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Leadership Greater Syracuse graduates its 29th class
SYRACUSE — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) announced that 53 area citizens are ready to take on high-level community roles in Central New York after graduating from the LGS Class of 2019 on Nov. 13 at The Rail Line event venue in downtown Syracuse. “The Board of Directors, staff and I are very proud of this […]
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SYRACUSE — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) announced that 53 area citizens are ready to take on high-level community roles in Central New York after graduating from the LGS Class of 2019 on Nov. 13 at The Rail Line event venue in downtown Syracuse.
“The Board of Directors, staff and I are very proud of this class. They have been immersed in the issues and achievements of our community and now have the tools and the connections they need to give back to CNY,” Pam Brunet, LGS executive director, said in a news release. The participants represent a cross-section of local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Founded in 1991, LGS is a nonprofit organization that says its mission is to inspire current and future leaders to make a difference in the community in which they live and work.
Each year, the DeWitt–based organization selects a new class of about 50 to 55 people to participate in its year-long training program to expose them to key community leaders and organizations and the most important issues facing the community. The program teaches participants about community leadership, empowerment, group dynamics, community opportunities, and trends.
“The future is bright for the organizations that will benefit from their knowledge and involvement as the LGS Class of 2019 is made up of very enthusiastic and capable leaders,” Brunet added. About 80 percent of all LGS graduates remain in Central New York, and a recent survey shows that they have held more than 800 volunteer positions.
Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. LGS says it is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Community Bank, and VIP Structures. Media sponsors include Charter Communications and The Central New York Business Journal.
Class of 2019 graduates:
• Ishrat Ahmed, Pathfinder Bank
• Cheryl Ascenzi, Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Trevor Balstra, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center
• William Bass, Fisher Associates
• Stephen Benson, Northeast Information Discovery
• Shira Boschan, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture
• Robert Bucklin, West Onondaga Street Alliance (WOSA)
• Joe Bufano, OCM BOCES
• Nicole Carfi, OBG/Ramboll
• Christopher Caver, National Grid
• Josh Cradduck, Spectrum News
• Deka Dancil, Syracuse University
• Liane DeSantis, EA Engineering, Science & Technology, Inc.
• John Michael Duby, Hueber-Breuer Construction
• Amy Dugliss, Advocates Incorporated
• Danielle Gerhart, Bankers Healthcare Group
• Leland Guillaume, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office
• Cheryl Holdrege, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists
• Sarah Hood, CenterState CEO
• Ernest Lancto, 174th Attack Wing
• Jan Lane, CNY Community Foundation
• Kerry Langan, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
• Samantha Linnett, Full Time College Student
• Andrew Lunetta, A Tiny Home for Good
• Tim Macko, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• David Marobella, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Laura McCranie, Dairy Farmers of America
• Nicholas Meskos, AmeriCU Credit Union
• Stephen Messina, Brown & Brown Empire State
• Alan Mokay, Lockheed Martin
• Melissa Moore, Bryant & Stratton College
• Caitlin Moriarty, CenterStateCEO – Tech Garden
• Adrianne Morton, Blue Lotus Consulting, LLC
• William Nicholson, AccessCNY Inc
• Penny Parisi, KeyBank
• Casey Prietti, Welch Allyn
• Jeff Renk, SRC Inc
• Tom Resch, BR Johnson
• Tracy Resch, Bousquet Holstein PLLC
• Denise Rhoads, Community Bank N.A.
• Victoria Russo, City of Syracuse
• Tabitha Sebastino, Cryomech Inc.
• Marcus Smith, Helio Health
• David Smith, Saab Defense and Security USA
• Joni Steigerwald, C&S Companies
• Carl Thomas, SUNY Upstate Medical University
• Nick Tryniski, Pathfinder Bank
• Joseph Vetere, Empower Federal Credit Union
• Julie Walas, Syracuse University
• Kathleen Weaver, The Hayner Hoyt Corporation
• Mary White, Women’s Opportunity Center
• Allison Whittles, OneGroup NY, Inc
• Cynthia Woods, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Tell Us What’s in Store for Your Business in 2020
Current macro-economic trends reflect a regional economy that is overall strong and growing. However, to truly get a clear, nuanced, and comprehensive picture of the region’s economy, we ask our CenterState CEO members annually to share their expertise through our economic forecast survey and focus groups. Members can take this year’s survey through this link: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157177508200 CenterState CEO
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Current macro-economic trends reflect a regional economy that is overall strong and growing. However, to truly get a clear, nuanced, and comprehensive picture of the region’s economy, we ask our CenterState CEO members annually to share their expertise through our economic forecast survey and focus groups.
