Month: March 2021

SUNY Empire State Has Scholarships For Student Frontline Healthcare Workers

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

SUNY Empire State College is celebrating 50 years of academic achievements and excellence throughout 2021.

Founded in 1971, SUNY Empire State began as a bold re-imagining of higher education, one focused on increasing accessibility and opportunities for students.

Officials said that for the past five decades, SUNY Empire has transformed the face of student-centered, accessible, equitable education, ushering in a world of possibilities for busy adult learners. The college began utilizing mail-in correspondence and satellite feeds in the 1970s and was one of the first to move to internet-based and blended coursework in the mid-1990s.

Since then, SUNY Empire has been at the forefront of distance and online education and continues to explore new pathways for students of all ages to pursue their educational and career aspirations.

SUNY Empire’s mission aligns with that of the State University of New York’s, which aims to provide students with accessibility to the highest quality academic, professional, and vocational programs, officials said.

National Park Service Names Morlock New Superintendent At Park In Stillwater

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Leslie Morlock will be superintendent of the Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater.
Courtesy National Park Service

Leslie Morlock will be the new superintendent of Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater.

Morlock begins her job on March 28.

“The victory at Saratoga changed the entire course of the American Revolution,” National Park Service Regional Director Gay Vietzke said. “The park has an important role to play as we get closer to America’s 250th birthday in 2026. Leslie’s background in planning, visitor use management and partnerships provides a crucial skill set needed to lead the park as we approach this milestone.”

“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as superintendent at this pivotal site in the history of the United States,” Morlock said. “Saratoga National Historical Park is a unique place to learn about a key turning point in American history, explore nature and honor those who walked the hallowed grounds before us. I look forward to working with the dedicated park team, the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, other partners, and the community to preserve this important site for future generations.”

Personnel Briefs: March 2021

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Roohan Realty announced that Jaime Williams has joined the team as a licensed real estate salesperson.

For more than 17 years, Williams has worked at Franklin Community Center, a nonprofit human service agency in Saratoga Springs. She was involved in program management, fundraising and development.

During her tenure, she had the opportunity to form many lasting relationships with both donors and clients, and those relationships were the highlight of her time there. In addition to her involvement with Franklin Community Center, she also serves on the board of directors for the Ballston Spa Education Foundation.

Jaime is originally from Massachusetts and moved to Ballston Spa in 2003.

Kim Stote Named SUNY Empire State Dean Of School Of Nursing And Allied Health

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Kim S. Stote, dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health at SUNY Empire State.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

SUNY Empire State College named Kim S. Stote as dean for its School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Stote, Ph.D., MPH, RDN, succeeds M. Bridget Nettleton in the role.

Prior to her new role as dean, Stote served as the associate dean of health professions for the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has been a faculty member since 2009.

“Kim has been an invaluable member of our School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has the skills and experience necessary to fulfill this important role,” said SUNY Empire State College Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea. “Kim is the right person at the right time for this position.”

“I am honored to serve as the dean for the School of Nursing and Allied Health. This is an interesting and challenging position that aligns well with my background and strengths. I continue to be impressed with SUNY Empire State College’s culture of innovation, which offers alternative learning experiences that encourage student success through degree completion,” said Stote.

She is a clinician scientist conducting research on understanding how dietary components interact with physiological, sociological, and environmental factors that affect the health of the population. Her research experience also includes investigating the effects of differing food components in human health which resulted in a twice Fulbright Scholar award as the research chair of nutrisciences and health, at the University of Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Business Briefs: March 2021

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Saratoga Bariatric Surgery and Weight-Loss Program, a service of Saratoga Hospital, has been awarded the Blue Distinction Center designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

The designation, from BlueShield of Northeastern New York, is reserved for nationally accredited bariatric surgery programs that meet rigorous, objective standards for quality of care, patient safety and outcomes.

Saratoga Bariatric Surgery and Weight-Loss Program has been a Blue Distinction Center since 2015. The program also is recognized as an Aetna Institute of Quality Bariatric Surgery Facility and is accredited as a “comprehensive” center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the U.S.—and the most effective treatment for severely obese patients, officials said. These procedures allow patients to achieve substantial, sustained weight loss. That, in turn, can improve or resolve serious obesity-related conditions, such type 2 diabetes.

***

The Adirondack Trust Co. has again secured a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, a bank rating firm.

A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 58 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in a prestigious bracket as an exceptional performance bank.

BauerFinancial, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Fla., has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt-out of a BauerFinancial rating.

* * *

Dealing With Payroll Protection Plan Issues Occupying Time And Effort At Local Banks

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Charles V. Wait Jr. is the president and CEO at Adirondack Trust Co.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Jill Nagy

Area banks have been upgrading their online and digital services but the big push in 2020 appears to be administering Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) small business loans.

“It was an all-hands-on-deck situation; we recruited everyone to help out,” recalled Charles Wait Jr., president and CEO of Adirondack Trust Co. The bank processed $100 million worth of loans in the first round and he expects another $50 million during the second round. “It’s been an interesting 12 months,” he reflected.

Similarly, Marc Monahan, Glens Falls and Saratoga regional executive for NBT Bank, welcomed the PPP program as a way to stay in connection with existing customers as well as a way to bring in new ones.

