Business magazine - Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

June 2014
Ones to Watch
Published by The Northeast Group
BUILDING
CLINTON COUNTY
The Development Corp. Plattsburgh, NY
JFP Enterprises – General Contractor,
Structural Steel Supplied by Jeffords
Jeffords Steel and Engineering Company has been fabricating structural steel since 1985. Since then, Jeffords Steel has grown,
with 2 facilities utilizing over 60,000 square feet and over 100 employees. Jeffords maintains a full fleet of vehicles which allows us to
effectively and efficiently service all of Vermont, western New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and northern New York.
Jeffords Steel is built on honesty, integrity and hard work. With Jeffords you can count on quality
assurance, on-time delivery within budget. Customer satisfaction is our primary goal.
AISC Certification
Jeffords Steel and Engineering is certified with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). AISC Certification confirms that
Jeffords Steel has the personnel, organization, equipment, capability, procedures and commitment to be one of the leading steel
fabrication companies in the northeast United States.
Jeffords Steel and Engineering...The Strength of Steel, Tested by Time.
STEEL AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
www.jeffordssteel.com
4398 Route 22 • P0 Box 40 • Plattsburgh • NY 12901 • (518) 561-4061 • Fax (518) 561-5404
145 Maple Street • P0 Box 5000 • Potsdam • NY 13676 • (315) 265-3871 • Fax (315) 265-3994
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June 2014
Ones to Watch
CONTENTS
6#OnesToWatch
17 Jarrod Trombley
31 Jillian & Michael Welc
6
Katherine Kopita
18 Heather Reynolds
32 Adam Harris
7
Jesse Ringer
19 Katie McNeil
33 Jim Kopaska
8
Raeanne McLaughlin
20 Shawna Armstrong
34 Kasey Kirk
9
James A. Abdallah
22 INSIGHT:
Mike Zurlo
35 Matthew J. Courtright
10 Alec Currier
11 Matthew & Jessica Ray
12 Michael S. Cashman
13 Faith McClelland
15 Kristin Thompson
16 Courtney Menard
24 Paul Deyoe
25 D. Billy Jones
26 Kimberly Davis
28 Tim McCormick
30 Jenna Murray
37 Jonathan Beach
38 Michael Dhaliwal
39 Bethany Drown
40 Chamber Wise:
Community
Sustainability
A Northeast Publication©2014
All Rights Reserved
Vol. 25, No. 6, June 2014
June 2014
Strictly Business | 3
Publisher’s View
A
lthough it’s been nearly 25 years since we produced the first edition
of Strictly Business, I must confess I still take great pride in each
issue. Over the years we’ve written about nearly every organization
in the North Country. Much of our focus has been on company development and the leaders who orchestrate growth.
Two years ago someone suggested we take a serious look at the people
who were working their way up in local organizations, not just the people
who were already there. The idea had its genesis in what other communities have called 40 Under 40. In 2013 we called this issue “Faces of
Our Future.” This year we decided to change the title to point out the
obvious. These are people worth watching.
In order to identify worthy candidates we sought input from leaders in a
variety of industries including manufacturing, economic development,
government, health care, and education. We asked them to nominate
individuals who are noteworthy for their success and their community
impact.
Now it is time to unveil our selections for 2014.
I invite you to read the profiles of this year’s young leaders carefully. I
believe you will find inspiration in the stories of people like Billy Jones,
the chair of the Franklin County Legislature; Raeanne McLaughlin, the
Executive Director of Pine Harbour; Jim Kopaska, Johns Manville’s new
plant manager; Jarred Trombley, a detective on the Plattsburgh Police
Department; Katie McNeil, the Middle School principal at Saranac Central
School and our 25 other dynamic individuals.
Herb Carpenter, Publisher
This new generation of business and civic leaders is talented and dedicated and they are making the North Country a better place to live and
work. They are eager to become North Country’s leaders of tomorrow,
and that’s good for business.
Are you an experienced writer with an interest in local business?
Strictly Business is looking for new talent to join our team of writers.
Please send a brief bio and writing sample to [email protected].
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June 2014
Stop searching for talent. Start finding it.
Publisher
Herbert O. Carpenter
Managing Editor
Mary Carpenter
Manpower can find it for you faster. With unmatched know-how, perfected
processes and access to qualified candidates, we can find the talented people
you need. For temporary, temporary-to-permanent or permanent placements.
We’ll deliver what you’re searching for.
164 Boynton Ave., Ste. 305, Plattsburgh
518.562.0062
us.manpower.com
President/CEO
Mike Carpenter
Vice President/CFO
Betsy Vicencio
Advisory Board
David Coryer
Advertising
Frank Davis
(518) 324-5123
(518) 534-0539 Cell
[email protected]
Editorial Coordinator/
Sales Support
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(518) 324-5149
(518) 578-4839 Cell
[email protected]
Publication Designer
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Graphic Designer
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Contributing Writers
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Garry Douglas
Meg LeFevre
Justine Parkinson
Anne Waling
Production
Rodney Duprey
Robert King
Patrick Premore
Photography
Howard Jennings
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Telephone: (518) 563-8214
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Craig Chevalier
38 Hadjis Way
Lake Placid
518-523-3344
Darin Childs
448 Route 3
Plattsburgh
518-561-1816
Cindy DeMars
67 Main St.
Saranac Lake
518-891-2323
adkbank.com
June 2014
# OnestoWatch
E
arlier this year when I was
“accused” of being a Millennial in the workplace, I didn’t
know if I should be offended
or proud. After a little self-reflection
and several conversations with my
peers, I came to grips with the label
and did what any card-carrying Millennial would do. I found someone else
to blame for the wayward ways of my
MEG LEFEVRE
generation. I’ve decided that person is
Editorial Coordinator
Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s. It
was he, after all, who first gave us the right to ask, “If it’s not
fun why do it?”
I’m no longer driving my 1992 Ford Contour from high school
with that question emblazoned on the bumper, but for me,
and most of my Millennial peers, that simple phrase remains
a thought worth pondering as we work to find our own happy,
productive place in this world. And why shouldn’t it be? The
right to the pursuit of happiness is laid in the foundation of our
nation and it’s that kind of pragmatic optimism that Millennials
are unearthing once again. Combined with a natural aptitude
for technology, creativity and ingenuity, the Millennial mind
is perhaps not as misguided as it is misinterpreted.
As my good friend Nichole Nevader recently explained, “One of
the strengths of our generation is not simply that we demand
happiness for ourselves, but that we think all people deserve
it. This is the generation that has elected a black president,
pushed forward legislation about gay marriage and revolted
in the Arab Spring, all because we demand more, not only for
ourselves, but for all.”
The young professionals in this issue of Strictly Business, some
purebred Millennials, others on the fringe of Generation X,
have defied their negative generational stereotypes by demanding more for themselves and for those they work with and for.
They’ve put in the hard work necessary to achieve professional
goals and personal satisfaction, they’ve earned impressive
promotions, started new businesses and made long-lasting
community contributions, many while raising young families.
In reading these profiles you’ll find big dreams fueled by youthful ambition and new-age positive affirmations interspersed
with old-fashioned business advice from mentors, parents
and grandparents. Traditionally in business, competition and
capitalism win out over collective happiness, but young professionals in the North Country and around the nation have
the ability to transcend that norm, using our heads alongside
our hearts to create new dimensions of success that every generation can appreciate.
Katherine Kopita
Assistant United States Attorney
W
orking as a federal prosecutor, Katie Kopita represents the United States
government in court cases
that cross state lines, international borders or involve the postal service or the
Internet. “It’s not about winning or losing
cases,” explained Katie, “it’s about doing
the right thing and holding someone
accountable for their actions.” While she
has handled a variety of complicated and
difficult cases, she takes the most pride
in her work with child exploitation cases.
“Helping a child, and preventing other
children from being hurt, is the most
rewarding thing I do.”
Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY Age: 30
Education: B.A. in Psychology, SUNY
Albany; J.D., Loyola University
According to Katie, success is not competing with other people. “It is about
competing with yourself. You can succeed and still be nice to other people,” she
attested. “I saw cutthroat behavior in law
school, and that isn’t necessary.”
Latest accomplishment: My fiancé and
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June 2014
I recently purchased our first home in the
City of Plattsburgh. We love the neighborhood. The home needs work, but it has
character.
Best advice you ever received: My dad
told me, “The most important thing in the
world is to have fun,” and my mom would
follow it with “But you also need a plan.”
Your hero/mentor: Dr. Jeanette Altarriba,
SUNY Albany. Dr. Altarriba ran a memory
and cognition lab where I worked as an
intern. She spent countless hours helping
me decide what to do after college, and she’s
the one who suggested law school.
Most overlooked issue in the North
Country: A lack of business-related jobs.
I have tons of friends who would like to
come back, but there aren’t a variety of
jobs in the business world here.
If you could write a note to your
younger self using only two words,
what would it say? “Don’t worry.”
Jesse Ringer
President, Jeffords Steel and Engineering Company
O
ne of the most impressive things about Jesse
Ringer, independent of his professional success, is
his candor. “I didn’t do well in high school, it took
me five years to get through and I was making
some pretty bad choices along the way long,” he admitted.
Once he graduated, he went to work in construction and
factories. “I kept trying to find out what I actually liked to
do,” he said. It was when Jesse was accepted into the SUNY
Canton Civil Engineering Technology program that he began
to find what he was looking for. He excelled in that program,
transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology. “One of the things I like best about my job is that after
all the planning and work and dedication, I actually get to see
a project, a building, come to life.”
Jesse’s goal has been simple. ‘”Find what you like to do and do
it well.” In doing so, his accomplishments have been tremendous. He pressed on when high school wasn’t a good fit for him
and he continued to look for something he enjoyed in an environment in which he could thrive. When
asked where his next professional goals lie,
he replied simply and graciously, “I’d like
to continue to do my best for the team here
at Jeffords Steel and continue to earn the
position I’ve received.”
Hometown: Hudson Falls, NY
Age: 33
Education: BS Civil Engineering Technology,
Rochester Institute of Technology
Latest accomplishment: Being promoted to the president of Jeffords Steel
and Engineering.
Your hero/mentor? My grandfather. He
always had a great work ethic and pure
dedication to whatever it was that he was
involved in. I always admired that about
him.
