Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

NYS Blues Festival announces headlining act this June
GEDDES, N.Y. — The Warren Haynes Band will headline this year’s New York State Blues Festival, which is set for Chevy Court at the New

NBT Bank names president of CNY and Pennsylvania
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — NBT Bank has promoted David Kavney to president of Central New York and Pennsylvania, a new role he will fill in addition to his responsibilities as regional president of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Kavney’s expanded responsibilities include supporting NBT’s commercial banking leaders and teams in Central New York, the
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — NBT Bank has promoted David Kavney to president of Central New York and Pennsylvania, a new role he will fill in addition to his responsibilities as regional president of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
Kavney’s expanded responsibilities include supporting NBT’s commercial banking leaders and teams in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the Southern Tier, Binghamton, and Pennsylvania and guiding growth opportunities associated with the Upstate New York Chip Corridor (also known as the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub).
“David’s exceptional leadership and dedication will help our commercial banking team realize continued growth in these markets where NBT has a long-established reputation for exceptional service,” NBT Bancorp President/CEO Scott Kingsley said in a statement. NBT Bancorp (NASDAQ: NBTB) is NBT Bank’s parent company.
Kavney joined NBT in 2019 and has more than 35 years of experience in commercial banking across the region. Under his leadership, NBT earned recognition as a Best Place to Work from the Central New York Business Journal and BizEventz several years in a row and was named CenterState CEO’s Business of the Year for Community Involvement in 2024. He is active in several business and community groups including Mohawk Valley EDGE, CenterState CEO, and First Tee of Syracuse.
Headquartered in Norwich, NBT Bank operates 155 branches across New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. NBT Bancorp has total assets of nearly $14 billion.

Ithaca woman charged with defrauding state pension plan out of nearly $70K
ITHACA, N.Y. — An Ithaca woman is accused of stealing almost $70,000 in state pension payments meant for her deceased husband, according to an announcement

Syracuse airport issues annual report
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) marked its 75-year anniversary with the annual State of the Airport event on Friday morning. More than

Curtis Lumber to acquire JAY-K Independent Lumber in New Hartford
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — Curtis Lumber, a Saratoga County firm, announced it will acquire JAY-K Independent Lumber Corp., of New Hartford, in a deal expected to close in February. With the acquisition, Curtis Lumber, based in Ballston Spa, plans to close its Waterville location on April 1 and consolidate it into the New Hartford store,
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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — Curtis Lumber, a Saratoga County firm, announced it will acquire JAY-K Independent Lumber Corp., of New Hartford, in a deal expected to close in February.
With the acquisition, Curtis Lumber, based in Ballston Spa, plans to close its Waterville location on April 1 and consolidate it into the New Hartford store, with all employees in the Waterville location given the opportunity to join the New Hartford store or another Curtis Lumber location.
“Our Curtis team is looking forward to expanding our business with JAY-K’s well-established foundation,” Kyle Holland, Curtis Lumber’s executive VP, said in a statement. “Both companies share similar values with a focus on the employee experience, customer experience, and our commitment to our communities, so we are confident that this acquisition will be very successful.”
He continued, “This is a strategic decision to consolidate two stores located in close proximity,” Holland said. “This will allow us the opportunity to be more efficient with our inventory, fleet, and our staffing.”
JAY-K VP Jonas Kelly said in a separate statement, “We are thrilled that with this acquisition by Curti Lumber Company, we’re able to continue to provide a local, family-owned alternative to the big-box stores.”
The lumber retailers, which did not disclose terms of the deal, expect the transaction to close on or around Feb. 28. The New Hartford store will open for business as Curtis Lumber the following Monday.
Curtis Lumber has 21 stores in eastern, central, and northern New York, as well as two stores in Vermont. The independent, family-owned company employs more than 700 people.
JAY-K Independent Lumber got its start in 1937 with founders Joseph T. Kelly and Thomas Jones. In 1941, Jones sold his interest in the business to the Kelly family. In 2000, Dean and Jonas Kelly became the third generation of the Kelly family to oversee the company.

Winter Fair underway, continues through Sunday at State Fairgrounds Expo Center
GEDDES, N.Y. — The 6th annual Winter Fair is set for this weekend at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds. The fair

Taran Singh has joined Fust Charles as a tax associate. Singh earned his master’s degree in accounting and analytics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Smita Sawant has joined Fust Charles as an audit associate. She earned her master’s degree in professional accounting from Syracuse University and a master’s of

Sean Coniglio has joined Fust Charles as an audit associate. Coniglio earned his master’s degree in professional accountancy from Marist College. He has experience in

Raj Kotha has joined Fust Charles as a senior audit associate. Kotha earned his master’s degree in accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology and
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.