Onondaga County hotels see 10 percent rise in occupancy in January

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SYRACUSE — Onondaga County hotels opened 2023 with another solid increase in business activity, according to a recent report. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county climbed 10 percent to 44.5 percent in the first month of the year compared to January 2022, according to STR, a […]

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New York snap-bean production rose 5 percent in 2022

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New York farmers produced an estimated 1.86 million cwt (hundredweight) of snap beans (also called green beans or string beans) last year, up 5 percent from the 2021 estimate, according to a recent government report. The average yield per acre was estimated at 75 cwt in 2022, unchanged from the prior year’s average yield, per

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SRAA Police Department now on duty at Syracuse airport

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SYRACUSE — The newly formed SRAA Police Department is handling law-enforcement duties at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). Officers began their patrol of the airport property at SYR as of 12:01 a.m. on March 6, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) said in its announcement. The City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD) has provided law-enforcement

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SYRACUSE — The newly formed SRAA Police Department is handling law-enforcement duties at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR).

Officers began their patrol of the airport property at SYR as of 12:01 a.m. on March 6, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) said in its announcement.

The City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD) has provided law-enforcement services to the airport for most of its existence, the SRAA said. Starting in 2012, a combination of off-duty SPD officers and private-security firms have provided security services under an agreement with the City of Syracuse.

The SRAA Police Department includes two full-time employees — Chief Mark Werbeck and Captain Anthony Sobiech — and 19 part-time officers.

“The consummate professionals at SPD have been very accommodating during this transition,” Werbeck said. “We thank our SPD counterparts for their years of dedication to the safe and secure operation of our airport.”

Werbeck is a 25-year law-enforcement professional who most recently served at the rank of sergeant with the SPD. Among his many duties, the Solvay native oversaw the SPD airport section, serving as the direct liaison between the SPD and SRAA.

State lawmakers in 2022 passed legislation authorizing the creation of an authority police department with its own uniformed police officers. The airport police jurisdiction consists of all property under the control of the SRAA and has been certified by New York State, the SRAA said.

“As our airport grows to support the region, this transition to an in-house police department will allow the SRAA flexibility in scheduling work shifts and increased control over staffing levels,” Jason Terreri, executive director of SRAA, said. “Officers working regularly at the airport will have a greater familiarity with the airport environment, further enhancing security.”

The creation of the SRAA Police Department marks the first time in decades a new officially recognized law-enforcement agency has been created in New York state.

About Werbeck, Sobiech

A recipient of divisional, bureau, and departmental commendations throughout his career, Werbeck retired in good standing from the SPD in August 2022. One day later, he formally accepted a job with the SRAA as the new chief of police.

Since then, Werbeck has worked with internal and external stakeholders to “transform the vision of an airport police force into an operational reality,” the SRAA said.

Sobiech, a veteran of the Gulf War, grew up in Binghamton. He is a 28-year veteran of law enforcement, serving the entirety of his career with the SPD.

Among his many accomplishments, the FBI National Academy graduate established the “first of its kind” SPD public-order unit. After commanding the Southwest District for the department, he later commanded the patrol-service division, which positioned Sobiech to work with a variety of community stakeholders, including the airport.

Barton & Loguidice adds JTM Associates founder to staff

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SALINA — Barton & Loguidice (B&L) says it has added the man who founded JTM Associates, LLC to its staff, a move that the company says “enhances” its environmental-consulting capabilities in the industrial market. James T. Mickam, president of JTM Associates, was the company’s lone employee, B&L tells CNYBJ in an email. Barton & Loguidice

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James T. Mickam, president of JTM Associates, was the company’s lone employee, B&L tells CNYBJ in an email.

Barton & Loguidice acquired JTM Associates in a deal that became effective March 6, B&L said in a March 10 announcement. The firm’s announcement didn’t include any financial details for the deal.

B&L describes itself as a consulting firm that services public and private clients with 350 employees throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The company is headquartered at 443 Electronics Parkway in the town of Salina.

With B&L, Mickam will have a client management and technical role, the firm tells CNYBJ. He’ll work both at his home office in the Bridgeport area of town of Cicero and at the Salina headquarters as well, B&L adds.

Mickam has more than 40 years of experience as a professional geologist and environmental consultant. He has managed projects for industrial, public, and private clients across the U.S. and internationally. JTM Associates has a background assessing the impacts and risks associated with past, present, and proposed waste-management operations — notably their compliance with federal and state regulations.

