kevin L. Richardson North Country Farms Donna M. Smith Village of Lowville / Jeff-Lewis BOCES Jared Thisse The BCA Group Lenore VanderZee SUNY Canton Rodger H. Voss Fort Drum Forestry Program Caryn L. White Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions

20 | NNY Business | October 2016

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

Time Warner Cable media sales manager (At the time of her selection in 2015, she was an advertising sccount executive for Time Warner Cable Media.)

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

It’s been a wonderful whirlwind since I received this award less than a year ago, with huge career and community growth. I was surprised with the 20 Under 40 award notification on Oct. 26, 2015. At the same time, I was deciding that I was ready to take the next step in my career with Time Warner Cable Media and applying for the sales manager position. In December, actually the same week as the 20 Under 40 award ceremony and luncheon, I was named the new sales manager, effective January 2016. I now oversee five account executives and marketing activity for more than 300 advertisers in six counties. I have also added two new board positions to my community involvement. This year has been a year of changes, learning experiences, and continually rewarding work.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

Being nominated by a prominent local leader who saw how dedicated I was to

my job and the community projects I was involved with. It was very flattering and truly meant a lot.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

I was already in the process of advancing my career at the time of the award; it actually had a bigger impact on my community involvement. It connected me to many more people throughout the business and nonprofit community.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Leaders naturally give everything they can to their job and their community without looking for external validation, but we are all human and of course it’s nice to receive a nod for a job well done on occasion. This award has become a famed and sought after title by young local leaders.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

I had already decided that my return to the North Country was a permanent one, this is just icing on the cake and validation that home is where I belong because I can make a difference right here.

C O V E R S T O RY

Jeffrey L. Ginger >> Class of 2015 Principal, mannsville manor elementary school (At the time of his selection in 2015, he was an assistant principal at Watertown High School.)

Provide an update of what you have accomplished since your award, including information about your new position.

Since December of 2015, I have moved to a new position as principal of Mannsville Manor Elementary in the South Jefferson School District. Mannsville has 370 students and 29 teaching staff. Approximately 50 adult staff members work in the building. As building principal, it is my responsibility to oversee teacher professional practice and evaluations, student and staff safety, discipline, manage the building budget and ensure effective communication with families and the community.

As a 20 Under 40 recipient, what did you appreciate most about the recognition at the time?

I was honored to be in a class with other 20 Under 40 recipients for whom I already have personal admiration and respect. It is always nice to be recognized for the work that you do, especially when you love to do it. The 20 Under 40 class is full of successful, hard-working people, but they are also nice. We often forget to point out how important “just being nice” is. I was proud of the company. The 20 Under 40, for me, has become more about being part of a larger mission. When Brian spoke at the recognition ceremony he highlighted that point. He spoke of continuing to grow as a group. If we do that, everybody in the community wins.

Did receiving this recognition have an impact on your career advancement?

I believe I would have been looking to advance my career with or without the 20 Under 40 award. I wasn’t expecting to receive it after all. I cannot speak to whether it influenced the committee that hired me for my new position. What 20 under 40 has meant to me is a charge to give back to the community where and when I can.

There are a lot of amazing people in our area, both over and under 40. I try to recognize excellence when I see it, every day.

While I’m not sure I can wholly attribute career advancement to 20 Under 40, I can certainly say that I have a “care for the community advancement,” and that I try

to recognize others as often as I can.

It feels good when others see our hard work and let us know.

Describe the importance of recognizing young leaders in the community?

Everyone works harder when they feel they are being watched.

Recognizing hard work and talent in young leaders reminds them of the fact that other people do care about their work. The 20 Under 40 Class of 2015 included professionals from many varied career fields. By recognizing business, health care, philanthropy, public service and education, NNY Business points out to the larger community and to those who may wish to return home, that we have a thriving, growing group of young professionals in the area. It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and say that we have a “brain drain,” or there is no opportunity.

It takes bravery to create opportunity and invest human capital in that pursuit. The 20 Under 40 program recognizes that bravery, and encourages it.

Does this type of recognition serve as an incentive to accomplishing your career and family goals without feeling the need to leave the area?

I love the north country. I have never wanted to be anywhere else for extended periods of time. Brenna and I are lucky that our careers of choice are readily

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY BUSINESS

available to us here.

What I hope this kind of recognition does for others is to show them that there are a lot of young, hard-working people living in Northern New York and that we are looking for colleagues, friends and coworkers with which to achieve goals.

I tell anyone who will listen that there is no better place to raise children and go to work every day.

To anyone reading this and thinking about coming home, I encourage them to do it. Call me if you need help unpacking the U-haul truck.

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 21

P E OPLE ON THE MOVE PEOPLE, from page 9 who served in the position since mid-July, following the resignation of former executive director Diana Page Jordan.

Ms. Walker, a 2011 St. Lawrence University graduate brings more than five years managerial and curatorial experience after serving Walker as manager of collections, archives and exhibits for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, Boldt Castle, Heart Island, Alexandria Bay. Ms. Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in history. She is also the Jefferson County Branch secretary of the American Association of University Women and a member of the EMERGE Professionals Group of Northern New York.

Antique Boat Museum names new curator

Claire Wakefield has been named

22 | NNY Business | October 2016

permanent curator at the Antique Boat Museum, Clayton, a role she had filled on an interim basis since March.

As curator, she is responsible for building and guiding the course of the museum’s artifact, library and archival collections and for directing and developing content Wakefield for exhibitions and public programs related to collections.

Ms. Wakefield joined the museum staff in 2010 as membership and marketing coordinator. In 2013 she became the assistant curator.

As assistant curator she worked on a variety of projects, including recent exhibitions such as the Antique Raceboat Regatta poster art installation, the history of the Matthews Boat Company, and The National Motor Boat Show. She has also led the first digitization efforts of the museum’s archives leading to the broader

availability of important research materials to the general public.

“Claire brings a positive attitude and an eye for the details,” ABM Executive Director Rebecca Hopfinger said. “She will be a strong steward for the museum’s vast collection and I am proud to name her to the position of curator.”

An alumna of Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa., with a degree in museum studies, Ms. Wakefield began her career as assistant registrar at the Juniata College Museum of Art, and also held a previous post at the Albany Institute of History and Art. Ms. Wakefield lives in Clayton.

The Antique Boat Mueseum is open to visitors seasonally, May through October.

Robbins Family Grain/ North Harbor Dairy names business manager

Robbins Family Grain Co. and North Harbor Dairy have hired Jennifer L. Hunter as the farm’s business manager.

In her new position, Ms. Hunter will be responsible for monitoring financial details of the businesses, acting as a business Hunter advisor, providing consultation to the dairy and assisting with labor management.

Ms. Hunter was most recently assistant branch manager of Farm Credit East’s Potsdam office. She was with Farm Credit for four years. She previously served as a dairy specialist with Cargill Animal Nutrition.

“I’m excited for this new opportunity where I can put my passion for agriculture and my experience in business and finance to work,” Ms. Hunter said.

“The Robbins family has built a successful, innovative business over the years, and I’m looking forward to helping their operations continue to prosper into the future.”

Ms. Hunter holds an associate degree from SUNY Cobleskill in animal science, a bachelor’s from SUNY Cobleskill in agriculture business and a master of agricultural education from SUNY Oswego.

to uris m

JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS

Connie Pease, Morristown, left, leads a tour group into Singer Castle early last month on Dark Island in Chippewa Bay. Regional tourism officials report a banner season for visits to the north country this summer.

A sunny summer Tourism’s peak season a boom for north country

By MARCUS WOLF

T NNY Business

he hot, dry weather and increased publicity have bolstered tourism throughout the Thousands Islands region and Jefferson County, leading to increased attendance and sales for businesses and state parks compared with last year.

Gary S. DeYoung, executive director of the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, said the lack of rain this summer attracted more customers this year for many tourism industries including boat tours, public attractions, water recreation and camping enterprises.

“It was a great year to be out on the water,” he said.

Throughout the summer, an increase in articles from international news outlets,

travel blog articles and advertising campaigns have also played a part in enticing more people to visit the area.

Mr. DeYoung said the tourism council paid $100,000 for media advertisements, conducted a $180,000 promotional campaign this year for craft beverage industries and continued its $1,860,750 overall marketing initiatives for fishing, paddle sport, boating and motorcycling industries.

Web traffic for the Visit the 1000 Islands website was up 49 percent since January.

“We found a good year to pop up on media stories,” he said.

U.S. customer interest is still strong, but visits from Canadian tourists were down this season.

Mr. DeYoung said the number of cars returning to Canada across the Thousand Island Bridge were down by 8,454 cars, from 65,082 cars in 2015 to 56,628 in 2016,

correlating with the nationwide decrease from 3.46 million Canadian visitors last year to 3.26 million this year. Mr. DeYoung said that the decrease was most likely caused by the value of the Canadian dollar in U.S. markets from 75 cents on the dollar to 70 cents on the dollar.

“That’s pretty typical,” Mr. DeYoung said.

HIGH VISITATION NUMBERS AT STATE PARKS While state park and facility visitation in the region was 100,000 visitors fewer than in 2015, overall attendance was high this year due to the warm weather and updated facilities.

Mark E. Spaulding, the assistant regional director for the state department of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Thousand Islands Region office, said that approximately 1.1 million people visited the 33 regional parks and facilities, October 2016 | NNY Business

| 23

tou ris m which include 26 state parks, multiple stand-alone facilities and launches and the Battlefield State Historic Site in Sackets Harbor, this year.

“The weather was fantastic,” he said.

The three most popular state parks this year are all in Jefferson County.

Mr. Spaulding said that the state park that received the most visits this year was Wellesley Island State Park with approximately 167,000 visitors. The second most visited state park was South Beach State Park, which recently received and extended season through Sunday (Sept. 18), with more than 103,000 visitors and the third most visited state park was Wescott Beach State Park with 102,900 visitors.

“We had a great season and a huge public demand for the facilities,” he said.

The primary reason for the decrease in overall visitation from 1.2 million visits in 2015, was that this year’s season was shortened by seven days, Mr. Spaulding said.

“Last year was one of the best seasons we had on record,” he said.

ALEXANDRIA BAY, CLAYTON BUSINESSES FLOURISH The warm weather and extensive coverage of the region resulted in increased boat tour sales this year.

Both businessman Ronald G. Thomson, owner of Uncle Sam Boat Tours, and Debbie L. Scholes, manager of Clayton Boat Tours, said that their businesses had a better season than in 2015. Mr. Thomson said that his boat tour company had a double-digit percentage increase in ticket sales. The most popular tour for both boat tour companies this year and last year was each business’s two-nation tour.

