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Cornell names Loeffelholz dean of the School of Continuing Education
ITHACA, N.Y. — Mary Loeffelholz, former dean of the College of Professional Studies and a professor of English at Northeastern University, will serve as the

Area organizations receive state funding to support worker training
More than $6 million in grants from the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development will fund a number of local projects through the

Oneida County hotel-occupancy rate inches up in November
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) edged up 0.5 percent to 50.3 percent in November compared

Onondaga Historical Association appoints new executive director
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The board of directors of the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) has announced the appointment of Lisa Romano Moore as its next executive

Katko says more than $20 million approved for CNY projects in new federal budget
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Funding to improve rapid-transit services in Syracuse and money for the Food Bank of Central New York were part of more than

Oswego developer used National Grid grants for work on two projects
OSWEGO, N.Y. — National Grid (NYSE: NGG) says it awarded an Oswego developer two economic-development grants totaling $50,000 to support its work on two projects

Rome Area Chamber honors Manueles for contributions to business community, chamber
ROME, N.Y. — The Rome Area Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Michael and Carol Manuele for their contributions to the business community and the chamber. “Carol and Mike have been strong leaders, not only in the financial institutions where they worked, but also in the community,” Rome Area Chamber Chairman John Calabrese said in a
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ROME, N.Y. — The Rome Area Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Michael and Carol Manuele for their contributions to the business community and the chamber.
“Carol and Mike have been strong leaders, not only in the financial institutions where they worked, but also in the community,” Rome Area Chamber Chairman John Calabrese said in a release. “Their contributions to our Rome chamber of commerce over the years have been significant, including each serving terms as the chair of our board of directors. We are extremely grateful to them both and congratulate them on their retirements.”
Michael Manuele retired from his role as assistant VP of financial-center operations for Region A at AmeriCU Credit Union, where he worked for nearly 20 years. He is a past Rome Area Chamber executive committee and board of directors’ member, including serving as chairman from 2012 to 2014.
“For me, it’s incredibly important to give back to my community,” Manuele said. “I’ve been doing that for most of my adult life in the forms of volunteering and participation on numerous boards and committees and plan to continue doing just that.”
Carol Manuele retired from M&T Bank as VP, business banking relationship manager. She is a past Rome Area Chamber executive committee and board member, including serving as chairwoman from 2014 to 2015.
“Working in business banking, I felt that it was important to be involved in organizations and committees that promote your community and businesses,” she said. “I have been very fortunate, and I feel that it’s our duty to give back by contributing and leading by example. Hopefully, I have been able to instill the importance of volunteering to the next generation.”

Chemung Financial pays Q4 quarterly dividend of 31 cents a share
ELMIRA, N.Y. — Chemung Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: CHMG) recently announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 31 cents per share of its common stock. The banking company will pay the dividend on Jan. 3, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 20. Chemung Financial
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ELMIRA, N.Y. — Chemung Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: CHMG) recently announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 31 cents per share of its common stock.
The banking company will pay the dividend on Jan. 3, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 20.
Chemung Financial is a $2.6 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Elmira. It operates 31 offices through its main subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full-service community bank with full trust powers. Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust says it is the oldest locally owned and managed community bank in New York state.
Chemung Financial is also the parent of CFS Group, Inc., a financial-services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax-preparation services, and insurance, as well as Chemung Risk Management, Inc., an insurance company based in Nevada.
OCC’s December graduation included nearly two dozen new nurses
ONONDAGA — Nearly two dozen nursing students were among those earning associate degrees during the December graduation ceremony held Dec. 14 at Onondaga Community College (OCC). OCC held a nurse-pinning ceremony for 22 students who completed their nursing degrees. The event, held prior to the graduation ceremony, is a “symbolic welcoming” into the nursing profession,
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ONONDAGA — Nearly two dozen nursing students were among those earning associate degrees during the December graduation ceremony held Dec. 14 at Onondaga Community College (OCC).
OCC held a nurse-pinning ceremony for 22 students who completed their nursing degrees. The event, held prior to the graduation ceremony, is a “symbolic welcoming” into the nursing profession, OCC said.
Those participating included one student who was pinned by her grandmother, who is a retired nurse. Another student was pinned by her sister, who is already a nurse. Also participating were two nursing students, Heather and Meghan Puddington, who are sisters.
In addition, one student added her registered-nurse pin during the ceremony, having already secured her certified nursing assistant (CNA) pin and licensed practical nurse (LPN) pin.
The December graduation ceremony followed in the SRC Arena, which included 250 OCC students who completed their associate degrees this past semester.

Empower FCU readies for new leadership in 2023
SYRACUSE — Empower Federal Credit Union (FCU) will have new leadership beginning in early 2023. The credit union on Dec. 15 announced Ryan McIntyre as its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 3. McIntyre will assume the duties that Brenda Carhart has been handling on an interim basis. Empower’s board of directors appointed Carhart as
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SYRACUSE — Empower Federal Credit Union (FCU) will have new leadership beginning in early 2023.
The credit union on Dec. 15 announced Ryan McIntyre as its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 3.
McIntyre will assume the duties that Brenda Carhart has been handling on an interim basis. Empower’s board of directors appointed Carhart as interim president and CEO following the retirement of previous CEO John Wakefield. Carhart has been serving in the role since March 11, 2022.
McIntyre will join Empower FCU from VyStar Credit Union in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was chief strategy officer (CSO). As CSO. McIntyre led strategic and business planning; corporate development and integration (or mergers & acquisitions); enterprise project management office, or PMO; process improvement; business insights; and advanced analytics, per the Empower announcement.
“Following an extensive national search, Empower Federal Credit Union has selected a new leader to guide the credit union into our next chapter. Ryan brings a unique portfolio of experience with over 20 years in the financial services industry,” Patrick Piscitelli, chairman of the Empower FCU board of directors, said in a statement. “With Ryan’s vast experience and strategic expertise, combined with our talented employee teams, Empower is in an excellent position to enhance growth and services to our members. We look forward to the vision and direction he will bring as our new CEO.”
As a senior-leadership team member, McIntyre contributed to VyStar’s growth from $7 billion in assets to more than
$13 billion. Before VyStar, McIntyre held various leadership roles over his 15 years at Regions Bank, most recently as senior VP, Jacksonville city president.
He holds a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida.
The nonprofit Empower Federal Credit Union is owned by and operated for its members since its founding in 1939. Since then, Empower FCU has grown to more than $3 billion in assets, serving more than 243,000 members, with 28 branch locations across Central New York and Western New York.
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