Jim King, founding director of the New York Small Business Development Center, dies

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ALBANY, N.Y. — James L. (Jim) King, who in 1984 helped launch the New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) and served as its executive

Recapping the 2025 CenterState CEO annual meeting

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Renaming of the expanded Tech Garden & awards were highlights SYRACUSE — A new name for the expanded Tech Garden and Business of the Year Awards were among the highlights of the April 23 CenterState CEO annual meeting. A conversation with an official from autonomous-driving technology company Waymo and remarks from Robert Simpson, president and

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Renaming of the expanded Tech Garden & awards were highlights

SYRACUSE — A new name for the expanded Tech Garden and Business of the Year Awards were among the highlights of the April 23 CenterState CEO annual meeting.

A conversation with an official from autonomous-driving technology company Waymo and remarks from Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, were also part of event, which was held at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter in downtown Syracuse and attracted more than 750 attendees.

Themed “Metamorphic,” the CenterState CEO annual meeting “highlighted how pressures from the current cycle of change create a moment of transformation and opportunity to emerge as something stronger.”

INSPYRE Innovation Hub

CenterState CEO’s downtown Syracuse business incubator — which had been known as the Tech Garden — has a new name.

The expanded facility is now called the INSPYRE Innovation Hub. Simpson introduced a name-unveiling video during his presentation at the meeting.

“INSPYRE Innovation Hub will be where founders go to dream, build and scale,” CenterState CEO said in its announcement about the new name.

The organization touted that “INSPYRE celebrates Syracuse’s legacy of innovation and is a beacon to its bold future. It’s where the innovation ecosystem convenes, and possibilities are redefined. No longer primarily focused on seeding tech-based startups, INSPYRE Innovation Hub will be a space where founders of all industries, sizes and stages of growth can find support. INSPYRE invites everyone to push boundaries and shape what’s next.”

In describing the new name and brand, CenterState CEO says they include INSPYRE spelled with a Y, putting focus on the “why” — “the driving question that fuels curiosity, innovation and growth.”

In addition, INSPYRE is a nod to SYRacuse, “reflecting its roots while pointing toward limitless potential”; and the primary logo tilted to 31.5 degrees, in recognition of the facility’s location.

With more than 90,000 square feet of space dedicated to helping founders grow their vision and bring a business to the next level, INSPYRE is New York’s largest business incubator, CenterState CEO said.

The facility will house a renovated Hardware Center and a new Makerspace. It will have an uncrewed-systems testing deck, a media-production facility, new coworking spaces, and a multi-purpose theater with more than 3,000 square feet of space for events.

“I am so excited to reintroduce the community to INSPYRE Innovation Hub later this year and share this building’s next chapter with the entrepreneurs who are making our region more vibrant,” Simpson said in the announcement. “The name INSPYRE reflects both the expanded size and scope of our entrepreneurial programming and our vision for what is possible. This state-of-the-art facility is a symbol of CenterState CEO’s commitment to helping the business community thrive as Central New York begins a transformational period of growth.”

Business of the Year Awards

CenterState CEO used its annual meeting to announce its Business of the Year Award winners in front of an audience of more than 750 people from the Central New York business community.

The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of regional businesses and nonprofits in five categories. This year’s winners are listed below by category.

More than 50 Employees

Winner: VIP Structures of Syracuse

Additional finalists: Hidden Level, Inc. and Lotte Biologics USA, LLC

Fewer than 50 Employees

Winner: Home Sweet Home Cleaning and Gardening LLC of Manlius

Additional finalists: Chimera Integrations and ConsciousHR

Minority-owned Business, presented in partnership with the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance

Winner: L Stacks Construction Co. LLC of Syracuse

Additional finalists: Champions Martial Arts Inc. and Cuse Culture Media Group

Nonprofit

Winner: Oswego County Federal Credit Union

Additional finalists: Loretto and YMCA of Central New York

Community Involvement

Winner: Upstate Medical University of Syracuse

Additional finalists: AmeriCU Credit Union and Equitable

Simpson’s remarks

In his message, Simpson talked about the opportunities and challenges the community is faced with as it “undergoes a process of significant change, and the key role that innovation plays in accelerating new possibilities for the future,” per the CenterState CEO summary of the event, which it released on April 24.