“We had a lot of attractions step up and promote, which helps everyone,” said Mrs. Scholes, adding that increased social media coverage also helped.

With an increase in tourist visits and boat tour sales, both Boldt Castle and Singer Castle on Dark Island are seeing significant increases in the number of visitors this year.

Both Shane K. Sanford, facilities director at Boldt Castle, and Thomas A. Weldon, president of Singer Castle on Dark Island, said the warm weather and increased promotional efforts helped bring in customers this season.

“Weather is conducive to our business,” Mr. Sanford said.

Mr. Sandford said he expects the 24 | NNY Business | October 2016

to urism number of visitors this year will surpass 190,000, 3,000 more than in 2015. Mr. Weldon said both Singer Castle tours and Royal Suite rentals have increased between 10 and 20 percent.

“We’re becoming better known,” Mr. Weldon said.

A few local marinas have also experienced increased traffic this year.

James V. Lettiere, owner of Boathouse Marina At Pier 65, said he filled all 60 docks throughout the summer and stored 100 to 150 boats for the winter. Cynthia K. Niles, owner of the Thousand Islands Marina, said her seasonal docks were filled and rentals for her cottages, suites and aqua lodges doubled.

“We did far better than 2015 (and) far better than 2014,” Ms. Niles said.

Both marina owners attributed their success to improvements they made in their businesses.

Ms. Niles said that she has been implementing thematic decorations into her cottages this year, which attracted more customers. Mr. Lettiere said In July, he relocated the primary location for his business from his State Street location to his new location, 39718 Pier 65, Clayton, after he purchased the pier from Kelly P. Cantwell.

The new pier provided a two-stall garage and allowed for extra storage space.

“I didn’t have the facilities to do the storage I wanted to do,” he said, adding that he will close the other facility next June.

The warm weather and marketing initiatives also brought more customers to hotels and inns.

Todd W. Buchko, general manager for the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, said hotel staff booked 9,756 room rentals between May 1 and Aug. 31 this year, 271 more bookings than the same time last year. Mr. Buchko said that the warm weather and increased marketing efforts, including increased social media use, for both the hotel and Clayton businesses and attractions brought more clients to the hotel and the area.

“Undoubtably, this has been one of the nicest summers I have seen in years,” Mr. Buchko said. “We’re seeing a resurgence of tourism in Clayton.”

Mr. Thomson said that both Capt.

Thomson’s Resort and Capt.’s Inn & Suites enjoyed a strong season with many customers because of the weather, increased marketing, increased visitation to the area and online booking. Mr. Thompson

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tou ris m also said that his No. 1 source of business comes from repeat customers.

“We must be doing something right,” he said.

Ray L. Matthews, owner of Riveredge Resort, said the hotel had more business this year than in 2015 due to weather and digital advertising. “(It was) one of the best seasons we had in a long time,” he said.

Increased tourism in the area also led to an uptick in sales for local ice cream restaurants.

Both Jill L. Valadez, owner of Castle Ice Cream, and Mary J. Zovistoski, owner of The Scoop, said their sales have improved from last year.

“The more people on the street that walk by, the more I sell,” Miss Zovistoski said.

Philip J. Randazzo, owner of Coyote Moon Vineyards, said that he had a “modest” increase in business this year.

While customer attendance for weekends and visits to the winery and his store in the Salmon Run Mall were down due to the lack of rain, Mr. Randazzo said that weekday business and visits to his store in downtown Clayton were up.

“The downtown Clayton store broke all of the records,” he said. “All in all, it’s been a successful year.”

SACKETS HARBOR ENJOYS STRONG SEASON Clayton and Alexandria Bay were not the only municipalities to experience a tourism boom this summer.

Sackets Harbor Chamber of Commerce President Dean A. DeVito said that both the Cruisin’ in the Harbor Classic Car Show and Can-Am Festival had increased attendance over last year. The car show had a 50 percent increase in attendance and the Can-Am festival had a 20 percent increase.

“Most of the events went great,” Mr. DeVito said.

Visitation to the Battlefield State Historic Site was up from 2015 and many stores and restaurants were full during weekends throughout the season.

Mr. DeVito said that increased marketing and social media presence helped bolster tourism in the area this year. “(The) store fronts all said that they did well,” he said. n MARCUS WOLF is a staff writer for Johnson Newspaper Corp. Contact him at mwolf@wdt. net or 661-2371.

26 | NNY Business | October 2016

B

Factbook NNY usIness

JANUARY 2017

nnybizmag.com

n Agriculture n Business n Community n Construction n Education n Government n Health Care n Manufacturing n Military n Retail n Real Estate n Tourism // A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO NNY BUSINESS MAGAZINE //

F ACT B OOK 2017

I

Editor’s note

n January, NNY Business magazine will publish “Factbook 2017,” a special supplement in our annual Outlook Issue that examines the tri-county region through a series of facts and figures about who we are, where we work and our quality of life. Information from 12 different sectors of our region and its economy will be featured, including: agriculture, business, community, construction, education, government, health care, manufacturing, military, retail, real estate, and tourism. Most of the information that will appear is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Economic Census that is completed every five years. This month, we present a sample of information that readers can look forward to in the January issue.

Jefferson County Townships

22

Number of Townships

1

Number of cities

COMMUNITY / DEMOGRAPHICS / WHO WE ARE population

117,635

2015 population

116,229

housing

59,123

2015 housing units

55.8%

E mployment

2,435

Total employer establishments (2014)

29,831

2010 population

Owner occupied housing unit rate

Employment (2014)

1.2%

$135,200

$1.027billion

Change

28 | NNY Business | October 2016

Median home value

Annual payroll (2014)

F ACT B OOK 2017

Lewis County Townships

17

Number of Townships

0

Number of cities

COMMUNITY / DEMOGRAPHICS / WHO WE ARE population

26,957

2015 population

27,087

housing

15,314

2015 housing units

75.8%

E mployment

528

Total employer establishments (2014)

4,637

2010 population

Owner occupied housing unit rate

Employment (2014)

0.4%

$111,900

$165.5million

Change

Median home value

Annual payroll (2014)

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 29

F ACT B OOK 2017

St. Lawrence County Townships

32

Number of Townships

1

Number of cities

COMMUNITY / DEMOGRAPHICS / WHO WE ARE population

111,007

2015 population

111,994

housing

52,251

2015 housing units

70.6%

employment

1,959

Total employer establishments (2014)

26,606

2010 population

Owner occupied housing unit rate

Employment (2014)

0.8%

$86,200

$969.7million

Change

30 | NNY Business | October 2016

Median home value

Annual payroll (2014)

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 31

R EA L E STATE ROUNDUP

Where do buyers really want to live?

W

hen someone buys a home they aren’t just buying the house, they’re buying a neighborhood as well. But what exactly are potential homebuyers looking for in a new community?

According to the National Association of Realtors “2016 Home Buyers and Sellers Generation Trends” report, how old buyers are impacts the type of neighborhood that they want to call home.

The stage of life a person is in life heavily influences the type of location in which he or she wants to live and what is considered important. A young, childless couple is going to look in different neighborhoods compared with a family of four or a couple searching for their future retirement home.

There are features each generation considers important when choosing a potential neighborhood.

MillennialS — 35 and younger “For younger buyers, being close to work is the most important factor when choosing a neighborhood to live in,” said Debbie Gilson, president of the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. “Millennials want a short commute, even if it means living on a smaller lot.”

The price of the homes is also important.

Specifically, millennials are looking for affordable homes. Fifty percent of millennials said that the overall affordability of homes was an important factor in choosing a neighborhood.

Gen X — 36 to 50 YEARS OLD When Gen-Xers look for a neighborhood, they are most likely to concentrate on school districts. “When children are in the picture they tend to become the driving force behind major decisions,” according

to Randy Raso, president of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors. “Thirty-four percent of GenXers said that convenience to schools was the deciding factor when choosing a neighborhood.”

Silent Generation who participated in the survey said that convenience to friends and family was the factor most likely to influence where they want to live.

If you are interested in selling or buying a home, contact one of our local Realtors.

You can find our members at jlbor.com and slcmls.com. n n n

Older boomers 61 to 69 years old Twenty-four percent of older boomers say that they are looking for a neighborhood that is convenient to entertainment and leisure activities.

“These buyers tend to be considering retirement and are looking for a neighborhood where they can see themselves spending their extra free time,” Gilson said.

“They want to move to a community with lots to do, and they do not want to have to go far to do it.”

The Tri-County, New York, Women’s Council of Realtors Chapter held its second annual St. Lawrence County “Top Producer” event Sept. 20. It was sponsored by Community Bank, Elite Home Inspections, Fairport Mortgage, First Niagara, Gouverneur Savings & Loan, Key Bank and North Country Savings Bank. There were 37 St. Lawrence County Realtors honored. Awards were based on the number of units sold between Aug. 1, 2015, and July 31, 2016.

The chapter honored Lucille Kassian, Erin Meyer, and Jennifer Stevenson as the top three producers.

The rest of the Realtors, listed alphabetically, are: Gail Abplanalp, Sharon Alford, Christine Amo, Tracy Bernard, Penny Bogardus, Allison Chadwick, Nikki Coates, Patricia Collins, Philip Collins, Rick Cutway, Randy Durham, Sarah Franklin, Cathy Garlock, Matthew Garlock, Rowena General, Debbie Gilson, Karen Gurrola, Michael Hall, Janet Handschuh, Marcia Henry, Michael Kassian, Suzanne Liberty, Brittany Matott, Martha Morrison, Timothy Post, Brenda Powell, Doreen Radway, Margaret Sherman, Scarlett Slack, Lori Snyder, Vickie Staie, Nicholas Sterling, Scott Woods, and Cheryl Yelle.

Silent generation — 70 to 90 years old Homebuyers who are either near or in retirement care are most concerned with being close to family. Fifty percent of the

n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

Lance Evans

Young boomers — 51 to 60 YEARS OLD Young boomers were the most likely to say that the look of a neighborhood was an important factor in deciding where to live.

“These buyers aren’t looking for a starter home, they are looking for a dream home and with that comes a beautiful neighborhood,” Raso said.

Twenty-eight percent of young boomers said that neighborhood design was a significant factor in picking a place to live, more than any other generation.

