Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation elects new board members

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse City School District (SCSD) Educational Foundation recently announced that the following six people have been elected to serve three-year terms as directors on its board of directors: • Rich Conway, director of sales at Syracuse Office Environments • Kari Krause, state-licensed real-estate salesperson at Acropolis Realty Group • Kenyon Black, program director for […]

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Lockheed Martin’s suburban Syracuse plant wins nearly $25 million modification to Navy contract

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only, Technology

SALINA, N.Y. — The Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) plant in the Syracuse metro area has been awarded a $24.6 million modification to a previously awarded contract from the United States Navy. The modification to the pact is to exercise an option for Navy equipment, components, engineering services, and other direct costs, the U.S. Department

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Berkshire Bank’s parent company to pay quarterly dividend on July 8

Banks & Credit Unions, Regional News, Subscriber Only

The board of directors of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), parent of Berkshire Bank, recently approved a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents a common share. The dividend will be payable on July 8, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 29. At Berkshire Hills Bancorp’s current stock price, the

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Syracuse’s Digital Hyve now operates as wholly owned subsidiary of Rochester firm

New York News, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Digital Hyve, a digital-marketing agency with offices in Syracuse and Rochester, is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of a Rochester firm. Butler/Till, a women-owned, employee-owned, marketing agency, on June 24 announced that it has acquired the Digital Hyve, which operates its Syracuse office at 126 N. Salina St. The deal

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Digital Hyve, a digital-marketing agency with offices in Syracuse and Rochester, is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of a Rochester firm.

Butler/Till, a women-owned, employee-owned, marketing agency, on June 24 announced that it has acquired the Digital Hyve, which operates its Syracuse office at 126 N. Salina St.

The deal closed in mid-June, Jeff Knauss, co-founder and CEO of the Digital Hyve, tells CNYBJ in an email. The companies didn’t release any financial terms of their deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Digital Hyve will retain its brand and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Butler/Till. Kimberly Jones — who was appointed president & CEO of Butler/Till in 2020 — will serve as president & CEO of the combined agency.

Also, Digital Hyve employees will join Butler/Till’s employee stock-ownership plan (ESOP). In the deal, Digital Hyve’s 56 full-time employees have joined Butler/Till, Knauss says. Prior to the acquisition deal, Butler/Till had about 200 employees, according to Knauss.

“Digital Hyve is a natural fit with our culture. They, too, share a passion for their people and are committed to creating a caring, compassionate workplace. Like our employees, they embrace innovation, cutting edge technology and provide top-notch client service,” Jones said. “Butler/Till has been committed to continually making strategic investments to expand service offerings for our clients and strengthen a culture of agility and adaptiveness. The acquisition of Digital Hyve is an exciting opportunity for employees and clients of both organizations as we continue to usher in a new era of growth, innovation, and transformation.”

Both firms will continue to operate in Rochester, Syracuse, and New York City. Digital Hyve has operated offices in both Syracuse and Rochester, while Butler/Till also has an office in New York City.

The acquisition makes the combined organization “one of the largest independent marketing and media agencies in the country,” per the news release. It also “diversifies” Butler/Till’s capabilities, and “expands its reach” within the small and mid-size business market and into new sectors, including retail, automotive, food and beverage, government, education, travel, tourism, and hospitality.

The deal also “strengthens the agency’s commitment” to 100 percent employee ownership.

Knauss and Tanner

Under the terms of the agreement, Knauss and Digital Hyve COO Jake Tanner will serve as consultants through the end of 2021, a term that could be extended, if need be, Knauss tells CNYBJ.

Knauss notes that both he and Tanner plan to leave the company in 2022. Knauss says he’s an investor in multiple companies and will continue public speaking and consulting work until he decides on his next endeavor. Tanner has recently started another company called Unplugged Game Store in Chittenango, which competes in the collectible card and game space, according to Knauss.

SyracuseServes network seeks to help city veterans

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Nonprofits, Small Business, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — SyracuseServes is a network that seeks to connect veterans and their families to local community providers to ensure care, resources and services are “easily and successfully navigable.” Syracuse University (SU) is working with the City of Syracuse on the initiative. The overall goal of SyracuseServes is to “maximize collaboration and enhance efficiency”

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Syracuse University (SU) is working with the City of Syracuse on the initiative. The overall goal of SyracuseServes is to “maximize collaboration and enhance efficiency” for the regional network of providers, the school said.

