Voice of Business - Winter 2018

VOICE WINTER 2018

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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EVENTSCAPE

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ADVOCACY / HR

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TO P 1 0 0

AVANI TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CEO SAMEER PENAKALAPATI

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PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE 33RD

ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

General Reception and Business Showcase 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

ATHENA Awards Dinner Celebration Floreano Convention Center, 123 East Main Street, Rochester, New York

BUSINESS IS GOOD

“I

had the honor of attending The Business Council of New York State’s annual meeting where Duke and Columbia public policy professor and retired IBM Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs Stan Litow received the Corning Award. This prestigious award goes to an individual who best demonstrates an outstanding level of accomplishment in their chosen discipline, as well as a deep and sustaining commitment to the people of New York. Stan is also author of the book “The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward.”

Stan’s brief remarks while accepting the award inspired me. He said that in today’s world, business is denigrated by the media and in politics as being a problem in our society. However, in reality, business is something that we should all be very proud of. When I say business here, I include all nongovernmental employers including higher education and not-for-profits.

My big takeaway from Stan’s remarks is that business rarely gets the credit it deserves for doing so much good in our nation. Stan went back in history to plot out the positives that business has achieved including starting the healthcare system, implementing a five-day work week and paid time off, providing comfortable livings for families, and its unparalleled role in philanthropy and community involvement.

We do not praise the business world enough. We let others dictate public perception. In Rochester, one only must look at George Eastman’s legacy which is still very much alive. While Kodak is not now what it once was, where would Rochester be had the company not started here? George Eastman has touched almost every aspect of what we enjoy here today including many

of our companies, education, arts and culture, philanthropy, and so much more. Moving forward to today, we see business icons like the Wegman family, the Sands family of Constellation Brands, Paychex founder Tom Golisano, the Gleason family and too many others to name here. There is one example after another of the great things that business leaders have done for Rochester and the Finger Lakes region. They have created jobs that generate wealth in many ways for their employees while also lifting people out of poverty. They have created economic prosperity. They have educated children and supported our colleges and universities. Without them, we would not enjoy the quality of life that we have today.

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So, why do we allow some with loud voices to disparage business? In our society, when one organization makes a mistake, many tend to paint others with a wide brush. Yes, there are some businesses that are not as responsible or ethical as they should be. Every single profession has its failures. But when you look at the success of business in our region and across the country, I am so thankful for what they bring to the table.

The notion that all business leaders are “one percenters” detached from the reality of everyday people is certainly mistaken. More than 80 percent of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce membership is small business. My staff and I visit Rochester Chamber members on a regular basis and I can tell you first-hand that they truly care about their employees.

They do everything they can to make for a better workplace. I have talked with employers that have refused to lay off workers during tough economic times and took a financial hit because they did not want to impact the lives of their employees. Our visits show us that companies treat their people like

families. Business is not this nameless, faceless entity. It is your neighbor. It is your friend. In many cases, it is your family away from home. Companies want happy, successful employees and create programs to make that happen.

One important lesson that I learned in my career is that government cannot affect the marketplace. The marketplace defines what happens with the economy. When government intervenes, businesses react. I’ll use minimum wage as an example. When government mandates a higher minimum wage, however people feel about that, businesses will respond if they can’t afford it. They will hire fewer workers and embrace automation.

Sometimes businesses are criticized for making very difficult decisions to reduce their workforce when they are just trying to survive.

In closing, I am again so thankful for businesses in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. If they are not respected and supported, they can go elsewhere.

Recruiters from out of state are in our backyard every day. When a business does leave, it creates headline news.

But what about the tens of thousands of businesses that have chosen to stay and create jobs and economic vitality?

As Stan Litow said, business is not bad.

Business is good.

