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

CenterState CEO names Geisler to new Tech Garden resource manager position
SYRACUSE — CenterState CEO has hired Traci Geisler as its new resource manager for the Tech Garden, the organization’s technology incubator and business accelerator. The

Cayuga Strategic Solutions names Verrier as new executive director
AUBURN, N.Y. — Cayuga Strategic Solutions, Inc. — the joint venture and umbrella organization of the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce and Cayuga Economic Development

Elmira, Geneva among winners in the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Elmira and Geneva are among the winners in New York’s $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, according to separate news releases that the office of Gov.

New York Bakery leases warehouse space in Geddes
GEDDES — New York Bakery — which says it manufactures bread and rolls for restaurants, delis, and institutional uses — recently leased 17,800 square feet of warehouse space at 121 Dwight Park Circle in the town of Geddes. Mark Rupprecht of CBRE/Syracuse represented New York Bakery in the transaction, according to a news release from

Upstate consumer sentiment rises in Siena quarterly survey
Upstate New York consumers are feeling more willing to spend these days. Consumer sentiment in Upstate rose to 85.2 in June from 81.8 in March,

Cookware maker Borough Furnace wins small-business award
SYRACUSE — Borough Furnace, Inc., a local cookware manufacturer, was one of 10 local small businesses recognized at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 18th annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon in Syracuse on May 6. KeyBank, N.A. nominated Borough Furnace, based in East Syracuse, for the 2016 Small Business Excellence Award that it won, according

People news: RMS hires Benn as business development coordinator
BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. — Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) announced it has hired Christine Benn as the firm’s business development coordinator. Benn, who joined RMS
KRISTY LEE WITT has joined Fusion Advertising as social media & marketing manager on its marketing team. Witt brings 10 years of experience to the position, including knowledge of digital design, marketing, advertising, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management. Currently, she is also the social media & booking manager of the Miss Syracuse Organization and co-founder of

Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. has promoted BOB BROTZKI to chief operating officer. He previously served as director of sales and marketing. Brotzki, a former NFL player, has been a part of the sales, operations, and management teams at Yellow Freight/Precision Trucking and owned his own business, Penn Select Hardwoods. He holds a bachelor’s degree in
Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc.
Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc. has hired 19 new employees this year. The firm hired the following as mechanics: BRAD BENSON, JIM BERRY, RICH CERUTTI, JOSH CHAMBERLAIN, NATE DARLING, BOB GUYER, PHILIP LONG, JOHN RYALS, JASON STENE, KEN STEVENS, and JERRY WOODWORTH. Hired for the parts counter were CHRIS DOOLITTLE and JIM MCCARTHY. DON
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.