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Survey: upstate New Yorkers concerned about money
Just over half (58 percent) of upstate New Yorkers surveyed say that it is somewhat or completely true that they spend more time now worrying about money compared to previous years, and 57 percent had income and expenses last year that were about the same as the previous year. That’s according to the Times Union/Siena […]
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Just over half (58 percent) of upstate New Yorkers surveyed say that it is somewhat or completely true that they spend more time now worrying about money compared to previous years, and 57 percent had income and expenses last year that were about the same as the previous year.
That’s according to the Times Union/Siena College poll of upstate New York residents released Sept. 22. Gramercy Communications sponsored the poll.
Gramercy Communications is an independently owned, strategic-communications firm based in Troy, near Albany.
The survey found only 30 percent of respondents say that they are better off today than during the recession and only 31 percent are more optimistic today about their financial future than during the recession that stretched from 2007 to 2009.
In addition, nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) believe the nation’s best economic days are behind it and that the next generation will have to accept a lower standard of living.
“We asked that question in 2011. It was 55 [percent to] 41 [percent on the negative side]. We asked that question in August 2009. It was 54 [percent to] 42 [percent on the negative side]. So, that held pretty solid from August ‘09 through April ‘13,” says Don Levy, SRI director.
Levy noted that April 2013 was the last time Siena conducted a survey in which researchers asked the “economy’s best days” question before this current survey.
He spoke with the Business Journal News Network on Sept. 26.
Even with an improved stock market and an “arguably improved” national economy, a “much greater” percentage of Upstaters believe the economy’s best days are in the rear-view mirror, he says.
Financial progression
Despite half of Upstaters saying that they are about the same financially as they were a year ago, a majority of them are concerned about their ability to maintain their current standard of living, according to Levy.
“How long can you tread water before treading water feels like you’re going backwards?,” Levy asks rhetorically, pondering the data on respondents’ financial concerns.
The survey found most Upstaters are at least holding their own financially, and between 20 percent and 30 percent of respondents see improvement. However, few expect the economy to improve, says Levy.
“Unfortunately, staying even, worrying about staying even, being concerned that staying even is not good enough, is wearing on people. That’s what this survey says,” says Levy.
Today, financial pressures persist as 75 percent are concerned about coming winter-energy bills, 74 percent feel the pinch of food prices, 64 percent find gasoline costs problematic, and 57 percent are concerned about the cost of health care, including insurance, visits, and meds.
In the six to seven years since the national economic downturn began, upstate New Yorkers have used a host of strategies to cut their spending and keep their heads above water.
The survey found 62 percent started to use coupons, 57 percent postponed household maintenance, 55 percent delayed major purchases, 50 percent withdrew money from savings or retirement accounts, 46 percent gave up a hobby, and 30 percent borrowed money from family or friends.
Still, 36 percent report having fallen behind on their bills.
When asked directly whether they expect to be better off financially a year from today, just over a quarter of respondents say ‘yes’, a majority expect no change and one in seven anticipates things getting worse, according to the survey.
“I think an underlying belief is that, ‘hey, we’re Americans … we’re supposed to make progress, and I don’t feel like I’m making progress,’ ” says Levy
The survey also found about 30 percent believe the economy is going to improve over the next 12 months. Siena researchers also asked respondents to think about 10 years from now, in 2024, and only 31 percent believe that economic conditions will have improved.
The survey also found 68 percent believe that a young person coming of age today in upstate New York has less opportunity for success than someone 25 years ago.
Retirement
The survey found 38 percent of Upstaters are afraid they are going to have to postpone their retirement because of how the economy has been over the past few years.
Slightly more, 42 percent have over the past six months added at least a small amount to their retirement savings beyond any employer contribution.
But when asked to assess their retirement preparation, only 30 percent of respondents say that they are well along their path to successfully retiring.
Another 35 percent say they have made a start but lack a complete plan and one-third admit having their “head in the sand” and that they really haven’t done what they should to prepare, according to Siena.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
LAW FIRMS Aswad & Ingraham46 Front St.Binghamton, NY 13905- Phone/Fax: (607) 722-3495/ 722-2566- Website: ailaw.com- Year Established: 1976- No. of CNY Attorneys: 11- Total No. of Attorneys: 11- No. of Paralegals: 5- No. of CNY Office Locations: 2- Practice Areas Include: general civil & criminal practice before all courts & agencies, medical & legal malpractice
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LAW FIRMS
Aswad & Ingraham
46 Front St.
Binghamton, NY 13905
– Phone/Fax: (607) 722-3495/ 722-2566
– Website: ailaw.com
– Year Established: 1976
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 11
– Total No. of Attorneys: 11
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: general civil & criminal practice before all courts & agencies, medical & legal malpractice defense, banking & federal credit union law, real estate, probate, personal injury, & labor relations
– Partner: Richard N. Aswad
– Partner: Charles O. Ingraham
Baldwin & Sutphen, LLP
126 North Salina St., Suite 320
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 477-0100/ 477-5071
– Website: baslaw.com
– Year Established: 1996
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 5
– Total No. of Attorneys: 5
– No. of Paralegals: 3
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: residential and commercial real estate, zoning and municipal law, probate and estate planning, elder law, tax, business bankruptcy
– Managing Partners: Robert F. Baldwin, Jamie Lynn Sutphen
Robert S. Beehm
84 Court St., Suite 201
Binghamton, NY 13901
– Phone/Fax: (607) 772-0360/ 722-2842
– Website: rsbeehm.com
– Year Established: 2009
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 1
– Total No. of Attorneys: 1
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: general civil litigation, wills, estates, real estate, commercial & business law
– Owner: Robert S. Beehm
Blitman & King LLP
Franklin Center, Suite 300
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-7111/ 471-2623
– Website: bklawyers.com
– Year Established: 1933
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 14
– Total No. of Attorneys: 20
– No. of Paralegals: 6
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: employment litigation, employment & severance agreements, human resources, individual & executive
disputes, benefits litigation, executive compensation, multi-employer & public plans, pension plans, labor
– Managing Partner: James R. LaVaute
– Senior Partner: Bernard T. King
– Legal Administrator: John Michael G. Neubauer
Bodow Law Firm PLLC
313 East Willow St., Suite 105
Syracuse, NY 13203
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-1234/ 822-1322
– Website: bodowlaw.com
– Year Established: 1975
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 1
– Total No. of Attorneys: 3
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: bankruptcy and foreclosure defense, small business chapter 11
– Managing Partner: Theodore L. Araujo
Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 218-8000/ 218-8100
– Website: bsk.com
– Year Established: 1897
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 113
– Total No. of Attorneys: 230
– No. of Paralegals: 23
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 4
– Practice Areas Include: bankruptcy, bonding, business law, education, employee benefits, energy, environmental, estate & financial planning, intellectual property, labor, litigation, property
– Managing Member, Chair, Management Committee: Richard D. Hole
– Executive Director: Gary S. Goodwin
Bousquet Holstein PLLC
110 W. Fayette St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-1391/ 422-3549
– Website: bhlawpllc.com
– Year Established: 1961
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 31
– Total No. of Attorneys: 31
– No. of Paralegals: 10
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: business transactions, trusts & estates, banking & financial institutions, bankruptcy, tax planning, real estate, employee benefits, employment & discrimination, litigation, mergers & acquisitions, professional practices, venture capital
– Managing Partners: Laurence G. Bousquet, David A. Holstein, John L. Valentino, Paul M. Predmore, Sharon A. McAuliffe
Brown & Michaels, P.C.
