SHARON (DELOSH) BUCHKOHoliday Inn Syracuse/LiverpoolSharon (DeLosh) Buchko has been an integral part of the sales team at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool for the past 12 years. She began as the hotel’s social and corporate sales manager before transitioning to association sales manager eight years ago. Sharon graduated from Jefferson Community College in Watertown in 1991 […]
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.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year's worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
SHARON (DELOSH) BUCHKO
Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool
Sharon (DeLosh) Buchko has been an integral part of the sales team at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool for the past 12 years. She began as the hotel’s social and corporate sales manager before transitioning to association sales manager eight years ago.
Sharon graduated from Jefferson Community College in Watertown in 1991 with an associate degree in hospitality and tourism. She worked for two travel agencies before accepting a sales position with Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool in 2002. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in marketing from Columbia College in Syracuse in 2005.
Sharon is a member of the Empire State Society of Association Executives. She also volunteers for Fr. Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society, a nonprofit organization that helps financially challenged students achieve a high school education. She currently resides in Syracuse with her husband, Todd.
MICHAEL COTANCH
Crowne Plaza
Michael Cotanch has been with the Crowne Plaza Hotel since 2004, spending the last three years in the role of meeting director. Michael is an instrumental part of the sales team and prides himself on providing an exceptional meeting experience to all guests.
His approach to guest service and up-selling technique has consistently increased conference revenues for the property. Michael’s drive and expertise motivates clients to rebook programs at the Crowne Plaza, securing a reassuring experience for their meeting attendees.
Michael was awarded “Manager of the Quarter” in 2013 and recently completed a task-force project for Richfield Hospitality.
MICHAEL FEATHERSTONE
CXtec
Mike Featherstone is going on his 17th year with CXtec. As a tried and true member of the sales organization, he quickly rose through the ranks and joined the sales management team. Mike has an unrivaled passion for sales and for success and takes great pride in leading his team to achieve its goals, individually and collectively. In 2014, he and his current education-focused team contributed the single largest margin year of any sales team in the history of the company.
In addition to selling, Mike is also passionate about his music and is the founder of the locally famous CXtec Dinosaurs. In fact, he led them to the finals of the Fortune Magazine battle of the corporate bands in 2004. The Dinosaurs appear regularly at charitable events to provide the live music and entertainment. Mike also leads the Sandra Pomeroy Caring Choir and sits on the Red House Arts Center Board of Directors. He spends his free time loving life with his wife Ellen, playing his bass, and cheering on Syracuse University basketball at every home game.
MARIANNE FRASIER
NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV)
This is Account Executive Marianne Frasier’s second time receiving this award and her second year in row. She was nominated by her fellow account executives at NewsChannel 9.
Marianne’s success is built on a solid foundation of generating new direct business along with meeting and exceeding her overall quarterly and yearly sales goals.
She is the ultimate team player who is always “up” for a challenge. Her enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication have been infectious to all who are lucky enough to work with her.
Marianne’s “can-do” attitude to meet every challenge and her strong commitment to putting the needs of her clients first, are major reasons for her continued success. She is one of the top sales performers year after year.
When Marianne is not busy working for NewsChannel 9, she enjoys spending time with her family and in the outdoors.
KYLE HARES
Crowne Plaza
Kyle Hares graduated from SUNY Delhi with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality in 2008 and started his career in Orlando, Fla. While concentrating on various operational positions, he excelled in exceeding guests’ expectations.
Kyle joined Crowne Plaza Syracuse in 2011 as the front office manager, earning “Manager of the Quarter” in 2012. That same year, he followed his passion and joined the sales team as group sales manager. Kyle’s aggressive selling approach and passion for hospitality allows him to surpass his goals consistently.
Kyle was recently nominated for “Sales Manager of the Year” for Richfield Hospitality and has received Presidents Circle honors for his market production in 2012 and 2013.
MARY LAMACCHIA
Business Journal News Network
Mary LaMacchia has once again exceeded her goals and led the Business Journal News Network team with not only her amazing sales, but also with her leadership and guidance to help the rest of the team be successful.
For more than 15 years, Mary has given every sale the utmost attention. Every customer is taken care of when in Mary’s hands. She has great ability to build relationships and have her customers trust her. Mary is a true partner to them and always offers her expertise to help them implement the best marketing solution she can offer.
She’s never there to just to sell them an ad. Mary has helped to pioneer our transition into the digital world and with the rebrand campaign. She is an amazing asset to the Business Journal News Network and we are looking forward to many more years of her sales success and leadership.
