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Digital Hyve has announced four new hires and two promotions. ANJA GODLEWSKI-DYKES has been promoted from account manager to Digital Hyve’s second senior account manager. She started with the firm as an account coordinator, moving into the role of account manager before her promotion. CONNOR DEHAAN has been promoted from graphic designer to Digital Hyve’s […]
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Digital Hyve has announced four new hires and two promotions.
ANJA GODLEWSKI-DYKES has been promoted from account manager to Digital Hyve’s second senior account manager. She started with the firm as an account coordinator, moving into the role of account manager before her promotion.
CONNOR DEHAAN has been promoted from graphic designer to Digital Hyve’s first-ever senior graphic designer. He has a natural talent for design, coupled with his ability to capture a client’s vision for its brand.
AIDAN RUSSO joins the Syracuse office as digital marketing producer. He graduated from Syracuse University with a music industry degree. Russo previously worked as a freelance writer, interned for a YouTube Channel called WatchCut, and interned at SubCat Music Studios.
SARAH MALAVENDA joins the Syracuse office as Digital Hyve’s SEO specialist. She attended Fordham University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies & Spanish language and literature. Before joining Digital Hyve, Malavenda interned at Penguin Random House. Along with her attention to detail and writing experience, she brings SEO knowledge for content creation.
KYLEE SHAUGHNESSY started at Digital Hyve as an intern, and now joins the Syracuse office as digital marketing assistant. She is completing her degree at Le Moyne College. In addition to her internship at Digital Hyve, she completed marketing internships at CXtec and Sodexo.
SCOTT COLE has come on board as Digital Hyve’s first Rochester graphic designer. He joins Digital Hyve from the Democrat and Chronicle. He brings years of design experience as well as experience with designing automotive ads.
The Mohawk Valley Community College
The Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has appointed ANN LAIRD as National Science Foundation advanced technology program coordinator. She previously served at Everett Community College in Washington in several capacities since 2013 and also worked as an instructor at Shoreline Community College in Washington as a field representative for the U.S. Census Bureau, and an
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The Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has appointed ANN LAIRD as National Science Foundation advanced technology program coordinator. She previously served at Everett Community College in Washington in several capacities since 2013 and also worked as an instructor at Shoreline Community College in Washington as a field representative for the U.S. Census Bureau, and an admissions adviser and recruiter for Alaska Pacific University. Laird holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Alaska Pacific University and a master’s of education degree in leadership from Concordia University. BRITTNEE MEXICO has transitioned to head coach/athletics specialist. She has led the MVCC women’s softball team and also served as a coordinator of student athlete success and transfer since 2017. Prior to joining MVCC, Mexico spent six years at Utica College in various positions. She also has experience working as the head modified/JV girls’ softball coach at Herkimer High School and holds certificates in First Aid/CPR and as an American Red Cross Lifeguard. Mexico holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and sociology/anthropology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in education from Utica College. SAMANTHA O’NEIL was appointed career and employer relations specialist. Prior to joining MVCC, O’Neil worked at Utica College in several capacities since 2014. She holds an associate degree in childhood education from MVCC, a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Utica College, and a master’s degree in higher education administration from McKendree University. ISABELLA POPOWSKI was appointed events and guest services associate. Prior to joining MVCC, she worked as a sales associate at Old Navy and was a manager on duty/customer service lead at Tops. Popowski holds an associate degree in early childhood education from MVCC.
DANIEL CICIARELLI has joined JAS Recruitment as a recruitment and account manager. He brings extensive knowledge of leadership, marketing, finance, and business analytics. Ciciarelli earned a bachelor’s degree in business management, finance from Johnson & Wales University. BRANDON GERRITZ has joined JAS Recruitment as a recruitment and account manager. He has an extensive knowledge of
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DANIEL CICIARELLI has joined JAS Recruitment as a recruitment and account manager. He brings extensive knowledge of leadership, marketing, finance, and business analytics. Ciciarelli earned a bachelor’s degree in business management, finance from Johnson & Wales University. BRANDON GERRITZ has joined JAS Recruitment as a recruitment and account manager. He has an extensive knowledge of leadership, manufacturing, IT, and customer support. Gerritz earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University at Buffalo.
