M. Griffith Investment Services Inc. has promoted REBECCA KING to executive assistant. She joined M. Griffith in 2014 as an operations assistant. King was promoted to executive assistant to join the Sheridan Wealth Management Group of the firm.

DEREK O’NEIL has joined the Syracuse branch of AXA Advisors, LLC. He has earned his Series 7 and 63 FINRA Securities registrations in New York, and his New York State Life, Accident, and Health certification.

U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) announced the hiring of PATRICIA VAIL DELLONTE as district director for the 24th Congressional District of New York. She will serve as the primary liaison for constituents in Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego counties. Dellonte will leave her position after five years as district director for U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-22) to lead Katko’s district team. She began her career of public service in the Reagan White House and later worked as regional representative in the Auburn office of former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert. 

Crouse Hospital has named BETTY O’CONNOR chief nursing officer. With Crouse since 1979, she most recently was VP of nursing operations. O’Connor is a graduate of Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Utica Rome. She earned the health care leadership certificate from the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College, where she is also pursuing her master’s degree in nursing.

St. Joseph’s College of Nursing has appointed TERRY PUDNEY associate dean of students. He brings more than 13 years of higher education experience, including student services, to this position. Most recently, Pudney was the VP of enrollment management at SUNY Onondaga Community College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in industrial relations & human resource management from Le Moyne College, a master’s degree in adult education from Elmira College, as well as advanced certificates in human resources development and training of trainers.

Schuyler Hospital and the Cayuga Health System have named JAMES B. WATSON as president of Schuyler Hospital and VP of the Cayuga Health System. He is the current president and chief operating officer of the Arnot Health-Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath. In addition to 30 years experience in health-care management, Watson holds an MBA in health services from Union College. He has served on the Hospital Association of New York State Board of Directors and was president of the Rochester Regional Healthcare Association from 2012-2015. Watson replaces Andy Manzer, who will become executive VP and network chief operating officer at Bassett Health Care in Cooperstown.

JOHN KENEALY recently joined Chicago Title as VP and district manager of the Syracuse and Oswego branches. He is a former partner with the law firm of Helmer Johnson Misiaszek & Kenealy in Utica, and also was branch manager of Central New York Abstract in Herkimer. Kenealy is a graduate of Western New England University School of Law, and Utica College of Syracuse University. ELISSA FAGELMAN was recently promoted to district counsel. She will be responsible for underwriting decisions throughout a 12-county region in Central New York. Fagelman is a graduate of Skidmore College with a bachelor’s degree in government and received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. She joined Chicago Title as an underwriting counsel in 1998.