NICK ZAPPIA recently joined ABC Creative as account manager. A graduate of SUNY Cortland, with a degree in political science and government, he brings years of marketing and sales experience to the company. Some of his previous positions include marketing consultant and project manager. As account manager, Zappia will act as the link between the client and the agency in day-to-day communications as well as long-term strategy.

CHRIS PAULUS has joined VIP Structures as chief financial officer. He joins the VIP team with more than 14 years of experience working in commercial real-estate development and finance. As CFO, Paulus will partner with the CEO and senior leadership to identify business-model innovations that enable growth across the VIP enterprise. He received his MBA from Loyola University in Maryland and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University. Paulus has previously worked for companies such as Wells Fargo bank and US Bank. With his extensive background in commercial real estate, he has been responsible for overseeing the development and financial health of multi-family, office, hotel, and retail properties.

MIKE DURKIN has had his role at VIP increased to include VP of client relations. He first joined VIP Structures in 2019 as VP of investor relations. As VP of investor relations, Durkin is responsible for managing communications between VIP Development Associates and its real-estate investors, supporting capital-raising efforts and developing relationships with prospective investors. His additional role is a natural fit, given his more than 20 years of experience working in sales and business relationship management. Durkin will be responsible for fostering collaboration and communication with clients working alongside the architectural, engineering, construction, and development teams to maintain and ensure long-term business relationships.

ROHIT AGRAWAL has joined VIP Architecture as a principle of architecture. He comes to VIP Architectural Associates, PLLC with more than 20 years of experience in the field of architecture. In his role at VIPAA, Agrawal will work closely with Kate Nutting and Ken Osmun to continue to support and carry out the leadership of the design team. He is a licensed architect in India and the U.S. Agrawal began his career as a freelance designer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Following his move to the states, he joined SWBR Architects & Engineers, becoming an associate in 2004. Several years later he was offered the opportunity to establish and grow a design team within Popli Design Group (PDG). As the founding principal, Agrawal guided PDG to become recognized as an award-winning architecture practice. Headquartered in Rochester, he grew PDG across New York state establishing offices in Syracuse, Binghamton, Buffalo, and New York City.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist LINDA D. MEEHAN, D.O. has joined the professional staff at Oswego County OB-GYN, P.C., and the medical staff at Oswego Health. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, an MBA from Long Island University, and her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Meehan completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1998. She is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Meehan previously practiced in Amsterdam and Norwich, and Goshen, Indiana. Meehan will provide a range of women’s services, including well-women’s care and gynecological/obstetrical services. She will be sharing 24-hour hospital obstetrical coverage at Oswego Hospital with Raj Mahajan, M.D, and midwife Theresa Naro.

DONALD LIBBY has been named facilities management director for Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). In this role, he is responsible for the management and oversight of utilities management, laundry services, life-safety compliance, management of construction and renovation as well as groundskeeping. He will also serve as the MVHS safety officer. Most recently, Libby served as associate director of University Facilities at the University of Rochester, where he was responsible for the day-to-day direction of maintenance, engineering, and housekeeping services. Libby earned his master’s degree in business leadership from Trident University in California and his bachelor’s degree in management from Excelsior College in Albany. Libby served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 2009, performing various roles, including base facilities manager, chief engineer, and technical inspector.

Carthage Area Hospital has added JESSICA ROBINSON, a certified family nurse practitioner, and JENNIFER AVERY, a certified physician assistant, to its medical staff.

Robinson started at the Carthage Middle School–based Clinic on Feb. 23 and Avery began at LaFargeville School–based clinic on March 8. Both providers will provide primary and preventive health-care services to school-aged youth enrolled in the School-Based Health Clinic Program. Robinson graduated from Jefferson Community College, Watertown, in 2010 with an associate degree in math & science. Following her associate degree, she attended D’Youville College, Buffalo, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a biology minor. Robinson continued at D’Youville College and graduated with her master’s degree in science in nursing where she became a family nurse practitioner (FNP) in 2015. Her FNP career began at Alice Hyde Medical, Malone, working at its urgent-care clinic. After two years at Alice Hyde, Robinson briefly worked at Samaritan Medical Center’s Leray Urgent Care, Evans Mills, before she transitioned to Planned Parenthood of the North Country in Watertown.

In 2000, Avery graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and later completed the Physician Assistant Program with a master’s degree in of health sciences at Drexel University in 2008. Avery began her career as a physician assistant at CSRA Pain Management in North Augusta, South Carolina in 2010 and later worked at Connelly Health Clinic in Fort Gordon, Georgia. Her career took her overseas to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a U.S. military hospital in Germany from 2013-2015 before coming back to the U.S. After a stint at Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, Avery went back to Germany, where she worked for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Wiesbaden Health Clinic from 2015-2020. 

Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) has hired MICHAEL BUTLER as its newest research analyst. He comes to RMS with an extensive background in market research and more than a decade of product development and management experience. Most recently, he was a business-affairs specialist, where he honed his project management and research skills within new business initiatives. With an MBA from Le Moyne College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alfred University, Butler joins the team in the research analytics department focusing on custom client projects and developing long-term client relationships. He will be responsible for survey design, data analysis, report compilation, and delivery of actionable results. 

DAN KALIL has been promoted to chief commercial officer at Assured Information Security (AIS). In this position, he will lead commercial direction and strategies, focusing on the growth of commercial business within AIS and its family of companies, including GreyCastle Security and AssuredTek. Kalil is a co-founder of AIS and serves as the CEO at GreyCastle Security, headquartered in Troy. He has a bachelor’s degree in economic-crime investigation and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Utica College.

SALVATORE PALADINO has been promoted to director of accounts management (AM) at AIS. In this position, he will manage corporate AM resources and work closely with the AIS leadership team to establish priorities. Paladino will lead the AM team in developing and executing account-growth strategies. He has been with AIS for eight years. Paladino has a bachelor’s degree in computer security from Utica College and an MBA from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica.

ERIN BUSHINGER has been promoted to director of corporate communications. In this position, she will lead the representation of AIS across all internal and external-communication mediums. Bushinger has been with AIS for four years. She has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications of Syracuse University and a master’s degree in information design and technology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica.

PETE HUGGINS has been promoted to VP of operations at AIS. In this position, he will plan, direct, and oversee operations activities at AIS, ensuring the development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems. Huggins will lead cross-functional efforts through effective program-management methodology, ultimately driving improvement across all areas of the organization. Huggins has been with AIS for 10 years. He has associate degrees in educational and instructional-systems design and communications-applications technology from Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery, Alabama.