BOB DUFFY Rochester Chamber CEO

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

COMPANY NAME

WEBSITE

Adirondack Financial Services American Lung Association of New York State AppleOne AVARUS Solutions AVO Resource Solutions,LLC BlueMark Advisors Break the Ice Media Cameron Community Ministries CatPrint Cowork Downtown Dunne Goodwin Digital eBizDocs Edward Jones

www.adkfinancialservices.com

Fabrics & Findings

www.fabricsandfindings.com

Financial Partners of Upstate NY (A Member of the MassMutual Financial Group)

https://advisors.massmutual.com/jesse-montanye

Finger Lakes Dental Care Flexx Mobility & Performance LLC Fox Pest Control Greenlight Networks Hickey Freeman Tailored Clothing Inc. House At Work IK Systems, Inc. Innovations PLUS Innovative Recruiting Solutions, Inc. Irondequoit Country Club Jacobstein Food Service, LLC Lantek Companies LawnStarter Leadership Rochester Linton Crystal Technologies

www.fingerlakesdental.com

LiveTiles

www.livetiles.nyc

www.lung.org www.appleone.com www.avarussolutions.com www.avoresourcesolutionsllc.com www.BlueMarkAdvisors.com www.BreakTheIceMedia.com www.cameronministries.org www.catprint.com www.coworkdowntown.org www.dunnemarketing.com www.ebizdocs.com www.edwardjones.com/courtney-laffler

www.flexxmp.com www.foxpest-rochester.com www.greenlightnetworks.com www.hickeyfreeman.com www.houseatwork.com www.iksystems.com www.iplusnet.com www.innovativersi.com www.irondequoitcc.org www.JFSFoods.com www.lantekcom.com https://www.lawnstarter.com/rochester-ny-lawn-care

www.LeadershipRochester.org www.lintoncrystal.com

Living Roots Wine & Co.

www.livingrootswine.com www.jccrochester.org

Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester

L-Tron Corporation Meals By DeLeo NextGen Building Components, Inc. Northwest Bank

www.L-Tron.com www.mealsbydeleo.com www.nextgenbc.com www.northwest.bank

OWN Rochester Renewal By Andersen of WNY ROC Boxing & Fitness ROCFIT Training Inc. Rochester Global Connections ROCovery Fitness Sager Beer Works

www.ownrochester.coop www.renewalbyandersen.com www.rocboxing.com www.rocfittraining.com www.rocglobal.org www.rocoveryfitness.org www.sagerbeerworks.com

Schooley Mitchell

www.schooleymitchell.com

Selby Marketing LLC Sparkle Holdings LLC The Gate House Café The Glennon Law Firm, P.C. The Mark Siwiec Team Tutor Doctor Verification Block Solutions, LLC ZOLL Medical

www.selbymarketing.com

Companies highlighted in

www.thegatehousecafe.com www.glennonlawfirm.com www.marksiwiec.com www.tutordoctor.com/rochester www.vblock.us www.zoll.com

represent Rochester Chamber Partner members

The Voice of Business Can Speak For You Advertising space is available in Rochester Chamber’s signature publication, as well as other dedicated digital communications to our 10,000+ key business contacts throughout the Finger Lakes region.

Visit our website or email Advertising@GreaterRochesterChamber.com to reserve your space today.

YOUR LOGO HERE

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rochester chamber welcomes

economic development and grants specialist claudia burcke

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he Rochester/Finger Lakes region is home to thousands of thriving businesses, with new enterprises launched every day.

80% of jobs in this region are created as a result of this hard work and innovation.

Growing and helping our members flourish on local soil is key to Rochester Chamber’s mission. We are excited to bring a personalized approach to economic development by focusing on specific needs, challenges, and opportunities for members of every size.

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My goal is to bring added value to Rochester Chamber members by connecting them with resources that they may not even know existed Many times, people are not sure where to turn or who to call first. I am very happy to serve our members as that go-to person for economic development incentives and grant questions.”

Economic development incentives may apply to companies who are: • Acquiring land, buildings, machinery, and equipment • Constructing/renovating buildings for business operations, including lease-hold improvements • Constructing or improving infrastructure required for new location or expansion.

Incentives

How can we help you?

• Tax exemptions, tax credits and incentives • Special incentives, including power related

Grant Specialist Claudia Burcke Economic Development & Grant Specialist 585.256.4652 Claudia.Burcke@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

• Grants • Loans • And much more

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Economic Development and Grants Specialist Claudia Burcke can identify available economic development incentive programs and grants, as well as make crucial connections to help you take the next step. She brings a great deal of economic development experience and has many strong relationships across the Finger Lakes region, having previously served in a similar capacity at Greater Rochester Enterprise.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A KEY TO ROCHESTER CHAMBER’S FUTURE

by r o b s a n d s , c o n s t e l l at i o n b r a n d s c e o rochester chamber chairman of the board

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volution and change have been hallmarks of Constellation Brands since my father, Marvin Sands, founded the company more than 70 years ago. This philosophy has helped Constellation become the thriving total beverage alcohol and Fortune 500 company it is today, a company that I have had the honor and privilege to lead since 2007.

