Curci to retire as CEO of Tops Market and Price Chopper parent company, successor named

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Frank Curci — CEO of Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets — plans to retire. NGI on Monday also announced its board of directors has selected John Persons, NGI’s COO, as Curci’s successor. Persons, who NGI describes as a 40-year industry veteran, will […]

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Frank Curci (Photo credit: Northeast Grocery)

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Frank Curci — CEO of Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets — plans to retire.

NGI on Monday also announced its board of directors has selected John Persons, NGI’s COO, as Curci’s successor.

Persons, who NGI describes as a 40-year industry veteran, will assume the role of CEO effective Feb. 26.

He has served as NGI’s COO since June 2023, overseeing both the Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets operating companies, as well as Northeast Shared Services’ merchandising and marketing functions.

The overall announcement is “part of the company’s strategic succession plan,” and the board selected Persons “following an internal and external search,” NGI said.

“The 43 years I have spent in this business have been challenging and rewarding beyond measure and, without a doubt,

John Persons (Photo credit: Northeast Grocery)

the recent years spent planning and then bringing NGI to life have been some of the most gratifying,” Curci said in a news release. “I’m delighted that John has been chosen to succeed me. He has been instrumental in our merger success to date, providing the necessary leadership over these past few years to position NGI for success. While John’s strategic mindset is poised to lead our multifaceted business day to day, he also possesses great vision for our path forward.”

NGI says one of Curci’s accomplishments as NGI’s CEO has been to develop a team of seasoned executives across Tops, Price Chopper/Market 32, and Northeast Shared Services (a subsidiary of NGI providing services to both operating companies). That team is “capable of providing experienced leadership and fueling” the internal succession plan. That plan ultimately led to the selection of Persons to succeed Curci, NGI said.

“I am thrilled to lead NGI forward in collaboration with the talented teammates and associates at Northeast Shared Services, Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops who are dedicated to nourishing the communities we serve,” Persons said in the release. “On behalf of all 30,000 of us, I’d like to express gratitude to Frank Curci for his leadership and mentorship over the years and reiterate my commitment to build on the momentum and success that he has fostered.”

Syracuse football adds UNLV to 2024 schedule to replace Army game

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse University football team has added a new nonconference opponent to its 2024 schedule and will travel to a well-known vacation destination for the matchup. Syracuse will play UNLV for the first time in program history when the Orange travel to Allegiant Stadium, near Las Vegas, on Oct. 5, Syracuse Athletics

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Centro announces search for its next CEO

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Centro on Tuesday announced its board of directors is searching for the next CEO of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority. “This is a time of profound change for our community and a tremendous opportunity for Centro,” Nicholas Laino, chairman of the Authority, said in a news release. “Our search will

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Pathfinder Village names new top executive

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EDMESTON, N.Y. — Karen M. Knavel has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Pathfinder Village, the nonprofit announced. Pathfinder Village is a livable community and service provider to provide people with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent lifestyle through educational, day services, vocational/pre-vocational, and outreach programs. Knavel, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio,

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Karen M. Knavel (Photo credit: Pathfinder Village)

EDMESTON, N.Y. — Karen M. Knavel has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Pathfinder Village, the nonprofit announced.

Pathfinder Village is a livable community and service provider to provide people with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent lifestyle through educational, day services, vocational/pre-vocational, and outreach programs.

Knavel, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, previously served as the chief executive of New Avenues to Independence in Cleveland and has held leadership roles for more than 25 years at nonprofit agencies serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“Karen combines a passion for helping and improving the lives of those with disabilities with demonstrated excellence in executive and financial leadership,”Pathfinder Village Board of Directors Chair William F. Streck said in a news release. “Pathfinder Village has been blessed with such leaders, and we welcome her to the Village community to sustain and enhance that history.”

Knavel, 54, is the fourth person to serve in the top–executive role at Pathfinder since it began in 1980. She succeeds Paul C. Landers.

She was hired following a year-long national search among executive-level candidates with expertise in disabilities, health care, housing, staffing, and nonprofit operations. Knavel brings a wealth of strategic, operational, and firsthand experience, having served in varied roles including chief operating officer, director of community relations and housing, staff-development specialist, and supported-living coordinator.

Knavel will work with Landers and Pathfinder Village’s leadership team over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Knavel has served on the Ohio Health Care Association as I/DD board chair since 2021 and is on the board of representatives of ANCOR, the national advocacy group for the I/DD community. She also served as a grant reviewer for the Ohio Department of Education and contributed research projects for the Social Security Administration, Columbus Children’s Hospital, retired Judge Linda Rocker, and the late U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette.

She earned a law degree at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Walsh University.

Landers announced his retirement last February, after 15 years of service to the organization. He agreed to stay in the role until his replacement was found and help guide the transition.

Accomplishments under his tenure include the creation of Pathfinder Produce and Pathfinder Village’s adult-day services initiatives to provide job training and work opportunities to adults with I/DD. The organization also increased its service capacitywith the addition of a community health center, several off-campus homes, and the expansion of its west campus. Other achievements include the start of Otsego Academy, Camp Pathfinder, and the Aging Initiative.

NBT Bancorp CEO Watt announces plans to retire in May

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NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp Inc. President and CEO John H. Watt, Jr. announced he will retire, effective May 21 of this year. The company’s board of directors, after a 10-month process, approved a succession plan that will promote Scott A. Kingsley, NBT’s current CFO, to succeed Watt as president and CEO. Kingsley will also

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NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp Inc. President and CEO John H. Watt, Jr. announced he will retire, effective May 21 of this year.