Members can take this year’s survey through this link: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157177508200
CenterState CEO member focus groups will be held at Nascentia Health on Dec. 4. The focus groups are a unique opportunity to share and hear different perspectives on the regional business climate, and provide a deeper level of participation in this annual forecast. You will have an option to sign up for these focus groups at the end of the survey.
The input shared by our members is key to developing the 2020 Economic Forecast Report for Central New York, a valuable resource for business and economic planning. This report will be released at CenterState CEO’s Economic Forecast Breakfast on Jan. 22, 2020 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful participation. For more information on the 2020 Economic Forecast, contact Christa Glazier at (315) 470-1800 or email: cglazier@centerstateceo.com
Robert M. (Rob) Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This article is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter that the organization sent to members on Nov. 7.
Salina industrial flex building sold for $225,000
SALINA — The 9,400-square-foot industrial flex building located on about one-quarter acre at 505 Mitchell Ave. in the town of Salina was recently sold. Richard Madonia purchased the property from Cambridge Properties, LLC in August for $225,000. William Evertz of Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company exclusively represented the marketing of the property and facilitated the
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SALINA — The 9,400-square-foot industrial flex building located on about one-quarter acre at 505 Mitchell Ave. in the town of Salina was recently sold.
Richard Madonia purchased the property from Cambridge Properties, LLC in August for $225,000. William Evertz of Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company exclusively represented the marketing of the property and facilitated the sale on behalf of the seller. James Laurenzo of Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage represented the buyer.
The property was previously sold in September, 2013 for $145,000, when Cambridge Properties bought it from Clean Brite Of CNY, Inc., according to Onondaga County’s online property records.
Barclay Damon appoints Burgio as cannabis team leader
SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon LLP announced it has named Aleece Burgio, special counsel, as the firm’s new cannabis team leader. In this role, she will lead and oversee multi-disciplinary team members in counseling clients across the full spectrum of cannabis-related legal issues, the Syracuse–based law firm said in a news release. Burgio’s primary focus is
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SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon LLP announced it has named Aleece Burgio, special counsel, as the firm’s new cannabis team leader.
In this role, she will lead and oversee multi-disciplinary team members in counseling clients across the full spectrum of cannabis-related legal issues, the Syracuse–based law firm said in a news release.
Burgio’s primary focus is structuring, licensing, and maintaining compliant cannabis businesses at the local, state, and federal levels. She is based in the law firm’s Buffalo office. Outside the firm, Burgio serves as co-chair of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Cannabis Law.
She began her legal career at a Portland, Oregon–based cannabis law firm and has experience working with both public- and private-sector clients, including state regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and licensed businesses.
“Aleece has been an invaluable asset on our cannabis team, using her deep industry knowledge and experience to successfully assist clients navigating this new regulatory terrain and emerging business environment,” John Langan, Barclay Damon’s managing partner, said. “We are thrilled that she accepted the new leadership position, and we are confident that she will drive our innovative practice forward to best support our clients’ needs as the cannabis field continues to grow and evolve.”
Barclay Damon says it launched its cannabis team in July 2018, with its members having nearly a decade of cannabis-specific experience.
CNY Tweets – November 18, 2019
Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, HR, and career tips. SBA @SBAgovDid you know @sbirgov programs provide U.S. small businesses more than $3.7B in early stage R&D funding per year to develop breakthrough technologies of tomorrow? More information available at http://ow.ly/wnsv50wUjC5 IRS Small Biz @IRSsmallbiz#IRS to business
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Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, HR, and career tips.