“They need an account with us but they can open an account and apply for a loan on the same day,” he said. NBT has a dedicated website for PPP loans and, according to Monahan, they processed more than 3,000 applications last spring.

“The past year has altered how we communicate with our customers,” Monahan said.

NBT has enhanced its mobile banking services, including mobile deposit (deposit checks using the camera on your smart phone), online payment services, and online bill paying. The drive-throughs are open and customers can visit the bank lobbies by appointment. However, he finds that customers increasingly prefer using electronic services.

Advisors Insurance Brokers in Clifton Park Acquired By Large Life, Health Distributor

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

From left, Brian Johnson, director of business development; Bob Vandy, president; Kevin Johnson, CEO; and Pete Kelly, COO, all of Advisors Insurance Brokers in Clifton Park.

Advisors Insurance Brokers in Clifton Park has been acquired by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC, a large national independent distributor of life and health insurance products.

As part of the transaction, Kevin Johnson, CEO of AIB, will become a managing partner in Integrity. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“Integrity is committed to innovating insurance by bringing together skill sets that complement our growing roster of platform partners,” said Bryan W. Adams, co-founder and CEO of Integrity. “As we’ve gone through this global pandemic, Americans realize the importance of life, health and long-term care insurance coverage now more than ever. By adding Advisors Insurance Brokers to the Integrity platform, we are able to serve more Americans and help them with these planning needs.”

AIB began in 1992 with a focus on long-term care insurance and planning in the New England region. The company has evolved to offer life insurance, fixed indexed annuities and a wide range of insurance products.

Business Report: What Can Investors Learn From 2020

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Robert Snell, financial adviser with Edward Jones Financial in Saratoga Springs.

BY ROB SNELL

Now that we’re a few weeks removed from 2020, it’s a good time to reflect on such a momentous year. We can think about developments in the social and political spheres, but we also learned—or perhaps re-learned—some valuable lessons about investing.

Here are four of them:

• A long-term perspective is essential.

Volatility in the financial markets is nothing new, but, even so, 2020 was one for the books. Of course, the COVID-19 outbreak was the driving force behind most of the wild price swings. Soon after the pandemic’s effects were first felt, the S&P 500, a common index of U.S. large-cap stocks, fell 34 percent but gained 67 percent by the end of the year.

Consequently, investors who stuck with their investment portfolios and kept their eyes on their long-term goals, rather than on shocking headlines, ended up doing well. And while 2020 was obviously an unusual year, the long-term approach will always be valuable to investors.

• Investment opportunities are always available.

The pandemic drove down the prices of many stocks, but it didn’t necessarily harm the long-term fundamentals of these companies. In other words, they may still have had strong management, still produced desirable products and services, and still had good prospects for growth. In short, they may still have been good investment opportunities and when their prices were depressed, they may also have been “bargains” for smart investors. And this is the case with virtually any market downturn – some high-quality stocks will be available at favorable prices.

Adirondack Trust Co. Will Open New Glens Falls Branch This Year With More Services

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

This is a rendering of the new Glens Falls branch of Adirondack Trust Co. nearing completion at the corner of Main and Pine Streets. It will have a drive-through window and plenty of parking.
Courtesy Adirondack Trust Co.

By Jill NAgy

A new Glens Falls branch of Adirondack Trust Co. is nearing completion at the corner of Main and Pine Streets.

The branch will be a two-story building with a drive-through window and plenty of parking, according to Charles Wait Jr., the bank’s president and CEO.

The building will replace the current branch on Maple Street. That branch will remain open until the new building is ready, probably in mid-April, Wait said.

The present location does not allow for a drive-through and there is limited parking.

The added space at Main and Pine will allow Adirondack Trust to provide additional services. For example, Wait said, loan or mortgage officers can be posted there.

A ribbon cutting is planned, along with grand opening promotions in partnership with other businesses.

Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership Aids Local Businesses Dealing With COVID Issues

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Shelby Schneider, President and CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, talks with Jim Beaudoin, owner of JJB 125 Bath in Ballston Spa.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Christine Graf

For the past 12 months, the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership (SCPP) has helped more than 1,000 local businesses navigate challenges related to COVID-19. President and CEO Shelby Schneider said the organization hit the ground running during the early days of the pandemic.

The agency is not membership based and offers assistance to Saratoga County businesses of all sizes.

“We did a survey right away to help understand how the business community was being impacted by the shutdown and what sort of resources they considered to be critical. We also helped quantify how many jobs were being impacted,” she said. “This was the kind of information we were able to push up to our federal and state representatives so that they knew what the issues were. We were able to give them hard data on what the economic impact of the shutdown looked like for our business community.”

The Prosperity Partnership played a vital role in educating local business owners on the resources that were available to them, she said. They held multiple webinars related to Phase 1 of the economic stimulus package which included Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans.

“It’s critically important to work with our community, county, state, and federal government to understand federal stimulus packages and make sure we are communicating those to the business community,” said Schneider. “Businesses do what they do well, and navigating a gauntlet of regulatory environment or funding sources is not necessarily something they are aware of.”