118 N. Tioga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
– Phone/Fax: (607) 256-2000/ 256-3628
– Website: bpmlegal.com
– Year Established: 1980
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 6
– Total No. of Attorneys: 6
– No. of Paralegals: 3
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: intellectual property – patents, trademarks, copyrights
– CEO: Christopher A. Michaels
– COO: Michael F. Brown
Burr & Brown, PLLC
101 S. Salina St., 7th Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 233-8300/ 233-8320
– Website: burrandbrown.com
– Year Established: 2000
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 5
– Total No. of Attorneys: 7
– No. of Paralegals: 6
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: intellectual property law
– Partners: Stephen P. Burr, Kevin C. Brown
Byrne, Costello & Pickard, PC
100 Madison St., Tower 1, Suite 1600
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-6448/ 424-8556
– Website: bcplegal.com
– Year Established: 1957
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 8
– Total No. of Attorneys: 8
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: health & nursing home law, real estate development, litigation, estate planning, business organizations, bankruptcy, construction law
– Partner: Michael Byrne
Compson & Pimpinella, PLLC
2621 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13501
– Phone/Fax: (315) 724-5147/ 724-2534
– Website: cpestatelaw.com
– Year Established: 2004
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 3
– Total No. of Attorneys: 3
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: estate planning, elder law, estates & trusts, administration, gift tax, business planning, succession planning, future-care planning, Medicaid, real estate
– Managing Partner: Paul J. Pimpinella
– Partner: Richard G. Compson
Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC
500 Plum St., Suite 300
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-1152/ 422-1139
– Website: ccf-law.com
– Year Established: 1896
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 31
– Total No. of Attorneys: 31
– No. of Paralegals: 11
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: litigation, labor & employment, hospital & health care, land use, municipal, real estate, commercial banking, corporate, estate planning, elder law
– CEO: Robert J. Smith
– CFO: Michael A. Tremont
– COO: Paul G. Ferrara
Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
99 Corporate Drive
Binghamton, NY 13904
– Phone/Fax: (607) 723-9511/ 723-1530
– Website: cglawoffices.com
– Year Established: 1890
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 42
– Total No. of Attorneys: 42
– No. of Paralegals: 22
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 5
– Practice Areas Include: business & banking, labor & employment, litigation, environmental, oil & gas law, commercial real estate, public law, trusts & estates
– Managing Partner: Mark S. Gorgos
– Partners: Paul J. Sweeney, Robert R. Jones
Ferrara, Fiorenza, Larrison, Barrett & Reitz, P.C.
5010 Campuswood Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057
– Phone/Fax: (315) 437-7600/ 437-7744
– Website: ferrarafirm.com
– Year Established: 1994
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 22
– Total No. of Attorneys: 22
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: employment and labor, school, municipal, broadcast
– Chairman: Benjamin J. Ferrara
– President: Nicholas J. Fiorenza
Gale Gale & Hunt, LLC
7136 E. Genesee St.
Fayetteville, NY 13066
– Phone/Fax: (315) 637-3663/ 637-3667
– Website: gghlawoffice.com
– Year Established: 1997
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 8
– Total No. of Attorneys: 8
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: medical malpractice, defense litigation, risk management, product liability, professional licensure, professional & corporate practices
– Managing Partner: Catherine A. Gale
Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP
258 Genesee St., Suite 401
Utica, NY 13502
– Phone/Fax: (315) 797-9261/ 732-0755
– Website: GetnickLivingston.com
– Year Established: 1986
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 9
– Total No. of Attorneys: 9
– No. of Paralegals: 11
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: estate planning, litigation, banking, real estate, creditor rights, financial services
– Managing Partner: John J. Livingston
– Senior Partner: Thomas A. Atkinson
Goldberg Segalla LLP
5786 Widewaters Parkway
Syracuse, NY 13214
– Phone/Fax: (315) 413-5400/ 413-5401
– Website: goldbergsegalla.com
– Year Established: 2001
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 7
– Total No. of Attorneys: 188
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: commercial & business litigation, product liability, professional liability, employment law, construction law, transportation, workers’ compensation, municipal law & governmental liability, insurance and reinsurance
– Managing Partner: Richard J. Cohen
– Resident Partner: Kenneth M. Alweis
Hancock Estabrook, LLP
1500 AXA Tower I
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 565-4500/ 565-4600
– Website: hancocklaw.com
– Year Established: 1889
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 65
– Total No. of Attorneys: 66
– No. of Paralegals: 11
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: banking & finance, construction, corporate, elder law & special needs, environmental, government relations, health care, labor & employment, litigation, real estate, tax, trusts & estates
– Managing Partner: Janet D. Callahan
Harris Beach, PLLC
333 W. Washington St., Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 423-7100/ 422-9331
– Website: harrisbeach.com
– Year Established: 1982
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 23
– Total No. of Attorneys: 210
– No. of Paralegals: 4
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: corporate law, banking, securities, mergers, acquisitions, commercial real estate, family law, business & commercial litigation, bankruptcy, financial restructuring, trusts & estates, municipal law
– Co-Managing Partners, Syracuse: Lee E. Woodard, David M. Capriotti
– Managing Partner, Ithaca: Edward C. Hooks
Helmer, Johnson, Misiaszek & Kenealy
405 Court St.
Utica, NY 13502
– Phone/Fax: (315) 732-5121/ 792-3979
– Website: hjmklaw.com
– Year Established: 1954
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 4
– Total No. of Attorneys: 4
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: real estate, bankruptcy, estate planning, municipal/town law, probate of estates
– Partners: Michael J. Misiaszek, John F. Kenealy
Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP
80 Exchange St.
Binghamton, NY 13902
– Phone/Fax: (607) 723-5341/ 723-6605
– Website: hhk.com
– Year Established: 1901
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 61
– Total No. of Attorneys: 78
– No. of Paralegals: 32
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 3
– Practice Areas Include: business & corporate law, pensions, employee benefits, general & commercial litigation, bankruptcy, real estate, property tax, labor & employment, health, tax & estate planning, intellectual property law
– Managing Partner: James W. Orband
– Assistant Managing Partner: Lawrence Anderson
Hiscock & Barclay, LLP
300 S. State St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 425-2700/ 425-2701
– Website: hblaw.com
– Year Established: 1855
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 82
– Total No. of Attorneys: 210
– No. of Paralegals: 31
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: energy, health care, intellectual property patents/trademarks and litigation, corporate, tax, litigation, labor, real property tax, project development, real estate, public finance, regulatory, environmental, banking, product liability, insurance defense
– Managing Director: Gerald F. Stack
Law Office of Bernhard Molldrem
224 Harrison St., Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-4323/ 422-4318
– Website: molldermlaw.com
– Year Established: 2000
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 1
– Total No. of Attorneys: 1
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition
– Owner: Bernhard P. Molldrem
Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.