Recently, we announced that in March 2019 Bill Newlands will become Constellation Brands’ next president and CEO, and I will transition to the role of executive chair of the board of directors. We are at a position of strength in our industry, and it’s the right time for me to move on from the CEO role. I believe Constellation has the right strategy in place and that we’re making the right investments across our business. We have a portfolio of iconic brands consumers love, and we’ve built significant momentum in the marketplace. Our results demonstrate our continued strength and that we are well-positioned for future success. All of this would not be possible without our extremely talented team focused on staying on the forefront of consumer trends. We’ve always emphasized the development of our people which has helped deliver continuity of leadership, strategic direction and stellar results over the years. I’m excited for what the future has in store and will remain actively involved in the business, working closely with Bill in shaping the company’s future strategies and priorities.

When my father founded the company in 1945, he knew that his success and the success of the communities where he did business were one and the same. Both Marvin and my mother, Mickey, instilled in my brother Richard and me the importance of operating our company in a way that reflects that belief. In both my work at Constellation

and my work as Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board, I feel that I’ve honored one of the founding principles my father set from the very beginning - giving back to our community.

As we head into 2019, my vision for Rochester Chamber is that it should be a strong voice for business in the region we represent. For our businesses – small and large – to thrive we need a strong economic climate that provides development opportunities for jobs and income growth. We must be a region that both retains and attracts a world-class work force.

Economic development will be a key priority for Rochester Chamber - working with other organizations in the community that also have a responsibility to help drive our local economy. While there are bright spots in the economic picture, this region - like most of upstate - remains challenged and the job of Rochester Chamber, other key local organizations, and private interests, is to devote time and resources to address those challenges and figure out how we can create more opportunities for businesses to succeed.

We expect our efforts to result in positive outcomes which we will measure and report on to our members.

I want to thank you, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce members, for your support which is greatly appreciated. Rochester Chamber is working hard to earn that support. I want you to know it is not taken for granted, and your financial contributions will, as always, be well spent to support our members’ interests.

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JAN. 29 • Capturing the Value of Your Inventive Efforts - Part 1 Date: 1 / 29 / 2019 Time: 7:30 a.m. • 9:00 a.m.

Location: Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC Register here

DEC. 12 • NY’s Evolving Fiscal and Economic Outlook Date: 12 / 12 / 2018 Time: 5:00 p.m. • 7:00 p.m.

Location: TBD Register here

FEB. 5 • Navigating Intellectual Property Waters - Part 2 Date: 2 / 5 / 2019 Time: 7:30 a.m. • 9:00 a.m.

Location: Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC Register here JAN. 24 • ATHENA Awards Dinner Date: 1 / 24 / 2018 Time: 5:00 p.m. • 8:30 p.m.

Location: Floreano Riverside Convention Center Register here

DEC. 5 • Powerful Communication for Outstanding Business Results Date: 12 / 5 / 2018 Time: 7:30 a.m. • 9:15 a.m.

Location: Five Star Bank - CityGate Branch Register here

DEC. 18 • Rochester Chamber Holiday Soiree Date: 12 / 18 / 2018 Time: 4:30 p.m. • 6:30 p.m.

Location: Hyatt Regency Rochester Register here

FEB. 21 • Stan Litow Date: 2 / 21 / 2019 Time: 7:30 a.m. • 9:15 p.m.

Location: TBD Register here

A F F I L I AT E E V E N T S Associated New York State Food Processors http://nyfoodprocessors.org/ Greater Rochester Quality Council Holiday Networking Event December 4 http://bit.ly/GRQC1204 2019 Performance Excellence Awards January 31 http://bit.ly/2GRQC013119 Rochester Hispanic Business Association Holiday Networking December 6 http://bit.ly/RHBA120618 Small Business Council of Rochester Leadership Boot Camp December 12 http://bit.ly/SBC121218 2019 SBC Biz Blitz January 23 http://bit.ly/SBC012319 Women’s Council Building Your Briefcase: ATHENA Roundtable December 13 http://bit.ly/WC121318

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DON’T FORGET THE COMMUNITY: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON UNDERSTANDING THE RCSD

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day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about how

we can improve the Rochester City School District.

