Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Ogdensburg realtor named National Association of Realtors Region 2 VP
Jennifer Stevenson, of Ogdensburg, was recently named the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Region 2 vice president at the recent NAR Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. NAR regional VPs include 13 elected members who are appointed to oversee the work of the national association in their respective region. NAR’s Region 2 covers New […]

Elmcrest Children’s Center has chosen its next director
Previous director is retiring SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse–based Elmcrest Children’s Center has chosen its next leader following a pending retirement. James Muldoon, chairman of the Elmcrest board of directors, announced the appointment of Ruth Ann Riposa as Elmcrest’s new executive director, per a

Recapping the Downtown Committee annual meeting
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the downtown area of Syracuse had a total of 20 projects worth more than $180 million in downtown investment that created seven new Class A office headquarters. In addition, the activity included more than 135 new housing units along with enhanced public infrastructure and tourism amenities. The

M&T Bank announces commercial bank hires, promotions
Buffalo — M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) — which ranks No. 1 in deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region — recently announced a group of leadership updates in its commercial bank unit. The changes include the following promotions and new hires. Tim Gallagher has been named head of commercial real estate (CRE).

Cerminaro named CEO of Community Bank Wealth Management
DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) recently announced that Michael T. Cerminaro has been appointed president and CEO of the Community Bank Wealth Management division of its Community Bank, N.A. banking subsidiary. Cerminaro joins the bank with more than 30 years of experience, having most recently served as market head for the

Northeast Grocery completes executive team
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI) says it has completed its executive team with the promotion of John Persons to the role of chief operating officer (COO) and a couple of other personnel moves. NGI is the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets. Persons has spent 39 years with Tops,

Avalon’s new CEO leads firm with fast-growing cyber division
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After joining the business a few years ago as COO, Jon Bates is now leading Avalon as the firm’s CEO. The Syracuse–based company announced the promotion on May 22. JP Midgley, who previously was Avalon CEO, stepped down from the position in April and will now serve on Avalon’s board of directors

Digital literacy summer program for students includes cybersecurity
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — AT&T (NYSE: T), Syracuse University, Tech4kidz and the Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School plan to host a free digital literacy and education summer program. The AT&T ‘Cuse Youth Digital Ambassador program seeks to address equity issues in technology education and careers, “while supporting local students impacted by the digital divide by

New dean of Syracuse University’s iSchool has Upstate connections
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — He was educated in the Capital Region and previously worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Andrew Sears will soon begin his time as dean of the Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool). Sears’ appointment, which was approved by the executive committee of the Syracuse University board of trustees, begins

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), the Florida–based insurance-brokerage parent of Syracuse–based Brown & Brown Empire State, recently announced it has appointed Barry Hensley as chief security officer (CSO) and Rob Burch as chief information security officer (CISO). “With the addition of a CSO role and the talents of Barry and Rob, Brown & Brown
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.