472 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 703-6500/ 475-2706
– Website: lscny.org
– Year Established: 1966
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 34
– Total No. of Attorneys: 34
– No. of Paralegals: 3
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 6
– Practice Areas Include: poverty law, housing, consumer, public benefits, discrimination, Social Security, education, Medicaid, foreclosure projects, disability advocacy
– Executive Director: Dennis Kaufman
Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP
450 Plaza Drive
Vestal, NY 13850
– Phone/Fax: (607) 763-9200/ 763-9211
– Website: lgtlegal.com
– Year Established: 1927
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 60
– Total No. of Attorneys: 61
– No. of Paralegals: 25
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 6
– Practice Areas Include: corporate & general business, matrimonial & family law, trusts & estates, elder law & special needs, commercial & residential real estate, adoptions, estate litigation, oil & gas litigation
– Managing Partner: Jeffrey A. Loew
– Assistant Managing Partner: Albert B. Kukol
– Director of Administration: Christopher J. Pilotti
Mackenzie Hughes LLP
101 S. Salina St., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-7571/ 474-6409
– Website: mackenziehughes.com
– Year Established: 1884
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 34
– Total No. of Attorneys: 34
– No. of Paralegals: 8
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: appellate, bankruptcy, banking/finance, corporate, construction, domestic relations, elder law, emerging business, environmental, estates & trusts, health care, immigration, insurance, labor, land use/zoning, litigation, mergers
– Executive Committee Chair: Stephen T. Helmer
– Executive Committee: Mark T. Harrington, Anne B. Ruffer, Richard C. Engel, Stephen S. Davie
Martin & Rayhill, P.C.
421 Broad St., Suite 10
Utica, NY 13501
– Phone/Fax: (315) 507-3765/NA
– Website: martinrayhill.com
– Year Established: 2010
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 2
– Total No. of Attorneys: 2
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: environmental law, civil litigation, labor and employment, corporate, trusts and estates
– Partner: Kevin G. Martin
The Matt Law Firm, PLLC
1701 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13501
– Phone/Fax: (315) 624-7360/ 624-7359
– Website: hiscockbarclay.com
– Year Established: 2002
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 4
– Total No. of Attorneys: 4
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: corporate and commercial transactions; an affiliate of Hiscock & Barclay LLP
– Managing Partner: Francis X. Matt, III
The Mattacola Law Firm
217 N. Washington St.
Rome, NY 13440
– Phone/Fax: (315) 334-5050/ 334-5060
– Website: themattacolafirm.com
– Year Established: 2004
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 2
– Total No. of Attorneys: 2
– No. of Paralegals: 2
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: labor & employment law, health-care law, civil litigation, contracts, non-competes, commercial litigation, municipal law, real estate, wills and estate planning, personal-injury litigation
– Principal: Gregory A. Mattacola
McMahon and Grow
301 N. Washington St.
Rome, NY 13442
– Phone/Fax: (315) 336-4700/ 336-5851
– Website: mgglaw.com
– Year Established: 1845
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 4
– Total No. of Attorneys: 4
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: corporations & partnerships, trusts & estates, estate planning, real estate, employment law, real-estate and commercial litigation
– Partner: Julie Grow Denton
Meggesto, Crossett & Valerino, LLP
313 E. Willow St., Suite 201
Syracuse, NY 13203
– Phone/Fax: (315) 471-1664/ 471-7882
– Website: mcvlaw.com
– Year Established: 1983
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 8
– Total No. of Attorneys: 8
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: corporations & partnerships, litigation, subrogation, defense, insurance, collection, landlord-tenant, matrimonial, personal injury, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, social security
– Managing Partners: William W. Crossett, Gary J. Valerino
– Partner: Kimberly A. Slimbaugh
Melvin & Melvin, PLLC
217 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202-1686
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-1311/ 479-7612
– Website: melvinlaw.com
– Year Established: 1921
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 18
– Total No. of Attorneys: 18
– No. of Paralegals: 0
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: appeals, banking, bankruptcy, business, collections, construction, elder law, environmental, estates and trusts, family law, insurance, intellectual property, labor, matrimonial, medical malpractice, mortgages, municipal, personal injury, real estate, tax, zoning
– Managing Partners: Kenneth J. Bobrycki, Richard M. Storto, Susan E. Otto, David B. Jones, Jonathan E. Fox, Robert S. Scalione
Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, PC
308 Maltbie St., Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-7541/ 474-4040
– Website: menterlaw.com
– Year Established: 1947
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 18
– Total No. of Attorneys: 18
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: banking law, business restructuring & bankruptcy, commercial transactions, construction law, environmental, estate & trust planning, labor relations, municipal, personal injury, real estate, litigation
– Managing Shareholder: Jeffrey A. Dove
O’Shea McDonald & Stevens LLP
107 West Liberty St.
Rome, NY 13442
– Phone/Fax: (315) 336-4500/ 336-4618
– Website: oshealawfirm.com
– Year Established: 1949
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 3
– Total No. of Attorneys: 3
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: real estate, wills, trusts and estates, small business, personal-injury cases
– Partners: William R. Stevens; J. Kevin O’Shea, Timothy B. O’Shea
Petrone & Petrone, P.C.
1624 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13502
– Phone/Fax: (315) 735-7566/ 735-5368
– Website: petroneandpetrone.com
– Year Established: 1960
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 9
– Total No. of Attorneys: 9
– No. of Paralegals: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 21
– Practice Areas Include: litigation, environmental, civil law, estates, personal injury and appeals, labor, medical malpractice, pharmacology, municipalities, corporate, risk management
– Partners: Lori E. Petrone, John R. Petrone, II
Schlather, Stumbar Parks & Salk, LLP
200 E. Buffalo St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
– Phone/Fax: (607) 273-2202/ 273-4436
– Website: ithacalaw.com
– Year Established: 1977
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 8
– Total No. of Attorneys: 8
– No. of Paralegals: 6
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: small business, estate administration, municipal, wills, trusts, litigation, real estate, matrimonial & family law, criminal defense, civil rights, personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice
– Partners: Raymond M. Schlather, James A. Salk, David M. Parks, Diane V. Bruns
– Of Counsel: L. Richard Stumbar
Scolaro, Fetter, Grizanti, McGough & King, P.C.