The coordination center is headquartered in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building at the SU’s National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), which is located at 101 Waverly Ave. on the Syracuse campus.

Supported by a $500,000 grant from the New York City–based Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, SyracuseServes will support the city’s veterans and military-connected population first through a “coordinated application to final service delivery.” Military families will have access to “efficient and timely” support, as well as access to a range of needed resources.

J. Michael Haynie, SU’s vice chancellor of strategic initiatives and innovation and founder of the IVMF, said he is proud to launch a program that will serve local Syracuse veterans and their families, including the many who study and work on the campus.

“This grant is one example of how we’re bringing the vision of the NVRC to life in a practical way, leveraging the facility and the IVMF’s expertise to serve the social and wellness needs of veterans and families right here in Central New York,” Haynie said.

The Syracuse network will use lessons from AmericaServes’ 17 other communities, including Rochester; Dallas; Seattle; Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh; New York City; and Washington, D.C. Some services include help with benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); employment assistance; education; transportation; mental/behavioral health resources; and housing.

The IVMF — which Syracuse describes as the first interdisciplinary academic institute in higher education dedicated to advocacy, research, support for military veterans and their families — “identified the need” for coordinated care for military families, the school said. IVMF’s research indicates that navigating services is the “biggest challenge” in transition — rating higher than finding employment, adjusting to civilian culture, and overcoming financial challenges.

“Because of SU, the City of Syracuse is fortunate to be home to IVMF, one of the nation’s top centers of support for the post-service lives of the nation’s military veterans and their families,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a separate news release. “The IVMF’s AmericaServes program is a proven model for coordinating the resources available in local communities for veterans and their families. I am grateful to Chancellor Kent Syverud and Vice Chancellor Haynie for answering the community’s call to establish a SyracuseServes network here in the City of Syracuse.”

Seneca Foods net sales rise nearly 10% in latest fiscal year

Subscriber Only

MARION, N.Y. — Seneca Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: SENEA, SENEB) — a Wayne County–based provider of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities across the U.S., including Geneva — reported that net sales for the 12-month period ending March 31 rose 10 percent to $1.47 billion from $1.34 billion for the prior year. The company attributed the

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CEO FOCUS: Downtown Syracuse Continues to Thrive Following a Year of Uncertainty

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only

Downtown Syracuse is at the heart of the Central New York community and is the vibrant center of a region on the rise. While the past year created significant economic hardships or delayed growth for so many small businesses, it is truly exciting to see so many people returning to explore, eat, shop, and work downtown.

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As people return, they are coming back to an urban center that continues to evolve and grow as new retail and restaurants open, and development projects and investments take shape. During the pandemic year, downtown welcomed 30 new retail businesses. In just the last two months, new restaurants Luna Loca, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, and Day Bird have opened. Earlier this spring, downtown’s first full-service grocery store, the Syracuse Cooperative Market, opened at the Salt City Market.

In all, nearly $80 million in investment activity was completed during the pandemic, with another $172 million in development currently underway or announced. In 2020, 281 new residential units were completed, providing room for downtown’s population to grow another 12.5 percent. Additionally, more than 112 units are under construction right now.

This economic activity is a welcome sign as is the return of workers to downtown offices, both critical components of a full economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, there is more we can all do to ensure downtown’s small businesses, and arts, entertainment, and cultural amenities thrive. This summer, I encourage you to be a tourist in your own community. Go out to eat and shop downtown, visit the weekly farmers market, or take your family to a museum. Buy tickets to be there when the curtains rise at the Landmark Theatre and the Redhouse.

If this past year has taught us anything it is that we are resilient, and together we can make an impact when we support one another. As we begin to see the light at the end of this crisis, let’s continue to invest in our community to make sure this recovery is accelerated and sustained.

To learn more about the progress downtown, download the 2021 Downtown Committee of Syracuse’s annual report (https://downtownsyracuse.com/sites/default/files/2020-2021%20Annual%20Report.pdf), or visit downtownsyracuse.com.

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 June 25.

Finger Lakes village receives financing and grant for clean-water project

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

INTERLAKEN, N.Y. — A village in Seneca County is one of the recent recipients of financing and grants to support vital water-quality infrastructure projects across New York state. The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) approved $26.7 million in grants, interest-free loans, and low-cost loans at its June 24 meeting. The funding supports municipalities

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Search committee will help Clarkson find next president

Health Care, Subscriber Only

POTSDAM — Clarkson University plans to form a search committee to find a successor to current president Anthony Collins, who plans to step down following the 2021-22 academic year. Collins, the university’s 16th president, has served as its top official since 2003, per a Clarkson news release. The committee will include trustees, faculty, staff, students,

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POTSDAM — Clarkson University plans to form a search committee to find a successor to current president Anthony Collins, who plans to step down following the 2021-22 academic year.