SBA @SBAgov
Did you know @sbirgov programs provide U.S. small businesses more than $3.7B in early stage R&D funding per year to develop breakthrough technologies of tomorrow? More information available at http://ow.ly/wnsv50wUjC5
IRS Small Biz @IRSsmallbiz
#IRS to business owners: Learn more about the rules and limitations for depreciation and expensing. They may affect your business now: https://irs.gov/smallbiz
Angel Biz Advisors @AngelBiz
5 Steps You Must Take Right After Starting Part-time Business – http://ow.ly/r3fK30pR3FO #entrepreneur #smallbiz
Strategic Watch @Strategic_Watch
Unlocking The Inner Entrepreneur: How A Shift In Leadership Helped This Entrepreneur Find Another $10 Million In Revenue http://dlvr.it/RHgSzx
NFIB @NFIB
@kcbroughton of @WSJ reports on how #SmallBiz assesses the costs of beneficial ownership bills, citing NFIB’s opposition because “they raise privacy concerns and cut into the time that small business owners should be using to run their companies.” https://www.wsj.com/articles/small-businesses-brace-for-compliance-hurdles-under-shell-company-bills-11572782401
Wells Fargo SmallBiz @WellsFargoWorks
New ideas don’t always have to come from the top. Owning a #smallbiz means listening to customers and employees for insight on what could be the next big thing. Find more guidance: http://on.wf.com/60121KRaa
Clay Sanford @Sanford_IRS
The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) has features that can help #smallbiz employers meet their tax obligations. Get more details from #IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminds-employers-about-the-benefits-of-eftps
Lolly Daskal @LollyDaskal
How to Make Your Management Meetings More Productive @LollyDaskal http://bit.ly/2MRrhSd
Leadership News @post_lead
Can you learn to be a leader? http://dld.bz/dDQy2 #smallbiz #leadership
Mark C. Crowley @MarkCCrowley
Next time you send an employee to a #training class, ask them to teach you what they learned & even put together a brief presentation to their colleagues. The adage according to Harvard’s Angela Duckworth (Grit): “Tell me & I forget, teach me & I remember, involve me & I learn.”
Blueboard @blueboard
How do you measure recruiting productivity at your organization? We put together our best recommendations from @Lever, @bamboohr, @MHEducation, @eventbrite, and @RelativityHQ: http://bit.ly/31Py2ea
SHRM @SHRM
Are businesses expecting too much? Or has a college education changed so much — or not kept up enough w/the changing workplace — that a four-year degree is no longer a ticket to a rewarding career and a decent living? https://shrm.co/softskills
Connection Culture @ConnectToThrive
Are you a boss or a leader? @RandyConley shares 7 ways to tell the difference and why it matters to your workplace and #career. http://ow.ly/pbYX50x6IVR
Hannah Morgan @careersherpa
Developing a Career Insurance Policy: https://careersherpa.net/developing-a-career-insurance-policy/
Microsoft begins partnership with Syracuse organizations
SYRACUSE — Tech giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MFST) has started an “expansive” partnership in Syracuse. Company representatives recently visited Syracuse, meeting with community stakeholders and planning for implementation of programs and services it will make available to people, nonprofits, and businesses, per a news release from the local organizations involved. Top executives of Microsoft on Nov.
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SYRACUSE — Tech giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MFST) has started an “expansive” partnership in Syracuse.
Company representatives recently visited Syracuse, meeting with community stakeholders and planning for implementation of programs and services it will make available to people, nonprofits, and businesses, per a news release from the local organizations involved.
Top executives of Microsoft on Nov. 7 joined with the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, and Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (iSchool) for a signing ceremony to launch Microsoft’s “expansive” partnership in Syracuse.
“For this new era of digital transformation to benefit us all, we need to create strong ties across government, academic institutions, and industry in support of a common vision of a digital future. The Syracuse AI Innovation Digital Alliance represents an opportunity for us to formalize a multistakeholder collaboration that will use Artificial Intelligence [AI] in responsible and trustworthy ways in order to create a smarter city and a more accessible environment for the acquisition of digital skills,” Jennifer Byrne, MSUS chief technical officer at Microsoft, said.
Microsoft plans
The memorandum of understanding outlines Microsoft’s plans to select Syracuse as home to its first Smart Cities technology hub in the Northeast.
Microsoft will also seek a location on the Southside Campus for the New Economy geared toward early-stage startups and people who want to build a company.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh discussed the Southside Campus for the New Economy in his “State of the City” address in January, but his office tells CNYBJ that specific locations and parameters on that project are still to come.
The firm will also partner with education providers and community organizations on digital literacy and workforce training.
In addition, Microsoft will sponsor public events, including an “Innovation Summit” before June 30, 2020.