Most overlooked issue facing the North
Country? Overall, an issue that many businesses face, not just in the North Country
but across our country, is the lack of pride
in work. We need to expect the exceptional
not just the mediocre.
Who would play you in a movie? Adam
Sandler. He is goofy and out of shape.
What inspires you? I try to do the best
I can to be a good person. I strive to live a
life that I can look back on, be proud of and
have my own children see me as a good,
hardworking, honest person.
“We heard great things about Agency Insurance”
We just celebrated one year in business. We specialize in photographing newborns,
families and weddings. And we also just launched a new business Jared and Debbie Seniors
where we specialize in senior portraits.”
“We called to inquire about what liability coverage would be and they answered every single
question that we had. If anything happens at a wedding, or in the studio our equipment is covered.
We feel we’re well covered and are very comfortable with Agency.
– Jared and Debbie Photography, West Chazy, NY
1-800-562-0228
www.agencyins.net
Plattsburgh . Keeseville . Saranac Lake . Ticonderoga . Rouses Point
June 2014
Raeanne McLaughlin
Executive Director, Pine Harbour Assisted Living
Hometown: Born and raised in the North Country
Age: 41
Education: M.S. in Counselling with a concentration in Geriatrics, SUNY Plattsburgh
O
Clinton Community College
Community & Workforce Development
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ne of Raeanne McLaughlin’s
first encounters working with
older adults involved an agitated patient suffering with
dementia and showing clear signs of
aggressive behaviors. Raeanne was working as an activity intern in a nursing home
at the time and, oddly enough, “From that
point on, I fell in love with it unconditionally,” she said. She took on the challenge
of understanding difficult and aggressive
behaviors. “There’s a reason behind every
behavior, and aggressive situations have
become my specialty. I do a lot of public
speaking seminars and trainings for doctors, nurses and caregivers and have been
a keynote speaker at numerous events
on this topic. It is unconditional love to
understand what they are thinking,”
Raeanne said. Her passion for working at
Pine Harbour shines through in her relationships with staff and residents, where
it truly always is a wonderful day!
Latest accomplishment: Assisting Pine
Harbour to reach its full potential, all the
while balancing family life! We have, for the
first time in Pine Harbour history, reached
full capacity, increased staffing and managed operations all within budget. All this
hard work is driven by the strong will to
meet the individual needs of each resident.
Best advice you ever received? “Hire for
Heart and Train for Skill.” Working with
seniors is an honor, a labor of love and your
heart has to be in the right place to work
in this industry. We are dealing with people’s lives and well-being. When we leave
the community at the end of the day, our
job comes home with us—it’s a lifestyle.
Individuals who clearly have heart, compassion and respect make amazing employees.
Skill is something that we can teach; heart
comes from within a person.
Your hero/mentor? My Uncle Rannie (aka
Randy) who lives in Palm Desert, California
www.clinton.edu/ccwd
136 Clinton Point Drive • Plattsburgh, New York 12901
(518) 562-4139
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June 2014
is my hero. He lives life true to himself and
to the fullest! He inspires me to continually see the beauty in everyday life and that
sometimes in this complicated high-technology world, the simplest things are the
most treasured.
Country? Sadly, financial exploitation
and neglect of older adults in our community is a vast issue. Too often we encounter
situations where seniors living out in the
community are being taken advantage of
financially or being neglected by their own
family or someone close to them. The fragile senior population is easy to overlook
because often they are confined to their
homes, isolated and have little exposure to
anyone who may be able to help them. If you
notice an elderly neighbor or know of a relative who may be dealing with exploitation
and/or neglect—speak up! Please contact
Clinton County Office for the Aging or
Adult Protective Services. You don’t know
when you might be able to save a person
from a really bad situation.
what would it say? “Enjoy Now.” When
I look at my daughter and other kids, I’m
reminded of how I had a tendency to want
to grow up too fast. And it feels like today’s
kids want to grow up even quicker. There’s
such a heightened level of urgency now,
especially with technology, exposure to
mature content, everything is moving so
fast, so just enjoy now.
What will be the title of your memoir someday? It’s the Little Things That
Count. Every day we are reminded just how
fragile life is. If there is anything I can take
away from working in this field, it is that at
the end of the day, as long as I’ve got family, health and happiness, all the things we
stress over don’t really matter.
James A. Abdallah
Vice-President, Architectural & Engineering Design Associates
S
ince 1985, Architectural and
Engineering Design Associates
(AEDA) has done institutional,
municipal and commercial projects, as well as family and senior housing
throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin
Counties. In 2000, James Abdallah
earned his engineering degree and
entered the family business. In 2005, he
obtained his Professional Engineering
License. After fourteen years, he feels
“very lucky” to be working in a successful
business and in a “rewarding field with
new challenges each day.” He explained,
“One day I could be out in the field, the
next in front of a planning board applying for a project approval and the following day at the drawing board designing a
housing development.” He added, “I also
manage a number of designers for various
projects, providing technical guidance
and assisting with project management.”
Although he appreciates the preparation
that the “technical and rigorous” course
work at Clarkson University gave him, Jim
recounted how his four summers of construction work for Luck Brothers during
the time he was in college were invaluable
training for his present day-to-day work.
“The opportunities I had working in construction taught me a lot. I have a better
vision of what’s in the field and how to
make more effective recommendations
to my clients.”
Most recent accomplishment: Family
affordable housing, such as Catherine
Gardens and White Pine Commons in
Plattsburgh.
Community involvement: Cit y of
Plattsburgh Planning Board; Plattsburgh
Rotary Club; Rural Preservation Company
of Clinton County Board of Directors; Vilas
Home Board of Directors; MVP Kids, Inc.
Best advice you ever received: Don’t be
black and white; do the best with what you
have presented to you; follow your heart.
Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY
Age: 37
Education: B.S. in Civil Engineering, Clarkson University
Country: An appreciation of what we
have available to us. Sometimes I believe
we focus too much on what we don’t have.
One of the nicest things about this area is
our very relaxed way of life. Things don’t
fluctuate much.
Route 3 • Plattsburgh & Water Street • Elizabethtown
www.wilsonappliances.com
what would it say? “Think Positive.”
What will be the title of your memoir
someday? The Life I Created. Everybody
has the ability to guide their life. I have
found that it really is true: positive thinking leads to positive outcomes.
Who would play you in a movie? Ben
Affleck. He seems like a hard worker—
actor, w r iter, director and political
activist—but underneath it all, just a
normal guy.
What inspires you? Helping my daughter
Andie grow and mature into a happy and
successful young woman. Also, the feeling of pride and accomplishment I receive
from hard work.
“I challenge you
to find a better value!”
June 2014
Alec Currier
Sales Executive, Northern Insuring Agency, Inc.
Hometown: Peru, NY
Age: 23
Education: B.S. in Business Administration
with a minor in Marketing, Alfred University
A
t age 23 and barely two years
out of college, Alec Currier has
already settled into a career
that he loves. “When I graduated from Alfred University in 2012, I
came back to the area because my family
is such an important part of my life.”
When a sales position opened up at
Northern Insuring, Alec went through
three rounds of interviews and several
business lunches before landing the job
on his 22nd birthday. “It was one of the
better birthday presents I’d received,” he
said.
Although young and a member of the often
criticized Millennials, Alec understands the
value of good old fashioned hard work. “As
much as I want to put into it is as much as
I’m going to get out of it. I’ve always had
that mentality, whether it was with family,
friends, school, or athletics. I see a tremendous opportunity here that if I didn’t make
this my career I feel like I would be making
a huge mistake, not only for the fact that I
love coming to work in the morning and I
love the people I work with, but the opportunity to be successful is all on me,” he said.
Latest accomplishment: Began working toward completing my CIC (Certified
Insurance Counselor) designation to further expand my knowledge and expertise
in the insurance industry.
Community involvement: Adirondack
Young Professionals, Adirondack Business
Group, Plattsburgh Polar Plunge, Northern
Insuring/Chamber of Commerce Golf
Classic, American Heart Association Heart
Walk, Champlain Valley Family Center’s
Drug Treatment & Youth Services’ Run/
Walk for Recovery, Run for Jon, Autism
Awareness Walk, North Country Cancer
Fund, Youth Sports Coach, Peru Varsity
Assistant Football Coach
Best advice you ever received? Failing
to prepare is preparing to fail. Always
approach whatever you choose to do in life
fully committed and willing to make the
necessary sacrifices to be successful.
Your hero/mentor? My grandfather,
Leonard “Cheese” Rock
Country? Early education about drug and
alcohol use.
someday? Adversity Created a Beautiful
Life
Who would play you in a movie? Mark
Wahlberg
What inspires you? A lot of my inspiration comes from the people I surround
myself with on a daily basis at both the
office and my personal life. These people have endured countless hardships and
failures, but are extremely successful in
both their careers and personal lives due
to an exceptional work ethic and persistent attitude.
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June 2014
Matthew & Jessica Ray
Owners, Livingood’s Restaurant & Brewery LLC
Hometown: Jamestown, NY/Potsdam, NY
Age: 42/38
Education: B.A. Psychology/School of life
M
att and Jess Ray met in 1995 at SUNY Potsdam and they’ve
been together ever since. In 1998 they followed their passions of photography (Jess) and craft beer (Matt) out west
to Colorado, where they fine-tuned their restaurant industry and beer making skills at Left Hand Brewing Company. Eventually,
the Adirondacks called them back and Matt’s experience in the beer business helped him get a job as a brewer at Lake Placid Pub and Brewery.
Their very own brewery at Livingoods, opened this month, has been a
long time coming. A lot of hard work is behind everything the Rays do,
from their former Margaret Street casual/fine dining bistro to the brand
spankin’ new brewpub in Peru (and a couple kids in between), but it’s all
been part of the couple’s plan from the start. When they started their life
together, Matt and Jess had one specific career goal: To be self-employed.
Community involvement: AIDS Council Dining Out For Life, Peru Youth
Commission, Peru Free Library, North Country SPCA
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country? Keeping our local
economy going through the long winters.
Where did you get your business backgrounds? Jess: I have about a semester and
a half of college, but my parents are both
self-employed. They owned their own business all of my life. Any job that I’ve taken
I’ve worked in some sort of administrative capacity and I’ve always had a natural
inclination towards numbers, business and
marketing. When I was working at Left
Hand Brewing, I was assistant to the head
administrator, doing inside sales support,
invoicing and accounts receivable and at
the same time, I was also working with the
VP of Marketing, helping run the tasting
room. I’ve always leaned more towards the
business and entrepreneurial side of things.