507 Plum St., Suite 300
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 471-8111/ 471-1355
– Website: scolaro.com
– Year Established: 1979
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 15
– Total No. of Attorneys: 16
– No. of Paralegals: 7
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: estate, asset protection & business-succession planning, taxation, pension & employee benefits, corporate and professional legal services, real estate & commercial development, litigation
– President/CEO: Jeffrey M. Fetter
– COO: Anthony J. Grizanti
– CFO: John S. King
– VP: Stewart M. McGough
Smith Sovik Kendrick & Sugnet, PC
250 S. Clinton St., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-2911/ 474-6015
– Website: smithsovik.com
– Year Established: 1946
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 27
– Total No. of Attorneys: 30
– No. of Paralegals: 1
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: civil defense litigation, medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, insurance law
– Managing Partner: Kevin Hulslander
Sugarman Law Firm, LLP
211 W. Jefferson St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-2943/ 474-0235
– Website: sugarmanlaw.com
– Year Established: 1909
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 20
– Total No. of Attorneys: 24
– No. of Paralegals: 14
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: litigation, business & commercial transactions, real estate, representation of professionals, personal injury, estate planning, Medicaid planning, taxation, employment law
– Managing Partner: Samuel M. Vulcano
Tully Rinckey PLLC
507 Plum St., Suite 103
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 492-4700/ 238-5200
– Website: tullylegal.com/syracuse-ny/
– Year Established: 2004
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 5
– Total No. of Attorneys: 57
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Practice Areas Include: civil litigation, estate planning, Social Security law, business law, real estate law, appellate law, bankruptcy, private-sector employment, federal-sector employment, security-clearance representation
– Partner: Donald E. Kelly
The Wladis Law Firm, P.C.
6312 Fly Road
East Syracuse, NY 13057
– Phone/Fax: (315) 445-1700/ 251-1073
– Website: wladislawfirm.com
– Year Established: 2004
– No. of CNY Attorneys: 8
– Total No. of Attorneys: 8
– No. of Paralegals: 3
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Practice Areas Include: business law, commercial banking, estate planning, government relations, litigation, environmental litigation, environmental law, real estate, economic development/grant writing
– Managing Partner: Mark N. Wladis
CPA FIRMS
Barone, Howard & Co. CPAs, PC
8504 Seneca Turnpike
New Hartford, NY 13413
– Phone/Fax: (315) 797-6601/ 797-5413
– Website: bhcpapc.com
– Year Established: 1981
– No. of CNY CPAs: 6
– No. of Partners: 6
– No. of Firm Employees: 14
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: personal and business tax preparation and tax planning, QuickBooks professional advisor, business valuations, business acquisitions and dispositions, financial planning, audits of pension plans, nonprofits, municipalities, for-profit entities
– President: John Barone
The Bonadio Group
115 Solar St.
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 214-7575/ 471-2128
– Website: bonadio.com
– Year Established: 2007
– No. of CNY CPAs: 21
– No. of Partners: 6
– No. of Firm Employees: 54
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: enterprise risk management, internal audit, payroll, financial services, accounting-software installation and support, cost-segregation studies, business valuations, forensic accounting
– Managing Partner & CEO: Thomas F. Bonadio
– Syracuse Office Managing Partner: Donald Taylor
– Utica Office Managing Partner: Richard Zweifel
Bowers & Company CPAs, PLLC
1700 AXA Tower II
120 Madison St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 234-1100/ 234-1111
– Website: bcpllc.com
– Year Established: 2004
– No. of CNY CPAs: 40
– No. of Partners: 12
– No. of Firm Employees: 71
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: auditing, tax planning, estate planning, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, family business, manufacturing, business valuation
– Co-CEOs: Michael G. D’Avirro, Carl I. Austin
Caswell & Assoc., CPAs, PC
36 Main St.
Phoenix, NY 13135
– Phone/Fax: (315) 695-2061/ 695-7027
– Website: caswellaccountants.com
– Year Established: 1932
– No. of CNY CPAs: 2
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 9
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: small-business accounting
– CEO: Brian A. Caswell
Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP
401 East State St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
– Phone/Fax: (607) 272-4444/ 273-8372
– Website: cdlm.com
– Year Established: 1975
– No. of CNY CPAs: 18
– No. of Partners: 8
– No. of Firm Employees: 43
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 3
– Services Offered: governmental and not-for-profit auditing, tax & small business, QB certified, business valuations (CVA credentialed), internal audits
– Managing Partner: John H. Dietershagen
D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP
120 Lomond Court
Utica, NY 13502
– Phone/Fax: (315) 735-5216/ 735-5210
– Website: darcangelo.com
– Year Established: 1950
– No. of CNY CPAs: 33
– No. of Partners: 18
– No. of Firm Employees: 68
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 4
– Services Offered: business valuations, financial & retirement planning, trusts & estate planning, business-succession planning, investment management, human-resources consulting, health & life insurance
– Managing Partner, Syracuse: Sheldon B. Kruth
– Managing Partner, Utica/Oneida: Scott E. Miller
Dannible & McKee, LLP
221 S. Warren St.
Syracuse, NY 13202-2687
– Phone/Fax: (315) 472-9127/ 472-0026
– Website: dmcpas.com
– Year Established: 1978
– No. of CNY CPAs: 50
– No. of Partners: 13
– No. of Firm Employees: 85
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business-valuation services, forensic-accounting services, litigation-support services, estate planning
– Managing Partner: Thomas V. Fiscoe
Davidson, Fox & Company, LLP
53 Chenango St., 3rd Floor
Binghamton, NY 13901
– Phone/Fax: (607) 722-5386/ 722-7682
– Website: davidsonfox.com
– Year Established: 1919
– No. of CNY CPAs: 14
– No. of Partners: 6
– No. of Firm Employees: 33
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: tax planning, bookkeeping, forensic accounting, estate & gift taxes, QuickBooks training & support, audits, reviews and compilations, business and individual tax returns
