Month: February 2020

Shelby Schneider, a 17-year veteran of economic development in Saratoga County, is the new president/CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a county-based economic development organization.
The announcement followed the resignation of Marty Vanags as president, effective Jan. 8. Vanags left in order to pursue new opportunities, the organization said.
For the last month, Schneider had served in the position as the interim president and CEO of the agency.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Partnership and lend my experience to leverage new public and private investment bringing more jobs and opportunities to our communities,” Schneider said. “I look forward to working closely with the board and am committed to fully engaging all of our stakeholders including elected officials, businesses, and community leaders.”
“As an organization, we look forward to helping our communities plan for future success, partnering with employers, developing our workforce, and serving as an advocate for initiatives that will drive our success into the future,” she said.
The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership provides a point of contact for business retention and expansion, enabling a seamless delivery of programs and services for businesses seeking to grow, and spearheads semiconductor industry marketing and attraction, global trade assistance, community economic development, and data collection and planning.
“Shelby has over 17 years of experience working in economic development and is well respected amongst community and business leaders in Saratoga County and throughout the state. I know she will provide the organization with strong leadership moving forward. The Saratoga Partnership board and staff will continue to work with the public and private sectors to promote and plan for long-term growth and a strategy for unified economic development in Saratoga County,” said Kevin Hedley, Partnership board chairman.
Under Schneider’s leadership, the Saratoga Partnership team will continue Next Wave Communities Initiative which assists communities within Saratoga County in developing economic development plans tailored to their particular strengths, needs, and aspirations.

Stewart’s Shops has acquired an area gasoline and diesel distribution business that will allow it to distribute gasoline from Sunoco, Citgo and Mobil to dealers located in some of its coverage area in upstate New York.
The local company acquired the distributorship from Polsniello Fuels, a 68-year-old third-generation company in Rensselaer.
Stewart’s said it plans to continue working with dealers who previously did business with Polsinello, and is considering a remodel for some of the acquired gas stations.
“As we continue to grow our business, this acquisition gives us the opportunity to diversify by expanding deeper into the fuel wholesale business,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in a news release.
Polsinello now will focus on its lubricant and motor oil supply business. Lou Polsinello, company vice president, said in a release that the business will continue to deal in lubricants and motor oil distribution, and that dropping out of the gasoline retail business will help them to grow in those other areas.

Organizers of the 22nd annual Saratoga Chowderfest held om Feb. 1 said 93 vendors participated, including 11 first-time contestants.
According to Discover Saratoga officials, some 140,704 bowls of chowder were served and over 30,000 people attended the event in downtown Saratoga Springs and at various outlying venues.
Event-goers sampled a variety of chowder from participating vendors for $1 and voted for their favorite.
Winners were chosen in 10 different categories, which was announced at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center during the annual award ceremony.

John Munter Sr. was presented with the 2020 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award at the annual dinner of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 23 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Munter is the third individual to receive this award following Steve “Sully” Sullivan in 2018 and Tom Roohan in 2019.
To be eligible to receive this award, nominees must have a minimum of 25 years of faithful and loyal service to the Saratoga community.
During his career, Munter has helped organizations such as Saratoga PLAN and The Wesley Community and assisted in efforts that include saving Camp Boyhaven in Milton and creating the Bog Meadow Trail in Saratoga Springs.
Munter is a 1962 graduate of Clarkson University. His career started as a rocket test engineer with GE at the Malta Test Division. In 1972, he left GE to form Munter Enterprises, a general contracting construction operation. More than four decades later, Munter Enterprises is now run by his two sons, John Jr., and Mike.

In late 2019, members of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County (CSSC) voted overwhelmingly in favor of affiliation with the Capital Region Chamber, setting in motion the most far-reaching changes in the organization’s 53-year history.
Ballston Spa National Bank President/CEO Chris Dowd was tapped to lead the CSSC board for 2020, helping direct the transition along with former CSSC President/CEO Pete Bardunias, who now serves as senior vice president, community advancement to Capital Region Chamber President/CEO Mark Eagan.
Dowd has been with BSNB since July of 2001. Starting as senior vice president of lending, he moved to the president/CEO role in August of 2004. He currently serves on the boards of BSNB, CEG, Independent Bankers Association of NYS, the CSSC/Capital Region Chamber, and the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. board of governors.
“It is an honor to be asked to lead the board of this organization into a new and very important relationship with the Regional Chamber,” said Dowd.

By Jennifer Farnsworth
The new Beef Jerky Outlet location is more than what is in its name, according to Cory Leggiero, a partner in the locally owned franchise .
The shop at 514 Broadway in Saratoga Springs specializes in everything from beef, to salmon, to venison, and elk. The location has a country store feel, offering jams, jellies and old fashioned candies.
“We want to be a place that has that small town feel, where when you walk in we know who you are and you know our employees,” said Leggiero.
He owns the franchise with brothers Michael and Tim Kinally.