It’s just my nature. Combining that with
Matt’s skills as a chef and a brewer makes
for a pretty good combination.
Best advice you ever received? “Go big
or go home.”
Spare time activities? Camping with our
children and two dogs. Matt loves to ski,
Jess is a photographer.
What inspires you? Our kids and our
community.
What will be the title of your memoir someday? They Built It With Beer!
June 2014
Michael S. Cashman
Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement,
SUNY Plattsburgh / Plattsburgh Town Council
Hometown: Carver, MA
Age: 33
M
ichael Cashman arrived
in Plattsburgh in 1999 to
attend SUNY Plattsburgh,
earned a B.S. in Speech
Communications, an M.S. in College and
Agency Counseling and then put down
roots in the North Country. Currently
he helps students get involved in campus
life so that they will maximize their college experience and develop ties to the
community.
Caring; founding member and former
president/chair of the Adirondack Young
Professionals; former vice president of the
Town of Plattsburgh Local Development
Corp and Zoning Board of Appeals
Michael’s latest accomplishment is his
election to the Plattsburgh Town Council.
Attuned to the needs and spirit of his community, he said he has been fortunate to
have many individuals in his life who have
contributed to his growth both personally
and professionally.
Most overlooked issue facing the
North Country: Securing and developing a diverse offering of jobs/careers across
all sectors. We must make it a priority to
foster a job market that provides opportunities for growth and livable wages. As a
young professional, I have witnessed, firsthand, the ‘brain drain’ occurring here in the
region. All too often, folks have to chase
careers instead of keeping their roots here
in the North Country. The next generation
is seeking opportunity elsewhere while our
region’s population is growing older. Our
best resource is the people who live, work,
and learn right here in the North Country.
The vitality and well-being of our region
is dependent on us investing in ourselves.
Community involvement: Currently
co-chair of the United Way’s Day of
Best advice you ever received: Do what
you love, what you have passion for. Don’t
chase the buck. Remember there is always
a way to get what you need or want. There
is a place for success for anyone who is
determined.
what would you say? “No regrets.”
What will be the title of your memoir?
The Redheaded Stepchild. I am literally a
red-headed stepchild myself, and, due to
my dyslexia, familiar with living outside
the norm.
What inspires you? Our community
inspires me. Students, families, friends,
and neighbors who have a tradition of facing adversity collectively, as demonstrated
during the 1998 Ice Storm, Hurricane Irene,
and even meeting the day-to-day needs
of our neighbors. We have our challenges,
such as the need for better paying jobs,
keeping taxes low and economic growth,
and they must be addressed with a shared
community plan. The North Country has
something to offer us all—a place we can
live, work, play and have a high quality
of life.
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June 2014
Faith McClelland
Owner, Rustic Blend;
Event Coordinator, The Wild Center
Hometown: Tupper Lake, NY
Age: 32
Education: B.A. in Political Science, SUNY Potsdam
F
aith has all the work ethic and attention to detail you
want someone planning your event to have, and then
there is her passion. Her passion is so large it grew into
its own business. “My Dad worked really hard and there
was always something to do. Either we were shoveling snow to
clear out the driveway or shoveling snow into the driveway so
it would melt. We were always busy. I love it,” she said. Faith
puts that drive to work in a variety of capacities, including her
position as events coordinator at the W!ld Center and as VP of
the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce. She also successfully
developed her own Adirondack craft hobby into a business.
Faith and her husband Andrew began Rustic Blend by crafting birch wood frames from materials they collected on hikes.
When customers started to use the frames as table markers for
weddings, business really picked up. The Rustic Blend line has
grown from ten items to upwards of 250.
Best Advice You Ever Received: I read this quote by Steve
Jobs everyday:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone
else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma—which is living
with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the
noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.
And most important, have the courage to follow your
heart and intuition. They somehow already know what
you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
If you could write a note to your younger self using only
two words, what would it say? “Be patient.”
Who would play you in a movie? My husband wanted to
answer this one. He thinks Amy Pohler’s character from “Parks
and Recreation” would play me. Every time we watch that show
we laugh about my similarities to her passion for her job.
What inspires you? People who have found their passion. It
excites me to see someone that has fallen into a job or a place in
life where they are truly content. I believe that everyone should
find what they love, become an expert in that field and find a
way to make a living from it. Every year we spend thousands of
hours away from our family and friends for our careers. Shouldn’t
we love them?
Your hero/mentor? My mother, Mary Jo Wells. When I meet
someone for the first time in Tupper Lake, I am proud to tell them
that I am Mary Jo Wells’s daughter. She is a special woman who
people adore. I look up to her more than anyone else in the world.
Although my mother has never owned a business, I would have
to say she is also my mentor. My mother
has always allowed me to dream. She never
told me, “That won’t work,” or “Someone
else already tried that.” To my mother the
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14 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Kristin Thompson
Director of Clinical Operations, Inter-Lakes Health
Hometown: Ticonderoga, NY
Age: 34
Education: A.A.S. in Nursing, Magna Cum Laude, Adirondack Community College;
B.S. in Health Science, Cum Laude, SUNY Cortland
K
ristin Thompson works as
Director of Clinical Operations
at Moses Ludington Hospital,
a position which encompasses
not only working as Director of Nursing, but also overseeing the laboratory
and radiology. “I am basically the COO
for anything clinical,” Kristin explained.
After nine years at Moses Ludington her
latest accomplishment is becoming part
of a regional healthcare planning committee for the future of healthcare in the
North Country. “This will set the stage
for how care will be delivered in our area
in future years,” she said.
In addition to her varied work duties,
Kristin is involved in the community, serving as a board member for the Ticonderoga
Area Chamber of Commerce and also as a
member of the advisory board for the nursing program at North Country Community
College. In her spare time, she likes to spend
time with her husband and son, and also
engages in more active pursuits, such as
golf and training for “Tough Mudder,” an
ongoing series of obstacle course and mud
races designed by British Special Forces
to challenge the toughest of the tough.
“I did a race on Vermont’s Mount Snow,
up a double-black-diamond trail,” Kristin
explained. She explained that she ran in
high school and was recently inducted into
the Ticonderoga Athletic Hall of Fame. No
wonder her future memoir will be titled
“Sprinting Ahead!”
Best advice you ever received: “Believe
in yourself. You have everything you need
right inside you; let it come out and impress
the world.” My former CEO told me that
and I think it is great advice.
Your hero/mentor: I have two, both doctors. Dr. Erik and Dr. Alfred Kristensen—I
met Eric, my brother-in-law, when he was
in med school and I was studying for my
degree. Eric’s father, Alfred, was also a
doctor. They both had such a strong work
ethic; we had many great conversations
about medicine that helped me a great deal.
younger self containing only two
words: “Dream big”
What inspires you: Helping others
through the work that I do, and seeing
how my work positively impacts the community I grew up in really inspires me.
Country: Appropriate distribution of state
and federal funding for health care facilities and school systems.
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Courtney Menard
Design Engineer, Swarovski Lighting
Hometown: Beekmantown, NY
Age: 24
Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a
professional concentration in Manufacturing Engineering,
Clarkson University
Courtney also serves on several boards and is a firefighter with
the Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department—all of this before
her 25th birthday!
Best advice you ever received? The best professional advice I
have ever received came from my boyfriend’s father, Joe Valitsky.
With his long list of experience in manufacturing, he told me that
in order to become a great engineer, I needed do my undergrad
internship in manufacturing, working on the floor. I took his
advice and that summer I learned not only how to effectively communicate with the people working on the floor, but also problem
solving skills and manufacturability. All of which are skills that
every engineer should posses and can’t be learned from a book.
R
ight up until the month before high school graduation,
Courtney Menard was headed towards pharmaceutical college. She had applied and was accepted to some
of the best schools in the country, but on the last day
to submit applications she applied to Clarkson University on a
dare from a family friend. She received her acceptance letter
within the week and a campus tour shortly thereafter solidified her fate. “I’ve always wanted to know how things work and
Clarkson offered all types of projects in the mechanic shop. The
idea of learning by using my hands was something I thought
was just amazing.”
Always willing to push perceived limits, Courtney was one of
only five women mechanical engineers in her graduating class
and she did it in high heels and pink glasses. In December of
this year Courtney will be among 14 graduates of the first ever
M.S in Engineering Management class at Clarkson University.
Your hero/mentor: My father, Darryl, always pushes me to do
the best work I can possibly do. My mother, Tammy, is constantly
reminding me that sometimes you just need to take a “mental
health day” and relax. Lastly my sister Lauryn, who is the most
inspiring young person that I know. She is consistently pushing
the boundaries and doing whatever it takes to make her dreams
come true. She shows me that when you want something badly
enough, you don’t sit and wait for it to happen, you get out there
and make it happen.
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country? The lack
of STEM jobs in the area. Most manufacturing facilities are subsets of larger companies with multiple locations throughout the
world. I find that when a company moves to our area, they only
open a few technical positions, leaving the more technical jobs
in another location. This makes it difficult to keep people in
the STEM profession from moving out of the area to find work.
two words, what would it say? “Defy Convention.” (Clarkson
University’s slogan and words that I live by each and every day)
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16 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
W ho would play you in a movie?
Jennifer Lawrence. She is a spunky young
woman who is proud of her own body image
and does not let corporate America change
who she is.
What inspires you? Life. From the
moment I wake up to the birds chirping
in the morning until the sunset in the evening, I try to find the beauty in every day.
Jarrod Trombley
Detective, Plattsburgh City Police Department
B
ecoming a police officer was
something Jarrod Trombley
always had in the back of his
mind. Considering his family’s
joke it would only be natural. “I’m one
of three brothers and the joke is that
I was the good one,” Jarrod explained
with a chuckle. A good brother, a good
patrolman for eight years and since last
fall, a good detective in the Plattsburgh
City Police Department, Jarrod is also
involved with physical training and
defensive tactics training at the City
Police Academy. “It’s giving back,” he said,
commending the dozen officers who are
involved in the academy. “We’re taking
the love of a job and trying to provide for
these new cadets in the best way we can.”
Jarrod noted strong ethics, responsibility
and honor as qualities he aims to instill in
new recruits.