– Managing Partner: James C. Daniels
Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC
443 North Franklin St.
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 471-9171/ 471-8555
– Website: dbbllc.com
– Year Established: 1956
– No. of CNY CPAs: 35
– No. of Partners: 15
– No. of Firm Employees: 75
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 3
– Services Offered: auditing, accounting and taxation, retirement-plan design and administration, employee-benefits audits & consulting, business valuations, financial services, family-business services, credit-card analysis, payroll, QuickBooks, Sage 100 ERP, trusts & estates, internal audit/fraud controls, litigation support, marketing, and IT support
– CEO: Madelyn H. Hornstein
Deyo & Rabideau, CPAs PLLC
145 Riverside Drive
Binghamton, NY 13905
– Phone/Fax: (607) 724-6784/ 724-6784
– Year Established: 2011
– No. of CNY CPAs: 2
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: individual and business tax return preparation, bookkeeping services, estate and trust planning
– Partners: Julie Anne Rabideau, G. Russell Deyo
DiMarco, Abiusi, & Pascarella, CPAs, PC
4 Clinton Square, Suite 104
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 475-6954/ 475-2937
– Website: dimarcocpa.com
– Year Established: 1956
– No. of CNY CPAs: 18
– No. of Partners: 6
– No. of Firm Employees: 30
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: forecast and projection, trusts and estates
– Managing Shareholder: L. Richard Pascarella
Ernst & Young, LLP
100 Madison St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 425-8011/ 425-8011
– Website: ey.com
– Year Established: 1900
– No. of CNY CPAs: 25
– No. of Partners: 3
– No. of Firm Employees: 30
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: IFRS advisory, internal audit, IT ERP and security implementation, finance, supply-chain process improvement, fraud prevention/detection, tax outsourcing
– Office Managing Partner: Lou Mosher
Evans and Bennett, LLP
2112 Erie Blvd. East
Syracuse, NY 13224
– Phone/Fax: (315) 474-3986/ 474-0716
– Website: evansandbennett.com
– Year Established: 1947
– No. of CNY CPAs: 10
– No. of Partners: 5
– No. of Firm Employees: 14
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: auditing & assurance, PCAOB registered – brokers & dealer auditing, taxation, estate & trusts, consulting
– Members: Mark D. Carroll, Peter J. Pietryka, Michael C. Greene, John J. Howell, Jeffrey R. Silfer
Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C.
5010 Campuswood Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057
– Phone/Fax: (315) 472-7045/ 472-7053
– Website: fmfecpa.com
– Year Established: 1980
– No. of CNY CPAs: 56
– No. of Partners: 13
– No. of Firm Employees: 76
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business valuations, employee-benefits plan consulting, income-tax consulting, mergers and acquisitions, estate & financial planning, internal audit, fraud and forensic-accounting services
– Managing Principal: Robert E. MacLeod
Fitzgerald, DePietro & Wojnas CPAs, P.C.
291 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13501
– Phone/Fax: (315) 724-2145/ 724-7268
– Website: fdwcpa.net
– Year Established: 1920
– No. of CNY CPAs: 12
– No. of Partners: 3
– No. of Firm Employees: 26
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: estate planning, business valuations, retirement-plan audits, litigation support, trust administration, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions
– CEO: L. Michael Fitzgerald
Fust Charles Chambers LLP
5784 Widewaters Parkway
Syracuse, NY 13214
– Phone/Fax: (315) 446-3600/ 446-3899
– Website: fcc-cpa.com
– Year Established: 1986
– No. of CNY CPAs: 55
– No. of Partners: 14
– No. of Firm Employees: 87
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business-succession planning, estate planning, mergers & acquisitions, debt restructuring, private placements and ESOP evaluations
– Partner & CEO: Joseph L. Charles
– Partners: Thomas M. Knych, William M. Wildridge
– COO: Patrick C. Dailey
Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC
110 W. Fayette St., Suite 900
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 422-1391/ 422-0829
– Website: gsacpas.com
– Year Established: 1957
– No. of CNY CPAs: 27
– No. of Partners: 9
– No. of Firm Employees: 42
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: tax planning, bookkeeping, business valuations, forensic, buy/sell planning, estate planning, venture-capital formation, litigation, audit/attest, peer review
– Co-Managing Partners: Gary A. Grossman, Steven J. St. Amour
– Business Manager: Steven J. Dippolito
Gustafson & Co.
3264 Seneca Turnpike
Canastota, NY 13032
– Phone/Fax: (315) 697-2345/ 697-8427
– Website: gustafsoncpas.com
– Year Established: 1977
– No. of CNY CPAs: 7
– No. of Partners: 4
– No. of Firm Employees: 12
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: audit and attest services, estate and gift tax planning, nonprofit qualification
– Managing Partner: T. Charles Chambers
– Partners: Julie A. Steele
– Partner, Utica Office: Nancy A. Beadle
– Partner: Elizabeth Scully Geddes
Johnson, Lauder & Savidge, LLP
2 Court St.
Binghamton, NY 13901
– Phone/Fax: (607) 723-8216/ 724-5193
– Website: jlscpa.com
– Year Established: 1945
– No. of CNY CPAs: 10
– No. of Partners: 5
– No. of Firm Employees: 18
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: full-service accounting firm providing audits, reviews, compilations, valuations, tax planning and preparation, among other services
– Managing Partner: William J. Scannell
Kianka & Zollo CPAs, P.C.
906 Spencer St., Suite 102
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 299-5247 / (299-5279)
– Website: kzcpas.com
– Year Established: 2009
– No. of CNY CPAs: 3
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: reviews, compilations, bookkeeping, business consulting, tax planning, payroll, quickbooks professional advisor,
– Principals: Jay Kianka, Philip Zollo
KPMG LLP
300 S. State St., Suite 950
Syracuse, NY 13202
– Phone/Fax: (315) 426-2770/ 282-2350
– Website: kpmg.com
– Year Established: 1964
– No. of CNY CPAs: 40
– No. of Partners: 5
– No. of Firm Employees: 76
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 3
– Services Offered: offers a multidisciplinary range of audit, tax, and advisory services
– Partner: Patrick D. Leitgeb
The Loiacono Firm, CPAs, PC
301 N. Washington St.
Rome, NY 13440
– Phone/Fax: (315) 356-1150/ 356-1170
– Website: loiaconofirm.com
– Year Established: 1971
– No. of CNY CPAs: 2
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 7
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: tax preparation, payroll preparation, bookkeeping write-up, estate planning, projections-business
– President: David R. Loiacono
Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co., LLP
333 East Water St., Suite 200
Elmira, NY 14901
– Phone/Fax: (607) 734-4183/ 733-3815
– Website: mengelmetzgerbarr.com
– Year Established: 1979
– No. of CNY CPAs: 16
– No. of Partners: 9
– No. of Firm Employees: 18
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: assurance and tax services, business-valuations reports, estate planning, litigation support, management advisory, mergers and acquisitions, bookkeeping support
– Managing Partner: Steve Eckler
Mondorf & Fenwick, PLLC
523 Columbia Drive
Johnson City, NY 13790
– Phone/Fax: (607) 797-4339/ 797-3894
– Website: mfcpas.com
– Year Established: 1985
– No. of CNY CPAs: 7
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 12
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business valuation and litigation support
– Partners: John G. Mondorf, William P. Fenwick
Piaker & Lyons, PC
92 Hawley St.
Binghamton, NY 13901
– Phone/Fax: (607) 729-9373/ 729-6893
– Website: pnlcpa.com
– Year Established: 1955
– No. of CNY CPAs: 26
– No. of Partners: 9
– No. of Firm Employees: 46
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 3
– Services Offered: accounting, auditing, tax preparation, consulting, commercial businesses, governmental entities, medical professionals, manufacturing, distribution, real estate, nonprofit organizations, business valuations, estate planning, management-advisory service
– Chairman: James J. Lewis
– President: Ronald L. Simons
Port & Company
5730 Commons Park Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057
– Phone/Fax: (315) 449-1200/ 449-2650
– Year Established: 1968
– No. of CNY CPAs: 11
– No. of Partners: 4
– No. of Firm Employees: 5
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: litigation support, business-valuation services, estate planning, tax and financial planning
– Managing Partners: Howard A. Port, Robert S. Kashdin
Sbarra & Company CPAs, P.C.