“Central New York is on a path toward profound transformation. Like a rock that has undergone Metamorphic change, our region is built on a solid foundation, which prepares us to respond to challenges, face new pressures and embrace change,” Simpson said. “Today, amid a new level of success and opportunity, the scale and impact of change and disruption has also accelerated. In fact, the CNY economy is expected to grow more in the next three years than in the past 16 years combined. This is a moment of growth that must be met. The region has faced intense, near-crippling pressures before. Strategically channeling this economic energy, good and bad, in a manner consistent with our values and that looks beyond our immediate horizon at a brighter future will remain the defining challenge for current and future generations of Central New York leaders.”

CenterState CEO also noted the annual meeting marked its 15th anniversary.

Featured speaker

The event included remarks from featured speaker, Annabel Chang, director and head of state policy and government relations at Mountain View, California–based Waymo, described as the world’s leading autonomous-driving technology company.

In a conversation with Simpson at the event, Chang discussed the importance of transparency, collaboration, and earning public trust during periods of change; rapidly evolving technologies and industries; and shifting economic and societal conditions.

“Waymo’s fully autonomous driving technology is providing hundreds of thousands of paid passenger trips every week, reducing serious collisions and expanding access to mobility in cities across the country,” Chang said. “Waymo continues to move eastward, with plans to operate in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., but more is needed in Albany before New Yorkers can realize the benefits of fully autonomous driving. It’s exciting to see CenterState CEO and regional partners build on their vision to make the Empire State a welcoming destination for innovative technologies.”

Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage has new leader

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

Scuderi named president of Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown offices DeWITT — Stephen Scuderi is the new president of the Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown offices of Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage Company, the commercial real-estate brokerage firm announced April 17. Scuderi succeeds John Clark in the role. Clark, who had been president for 38 years, has

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Scuderi named president of Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown offices

DeWITT — Stephen Scuderi is the new president of the Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown offices of Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage Company, the commercial real-estate brokerage firm announced April 17.

Scuderi succeeds John Clark in the role. Clark, who had been president for 38 years, has transitioned into the role of executive vice chairman for Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage.

“With a proven track record of success in the commercial real estate industry and a key member of the firm’s leadership team, Stephen brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the company,” the firm said in its announcement.

Scuderi has worked as a licensed real-estate salesperson for 10 years, Jim Petrie, COO of Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage, tells CNYBJ.

“We are thrilled to welcome Stephen as President of our Syracuse, Utica and Watertown offices” Petrie said in the announcement. “His extensive industry knowledge and leadership skills will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

In his new role, Scuderi will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, including business development, client relations, and strategic planning. He will work with the executive team to “drive the company’s growth and enhance its position as a market leader” in commercial real estate.

With more than 46 years at the company, Clark is transitioning into a leadership role that will focus on strategic planning, business development and fostering relationships with key stakeholders and partners supporting all 10 Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage offices across upstate New York, the firm said.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of John as our Executive Vice Chairman,” Petrie said. “His vast industry expertise and leadership abilities will be crucial as we strive to broaden our services and continue to provide outstanding value to our clients.”

Cushman & Wakefield / Pyramid Brokerage Company is headquartered on Widewaters Parkway in DeWitt.

NBT profit rises nearly 9 percent in first quarter

Banks & Credit Unions, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

NORWICH — NBT Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NBTB), parent of NBT Bank, posted a high single-digit increase in first-quarter profit on the strength of gains in both interest-based income and fee-based income. NBT reported net income of $36.7 million in this year’s first quarter, up 8.6 percent from $33.8 million in the year-prior quarter. The banking

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Cybersecurity can present challenges in health care

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only, Technology

Technology in health care goes beyond the latest surgical instruments and can create challenges for an organization’s information technology (IT) department. One of the biggest challenges that health-care organizations face on cybersecurity is retaining talent, according to Charlie Wood, a partner and practice lead at FoxPointe Solutions, the cyber risk-management and compliance subsidiary of the

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Technology in health care goes beyond the latest surgical instruments and can create challenges for an organization’s information technology (IT) department.