Hometown: Champlain, NY
Age: 34
Best advice you ever received? “If you’re
going to do something, do it well.” From my
father. He’s an all-around great person and
a great family guy.
Most overlooked issue facing the
North Country? Our youth is our biggest strength and weakness and we really
need to build them up by leading by example, educating and giving back to the
community. We’re trying our best to keep
Plattsburgh the way we’ve always known
it to be—safe, family oriented and local.
What keeps you going back to work
every day? I believe that when you do
something, you have to do it well. I’m surrounded by people who also believe in
that; we’re dedicated hard-working men
and women doing the best for the greater
good of our community.
June 2014
Heather Reynolds
Director of Quality and Process Improvement, Elizabethtown Community Hospital
Hometown: Essex, NY Age: 36 Education: AA. Liberal Arts, Clinton Community College; A.A.S. Nursing, Clinton Community
College; B.S.N., Excelsior College, Albany; currently enrolled in Master’s of Nursing program at Excelsior (2015)
H
eather Reynolds has been working as Director of Quality and
Process Improvement for just
over a year, focusing on improving quality of care at Elizabethtown Community Hospital. “The favorite part of my
job is that we have a zero-blame culture here,
and we are able to make change in a positive
light,” she said. “It is usually process that is
the problem, not the person.” During her
time, Heather has already worked to expand
the Transitions of Care program, which helps
high-risk patients return to their homes
after being discharged.
Heather previously worked in homecare and,
while her focus there was also quality, it gave
her an awareness of the needs of the growing elderly population. “I think this is one of
the most overlooked issues facing the North
Country,” she stated. “There are limited
resources and reimbursement for programs and so many areas
that need attention. As a community we need to come together
to address those needs.”
Best advice you ever received: I hold three gems of advice
close to me: “Always be the first one to laugh at yourself.” —Mom
“It’s okay to be a little bit uncomfortable! If you are uncomfortable, you
are growing professionally.” —Denise Plano (former boss)
“In a conversation, keep in mind that you’re more interested in what
you have to say than anyone else is.” —Andy Rooney
Your hero/mentor: My grandmother, Margaret McDougal.
She was a nurse not only by profession, but she lived it. She
dedicated her life to taking care of others and taught me that a
nurse is never off duty. She led by example and showed me how
to see the positive in almost any situation. She was so proud of
my career and accomplishments; I was lucky to have her in my
life for thirty-five years!
What inspires you? My daughters. It is important for them to
see that being kind, working hard and being persistent can lead
to success both professionally and personally. I not only share
my successes with them, but my mistakes and failures as well.
They need to see that life is a bumpy road, but you can work hard
and overcome obstacles. They are proud of my accomplishments,
whether it is getting a promotion, graduating from college (again),
finishing my first half-marathon, or making a mean broccolicheddar soup! They make me a better person.
Spare time activities: I enjoy spending time with my family:
my husband of fifteen years and high-school
sweetheart, David, and my daughters Grace
and Claire, as well as my “adopted daughter,” our exchange student from Slovakia,
Michaela. Together we ski, hike, play sports,
sing badly, travel and laugh a lot! We value
time spent with family and friends.
If you could write a note to your younger
self using only two words what would
it say? “Don’t worry!”
18 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Katie McNeil
Principal, Saranac Middle School
Hometown: Ellenburg Depot, NY
Age: 32
Education: B.S. in Education, M.S. in Education,
C.A.S in School Administration, SUNY Plattsburgh
B
eginning her school administration career as vice-principal at
Northeastern Clinton Central
School, Katie reminisced about
her first day on the job. Waking up to a
drizzle, she wore pink boots to school “I
wore them ‘cause I liked them,” she said.
She didn’t realize her first duty would be
to monitor the student parking lot. She
had heard about the tough, burly senior
boys who drove pickup trucks and wore
big work boots. They liked to cause a little
ruckus in the parking lot on occasion.
More than a little nervous, Katie searched
for topics they could relate to. “I grew up
on a farm, shot a bow and arrow, rode
a tractor, and hunted with my father. I
chatted with them about my father’s new
tractor and growing up on a farm. By the
end of the year, those boys were bringing
me venison and playing their duck call
when I walked out each morning!” Later,
the students discovered that Katie was
not only stylish, but took the rules very
seriously. She didn’t allow any “ruckus,”
disrespect or failing classes. At the end
of her first year, students presented her
with a plaque they made in Wood Shop.
It read, Pink Boots, Iron Fist. “It will be
the title of my memoir,” laughed Katie. “It
keeps me grounded.”
Katie is now principal at Saranac Middle
School where she effectively manages and
supervises the education of 350 active preadolescents every day. Listening to her
students; taking an interest in their lives;
collaborating with teachers, parents and
coaches, and doing the hard work necessary to keep abreast of ever-changing
educational standards, laws and practices, keeps Katie busy, but she loves every
moment of it.
Latest accomplishment: Keynote
speaker at the Clinton
Cou nt y ’s Top 10 %
Dinner, Class of 2014.
Community involvement: Working with
my school community
organizing fundraisers
and awareness events
takes most of my time.
Best advice you ever
received? “Be kind, be
yourself and love what
you do.” My parents
always reminded me
to never forget where
I came from. They are the most hardworking and thoughtful people I know.
Your hero/mentor: I have had many
mentors, but Janet McFetridge, a former
colleague and humanitarian who works
tirelessly to improve her community, has
inspired me to commit to doing 365 of random acts of kindness in my community. I
started in October 2013 and will finish in
October 2014.
Country? It might not be just in the North
Country, but I find that taking the time
to get to know your neighbor is essential.
Everyone has a story and you can only learn
that story by talking to them, not by looking at their pictures and posts on Facebook.
what would it say? “Dream big.”
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56951
Shawna Armstrong
Freelance Graphic Designer
Hometown: Champlain, NY
Age: 24
Education: B.F.A. in Graphic Design, B.A. in English Literature, SUNY Plattsburgh
I
f you’re like Shawna Armstrong, and you spent your whole childhood playing in a computer repair shop, there’s a good chance you found a career in
technology. A graphic artist and also an activist, Shawna found her voice
and realized her own potential to affect positive change while in middle
school. She recognizes her time as Clinton County representative for Reality
Check (a youth-led anti-tobacco industry campaign) as a turning point. “That
was the first real big step for me to being involved with community activities
and taking on more of a leadership role,” she said.
Since then, just about anything Shawna has set out to achieve, she has accomplished. Her creative ideas were among the initial ones used to organize First
Weekends in downtown Plattsburgh and she recently held her own art exhibition at the Depot Theater, showcasing her unique collage art. “I’m starting to
focus on identifying myself as a fine artist,” she said. You can read more about
Shawna at www.shawnacollage.com.
Latest accomplishment: Preparing for my solo exhibition. Not only is preparing
a solo exhibition a lot of work (creating the art, printing, framing, pricing, advertising, planning the opening) but this is my first one! Being a gallery curator at
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June 2014
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the NCCCA helped immensely so that the
framing, printing, and reception were not
as stressful to me as it would have been to
most other artists. The real struggle/stress
was trying to find my niche as an artist. I
only started practicing collage in the beginning of 2013— just a little over a year ago. I
haven’t had much time to explore or experiment. The past few months I’ve really been
pushing myself through this new medium
and just making, making, making. Overall
it’s been a great experience and I am glad I
challenged myself to do it.
Best advice you ever received? “Always
do what you are afraid to.”
Your hero/mentor? Norman Taber, my
former Graphic Design Professor at SUNY
Plattsburgh. Norman put up with me for
three straight years as a growing, often
very emotionally stressed, student artist.
He helped build my design and teaching
skills, but also helped me find confidence in
my craft. Norman and his wife, Tory, both
teachers, also have successful careers as
illustrators. It was comforting as a student
to see working artists who have followed
and found success with their passions.
Country? Building stronger and more
effective downtowns.
Who would play you in a movie? A current actress I really admire is Ellen Page.
Not only a talented, young actress, she
also uses her voice/position for social good
(most recently speaking out for gay rights
and the Human Rights Campaign).
What inspires you? While I find inspiration in books and online like most artists,
the strongest and most continual inspirational push has been from overcoming
personal challenges. My first big challenge
I only took on because someone told me I
would fail. I was stubborn and had to prove
them wrong. When I succeeded, it felt great.
So I tried another challenge and with some
hard work, I succeeded again. And again.
While I don’t always succeed with flying colors, I always make it through. Every time, I
am a little surprised and excited. So I keep
going. You can’t be afraid to try something
just because you are a girl, or too young, or
don’t have enough experience.
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June 2014
Insight
Story by Meg LeFevre and Photo by Howard Jennings
Mike Zurlo
As a graduate student at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs &
Policy at SUNY Albany, Mike Zurlo predicted his future career on a
piece of paper. The assignment asked, “Where do you see yourself in
five or ten years?” Mike’s answer, “To be in county management in
New York State.” He found that paper several years into his professional career—a career that began in the state Capitol in Senator Ron
Stafford’s office and led him to the top of county management here in
the North Country. Earlier this month, Mike was unanimously reappointed by the Clinton County Legislature to serve his third five-year
term as county administrator. When he’s not working, Mike’s free
time is all about his kids, and happily so. “If it’s not a hockey rink or
a baseball field, it’s a golf course,” he said. And, of course, the once
three-time Section VII golf champ likes to sneak in a round of golf
himself here and there.
Following are excerpts from SB’s interview with Mike Zurlo.
SB: How old were you when you were appointed to your current position?
MZ: I was 34 years old.
SB: What was it like coming into an administrative position
at such a young age?
MZ: Well, I was the deputy county administrator for two years
under Bill Bingel, so I had a good understanding of county government. Bill and I worked very closely together.
SB: What’s your approach to management and leadership?
MZ: I’ll answer that question by saying that Clinton County has
a super group of managers, both department heads and midlevel managers. My approach is foremost to trust the people
I work with and to make sure that I have an understanding of
how their departments are operating, which means that lines
of communication always need to be open. I remain a proponent of Total Quality Management, which is, do things right the
first time, strive for success, understand the needs and desires
of your customers—the citizens of Clinton County—and try to
meet those needs and desires.
SB: What important lessons did you learn early in your
career?