1701 North St.
Endicott, NY 13760
– Phone/Fax: (607) 754-7707/ 754-3771
– Website: sbcocpa.com
– Year Established: 1993
– No. of CNY CPAs: 3
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 7
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business transactions, valuations, estates and trusts, tax planning, financial planning
– President: Thomas K. Sbarra
Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP
410 East Upland Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
– Phone/Fax: (607) 272-5550/ 273-6357
– Website: swcllp.com
– Year Established: 1976
– No. of CNY CPAs: 21
– No. of Partners: 4
– No. of Firm Employees: 45
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 2
– Services Offered: business valuations, financial planning, outsourcing, mergers & acquisitions
– Managing Partner: David E. Iles
Testone, Marshall & Discenza, LLP
432 North Franklin St., Suite 60
Syracuse, NY 13204
– Phone/Fax: (315) 476-4004/ 475-1513
– Website: tmdcpas.com
– Year Established: 1976
– No. of CNY CPAs: 47
– No. of Partners: 15
– No. of Firm Employees: 75
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: business valuation, fraud and forensic accounting, mergers & acquisitions, internal audit, estate planning, management consulting, bookkeeping
– Managing Partner: Frank P. Discenza
Tornatore & Company, CPAs, PC
6075 E. Molloy Road
Syracuse, NY 13211
– Phone/Fax: (315) 433-1585/ 433-1589
– Year Established: 1962
– No. of CNY CPAs: 4
– No. of Partners: 2
– No. of Firm Employees: 9
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: bookkeeping, tax preparation for businesses, individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships
– CEO & CFO: Suzanne Pfister
Vieira & Associates, CPAs, PC
111 Grant Ave., Suite 106
Endicott, NY 13760
– Phone/Fax: (607) 723-1272/ 239-6735
– Website: vapc.us
– Year Established: 2005
– No. of CNY CPAs: 5
– No. of Partners: 4
– No. of Firm Employees: 9
– No. of CNY Office Locations: 1
– Services Offered: accounting, financial-statement preparation audits, reviews and compilations, tax services, IRS representation, business valuation and consulting services
– Partners: E. Mark Vieira, Cheryl DiStefano, John B. Burtis, Scott M. Hotalen
CNY CEO: An interview with the leader of the Food Bank of CNY
Editors Note: CNY CEO is a new feature appearing regularly (about every month) in The Central New York Business Journal, authored by guest writer Jeff Knauss who is president of his own digital marketing firm. In each edition of CNY CEO, Jeff will chat with a different top executive of a Central New York business
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Editors Note: CNY CEO is a new feature appearing regularly (about every month) in The Central New York Business Journal, authored by guest writer Jeff Knauss who is president of his own digital marketing firm. In each edition of CNY CEO, Jeff will chat with a different top executive of a Central New York business or nonprofit, with the interview transcript appearing in a conversational Q&A format.
In this edition of CNY CEO, I speak with Kathleen Stress, executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York. The Food Bank (www.foodbankcny.org) serves 11 counties and provides 36,000 meals a day. Stress lives in Camillus with her husband Marc and son Orion.
JEFF: Tell me a little bit about your career and how you became involved with the Food Bank.
KATHLEEN: Well, my career was not in food banking. It started out in child development. After I graduated school with an art degree and could not find a job in art, I went back to childcare and worked my way up to a director position. I moved to Syracuse and worked at The Salvation Army. I ran its three after-school programs working with low-income household families and their children. It was an opportunity to interface with kids who needed a little extra and an opportunity. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was a bridge to my next career at the Food Bank.
During my daycare days, I had children come to me who were hungry. Being an after-school program, I was unable to feed them a full meal like the one they should be getting from home. I could, however, give them some snacks like Oreo cookies, Lorna Doone packets, or a couple of extra apples to take home. I didn’t know at the time that God had a plan set for me to use my skills at Food Bank of Central New York, where I am now able to feed a lot more kids healthy, nutritious meals through our Kids Café programs and summer feeding programs where they get a breakfast or lunch.
JEFF: What was your role when you first moved to the Food Bank?
KATHLEEN: When I first came to the Food Bank, I was recruited to manage the agency’s strategic plan, as well as creating, formalizing, and implementing policies and procedures. I was focused on interdepartmental communication and managing that. After my first year, I moved into the chief operating officer position and managed the organization; both day-to-day operations, as well as continuing to manage the strategic plan.
JEFF: Was it your aspiration when you started with the Food Bank to become the executive director?
KATHLEEN: No, never. Tom Slater was my mentor as the previous executive director. I’m blessed and humbled that he recognized enough potential in me to put the succession plan into place with a person’s name. He used to kid that I had the keys to the kingdom and I think it’s because I integrated myself in every department and knew what was happening inside the organization and then was able to take information and globally plan.
JEFF: How do you recruit and hire top talent?
KATHLEEN: We’ve been fortunate to maintain some of our top talent. We have a great longevity of staff. Our longest staff person has been here 24 years and we have folks who are 10 years or more. The opportunity for some of our newer positions is the fact that we have such a great culture and work environment, and people really recognize that. We have an exceptional compensation-benefit package, particularly for a small, not-for-profit, and how can anyone debate helping to feed people? That’s a basic human need, and I think those who are very passionate about not-for-profit work become ingrained in the mission.
JEFF: Talk a little bit about the culture at the Food Bank and about the steps that you have taken to grow the culture you have today.
KATHLEEN: Well, I was fortunate when I came in 2007; we had a good culture set. However, I think through the leadership team and myself, we have been able to enhance that. Human capital is the most important piece of an organization. You cannot just have a body fill a role. You have to have the right people on the bus, as Jim Collins would say, and I believe we have been able to do that. We have created open lines of communication, which is not just a yearly performance evaluation. It is the coffee chats we have monthly or informal chats that allow us to share information. Plus, we know how to have fun with fun staff events, barbecues, and a staff holiday party. We give everyone an opportunity to share or submit an idea about how we remain innovative. We cannot act on every idea, but we give everyone the opportunity, at any level, to submit ideas and be part of moving the Food Bank forward.
