Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John B. Cannie has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Environmental, Land Use & Development, and Real Estate Practice Groups.
Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Mr. Cannie was an Associate at Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox LLP, where his practice focused on land use, zoning, and real estate development and transactional matters. He has represented clients in a variety of development projects, including residential, commercial, and public benefit initiatives, assisting with contract negotiations, securing government approvals, and finalizing transactions.
Mr. Cannie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Bates College and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2014.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John M. Czajka has joined the firm as partner and John F. Wirenius has joined as of counsel.
Czajka, who spent the last 15 years in New York State government service, most recently serving as General Counsel to the New York State Police, will join the Litigation and Government Relations practice groups. Wirenius is the immediate past Chair of the New York State Public Employment Relations Board and will join the Labor & Employment and Litigation practice groups.
Czajka, who has over 19 years of criminal and civil investigatory and litigation experience having served in various capacities in both the private and public sector, also 
brings to the firm extensive legislative and policy making experience as a former Albany County Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Counsel to the Governor, General Counsel of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, and most recently as General Counsel of the New York State Police. While Counsel at the NYSP for the past five years, Czajka served as the chief legal officer responsible for providing legal and ethical advice to the NYSP Superintendent and the more than 4,000 sworn and non-sworn NYSP personnel. During his tenure with the Troopers, Czajka was also responsible for managing the drafting of proposed legislation, implementing policy and legislative initiatives, coordinating and managing all State Police involved litigation, managing labor and employment issues, and advising the agency and the Governor’s office on the legal, regulatory, administrative, and legislative matters facing the agency.
He is a graduate of Union College and in 2004 earned his law degree from Albany Law School and his MBA from Clarkson University. He is a resident of Guilderland.
Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s Litigation and Labor and Employment practice groups, Wirenius served as the chair and presiding board member of the NYS Public Employment Relations Board, an independent neutral state agency that decides disputes involving the Public Employees’ Fair Employment Act, State Employment Relations Act, and Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act. He also served as deputy chair and general counsel of the PERB, as deputy general counsel of the New York City Office of Collective Bargaining, and as associate counsel of New York State United Teachers.
Wirenius is a graduate of Fordham College and earned his law degree from Columbia University School of Law. He is a resident of Albany and Brooklyn.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna was founded on the intersection between government and the private sector, and the pair’s experience serving two governors, among other roles in government, will further strengthen this rich tradition.
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The Arrow Family of Companies is pleased to announce that its subsidiary bank, Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company, has welcomed Elizabeth Catizone as Branch Manager of its Troy Office and Lindsey Keeler as Branch Manager of its West Avenue Office.
As branch managers, Catizone and Keeler are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community.
Catizone has more than four years of banking experience, most recently as a branch manager of Trustco Bank. Active in her community, Catizone volunteers for Albany Rotary Club, Regional Food Bank and Trinity Baptist Church.
Keeler has 20 years of banking experience, as a teller and a regional operations manager supporting an average of 30 branches for nearly 15 years. Most recently, Keeler served as financial center manager at Berkshire Bank.
The Arrow Family of Companies is pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Wichelns to Vice President, Branch Manager of the Saratoga Main Office for its subsidiary Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.
Wichelns is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community. She brings 18 years of financial services experience to Saratoga National Bank, most recently as West Avenue Branch Manager and previously in mortgage lending and bank management.
Wichelns is a member of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and volunteers for the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. She is a graduate of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Executive Institute and is a former board member of the Stillwater Community Center.
She is originally from Albany and currently lives in Stillwater.