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Greater Binghamton Chamber presents annual awards honoring small businesses, entrepreneurs, and more
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce honored its 2023 award winners during its 59th annual dinner and meeting held May 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Binghamton. Maryanne Burke, president and CEO of A.L. Burke, was honored as the 2023 Small Businessperson of the Year. Established in 1945, A.L. Burke provides affordable […]
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce honored its 2023 award winners during its 59th annual dinner and meeting held May 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Binghamton.
Maryanne Burke, president and CEO of A.L. Burke, was honored as the 2023 Small Businessperson of the Year. Established in 1945, A.L. Burke provides affordable housing to the Southern Tier region. Burke joined the business in 1988 and became president and CEO in 2000. Under Burke’s leadership, the company experienced significant growth and expanded both gross sales and the number of employees more than 300 percent in the past five years. A.L. Burke currently has 35 employees. Its portfolio includes 10 mobile-home parks and the Binghamton Jellystone park campground, which opened last year after Burke acquired a campground in Endicott, invested $2.5 million, and partnered with the nationwide park franchise. In its first year, gross revenue at the campground tripled.
Jesus Clarke, owner of Big Zues Barbecue, was honored as the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2020, while at home with his family during the pandemic, Clarke decided to pursue his love of being in the kitchen. That July 4th weekend, he set up his grill and gave a plate of food to passersby. That was the inspiration for Big Zues Barbecue, which opened later that month for orders.
The chamber honored Matt Sheehan as its Distinguished Chamber Volunteer of the Year for his work on initiatives including the SPARK program and the “Kids Can Build” event to fight hunger as well as for serving as vice president on several community boards and coaching various sports teams.
Mary O’Malley-Trumble was honored as the 2023 Civic Leader of the Year for her involvement in various nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Her passion for STEAM, arts, and education has helped secure funding for initiatives like the Bug Squad exhibit and the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s community-engagement programs. O’Malley-Trumble was also recognized as an outgoing board member for her nine years of service.
The Greater Binghamton Chamber also presented 2023 Bridge Run charity partner the Addiction Center of Broome County with a check from the proceeds of this year’s event.
CRAIG O’KEEFE recently joined Stephen Donnelly & Associates as its agency director. O’Keefe is an industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience developing and advancing global consumer brands in marketing and advertising leadership positions, the firm said. In the newly established position of agency director, O’Keefe will lead Stephen Donnelly & Associates’ strategy, operations,
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CRAIG O’KEEFE recently joined Stephen Donnelly & Associates as its agency director. O’Keefe is an industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience developing and advancing global consumer brands in marketing and advertising leadership positions, the firm said. In the newly established position of agency director, O’Keefe will lead Stephen Donnelly & Associates’ strategy, operations, talent acquisition, and business positioning for the future from its headquarters in Binghamton. O’Keefe, who relocated from Illinois, worked previously as the managing partner and creative lead of Brandjolt. He led integrated marketing and brand-activation consulting across industries and increased the brand value of advertisers and agencies, including Nestle, JP Morgan Chase & Co., McDonald’s, John Deere, and more.

THOMAS W. ROMAN has joined Fulton Savings Bank as senior VP and chief lending officer. Roman’s banking career spans nearly 30 years throughout New York state, primarily serving the Central New York region. Most recently, he worked as VP and senior commercial-banking relationship manager at NBT Bank. Roman previously served as a VP in the
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THOMAS W. ROMAN has joined Fulton Savings Bank as senior VP and chief lending officer. Roman’s banking career spans nearly 30 years throughout New York state, primarily serving the Central New York region. Most recently, he worked as VP and senior commercial-banking relationship manager at NBT Bank. Roman previously served as a VP in the commercial banking divisions of Citizens Bank and KeyBank. Founded in 1871, Fulton Savings Bank is Fulton’s oldest, locally owned, longest-standing business, according to The Friends of History in Fulton, Inc. The bank has offices in the Fulton, Baldwinsville, Phoenix, Central Square, Brewerton, and Constantia areas.