One of the biggest challenges that health-care organizations face on cybersecurity is retaining talent, according to Charlie Wood, a partner and practice lead at FoxPointe Solutions, the cyber risk-management and compliance subsidiary of the Bonadio Group.

It can be hard for employers in Central New York to compete with those in bigger cities when it comes to attracting top talent, he notes. “You can’t pay what they pay in the big cities.”

That can often lead to turnover as employees move on to new career opportunities. The problem, Wood notes, is that those IT staff members take their knowledge and experience with them when they leave.

That means there can be a vulnerable period at the organization while it searches for and brings a new employee up to speed.

Individuals or groups trying to maliciously access data, the “bad actors,” are always looking for those vulnerabilities to gain access. Threats can come from a variety of sources, both externally and internally, Wood adds.

Phishing and ransomware attacks remain a concern. Other attacks can come from surprise means like a computer inadvertently left unlocked and accessible, Wood says.

Other events like mergers and acquisitions can create challenges, especially as smaller organizations are integrated into larger systems. For other organizations, budget constraints may impact the IT department and cybersecurity.

Regulatory complexity is an ongoing concern, especially for health-care systems, which have to protect health information, private data, and payment information.

“In health care, you have so much sensitive data,” Wood notes. “It’s a never-ending battle for these organizations.”

A breach can have far-reaching impact for an organization. “Reputational damage can be pretty significant,” Wood says. A breach can also come with fines or potential lawsuits. Some attacks may even prevent a health-care facility from providing care.

To best protect themselves, health-care organizations need to have robust cybersecurity and rigorous training for employees. Telling employees to “use common sense” on emails isn’t enough, Wood adds. Email content filtering, for example, can help weed out phishing attacks.

Some organizations may want to consider outsourcing at least some of their IT functions. “Find a virtual something instead of having IT in house,” Wood recommends. A virtual compliance officer, for example, is focused solely on all the laws and regulations to ensure compliance for an organization, freeing up in-house IT staff to focus on other things.

There are also resources available to help health-care organizations better protect themselves that may offer things like free software or vulnerability scans.

Organizations can also look for grants to supplement their IT budgets.

“There are grants out there,” Wood says. “There are cost-effective solutions out there.”

Kris-Tech Wire leader set for MACNY’s Wall of Fame

Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Subscriber Only

DeWITT — Graham Brodock, president of Kris-Tech Wire of Rome, is set for induction to MACNY’s Manufacturers Wall of Fame. DeWitt–based MACNY, The Manufacturers Association is recognizing Brodock for his “visionary leadership and transformative impact” at Kris-Tech Wire, where he has served as president since 2014. MACNY’s Manufacturers Wall of Fame recognizes people who have

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DeWITT — Graham Brodock, president of Kris-Tech Wire of Rome, is set for induction to MACNY’s Manufacturers Wall of Fame.

DeWitt–based MACNY, The Manufacturers Association is recognizing Brodock for his “visionary leadership and transformative impact” at Kris-Tech Wire, where he has served as president since 2014.

MACNY’s Manufacturers Wall of Fame recognizes people who have “demonstrated long-term dedication, outstanding leadership, and significant contributions” to their industries and communities in Central and Upstate New York, the association said in its announcement.

MACNY members and community leaders will honor Brodock at the association’s 112th annual Celebration of Manufacturing on May 22 at the SRC Arena & Events Center on the campus of Onondaga Community College in the town of Onondaga.

Under Brodock’s guidance, Kris-Tech has evolved from a small regional wire mill to a nationally recognized manufacturer, MACNY said. Brodock’s approach to leadership, which blends culture, employee wellness, and cutting-edge manufacturing practices, has “propelled the company into a new era of growth and success,” per the announcement.

“Graham exemplifies the values of innovation, dedication, and leadership that MACNY seeks to recognize with our Manufacturers Wall of Fame,” Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, said. “His ability to blend visionary leadership with a deep respect for culture and employee well-being has transformed Kris-Tech Wire into a highly respected leader in the manufacturing sector. His commitment to continuous improvement, both in manufacturing and in people development, is truly inspiring. We are proud to honor him with this prestigious recognition as he continues to make a lasting impact on the manufacturing industry and his community.”

