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VIP Structures, an integrated design-build firm, has hired COLE ENRIGHT as a field technician, BRYNNA DOODY as a property management associate, SOFIYA FIDLER as a mechanical engineer, SHANNON FORDYCE as a purchasing controls associate, JAKE STONE as a superintendent, YOP WHALEN as a structural drafter/designer, and MEGAN WILMOT as an office administrator. Enright rejoins VIP […]
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VIP Structures, an integrated design-build firm, has hired COLE ENRIGHT as a field technician, BRYNNA DOODY as a property management associate, SOFIYA FIDLER as a mechanical engineer, SHANNON FORDYCE as a purchasing controls associate, JAKE STONE as a superintendent, YOP WHALEN as a structural drafter/designer, and MEGAN WILMOT as an office administrator. Enright rejoins VIP Structures with previous experience working on projects for the firm, including the demolition of the former Post-Standard building to accommodate VIP Structures’ future office and other commercial tenants. Doody joins VIP Structures’ property management team, bringing previous experience as a leasing agent and property manager at Dawn Homes Management. Fidler joins the firm with extensive knowledge of HVAC systems and design principles. She is an alumna of Saint Petersburg State University School of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Prior to joining VIP Structures, she was a senior-level mechanical engineer at LaBella. Fordyce joins VIP Structures from D Murphy Enterprises and Kinney Drugs Pharmacy, where she gained extensive experience in office management, bookkeeping and data analysis. Prior to joining VIP Structures, Stone gained experience in construction-project oversight at JW Construction Services, Inc., where he coordinated teams, maintained project documentation, ensured safety compliance and delivered projects within budget and schedule. Whalen has joined VIP Structures’ Utica office. She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from the University of Jos in Nigeria and comes with a wealth of experience in programming CNC machines and producing detailed shop drawings using AutoCAD and Revit. Prior to joining VIP Structures, Wilmot held various customer-service roles and most recently was director of operations at ProValidus Medical Staffing. She has demonstrated exceptional skills in overseeing contracts, maintaining compliance, and ensuring operational efficiency.

TONY WILLIAMS was recently appointed the new commissioner of Parks Recreation and Youth Programs for the City of Syracuse. He brings 12 years of facilities management and capital planning in government and nonprofit recreation. Williams assumed leadership of a city department that oversees 1,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, and open spaces and nearly 50 facilities
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TONY WILLIAMS was recently appointed the new commissioner of Parks Recreation and Youth Programs for the City of Syracuse. He brings 12 years of facilities management and capital planning in government and nonprofit recreation. Williams assumed leadership of a city department that oversees 1,000 acres of parks, playgrounds, and open spaces and nearly 50 facilities in neighborhoods across the city. Parks Recreation and Youth Programs is comprised of 12 bureaus that also manage and support programs, activities and events for youth, seniors and people of all ages. The department has nearly 640 full-time and seasonal employees. Williams served as associate VP of facilities and capital planning for the YMCA of Central New York since 2021, where he was responsible for building systems and maintenance and capital-projects management for the Y’s seven major locations in Onondaga County. Prior to the YMCA, Williams worked for the Onondaga County Public Library System since 2011. He was building-maintenance supervisor where he led capital, maintenance, grounds, security, and fleet management for 11 county library locations. Williams attended Onondaga Community College and completed the Syracuse Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.
CHRIS ABBOTT has been promoted to deputy commissioner of Parks Recreation and Youth Programs for the City of Syracuse. He has been the department’s Recreation Program director since 2002. Abbott oversees recreational and enrichment programming and serves as the coordinator of health and wellness initiatives. He also works closely with multiple community partners to develop and operate inclusive recreational programming and policies. From his nearly two decades with the department, Abbott has deep knowledge of city parks programs. He has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo and a master’s degree from University of Connecticut, where he also worked as a fitness and wellness graduate assistant.
Northland Communications has welcomed three new employees to the company’s growing team and has promoted two internally to new roles within the business. MIKE LYNCH has joined Northland Communications as director of network engineering, bringing more than 25 years of experience and industry knowledge to his new role. Lynch leads the network engineering and central
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Northland Communications has welcomed three new employees to the company’s growing team and has promoted two internally to new roles within the business. MIKE LYNCH has joined Northland Communications as director of network engineering, bringing more than 25 years of experience and industry knowledge to his new role. Lynch leads the network engineering and central office teams through proactively maintaining a reliable and secure network infrastructure, ongoing expansion, and capacity management. Additionally, Lynch and his team play a crucial role in Northland’s product development process to best leverage the company’s overall capabilities. Northland’s people + talent department has grown by two.
KAILA CHAMPOUX has joined as the recruitment + retention coordinator and NATALIE LATCHFORD has come aboard as the training coordinator. Champoux is responsible for networking with potential candidates to promote the Northland brand and guiding potential employees through the recruitment and onboarding process to work toward building diverse and qualified teams to support Northland. Latchford oversees the creation of high performing teams at Northland through the delivery of training that advances the skillsets and capabilities of all teams throughout the company, with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and knowledge retention.
DAVE D’AGOSTINO has been promoted to Northland’s leadership team as manager of software engineering after 24 years with the company. D’Agostino is responsible for leading the Northland software department in a proactive manner that leverages the many unique differentiators Northland provides its customers with. He manages the entire software-development process and oversees the design of all applications.
NICOLE TORRILLO recently joined the product line management team as UCaaS (unified communications as a service) product manager. Torrillo has been with Northland for more than 11 years and is now in charge of leading the coordination of the company’s UCaaS product offering to ensure customer needs are being exceeded.

New York SBDC honors Syracuse business owner as NY minority entrepreneur of the year
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on Friday recognized Shawni Davis with its 2023 Minority Entrepreneur of the Year

Binghamton nonprofit president charged with stealing $50K from organization
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The president of a Binghamton nonprofit was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from the charitable organization, according to the New

Bryant & Stratton College, Utica University announce degree-program partnership
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a new partnership, Bryant & Stratton College says graduates with an associate degree in physical therapy can transfer more credits to

People news: KeyBank names VP, area retail leader
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Kevin Westcott has joined KeyBank as VP, area retail leader, the bank announced. In this role, he is based in Key’s downtown


Upstate Medical University formally opens new cancer center in Verona
VERONA, N.Y. — Syracuse’s Upstate Medical University on Tuesday formally opened its new Upstate Cancer Center at Verona. The center is expected to see its

State announces funding for zero-emission school buses
New York State is making $100 million available for zero-emission school buses in the first round of funding available for them under the $4.2 billion
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.