MZ: Working in Albany, the one thing that I always prided myself
on was getting both sides of the story. There are two sides to
every story. Most often the truth lies somewhere in the middle,
so don’t react to any one side until you’re comfortable that you
have all the facts.
22 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Who were your mentors?
MZ: I had two professional mentors. One was Peter Repas, the
legislative director in Senator Stafford’s office. From him I learned
a great deal about interacting with people, regional politics and
how to get things done in a government setting. It was truly
invaluable and I still keep in touch with him.
SB: How do you get things done in government?
MZ: Communication is critical. Research. Know the issues. Be
prepared. If you’re honest and you have facts to support your
arguments, it’s hard for people to say no.
SB: Who was your other mentor?
MZ: My predecessor here at the county, Bill Bingel. Bill held this
job for many years and taught me the ins and outs of Clinton
County. And another mentor, obviously, is my dad (John Zurlo).
He’s just a super human being. He’s got the ability to put things
in perspective and makes me understand that you only have one
life, so you better enjoy it along the way.
SB: What’s the best advice those gentlemen gave you?
MZ: From Peter, it was, “Be prepared in your professional career.”
From Bill it was, “You have the title of County Administrator,
but never ever forget that you work for the ten Clinton County
Legislators. They are the decision makers.” My dad’s advice has
always been, “Put things in perspective. Work hard and understand the value of family and friends.”
SB: What advice can you offer to up-and-coming professionals?
MZ: The best piece of advice I have is, before you choose a career,
make sure you are pursuing something that you are truly passionate about. It’s going to be a long career if every morning you get
in your car and bemoan the fact that you’ve got to go to work.
SB: And what advice do you have for those who are “stuck” in
a career they don’t love, but it pays the bills?
MZ: Seek opportunities. If there’s an educational opportunity
that’s needed to enter a career that suits you, pursue it. We have
a lot of options in life. I’m not naive. Obviously you need to pay
the bills, but don’t be afraid to take advantage of opportunities
that present themselves.
SB: How do you stay passionate? Municipal government isn’t
very inspiring to most people.
MZ: I’m a public policy guy. That’s where my interests lie. My
degree is in Political Science, but I must have applied to graduate school in Public Administration for a reason. I like public
policy. I find myself watching TV shows that would bore other
people because I’m interested in people’s ideas that shape policy. I enjoy it.
SB: Are current local and state policies effective? Or are there
things that could be changed?
MZ: There are always things that can be changed. In the State of
New York, we have a lot of opportunities available to us. I obviously don’t agree with everything that comes out of the governor’s
office and the state legislature (a lot of the taxes we raise are to
pay for their programs) so it makes formulating our budgets
increasingly difficult. That being said, I’m seeing an atmosphere
coming out of Albany that aligns itself with where we need to be,
which is fostering continued growth and opportunity.
SB: What’s your vision for the county?
MZ: Economic growth is critical to our success. We’re positioned
here far better than most. We’ve got to utilize our proximity to
the border, which is critical. We’ve got to continue to utilize our
natural resources and assets to our benefit. We need to shape
public policy in ways that will result in increased job opportunities. We need to give our young folks who go away to college
opportunities to come back home. We want the best and the
brightest to stay in Clinton County. We have positioned ourselves,
not just Clinton County government, but the entire region, to be
a place where people want to live, grow and raise a family. But
all of that is dependent on the economic viability of the region.
SB: Do you consider yourself a politician?
MZ: No. I work for both parties; I work for Clinton County. The
Legislature happens to be made up of Democrats and Republicans.
I’ve worked under the leadership of both parties and every decision I make and recommend is in the best interest of the county.
I try to avoid political discussions.
SB: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
MZ: Ask my wife. During budget season I’m fairly stressed out.
October through December is quite stressful. Not only is it the
formulation of the budget, but I know that in formulating that
budget, there are going to be some unhappy people. That’s not
always an easy burden to carry, but every decision I make and
recommend to the Legislature is done so with my belief that it’s
the right thing for the county.
SB: What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make?
MZ: The selling of the home health care license. Mainly because
it was going to affect county personnel. Years later, it’s proven
to be one of the best decisions the Legislature made.
SB: How long did it take for you to realize it was a good
decision?
MZ: I believed it was a good decision or I would not have recommended it. However, a conversation shortly after the transition to
HCR reinforced my belief. I was stopped in the parking lot after
work one day and one of the homecare nurses, who throughout the process was critical of the county’s decision, came up to
me and said, “I just want to let you know that was the best decision the Legislature could have made.” That made me feel good
because there were some anxious evenings. In no way did I want
to upset the apple cart, but it was right financially and it was also
right for the quality of care of the patients.
SB: Is that your proudest professional moment?
MZ: One of them. But the budgets we’ve passed in Clinton County
have had minor tax levy increases attached to them. We did that
in a manner that kept services intact for the people who needed
them. We did so without a slash and burn approach. At the end
of the day, we exist for the citizens of the county. It sounds trite,
but that is the case and I’m proud that we’ve been able to continue to provide services without overburdening the taxpayers.
I’m also proud of my part in the county’s decision to relocate the
Clinton County Airport to the former Air Force Base, as well as the
recent decision to expand the current airport operation. And I
would be remiss if I did not mention the quality of the management team and labor force in Clinton County. I pride myself on
not only communicating well, but also fairly and equitably treating county personnel.
Job Title: County Administrator, Clinton County
Education: B.A. in Political Science, Siena College;
Masters of Public Administration and Management with
a concentration in Public Management, SUNY Albany
Family: Wife, Gretchen; three children, Samantha,
Alex and Ian
Hometown: born in Champlain, resides in Morrisonville
Community Involvement: Secretary, Clinton County IDA;
CVPH Corporate Board
June 2014
Paul Deyoe
Account Executive, WPTZ, News Channel 5
Hometown: Au Sable Forks, NY
Age: 32
Education: B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, SUNY Plattsburgh; MBA in Marketing, Empire State
T
he first obstacle in selling a television advertisement is convincing the client they can
afford it. “Most assume it is too expensive,”
said Paul Deyoe, an advertising executive
at WPTZ since 2011. “I tell them I am a marketing
consultant. Let’s put together a plan.” Through discussion, Deyoe helps his clients identify their business opportunities, customer base and advertising
goals, then matches their vision with his advertising products, such as a TV advertisement that might
run during the evening news. His plans have created many satisfied customers and earned him the
Eagle Award—recognition for a salesperson at WPTZ
who exemplifies outstanding sales performance and
leadership—twice.
Interestingly, Paul credits his college internship with
the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida, as
his most influential educational experience. “I learned customer
service the Disney way,” he recounted. “They are truly the best.
On the first day, when they literally threw pixie dust over all of
us, they made it obvious that their approach was truly different.
And I learned that every organization needs to find their own
‘pixie dust’ that sets them apart from the competition.” Paul
continued, “And they didn’t just tolerate diversity, they actually
celebrated it with songs, costumes, skits—you name it. Living
and working in this melting pot of people from all regions of the
world was life-changing for me.”
If you want to grow with a company, advised Paul, “Let it be known.
Don’t wait for things. Make sure you’re on a path to where you
want to be and if you feel you’re not, ask your supervisor to help
you create a path. He or she might not be able to promote you right
away, but there are things, like taking on extra responsibilities at
work or an internship with a local non-profit organization, to gain
Photo provided.
skills and prepare yourself for the opportunity when it becomes
available.” Inspired by people who work hard and play fair, Paul
hopes, through his work with Adirondack Young Professionals,
to encourage young people to stay in the area and develop successful lives in the North Country.
He and his wife, Suzanne, welcome their first child this month.
Community involvement: Adirondack Young Professionals,
a group who fosters opportunities for young people to develop
successful lives in the North Country.
Best advice you ever received: Do tough things and work hard,
but don’t forget to enjoy life. Have that beer after you run a half
marathon, take those weekend trips.
Your hero/mentor: Michael Jordan. To me, the guy was
always trying to improve. He looked for ways to challenge and
motivate himself.
Spare time activities: Home improvement
projects, and slow, smoked barbecues…they
take all day…I season the meat with my
own sauce and rub.
Most overlooked issue in the North
Cou nt r y : A br id ge t h at con ne c t s
Plattsburgh to Vermont. We need to get
a group of people and do a study. It would
definitely foster economic growth and
opportunity in the North Country.
what would it say? “Stop whining.”
24 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
D. Billy Jones
Chair, Franklin County Board of Legislators
Hometown: Chateaugay, NY
Age: 39
Education: Chateaugay Central School
W
hen asked about his latest accomplishments, Billy
Jones names the birth of his daughter, Ella, and
his recent re-election as the chair of the Franklin
County Board of Legislators. In addition, he continues to be a member of the North Country Regional Economic
Development Council and is proud of the great success it continues to have.
Based on his involvement in the Chateaugay community where he
grew up, it is not surprising that Billy’s heroes are the 33rd United
States President, Harry Truman, “An ordinary man making decisions in extraordinary times,” and his mother, Marilyn Jones, who
taught him humility and hard work. In addition, Billy credited “listening to people who have experience and wisdom” to be his most
valuable educational experiences.
Community involvement: Helped form the annual Chateaugay
10K Fun Run to benefit the local Vans for Veterans; board member,
United Way of the Adirondacks; board member, JCEO of Clinton/
Franklin County Board; Chateaugay Rotary; Malone Elks Lodge.
Best advice you ever received: Make decisions based on what
you feel is right and remain positive in spite of naysayers. My job
is to make decisions for the people I represent based on what I feel
will benefit the community and its residents as a whole.
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country: Retaining the
youth in the North Country, especially in our small rural communities. Plattsburgh has job opportunities and they keep increasing,
but creating jobs in our small towns that young people can support
a family on has been a struggle for us for years. Our population is
aging and one of my top priorities is taking care of the seniors, but
without young people settling here to raise families, the tax base
is just not there. As far as the economy goes, I totally believe in a
regional economy. For example, if Plattsburgh does well, the outlying small towns will do well also.
what would you say? “Be patient.”
What will be the title of your memoir someday? A Life of Public Service:
Improving and Sustaining Upstate New
York and the North Country Way of Life
What inspires you? Witnessing ordinary
people all over the North Country making
a difference in peoples’ everyday lives.