Collins, the university’s 16th president, has served as its top official since 2003, per a Clarkson news release.

The committee will include trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The search committee will provide details on the full committee membership and the process guiding the search for Clarkson’s 17th president “when available,” the university added.

A Clarkson faculty member since 1982, Collins has been a “booster” for economic development in the North Country and throughout New York State, and a “national advocate” for higher education, the university said.

“President Collins’ contributions to Clarkson University have been extraordinary and will prove to be enduring. He has exceeded the broadest measure of success, leaving the institution in far better shape than when he accepted the role of president. In addition to advancing many of the metrics typically considered in assessing institutional success, Tony’s leadership throughout the challenges wrought by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 has been outstanding,” Tom Kassouf, chair of the board of trustees, contended in the release.

About Collins

Under Collins’ leadership, the Vision of a Clarkson Education and Clarkson@125 have “guided strategic initiatives which have been substantially realized over almost two decades,” the school said.

Clarkson’s Potsdam hill campus has been expanded both physically and in “academic reach,” while the downtown campus has been “repurposed to advance interdisciplinary entrepreneurship,” with the recently added Lewis School of Health Sciences and the “economic revitalization” of the village of Potsdam.

Outside Potsdam, Clarkson has expanded geographically in recent years, with new graduate and professional programs accessible at its Capital Region campus in Schenectady and at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries on Dennings Point in Dutchess County.

A native of Australia, Collins earned an undergraduate civil engineering degree from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He then worked for Australian Consolidated Industries and the Utah Development Company before earning master’s and doctoral degrees from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

After earning his Ph.D in 1982, Collins launched his career at Clarkson, progressing from assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering to full professor, department chair, dean, vice president for academic affairs, and provost.

During that time, he received awards for outstanding teaching, research, and advising, as well as lecturing internationally, and authoring more than 90 publications.

He currently serves as chair of the Association of Independent Technological Universities (AITU), is emeritus chair of New York’s Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), serves on the board of the Business Council of New York State, is president of the Seaway Private Equity Corporation, and was previously nominated to serve on the advisory board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Collins has also served on a number of New York State advisory task forces as well as co-chair for the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, Clarkson said.

Hidden Level settles into new Syracuse headquarters

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Small Business, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A firm that’s developing a low-altitude airspace-monitoring service is getting acclimated to its new headquarters at 1014 North Geddes St. in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor area and making plans for growth. The business started operations in a basement in Camillus for a few months before moving to a space at 1153 W. Fayette

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The business started operations in a basement in Camillus for a few months before moving to a space at 1153 W. Fayette St., and now making it to the new location.

Hidden Level held a ribbon cutting to acknowledge the opening of its new two-story, 10,000 square foot facility in the Inner Harbor area. It includes office space along with laboratory and manufacturing facilities for developing its proprietary sensor systems.

The company says it started transitioning operations to its Geddes Street location in early April.

Hidden Level plans to hire about 15 people in the next year, “effectively doubling” the company’s employee count.

“This new facility will allow us to continue to innovate and develop new cutting-edge sensor technology and services that will help our customers improve airspace safety,” said Jeff Cole, CEO at Hidden Level. “Central New York is our home, and we are proud to be bringing jobs and innovation to this community.”

Besides the new headquarters and hiring plans, the firm says it has also closed on a $17.6 million in series A investment and was involved in recent test flight activities with NASA Ames Laboratory.

The new investment will enable Hidden Level to advance development and deployment of its sensor technology and services.

The Mountain View, California–based NASA Ames Research Center has been working with Hidden Level on drone-traffic management and advanced aerial mobility applications of the airspace monitoring service (AMS) data feed.

In May, Hidden Level conducted tests of its AMS for NASA Ames, using Onondaga Lake and surrounding areas as a surrogate for Mountain View. Testing consisted of numerous UAS flights over Onondaga Lake while Hidden Level’s network of sensors monitored and reported the location of each drone. A UAS includes a drone and equipment used to control its flight. A drone is also referred to in the industry as an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV.

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