SYRACUSE — The woman who served as director of operations of the CNY Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) since 2016 is now its executive director.

Upstate Medical University has named Kathi Durdon to the position, which is new, Darryl Geddes, director of public and media relations at Upstate Medical University, tells CNYBJ in an email.

The CNYBAC is located at 841 E. Fayette St. in Syracuse, and is owned and operated by Upstate Medical University.

As executive director, Durdon will “strengthen” economic-development partnerships to promote opportunities for Upstate researchers, graduates and clients housed at CNYBAC, and the “innovation community dedicated to making an impact in the CNY region,” according to an Upstate Medical news release.

Prior to her work with the CNY Biotech Accelerator, Durdon previously served as manager of clinical operations at Welch Allyn between 2005 and 2015 and as director of clinical trials at Upstate Medical between 1999 and 2005.

Durdon has led efforts in developing streamlined operations and supportive infrastructure, Upstate Medical said. She also led marketing strategies that have resulted in “full occupancy” at the CNYBAC. 

Others occupying additional space at the facility include biotech clients working on commercialization efforts; Upstate Medical’s department of pathology molecular genetics lab; and a research team of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry working with growth chambers to develop blight-resistance chestnut trees.

Durdon’s work was also instrumental in CNYBAC’s status as a certified business incubator through Empire State Development, Upstate Medical noted. 

To “enhance the capabilities” of CNYBAC, Durdon created a competitive annual grant-funded Medical Device Innovation Challenge that has now graduated 10 early stage startup companies.

CNYBAC clients have access to Upstate Medical University clinical and basic science experts; graduate student interns (at a 50 percent reduced rate); and research facilities and equipment with technical assistance. CNYBAC also offers virtual occupancy for those companies that don’t need to reside physically in the incubator space but would like access to expert partnerships, webcast events, and mentorship.

The CNYBAC was established in late 2012 through a joint project between Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse.

AUBURN — Sharpshooters Laser Tag — which also offers numerous other video games, jump houses, and modern play equipment — has a new home at 44 Washington St. in Auburn, Bouck Real Estate announced. 

Mike Hardesty, licensed salesperson with Bouck, worked with building owner Richard Shea, to bring the tenant to the former Car Quest location. The 6,000-square-foot facility will host a laser-tag area, featuring the Beam by Eye Click, according to a Bouck Real Estate news release.

“This building is the perfect size for our laser tag experience. Beam by Eye Click, an interactive game, is the first in our area,” Sharpshooters Laser Tag owner, Anthony Feocco, said in the release. 

Summer hours began Friday, July 5. 

The 44 Washington St. building had been vacant for more than a year, according to Bouck Real Estate. John Bouck, owner of the commercial real-estate company, said that this transaction “is a continuation of what we are seeing as a commercial business resurgence in our community. Based on our very busy office, we anticipate this trend will continue.”

At its annual meeting in June, Operation Oswego County (OOC) presented its 2019 Jobs Award to EJ USA, Inc. in recognition of the significant contribution and impact of the company’s new 71,300-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and its northeastern distribution and logistics hub situated in the Oswego County Industrial Park in the town of Schroeppel. OOC also lauded EJ USA for its “critical and essential role in fabricating products for infrastructure development; for employing over 100 workers; for investing $10 million; and for becoming an integral part of Oswego County’s and Central New York’s manufacturing community.” Pictured from left to right are: Barbara Bateman, OOC board president; Timothy McKernan, EJ USA facility manager; Melissa Krak, EJ USA sales; and L. Michael Treadwell, OOC executive director.

Upstate New York consumers and those across the state were less confident in the second quarter compared to the first three months of the year, according to a new report.

Consumer sentiment in upstate New York was measured at 85.2 in this year’s second quarter, down 3.8 points from 89 in the first quarter. That’s according to the latest quarterly survey of upstate and statewide consumer sentiment that the Siena College Research Institute (SRI) released July 2. 

Upstate’s overall sentiment of 85.2 was 1.9 points below the statewide consumer-sentiment level of 87.1, which fell 6.2 points from the first quarter.

The statewide figure was 11.1 points lower than the second-quarter figure of 98.2 for the entire nation, which was down 0.2 points from the first-quarter measurement, as measure by the University of Michigan’s consumer-sentiment index. 

After three consecutive quarters of robust consumer sentiment, the New York index “nose-dived,” falling over six points in the second quarter, Doug Lonnstrom, professor of statistics and finance at Siena College and SRI founding director, said in the SRI report.

“Despite remaining well above the breakeven point at which optimism and pessimism are balanced, every group — men, women, upstate, downstate, young and old — recorded declining sentiment driven more so by their current outlook than by their future. Perhaps driven by news of tariffs, trade wars, stock market volatility or the start of the 2020 campaign, a shrinking plurality of New Yorkers now say that they are better off financially today than they were a year ago,” said Lonnstrom. 

In the second quarter of 2019, buying plans were up 4.6 percentage points since the first-quarter measurement to 27.8 percent for major home improvements. However, buying plans were down 2.6 percentage points to 21.1 percent for cars and trucks; declined 2.9 points to 46.5 percent for consumer electronics; fell 3.7 points to 30.2 percent for furniture; and declined 1.9 points to 8.6 percent for homes. 

“Buying plans, while still strong, declined this quarter for cars, electronics, furniture, and homes. Plans for home improvements rose this spring to nearly 28 percent setting an all-time high in our survey. Overall, a growing percentage of New Yorkers amidst falling current sentiment expressed indecision towards making major purchases,” said Lonnstrom.