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32 | NNY Business | October 2016

RE AL E STAT E / top transactions The following property sales were recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in August: $665,000: Aug. 30, Town of Watertown: Four parcels, 0.5548 acres, 231-233 Goodale St., Franklin St., 26-44 Public Square and 124-132 Franklin St., Myron Kehoe, Watertown, Kehick Development LLC, East Syracuse, and Kehoe Development LLC, East Syracuse, sold to Watertown Holdings LLC, Watertown. $460,000: Aug. 19, Town of Orleans: Two parcels, 1.581 acres, Lake of the Isles, Fred H. Shafer and Primrose M. Shafer, Wellesley Island, sold to Todd W. Cowman and Cindy Bowman, Camden. $450,000: Aug. 19, Village of Alexandria Bay: 0.545 acres, 5 Fuller St., 5 Fuller St., LLC, Alexandria Bay, sold to CF Coffeen LLC, Alexandria Bay. $325,000: Aug. 18, town of Clayton: No acreage listed, Lot. No. 4, Block No. 1, Roosevelt Highway Tract, Darcy J Joncas, Taveres, Fla., sold to Potter Boulevard LLC, Clayton. $303,000: Aug. 8, Town of Orleans: 0.5 acres, Clayton-Alexandria Bay Road, Martin W. Ham, Roanoke, Va., as trustee of the Philip W. Ham and Janice P. Ham Revocable Living Trust Agreement, sold to Mark G. Nowak, Syracuse.

$450,000: Aug. 9, Village of Potsdam: Parcel 1) 0.64 of an acre more or less, Parcel 2) Unknown acres, bounded by Market and Garden streets, Parcel 3) Unknown acres, bounded by Pierrepont Ave., Parcel 4) 2.97 acres more or less, bounded by Elm St., B.H. Properties Inc., Potsdam, sold to Clark R. Porter, Gouverneur. $400,000: Aug. 2, Town of Canton: 4 acres more or less, Lot 1, bounded by Ames Road, Neil J. St. Andrews Jr., Colton, sold to The Bicknell Corporation, Potsdam. $365,000: Aug. 12, Town of Waddington: 0.353 of an acre more or less, bounded by St. Lawrence River Road, Westbrook Bates and Olga Margaret Roman Bates, Waddington, sold to David W. and Julie F. McBath, Waddington. $350,000: Aug. 11, Village of Norwood: Parcel 1) 0.415 of an acre more or less, bounded by River Street, Parcel 2) 0.54 of an acre more or less, bounded by Spring Street, Parcel 3) 0.292 of an acre more or less, bounded by Spring Street, also in Town of Potsdam: Parcel 1) 0.126 of an acre more or less, Mile Square 10, bounded by Spring Street, Marisa G Perry (executor), Jennifer L Kain, Standish, sold to Gilchrist IV Enterprises LLC, Norwood.

$300,000: Aug. 5, Town of Clayton: 0.13 acres, 538 Riverside Drive, 538 Water Street Corp., Clayton, sold to Village of Clayton, Clayton. $279,000: Aug. 2, Town of LeRay: 11.49 acres, County Route 16, Nicholas O. Sherwood by his attorney, Karen Ernest, Watertown, and Stephanie L. Sherwood, Evans Mills, sold to Jeffrey D. Foster and Amebr R. Foster, Middletown, R.I. $275,000: Aug. 2, Town of Watertown: 3.7 acres, town road from Burrville to Middle Road, J. Patrick Campbell and Debra Campbell, Watertown, sold to David C. Meade and Joelle R. Meade, Watertown. $275,000: Aug. 17, Town of LeRay: 0.504 acres, Lot No. 19, Riverbend Estates, state Route 3, Christopher Sean Cannon and Amanda M. Cannon, Watertown, sold to Peter M. Ward and Lauren A. Ward, Columbia, S.C. $268,500: Aug. 11, Town of LeRay: 0.573 acres, Cullen Drive, Jason E. Walters and Heather Walters, Watertown, sold to Kevin G. Bischof and Erica L. Bischof, Watertown.

The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office in August:

$337,500: Aug. 8, Town of Waddington: 0.345 of an acre more or less, bounded by River Road, Terry K. and Esther M. Alsup, Waddington, sold to Troy F. and Erin E. Groebler, Brasher Falls. $249,000: Aug. 1, Town of Potsdam: 1.5 acres more or less, Miel Square 68, bounded

by Outer Main Street, Christopher and Teresa Stone, Potsdam, sold to Anthony K. And Kristen S. Betrus, Potsdam. $245,000: Aug. 8, Town of Morristown: 0.75 of an acre more or less, Lot 35, bounded by Blackstone Bay Road East, Marjorie Hamann, Rochester, sold to Dennis and luAnne Murphy, Morristown. $227,000: Aug. 1, Town of Canton: 16.298 acres more or less, bounded by Hale’s Lot, Joseph L. and Normadine D. Kennedy, Daytona Beach, Fla., sold to Steven G. and Cara Dodge Coffin, Lisbon. $225,000: Aug. 1, Town of Hammond: 3 acres more or less, bounded ny Little Chippewa Point, Richard and Linda Johnson, Rochester, sold to Little Chippewa Point, LLC, N.Y. $183,350: Aug. 1, Town of Pierrepont: 0.6678 of an acre more or less, bound by the Underhill Drive, Kelly P. Bush, Hannawa Falls, sold to Richard N. Raymondville.

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20 qu estions

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

The business doc is in

F

or nearly 35 years, Peter J. Whitmore has managed a successful business career. The summer after he graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in history and education, he began working for the popular north country submarine shop, Jreck Subs.

He eventually became a multi-unit franchisee and scrapped plans to teach secondary education. Years later, he held a senior leadership role with the company. Today, Mr. Whitmore finds himself riding a new wave as a business consultant, adjunct professor at Jefferson Community College and volunteer for many north country nonprofits, contributing his skills to various boards of directors.

This month, we sit down with Mr. Whitmore to learn what’s kept him in the north country and how we can effectively mentor others.

1

NNYB: You recently took on a project at the Historical Society that, from a mission standpoint, was something you’d not experienced before. How do you evaluate organizations for effectiveness and help them chart a path for future success?

WHITMORE: First thing, I have a background in food service, which is a brutally competitive industry. It was an eye opener to work for nonprofits. They very clearly are a different business model. But at the end of the day, they still have a business model, but I think what some people tend to do is they forget that although nonprofits have these warm, fuzzy things that we’re doing — and I’ve been on many boards — and at the end of the day, they’re still a business. And they do not necessarily need to be run like one, but they need to be cognizant.

It’s money in. It’s money out. It’s funding. It’s all those things. At the Jefferson County Historical Society, my first mission was to understand that business. I educated myself as quickly as I could. I did research. Everything comes back to due diligence, which is simply nothing more than homework. I actually went and sat with two other museum directors, who were very gracious. To understand their business model, they shared all kinds of things with me. It was a very, very quick study. But some very clear things came out — I didn’t need to see 10 mu-

34 | NNY Business | October 2016

n Consultant Peter J. Whitmore carves out role as ‘fixer’ for others

seums to figure some of this out. So that helped me understand the fiscal business model. That’s the first thing because this is about sustainability. A lot of other things can come with people brighter than me, people that have a passion.

As much as I respect the museum and its mission, I didn’t have a passion for that. When I do my consulting, I treat every business like a checkbook; it is money in and money out.

2

NNYB: At the Historical Society, you reviewed business and financial practices, fundraising, operations, facilities, staffing and strategic plan.

When you go into an organization as a consultant, where do you start? What’s most important?

WHITMORE: Financials, absolutely. My analogy is financials are the EKG. If you’re assessing the health of the organization, the financials are exactly the EKG. Is this business healthy? Is it profitable? Many times I’ll inherit or go into something that’s already in crisis management. If we don’t make good financial decisions quickly, it’s about talking about being out of business. If it’s at a break even, we talk about growing sales. And if it is profitable, do we want to talk about being more profitable. It depends, really, the condition, so to speak, I find the patient in. You do a triage assessment and I usually know going in what I’m up against, to some degree.

Sometimes it’s drastic measures. I hate to say it, sometimes the answer is it’s DOA. I hate to keep saying these medical analogies. But a lot of people don’t have exit strategies.

And what happens to people is they get so emotionally involved. I try to be that guy who blends compassion with that sense of reality, and people’s sense of reality just leaves. They truly believe they can fix it and save it when any group of people who know anything would tell you it can’t be done. I talk about managing the pain. If we’re in that situation, deciding to close a business, it’s a tough thing to do and people don’t want to hear it, but at

times it’s absolutely the right thing to do.

3

NNYB: In any organization, everything comes down to people. People move business.

When you’re in an organization, how do you never forget the human factor and balance the mission with the people?

WHITMORE: Never forget what people are going through. It’s a fine line between getting too personal and you can’t make a drama, but there are realities of what people are going through. Might be sickness, might be issues at home, could be all kinds of things. So it’s a refocus and first understanding the people that are there and what their job description is. We need to determine do we really have a gap in skill set, time set or whatever. Is that really part of the problem? Do we just not have the talent that we need? … Those are hard things to do and be objective. Most of my references are to smaller businesses — 25 employees or less. Most of the larger companies have human resources departments and it’s all very kind of clinical and it gets addressed. I’m really talking about what drives this country, and it’s small business. I am a big believer that if you have to terminate people, and it’s a reality, it should never be a surprise to them. You talk to them. It’s managing people. Giving them expectations. This all sounds like something out of a textbook, and it is, but I am amazed how many people simply don’t do it. We get so obsessed with the day to day running of the business we forget the principles. We realize it’s been forever since we’ve had a staff meeting. Simple things like staff meetings. They are like therapy sessions. It’s a great way for you to find out what’s going on, not only in your own company but in people’s lives. It’s basic business practice that people just give up on.

4

NNYB: You’ve been a Jreck Subs multi-unit franchisee for more than 30 years. What have you learned from your small business ex-

2 0 q u estions perience that has benefited you in other areas in which you’ve become involved?

WHITMORE: Food service — especially the quick-service restaurants segment — is literally one of the most brutal playing fields there is. If you want to get your feet wet and want training, there’s no better training, simply because of the sheer size and issues that go on with it. ...

There’s very little room for error in that industry.

Many of the lessons — almost all of the lessons — that I have today I clearly learned in that business. And, they can be applied to almost any other business. At the end of the day, it still is money in, money out. We sold a product — it could have been a service — and people pay us for that. I apply those same principles.