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June 2014
Kimberly Davis
Clinton County Treasurer
Hometown: Springs, NY
Age: 39
Education: B.S. in Business (Marketing) and Philosophy with
a Minor in Accounting (Magna Cum Laude), SUNY Plattsburgh
W
hen Kimberly Davis first served as Town Assessor in her
hometown of East Hampton, New York in 2000-2001, it
laid a foundation for a future in public service. Kimberly
now serves as Clinton County Treasurer, Plattsburgh Noon
Kiwanis president, and New York District of Kiwanis International Lt.
Governor-Elect. She credits her education at SUNY Plattsburgh for making
“a tremendous difference in my growth.” As a mentor to students in the
School of Business & Economics she tries to articulate the impact of that
education whenever she can. Davis is also part of the North Country Scholarship Program committee, dedicated to providing scholarships to North
Country students attending SUNY Plattsburgh.
Although County Treasurer is not a position with a platform per se, this is
where Kimberly’s philosophy student within speaks out. “Our world constantly evolves, so adaptability is a huge asset. I think that is one of the things
that is missing in politics these days. So many people believe that there is
only one way, but there are many ways. Everyone needs to be listened to
and if someone has a better idea than me, that’s great! No one person has
all the answers and we as politicians, need to listen more.” Kimberly’s goal
26 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Copper, EPDM,
Wooden Shake,
Shingle, or
Standing Seam
is to bring all of the experience garnered
in her banking and government experience
to the treasurer’s seat. “This is my home. I
value what Plattsburgh is and what it has
allowed me to do. I love what I am doing.
My goal is to help make Clinton County Lake Champlain Roofing
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Latest Accomplishment: Raised $1,570
and walked the Lake Placid Half Marathon
for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Community Involvement: Plattsburgh
Noon Kiwanis Club, President; NY District
of Kiwanis International, Lt. GovernorElect (starts October 1, 2014), Adirondack
Division Coordinator for The Eliminate
Project (Kiwanis’ worldwide service project
eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus); Kiwanis International, Certified Club
Counselor; The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society, Coach and Mentor for the Team
in Training Program; Plattsburgh City
Democrats, Chair; Adirondack Young
Professionals, Member; North Country
Sc hol a rsh ip Prog ra m Comm it tee
(Plattsburgh College Foundation), member; School of Business and Economics
(SUNY Plattsburgh) Mentor
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Best advice you ever received: From
my father, on life: “Do the best you can,
regardless of what you’re doing.” From
Dr. James Csipak (Marketing professor at
SUNY Plattsburgh), on business: “Underpromise and over-deliver.”
Your hero/mentor: My dad. He has polio
and never let it define him or limit him. He
allowed me to be an individual and to have a
differing opinion. He presented other sides
without judgment or defensiveness to show
me the big picture. He showed me that you
always have to consider other’s points of
view, whatever decision you make. I have
used that to this day!
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Country: Poverty. One of the things that
you marvel at when campaigning doorto-door is how few resources some people
have. You may not see poverty is your community, but is all around.
Who would play you in a movie: Amy
Adams
What inspires you: That we rarely come
close to our own limits, to what is possible if we persevere.
June 2014
Tim McCormick
Accountant, McCormick and Deon
Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY Age: 34 Education: A.A.S. in Business Administration, Clinton Community College;
B.S. in Accounting/Business Administration with a minor in Economics/Business Analysis, SUNY Plattsburgh
“I
play around with numbers,” joked Tim
McCormick, describing his daily work.
“I help businesses with payroll, sales tax,
general accounting, and advice. But probably the most challenging part of my job is staying
up to date with all the tax laws, making sure I know
what’s new and what has changed.” He said the best
part of his job, however, is meeting different people,
finding out about them and helping them solve
their problems.
In addition to his work at McCormick and Deon, Tim
spends his time involved in the community. He is
the president of First Weekends in Plattsburgh, the
vice president of Plattsburgh Downtown Association
and the president of the Town of Plattsburgh’s Local
Development Corporation, which gives funding to
businesses in the town for expansion and creation.
“I am inspired by the laughter and smiles I hear and
see during the First Weekend events,” he said, “and I
am excited about all the things we have planned for
the summer.”
Tim cares about and enjoys Plattsburgh, and in addition to his
work and service, he manages to find time to race sailboats, golf,
garden, and take his pup for hikes. “I am inspired by the idea that
we as a community can work together to help this region become
the force it was always meant to be. None of us can do it alone,
but through teamwork we can make anything happen.”
Best advice you ever received: Never give up.
Your hero/mentor: My parents. Even though my mother has
had Type 1 diabetes for most of her life, she has always lived life
her way. She has never let anyone tell her what she can or cannot do. And people are amazed when they find out that my father
began this firm working out of his house while he was in college
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and holding down a full time job. He has shown me that through
hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Although my parents are definitely mentors in my life, I have to
say that without Colin Read’s influence, First Weekends would
not be around, 30 City Hall Place would never have come to be,
and the Downtown Association would only be a distant thought.
Thankfully he has been there serving on a number of boards and
helping all of the community groups see the value of working
together. He has been the driving force behind a lot of the positive change in this community.
If you could write a note to yourself using only two words,
what would you say? “Be fair.”
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28 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Country: In order to continue to grow as
a region, we must increase our internet
speeds. More and more businesses are looking to increase quality of work life through
allowing employees to work remotely,
either from another office or home. With
the proper internet connections we have
the opportunity to bring jobs from NYC,
Boston, and DC to the region. Whether it
is the history, mountains or lake that bring
people here for vacations, we have to have
the ability to allow them to work where
they play.
This is tobacco
marketing.
marketing.
Kids who see it are more likely to smoke.
Kids who see it are more likely to smoke.
It’s a fact:
Research shows that kids
who shop at stores with
tobacco marketing two or
Research
showsa that
more times
weekkids
are 64%
whomore
shoplikely
at stores
with
to start smoking
tobacco
marketing
than their peers two
who or
don’t.
more times a week are 64%
Henriksen, Schleicher, Feighery and Fortmann. Pediatrics:
moreSource:
likely
to start smoking
The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
July 19, 2010. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009 3021
than their peers who don’t.
It’s a fact:
Source: Henriksen, Schleicher, Feighery and Fortmann. Pediatrics:
The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
July 19, 2010. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009 3021
Reality Check of Clinton, Essex & Franklin Counties
20 Ampersand Drive, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518-570-7784 or 518-561-8480
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adirondack tobacco Free network
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June 2014 Strictly Business | 29
133 margaret street, plattsburgh, nY 12901
518-565-4993 • www.clintonhealth.org
n
n
ex
C li
Franklin
Jenna Murray
Executive Administrator, Marketing Coordinator and Facility Manager,
North Country Workforce Investment Board
Age: 26
Education: B.A. in Marketing and Public Relations/Advertising
with Minor in English, SUNY Plattsburgh
J
enna Murray is one of four people at the North Country
Workforce Investment Board. “We are a small staff, but
we all accomplish so much in such an array of different
responsibilities in a day that it is astounding at times,”
she commented. As a young professional, Jenna feels that marketing is an area that the North Country community needs to
focus on, as well as recognizing hidden talent. “Retention of
talent within the community is essential for future growth,” she
said. “New opportunities do exist to bring young professionals
into the area and retain local talent. These young professionals
need to embrace networking relationships in an effort to find
employment suited to their caliber in this area.”
Jenna practices what she preaches, attending Chamber of
Commerce functions both on behalf of the Workforce Investment
Board and her family’s business, Champlain Valley Electric. “I
believe networking is essential,” she emphasized, “especially
given the current job market and our local economy.”
Latest accomplishment: In my personal life, learning to cook
has been a long time goal. I’ve gone from barely being able to boil
water, to successfully cooking a full meal.
Best advice I ever received: Your most challenging job will be
the best job you will ever have. I’ve learned that this is very true.
Adversity is what drives creativity and confidence in all aspects
of business and personal life.
Your hero/mentor: My sister, Meagan, and my mom, Kim, both
stand out to me with their courage and tenacity to achieve whatever it is in life that they choose to pursue.
518-563-9156
www.mccormickanddeon.com
30 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
What inspires you: To me, it is not what,
but who inspires me. I am a firm believer
that you are the company you keep in
regard to the relationships and communications you have. The professional success
and achievements of my family, friends and
those who surround me are what drive me
to have professional success and a positive
rapport with others.
Jillian & Michael Welc
Owners, WELCare Family & Sports Chiropractic, PLLC
Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY / Greensburg, PA
Age: 32 /31
Education: Jillian: B.S. in Biology, Binghamton University; Doctorate in Chiropractic, New York Chiropractic College
Michael: B.S. in Biology, St. Vincent College; Doctorate in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College
J
illian and Michael Welc met the day they started at
New York Chiropractic College and were married before
they graduated. They know what they want and they
pursue it without apologies. Never accused of backing
down from a challenge, the Welcs opted to open their own practice instead of the traditional route of working under another
professional immediately after graduation. In fact, they had
their business plan set up six month prior to graduation and in
March of this year WelCare Family and Sports Chiropractic celebrated its fifth anniversary. In August the Welcs will welcome
their fourth child.
Community involvement: We volunteer our services at the
Plattsburgh Half Marathon by providing on site chiropractic
adjustments, soft tissue work and stretching both pre and post
race for the runners. We also participate in raising donations
for the Relay For Life. Michael is a member of Business Network
International and is an active volunteer at St. Peter’s Church.
Best advice you ever received? Tough Times Never Last but
Tough People Do. Reflecting on the last five years has made us
realize how true this statement is. Simultaneously starting a family and business has not been easy, but it has been so rewarding.
Your hero/mentor: Dr. Vincent Loia, a professor in the clinical
sciences department at NYCC, was a huge help to us when researching our options and making the decision to purchase a practice
right out of school. Dr. Barry Wiese also was a big help. We feel
we wouldn’t have made the decisions we did without them! Now
private practice right out of school, but we always wanted to “be
that we are at a new step in our journey, Dr. James Chestnut is
our own boss” right from the beginning. There are many ways
quite an inspiration. He is an internationally known chiropracto run a chiropractic practice, both from the business aspect to
tor in the area of wellness and prevention. He has had such a
patient care. Patient care was too important to us to start out
positive impact on the profession and has made significant conlearning someone else’s way.
tributions to healthcare in general. We met him in January and
he has become a mentor for us. He inspires
us to continue our efforts at spreading the
word on a wellness and prevention lifestyle.