However, the more I think about how we can make gains I am starting to see that as a community we need to start having some different conversations.

Despite all the education reform groups we have there is a major issue that I don’t hear any of them discussing, decision making. In RCSD students and parents don’t have the same ability to impact the decision-making process that their suburban neighbors have. This lack of input has in effect censured the community being served and presumably is contributing to the overall inefficacy of the Rochester City Schools against its challenges.

This condition has led to what I call, Institutional Drift.

Institutional Drift; is when the functioning of a public institution and the needs of its users begin to bifurcate.

This division between services being provided and the needs of the public greatly undermines the system’s efficiency and effectiveness. In the case of RCSD to effectively impact the educational environment positively and successfully deliver education. The current condition is indicative of the shortcomings of the decision-making process.

We cannot meaningfully improve the quality of the district and ignore the flawed governance procedures (i.e. the decision-making process). Parents and student participation must be not only included but empowered for us to begin to understand what the on the ground needs are, and what actions to take toward solving them.

In other words, we must see institutional integrity efforts (actions taken to enhance the quality of the district, i.e. curriculum, quality of instruction, etc.) separate from the community buy-in efforts (actions taken to incentivize parent and student participation and alter their behavior i.e. meal quality, safety, student acknowledgement, encouragement and support, culturally relevant extra curriculars, etc.)

To attain meaningful progress our schools must be a place that students want to be, and parents trust their kids to be. We can only influence this is when we better understand the variables that will have the greatest positive impact on user behavior. Without this we are just trying to get better results from a flawed system.

ADRIAN HALE Sr. Manager, Workforce / Economic Development and Education Initiatves Adrian.Hale@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

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human resource services

ROCHESTER - AREA HR BENCHMARKING SURVEYS START SOON

BUILD YOUR HR NETWORK: REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2019 HR FORUMS

There are three different surveys starting in January.

• The local Annual Wage and Salary Surveys begin the week of January 7, 2019 and provide Rochester-area wage and salary data. The four local surveys include Nonexempt, Professional/Managerial, Manufacturing, and Health & Human Services.

• The National Executive Compensation Survey also begins in early January 2019 and covers compensation and perquisites for 47 key executive positions.

• The Turnover and Absenteeism Survey starts the week of January 21 and gathers data on turnover statistics and absenteeism rates for calendar year 2018.

Each year, Rochester Chamber HR forums give members an opportunity to connect with peers who understand the challenges HR professionals face every day. The HR forums help keep you up to date on state and federal labor laws, best practices, and help build on the experience you already have through active participation and interaction with peers.

Below is a brief summary of each.

Rochester Chamber’s first quarter 2019 benchmarking surveys begin in January. Only Corporate and Partner members are eligible to participate and those who participate receive complimentary results when released.

Sign-up for all first quarter surveys will begin the week of December 3 via an e-mail invitation which will be sent to HR contacts at Corporate and Partner member companies. Members are welcome to sign up early for one or more of these surveys. Visit https://rba.co1. qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEsCti3VRddp6Lj to go to the online signup page.

Rochester Chamber is now accepting registrations for the 2019 Benefits Forum and 2019 HR Professional Forum. If you missed the opportunity to join either of these forums in 2018, here is your chance to connect with your peers and build your HR network.

Benefits Forum Provides senior level benefits professionals with the opportunity to benchmark and network with peers on benefit trends and issues including benefits practices and strategic planning. Meetings begin in February 2019.

HR Professional Forum Presents mid-level human resource professionals the opportunity to benchmark and network with peers while sharing HR knowledge through roundtable discussions and presentations from guest speakers.

Meetings begin in January 2019.