Why are they coming here? We talk about promoting, and I can apply this to the museum (Historical Society), I can apply it to any business. When you’re promoting and marketing a business, it needs to be one of three things: get new people in, get your existing customer in more often, or somehow enhance your sale and increase your average sale. If you’re not doing that, then it’s a waste of your time.

5

NNYB: You go into an organization and see the corporate culture is not conducive to success. How do you approach improving corporate culture, making environments that are more conducive to people and businesses succeeding?

WHITMORE: It’s walking the walk. To change culture, there’s no memo I can send. I can change policies all day long, but it starts with the leadership. This can be senior management down — conducting itself to set the example first. Sooner or later, people start doing it.

6

NNYB: You’re past president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, serving from 2010 to 2011. What did you learn from that experience and what are you most proud of in terms of organizational leadership and accomplishment?

WHITMORE: I inherited that when it had a very challenging corporate culture. That was one of the hardest things I had to turn around.

It had a corporate culture issue, it had a perception issue, it had a branding issue, it had fiscal issues, and obviously the fiscal one is the first one you tackle. I knew the corporate culture issues were just going to take time. It was kind of an ICU patient, and it just needed some care and attention. People have to be patient and realistic about their expectations.

I don’t think I ever come and say, “I’m just going to do this and do that” because I don’t know if I can. I have to come in and assess and see what I can do.

7

NNYB: You are very involved in our communities, serving on several boards. How have you gotten so involved in so many diverse organizations?

WHITMORE: Growing up, as much as I can complain or lament about my being from modest means and all those things, I couldn’t begin to tell you how many people helped

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

Peter J. Whitmore, a longtime north country small business owner, consultant and adjunct professor of business at Jefferson Community College, recently served as interim executive director for the Jefferson County Historical Society. He often lends his skills to businesses and organizations that need help.

The Peter J. Whitmore file AGE: 56 FAMILY: Wife, Rita; daughter, Erika, 25, and son, Joseph, 23 HOMETOWN: Watertown; lives in Rutland EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in history and education with secondary certification, SUNY Cortland PROFESSIONAL: 30-plus years in the food-service industry as a multi-unit franchisee for Jreck Subs; business consultant; adjunct professor of business, Jefferson Community College.

VOLUNTEER: Chairman, Jefferson County Workforce Development Board; member, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee; Jefferson County Economic Development Marketing Committee; board member, Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County; board member, NNY-Fort Drum Chapter, Association of the United States Army; board member, North Country Honors the Mountain; former corporate chairman, American Heart Association; former Advisory Council member, United Services Organization; former board member, Northern New York Community Foundation.

HOBBIES: Traveling, hunting, SCUBA diving, spending time with family on the St. Lawrence River. Licensed, but inactive private pilot.

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY iPOD: Jazz music, R&B; older genres. No contemporary hits.

me along the way and did it either out of kindness or did it out of just doing the right thing. I was raised in a family that, as humble as we might have been, felt very strongly about always doing the right thing. And while it wasn’t perfect, that line of good and bad was always very clear to me. This isn’t about wealth, but the life that I have been able to

have today has been so far beyond what I had hoped for and I just feel strongly that this was a community I was born and raised in.

It had a lot to do with my success or failure, whatever you want to call it, and I feel a real obligation to give back. It’s nothing more than that. I was taught to be that way, and a lot of times where maybe I couldn’t do it financially, I felt my time was worth something and maybe that was the way I could give back.

8

NNYB: You’ve been an adjunct instructor in the business division at Jefferson Community College since 2010. What do you teach? What do you find inspiring about an academic setting?

WHITMORE: I teach a business course — an entrepreneurship course — and business-plan writing. What I love most, very simply is the enthusiasm, the excitement and I’m typically teaching an audience that’s not jaded yet. I love the sense of possibility that comes with teaching. That drives me mostly.

9

NNYB: Is there a lot to look forward to in terms of the next generation?

WHITMORE: We should be concerned.

In any population — this one is no different — there are some incredibly impressive and wonderful people, and they’re there and they’re always going to be there. In general, I have seen a disengaged group, an entitled group, and I will tell you there are times I have been very, very concerned. (They are) lacking in many things. One of the biggest things I see is the social skill set. We have been so busy promoting technology and social media and all those things, we have forgotten how to simply be polite, have etiquette, have a conversation.

That scares me because at the end of the day, were still back to that customer service, which drives absolutely everything. I see a lot of these younger people struggling with that skill October 2016 | NNY Business

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20 qu estions set. You can’t text your order in; you can’t text everything. And so I’m very concerned about that. I’ve made some changes in my classroom.

And back to the entitlement, which I am responsible for, too. I grew up in a modest household, so my answer was to give my children more than I had. These aren’t just a bunch of spoiled kids that somebody else raised. We raised them. My generation helped raise these entitled children because we thought it would make them better and happier and more fulfilled.

And it’s backfired, in my opinion, in many ways. I know what motivated me was my lack of things and wanting things and realizing that guess what, the only way I could get it back

then was hard work. My parents simply didn’t have the means to do so. My equation was hard work. And the people I know who are very successful, hard work has worked. Many kids nowadays just think it’s magically going to appear. And their social skills, their survival skills, their life skills are lacking.

10

NNYB: As technology has evolved, how do we get those interpersonal skills back?

WHITMORE: What this technology has brought us is phenomenal. I don’t regret the technology. When I talk about this generation, I don’t want to sweep a whole generation under the rug. As a general rule, the things

that I’ve seen … It starts at home, clearly, but it has to extend out into the schools and into the workplace. When I run my organizations, I tell people all cell phones go off. That is a discipline. I cannot tell you how many high-profile meetings that I’ve been in that people of great stature are texting under the table. We’ve become so accustomed that it’s acceptable. But guess what? It’s not acceptable. When we’re sitting here talking about something that’s important, the only thing that matters is you and me. Or that group.

11

NNYB: After you graduated from SUNY Cortland, what drew you back to the area and why have you chosen to be a lifelong north country resident?

WHITMORE: Interesting. This is the thing I teach. I tell people take those blinders off.

Your destiny can be made in a second or a moment. Literally, one of the principals of Jreck was killed in a car accident, I happened to be coming home from college, and I had had some history and background with the ownership and I had actually worked in Jreck Subs-- just coincidentally. Those things came together; nothing more than timing. I thought I’ll spend a summer here. I’m out of college.

There were no teaching jobs at the time. If you had told me I would spend 30 years in the food service, I would have told you you were nuts in the head. Simply, in almost one unfortunate tragedy, my whole life got defined. To some degree, it started with that.

That’s how unrelated it was.

12

NNYB: You are chairman of the Jefferson County Workforce Development Board, and a member of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee. What economic development strategy should the county or region employ to increase its chances of success?

WHITMORE: There are a lot of very smart people working very hard to crack this same code, and I don’t have any wonderful, quick, quaint answer. What I see, which I think is a bit misguided, is that we seem to want to go get these big, big deals — these being things, these multimillion dollar things, got to be 300, 500 jobs — and those are nice when you get them. I think there’s a ton of low-hanging fruit that we ignore. The small- or medium-sized business that could expand or shore up. Maybe employ a few more people or if nothing else, keep them from going out of business with either business counseling, better funding. The small business guy still has a lot of challenges but if you look at the core of this country, it’s people who have gone out by the seat of their pants, started things, muscled through it. I just think if we gave them more attention, you would see there’s millions of businesses out there that people could either expand or start up if there was someone there trying to guide them.

13

NNYB: Is entrepreneurship a constant evolution or a fixed model?

WHITMORE: Constant evolution. It never stops.

36 | NNY Business | October 2016

2 0 q u estions

14

NNYB: You’re very involved in issues and matters that impact Fort Drum, our soldiers and the military. Do you have a particular interest in supporting such causes? What draws you to that kind of work?

WHITMORE: When I first got involved, I’ll be quite candid, it was strictly a business decision.

I thought it was significant — the single largest demographic that we have, and quite honestly, I didn’t understand it. I sat back and educated myself. I said I’ll get involved in some way to try to understand this better. I found that I really enjoyed the people that I worked with in the groups I got involved with. That has made it really a 20-year passion, if you will. I also have some very personal reasons, just simply the sacrifices that are made, so I feel as a citizen of this country, it’s one way to return it.

15

NNYB: You recently helped lead the fundraising effort for North Country Honors the Mountain, which installed a monument in Thompson Park. How challenging is it to fundraise in the north country and what made this effort successful?

WHITMORE: There is a very general and generous support for Fort Drum, which is not the case at many installations. In many communities, it’s a very adversarial relationship. Here, it’s a combination of a very good message and very generous people. It was difficult but it certainly wasn’t impossible. If you had asked me, ‘Could we raise more than $500,000?’

I’d have told you that I had real reservations.

I’ve got to be honest. I was as pessimistic as anybody, and to this day, I’m still amazed and proud that the community did support that.

16

NNYB: What do you find particularly inspiring about the generosity of north country residents when it comes to projects like the monument?

WHITMORE: Just the depth which they go to. We have asked so much from — and it tends to be the same group — these people and I am continually impressed and amazed.

We’ve gone to that well so many times. I don’t know how they do it. They get asked a lot. I am amazed of people who give and give and give that they just continue giving. I guess it shows the love of the area and to a degree a love of the military.

17

NNYB: What is an effective way to lure people back to the north country who were raised here and went away for schooling or to start their careers?

WHITMORE: At the end of the day, the jobs have got to be here. Ones who want this quality of life will come back and find a way.

I’m not as worried about them because they’ll get back here.

18

NNYB: Talk about staff and managing people. When you are successful, do you think it’s important to celebrate that success?

which is not glamorous. I have what you’d call entry level employees. We do little things like every single employee gets a birthday present.

We close our stores twice a year, which is a big expense to our franchises. We do a big party in the summer at Westcott Beach. We have bingo games. We give bonuses. We give them a new jacket or whatever. And we do that same thing at Christmas. That may not sound like much to you, but for people who’ve not had great experiences, maybe are at the lower economic level, it simply says, “You matter.” We have put things in place that says at least three, four, five times a year we’re reminding them how much they matter.

19

NNYB: What advice would you give to someone getting into business?

WHITMORE: Do your homework. Do your due diligence. And make sure the people around you are on board.

20

NNYB: What is most important for a leader when considering a new challenge?

WHITMORE: I learned it the hard way, and I’d like to emphasize the hard way. Time. At the end of the day, if we don’t have time to do it, none of it will matter.

