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What Great Legislators Have in Common
All the great politicians and legislators I’ve known over the course of my career in Congress were different. They were masters of the rules, or unassailably knowledgeable about a given issue, or supremely watchable orators. But they also shared key traits that I wish more elected officials possessed. For starters, the great politicians I’ve met […]
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All the great politicians and legislators I’ve known over the course of my career in Congress were different. They were masters of the rules, or unassailably knowledgeable about a given issue, or supremely watchable orators. But they also shared key traits that I wish more elected officials possessed.
For starters, the great politicians I’ve met enjoyed the game, and they worked on the skills needed to play it well. They were good speakers and adroit persuaders, whether on the floor of the Congress or sitting in a supporter’s living room with a dozen strangers.
They also embraced a life in politics because they believed they could make a difference. They had confidence in themselves, their ideas, and their ability to find their way out of tough spots. They were not dismayed by the give and take of politics — if anything, they relished it.
The great politicians I knew could master legislative detail. Serious legislating requires mind-numbing work. Effective legislators not only don’t mind this, they see it as an opportunity to put their imprint on the law.
Many of the strongest political leaders I met over the years had a passion for leadership. We have 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 senators; they’re already leaders. So the people who in turn rose to the top of those ranks had something extra — they wanted to be leaders of the leaders.
And not just in Congress. Their attitude toward the presidents they served with was interesting. They had a deep respect for the office of the presidency, but they insisted that the president display equal respect for Congress. They took the idea of a co-equal branch of government seriously.
They applied the same sensibility to their colleagues. They were serious about strengthening the institution from the inside. They sought to build its capabilities — for research and analysis, for oversight, and for all the capabilities a branch of government charged with making policy might need.
Lee Hamilton is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years, representing a district in south central Indiana.
Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP has promoted RENATA DABROWSKA to partner. She joined Sciarabba Walker in 2007 and has served as head of the firm’s Audit Department since 2014. Prior to joining Sciarabba Walker, she worked as a controller at Vybion Inc., a local biotechnology company. Dabrowska, a CPA, earned her master’s degree in accounting
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Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP has promoted RENATA DABROWSKA to partner. She joined Sciarabba Walker in 2007 and has served as head of the firm’s Audit Department since 2014. Prior to joining Sciarabba Walker, she worked as a controller at Vybion Inc., a local biotechnology company. Dabrowska, a CPA, earned her master’s degree in accounting from the Cracow University of Economics in Poland.
Pinckney Hugo Group has hired ARYN FIELDS as an account manager. She previously worked as communications director on a congressional campaign, and served as a press secretary and communications assistant for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. She has a master’s degree in political communication from American University and a bachelor’s degree in government
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Pinckney Hugo Group has hired ARYN FIELDS as an account manager. She previously worked as communications director on a congressional campaign, and served as a press secretary and communications assistant for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. She has a master’s degree in political communication from American University and a bachelor’s degree in government and journalism from California State University, Sacramento.
NICOLE BLUE has been hired as a junior digital developer. She will be responsible for assisting in the front-end development of websites.
Acumen Detection, a provider of rapid, on-farm pathogen identification systems for dairy farmers, has hired COURTNEY MANLEY as marketing coordinator. She started working at Acumen Detection as an intern nearly two years ago and gradually became a marketing specialist, expanding her knowledge in customer segmentation and relationship management systems. Manley recently received her bachelor’s degree
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Acumen Detection, a provider of rapid, on-farm pathogen identification systems for dairy farmers, has hired COURTNEY MANLEY as marketing coordinator. She started working at Acumen Detection as an intern nearly two years ago and gradually became a marketing specialist, expanding her knowledge in customer segmentation and relationship management systems. Manley recently received her bachelor’s degree in marketing and business analytics from Le Moyne College.
Community Bank, N.A. has promoted JAMES VEDORA to commercial team leader in Geneva. He has nearly two decades of experience in commercial lending. Vedora has been with Community Bank since June 2003, when he joined as a commercial banker. He previously spent time with National Bank of Geneva as commercial banker and credit analyst. Vedora
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Community Bank, N.A. has promoted JAMES VEDORA to commercial team leader in Geneva. He has nearly two decades of experience in commercial lending. Vedora has been with Community Bank since June 2003, when he joined as a commercial banker. He previously spent time with National Bank of Geneva as commercial banker and credit analyst. Vedora earned his bachelor’s degree from Hobart & William Smith Colleges.
Whelan & Curry Construction Services, Inc.
Whelan & Curry Construction Services, Inc. announced that DEBBIE GUNTHER has joined the firm as office manager. She has more than 10 years of experience in construction as a project assistant and construction office management. SEAN PECK comes to Whelan & Curry as an experienced project manager with both a commercial and residential background. He
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Whelan & Curry Construction Services, Inc. announced that DEBBIE GUNTHER has joined the firm as office manager. She has more than 10 years of experience in construction as a project assistant and construction office management. SEAN PECK comes to Whelan & Curry as an experienced project manager with both a commercial and residential background. He is a LEED green associate with experience in project engineering and drafting. CONNOR BERTRAND joined Whelan & Curry as new superintendent. He has a background in residential restoration projects and has several years of experience as a superintendent on commercial projects across the nation. Bertrand is also a veteran.
CenterState CEO has hired SARAH DAVIS as its program coordinator for the GENIUS NY program run from its Tech Garden. She most recently worked for New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe, providing constituent services from his North Syracuse office. Davis brings experience in event planning, communications, and government relations to her new role. She holds
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CenterState CEO has hired SARAH DAVIS as its program coordinator for the GENIUS NY program run from its Tech Garden. She most recently worked for New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe, providing constituent services from his North Syracuse office. Davis brings experience in event planning, communications, and government relations to her new role. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and also earned dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Francophone studies from St. Lawrence University.
BENJAMIN SALTZMAN has joined Strategic Financial Services, Inc. as a financial-planning specialist. Before joining Strategic, Saltzman was an associate financial planner for NBT Bank in Utica. He has a bachelor’s degree in management from Siena College and is currently working to become a certified financial planner.
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BENJAMIN SALTZMAN has joined Strategic Financial Services, Inc. as a financial-planning specialist. Before joining Strategic, Saltzman was an associate financial planner for NBT Bank in Utica. He has a bachelor’s degree in management from Siena College and is currently working to become a certified financial planner.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named c as the company’s senior VP and corporate medical director. A primary care physician and lifelong resident of Rochester, he is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Certifying Commission in Medical Management. Cohen has served as a medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, as well as the
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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named c as the company’s senior VP and corporate medical director. A primary care physician and lifelong resident of Rochester, he is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Certifying Commission in Medical Management. Cohen has served as a medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, as well as the president of Lifetime Care Home Health Care and Hospice and Lifetime Health Medical Group. He served as corporate VP for medical affairs at MVP Health Care from 2006 to 2012. Cohen has also served as the lab and medical director for Ignitehealth Wellness Management Services and medical director for Relph Benefit Advisors. After graduating from Albany Medical College, he completed his residency in primary care internal medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and held a leadership role at the University of Rochester Center for Primary Care.
Barclay Damon has hired DAVID FULVIO, associate, to work from the firm’s Syracuse office. He is a member of the torts & products liability defense and professional liability practice areas. Prior to joining Barclay Damon, he was an associate at Villani & Grow. Fulvio graduated from the Boston University School of Law.
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Barclay Damon has hired DAVID FULVIO, associate, to work from the firm’s Syracuse office. He is a member of the torts & products liability defense and professional liability practice areas. Prior to joining Barclay Damon, he was an associate at Villani & Grow. Fulvio graduated from the Boston University School of Law.
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