ROBIN MACALUSO
Leadership Greater Syracuse
The Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) mission statement is “Inspiring current and future leaders to make a difference in the community where we live and work.” It is realized yearly by LGS graduates through the enthusiasm, dedication, and inspiration that Robin Macaluso, program director, brings to this premiere program. For more than six years, she has helped empower aspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds to learn about Central New York and attain invaluable leadership skills through hands-on community engagement.
From recruiting and interviewing candidates to guiding the development of 10-day leadership experiences, Robin’s positive influence, interpersonal acumen, and organizational skills ensure every LGS class functions as a team and exceeds expectations. She is undoubtedly the heart and soul of LGS, and the class of 2011 would like to congratulate her on this well-deserved award.
NICK MAINE
Galaxy Communications
Since moving to Syracuse in October 2011 and joining Galaxy Communications, Nick Maine has established himself as a dominant seller in the Syracuse and Utica markets.
In his role as a sales and marketing executive, Nick is responsible for selling unique advertising and marketing solutions to businesses from various industry verticals. He is adept at selling for Galaxy’s 14 radio stations as well as marketing events and sports for Syracuse University athletics, the New York Yankees, and Buffalo Bills.
In his two and a half years in the market, Nick has generated $2.2 million in revenue and more than $325,000 in new business. His adaptability, positive attitude, and continual hustle are a positive influence on the company and a driving force behind his success.
ALLYSON MCMANUS
Valley News in Fulton — Scotsman Media Group
Professional, organized, steadfast, customer-service focused, strong under pressure, and knowledgeable. Allyson McManus, a lifetime Fultonian who has been with the Valley News for 21 years, exhibits all of those qualities.
She has worked as a sales manager and as an outside advertising sales representative, a position she currently holds. But Allyson has redefined the title. Not only has she exhibited a very high level of professionalism and steadfast tenacity, but also she has been a true team player.
Allyson is constantly devising new ways for the Valley News to serve its readers better. She originated the Fulton Family Series, a monthly article that explores a Fulton family’s long-term devotion to the community. Allyson works constantly with the publisher to improve the paper’s image and performance. She shares her experience and knowledge with the sales staff and inside office.
During her tenure, Allyson has had the opportunity to train new members of the sales staff and step in for staff out on medical leave, both duties which she has done admirably without grudge. On everything she does, she leaves her marks of organization and attention to detail. Today, she functions as the senior salesperson, always keeping the paper and her customers foremost in her mind.
LORI MENTEL
TERACAI
Lori Mentel has been a sales executive with TERACAI for four years. She spent her first year building her customer base and learning about technology, and after that she never looked back.
In 2013, Lori enjoyed a third consecutive year achieving both the Starman Award for annual goal achievement and membership in the Presidents Club, an award that puts her on a cruise ship every year. This year she earned TERACAI’s prestigious Chairman’s Club award, yet another achievement on a long list.
Lori’s success stems directly from the understanding of her customers’ business objectives accompanied by her collaborative team approach. Her positive energy, willingness to take risks, and enthusiasm for her work is contagious to not only her customers but also to the entire TERACAI team.
RYAN STEELE
CXtec
Ryan Steele started with CXtec as in intern while attending St. Bonaventure University in 2008. He was quickly recognized for his great combination of intelligence and work ethic, coming aboard full time following graduation and joining the ECS team.
Ryan helps further sell and market the CABLExpress product line for CXtec. He puts in long days of prospecting and educating himself to be an invaluable resource for CXtec, the ECS team, and his clients.
This past year, Ryan’s efforts earned him the prestigious Starman Award and membership in CXtec’s Presidents Club. His commitment to betterment and excellence is second to none, and he is an inspiration to those around him.
CHRIS TRACY
Visual Technologies
Visual Technologies is proud to honor Chris Tracy for his in-depth video skillset, friendly and dynamic personality, and ability to jump into any project thrown his way. These characteristics have made him a vital part of the team.
Even though Chris joined Visual Technologies for his video-production capability, he has enthusiastically expanded his repertoire to include training for the sales department, event staging, and he even pulls from past experiences to help with human resources.
In his spare time, Chris owns and operates a freelance business, called Chris Tracy Photography, specializing in a wide range of photographic applications. He’s most proud to donate his time and talents to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
*Editor’s note: The companies for which these salespeople work authored these descriptions.
