Robert A. Ford CPA firm combines with DeWitt office of D’Arcangelo & Co.

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

DeWITT, N.Y. — A Syracuse accounting firm has recently teamed up with a firm headquartered in the Mohawk Valley that’s been in operation for seven decades. Syracuse–based Robert A. Ford, CPA has merged its operations with the Syracuse–area office of D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP that is located in DeWitt. The combination of accounting firms took […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Rusin promoted to deputy chief of Syracuse Police Department

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, People on the Move, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A member of the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) since 2006 is now serving as its deputy chief of police. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile promoted Mark Rusin to the role, the City of Syracuse announced Aug. 4. Rusin most recently served as detective sergeant. Rusin is known

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A member of the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) since 2006 is now serving as its deputy chief of police.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile promoted Mark Rusin to the role, the City of Syracuse announced Aug. 4. Rusin most recently served as detective sergeant.

Rusin is known in the police department and the community for his work on the implementation of the department’s body-worn camera program, updated department policies and procedures, and police-reform initiatives, the city said.

“Mark’s knowledge of law enforcement and his deep concern for the community has earned the respect of his fellow officers and residents and stakeholders with whom he has partnered to implement progressive, 21st-century police practices in Syracuse,” Walsh contended. “From his work on police-community dialogue circles to helping train officers on new policies and procedures to being a liaison to the Citizen’s Review Board, Mark has demonstrated the ability to bring the community and our officers together to make the Syracuse Police Department the very best it can be.”

In his new role, Rusin will oversee the department’s uniform bureau, replacing former deputy chief Derek McGork who left the department earlier in August to become director of security at Le Moyne College.

“Sgt. Rusin has worked tirelessly to elevate the professionalism of the Syracuse Police Department through best practice training, policies, and procedures. He has also worked tirelessly in the community, working with a multitude of civic organizations on criminal justice reform, executive orders, far-reaching and inclusive policies and procedures, as well as overall transparency,” Cecile said. “Because of this breadth of work, he is widely known and respected both within the SPD and in the community.”

Rusin’s SPD work

Working as the legal-affairs liaison in the police chief’s office, Rusin played a lead role in the creation and implementation of the SPD’s updated policies. They included the use-of-force policy in 2019, which is “recognized as a model policy in New York State,” the City of Syracuse said.

Rusin has also been “instrumental” in developing and overseeing Walsh’s executive order No. 1 enacted in 2020, which set forth 16 pillars of police reform. He helped draft the Syracuse Police Reform and Reinvention Plan created under a New York State executive order. He’s also served on the mayor’s police oversight reform committee. In addition, Rusin drafted the SPD’s body-worn camera policy and supervised the rollout of the program to the police force.

Rusin served as a patrol officer in the uniform bureau from 2007-2009. He was a detective in the criminal-investigations division from 2009-2018. He investigated felonies, including multi-jurisdictional cases at the local, state, and federal level. He became a legal-services liaison in 2018.

Rusin has been a Police Academy and in-service instructor since 2011 and has received several awards for his work and service. He earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo and a master’s degree in criminology law and society from the University of California at Irvine.

Hochul signs bills to boost housing affordability

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Aug. 8 signed a legislative package aimed at expanding tax relief for New York homeowners, particularly those ages 60 and over. The legislation will help to support homeowners — from first-time homebuyers to senior citizens — as inflation, rising costs, and other factors “drive a nationwide affordability crisis,” Hochul’s office said

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Aug. 8 signed a legislative package aimed at expanding tax relief for New York homeowners, particularly those ages 60 and over.

The legislation will help to support homeowners — from first-time homebuyers to senior citizens — as inflation, rising costs, and other factors “drive a nationwide affordability crisis,” Hochul’s office said in announcing the bills’ signing.

“With inflation and rising costs putting a strain on families nationwide, this legislation will help to ensure that New Yorkers — from seniors to first-time homebuyers — get some much-needed relief,” Hochul stated.

The bills signed will expand eligibility for New York property tax exemptions and the Residential Emergency Services to Offer (Home) Repairs to the Elderly (RESTORE) program. It provides financial resources for homeowners ages 60 and over to make repairs that allow them to continue living independently in their homes.

Bill details

The legislative package includes bills (S.3085A/A.3956A) that allows municipalities to increase the maximum income eligible for New York’s real property tax exemption to $50,000 for people ages 65 and over, as well as for people with disabilities. Before the bill signing, the maximum income eligible was $29,000 per year outside of New York City for seniors and people with disabilities, per Hochul’s office.

Another bill signed (S.8890/A.9135) extends the option for local municipalities to provide a property-tax exemption for first-time homebuyers purchasing newly constructed homes through 2028. Before the bill’s passage, the option was set to expire at the end of 2022.

Also signed into law was legislation (S.9193/A.10271) that provides greater benefits on a more flexible timeline for senior homeowners in need of emergency repairs by increasing the deadlines for RESTORE projects to 60 days and the maximum cost allowed per project to $20,000, Hochul’s office said.

“Like the rest of the nation, New York is struggling with the rising costs of housing and homeownership,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visunauskas said. “By signing this package of critical legislation, Governor Hochul is taking decisive steps to improve housing affordability in our state, make first-time homeownership possible for more people, and improve funding for programs like RESTORE so that more seniors can live safely and affordably in their own homes.”