— Interview by Ken Eysaman. Edited for length and clarity to fit this space.

Your story is our story.

A named community foundation fund can tell your life story, pass on your values, and support those things that matter most to you, in perpetuity.

How will you leave your mark, forever?

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Community Foundation Since 1929 120 Washington Street, Suite 400, Watertown, NY 13601 30 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 (315) 782-7110 • info@nnycf.org • www.nnycf.org

WHITMORE: It’s everything. I own sub shops,

October 2016 | NNY Business

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Economically S peaking

Health: From the voices of vulnerable

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re you curious about your blood pressure? There are devices for that and they’re popping up everywhere, even in local grocery stores. Do you need to assess your risk for developing type 2 diabetes? There is a simple test for that here: take-control.org. Want to investigate the burden of chronic disease in our region? There is a website for that — ncnyhealthcompass.org.

In our community, we have unprecedented access to a growing variety of personal health data and community health indicators. But suppose you wanted to investigate patients’ attitudes, behaviors, and experiences with health care? For that you must go directly to the patient, which is exactly what we did.

We called community residents on their cell-phones and landlines, and asked them questions about their personal health, lifestyles and socio-economic status. In the end, we talked to 1,800 men and women of the tri-county region from all age groups, income categories and educational backgrounds.

From our group of 1,800 respondents, we found more than 230 individuals who live in very fragile economic conditions. This group spoke on behalf of those of us who live in poverty and are most in need of our support.

Census estimates inform us that the most recent 10-year poverty estimates for each of our three counties — 15 percent of the population in Jefferson; 13 percent in Lewis; 18 percent in St. Lawrence — are the highest they’ve been since the early ‘60s and ‘70s.

This vulnerable and growing population typically suffers a disproportionate burden of poor health outcomes, low access to health care and insufficient social supports.

To alleviate these burdens and develop an equitable health care system, we need a

greater understanding of the scope of social and economic factors impacting their health.

Our 2016 Community Health Survey allowed us to explore these social and Ian Grant economic health determinants while confirming the county-level estimates of individuals impacted by poverty.

The survey revealed that individuals with limited resources are 67 percent more likely to visit an emergency department and have a 27 percent higher rate of hospitalization than the general population.

Though there are numerous potential explanations for these higher emergency department visits and hospitalizations, the survey data established that these individuals are sicker than the general population.

In fact, more than half of Medicaid enrollees reported a diagnosis of at least one of the following chronic conditions: diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or obesity — while just 38 percent of non-Medicaid enrollees report having one of these illnesses.

In addition to battling the challenges of finding the appropriate level of health care, 43 percent of Medicaid enrollees expressed that they do not always understand the instructions they receive during a clinical appointment. Significantly fewer non-Medicaid enrollees — 31 percent — expressed similar challenges. Health literacy, or the ability to

obtain, process, and understand health information to make informed health decisions, affects all economic classes but disproportionately affects impoverished members of our community. Low health literacy is associated with increased risk of mortality, poor overall health and lower rates of preventive screening and immunizations.

Arguably the most startling statistic from the survey indicates that only 29 percent of Medicaid enrollees have five or more close friendships, while 41 percent of non-enrollees enjoy the benefit of large social networks. In other words, more than 70 percent of the individuals living in poverty within our community do so while experiencing low levels of social engagement and isolation. Notably, high levels of positive social engagement are associated with improved physical health and mental well-being.

Documenting the voices of the vulnerable is only half of the battle. Our extensive network of partners — including community coalitions, local health departments, community health centers, hospitals and social services agencies — will leverage these findings to tackle these challenges.

These stories will continue to motivate action by all sectors of our community. The data underscore our duty to support our vulnerable brothers and sisters.

To learn more about poverty and health in our community and how you can take control of your own health visit the North Country Health Compass at www.ncnyhealthcompass.org. n Ian Grant is the population health program manager for Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Watertown. Contact him at igrant@fdrhpo.org or 755-2020. Visit fdrhpo. org to learn more. A column from Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization staff appears every other month in NNY Business.

SINCE 1954

‘Cuz Winter’s Coming Back!

NNY’S Complete Automotive & Tire Service Center 839 State St., Watertown • www.CheneyTire.com 38 | NNY Business | October 2016

788-6840

commerce corner

Subtle, effective holiday season prep

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emperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter and before we know it people will be shopping for the holidays.

As much as some of us don’t like the early launch of holiday decorations and products, there are some more subtle ways that your business can be prepared to make the most of the season.

Be top of mind People may start their gift shopping this month or they may wait until the last minute. Now is the time to be sure potential customers know you exist so that when they’re ready or motivated, they think of YOU, not the Internet or the big box store.

Plan to increase your marketing now; don’t wait until the week of Thanksgiving or put it off to December. Be active on social media to feed photos of new products or services (or gift certificates) frequently and at least once a week. You may consider doing sponsored posts to new markets beyond your existing fans so that they will “like your page” and receive your posts over the next couple of months. Informing people of what you have to offer is the first best step.

in the news.

In addition to publicity, you also get people to come to your location, see what you have available and begin a relationship with you and your staff.

It is all in the Brooke Rouse name of fun as well as getting people through the doors and into your shop, browsing and buying.

Entice them Photos are the best way to share what

ing your hours or opening an extra day will allow more people to shop after work or in their free time. If you have a website that allows for Internet sales, e-commerce, get your items updated, use those professional photos and make sure your online store is functioning, attractive and easy to use. Link the web address to your email signature and your Facebook page. Did you know you can install a “SHOP” button on your business Facebook page? Promote your online store in your brick and mortar store, too.

Reward your loyal customers Be proactive about getting your existing customers to shop with you this holiday season. You can create a coupon or postcard to hand to them with their receipt. You can plan a customer appreciation holiday party and pop the VIP invitation into their bag as they check out. Your existing customers provide your best word of mouth advertising and if you continue to treat them well, they will shop with you this holiday season.

Your existing customers provide your best word of mouth advertising and if you continue to treat them well, they will shop with you this holiday season.

Get them in the door Now is the time to schedule an event at your shop. A “do-it yourself” workshop, a tasting of some sort, a ladies night, a book signing, a demonstration — anything you can come up with to get your business on community calendars and

135 Keyes Avenue, Watertown, New York

315-782-4910

you have to offer, whether it’s a unique product, a delicious meal or a perfectly detailed car — again, think gift certificates. Now is the time to take high quality photos of your products and services, or invest in a photographer to do an even better job. You will use those photos multiple times over the next few months, in print ads, on social media — Facebook and Instagram — and on your website.

Make shopping easy Think about the many ways you can get your product to market MORE during the next few months. Perhaps extend-

If you take these and other simple steps NOW to plan for the holidays, the busy season will be less stressful and more profitable. Good luck and happy holiday planning. n Brooke Rouse is executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agent. She is a business owner, holds a master’s degree in tourism and is a former SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center Advisor. Contact her at brouse@ stlawrencecountychamber.org or 386-4000.

(315) 782-4910 • 1-800-772-4201 • Fax: (315) 785-8248 www.dlcalarco.com • francee@dlcalarco.com

October 2016 | NNY Business

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b usiness tech bytes

How high is your internet security IQ?

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ahoo, the Democratic National Committee, Trump Hotels, the IRS, Snapchat ... and the list goes on.

The Identity Theft Resource Center has reported a total of 687 breaches, so far in 2016 with nearly 28.9 million records exposed in its Sept. 20 report. The largest number of breaches came from the business sector with 299 exposing more than 2.5 million records; this was followed closely behind with the health care/medical field with 249 breaches, which exposed 13.5 million records.

What is probably the most damaging were the government / military breaches, which only numbered 49 but affected 12.5 million records.

Be it at home or at work, you need to be aware of cybersecurity and it starts with a little education and a decent antivirus.

Still don’t know what antivirus is or worse yet don’t have some type already installed? I would be not only shocked but mildly surprised as the never-ending daily barrage of data breaches should be enough to convince anyone that cybersecurity is a critical part of any tech plan.

Now that we have that settled, how do you know if the solutions that you are using are really working as well as they should? Are you equipped to recognize the signs that it’s time to update or replace your safeguards? If you are not using the most optimal solutions it will cost you time and money while not providing you the best in security, which is paramount today.

A 2015 study by the Ponemon Institute found that “IT organizations are wasting valuable time and money hunting down false positives while advanced persistent threats still evade preventive controls.

Organizations spend an average of $1.2

40 | NNY Business | October 2016

million a year in time wasted responding to erroneous malware alerts, including false positives.

Frequent false positives tend to result in employees ignoring credible warnJill Van Hoesen ings and failing to respond to real threats. And, worst of all, false positives can lead to deletion of legitimate files that the operating system or application program needs in order to function.”

Worldwide or in Northern New York, your security posture has never been more important and the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bowers & Company Technology Services began the chamber’s “2016 Fall Lunch and Learn” series with the very timely seminar “Whose Watching the Store?”

This informative session was well attended by representatives from all sectors of business — technology and telecom to law and transportation.

“No one is immune and a breach can be expensive,” said Patricia J. Dobbins, CEO/ partner, B&C Technology Services, “You need to keep your business running and cybersecurity is no longer an option. It’s reality that now includes everything from smartphones and laptops to even your phone system.” Steele Potter, CEO and owner of Northern Computer agrees: “This is the same thing I tell my clients every day.

Security concerns are real and need to be addressed throughout your whole business

no matter its size.”

Cyber threats are a technology problem but you will need more than technology solutions to keep your business running.

“No business large or small can escape the biggest threat, the human threat, and that unfortunately comes in the shape of your employees”, Dobbins said. “Security is everyone’s responsibility and on-going education can be the key.”

Do you have a mobile device policy? If not, it’s time. Ensure it addresses acceptable use and password complexity. Roughly 63 percent of confirmed data breaches involved weak, default or stolen passwords.

Insist on passphrases with eight or more characters,” Dobbins said.

Beyond the human factor your systems also need your attention. Computers, firewalls and wireless access points all need to be kept up to date with the latest software releases and patches. About “99.9 percent of the exploited vulnerabilities were compromised more than a year after the first CVE is published,” Dobbins said.

Uninstall all software no longer being utilized and you won’t have to update it. Privilege level is the new vulnerability in your network, use the rule of less access and give your employees only access needed to do their jobs. Should they become the victim of phishing, malware, or even ransomware, the hacker will have limited access to your network not full administrator level.”

We even got a take home test — visit microsoftbusinesshub.com/internetsecurity-iq and test your security IQ. Where do you stand? n Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran. Contact her at jvanhoesen@wdt.net.

Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.

agri - b u siness

Opportunities for NY hemp production

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ast June, the state Legislature passed legislation that allows for the transportation, processing, sale and distribution of hemp grown as part of New York’s research pilot program.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the legislation into law, kicking off an opportunity for universities and colleges to partner with farms to establish research trials and businesses to produce industrial hemp. This action became permitted through the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill.

So what exactly is hemp?

According to the website hempbasics. com, hemp is primarily cannabis sativa, a species of the plant cannabis that grows wild throughout all 50 states. Cannabis sativa is grown for industrial use and has no drug properties because of its low THC, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, content. Cannabis indica is the species of cannabis commonly known as marijuana and has enough THC content to produce a psychoactive response.

Hemp was grown by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and was a major American crop from 1776 to 1937.

The plant is used in the production of fiber, which has antimicrobial properties. The fiber can then be made into twine and cordage, yarn, rope and webbing. It is reported that a single acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as two to three acres of cotton.

Hemp fiber is stronger and lasts longer than cotton fiber.

Paper products may also be produced from hemp fiber, from tissue paper to cardboard. It takes two to four acres of trees

to produce as much paper as an acre of hemp.

Many websites reported that hemp can be used to produce fiberboard that is as strong as wood.

Trees take many years to Jay Matteson grow before they can be used for wood or fiber production. Hemp requires 120 days to grow before it is ready to harvest. A substance similar to cement can

plant is the “hurd� or woody core of the plant. The oil from hemp may be used in biodiesel production.

With so many good uses of hemp, why is it not grown commercially across the United States?

Because it is difficult to visually distinguish between the different species of cannabis, prohibitions were put in place to prevent the growth of any cannabis species legally. Even though THC levels are extremely low in hemp, there was concern that it might be possible to extract THC from the plant. Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany have allowed hemp farming and commercial production.

The Germans use hemp fiber in composite automotive panels. Other countries are looking at hemp derivatives as a replacement for petroleumbased chemicals. Slowly, we are seeing the easing of regulations against growing hemp in the U.S., allowing this historically valuable plant to come into production again.

It appears there is a future for hemp production in the United States. There is reportedly a bill working through the state Legislature to allow full commercialization of hemp production.

The challenge will be to enforce laws that prohibit growing marijuana while allowing growth of hemp.

It appears there is a future for hemp production in the United States. There is reportedly a bill working through the state Legislature to allow full commercialization of hemp production. be made from the silica that is leached from the soil, combined with unslaked lime. This material is waterproof and fireproof.

Hemp seed oil provides essential fatty acids, lanolin and linolenic acids. You can purchase food items such as smoothies and have hemp seed oil added to enhance the nutritional benefit of the smoothie. Hemp oil is also being used in the production of body care products. The protein produced from hemp seed has the potential to produce tofu, veggie burgers and salad oils and can be ground into flour.

Hemp has potential for biomass production. Researchers are looking at hemp for biofuel production as 70 percent of the

n Jay M. Matteson is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Local Development Corp. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident who lives in Lorraine. Contact him at coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

October 2016 | NNY Business

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Nonprofits today

Thank you, volunteers, for all you do

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doesn’t necessarily live right next door. they sent me, ommunities can exist without feeling as if volunteers, but who would From working with widows or teachers ‘little me’ might want to be part of a comand students, we are helping a fledgling actually be able munity that had no rural fire democracy and education system. The to help. Years departments or youth sports? world is easy to travel, getting smaller later I would see There would be no arts if there were no with each passing year. Every person that the same look patrons. There would be no youth menwe help become self-sufficient or every of pride on the toring. Hospitals would be hard pressed child we teach to read we are making the faces of young to provide gift shops. Nonprofits would world more productive, safer, and envistudents at Sherbe unable to generate the financial supronmentally sound. man Elementary port they need to survive.

What keeps me returning to Malawi Bob Gorman School when we Every year the United Way asks our time after time? would collect community to reflect on volunteers Finese — the 80-year-old who after sleepchange for the zoo or a school in Africa. through the awarding of the Macsherry ing in a bed given to her by the Widows’ Young children who often feel they have Family Community Spirit Awards. In Fund said, ‘I can die tonight for I have slept NO control over their own situation love Jefferson County this year’s recipients are a night up off the damp, dirt floor.’ to collect coins and feel they have the Tops Family Markets and Heather White.

Young children who were gathered ability to make a change. Change adds Heather has volunteered in enough around the four-year-old I saw die in 2010 ways to be 10 people. But during our that led my husband and I to open the United Way kickoff luncheon on Sept. 13, feeding station in Mzenga. she asked the 150 people in the audience The soccer team who just a few weeks to once again consider the always proago I taught how to use the air pump to vocative question: Who is my neighbor? the soccer ball we had just given them — Through First Presbyterian Church, joy, pure joy! many north country people have trav I look out at the people gathered here eled to Malawi to support the Women of today and know this award is not about Grace Widows Fund. Those of us who me, it’s about all of you. I see a friend have participated in this project have had who helps her family, extended family, to come to grips with that very question and the families of the Urban Mission. I again and again. see another dear friend who uses youth But Heather brought an interesting theatre to show her students how to perspective to the question, using the give back to the community. I see many Thousand Islands to make her point. women who gather with me each month Here is an excerpt of her comments: to listen, learn and give.

“Thank you to Margot McGorman I see those who help children be for this nomination, to Mr. Richard Macin touch with nature and give many sherry and his family, and the United children their first hike in the woods or Way for all you do.

In Jefferson County this year’s recipients of the ride in a boat enriching their lives. I see I was very lucky to be taught by my Macsherry Family Community Spirit Awards are women who help women in Malawi, I mother, Shirley, a few concepts I use Tops Family Markets and Heather White, left, with see people who are helping the children to this day: the power of a few; change Richard Macsherry. can be made with just ‘a pocket full of of Malawi to hold their very first book in up quickly! Change can make a differchange’; and giving brings joy, pure joy. their own two hands.

Bathrooms, ence in many projects!Come down and Kitchens, I would partake in community projects Every table here is filled with those that Tabletops, Desktops, discover the I have been asked, ‘Why Africa? You do solo: walking dogsand and cleaning cages help our community or reach their arms Workbenches Traditional Quality & enough at home.’ atCoffee the SPCA, visiting at the WestchesTables.

Craftsmanship that around the world. I am just thankful to T.F. Wright Helping here shouldonly not exclude one & be a small part of this loving community, terChoose County from Home our for the Elderly, and Granite & Marble Sonswe Granite Foundry from helping abroad. Like say in the cleaning the Saw Mill River Parkway and thank you for all you do. Keep finding Selections. We also can bring to your Thousands Islands: WE ARE ALL CONbringing glass andof cans to a recycle offer athe Selection design application for your joy in giving and keep collecting Stone Veneer.

NECTED AS THE ISLANDS ARE CONmonuments! center.

Mom was always ready with a your loose change.’

You Name Countertop Type, Can Do UNDER It Offering THE RIVER.Cemetery Restorations & Monument Restorations community servicethe plan.

If I ever stated I WeNECTED n ROBERT D. GORMAN is president and CEO Malawi, Africa is home to the many was bored … off I wentStreet, to help out.

Corner of Brookside Cemetery & Spring Valley 609 Adelaide Carthage, NY 13619 & of United Way of(315) Northern 785-8500 New York. Contact Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 493-2963 (315) friends I Fax have made there since 2007. To I was 8 years old the first• time I col- 493-2965 him at bgorman@unitedway-nny.org or 788email: tfwrightgranite@aol.com or visit www.tfwrightgranite.com I say, ‘Wouldn’t you lected change, then donated it to Save the those who ask WHY 5631. His column appears every other month in 8AM-5PM • SATURDAY help a friend in need?’ Your neighbor Trees.OPEN: I was proud ofMONDAY-FRIDAY the wall certificate NNY Business. 10AM-2PM

42 | NNY Business | October 2016

s mall b u siness s uccess

Strengthen your brand with Instagram

I

s your business on Instagram yet?

If not, it’s something you may want to consider if you are targeting a younger audience and have a product or service that can be visually displayed.

Instagram is a mobile social media app that allows you to share photos and videos. Facebook is still the largest social network, but Instagram is one of the fastest growing, especially among the 35 and younger crowd. Last year Instagram passed Twitter to become the second-largest social network in the United States. I recently took the plunge for my own business and have found it to be a great way to add to my social media presence.

So how can a business owner successfully use Instagram?

A lot of success involves planning before you get started. First, think about what can visually represent your business’s character and culture and what sets you apart from others. This will help you develop a style for your Instagram posts.

Keep your audience in mind as you build your brand to ensure it matches up with their interests.

If you have not yet developed a cohesive message and brand for your business, now is a great time to start.

Get in touch with your local Small Business Development Center counselor if you need help setting up an Instagram account or help with branding and developing your message.

If you already have developed a brand for your business, make sure you keep it consistent across platforms. This can be done by ensuring your message, emotions

you want your brand to embody, themes, logos, fonts and colors stay the same no matter where you post.

You can create a hashtag (a # sign followed by a phrase) that embodies Jennifer McCluskey these particular themes, and use it regularly in your social media posts.

Just like any other type of marketing, it’s best to have goals in mind for what you want to achieve. It could just be to build brand awareness, get your name out there, or show a more human side to your company. Or you can set up a call to action regularly on your posts and measure achievement of more specific goals, like clicks to your website, etc. The more measurable your goals the better as it will help you track progress.

The next step is to create posts and find people to “follow” your page. Check out your competitors, relevant hashtags, successful Instagram users, and leaders in your field to get ideas for posts. You can share posts from Instagram to other social media platforms pretty easily to help build your following from your other already-established networks.

However, you will want to have a slightly different voice and outlook on your social media accounts. If you are constantly posting the same thing on every outlet, people will not be motivated

to follow you on more than one platform.

You can also use hashtags to reach more people. Find hashtags that are popular in your field and among your audience.

Also, like or comment on posts from other users. They will get a notification, follow you, and sometimes their own followers will come back to your page.

Follow back people who follow you.

If you have a physical location, make sure you also tag your photos with that location. Give your customers opportunities to use your product and post their own pictures, and make sure they know your hashtag. As you start posting, see what times of day lead to the largest reach among your followers to develop a posting schedule that works the best for your audience.