MARK DUGAS has joined Ambient Environmental, Inc. as a senior consultant specializing in EHS (environment, health, and safety) regulatory compliance, risk management, and waste minimization. He has more than 20 years working in the environmental industry. Dugas earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental analysis and policy from Boston University.
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MARK DUGAS has joined Ambient Environmental, Inc. as a senior consultant specializing in EHS (environment, health, and safety) regulatory compliance, risk management, and waste minimization. He has more than 20 years working in the environmental industry. Dugas earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental analysis and policy from Boston University.
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (Janney) announced that SAMUEL SAMMARCO, senior VP/wealth management, WILLIAM MOORE, VP/wealth management, and WILLIAM NICE, VP president/wealth management have joined the firm’s Syracuse branch office. They are accompanied by LORRIE FRAWLEY, senior register private client associate. The team was previously affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors. Sammarco, Moore, and Nice join Janney
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Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (Janney) announced that SAMUEL SAMMARCO, senior VP/wealth management, WILLIAM MOORE, VP/wealth management, and WILLIAM NICE, VP president/wealth management have joined the firm’s Syracuse branch office. They are accompanied by LORRIE FRAWLEY, senior register private client associate. The team was previously affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors. Sammarco, Moore, and Nice join Janney with nearly 100 years of combined financial-services industry experience. Sammarco is a 50-year industry veteran. He spent six years serving in the U.S. Army National Guard – New York State and co-founded the A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. Syracuse office in 1993. Moore has 20 years industry experience and is a certified financial planner. Prior to entering the financial-services industry, he worked as a professional engineer at the James F. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power plant. He graduated from SUNY Buffalo and Oswego with a degree in physics and mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in education. Nice, also a 20-year industry veteran, graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in business administration.
Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, tech, HR, career, and personal tips. VETS_DOL @VETS_DOLVeterans: Start or grow
Verisma Systems expands at Marsellus Commons
SYRACUSE — Verisma Systems, Inc., a health-information technology provider, recently expanded at the Marsellus Commons building at 101 Richmond Ave. in Syracuse. Expanding from 12,753 square feet to a total of 18,190 square feet, Verisma Systems now occupies the entire 4th and 5th floors of the building. Ed Kiesa, of CBRE Syracuse, brokered the expanded
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SYRACUSE — Verisma Systems, Inc., a health-information technology provider, recently expanded at the Marsellus Commons building at 101 Richmond Ave. in Syracuse.
Expanding from 12,753 square feet to a total of 18,190 square feet, Verisma Systems now occupies the entire 4th and 5th floors of the building. Ed Kiesa, of CBRE Syracuse, brokered the expanded lease, according to a release from the real-estate firm.
Marsellus Commons — a 78,900-square-foot, 6-story office tower — is now 96 percent occupied, the release stated.
Verisma Systems says its cloud-based, certified products “automate and deliver comprehensive release management and audit capabilities.”
Jefferson County hotel occupancy rate falls nearly 6 percent in August
WATERTOWN— Hotels in Jefferson County saw fewer guests in August compared to a year ago, breaking a long string of monthly occupancy increases, according to a recent report. The hotel occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county fell 5.9 percent to 74.2 percent in August from 78.8 percent in
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WATERTOWN— Hotels in Jefferson County saw fewer guests in August compared to a year ago, breaking a long string of monthly occupancy increases, according to a recent report.
The hotel occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county fell 5.9 percent to 74.2 percent in August from 78.8 percent in the year-prior month, according to STR, a Tennessee–based hotel market data and analytics company. That broke a steak of 12 consecutive months in which Jefferson County’s occupancy increased. Through the first eight months of 2018, the occupancy rate was up 4.5 percent to 54.6 percent.
Revenue per available room (RevPAR), a key industry indicator that measures how much money hotels are bringing in per available room, slipped 3.9 percent to $86.13 in August from $89.61 in August 2017. That ended a 12-month span in which Jefferson County’s RevPAR had gained. Year to date through August, the county’s RevPAR was up 5.3 percent to $54.26.
Average daily rate (or ADR), which represents the average rental rate for a sold room, edged up 2.1 percent to $116.11 in August from $113.69 a year earlier, per STR. Jefferson County’s ADR is up 0.7 percent year to date to $99.42.
SWBR, a Rochester–based architectural and design firm that has a Syracuse office, announced it has named Michael Picard to its leadership team as chief financial officer (CFO). With more than three decades of financial-management experience, Picard most recently was the CFO at the Costello Group, a Rochester–area real-estate development and property management firm. He served
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SWBR, a Rochester–based architectural and design firm that has a Syracuse office, announced it has named Michael Picard to its leadership team as chief financial officer (CFO).
With more than three decades of financial-management experience, Picard most recently was the CFO at the Costello Group, a Rochester–area real-estate development and property management firm. He served as an executive manager of all financial operations, treasury management, debt service, regulatory reporting, and provided strategic analysis, according to an SWBR release.
Picard earned a master’s degree in finance and management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as well as a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University, the release stated.
SWBR Architects, based in downtown Rochester and founded in 1969, provides architecture, structural engineering, landscape architecture, graphic design, and interior services. Its Syracuse office is located on South Franklin Street in Armory Square.

Greek Peak spends $2.5M on equipment, projects
VIRGIL — Since the start of 2017, Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland County says it has spent about $2.5 million on improvement projects. The resort in Virgil, south of Cortland, spent about $1 million during 2017 and another $1.5 million on the ski area and lodging this year. “In a time when [New York
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VIRGIL — Since the start of 2017, Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland County says it has spent about $2.5 million on improvement projects.
The resort in Virgil, south of Cortland, spent about $1 million during 2017 and another $1.5 million on the ski area and lodging this year.
“In a time when [New York State] continues to increase operating expenses such as increased minimum wage, minimum salaries and other mandates which impact the bottom line, this is an aggressive approach putting it mildly,” Wesley Kryger, president of Greek Peak Mountain Resort, contended in a release.
Greek Peak said it is tentatively set to open the new ski season Nov. 24, weather “cooperating and permitting.”
Spending outlined
Greek Peak has spent more than $231,000 on snowmaking improvements. With that investment, crews have installed new pipes on Odyssey and Upper Mars Hill, replaced 750 feet of snowmaking pipe, added 14 new snow guns, and a new SMI tower fan.
Greek Peak also disbursed more than $266,000 to purchase 68 new snowmaking guns for installation on trails that include Upper Odyssey, Meadow, Platonic, Alpha and Mars Hill. Greek Peak says it used a NYSERDA matching funds grant to make the purchase.
Greek Peak invested about $600,000 for two groomers. It also spent more than $43,000 for a P-Tex machine for ski tuning and repair, about $10,000 for “high performance” ski rentals, about $9,000 on rental ski poles, and about $45,000 for resort and hill uniforms.
Greek Peak says the improvements have resulted in an increase in snow-gun capability of 1,000 gallons per minute.
Besides the focus on snowmaking improvements, Greek Peak allocated about $180,000 to chair-lift improvements.
Greek Peak also spent about $5,500 to relocate its welcome center and guest-services area to the ticket-booth building.
“We found that having two buildings servicing guests was causing guest confusion while navigating from parking, through ticketing, to … the snow,” per the Greek Peak news release.
The previous welcome center will now become administrative offices. Guest services and the ticket booth will be located together in the lower Katalima building, Greek Peak said.
The Greek Peak investments also focused on lodge improvements. That included about $30,000 for catering equipment, a gazebo, and a mountain-top deck; about $30,000 for a wedding-tent venue and new flooring; roughly $35,000 for an LED light-replacement project; and about $45,000 for a “Big Bear Activity Zone” at Cascades Indoor Waterpark.
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