The registration deadline for the HR Professional Forum is December 7, 2018. The Benefits Forum registration deadline is January 11, 2019. Space is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first served basis.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Kathy Richmond • 585.256.4618 Kathy.Richmond@GreaterRochesterChamber.com Jennifer Suppé • 585.256.4608 Jennifer.Suppe@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

INFORMATION SHARING AND NETWORKING WITH PEERS REGISTRATION FORM FOR BOTH FORUMS BELOW http://bit.ly/2019HRForums

“Time Is Brain” Life-saving stroke care delivered in minutes with UR Medicine’s New Mobile Stroke Unit

A cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, occurs when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain. A stroke results in the death of brain cells. This can lead to disability and death.

Nearly 3,000 people in the Rochester region suffer from a stroke every year. For these victims, time is critical. With every passing minute, the chances of making a functional recovery are greatly lessened.

Dispatched along with a traditional ambulance if stroke is suspected, UR Medicine’s Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) races to the scene. This specialized mobile ER enables trained crews to administer the treatment needed to save lives.

Technology plays a key role, with cameras allowing doctors to remotely view the patient. A CT scanner on board captures images of the patient’s brain, and a drug called tPA can be administered to bust a clot and restore blood flow.

UR Medicine has been committed to providing state-of-the-art stroke care across the region for years, and the Mobile Stroke Unit is the next step in those efforts. UR Medicine views the MSU as a system-agnostic community asset. Patients will be taken to the nearest hospital with the appropriate level of care to treat their stroke, or to the hospital requested by the patient.

The care provided by the MSU could save the lives of many members of our community.

Geographically, the MSU will begin by serving the Rochester city service area. However, over the course of several months, the unit’s service area will gradually expand to the remainder of Monroe County and eventually, to neighboring counties in the region by utilizing ‘rendezvous’ points.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable; as many as 80 percent of strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

For more information on the life-saving capabilities of the UR Mobile Stroke Unit, please visit mobilestroke.urmc.edu.

Stroke awareness and prevention is a key focus of Rochester Chamber’s Health Care Planning Team, which participates in the CDC’s Million Hearts® initiative. Learn more at https:// millionhearts.hhs.gov.

Special thanks to URMC, photographer Matt Whitmeyer, and the American Heart Association for their contribution to this publication.

F Face

Have the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A Arm

Have the person to raise both arms. Is one weak or numb?

RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE: High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and heart diseases are among the major risk factors for stroke. Other factors include alcohol and illegal drug use, inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet. Learn more.

Think FAST The acronym FAST is a way to remember stroke symptoms.

Learn more.

S Speech

Have the person talk. Can you understand what’s said?

T Time

The faster the symptoms are recognized, the better the prognosis. Call 911.

13 2018 ROCHESTER CHAMBER TO P 1 0 0

AVANI TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS l e a d s r o c h e s t e r c h a m b e r to p 100

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vani Technology Solutions, an IT and software Avani Technology Solutions CEO Sameer Penakalapati development firm, took the number one spot on said, “I attribute Avani’s success to leveraging technology the 32nd annual Rochester Chamber Top 100 list platforms to serve our customers and employees better, of the fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the faster, and more responsively. We are also constantly Rochester and Finger Lakes region. System engineering adding new skills and competencies and focusing on areas and photonics technology company Precision Optical that matter most to our customers. Staying focused and Transceivers and construction management and design frugal while growing the business is also important.” build contractor Taylor, the Builders rounded out the top three. The Rochester Chamber Top 100 is a Greater Precision Optical Transceivers CEO Todd Davis said, “A Rochester Chamber of Commerce and KPMG LLP program large contributor to our success has been our customerthat ranks businesses based upon both dollar and facing model. Whether in production, engineering or percentage growth. sales, our team members go the extra mile to fulfill customer needs and build strong relationships along the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and way. Our customers feel confident in our products and CEO Bob Duffy said, “This year’s Rochester Chamber Top 100 expertise, which I believe is crucial when building long-term list shows the fabulous success and amazing diversity that partnerships. I also credit our unique company culture exists in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region’s economic and employee benefits for our success. It is rooted in the engine. Service companies appeared most on the list, philosophy that happy employees will take care of their followed by construction, technology, manufacturing, customers and the business will in turn take care of itself. We and financial. The one hundred companies combined strive to ensure that our employees feel happy and fulfilled for more than $12.1 billion in total revenue and employed within their roles.” nearly 23,000 people in the Rochester area. Rochester Chamber congratulates the Top 100 businesses and Taylor, the Builders President Karl Schuler said, “The people wishes them continued success and growth.” who work here helped us land high on the Rochester Chamber Top 100. There are so many talented people in To be eligible for the Rochester Chamber Top 100, this world. We have some and the competition has some. businesses must be independent, privately held, You can’t control the talent level of your competition, but you headquartered in the nine-county Finger Lakes region, can control your own effort and commitment to excellence. and have revenue of at least $1 million in each of the Hard work will always beat talent. Know what you don’t three most recent fiscal years. The program recognizes know, learn something every day, and work hard.”