Videos are increasing in popularity, so make a short video if you can. To reach more people, you can also embed your video on your website. Instagram also has a service called boomerang that lets you create a loop of images. Finally, Instagram has options for paid advertising, and more services for businesses are going to be rolled out soon.

If you are interested in developing your social media presence, brand, or have any other business-related questions, contact the Small Business Development Center at either SUNY Canton (315) 386-7312 or JCC in Watertown (315) 782-9262. n JENNIFER McCLUSKEY is a certified business advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at SUNY Canton.

Contact her at mccluskeyj@canton.edu. Her column appears bi-monthly in NNY Business.

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 43

Nonprofits today

It’s OK to be a hermit crab in business

I

was at a meeting of the minds recently where the topic of discussion was dealing with change in order to grow. One of the moderators was reading a passage from a small book to kick us off. I was only half listening, until she got to the part that said, “Just because a decision was right for you yesterday, doesn’t mean it meets your needs today. People grow. People change. And sometimes we have to let our safe little places go in order to grow and change.”

That got my attention.

I’ve been in business for six years now.

I started out as a speaker and business coach, calling my business JoleeneSpeaks! I bought the domain name and everything. So when my heart started to call for other things, like writing, I ignored it. After all, where on earth would I find the time to write?

Pfft.

I had a business to run and planes to catch and talks to put together and clients to coach. I was a busy girl. When would I find the time to write?

Yet, as each day went by, I became more and more unhappy. I wasn’t in love with what I was doing. I couldn’t understand why, either, because creating that business was something I was so excited about in the beginning. So what was going on?

Simple. I was growing.

If you know anything about hermit crabs, you know that at some point they ditch the shell they’re born into for one that’s bigger. Their little bodies grow, pushing on the sides of their shell-house,

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Tabletops, Desktops, Workbenches and Coffee Tables.

Choose from our Granite & Marble Selections. We also offer a Selection of Stone Veneer.

forcing them to leave it and find a new one that fits. It was evident to me that my shell didn’t fit me anymore.

I needed a new one. And fast.

The only problem was I didn’t know Joleene Moody how to shed the one I had. How do I shift my business completely? Where do I begin? And is it even allowed? Am I allowed to do something different? Will the Entrepreneur Police come and take me away? Everything in my office and on the web pointed to me as a speaker and coach.

My first softcover book talked about me leaving my job to become a speaker.

I had two eBooks that taught people how to find paid speaking opportunities.

I had done at least 100 Podcast interviews that still float around on the web today about how to become a speaker.

My event banners called me a speaker.

My literature called me a speaker.

But I didn’t call me a speaker.

And just like the little book said, “Just because a decision was right for you yesterday, doesn’t mean it meets your needs today.”

It took someone saying something like that to me a few years back for the light bulb to go off. Here I was, forcing myself to stay in a shell that didn’t fit, denying myself the right to bust out of it and

grow. Funny how it takes one person to say the right thing at the right time for us to wake up, isn’t it?

And so I shed my hermit crab shell.

It was uncomfortable, for sure. But I did it. And after four years of calling myself a speaker and coach, I was ready to call myself a writer and blogger.

The old shell is still there. I see it every time I go into the spare room in my house where the old banners and outdated literature sits, piled in the corner.

To this day, I still get calls and messages from people that want me to participate in a speaker summit or to be the keynote at their organization. I do it. Of course I do it. Only now I don’t beat myself up because it’s not the number one thing in my business anymore. I give myself permission to let that part of me fade.

The moderator in our group that night finished the reading with, “There’s nothing wrong with feeling comfortable and safe – having lifetime friends and a career that serves us well. But don’t get so comfortable that you can’t let go and move on when it’s time. If the walls are too confining and limiting and you’re feeling stuck and bored, maybe it’s time to get out and find a new shell. There’s another shell waiting that will fit you better, but you can’t move into it until you leave this one behind.”

That is all. n Joleene moody is a freelance writer, blogger and speaker who lives in Oswego County with her husband and daughter. Learn more at www.takeyourvoiceback.com. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business. Visit nnybizmag. com to read past columns online.

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44 | NNY Business | October 2016

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October 2016 | NNY Business

| 45

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

Adams Saturday, Nov. 19 n A Taste of South Jeff — Savor Sixtown, 6 to 9 p.m., Adams Fire Hall, 6 N. Main St. Annual food-lovers event features restaurants from across the Six Town region and their best dishes for guests to sample. South Jeff Chamber of Commerce member businesses will also partner for the event. Evening includes live music and a cash bar. Event proceeds benefit the Rhode Community Center and the Six Town Community Fund. Cost: $15.

Information: southjeffchamber.org.

Alexandria Bay Saturday, Oct. 29 n Alexandria Bay Halloween Festival, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Scenic View Park Pavilion, 8 Fuller St. The event includes hayrides, crafts, trick-or-treating with local business and ghost tours. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: info@alexbay.org.

Canton Wednesday, Oct. 19 n Women’s Business Bootcamp, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., SUNY Canton-Miller Campus Center. The Women’s Business Bootcamp Luncheon is themed with marketing in mind. The keynote speaker for this marketing session is from Constant Contact, a well-known online email marketing company. The topic is “The Power of the Inbox.” The intention of this session is to help small businesses create an online marketing campaign to assist in developing a strong email marketing plan that may be inline with your businesses marketing goals. This event will also host the ever-popular Mini-Marketplace, where participants can sell and share their products and services to others in attendance. Cost: $35 per person. Information: sbdc@canton.edu.

Carthage Wednesday, Oct. 26

and door prizes available. Cost: $5.

Information: Carthage Chamber, 4933590 or carthageny.com.

Saturday, Nov. 12 n Holiday Parade, 11 a.m., begins on N. Jefferson St., West Carthage, across to N. James to the Elks Lodge refreshments served at the Elks Lodge. Cost: Free. Information: Carthage Chamber, 493-3590 or carthageny.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10 n Twin Villages Christmas, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Jeanette Turner with all proceeds to benefit the VEM Food Pantry. Cost: Free. Information: Jeanette Turner, 519-7459 or 1- (518) 578-6216 or email Jeanette_turner@ twcny.rr.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10 n Memory Tree Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., at corner of State and N. Mechanic streets.

A brief non-denominational ceremony by Calvary Assembly of God Church, caroling to High Rise Community Room where refreshments are served and music continues. Cost: Free. Information: Carthage Chamber, 493-3590 or carthageny.com.

Saturday, Feb. 11 n Winterfest, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Carthage Park. Cardboard sled races, horse-drawn wagon rides, winter games, fun for the family and open to the public.

Cost: Free. Information: Carthage Chamber, 493-3590 or carthageny.com.

Cape Vincent Saturday, Oct. 22 n 1000 Islands Zombie Walk, 1 p.m., Cape Vincent Village Green. Dress as your favorite zombie and walk for a cause. Proceeds go to Riverside Preschool. Cost: Contact for prices.

Information: 870-5463.

Clayton Thursday, Nov. 17

n Business Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m. cocktails; 6 p.m. dinner, Belva’s Sahara Restaurant at Fargo. Dinner includes turkey or broiled haddock. Seating is limited. Cost: $20 per person. Information and reservations: Carthage Chamber, 493-3590 or carthageny.com.

n Business With a Twist, 5 to 7 p.m., Channelside Restaurant, 506 Riverside Drive. Networking event hosted by Channelside Restaurant, Grant E. Dier Insurance and Thousand Islands Young leaders Organization. Cost: Free. Information: Clayton Chamber of Commerce, 686-3771 or 1000islands-clayton.com.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Friday, Dec. 2

n Business After Hours, Carthage Area Hospital, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open to the public. Food, refreshments, 50/50 raffle

46 | NNY Business | October 2016

n Charity Christmas Masquerade Ball, 8 p.m. to midnight, Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina, 31 Holland St., Alexandria

Bay. Event benefits local families in need.

Cost: $35 per person in advance; $40 at the door. Tickets available online, tilyo. org or from a TILYO member. Information: Alex Buduson, Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization, info@tiylo. org, or 686-3771.

Thursday, Dec. 15

n Business With a Twist, 5 to 7 p.m., Thousand Islands Museum, 312 James St. Networking event hosted by Thousand Islands Museum, Cantwell & Associates and Clayton Country Club. Cost: Free. Information: Clayton Chamber of Commerce, 686-3771 or 1000islands-clayton.com.

second and fourth Mondays

n Lion’s Club meeting, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service, 100 Union St. Information: Lion’s Club, 686-5268 or claytonlions@gmail.com.

Fort Drum Tuesday, Oct. 25 to Wednesday, Oct. 26 n Boots to Business, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Clark Hall, Mount Belvedere Blvd. A twoday course for soldiers transitioning out of the service and interested in starting a business. Course offers information on local business opportunities, including home-based retail, service industry and online. Participants will learn about researching potential markets and how to find licensing and funding opportunities.

Requirement: three-day Department of Labor SFL-TAP briefing. Information: ACAP, 772-3434 or sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu.

Ogdensburg Wednesday, Oct. 26 n Business in the Spotlight, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sherman Inn, 815 Franklin St. This networking event spotlights up to eight St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce member businesses and organizations.

Cost: $5. Information: 877-228-7810 or northcountryguide.com.

Saturday, Nov. 19 n Thanksgiving Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. John F. Kennedy School, Park St. Event features many local vendors and artisans. All items are handmade.

Cost: $3 and a can of food for the local pantry. Information: chamber@gisco.net or ogdensburgny.com

Friday, Dec. 9 to Saturday, Dec. 10 n 2nd Annual Tastes & Talents of the

Potsdam Friday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 22

n Craft, Food & Wine Show, noon to 8 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Clarkson University’s Cheel Sports Center, 8 Clarkson Ave. The show features more than 120 vendors selling handcrafted or homemade goods and foods, including jewelry, quilts, furniture, handturned bowls and rolling pins, photography and artwork. Cost: $3; children 12 and younger, free. Information: St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, 386-4000 or business.northcountryguide.com.

Sunday, Oct. 23 n Adirondack Buyers Days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cheel Arena, Clarkson University, Potsdam. ANCA’s juried wholesale gift show features handmade gifts and specialty foods from around the region, state and beyond. The show is an opportunity for retailers to buy directly from artisans, meet the producers and learn the stories behind their wares. Fill your shelves with locally produced housewares, fine art, pet products, bath products, and more. Cash and carry and order writing available throughout. Cost: Free for buyers; artisans must apply for consideration. Information: adirondack. org/adirondack buyer-days.