As the leader at JTM, Mickam also coordinated natural resource and potable water exploration, development, and management programs. He has experience with U.S. federal laws including NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or Superfund), Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Clean Air Act, per the B&L announcement. Additionally, Mickam has developed strategic environmental-compliance programs for Fortune 500 manufacturers and has provided expert testimony in several state and federal jurisdictions.

Mickam is a graduate of Michigan State University and is a certified professional geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists, as well as the state of Florida, per the B&L announcement.

Kronenberg starts as Crouse Health CEO after Boynton steps down

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SYRACUSE — Dr. Seth Kronenberg, who has served as chief medical officer and COO of Crouse Health, is now the president and CEO of the health system. His appointment took effect March 17 on the same day that former CEO Kimberly Boynton stepped down, according to an announcement that day from Patrick Mannion, chairman of

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SYRACUSE — Dr. Seth Kronenberg, who has served as chief medical officer and COO of Crouse Health, is now the president and CEO of the health system.

His appointment took effect March 17 on the same day that former CEO Kimberly Boynton stepped down, according to an announcement that day from Patrick Mannion, chairman of the Crouse Health board of directors.

With the hospital for 25 years, Boynton began her career at Crouse in 1998 in finance. In 2003, Crouse named her CFO, a position she held for 10 years. In January 2014, the board appointed Boynton president and CEO.

“On behalf of the Board, we thank Kimberly for her years of strong leadership, dedication to the Crouse mission and unwavering loyalty and passion for all things Crouse,” Mannion said. “Kimberly’s accomplishments and achievements during her tenure at Crouse are numerous. Under her leadership and strategic direction, major capital investments were completed, including the Pomeroy Emergency Services Department; Witting Surgical Center; and Pomeroy Addiction Treatment Services. Kimberly leaves Crouse financially positioned to continue our mission.”

Crouse’s current financial status is “positive, with a solid balance sheet, increased market share year-over-year and total operating revenue exceeding budget,” per a Crouse Health statement.

“We are extremely appreciative of Kimberly’s contributions to Crouse over the years and look forward to building on that success,” Kronenberg added in the statement.

About Kronenberg

Kronenberg joined Crouse Hospital in 2014 and has served as chief medical officer and COO and also serves as president of Crouse Medical Practice. He is the son of former Crouse president and CEO Dr. Paul Kronenberg, who preceded Boynton in the role.

“Dr. Kronenberg is a thoughtful, collaborative and decisive leader who has been instrumental in leading the organization through the pandemic,” Mannion said. “As Crouse moves forward under Dr. Kronenberg’s leadership — and with a focus on our mission and culture — we will continue to collaborate with employed and community-based physicians while providing quality, compassionate care from physicians and employees who are second to none.”

A board-certified internist, Dr. Kronenberg previously practiced at Internists Associates of Central New York and Crouse Medical Practice, according to his bio on the Crouse website. He joined Internist Associates in 2001, becoming managing partner in 2005. In 2010, Internist Associates became part of Crouse Medical Practice, PLLC, and he was appointed medical director.

Kronenberg received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He attended medical school and completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Dr. Kronenberg is a member of the boards of directors of Syracuse Community Health Center, Community Memorial Hospital, HealtheConnections, and the Central New York Care Collaborative, per the website.

CNY region unemployment rates rose in January

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Each region gained jobs in past 12 months Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Binghamton, Watertown–Fort Drum, Ithaca, and Elmira regions all rose in January compared to the year-ago month. The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released on March 14. However, the same six Central New

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Each region gained jobs in past 12 months

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Binghamton, Watertown–Fort Drum, Ithaca, and Elmira regions all rose in January compared to the year-ago month.

The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released on March 14.

However, the same six Central New York subregions gained jobs between January 2022 and this past January, with job growth ranging from 0.3 percent to 5.2 percent. That’s according to the latest monthly employment report that the New York State Department of Labor issued on March 9.

Regional unemployment rates

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 4.2 percent in January, up from 4.0 percent in January 2022. Elsewhere around Central New York, the Utica–Rome area’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent from 4.4 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum region’s jobless number climbed to 5.4 percent from 4.9 percent; the Binghamton area’s rate edged up to 4.6 percent from 4.5 percent; the Ithaca region’s jobless number rose to 3.5 percent from 3.1 percent a year ago; and the Elmira area’s unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent in January 2023 from 4.1 percent in the same month a year ago.