The firm will also support development and research in artificial intelligence (AI) to grow “long-term” opportunities for residents and a “leading-edge” role for Syracuse in that arena. It will also support continued development of an “entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem” to help “establish [and] grow” new startups and innovation jobs.
Significance
The collaboration is “significant” to the Syracuse community because Microsoft will work with the additional partners across the region to deliver a “broad” curriculum of technology and digital-literacy programs to local nonprofits, community centers, educational institutions, employment, and workforce development organizations, and businesses.
The goal is to “more rapidly advance the Syracuse Surge, the community’s strategy of inclusive growth in the New Economy,” per the release.
The iSchool in October announced an alignment of technology initiative and economic development goals between the City, County, the iSchool, Syracuse University, and Microsoft. That followed talks with Microsoft leadership over the summer at its Redmond, Washington, headquarters, led by the iSchool and involving Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County. The City and the iSchool previously have collaborated on smart data events and “Smart Cities” technology initiatives.
Report: 42 percent of unsubsidized ACA enrollees likely to switch plans during open enrollment
A recent survey report from eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a private online marketplace for health insurance, found that nearly eight in 10 consumers (79 percent) said they expect to review their health-insurance plan during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) current open-enrollment period. Those not receiving government subsidies are more inclined to switch plans: 42 percent of consumers
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A recent survey report from eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a private online marketplace for health insurance, found that nearly eight in 10 consumers (79 percent) said they expect to review their health-insurance plan during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) current open-enrollment period.
Those not receiving government subsidies are more inclined to switch plans: 42 percent of consumers not receiving government subsidies say they’re likely to switch to a new plan, compared to 35 percent of consumers who do receive subsidies. Among all consumers, 40 percent are likely to switch (see pie chart).
The report also found that unsubsidized consumers are significantly less happy with their premiums: 76 percent of those receiving government subsidies express satisfaction with their monthly premium, compared to 33 percent of those not receiving subsidies.
The survey findings are based on a voluntary survey of consumers who purchased ACA-compliant health-insurance coverage at eHealth.com. A total of 508 responses were collected.
The full report is available at https://news.ehealthinsurance.com/_ir/68/201910/eHealth_ACA_Choices_Survey_for_Open_Enrollment_2020.pdf
“While premiums may be going down for many next year, our recent analysis shows that many will face increased out-of-pocket costs, which is another reason to reconsider their coverage choices,” eHealth CEO Scott Flanders said in a statement.
State siting board approves Lewis County wind farm
LOWVILLE — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) on Nov. 12 granted approval to Number Three Wind, LLC to construct and operate a wind farm in Lewis County. The Siting Board’s decision followed “an extensive review and public participation process to ensure that the wind farm meets
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LOWVILLE — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) on Nov. 12 granted approval to Number Three Wind, LLC to construct and operate a wind farm in Lewis County.
The Siting Board’s decision followed “an extensive review and public participation process to ensure that the wind farm meets or exceeds all siting requirements,” according to a release from the Siting Board.
The 105.8-megawatt (MW) Number Three Wind project will consist of 31 turbines — 13 to be located in the Town of Lowville and 18 to be deployed in the Town of Harrisburg.
In addition to the turbines, project facilities will include access roads, electric collection lines, a project substation, meteorological towers, an operation and maintenance building, and electrical interconnection facilities, the release stated. The project will be interconnected to the grid via an overhead 115-kV interconnection line about four miles long from a project substation to a new 115-kV switchyard in the Town of Lowville, to be built adjacent to National Grid’s existing Lowville-Bremen 115 kV line.
The facility will be located on about 8,000 acres of leased or owned property. The developer contends the project will have positive economic impacts of five permanent jobs, temporary construction employment, lease payments to landowners, and a new source of revenue for schools, fire departments, county government, and town governments. Number Three Wind — an affiliate of Chicago–based Invenergy, LLC — estimated that the project construction will create about 50 jobs with a payroll of $4.2 million.
The Siting Board said it determined that the wind farm will be a “beneficial addition to the electric generation capacity” of the state and is consistent with the state’s energy policy and planning objectives. The facility will also serve the goals of improving fuel diversity, grid reliability, and modernization of grid infrastructure. Fuel diversity will be improved through generation of electricity with wind power rather than with fossil fuels; grid reliability will be enhanced through additional generation of power from a separate site through a different energy source; and modernization of the grid will result from construction of a new electric-generating facility, the Siting Board added.