Artz joins HH&K as special counsel in Binghamton

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, People on the Move, Regional News, Subscriber Only

BINGAHMTON, N.Y. — Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP (HH&K) recently announced that Philip J. Artz has joined the law firm as a special counsel in its Binghamton office. Artz brings more than 40 years of legal experience. That includes all aspects of civil litigation, including personal injury and medical malpractice, commercial litigation, and estate/trust litigation,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

New York’s local sales-tax collections rise 12% in July

Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

ALBANY, N.Y. — Local sales-tax collections in New York state jumped 11.9 percent in July compared to the same month in 2021. That’s according to an analysis that New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued on Aug. 16. Overall, local sales-tax collections in the state totaled $1.8 billion, up $188 million compared to July of

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

ALBANY, N.Y. — Local sales-tax collections in New York state jumped 11.9 percent in July compared to the same month in 2021.

That’s according to an analysis that New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued on Aug. 16. Overall, local sales-tax collections in the state totaled $1.8 billion, up $188 million compared to July of last year.

“Statewide local sales-tax collections growth continued to be strong in July, despite the participation of many counties in the gas-tax holiday,” DiNapoli said in a release. “However, it is important that local officials continue to monitor economic factors that impact overall sales-tax revenues.”

A majority of counties in the Empire State saw some year-over-year growth in July tax collections. Schuyler County posted the largest increase at 19.6 percent, followed by Cattaraugus County (13.3 percent) and Yates County (12.6 percent). In contrast, Monroe County had the steepest decline in sales-tax collections at -4.6 percent, DiNapoli’s office said.

New York City’s collections totaled
$776 million, an increase of 19.5 percent — or $127 million — over the July 2021 data.

Among the 16 counties in the CNYBJ coverage area, Tioga County posted the worst result with a 3.9 percent decline in sales-tax collections in July compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, Cortland County generated the best result in the region with an 8.5 percent year-over-year increase in collections, per the comptroller’s data.

Monthly sales-tax distributions made to counties and tax-imposing cities are based on estimates by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. In the third month of each calendar-year quarter, these distributions are adjusted upward or downward, so that the quarter as a whole reflects reported sales by vendors, DiNapoli’s office explained.

The next quarterly numbers (for July-September) will be available in October and will be the first to reflect the sales-tax impact of the gas-tax holiday on a county-by-county basis, the office noted.

Mackenzie Hughes partner Cody recognized by Estate Planning Council

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The Estate Planning Council of Central New York recently recognized Mary Anne Cody of Mackenzie Hughes LLP for her leadership of the organization. Cody, a partner at Mackenzie Hughes and outgoing president of the Estate Planning Council (EPC) of Central New York, was presented with a gavel plaque at the EPC annual meeting

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Bond law firm’s Weber named to Operation Oswego County board

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO — Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC recently announced that its attorney Richard L. Weber has been named to the Operation Oswego County board of directors for a three-year term. Weber, a member (partner), is a litigation attorney in Bond’s Syracuse office and serves as chair of its toxic tort and environmental litigation practice. He

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Insero announces promotions in Ithaca office

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Regional News, Subscriber Only

ITHACA, N.Y. — Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP recently announced eight employee promotions across two departments in its Ithaca office. In the accounting firm’s tax department, Chris Axtell has been promoted to manager in the Ithaca location, while Jenelle Whalon has been elevated to experienced accountant in the same department and office. Insero & Co.

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Intellectual-property attorney Katti joins Barclay Damon

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon LLP announced that Pranav Katti has joined the law firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation and Patents & Prosecution practice areas as an associate attorney. He will work primarily from the firm’s Syracuse and New York City offices. Katti focuses his multifaceted practice on all aspects of litigating intellectual-property matters involving copyrights, trademarks,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

CEO FOCUS: New CHIPS & Science law aligns with regional growth strategies

Business Mentors, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

The [newly passed federal] CHIPS and Science Act will undoubtedly strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness in the semiconductor industry. The legislation also contains significant provisions that will accelerate regional economic growth and development, including $200 billion to support university R&D and technology development, supply chains, and STEM education. These CHIPS and Science Act investments and

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

These CHIPS and Science Act investments and strategies align with CenterState CEO’s existing efforts to prepare the region’s talent, particularly from traditionally underserved communities, for the tech opportunities of the future. CenterState CEO has worked closely with the Brookings Institution on regional strategies to drive growth, and our advocacy work has focused on the need for place-based investments in innovation.

Among the initiatives we are leading and supporting are the following.

• CenterState CEO’s implementation of the JPMC AdvancingCities initiative is advancing long-term strategies in support of Syracuse Surge. Efforts include several workforce training and advancement programs to surface talent from vulnerable populations and connect them to in-demand jobs in high-tech industries including high-tech manufacturing. CenterState CEO is also focused on attracting, expanding, and incubating tech businesses led by diverse founders.

• The region’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge application, led by CenterState CEO, includes a proposed multimillion-dollar investment to renovate a historic school building located in a historically disinvested Syracuse neighborhood within the Syracuse City School District (enrollment 20,000) into a regional STEAM high school.

• The planned expansion of CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden, which will offer both leading-edge incubation space and enhanced programing to meet the needs of emerging entrepreneurs, including the new XBE-focused accelerator program.

According to Mark Muro, senior fellow and policy director at Brookings Metro, “The CHIPS and Science Act [is] a milestone for policies to ensure that underrepresented people and places can participate more in the nation’s innovation economy. It affirms social and spatial inclusion as central to American strength.”

As an organization, we have worked with public and private partners to advance these and other initiatives focused on inclusive growth. The CHIPS and Science Act’s investments in social and place-based strategies are even more important as this community becomes a globally relevant “smart city,” and works to ensure greater equity for historically underserved communities and their participation in the innovation economy and the region’s resurgence.

I am energized and excited to continue our work to leverage these investments and resources to drive progress for all in Central New York.

Robert M. Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This article is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter that the organization sent to members on Aug. 18.

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

Project Homecoming Job & Career Fair 2025

Annual Nonprofit Conference 2026

2026 CenterState CEO Economic Forecast Breakfast

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates