Saratoga Business Journal

Personnel Briefs: April 2024

April 17, 2024

Saratoga Springs’ own Opera Saratoga has elected four new members to its Board in preparation for the 2024 summer season, and under the leadership of General and Artistic Director, Mary Birnbaum.

New board members include: Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub; Supervising Judge of the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District, Hon. Christina Ryba; local business owner and musician Derek Stannard; and, president and CEO of Empire Media Network, Abby Tegnalia.

“It is tremendously exciting to have these four new members joining our board,” says Board President Steve Rosenblum. “All community leaders in the Capital Region, each new member brings a valuable perspective and talent to our leadership team. I am looking forward to working with them as we continue to take Opera Saratoga forward.”

Those interested in learning more about Opera Saratoga’s 2024 season, its board, or wish to become involved, may visit www.operasaratoga.org or contact Managing Director Amanda Robie at arobie@operasaratoga.org.

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Since joining NBC affiliate WNYT News Channel 13 in 1990, Elaine Houston grew to be an impactful and influential member of the news media for more than three decades. Post-retirement, Houston’s next chapter will begin with the Business for Good team, which she joined April 1. An Emmy award-winning reporter, Houston’s aptitude for highlighting social justice issues and stories strongly aligns with Business for Good’s mission.

“Elaine’s renowned career speaks volumes about the robust and vibrant content she will develop for Business for Good,” said BFG co-Founder, Ed Mitzen. “Through the years, her writing and reporting have not only informed people, but educated people. We are honored and excited to have Elaine join our team.”

Houston earned a doctorate degree in executive leadership and social justice from St. John Fisher University, a Master of Arts degree in international women’s studies from State of New York, Empire State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Throughout her career, Houston was recognized with numerous community and journalism awards. According to Mitzen, her decades of impactful storytelling will be an asset, as she works to highlight Business of Good’s family of companies and the amazing entrepreneurs in the communities with which BFG has worked.

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Nonprofit Organizations Across Eight Counties Benefit From Arrow Companies Fundraising

April 17, 2024

The Arrow Family of Companies has announced its 2023 giving, which resulted in total donations of $781,000, including $103,076 from employee contributions. Additionally, the Arrow team logged 11,193 volunteer hours, marking a significant 19 percent increase in both dollars donated and volunteer hours logged.

Over the past five years, the Arrow Family of Companies has donated nearly $3 million to various causes. “Our mission is to strengthen financial lives and make a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Dave DeMarco, President and CEO of Arrow Financial Corporation. “We are committed to giving back, and we are incredibly proud of the dollars we donate, the impressive number of hours our team volunteers, and the impact we make on our communities by doing so.”

The Arrow Family of Companies’ total number of employee volunteers saw an increase of 21 percent, with 252 individuals actively participating in various community initiatives. Through their collective efforts, 561 nonprofits were supported across the company’s eight-county footprint, spanning from Albany to Plattsburgh.

A Variety Of Venues Will Showcase Wellness Options During Healthy Saratoga Weekend

April 17, 2024

Discover Saratoga has introduced the inaugural Healthy Saratoga Weekend, set to take place from Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 20. Renowned as the healthiest community in New York by U.S. News, Discover Saratoga is dedicated to showcasing the abundance of health and wellness offerings throughout Saratoga County. From rejuvenating spa experiences to invigorating outdoor activities, delicious farm-to-table cuisine, and everything in between, patrons are encouraged to visit participating locations in Saratoga County during Healthy Saratoga Weekend.

“I am absolutely thrilled about Healthy Saratoga Weekend,” said Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri. “This event truly embodies our community’s unwavering dedication to health and wellness. We invite everyone to join us in exploring the diverse array of health and wellness offerings in our vibrant county by visiting participating businesses. Let’s unite and celebrate a healthy Saratoga County together.”

This weekend coincides with the Mind Body Soul Market on Saturday, April 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Mind Body Soul Expo on Sunday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., both hosted at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Dive deeper into wellness practices, holistic living, and discover the latest trends in the wellness industry. Learn more at mindbodysoulexpo.com.

“I am excited to partner with Discover Saratoga to bring the largest community-wide health and wellness event to this area,” said Mind Body Soul Event Coordinator, Jennifer Rhodes. “Healthy Saratoga Weekend is the perfect opportunity for individuals to delve into and embrace the world of health and wellness within Saratoga County.”

Consumer Sentiment In New York Improving In Spite Of The High Prices In Some Segments

April 17, 2024

The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment now stands at 76.9 up 2.8 points from the last measurement in the fourth quarter of 2023 and one point above the breakeven point at which optimism and pessimism are balanced according to the latest poll by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). Nationally, the overall index increased nearly 10 points this quarter. New York’s overall Index of Consumer Sentiment is 2.5 points below the national index of 79.4. New York’s current index increased 0.8 points to 72.4 and the future index increased 4.1 points to 79.8. Future confidence in New York is now 4.9 points above the breakeven point of balanced optimism and pessimism and 2.4 points higher than national future confidence.