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what would it say? “Saddle up!” We never
knew just how crazy life could get until
now! We are enjoying the ride.
someday? We Did It Our Way. We met a
lot of hesitation and resistance when we
were discussing taking the plunge into
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June 2014
Adam Harris
Owner, Grizle T’s and Barracho Taco
Hometown: Clinton, NY
Age: 31
Education: Paul Smiths College
W
hen asked who would play
him in a movie, Adam
Harris said Seth Rogan.
Have one conversation
with the witty Saranac Lake bar and restaurant owner and you’ll find out why. It’s
no wonder his businesses, Grizle T’s and
Borracho Taco, draw crowds and remain
successful. Grizle T’s had previously been
a bar for 25 years; Adam gave it a facelift in 2007 and made sure the sign only
had one “z.”...“Because it looked better
that way,” and he added a gourmet menu
of Hot Pockets. Borracho Taco was converted from an old video rental store in
2010. “That was a little challenging, but
it was a good time,” he said.
After moving to Saranac Lake to attend
Paul Smith’s Culinary Arts Program, Adam
fell in love with the area. “Saranac Lake is
an amazing small town. The lake’s right
here, the people are great, everyone has
responded positively to my businesses, and
that’s appreciated,” he said. Adam’s been
in Saranac Lake longer than he’s been anywhere and he said it really feels like home.
He is a member of the Whiteface Chapter
of the Freemasons and loves to contribute
to and sponsor local events.
Best advice you ever received? Be your
own boss.
Your hero/mentor? My father. He has
fantastic business sense.
what would it say? “Own it.”
someday? Warm Beer and Slow Service:
My Life in Adirondack Hospitality
What inspires you? Being a contributing
member of a community as rare as Saranac
Lake and the daily problem solving and
improvement that comes with operating
a small business.
32 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Jim Kopaska
Plant Manager, Johns Manville
Hometown: Pella, IA
Age: 33
Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University; M.S. in Business Administration, University of Iowa
J
im Kopaska takes great
pride in his position as
plant manager at Johns
Manville and rightfully
so. In 2013, the Plattsburgh
manufacturing facility was
named the company’s National
Plant of the Year for all around
performance as well as awarded
Best Plant in its division. “It’s an
accomplishment that our whole
team is proud of and I am glad
that they were recognized for
their hard work,” said Jim. “We
just bought a trophy case to put
on the plant floor for the team to
show off their awards. We made sure it had plenty of space for
next year!!” Jim’s confidence in future success at Johns Manville is evident in the new vision statement the facility is in the
process of rolling out. Based on helping Johns Manville workers
be the best versions of themselves that they can be, the vision
is perfectly aligned with Jim’s own inspiration. “It gives me so
much energy to see people learn and accomplish things that
they didn’t know were possible,” he said. An inspired work ethic
and desire to see others succeed make Jim Kopaska one of SB’s
“Ones to Watch” this year.
Best advice you ever received? The message that you send is
not nearly as important as the message that is received. I learned
this lesson through a misunderstanding with a co-worker early on
in my career and it has been of extreme value in many instances.
I still have the newspaper clipping in my office that the gentleman handed me several years ago to help me learn that lesson.
Your hero/mentor? I can already see her rolling her eyes at me
when she reads this, but I’d have to say my wife Laura. She challenges me to be the best person I can possibly be and motivates
me to stay focused on accomplishing my goals. I’m not certain
I’m always so thankful for the challenges in the moment, but
she keeps me grounded and inspires me to be more. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for her
being in my life.
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country? I believe
that the area has tremendous opportunity for growth, but I am
not certain that we have the human resources to support it.
There are some great initiatives throughout the community to
address this, so I don’t think it’s fair to say that it is overlooked.
It is however a significant issue and challenge that we have to be
creative in overcoming. The efforts being put forth by the educational organizations, manufacturers, staffing agencies, Chamber
of Commerce, Department of Labor, and various economic development organizations in the area are a fantastic step in the right
direction. I hope that the momentum they have established will
continue and gain support in finding a sustainable solution for
our community.
two words, what would it say? “Listen more.” That’s a tough
lesson to learn.
What will be the title of your memoir someday? He Loved
to See You Smile. Nothing makes me happier than to see someone smile…whether it’s because you heard a funny joke, listened
to a humorous story or because you are beaming with pride from
accomplishing something you didn’t know you could. I love to see
people smile. It’s healthy and everyone wears them well!!
Who would play you in a movie? Will Ferrell. Not only are we
similar in physical size, but we both like to make people laugh.
June 2014
Kasey Kirk
VP of Finance, UFirst FCU
Age: 31
Education: A.S. in Business Administration, Clinton Community College; B.S. in
Business Management with Minor in Business Analysis, SUNY Plattsburgh
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UFirst Federal Credit Union. Through
her job, she is able to participate in many
community events, including walks,
runs, breakfasts, and dinners for numerous causes. “UFirst is very involved in
the community, which allows me to be as
well,” she said. Kasey is also a member of
the Adirondack Young Professionals.
Complimentary
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on Tinnitus with
Dr. Sharon Macner, Au.D.
July 11
Call to reserve your seat
518.907.0199
14 Booth Dr
PLATTSBURGH
Next to the Butcher
Block Restaurant
CVaudiology.com
34 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
what would it say: Be You. Always remember to be you. Throughout the years,
through both good and bad experiences
there are always others who have gone
through the same experiences; however,
you are the only one to go through them
with your perspective. Not a single person
knows what you know, thinks what you
think or feels what you feel. Strive to be
the best YOU can be—for you. You will
reach your goals and go beyond.
Your hero/mentor: I have two mentors.
My mother, Bette Durocher, vice president of Durocher Auto Sales, has earned
her way to the top and is a hardworking,
dedicated and loyal individual. Her position at Durocher includes accounting, and
I knew from a young age that I wanted to
build a career in business and accounting. My mother has been a role model who
taught me strength, courage, dedication,
and responsibility.
My second mentor is Linda Bourgeois,
CEO and president of UFirst. Since I was
promoted to Interim VP, I have learned
that Linda is a wonderful role model. She
is intelligent, kind-hearted, genuine, and
knowledgeable. She has given the management team here opportunity to work with
a consulting firm to further our leadership
skills, which has been a great asset for me.
Linda has taught me empowerment, passion and leadership, and I know that I have
much more to learn from her as I continue
to grow in my career.
What inspires you? Growth. When I feel
I can help myself, our members or the staff
grow, it makes me feel good. I get excited
when there is an idea, a solution, a path for
growth. I can see the big picture and I am
moving toward it full speed. If I can help
the growth process in any way, I am all in.
Matthew J. Courtright
Executive Director, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce
Hometown: Ticonderoga, NY
Age: 33
Education: B.A. in Public Communications, The College of Saint Rose
2002: Semester in Italy at the American University of Rome
with a concentration in photography and journalism in 2002.
2004: Intern in Albany in the NYS Senate Media Services Department.
2004: Semester in Ireland as an Intern in the Irish Prime Ministers Press Office.
M
atthew Courtright has an
infectiously positive personality and at the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of
Commerce, he uses that positive energy
to get things done. “Over the last three
years our TACC team and dedicated
members have increased membership
from 142 members to 243 members,” he
said. And it continues to grow. For Matt,
growth and change go hand in hand.
Without change, growth is rarely possible. And while change may seem difficult
for some, Matt’s got the right idea. “When
you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change,” he said,
quoting Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Matt is an enthusiastic leader intent on
leaving the world a better place. “I am a true
believer that each person you encounter has
an impact on your life and you can take the
opportunity to learn and grow,” he said.
Community involvement: Kiwanis Club
of Ticonderoga, NCCC Business Council,
Essex County Industrial Development
Agency, Best 4th in The North Committee,
Ticonderoga Tiny Tim Program, StreetFest
Committee, Knights of Columbus. TACC
is also a host site for AmeriCorps for the
Adirondacks.
Best advice you ever received? There is
a positive in everything. A positive attitude
and state of mind can change your life. Find
the beauty in everyday. Experience and live
life to the fullest, take advantage of every
opportunity that comes your way, dream
big, work hard for all that you want,
do not take a moment for granted,
and learn and grow from your experiences and the experiences of others.
Do not be afraid to fail. Be proud of
the person that looks back at you in
the mirror.
Your hero/mentor? My father
figures and good friends, each for
particular reasons: my dad, Bruce
Courtright, my step father in-law,
Ray Thatcher (both deceased) and
my father in-law, Dan Tatro. Each has and
continues to teach me many things about
life and about being a dad. The strengths I
have gained from them in my personal life
have prepared me for the challenges I have
met and will meet in my career.
Get your business noticed.
Advertise today in two
great local publications!
Country? Apathy. I would like to see individuals adopt a more positive approach
to community involvement and support.
Attending events, volunteering for committees and boards, and patronizing (thereby
sustaining) local establishments are reflective of good citizenship.
Strictly
Business
what would it say? “Embrace change.”
Strictly Food for Thought
What will be the title of your memoir someday? Everything Has a Purpose
and a Place.
Contact Frank Davis
Who would play you in a movie? Jonah
Hill or so I am told.
(518) 324-5123
(518) 534-0539 (Cell)
Advertising Account Executive
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June 2014
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36 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
Jonathan Beach
President/Physician, Beach Medical Services
Hometown: Altona, NY
Age: 38
Education: St. Lawrence University, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University
A
native of Altona, New York, Dr. Jonathan
Beach combines practicing medicine with
public service and gives his community his
best at both. Inspired by his parents who
told him to “never give up,” he recently expanded
Beach Medical Services to include a new office in
Malone. In response to patient needs, he offers a
full range of services, including primary care, walkin medicine, diabetes care, and physician guided
weight loss.
In addition to his medical practice, Beach is active
with fundraisers for innovative programs, such as the
Until There is a Cure There is a Dog Golf Tournament
and Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, which match
patients with Type 1 diabetes with alert dogs who
“sniff out” the changes in a person’s scent when they
have high or low glucose—providing a higher level
of security and service for patients with fluctuating
blood sugar levels.
Diagnosed with diabetes at age four, Beach understands the needs of his patients and is working with
new therapies to improve his patient’s quality of life.
“I am always researching new therapies and I try them
on myself first,” he said. “Dogs trained to help those
with diabetes have only been available for four or five
years. I have four patients now with service dogs.”