JEFF: Were you attracted to leadership roles from a young age?
KATHLEEN: You know, I don’t know that I ever woke up and said, “I’m going to be a leader someday,” or “I’m going to run the world” or run the Food Bank for that matter. I think two things contributed to learning to be a leader. As a middle child, you have to assert yourself on some level and I was always fairly confident doing that with humor. That was my way in. Also, I have something innate in me that if I see something that needs to be fixed, I am going to step forward and try to fix it. I’m not going to wait for someone else to do it. I think that ability shined through, no matter if I was in art or childcare, or when I came to the Food Bank. The Food Bank staff joke that I’m a “5’1” force to be reckoned with,” so somehow I have managed to be assertive enough to show that I am willing to take action to get things done.
JEFF: How would you describe your leadership style?
KATHLEEN: At times, I am certainly going to be very assertive and outline expectations. There are certain things that have to be done, so I am not afraid to address that. At the same time, with human capital and particularly the staff we have here, I want to be a coach and a mentor. I consider myself working alongside them, not above them, because we all are in this together. I also have a mantra of surrounding myself with people smarter than me so I can empower folks who are guiding the organization to engage, have input and suggestions because I really couldn’t do it without them.
JEFF: How has the Internet affected the day-to-day operations of the Food Bank? What do you guys do to stay ahead of the curve?
KATHLEEN: To stay ahead of the curve, I think we do a couple of things well. From a donor side, we try to keep our website fluid. We have hired a communications associate who will update our site with events and activities. Also, the opportunity to give online is extremely important. We work with PayPal for people to be able to donate online. From a member program or agency side, which is our food pantries and soup kitchens, the opportunity to access the inventory in real time and order online is a huge component for us.
From a media and public-relations standpoint, we are one of Central New York’s best-kept secrets and are constantly asking ourselves, “How do we continue to deploy our story and our message?” Not only through our website, but also through social media, and through our campaigns, we really want people to realize what we are doing. The takeaway is hunger exists right here in our local community and I want people to know what the Food Bank is doing about it.
JEFF: How do you balance your work and life?
KATHLEEN: I have always been pretty good at balancing things. There are going to be times when you are entrenched in paperwork, but at the end of the day, you have to know you have done the job of making sure that 36,000 meals went out across 11 counties each day. Through our drivers and fleet of vehicles, and the warehouse capacity, I know that is being accomplished so that I can sleep at night.
However, when you have a little boy at home, you want to go home. You want to go home to him and see what his day has been like. Orion is going on 10 years old, so the years fly by and I don’t want to miss those opportunities of a game or a school event.
The culture at the Food Bank supports work and life-family balance. If you have something during the day, like a picnic at school or event, we encourage our employees to take the time to go and do it. I try to do that, as well. You’ve got to walk the walk. You’ve got to talk the talk. If I’m not doing it, no one else is going to do it.
JEFF: In your first year as executive director, what is the number one accomplishment you’re most proud of?
KATHLEEN: I would say it’s enhancing the board of directors’ capacity. We’ve always had a very engaged board but this is the first year that we held a board retreat and the feedback from it was excellent, even though some existing board members had been with us long term, they didn’t know all the intricacies of the Food Bank and all the nutrition programs. It was a great opportunity for educating our board so that they can be our ambassadors in the community. Now they feel even more comfortable sharing information to the community at large; I need them to say, “Here’s what Food Bank does and here’s why I’m on the board.” Having the board retreat was a significant part of my transition plan that I have worked out and I’m proud that it came to fruition and that it was successful.
About the author: Jeff Knauss is president and partner of a digital-marketing firm called CNY Marketer www.cnymarketer.com. He lives in Camillus with his wife Heta and son Max. For more, check out his blog at www.CnyCeo.org
Financial Leadership: Who’s in control?
Recently, a client business called in search of advice on how to transition its accounting department in light of a loyal and long-tenured employee nearing retirement. Just earlier this summer, a separate discussion centered around the right kind of hire for a department that is outgrowing the current chief of accounting and the related potential
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Recently, a client business called in search of advice on how to transition its accounting department in light of a loyal and long-tenured employee nearing retirement. Just earlier this summer, a separate discussion centered around the right kind of hire for a department that is outgrowing the current chief of accounting and the related potential transition challenges.
Both interactions were productive because the business leaders were planning for future needs instead of being merely reactive. Let’s face it, any time that employee turnover happens, even for the most joyous of reasons, it causes upheaval. By planning ahead, business owners can strategically position the finance function to be more effective and integral to enterprise success.
In each situation, a portion of the discussion centered around the title that would be used, which led to a bit of clarification — on both enterprise needs and candidate experience. We hear a variety of terms bandied about: clerk, controller, VP of finance, chief financial officer (CFO), comptroller, chief accountant, financial analyst, to name just a few. The titles are broadly used, and many times the duties to be performed spread beyond the title, while often the title itself doesn’t necessarily match the responsibilities.
Let’s focus on the two specific types of financial leadership found in top organizations: the CFO and the controller.
The controller is often thought of as the head of the accounting department or function. The controller is not a bookkeeper, however. The primary role of the controller is to maintain and operate the books and records of the business, looking back at data that has already been generated. The controller also maintains standard operating procedures and internal controls for accounting and bookkeeping activities.
The CFO, on the other hand, uses the financial data that has been produced in order to accurately predict the financial future of the organization. While a clear understanding of past financial performance is necessary, the CFO’s key responsibility relates to strategic and tactical planning.
To illustrate the differences between CFO and controller, consider that the controller is responsible for producing financial statements that reflect historical activity. Suppose these financial statements reflect a shift in gross profit or productivity. The CFO’s role is to evaluate and articulate the causes behind these changes. Armed with this understanding, the CFO must establish the corrective actions needed to address the risk of continued negative results or employ procedures to support the continuation of positive trends.
In addition to financial and strategic planning, the CFO is responsible for cash-flow management, credit and collections, budgeting, internal controls, and compliance. In a nutshell, the CFO provides financial oversight and management, forecasting, and data-based decisions. By correlating financial, operational, and regulatory data, the CFO advises the executive team and provides the basis for financial impacts of decisions in a real-time manner.
The CFO is a member of the executive management team, planning and implementing growth and profitability strategies and acquisitions. The CFO handles financial analysis and formulates financial, tax, and risk-management strategies.
Whereas CFOs are responsible for developing management reports, financial statements, budgets and financial plans, capital and cash-flow projections, performance measures, and internal controls, the controller’s role is focused on preparing reports and budgets, processing capital requests, and maintaining performance measures.