Rochester’s reputation as a region of innovation spurred by a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Visit http://bit.ly/ROCTop100 to gain acccess to the full 2018 Rochester Chamber Top 100 list as well as photos and videos from the celebration. 2019 Rochester Chamber Top 100 nominations open in February.

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RIBBON CUTTINGS & CELEBRATIONS

KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival July 10, 2018

Huther Doyle July 12, 2018

DeCarolis August 21, 2018

ROCFit July 27, 2018

Upstate Special Needs Planning October 1, 2018

Sager Beer Works November 28, 2018 L-Tron November 8, 2018

Little Italy Association October 30, 2018

IDEX November 21, 2018

Greater Rochester International Airport October 31, 2018

Mad Science November 27, 2018

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2018 HISPANIC BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

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he Rochester Hispanic

Business Association (RHBA), a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce affiliate, named Arline Santiago its 2018 Hispanic Business Person of the Year. Santiago serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Legal Director at ESL Federal Credit Union.

Santiago said, “It is truly an honor to be named Hispanic Business Person of the Year. The opportunity to give back to our community is always of the utmost importance to me. As meaningful as this award is, it will serve as further motivation to give back to and work hard in this community that is so supportive.”

RHBA Board Chair Grace Tillinghast said, “Arline has been an asset to the community since she moved to the area a couple of decades ago. She is indeed deserving of this recognition.”

Prior to her current position at ESL, Santiago worked for the Kodak legal department as a member of its corporate and regulatory legal group. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Santiago is also a member of the Monroe County, American, and Hispanic Bar Associations.

Active in the community, Santiago serves as Foodlink board chair and on the boards of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Volunteers of America Upstate New York, SUNY Brockport LEAP, and is a member of the PathStone Corporation’s personnel committee.

Arline Santiago SVP, General Counsel, and Legal Director ESL Federal Credit Union.

Learn more about the Rochester Hispanic Business Association at https://rochesterhba.org

getting to know rochester chamber

background screening manager dominic oliveri Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Background Screening Manager Dominic Oliveri started his career as a sheriff’s deputy, but moved into the world of background screening and reference checking at Rochester Business Alliance, now Rochester Chamber, 12 years ago.

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Oliveri: My mother worked here and said there was an opening in background screening, so I started at the bottom as a temp.

A full-time position then opened and I started as an admin person and slowly through the years worked my way up.

VOB: You have a young family, so free time may not be a thing for you, but what do you like to do when you’re away from work?

Oliveri: I do have two little kids, a five and a two-year-old, so they keep me busy. I’m a sports fanatic so I enjoy watching and going to games.

Soccer is a huge part of my life. I follow AC Milan, a team in Italy and Manchester United. I’ve coached, I’ve played. I wish I still coached and played.

So, family and sports are important to me.

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Oliveri: We offer 15 to 20 different criminal searches. We also offer academic and employment verifications, contacts and reference verifications, credit checks, driver license checks. We have evolved the number of services that we offer. When I started, it was pretty basic. Now it’s advanced.

VOB: How has technology helped things advance?

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VOB: What are some of the background screening and reference checking services offered by Rochester Chamber?

VOB: How did you get your start here at Rochester Chamber?

Oliveri: My mother worked here and said there was an opening in background screening, so I started at the bottom as a temp.

A full-time position then opened and I started as an admin person and slowly through the years worked my way up.

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Oliveri: The legal field always fascinated me. When I decided to get out of law enforcement, the investigative part of it still interested me so I gravitated to background screening, which has some of those investigative elements in it.

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VOB: How did you move from law enforcement into background screening?

Dominic Oliveri • Background Screening Manager 585.256.4628 • Dominic.Oliveri@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

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