SWBR recently hired JEFFREY SPENARD to manage the company’s Central New York operations. In a career spanning 35 years, Spenard has worked at several national design firms in multiple roles. In his new position, he provides staff leadership and project and business operations management for SWBR’s Syracuse office. “Jeff’s significant background in the industry and in Central New York is a win for us,” SWBR President Tom Gears said in a release. “Not only is he a licensed architect with a diverse design portfolio, but he has extensive experience in multi-office leadership. We’re thrilled to have him join the team.” Spenard has an associate degree in architectural design from Onondaga Community College.

Community Bank System, Inc., parent company of Community Bank, N.A., has promoted DIMITAR KARAIVANOV to executive VP and chief operating officer of the company and the bank, effective Oct. 1. Karaivanov has served as executive VP of financial services and corporate development since joining Community Bank System in June 2021. In his role as chief operating officer, he will have oversight responsibilities for all banking, wealth management, employee-benefit services, and insurance operations and related business activities. Since joining the company, Karaivanov has led the banking company’s mergers and acquisition strategy and reshaped its wealth management, employee-benefit services, and insurance business units. In his new role, he will start to focus his attention on Community’s banking operations to help increase revenue growth, the company said.

JENNIFER WHALEN has joined Fulton Savings Bank as a mortgage-loan originator. Whalen brings more than eight years of experience serving customers in Central New York, in roles from teller to residential mortgage underwriter. She also worked during those years as a customer-service representative and a loan processor on first and second mortgages. Whalen earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Cayuga Community College. Fulton Savings Bank offers a variety of home loans, mortgage loans and other loan programs, including construction and renovation loans, fixed rate loans, and home-equity loans and lines of credit. The bank has branch offices in Fulton, Baldwinsville, Phoenix, Central Square, Brewerton, and Constantia.

VIP Structures’ growing construction division has added AARON DEVEREAUX as construction project manager. He brings seven years of experience as an assistant project manager and estimator and previously worked with clients such as Colgate University, Byrne Dairy, and Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Devereaux received his bachelor’s degree in construction management from SUNY ESF and his associate degree in architectural studies and design from SUNY Morrisville.

MAC ROMAL has joined VIP as assistant construction project manager, He previously worked for a national contracting company based in Baltimore. Romal has held numerous field positions and worked on multiple large and complex projects, such as a data center, a wastewater-treatment plant, and a food-processing plant. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Clarkson University, concentrating on construction engineering management. Also joining VIP’s construction division is

BILL ENRIGHT, construction superintendent, who brings 32 years of construction-industry experience, and 20 years as a superintendent, with a strong specialty in health care and medical offices.

JOSHUA ILIFFE joins as field supervisor/ carpentry foreman, bringing more than 10 years of experience in commercial construction.

JAMIE CUNNINGHAM has come aboard as concrete field technician. He has been in construction for 33 years, with 20 years of framing and remodeling work experience.

TYLER SMITH, has joined as field technician, bringing five years of experience in construction.

BRANDON ACKLEY has come aboard as field technician, offering four years of construction experience.

JOANNE GETMAN has joined as project controls manager, bringing three years as contract administrator to the team.

Finally, KENNA MARING, has come to the company as a project technician. She is applying her experience from her VIP internship with the construction department into her new role with the company.

Herkimer County Community College has appointed LINDSAY DONOVAN, of Utica, to admissions assistant. She most recently worked as a case manager for the Madison-Oneida BOCES in Utica. Donovan also served as a social-work assistant at Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center in Syracuse, and as a case manager for children at Liberty Resources in Oneida. Donovan holds an associate degree in psychology from Mohawk Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Utica University, and a master’s degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. 

Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) recently hired DEVON RYAN, M.D. for its Hand & Wrist Team. A fellowship-trained surgeon, he is part of a team of hand surgeons experienced in performing multiple types of hand surgery to treat injuries and conditions such as carpal-tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, trigger finger, and more. Dr. Ryan will provide comprehensive care of the entire upper extremity, from shoulder to fingertip. Prior to joining SOS, Ryan completed a fellowship in hand surgery at Duke University School of Medicine. He finished his residency at New York University/Langone Orthopedic Hospital, where he was executive chief resident. Ryan received his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, and completed a post-baccalaureate premedical program at Bryn Mawr College. Dr. Ryan is accepting new patients and will be seeing them at the Hand & Wrist Center in DeWitt, and the SOS Camillus and Liverpool office locations.

RACHAEL JOHENGEN, D.O. has joined the medical staff of Geneva General Hospital as a hospitalist. She completed her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. Johengen earned her medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. Her society memberships include the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.