What does your enterprise require? It likely depends on your size, complexity, and vision. Certainly good financial information is a must, so start there. Controller is like a necessity. As for a CFO? While you may not require or be able to afford a full-time CFO, the value should not be overlooked. Perhaps a part-time, consultative relationship makes sense? Or maybe an accounting department overhaul is needed.
Whatever your circumstance, a conversation with your CPA is an ideal way to get headed in the right direction — toward success.
Gail Kinsella is a partner in the accounting firm of Testone, Marshall & Discenza, LLP. Contact Kinsella at gkinsella@tmdcpas.com
Common Core Still Leaves Room for Improvement
The New York State Department of Education recently released the assessment results for third through eighth graders. The Department of Education reports some gains were made statewide over last year’s results. Statewide, the percentage of students scoring on the math exam at or above the proficient level (receiving a score of 3 or 4) increased
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The New York State Department of Education recently released the assessment results for third through eighth graders. The Department of Education reports some gains were made statewide over last year’s results. Statewide, the percentage of students scoring on the math exam at or above the proficient level (receiving a score of 3 or 4) increased only slightly from 31.2 percent to 35.8 percent. The English Language Arts exam showed virtually no change, with 31.4 percent of New York students “proficient” compared to last year’s score of 31.3 percent scoring proficient.
This was the first year the state tests were based on Common Core learning standards. Many have heard the term Common Core by now. It is meant to serve as a consistent set of expectations for what students should learn to be able to graduate “college and career ready.” New York was one of the first states to implement these standards.
Whether Common Core will achieve its aim is debatable and often depends on who you ask. One thing that is for sure: it’s been one year since Common Core was introduced to New York’s public school students and I continue to hear from constituents who are upset at the direction of education. With test scores recently being mailed to parents, it has brought the debate back to the forefront.
The introduction of the Common Core curriculum last fall was met with criticism by teachers, parents, students, and administrators. Hearings were held across the state, with angry and concerned people urging the Department of Education to slow the process, make changes, and give teachers time to understand the modules themselves before they were pressured to teach the kids and have their job performance tied to students’ test scores. Some schools have decided on using the modules exactly as they are written, while others have allowed instructors more latitude. Most lower-wealth schools are forced to use the state modules because they cannot afford to develop their own curriculum that meets the new standards.
A lot is at stake for school districts because state funding can be affected by a school’s performance. Parents have the right to “opt out” but are strongly encouraged to have their children take the test. Without 95 percent participation, schools will not make “Adequate Yearly Progress” and a district’s Title I funding could be affected. In addition, there are other intervention and consequences for schools in this situation. It’s especially tricky for low-wealth schools because their budgets are highly dependent on state aid. Some schools are facing this situation after the Common Core’s shaky rollout and parents rallied in certain districts to “opt out.”
In response to the justifiable outrage over the rollout of the Common Core, the state made some changes, and in the legislature, we delayed tying teacher evaluations to student performance by two years. We also prohibited standardized testing for Pre-K through second grades. Further, we prohibited promotion or placement decisions of students based solely on state assessments. Other changes were made by the Regents and the Department of Education. They extended the phase-in so that the Class of 2022 will be the first class that is required to pass English and Math Regents exams at college and career-ready levels. Previously, it was the class of 2015. The Board of Regents also provided alternative testing for special-education students, subject to the receipt of a federal waiver. It also further enhanced protections for personally identifiable student information and created penalties for breach of student and teacher data.
Wherever you stand on this issue, it’s important to let your school board members, your school principals, and students’ teachers know your thoughts. Last year, some of the changes to Common Core were made because people talked to their representatives and made their voices known to the Board of Regents.
I would encourage you to write directly to the State Education Department at New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12234, by phone at (518) 474-3852, or you may find online contact forms at www.nysed.gov/contact-NYSED. You may also write to the Board of Regents at New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Ave., Board of Regents, Room 110 EB, Albany, N.Y. 12234 or email: RegentsOffice@mail.nysed.gov.
William (Will) Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.
NUAIR Alliance establishing CNY as leader in UAS industry
One of the most rewarding aspects of this job (as president and CEO of CenterState CEO) is seeing, firsthand, the transformative effects that new growth and development have on our communities and the people who live here. As a kid who grew up in Utica, at a time when the Griffiss Air Force Base was
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One of the most rewarding aspects of this job (as president and CEO of CenterState CEO) is seeing, firsthand, the transformative effects that new growth and development have on our communities and the people who live here.
As a kid who grew up in Utica, at a time when the Griffiss Air Force Base was shut down, seeing economic development that taps into the resources at Griffiss International Airport is personal. I watched this community go through a dramatic change virtually overnight. Five-thousand families were immediately and directly affected. Friends of mine left school and moved away in the middle of the year. Businesses that had grown to support Griffiss closed.
It is through this lens that I see the new opportunities and permanent businesses that the NUAIR Alliance is attracting to this region. Since being selected by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate one of just six Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites in the country, the NUAIR Alliance is conducting research aimed at safely integrating unmanned systems into the national airspace. The alliance is currently working with six companies who are authorized to test new technologies, conduct research supporting industries from sensors to agriculture, and collecting and analyzing data to develop safety, performance, and certification standards for commercial and civilian use of UAS.
Ultimately, our region’s role in the UAS industry means new economic-development opportunities and jobs. It’s estimated that UAS test sites could have a total economic impact of more than $100 million and create more than 400 additional jobs in New York. Nationwide, the total economic impact of UAS industry in the U.S. could reach $82 billion by 2025. These opportunities have the potential to tap the expertise of our region’s top academic institutions (including Clarkson, Syracuse University, and Cornell, to name a few) and leading-edge companies in our region.
How our region can best maximize these innovations, jobs, and investments was the focus of the inaugural NUAIR Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industry Days, a two-day event that [took place Sept. 29-30]. More than 100 academic, public, and industry partners came together to share ideas and best practices as we advance this new industry in our region. Additionally, these thought leaders will work toward solutions for common challenges facing the industry as a whole.
This event marks an important milestone in the trajectory of the NUAIR program, which is establishing our region and the state as a leader in civil and commercial UAS development.
Robert M. Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This editorial is drawn and edited from the CEO Focus email newsletter the organization sent out on Sept. 26.
Eric Mower + Associates (EMA) has hired AJ Pellicciotti as media coordinator. He previously worked as ticket sales & box office manager at The Westcott
Community Bank System, Inc. has hired Joseph Pedrotti as vice president of commercial banking for the Central New York region. He has more than 30
Amie Dupra was recently hired by Seneca Savings as the North Syracuse branch manager. She has more than six years experience in branch management and
Savannah Hemler has been appointed to the role of insurance customer-service representative for the Solvay Bank Insurance Agency. She has held several other positions at
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