The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires. The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.

January jobs data

The Syracuse region gained 9,300 jobs in the past year, an increase of 3.1 percent.

Elsewhere, the Utica–Rome metro area picked up 2,700 positions, a rise of 2.3 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum region gained 600 jobs, an increase of 1.5 percent; the Binghamton metro area added 2,400 jobs, a rise of 2.5 percent; the Ithaca region gained 3,000 positions, an increase of 5.2 percent; and the Elmira metro area added 100 jobs in the past year, an increase of 0.3 percent.

New York state as a whole added nearly 342,000 jobs, an increase of 3.7 percent, in that 12-month time period.

Taitem Engineering founder transitions to teaching, research role at Syracuse University

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Taitem Engineering of Ithaca recently announced that its founder, Ian M. Shapiro, has accepted a faculty position at Syracuse University, where he will teach in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He will also be conducting research at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE). Shapiro will

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He will also be conducting research at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE). Shapiro will also lead SyracuseCoE’s initiative to establish its new Building Assessment Center.

Shapiro will continue to serve on Taitem’s board of directors and be available as a resource to the company, the firm said in a news release.

Shapiro founded Taitem Engineering in 1989. He has led several applied-energy conservation research projects and worked on design and energy projects in New York and nearby states. He has led the development of several software applications which are used in the areas of HVAC, energy, and indoor air-quality fields, the release stated. That includes TREAT (Targeted Residential Energy Analysis Tools), which was awarded the 2005 national R&D100 Award.

He has developed and delivered workshops to owners, developers, designers, and contractors in the area of energy and HVAC to advance sustainability efforts in the industry. Shapiro has been a leader in the green-buildings movement and “a steadfast advocate for high-performance buildings,” Taitem contends.

“I’m super excited to be seeking to share knowledge with the next generation of engineers and to be working at the university’s Center of Excellence, which I’ve long admired. The university’s strength in interdisciplinary work, with the School of Architecture and others, is also of interest to me. I’m delighted to stay connected to Taitem, and hope I can serve as a useful resource as the firm moves into the future,” Shapiro said.

Before starting Taitem Engineering, he worked at Carrier Corporation in Syracuse for seven years. While at Carrier, he designed heat pumps and air-conditioning equipment and holds eight patents from this work. He received his ninth patent in 2008, for an innovative desiccant cooling system.

Shapiro is the co-author of the books “Green Building Illustrated,” 2nd Edition (Wiley, 2020) and “Energy Audits and Improvements for Commercial Buildings” (Wiley, 2016). He is also co-author of the “Ithaca Energy Code Supplement,” one of the most advanced energy codes in the nation. He also helped to develop New York State’s Integrated Physical Needs Assessment, which is required for all affordable multifamily projects undergoing rehabilitation, as well as other state and local technical-policy requirements.

Shapiro has been a visiting lecturer at Cornell University, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and Syracuse University. He holds an undergraduate degree from McGill University, and a master’s degree from Columbia University, both in mechanical engineering.

Taitem Engineering is a full-service consulting engineering firm whose clients include public and private entities, and its projects include buildings in many sectors, including education, multifamily, commercial, industrial, and health care. The company is located at 110 S. Albany St. in Ithaca.

Electronics recycler Sunnking switches to four-day workweek

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WHITESBORO, N.Y. — Electronics recycler Sunnking is testing out a four-day workweek at its Whitesboro and Brockport recycling facilities. “It was sort of born out of the pandemic,” Sunnking President Adam Shine says. While many white-color jobs switched to home offices and have continued in some sort of hybrid format, that wasn’t an option for

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WHITESBORO, N.Y. — Electronics recycler Sunnking is testing out a four-day workweek at its Whitesboro and Brockport recycling facilities.

“It was sort of born out of the pandemic,” Sunnking President Adam Shine says. While many white-color jobs switched to home offices and have continued in some sort of hybrid format, that wasn’t an option for blue-collar workers like those at the company’s recycling facilities.