Brodock’s investments in manufacturing capabilities have also made a big impact. He led the construction of a new facility in Rome and has driven continuous upgrades to Kris-Tech’s production lines. Brodock has also focused on employee training and leadership development, which has positioned Kris-Tech for global expansion in the years ahead, MACNY said.

“It’s a real honor to be acknowledged by the manufacturing community and our peers at MACNY,” Brodock said in the MACNY announcement. “Kris-Tech has been fortunate enough to flourish as a national manufacturer for over 40 years. As we all know, moving a company forward takes more than a single person or idea. Our company has prided itself on attracting and hiring the best people and giving them the tools to be their best selves. With that in mind, our team has taken it upon themselves to grow our culture, build our market, and support our community. Without our employees, none of this would be possible.”

Distinctive background

MACNY describes Brodock’s journey to leadership in manufacturing as “unique.” With no formal background in manufacturing or business, he studied art history as an undergraduate and went on to earn a master’s degree in Ancient Greek and Latin from Cambridge University in Cambridge, England.

Brodock later taught high school Latin in Austin, Texas, before pivoting to the manufacturing industry by joining Kris-Tech Wire. His liberal-arts education and “diverse experiences have shaped his distinctive leadership style, emphasizing respect, personal growth, and a commitment to continuous learning,” MACNY said.

New Christopher Community leader starts position

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Christopher Community, Inc., a housing development and management organization, has a new president and CEO. Jeffrey Eysaman, who started in the new role April 23, succeeds Justin Rudgick, who departed Christopher Community earlier in the year to pursue other opportunities, a spokesman tells CNYBJ in an email. The nonprofit Christopher Community manages more

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SYRACUSE — Christopher Community, Inc., a housing development and management organization, has a new president and CEO.

Jeffrey Eysaman, who started in the new role April 23, succeeds Justin Rudgick, who departed Christopher Community earlier in the year to pursue other opportunities, a spokesman tells CNYBJ in an email.

The nonprofit Christopher Community manages more than 3,300 units across 70 properties across Central and Western New York.

As president and CEO, Eysaman will oversee the overall management, operations, and strategic direction of Christopher Community. He will lead the organization in executing its mission and vision, promoting growth and sustainability, and ensuring financial health and operational efficiency, Christopher Community said.

Eysaman most recently served as executive director of the Thomas M. Menino YMCA in Boston between 2024 and 2025. His time in Boston followed leadership roles with the YMCA of Central New York, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, and Peaceful Schools. His career has centered on creating inclusive, supportive environments for underserved communities throughout New York and beyond, Christopher Community said.

His achievements include being a TEDx speaker at Onondaga Community College in 2018, receiving the New York State Senate Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Civic Virtue from Senator Rachel May (D–Syracuse) in 2019, and graduating from the LeadForward Leadership Program in 2022 and the YMCA of the USA Emerging Global Leaders Institute in 2023.

Eysaman earned bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the College of Saint Rose.

“I’m honored to return to a community that means so much to me, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to lead an organization committed to ensuring safe, affordable housing for those who need it most,” Eysaman said in the Christopher Community announcement. “Together with our dedicated team, I look forward to building solutions that strengthen lives and neighborhoods across Central New York.”

Christopher Community says that for more than 50 years it has helped low- and moderate-income families and seniors find housing to fit their specific needs. It administers Onondaga County’s Rental Assistance Program (Section 8), which serves more than 1,200 households.

State OGS certifies three Central New York firms as SDVOBs

Small Business, Subscriber Only

ALBANY— New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy recently announced that 33 businesses across the state were certified as service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs), including three small businesses in the 16-county Central New York region. The New York OGS Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development (DSDVBD) issued the certification to CM Property

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Oneida County hotel occupancy jumps in March

Mohawk Valley, Construction, Design & Real Estate, New York News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County hotels registered a robust rise in overnight guests in March, as two other key benchmarks of business performance also improved.

Former Candor mayor sentenced to 60 days jail for theft

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

CANDOR — The former mayor of the Village of Candor in Tioga County has been sentenced to two months in jail for his theft of more than $23,500 in village funds. Eric Halstead, who was Candor’s mayor from 2012 until he resigned shortly after his arrest in July 2024, pled guilty on Jan. 10 to

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Renaming of the expanded Tech Garden & awards were highlights

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