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

People news: MVHS adds new nurse practitioner to Surgical Group
UTICA, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) announced it has added Jessica Yearby to the MVHS Surgical Group as a certified family nurse

VIP begins renovation project to turn former Post-Standard building into new HQ
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — VIP Development Associates, the development arm of VIP Structures, on Friday started renovation work at the former Post-Standard building at 101 N.

Horizons FCU is now a division of Empower FCU
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Horizons Federal Credit Union of Binghamton has merged its operations with Syracuse–based Empower Federal Credit Union in a deal that took effect Oct. 1. The signage at the four current Horizon branches and the one Empower location in the Southern Tier on Oct. 1 changed to Horizons, a division of Empower Federal

Community Bank purchase of ESB to give it Southern Tier boost
DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc.’s (NYSE: CBU) recently announced $83 million agreement to acquire Elmira Savings Bank (ESB) will strengthen and deepen its reach in the Southern Tier, particularly the Corning-Elmira-Ithaca corridor. DeWitt–based Community Bank System announced Oct. 4 that it would acquire ESB (NASDAQ: ESBK), which has total assets of nearly $649

People news: NBT Bank names LaRusch director of workforce management
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — NBT Bank announced it has appointed Richard LaRusch director of workforce management. LaRusch joined NBT Bank in 2012 as human-resources generalist.

U.S. Army awards Lockheed Martin nearly $9.7M contract work on system for tactical vehicles
SALINA, N.Y. — The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a nearly $9.7 million contract to continue development of the terrestrial layer system

Tioga County Chamber announces new president and CEO
OWEGO, N.Y. — The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce board of directors has named Sabrina Henriques as the chamber’s new president and CEO. Henriques began

NYPA CEO, Quiniones, leaving for top job at Illinois utility with CNY connection
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), has resigned from the position after 10 years to

With upcoming retirement, Preferred Mutual appoints new leadership
The firm on Oct. 4 announced the promotion of R. Benedikt Sander to the role of president and CEO, effective Jan. 1. PMIC has also promoted Jeffrey Lopata to COO and executive VP, also effective at the beginning of the new year, per a company news release. Preferred Mutual Insurance is based in New Berlin

New Kinney Drugs president says pharmacy chain must be different
GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — New Kinney Drugs President John Marraffa says his vision for the company is to “create a customer experience unmatched by others.” “By building on our 118-year history, I hope to reinforce a standard of excellence that transcends traditional pharmacy,” Marraffa said in a release. “We must be different. By expanding our services,
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.