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

Pinnacle Employee Services expands with in-house recruiting division
DeWITT, N.Y. — Pinnacle Employee Services says it has expanded its services with the addition of an in-house recruiting division called Pinnacle Talent Solutions. Pinnacle Employee Services, a professional employer organization, is located at 5845 Widewaters Parkway in DeWitt. The firm hired Charlotte Dieroff as director of recruiting to offer its clients and potential clients […]
Also reacts to new mental-health survey data Excellus BlueCross BlueShield says it has raised the minimum wage for all its employees to $18 per hour, up from $15 an hour. At the same time, the Rochester–based Excellus, Central New York’s largest health insurer, is also reacting to new data about the pandemic’s impact on

Samaritan Health reaches wage agreement with NYSNA
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Samaritan Health in Watertown announced it has reached an agreement with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) to raise wages for

Smith Brothers Insurance names Kelly private-client practice leader
Smith Brothers Insurance, LLC — an independent insurance and risk-management broker with Southern Tier offices in Vestal, Owego, and Waverly — recently hired Mike Kelly as private-client practice leader. Kelly is responsible for private-client growth initiatives, client service, and enhancing the company’s people-focused culture, according to a Smith Brothers news release. Kelly brings 15 years

Security Mutual adds insurance-industry veteran to board
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York announced that it has appointed insurance-industry veteran Robin Lenna to its board of directors. Lenna is senior VP at Vitech Systems Group, a New York City–based global provider of cloud-native benefit and investment-administration software. “We are happy to welcome Robin to the Board of

NBT Bank promotes two in human resources division
Butcher joined NBT Bank in 2011 as director of organizational development. He has more than 20 years of experience, including serving as manager of organizational effectiveness for MWV. Butcher earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego. He holds a certification in organization development from the National Training Lab Institute for Applied Behavioral Science and a

Indium Corp. launches apprenticeship program
CLINTON, N.Y. — Indium Corporation formally signed and registered its apprenticeship program during a November visit from New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. The company is partnering with DeWitt–based MACNY, the Manufacturers Association; Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC); the National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT); and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly),
VIEWPOINT: The Structural Requirements for an Effective Compliance Program
As a condition of Medicaid payment, New York State requires certain Medicaid providers, including managed care and managed long-term care companies, to develop and implement effective compliance programs to deter fraud and waste and correct non-compliance with Medicaid requirements. New York State made amendments in 2020 to the Social Services Law section 363-d (“SSL 363-d”). This established

Preferred Mutual’s HR leader receives title change
NEW BERLIN, N.Y. — The executive in charge of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company’s human-resources initiatives recently received a title change to reflect the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives. Jenifer Rinehart is now executive VP, chief human resources officer, and diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. “I am excited to be able to continue the development
VIEWPOINT: New York Expands Employee Whistleblower Protections
On Oct. 28, 2021, Gov. [Kathy] Hochul signed legislation that significantly expands the scope of New York Labor Law Section 740 (NYLL 740), the state’s “whistleblower” protection law covering all private-sector employees. Most notably, beginning in January 2022, employees and independent contractors will be protected for reporting employer activity that they reasonably believe violates any law, regardless
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.