Beach has a diabetic alert dog himself, Banting, a chocolate lab.
As the Clinton County legislator serving Area 2 since 2011,
Beach said he has “learned a tremendous amount about people and politics.” He works with the county to “help maintain a
strong economy and ensure cautious use of tax funds,” as well as
a variety of challenges in his area and around the county. “I enjoy
my time as a legislator and love giving back to the community.”
Community involvement: Clinton County Legislator; member of Clinton County Board of Health; Community Services
Board; Chamber of Commerce; American Diabetes Association;
American Academy of Diabetes Educators
Best advice you ever received: Carpe diem!
Your hero/mentor: Dr. Jim McKay, my pediatrician, who diagnosed my diabetes and cared for me throughout my childhood
and Dr. Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin. (At age 32
Banting was awarded the Nobel prize for Physiology and Medicine
in 1923 and is still the youngest Nobel laureate in this category.)
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country: The inherent differences between the North Country and the other areas
of New York State. There are unique issues that impact this area
and have a direct effect on attracting businesses, medical professionals and our quality of life. Recognition of this unique area
will improve our medical and social services, our job opportunities and our growth and development.
If you could write a note to your younger self-using only
two words, what would you say? “Buy Google.”
What will be the title of your memoir? Banting and Beach,
Through the Eyes of a Diabetic Alert Dog
Who would play you in a movie? Robin Williams. He is brilliant and funny. I love 90 percent of his movies. I enjoy and
admire his work.
What inspires you? My family and my patients’ health.
June 2014
Michael Dhaliwal
Student
Hometown: Ellenburg Center, NY Age: 2
Education: A.S. in Business Administration, Clinton Community College; SUNY Plattsburgh
School of Business and Economics 2014 Strictly Business Scholarship Awardee
I
n December of this year,
Michael Dhaliwal will
graduate from SUNY
Plattsburgh. It’s a goal
he has worked hard towards
and like most accomplishments in life, it took a couple
twists and turns to get there.
Between high school and college, Michael worked in roofing for eight years, a job, he said, that helped him appreciate the
value of education.
A decision to put his love of numbers to work put Michael in the
classroom at Clinton Community College, where he utilized the
school’s two-plus-two program with SUNY Plattsburgh. As a
non-traditional student and father of two young kids, Michael
appreciates his professors and, even though he has a forty minute commute, he doesn’t miss class. After graduation, Michael
plans to take the CPA exam, get his license and gaining professional experience at a local firm. Eventually he would like to
start his own business.
Best advice you ever received? It doesn’t matter what you
choose to do in life. As long as you enjoy what you do and are
able to provide for your family.. go for it! —Dad
Your hero/mentor? My fiancée Christianna. I wouldn’t have
been able to continue my education if it hadn’t been for her. Words
can’t express how thankful I am for her support.
Spare time activities? Spending time with my family, especially my two kids.
Most overlooked issue facing the North Country? I feel
that the North Country should utilize our location more. We
are located in an ideal place for tourism to be a large part of our
local revenue.
two words, what would it say? “Buy Apple”
What will be the title of your memoir someday? Where Did
All This Gray Hair Come From?
What inspires you? My parents. Their relentless work ethic
have shown me that to get ahead in life, you really have to work
for it. This is why I strive to do each and every thing to the best
of my abilities.
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38 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
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Bethany Drown
Student
Hometown: Ellenburg Center, NY
Age: 20
Education: SUNY Plattsburgh School of Business and Economics
2014 Strictly Business Scholarship Awardee
B
ethany
Drown
is not a typical
20-year-old.
A
junior at SUNY
Plattsburgh,
Bethany’s
course work involves three
majors (Global Supply Chain
Management, Management
Information Systems and
Business
Administration)
and two minors (Criminal
Justice and Business Analysis). She’s a young woman with a
plan and the work ethic to see it through. Growing up working
on her family’s farm and in their hometown diner, the Ellenberg Inn, Bethany learned early in life that hard work pays off.
For most of her life, however, she was just a little too shy to put
herself out there. After a course in Professionalism and mentoring from local business leaders like Paul Grasso and Devi
Momot, Bethany gained a new perspective and now feels prepared for life after college. “My goal is to
become a Customs Broker,” she said… Or,
maybe she’ll go into Homeland Security
as an Import Specialist. No matter the
career path she ends up on, it’s clear that
Bethany is bound for success.
Latest accomplishment: Being selected
to receive the Strictly Business magazine
scholarship
to help. I have not come in contact with one individual who didn’t
genuinely listen to what I had to say. I’ve been lucky enough to
even make a few close friends out of building a network. It makes
me have more appreciation for those around me, and it makes
me want to be somebody that someone else would like to have
in their network.
Your hero/mentor? My parents are without a doubt my biggest heroes.
What will be the title of your memoir someday? A Woman
of Integrity
What inspires you? My family inspires me. I want to be great
for them. It is very inspiring to be with people who have higher
expectations of me than I even have for myself. I’m also inspired by
people in my community. I think there is something to be learned
from every individual I come in contact with. I will learn the
right way to do things or I will learn the wrong way to do things,
but it is inspiring to me that everyone has something to offer.
Award Winning
Photographer
Studied with Ansel Adams. Exhibited at Kent Gallery at Plattsburgh State University.
Community involvement: Ellenburg
Town Republican Committee member,
Wesleyan Church member
Best advice you ever received? I have
received a lot of great advice in my life. One
of the most important pieces that I recently
received was to build my network. Being
from a small town, I wasn’t even sure what
that really meant, and after I figured it out,
I was too nervous to approach anyone who
didn’t already know me. I had to step out
of my comfort zone. It turns out that it
was the best advice I could have gotten. I
have grown as an individual because of it.
I am now more confident than ever before.
I have met and introduced myself to many
great people. One of the best things that
I’ve learned from starting my network is
how willing people in the community are
518.310.0622
[email protected] •
• Wedding
• Travel
• Portraits
• Wildlife
Howard Jennings Photography
June 2014
Chamber Wise
Community
Sustainability
Still a Major Challenge
in the Adirondack Park
40 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
By Garry Douglas
I
n 2009, the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages
conducted the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment
Project (APRAP), establishing and disseminating a
broad set of numbers, statistics and trends that finally
documented and conveyed the need for all of us to be greatly
concerned about “community sustainability” within the Park.
Among some of the noteworthy findings, which can be found in
full at http://aatvny.org are:
In May of this year, a partial update of APRAP was completed
and released, and is available at www.apra2014.com. It focuses
on the Park’s evolving demographics, helping to affirm that the
2009 projections were not only accurate but perhaps understated.
Among the key findings are:
■ Only seven Park communities had complete cell phone coverage, and broadband access was even worse.
In the decade beyond 2020, it is projected the Park will be losing
more than 900 people per year.
■ Park residents had an average age of 43, older than any state
for median age. By 2020, trends showed that only the west coast
of Florida will exceed the Adirondacks as the oldest region in
America.
■ In the 12-county Adirondack region, the number of public
school students who live inside the Park is declining at twice the
rate of students who live outside the Park
■ In the Park, K-12 students represented 13.5% of the
population, compared to 18% nationally. School enrollments in
the Park were declining by 329 students annually, the equivalent of losing one average Adirondack school every 19 months.
Yet it wasn’t a matter of too many schools given the geography,
with the Saranac Lake School District, for example, covering an
area nearly the size of Suffolk County.
While a few communities were prospering, they were the exception, with more and more Adirondack communities facing
growing challenges in keeping and attracting young people and
families, and sustaining schools and basic services from fire
departments to year-round grocery stores.
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council
took these findings very seriously, using them to help guide our
original Regional Economic Development Plan and then routinely
considering the special needs within the Park that we can assist
with—recognizing they are of a different nature and scale than
elsewhere including in other “rural” areas.
In the case of broadband, for example, some eight significant
infrastructure projects have been leveraged within the Park in just
three years with more to come. By the end of this year, Hamilton
County—the toughest area of the state to cover with such technology—will have broadband from north to south and east to
west. And now we have helped support the launch of Adirondack
Teleworks to help residents use broadband to access services, support self employment and small businesses, and reduce one part
of the area’s economic isolation.
■ The population of the Park continues to age rapidly and decline
in numbers at an accelerating pace.
■ By 2030, the Park population is projected to drop below 116,000,
with a median age greater than 50 years.
The reason all of this matters, of course, is that without some
reasonable stability infused with a more balanced mix of ages
and families, many communities will continue to decline and
many basic services that are also needed by seasonal residents
and tourists will no longer be sustainable. A good case in point
centers on the Park’s volunteer fire departments and EMS/ambulance services. While these are under challenge in all rural areas,
as with other trends the challenges are more pronounced in the
Adirondacks.
■ The number of Park residents aged 29 and younger—the prime
pool of future emergency service volunteers—is projected to
drop by 17,320 between 2000 and 2030, an average decline of
14% per decade.
■ By 2030, it is projected that more than a third of Park residents will be over the age of 60.
■ In Hamilton County, the average scene to destination time
in minutes for ambulance service is 53.46, compared to 17.77 in
Clinton County and 13.16 statewide.
The looming crisis in sustaining volunteer ambulance services
in the central Adirondacks—with a declining pool of potential volunteers, longer distances that mean more time per call
and greater difficulties accessing required training sites, and an
aging population which will require more and more support—
was also highlighted in the recent report of the North Country
Health System Redesign Commission.
We have also helped to foster new investments in tourism infrastructure, from hotels to attractions; have secured the future
of Trudeau Institute through a remarkable partnership with
Clarkson University which is drawing biotech investment to
the mountains; have highlighted the strategic needs of existing
employers such as International Paper with all of its sourcing of
raw material from the Park; and have fostered new resources for
small enterprises, among other moves.
A lot to think about with a lot to do. Not only by Adirondack residents, communities and leaders but by all of us across the North
Country who need sustainable communities in the Park both for
an overall regional economy that can prosper and for a Park that
we nearby can continue to access and fully enjoy.
All of these strategies and investments will help, but there is no
doubt that much more will be needed.
Garry Douglas is the president of the North Country
Chamber of Commerce.
Onward and upward!
June 2014
42 | sbmonthly.com
June 2014
June 2014
Strictly Business
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Business magazine - Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce

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