Potsdam Thursday, Nov. 3 n St. Lawrence County Chamber Annual Dinner, 6 p.m., Student union multipurpose room, SUNY Potsdam, 44 Pierrepont Ave. Cocktails slated for 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m. Three awards recognized: business of the year, customer service excellence, producer of the year. Cost: per person, $45; corporate table of 10, $430. Information/register: chamber, 386-4000 or jo@slcchamber.org.

Syracuse Thursday, Oct. 27

n The Emergent Leader, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., The Tech Garden, 235 Harrison St. This professional development

event will focus on what makes an emergent leader and is presented by Productivity Leadership Systems, LLC. Registration is required. Cost: Membership ticket $45; Non-member ticket $69. Information/Registration: kdejoseph@centerstateceo.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 to Thursday, Nov. 10 n UTM Convention 2016: Next Era of Aviation, 8 a.m. to noon, Oncenter, 800 S. State St. Convention includes expert panelists and keynote briefings from NASA on technical capability level demonstration 2, in which industry collaborators will participate this month. You’ll learn how UTM leaders from the FAA, NASA and international ANSPs are collaborating to rework the global airspace.

Cost: Free. Information: utm2016.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 n 40 Under Forty, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., OnCenter, 800 S. State St. 10:30-11:50 a.m., registration and networking reception; noon-2 p.m., awards and luncheon.

Honoring 40 young community-minded individuals. Cost: $65 per person.

Information: Joyl Clance, 579-3917 or jclance@bizeventz.com.

Monday, Nov. 21 n SyracuseFirst Buy Local Bash, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Central Regional Market, 2100 Park St. Going into its 7th year, the Buy Local Bash brings community members and local merchants together for a social, shopping and tasting event to highlight the locally owned, independent businesses of Central New York. This fundraising event helps to spread awareness and support for SyracuseFirst’s mission of educating the community about the importance of buying local while also kicking off Buy Local Month, an effort to increase support for local independent merchants during the holiday season. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Information, sponsorships and vendor opportunities: Shannon Fults, 470-1884 or sfults@centerstateceo.com.

Watertown Wednesday, Oct. 19

n North Country Business Expo and Business After Hours, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington St. This premier networking event includes networking, door prizes, demonstrations and job opportunities. Event open to the public from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Expo After Party-Business After Hours is 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: Expo admission free with donation of one nonperishable food item

for the Watertown City Schools Backpack Program. After Hours admission $10 for preregistered chamber members, $12 for unregistered chamber members and $15 for nonmembers. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400, or business. watertownny.com. After Hours sponsored

by Perrywinkle’s Fine Jewelry. Expo sponsored by Krafft Cleaning Service, Carthage Savings an Loan Association, Rainbow International Restoration, Tunes 92.5 & 104.5 FM, Watertown Daily Times and NNY Business magazine, Stephens Media Grtoup and ABC 50.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

n Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County 2016 Annual Meeting, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Elks Lodge, 728 Bradley St. Keynote speaker is Anu Rangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program. Evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and voting for new board members. Ms. Rangarajan will speak after the annual meeting. Buffet turkey dinner features locally produced foods. RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 12. Cost: $25. Information and reservations: Lori Robinson, 788-8450 or register using PayPal.

Thursday, Nov. 3

n Workforce 2020, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Watertown International Airport, 22529 State Route 12F, Dexter. This career fair gives local high school students interview experience but also addresses an important workforce issue: the loss of our college-educated young adults to larger metropolitan areas. By showing students that there are many interesting and rewarding careers available in the north country. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or business. watertownny.com.

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

North Country, Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., SUNY Potsdam’s Maxy Hall. The show offers holiday shoppers a venue to purchase unique handcrafted and homemade gift items from vendors across the state. Cost: Contact for vendor applications. Information: JoAnn Roberts, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, 386-4000.

First, third and fifth Mondays of the month n Watertown Toastmasters Club, 7 p.m., Jefferson County BOCES- Charles H. Bohlen Technical Center Administration Building, Conference Room A, 20104 State Route 3. Meetings open to anyone interested in improving community and leadership skills. Information: watertown. toastmastersclubs.org.  GOT A BUSINESS EVENT or calendar item? Email nnybusiness@wdt. net. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue. Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/NNY Business or nnybizmag.com for events calendar updates.

October 2016 | NNY Business

| 47

b usiness scene Carthage Chamber Business After Hours

Brian Serota and JoAnn L. Zando, Carthage Area Hospital Foundation, Carthage.

ELAINE Avallone PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Diana M. Clement and Jeanne M. Fuller, Carthage Lions Club, Carthage. Carthage Elks Lodge #1762, Carthage, hosted the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce September Business After Hours on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

48 | NNY Business | October 2016

Samaritan Family Health Center Adams

Regina Wetterhahn, PA, and husband, Dr. Joseph Wetterhahn, both of Samaritan Family Health Center of Adams.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, April Middlestate, LPN, Mariona Misercola, radiology technologist, and Heather LaRose, LPN, all of Samaritan Family Health Center of Adams. Samaritan Health celebrated the opening of its Adams health center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

BU SINE SS SCENE GWNC Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Community Bank

Tom Cheney, Cheney Tire, Watertown; Maureen Cheney, Cheney Tire, Watertown.

From left, Cynthia Lee, Knowlton Technologies, Watertown; Jessica Caprara, American Red Cross, Watertown.

Holly BONAME PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Lauren Bulger, Community Bank, Watertown; Sarah Johnson, Community Bank, West Carthage; Heather Hamburg, Community Bank, West Carthage; Casey Goodwin, Community Bank, West Carthage.

Holly BONAME PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Amy Hubbard, Usherwood Office Technologies, Potsdam; Chad Putney, Usherwood Office Technologies, Watertown. Community Bank hosted the September Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at its Washington Street Branch on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

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October 2016 | NNY Business

| 49

b usiness scene South Jeff Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at S&R Automotive

Lisa Hutton and husband Gordon, Hutton’s Barber Shop, Adams.

Tina Rogers and husband, Steve, Pierrepont Manor.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Mary Snyder and husband, Keith, S&R Automotive, Mannsville; Connie Orr, Adams. S&R Automotive hosted the South Jeff Chamber of Commerce September Business After Hours at its downtown Mannsville service center on Thursday, Sept. 22.

From left, Austin Key, Key Services, Adams Center; Dr. Diane Petrowski, D.V.M., South Jefferson Veterinary Hospital, Adams; Anna Blount, The Old Creamery Fabrics and Quilting, Ellisburg.

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b u siness scene GWNC Chamber Jefferson Leadership Institute 25th class kick-off at Bonnie Castle

Angela Marra, the Development Authority of the North Country, Watertown, and Randy Fipps, Samaritan Health, Watertown.

Paul Barton, Westelcom, Watertown, and Kim Thibert, Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Heather Moran, Northern Credit Union, Watertown; Shannon Wood, Child and Adolescent Health, Watertown; Aaron Naklick, Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown; Tracy Leonard and Leesa Harvey-Dowdle, both of Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Watertown.

From left, Bryon Perry, Knowlton Technologies, Watertown, and wife, Jayne, Samaritan Medical Center; Christine Augliano, Northern Glass, Watertown, and husband, Jonathan, Augliano Painting, Clayton. The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 25th Jefferson Leadership Institute class on Friday, Sept. 23, at Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina, Alexandria Bay.

October 2016 | NNY Business

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Clayton Chamber Business With a Twist at Northern Flow Vineyards

Julie Garnsey, Clayton Opera House, Clayton, and husband, Jeff, Garnsey’s Classic Island Cruises, Clayton.

Andrea Pfeiffer, River Hospital, Alexandria Bay, and Matt Roden, White Caps Construction, Clayton.

Holly BONAME PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Holly BONAME PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

B.J. Mosher and husband, Alex, Treasure Island, Alexandria Bay. Northern Flow Vineyards, Clayton, hosted the Clayton Chamber of Commerce September Business With a Twist on Thursday, Sept. 29.

From left, Phil LeDuke, Northern Flow Vineyards, Clayton; Audie Cerow, Cerow Agency, Clayton, and wife, Laura, St. Larry’s, Clayton; Dan Thomas and wife, Carol, Angel Rock Waterfront Cottages & Vacation Homes, Cape Vincent.

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October 2016 | NNY Business

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NNY Employment Employment Opportunities Physician Assistants/Nurse Practitioners

Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals seeks Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to join our primary, pediatric, and behavioral health teams at our Malone health center located on Creighton Road.

Candidate must possess a New York State license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Come be part of a small, friendly, rural health center; sign on bonus, competitive salary, and eligibility for superb loan repayment options through NHSC. This is a new facility opened in 2012, and is located within short driving distance of The Adirondack Park, The 1,000 Islands, Canada, Vermont ski country, and more. If you want to practice in a setting where you can truly make a difference, and leave a legacy in the communities you serve, our team would be honored to hear from you. Combine your passion for medicine with your desire for exploring nature’s playground.

More details and a list of benefits can be found at the website below.

Please submit applications to Human Resources, 4 Commerce Lane, Canton, New York 13617.

Applications can be downloaded at or submitted electronically from our website at: chcnorthcountry.org

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Come enjoy the natural beauty of Northern New York, minutes from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

CARING HEALING LEADING Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Signing Bonus and Relocation Assistance Offered. Samaritan Medical Center has 2 Full-Time Nurse Practitioner positions available in our Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health Units. The position requires a current NYS RN license and NYS Licensure as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, with a DEA License. Be a part of an organization where you will find yourself surrounded by good people doing good things ‌ every day.

Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses

Now is an exciting time to join the Samaritan Health team. If you are passionate about working in a Patient Centered Leadership environment and committed to providing high quality and safe patient care to meet the needs of our civilian and military community, we would invite you to explore opportunities at Samaritan. Enjoy an excellent salary, full, part-time and casual opportunities.

Join Us in delivering better healthcare & a better healthcare experience!

Environmental Services/Housekeeping/Laundry

Exceptional, dedicated people, rewarding career opportunities, excellent compensation and benefit program and the ability to shape healthcare in our community are some of the reasons to join Samaritan. Samaritan has fulltime, part-time and casual positions available within our Environmental Services/Housekeeping and Laundry Departments. The successful candidate should have at least one year of housekeeping experience, commercial experience preferred. The ability and willingness to perform housekeeping tasks and following instructions with minimum supervision is required.

Apply online at www.samaritanhealth.com or contact Samaritan Human Resources Office/Michael Britt, Manager of Recruitment 315-786-4997. Samaritan is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Disabled, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

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