The company’s board of directors, after a 10-month process, approved a succession plan that will promote Scott A. Kingsley, NBT’s current CFO, to succeed Watt as president and CEO. Kingsley will also be appointed to the Norwich–based banking company’s board of directors when he assumes his new role on May 21, according to an NBT news release.

Watt will continue to serve on the board of directors and be named vice chairman in May. In that capacity, he will provide strategic support to NBT for its semiconductor–chip corridor initiatives. He will also serve as an advisor to the banking company through year’s end.

Watt became president and CEO of NBT Bancorp and its primary subsidiary NBT Bank, N.A., as well as a member of the board, in 2016.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I offer our sincere thanks to John Watt for the vision and energy he has invested in the leadership of the company and for the effective direction he has provided to the NBT team, particularly through the global pandemic,”NBT Board Chairman Martin A. Dietrich said in the release. “We are fortunate to have an aligned executive-management team with strong and experienced leaders like Scott Kingsley, Joe Stagliano, and Annette Burns who are poised to assume these top leadership roles as we move forward with this succession plan in May.”

As part of the plan, the board approved the promotion of Joseph R. Stagliano to president of NBT Bank, effective May 21. He currently serves as NBT’s president of retail community banking and chief information officer.

Annette L. Burns, NBT’s chief accounting officer, will assume the role of CFO on May 21.

Kingsley joined NBT in 2021 and has more than 35 years of experience, including 16 years as a member of the management team at Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), where he served as CFO and then COO. He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, before joining the Carlisle Companies, Inc., a publicly traded global manufacturer and distributor, where he served in financial and operational leadership roles. Kingsley is a certified public accountant (CPA) and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Clarkson University.

Stagliano joined NBT in 1999 and has more than 30 years of experience in the financial-services industry. While overseeing the company’s operations and retail-banking divisions, he was promoted to chief information officer and joined the executive-management team in 2006. In 2016, he assumed responsibility for retail banking and in 2018, was named president of retail banking. Prior to joining NBT, Stagliano worked atMetLife. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and public management from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

Burns joined NBT in 2013 with the company’s acquisition of Alliance Bancorp. A CPA, she has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Bonaventure University.

NBT Bancorp has nearly $14 billion in total assets and NBT Bank has 152 branches in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. The holding company also operates EPIC Advisors, Inc., a Rochester–based national benefits-administration firm, and NBT Insurance Agency, LLC, a Norwich–based full-service insurance agency.

Gillibrand proposes bill that could help bring grocery store to Syracuse’s south side

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It’s a proposal that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.)believes will help end so-called food deserts, such as one on Syracuse’s south side. The lawmaker on Monday visited the Valley Plaza to announce her Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act. She spoke at Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now Winter Market. “When we look

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It’s a proposal that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.)believes will help end so-called food deserts, such as one on Syracuse’s south side.

The lawmaker on Monday visited the Valley Plaza to announce her Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act. She spoke at Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now Winter Market.

“When we look at many communities across our country and across the state, people don’t always have access to healthy nutritious foods. Food deserts are far too common and they disproportionately impact communities of color. And barriers to food access become even more common with [COVID-19] and inflation,” Gillibrand said in her remarks. “Here is Syracuse, we have an unacceptably high rate of food insecurity. Across Onondaga County, over 46,000 people, or nearly 10 percent of residents, were food insecure in 2021. According to the USDA, thousands of Onondaga County residents live in food deserts.”

Food deserts are areas where a significant portion of residents don’t have easy access to a grocery store and affordable, nutritious food, as described in Gillibrand’s news release. Instead, they are forced to rely on corner and convenience stores, which often sell “little to no” fresh produce, meat or dairy and “whose prices are higher” than those of a typical supermarket.

Gillibrand’s legislation would provide $50 million annually in mandatory federal funding for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). HFFI is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that offers loans and grants to incentivize grocery stores to establish locations in underserved communities, such as Syracuse’s Valley neighborhood.

That area of Syracuse has lacked a large grocery store since the local Tops supermarket in the Valley Plaza shut down in 2018.

Gillibrand is also calling for $25 million for HFFI to be included in the upcoming government funding bill, her office said.

During her Monday afternoon announcement, Gillibrand was joined by Rhonda Vesey, co-founder and project director of Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now; Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh; Karen Belcher, executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York; and members of the Onondaga County Legislature.

Work wraps on $7.5 million ConnectALL internet fiber build out in town of Nichols

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only, Technology

NICHOLS, N.Y. — Work has concluded on the $7.5 million fiber build out for internet access in the town of Nichols in Tioga County. The work was part of the state’s ConnectALL initiative, with the state, Tioga County, Town of Nichols, and the Southern Tier Network (STN) all involved, per the announcement from Tioga County.

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People news: Operation Oswego County names marketing & communications manager

News, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC), the county’s authorized economic-development organization, announced it has recently named Alexandra Fitzpatrick as its marketing & communications manager. In this position Fitzpatrick will be coordinating comprehensive marketing, promotion, and community relations initiatives on behalf of the OOC to position Oswego County to attract business and industry. Fitzpatrick

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Saab DeWitt wins more than $47.5 million Navy contract adjustment for radar equipment

News

DeWITT — Saab Inc. in DeWitt was recently awarded a $47.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Navy. This

Bassett Cancer Institute earns continuing accreditation

News

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Bassett Cancer Institute has earned continuing accreditation from the Commission on Cancer, a national quality program of the American College of Surgeons.

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