DESIREE DERBY was promoted to small-business relationship manager at AmeriCU Credit Union. In her role, she will work with members from AmeriCU Financial Centers located in the Syracuse region. Derby started her career at AmeriCU as a member-relationship advisor in Syracuse. She advanced to financial-center manager in Fayetteville, and brings more than 17 years of
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DESIREE DERBY was promoted to small-business relationship manager at AmeriCU Credit Union. In her role, she will work with members from AmeriCU Financial Centers located in the Syracuse region. Derby started her career at AmeriCU as a member-relationship advisor in Syracuse. She advanced to financial-center manager in Fayetteville, and brings more than 17 years of financial-management experience. Prior to joining AmeriCU, Derby worked at a bank located in the Finger Lakes region for 13 years, where she served as assistant VP to nine retail branches and a call center. Derby attended SUNY Empire State University for an associate degree in business, management, and economics.

RYAN M. WALKER, general surgeon, has joined Oswego Health, to provide care at its Center for Surgical Services. He comes to Oswego Health from the Albany area, where he practiced at both St. Peter’s Heath Partners and St. Mary’s Healthcare. Dr. Walker is now part of the 100-plus physicians and advanced practice providers employed by
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RYAN M. WALKER, general surgeon, has joined Oswego Health, to provide care at its Center for Surgical Services. He comes to Oswego Health from the Albany area, where he practiced at both St. Peter’s Heath Partners and St. Mary’s Healthcare. Dr. Walker is now part of the 100-plus physicians and advanced practice providers employed by Oswego Health and the 270 providers on the medical staff representing multiple specialty services, the health system said. Walker’s professional interests include breast surgery, colorectal surgery, gallbladder surgery, and hernia repairs, with an emphasis on utilizing minimally invasive techniques. He is also a DaVinci-certified robotic surgeon. Walker graduated from Ithaca College, before earning his medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean in 2007. He completed his post-graduate training, along with his chief residency, at York Hospital in Pennsylvania. Dr. Walker’s office is located in Suite 100 of the Seneca Hill Health Services Center in Oswego.

CHRISTOPHER BABIARZ recently joined Barclay Damon’s real estate and institutions & lending practice areas as an associate attorney. His primary office is in Syracuse. Babiarz focuses his legal practice on commercial real-estate transactions, including purchases, sales, lending, and title work, from inception to closing, the firm said. He drafts property-transfer documents, life estates, and lease
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CHRISTOPHER BABIARZ recently joined Barclay Damon’s real estate and institutions & lending practice areas as an associate attorney. His primary office is in Syracuse. Babiarz focuses his legal practice on commercial real-estate transactions, including purchases, sales, lending, and title work, from inception to closing, the firm said. He drafts property-transfer documents, life estates, and lease agreements. Babiarz has additional experience with business formation and management, as well as municipal zoning and land-use issues. Prior to joining Barclay Damon, Babiarz was an associate attorney at law firms in Syracuse, Auburn, and Ithaca, and also was a legal intern with the New York State Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Babiarz earned his law degree from the Albany Law School. Before that, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany.

Syracuse men’s basketball to open season against America East opponent
Prior to the season opener, the Orange will play two exhibition games against opponents that include Daemen University from suburban Buffalo on Oct. 27 and

ANDRO lands Army SBIR contract to develop AI solutions
The companies each received an SBIR phase-one contract up to $150,000 to develop AI/ML solutions. Using the Army’s investment, ANDRO and the other businesses will

TSA says it’s prepared for the summer-travel season at the Syracuse airport
Johnson went on to say, “To assist the TSA officers at the checkpoint, TSA has secured some new technologies at the checkpoint to enhance security.

Central New York Conservancy rebrands as GreenUtica
“Utica’s tree canopy is one of the glories of the city,” GreenUtica Executive Director Gina Pearce said in a press release. “Trees clean our air
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.