Number Three Wind stated that it expects to enter into a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency and it will be subject to special district taxes. Based on similar arrangements at other wind projects in New York, Number Three Wind estimates the project will generate “substantial tax revenue for the county, towns, school districts, and fire departments that serve the parcels where the project facilities will be located.” The release didn’t provide estimated dollar amounts for the PILOT agreements.
PAR expects acquisition of Florida software firm to close in Q4
NEW HARTFORD — ParTech Inc. expects its deal to acquire a Tampa, Florida–based restaurant software company will close “during the fourth quarter of 2019.” The company on Nov. 7 announced it had agreed to acquire AccSys, LLC, also known as Restaurant Magic, for $42 million. ParTech is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Hartford–based PAR
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NEW HARTFORD — ParTech Inc. expects its deal to acquire a Tampa, Florida–based restaurant software company will close “during the fourth quarter of 2019.”
The company on Nov. 7 announced it had agreed to acquire AccSys, LLC, also known as Restaurant Magic, for $42 million.
ParTech is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Hartford–based PAR Technology (NYSE: PAR).
Restaurant Magic is the developer of Data Central, PAR said in a news release. Data Central is a suite of cloud back-office applications to help restaurants achieve operational and financial goals. The purchase price of $42 million for Restaurant Magic will be financed primarily through cash and equity.
PAR Technology announced the upcoming acquisition as the firm reported a net loss of $5.9 million, or 36 cents per share, in the third quarter. The figures compare to a net loss of $16.7 million, or $1.04 a share, during the same period in 2018.
Restaurant Magic is a “leader” in back office subscription software for enterprise restaurants, Savneet Singh, president & CEO of PAR Technology, contended in the release.
“Restaurant Magic’s software leverages business intelligence and automation technologies to decrease food costs, manage labor, and improve overall customer service. This announcement today marks another significant milestone in the rapid evolution of PAR Technology. Our company continues to transform itself as we build out our restaurant-technology solutions, led by our Brink [point of sale (POS)] software, to be the leading cloud technology provider for enterprise restaurants…. Combining restaurant management with our leading Brink POS software will alter how enterprise restaurants communicate, access data, conduct commerce, and manage their businesses across rapidly converging tech platforms,” Singh said.
“We are thrilled to be joining forces with PAR Technology. Our decision to become a part of PAR was based upon our belief that by combining our companies we will provide new and stronger opportunities to our clients and employees,” Drew Peloubet, CEO of Restaurant Magic, added. “The goal of our company has always been to maintain continual growth for our company to better meet the needs of our customers, while fiercely protecting the investment our end users have made in deploying our back office software applications. Restaurant Magic’s suite of enterprise applications and services are an excellent fit with PAR Technology’s popular restaurant technology offerings, and together will provide customers throughout the restaurant industry with the most robust set of solutions in the marketplace. The combination of PAR and Restaurant Magic will immediately create an industry leading, front to backend cloud-technology solution for restaurants.”
Fuchsberg takes over as Genius NY director at Tech Garden
SYRACUSE — Genius NY, a business-accelerator program at CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden, has a new director. Genius NY stands for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York. The program says it has hired Jeff Fuchsberg as director of Genius NY. He has been serving as CenterState CEO’s entrepreneur-in-residence. Fuchsberg replaces Jonathan Parry, who departed
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SYRACUSE — Genius NY, a business-accelerator program at CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden, has a new director.
Genius NY stands for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York.
The program says it has hired Jeff Fuchsberg as director of Genius NY. He has been serving as CenterState CEO’s entrepreneur-in-residence.
Fuchsberg replaces Jonathan Parry, who departed the program to join a startup in Skaneateles, Elle Hanna, director of communications and media relations, tells CNYBJ in an email.
In his new role, Fuchsberg will manage the programming and support for companies in the Genius NY program.
Fuchsberg recently served as senior director of innovation projects at the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation in El Paso, Texas. Fuchsberg holds a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Cornell University, and a juris doctorate degree from the Syracuse University College of Law with an advanced certificate in technology commercialization law from the New York State Science & Technology Law Center.
He is also certified as a business incubator manager by the International Business Innovation Association.
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