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HOPE RINALDI, CPA, has joined Fust Charles Chambers LLP as a tax supervisor. She previously held a tax position serving the financial-services industry at a New York City firm. Rinaldi received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from SUNY Geneseo.
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HOPE RINALDI, CPA, has joined Fust Charles Chambers LLP as a tax supervisor. She previously held a tax position serving the financial-services industry at a New York City firm. Rinaldi received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from SUNY Geneseo.

STEVE WAYMAN has been promoted to senior VP/chief data and performance officer at Visions Federal Credit Union. Wayman, who has 23 years of experience with Visions, worked with President/CEO Tyrone Muse to introduce the business performance department six years ago. This push has been central to Wayman’s role at the credit union, where he now
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STEVE WAYMAN has been promoted to senior VP/chief data and performance officer at Visions Federal Credit Union. Wayman, who has 23 years of experience with Visions, worked with President/CEO Tyrone Muse to introduce the business performance department six years ago. This push has been central to Wayman’s role at the credit union, where he now leads a team of 20 employees to streamline Visions’ processes eliminating inefficiencies and providing data driven insights. Wayman specializes in performance analytics, process improvements, and strategic planning. His expertise is backed by certifications in strategic management from the Wharton School, data sciences from MIT and Johns Hopkins, and process re-engineering from CSSC as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a graduate of the Broome Leadership Institute, and the Cardwell Leadership 306 Group. His qualifications and abilities in the field have led Visions to countless improvements for member service and employee satisfaction, as well as millions in additional revenue or expense reduction through data-driven campaigns, systematic innovations, and Robotic Process Automation. Wayman says his role provides value throughout the Visions organization, benefiting both members and employees.

COLLEEN CICOTTA was recently named the new director of Syracuse Jewish Family Service (SJFS). Judith Huober, the recently retired director, remains active with SJFS as a clinician and consultant. Cicotta will lead the 130-year-old human-service agency that is an affiliate of Menorah Park of Central New York. As the agency’s chief executive, she’ll be responsible
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COLLEEN CICOTTA was recently named the new director of Syracuse Jewish Family Service (SJFS). Judith Huober, the recently retired director, remains active with SJFS as a clinician and consultant. Cicotta will lead the 130-year-old human-service agency that is an affiliate of Menorah Park of Central New York. As the agency’s chief executive, she’ll be responsible for the agency’s overall administration including staff development, financials, and reporting. The director works closely with the board of directors, the CEO of Menorah Park, and the community to develop and implement programs that realize the agency’s mission and vision. Cicotta was most recently the associate director of the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service at Syracuse University and is a recent graduate of the Leadership Greater Syracuse civic-leadership training program. Cicotta holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam. She served two years in AmeriCorps VISTA and has served on the boards of the Brady Faith Center, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse, and the Parent Advisory Committee at Rothschild Early Child Center at Temple Adath Yeshurun.

RICK POLLARD has been promoted to director of business development at M.A. Polce Consulting, Inc., a technology and cybersecurity-services provider with offices in Rome and Syracuse. Pollard has been serving as business-development manager for education and state and local government since joining the company last December. In his new role, he will lead the business-development
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RICK POLLARD has been promoted to director of business development at M.A. Polce Consulting, Inc., a technology and cybersecurity-services provider with offices in Rome and Syracuse. Pollard has been serving as business-development manager for education and state and local government since joining the company last December. In his new role, he will lead the business-development efforts for M.A. Polce Consulting across all industries the firm serves. Before arriving at M.A. Polce, he forged a 25-year career in public education, the latter half of which he spent in a senior-management role as the assistant director of the Central New York Regional Information Center (CNYRIC), near Syracuse. While at CNYRIC, Pollard oversaw IT operations, led strategic-service planning, and worked closely with area school-district leaders to build cost-effective technology solutions. He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Rochester and holds a master’s degree and a certificate of advanced study from SUNY Oswego. Pollard is also a New York State-certified school administrator.

Armed suspect donning clown mask robs Verona gas station
VERONA, N.Y. — An armed suspect wearing a clown mask held up and robbed a gas station/convenience store in the town of Verona early Wednesday

TSA hiring officers at Upstate airports
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to hire TSA officers at airports across upstate New York. The airports include Syracuse Hancock International, Ogdensburg International,

People news: Oswego Health adds gastroenterologist, Karthikeyan
OSWEGO, N.Y. — Oswego Health recently announced it has added Dr. Suri Karthikeyan, a gastroenterologist, to its medical staff. Dr. Karthikeyan joins the Center for

Winter Fair returns to State Fair Expo Center in February
GEDDES, N.Y. — The third Winter Fair is set for Feb. 4-6, 2022 at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes.

Workforce programs in “Syracuse Surge” seek applicants
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Some “Syracuse Surge”-led workforce-training and advancement programs are seeking applicants from the City of Syracuse. The programs seek to guide applicants toward

City of Syracuse releases restaurant outdoor-dining guide for winter season
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Monday announced the release of an updated winter-dining guide designed for restaurants and bars in the city
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