Food prices

When asked about food prices, 57 percent of upstate respondents indicated the price of groceries was having a serious impact on their finances, down from 62 percent in the first quarter and from 60 percent in the final quarter of last year.

At the same time, 64 percent of statewide respondents indicated the price of food was having a serious impact on their monthly finances, up from 59 percent in the first quarter and up from 61 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. 

SRI conducted its survey of consumer sentiment between June 11 and June 18 by telephone calls to 384 New York residents adults via landline and cell phones and 456 responses drawn from a proprietary online panel of New Yorkers.

It has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, according to SRI.

AUBURN —East Hill Family Medical, Inc. and its Summit Pediatrics unit announced they have received “patient-centered medical home” recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. 

East Hill Family Medical, a family medicine practice, said in a release it is the only organization based in both the City of Auburn and Cayuga County to be awarded New York State patient-centered medical home recognition. 

To earn the designation, East Hill Family Medical said it ensures its health-care providers work in teams to offer coordinated care to best meet patients’ needs. These teams take into consideration not only patients’ direct heath needs, but also their support network, lifestyle, and personal goals. 

“This is about putting the patient in the driver’s seat when it comes to their own care,” April Miles, East Hill Medical’s director of clinical services, said in the release.

East Hill Family Medical and Summit Pediatrics received their distinctions on June 28. The process took nearly a year, and included meeting “high standards of quality assurance,” the organizations said. 

LOWVILLE —The George R. Davis Fund of the Northern New York (NNY) Community Foundation will provide $10,000 in total grant support for four projects in the Lowville area. 

“The geographic-specific fund serves as a permanent resource for programs, projects, and initiatives to enhance quality of life in the village and town of Lowville in perpetuity,” the foundation said in a news release.

Double Play Community Sports Center will receive a $4,250 grant award this year. Funding will help with startup programming at a new “Teen and Senior Activity Center” in a space the organization secured on North State Street in Lowville. The center plans to host senior activities during the day and teen programs after school through the early evening, six days a week. Double Play is covering any remodeling expenses with a goal to open the facility later this summer.

“We are proud to help continue the legacy of Judge Davis in a specific geographic area that he cared so deeply about,” Max DelSignore, NNY Community Foundation assistant director, said in the release. “His impact will be felt in several programs that aim to improve quality of life for residents of the community he genuinely loved.”

A three-person committee reviews grant applications for the George R. Davis Fund each year. The committee evaluates each proposal on its merits using the “greatest positive impact on the community” as guiding criteria in making an award, the foundation says. Projects may be large or small. A total of $10,000 was available for funding in 2019.

The other three grants that the fund approved for 2019 are for:

• Lewis County Amateur Hockey Association — $3,500 to help the organization meet its fundraising goal to install new chiller lines at the Lewis County Skating Rink / Lowville Forest Park Pavilion.

• Lewis County Historical Society — $1,500 to support publication costs for a book it plans to publish in collaboration with the New York State Bar Association about the legal history of Lewis County. The funding will also help the organization secure a student intern and assist with an internship stipend.

• Lowville Free Library — $750 to support an educational lab for local children ages 3 to 12 to introduce coding and teach students broader problem-solving skills, logic, sequencing, creativity, and teamwork.

The grant will help purchase coding starter kits that will be integrated into current library and summer reading programs, school breaks, and other youth outreach beginning this summer.

The Honorable George R. Davis lived almost his whole life in Lowville. Judge Davis, as he was known, served for more than 20 years as Lewis County judge from 1962 to 1983, previously serving as district attorney. He was active in civic affairs throughout his life with a particular interest in local history, including the history of Lowville Academy where his father served as supervising principal for more than 35 years. Davis passed away in February 2010.

“Judge Davis’ devotion to his community was extraordinary. One of Judge Davis’ lasting legacies is this unique community fund,” the release stated.

Started in 1929, the NNY Community Foundation helps fund organizations and initiatives aimed at improving and enriching the quality of life in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Through partnerships with businesses, organizations, individual donors, families, and charitable foundations, the foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. 

SYRACUSE — NYSERNet.org, Inc. announced that its board of directors has recently appointed Stephen Kankus president of the nonprofit internet service provider serving colleges, museums, health-care facilities, primary and secondary schools, and research institutions.

Kankus has been with NYSERNet since 1994, serving in roles including research associate, director of education services, director of operations, COO, and interim president.

“It’s terrific when you find the right person with the right experience at the right time in the history of this organization. Steve has proven over his long tenure with NYSERNet to have a deep understanding of higher education and advanced networking. We know that he will drive future innovations through strong collaborations with a dedicated board and the talented staff at NYSERNet,” John E. Kolb, NYSERNet’s board president and chairman, said in a new release. Kolb is VP for information services and technology and chief information officer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Under Kankus’ leadership, NYSERNet said it will continue to advance the research and educational missions of its members by delivering a “full range of customized, progressive, high speed, and affordable end-to-end data and networking technology solutions that exclusively supports research and education.” 

Chris Sedore was the previous leader of NYSERNet, before leaving to become CIO of the University of Texas (UT) at Austin on Aug. 1, 2018. Sedore had served as the president and CEO of NYSERNet from 2016 to 2018. Before that, he was the CIO at Syracuse University for six years, according to his bio on the UT website.

NYSERNet has delivered internet services to the research and education community for more than 30 years. The organization’s members include universities, colleges, museums, health-care facilities, primary and secondary schools, and research institutions. It is headquartered at 100 S. Salina St. in downtown Syracuse.