Zoey Advertising has hired LOU THOMAS as a communications specialist. She has both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from SUNY Cortland in sports management and history, respectively. 

NBT Bank has promoted North Syracuse branch manager BENJAMIN VERRETTE to assistant VP. He has almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Verrette joined NBT Bank in 2015 as branch manager of the North Syracuse Office. Verrette previously worked for M&T Bank. He graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a degree in economics and finance. NBT Wealth Management announced that

ANDREW ZURLO has been promoted to assistant VP. He joined NBT Bank in 2013 as a part of the bank’s management development program. After completing the program, Zurlo joined the NBT Wealth Management team as a wealth management associate and was promoted to trust investment officer. He currently works as a product and project manager for NBT Wealth Management. Zurlo graduated from Siena College with a bachelor’s degree in finance and earned his MBA at Villanova University. NBT Bank has promoted Pulaski branch manager

LAURA DENNY to assistant VP. She has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with an associate degree in business administration. 

CFCU Community Credit Union has promoted REBECCA ROBERTS to VP of learning and development. She began her career at CFCU in June 2011 as an executive assistant to the president and CEO. During Roberts’ time at CFCU, she has held positions of principal of strategic initiatives and assistant VP of learning and development. She has a bachelor’s degree from Radford University and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina. Roberts is a graduate of Leadership Tompkins Program and holds a certified innovation executive designation.

CHARLES J. POLKA has joined Hill & Associates Financial Services, Inc. in DeWitt as VP and registered representative. He graduated from Syracuse University, where he was honored with selection as a Syracuse Remembrance Scholar. Polka subsequently earned his master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. For the previous 14 years, he has been affiliated with CitiStreet Associates, MetLife Resources, and the Barnum Financial Group, based in Southeastern Connecticut. Polka is series 7 and 66 licensed. 

DENISE C. MILDE has been named corporate director of total rewards for the Mohawk Valley Health System. She earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and her MBA from Fordham University. Milde is a certified executive compensation professional, a professional in human resources, certified by the HR Certification Institute, and a Society for Human Resource Management certified professional.

ERICA KENNERKNECHT has been named nurse manager for 3A at the St. Elizabeth Campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). She has been employed by MVHS since 2013 and has served as a staff nurse for the Neuro Peds, 3A and 3B units at the St. Elizabeth Campus and most recently served as clinical educator for 3A. Kennerknecht earned her associate degree from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica and her bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She maintains certification in medical surgical nursing from the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses.

HCR Home Care has added three new employees to its Onondaga County operations. SARAH DEYOUNG has been hired as a home health aide; DEVINA HORTON, RN, joins as assessment nurse; and NICOLE SCHEEL, RN, as a case manager.

Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society (HLAS) has announced the retirement of MARY TIBY GEORGE, a senior law assistant who has been with the agency for more than four decades. She witnessed the organization move from typewriter to computer, then to laptop with cloud-based software, to seamlessly and confidentially handle cases. Over the course of 44 years, George served thousands of HLAS clients, often in tenuous circumstances, with compassion, the society said. During her tenure, she saw the organization more than double in size, add new programs, and expand from one building to two. 

RYAN L. MCCARTHY has joined Scalfone Law PLLC as an associate. He earned his juris doctorate from the Syracuse University College of Law, having received bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics from Syracuse.

MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, announced that HILARY HEXT has joined the organization as its new training manager. She will manage all marketing and coordination for MACNY’s training and leadership development programs. Hext comes to MACNY from Marquardt Switches in Cazenovia. She started her career at Marquardt in 2012 in its HR department as an intern, while pursuing her degree at Cazenovia College. Upon graduation with a degree in business, minoring in communication studies, Hext continued her work at Marquardt, where she was promoted to HR administrator and finally the company’s training coordinator. She developed the company’s Cornerstone OnDemand software process, served as a member of the global development team, and established and ran the company’s health and wellness committee. 

CORRIE BUTLER has been named finance director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego. Butler previously worked as the accounts receivable manager at the Country Vintner in Richmond, Virginia.