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

MVHS COO LeCates to assume CEO role later this month
UTICA, N.Y. — Dr. William LeCates, who has been serving as COO of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) for the past 14 months, will become the system’s top executive on Oct. 20. The MVHS board of directors on Sept. 18 announced the appointment of LeCates, who will succeed Darlene Stromstad, who is retiring after […]

SUNY Poly appoints director of NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence in Marcy
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has appointed Jim Staihar, assistant professor of business ethics, as the inaugural executive director of its NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence. SUNY Poly formally opened the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence during a ceremony held on Sept. 19. “I am deeply honored to be named Executive Director

Utica to host the 2026 NYS Tourism Conference
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica will host the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference, presented by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). The event is set for April 22-24, 2026 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica, located at 200 Genesee St. in downtown Utica. It will welcome more than 200 tourism professionals from across

Former Durhamville Fire Dept. treasurer admits to $92K theft
DURHAMVILLE, N.Y. — Sentencing is set for Nov. 21 for the former treasurer of the Durhamville Fire Department in Oneida County, who recently pled guilty to stealing more than $92,000 from the fire department over a seven-year period. As part of the plea, Kimberly Simchik, 62, of Durhamville will pay restitution of just over $92,000

Herkimer College names director of campus safety
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer County Community College recently announced it has appointed Michael J. Jory, of Herkimer, as its director of campus safety. Jory has served as chief of police at the Herkimer Police Department since January 2017. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all police operations, personnel, and resources, setting departmental policies,

ConMed adds Bio-Techne CEO to board of directors
ConMed Corp. (NYSE: CNMD), a surgical-device maker originally based in the Mohawk Valley region, recently announced that Kim Kelderman joined its board of directors, effective Sept. 8. “My fellow directors and I are delighted to welcome Kim to the board,” LaVerne Council, chair of ConMed’s board, said in the announcement. “Kim brings extensive global leadership

Oneida County budget proposal includes first property-tax increase in 13 years
UTICA, N.Y. — The proposed Oneida County budget includes a 2.9 percent increase in the property-tax levy, the first such increase in a county budget

Utica University offers full-tuition scholarships for career-changers pursuing K-12 teaching jobs
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica University’s educator-preparation program says it is addressing the growing teacher shortage “through major financial incentives to enroll.” Ten full-tuition scholarships are

Oneida Pediatric Group joins Oneida Health
ONEIDA, N.Y. — Oneida Pediatric Group, which has offices in both Oneida and Camden, is now part of Oneida Health. With this integration, Drs. Kapriel Danadian and Rezkellah Toro, and Deborah Staple, PA-C will continue to provide care at both locations. They care for children from newborns through adolescence, and they’re currently welcoming new patients,

Herkimer County HealthNet to use Health Foundation funding for older-adult initiative
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer County HealthNet (HCHN) says it will use a $42,500 grant from the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York to
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.