Shine began thinking of things Sunnking could do to offer a similar work-home benefit to its workers. “What’s something we can do to differentiate ourselves?” he asks. After seeing competing employers offering starting wages that differed by just one cent, Shine knew he didn’t want to get into the wage war.

Ultimately, the idea for a four-day work week rose to the top of the list as a way to both enhance current employees’ lives, as well as help attract and retain new employees, he says. So, the company surveyed its workers and 98 percent of them were in favor of switching to a four-day week. The company made the switch on Feb. 6.

The change means workers in the recycling facilities now work Monday through Thursday for 10-hour days. Previously, the company operated Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but hours now are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To offset the longer days, Sunnking moved the daily break to the afternoon and tweaked the lunch hour.

“There’s still growing pains,” Shine says as the company continues to work out the kinks. It’s trialing the four-day week for 90 days. Toward the end of the trial, he says, the business will evaluate things like turnover rate and productivity.

Having every Friday off means employees won’t need to use as much paid time off for things like doctor’s appointments because they can schedule things for Fridays when possible.

“Now people can go away for a long weekend and not use any PTO,” Shine adds. It gives employees more time with family and a regularly scheduled free weekday to use as they wish.

Already, the signs are positive, Shine says. Productivity has remained the same or even increased slightly, he notes, and morale is up. “The feedback I’ve gotten so far has been incredible,” he says.

He has even received inquiries from potential employees as word spreads about the four-day week. The company is looking to fill between four and six positions right now, and will need to add as many as 20 people during the busy spring and summer months.

The change does not impact Sunnking’s other service areas including its eCaboose retail locations and its trucks that pick up recyclable electronics from customers.

Duane Beckett founded Sunnking in 2000 as electronic-device reseller before expanding services to include electronics recycling. The company employs about 120 people and has increased recycling volumes to more than 25 million pounds annually.

Excellus net income declines 50 percent in 2022

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield reported net income of $58.9 million on $6.6 billion in premium revenue in 2022, down 50 percent from the $117.6 million that the health insurer generated in 2021. The nonprofit disclosed the figures in an annual financial report filed with the New York State Department of Financial Services. Rochester–based

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Northwoods takes over management of Norman Shadduck Agency in Binghamton

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Northwoods Corporation entered into a management agreement March 1 with the Norman Shadduck Agency, located at 32 Broad Ave., in Binghamton. Under the agreement, Northwoods now manages the daily operations of the agency. David Shadduck remains the agency’s sole owner and president. Shadduck and the agency’s one employee remain with the

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Northwoods Corporation entered into a management agreement March 1 with the Norman Shadduck Agency, located at 32 Broad Ave., in Binghamton.

Under the agreement, Northwoods now manages the daily operations of the agency. David Shadduck remains the agency’s sole owner and president. Shadduck and the agency’s one employee remain with the agency, which Northwoods hopes to grow with the addition of four new employees over the next six months, says Northwoods EVP Tony Vecchiotti.

“They’re established, the name’s been known, and yes, they have an excellent reputation,” Vecchiotti said. The agreement with Northwoods opens up new opportunities for the agency and its clients, he adds.

Now that it’s under the Northwoods umbrella, the Norman Shadduck Agency and its clients have access to more insurance carriers. Northwoods works with 25 different carriers, including larger national carriers and a number of New York–based carriers. The expanded staff will boost the level of service provided.

“This is a great opportunity for Northwoods Corp. and Shadduck Agency, but most importantly for our current and future clients,” David Shadduck said in a press release.

The agency remains at 32 Broad Ave., where Northwoods was already leasing space from Shadduck for an agency it owns, called The Cardell Agency, for the past 14 months.

Northwood’s management model means it splits commissions with the agency and manages the daily operations like paying rent, hiring and training employees, and providing benefits. Northwoods also holds the necessary licenses and manages agreements with the insurance providers with which it works.

The company is able to do this efficiently and with better economies of scale, Vecchiotti says, due to its size. Northwoods, based in Williamsville, owns or has management agreements with about 33 different insurance agencies. Along with the Binghamton location, the company has 14 offices including Bath, Hornell, Seneca Falls, and Geneva, along with several locations in western New York. Northwoods (www.nwcins.com) employs just under 100 people.

Norman Shadduck, Sr. founded the Norman Shadduck Agency in 1961. His sons Norm, Mark, and David purchased the agency in 1988. Mark and Norm Shadduck have since retired.

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