“Consumer sentiment is gaining upward momentum. Nationally the index, up 9.7 points this quarter, stands 28 points higher than at this time last year. In New York, the index is up 2.8 points this quarter and 14.5 points higher than a year ago. The national numbers are above the breakeven point of balanced optimism and pessimism for the first time in three years and while in New York the current score remains below breakeven, New Yorkers top the nation in future optimism. Still, high prices in the grocery stores continue to impact over three-quarters of residents. While pump price shock is the lowest we’ve seen in three years, a majority also see housing and utility costs seriously affecting their finances”, according to Don Levy, SCRI’s Director.

In the first quarter of 2024, buying plans were down for cars/trucks at 19.7% (from 22.9%). Buying plans were up for consumer electronics at 47.9% (from 45.4%), for furniture at 29.8% (from 26.8%), for homes at 8.3% (from 6.4%) and up slightly for major home improvements at 22.7% (from 22.2%).

A Pair Of Local Hikers Are The Subject Of The Documentary Film “An Above Average Day”

April 17, 2024

Ray O’Conor and Joe Murphy are subjects of a documentary on their hiking adventures.
Courtesy of Veda Film Company

By Paul Post

Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company has $1.1 billion in assets and works hard to support and improve the financial futures of all its business and personal clients throughout the Capital Region.

When Chairman Raymond F. O’ Conor — he’s been with the bank since its 1988 founding — needs a break from such responsibilities he and hiking partner Joe Murphy head to the mountains for “An Above Average Day.”

That’s the title of a new documentary film scheduled to debut at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 on WMHT-PBS in conjunction with Earth Week.

“If you told me a few years ago that a pair of superb filmmakers, Katera and Aviral Kapoor of the Veda Film Company, would feature my buddy Joe and I in a documentary film I wouldn’t have believed it,” said O’ Conor, a Wilton resident.

O’Conor, 69, and Murphy, 39, a SUNY Albany academic advisor, of Halfmoon, have hiked more than 4,000 miles and climbed more than 400 peaks since a chance meeting — or was it fate? — on an Adirondack Mountain Club group hike in 2009.

They are Adirondack 46ers and Catskill 3500 Club members, having summited every mountain in both summer and winter, and have also achieved the prestigious feat of climbing all 115 mountains in the Northeast with an elevation of 4,000 feet or more.

Tremendous Growth Of Eastern Heating And Cooling Is Due To A Well-Trained Workforce

April 17, 2024

Buddy Tricarick (seated), president, and Travis Giardinelli, vice president of service, lead a team of experienced technicians at Eastern Heating and Cooling.
Saratoga Business Journal

By Christine Graf

Established in 1945, Albany-based Eastern Heating and Cooling provides HVAC services to commercial and industrial customers throughout Upstate New York, Western Massachusetts, and Southern Vermont. In 1997, the company joined with 11 other businesses to establish Comfort Systems USA, a publicly-traded company that has grown to include 170 locations across the United States.

“We are owned by Comfort Systems USA which is now a $5 billion company,” said Buddy Tricarick, president of Eastern Heating and Cooling. “We specialize in design, build, installation, maintenance service, and building automation,”

An Air Force veteran, Tricarick began his career at the company 15 years ago, rapidly climbing the company ladder.

“I started out in the construction department, working in the tool crib handing out tools,” he said. “I worked my way up to assistant construction manager and then construction manager/safety director.”

In addition to installing, replacing, and servicing existing HVAC systems, Eastern Heating and Cooling has an in-house engineering department that is able to assist with the design-build and plan-and-spec process. The company also has its own sheet metal shop where ductwork is fabricated and installed.

Law Firm Opens An Office In Lake George

April 17, 2024

LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC has announced that Gregory J. Teresi, Esq., has joined their legal team as an of-counsel attorney, effective last month. An experienced trial attorney, Teresi will be handling personal injury and criminal defense matters at LaMarche Safranko Law in their new Lake George office.

After law school, Teresi served as a municipal attorney handling legal matters including Contractual Disputes, Personal Injury cases, Real Estate closings and Zoning/Planning applications for the City of Albany, City of Cohoes, Village of Ravena and Town of Coeymans. Prior to going into private practice in 2016, he worked for the Albany County Alternate Public Defender’s Office as a trial attorney defending misdemeanors and felony cases for impoverished individuals.

Having earned his bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College in Syracuse and his Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School, he was admitted to the practice of law before all state and local courts of New York and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 2005. He was admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in 2023.

Hands-On Assistance For Clients Is A Hallmark Of Service Provided By Hinman Construction

April 17, 2024

Design-build services from Hinman Construction ensure that completed home renovation projects exceed clients’ expectations.
Courtesy of Hinman Construction

By Christine Graf

For more than 35 years, Ballston Spa-based Hinman Construction has been a fixture in the Capital Region home renovation market. Owners Jami and Kim Hinman work alongside their children, Jesse and Caroline, in the family business.

“Our son and daughter decided they wanted to work with us after they went off to college and got their business degrees,” said Kim Hinman. “We work very well together, and we all have very clearly defined areas of responsibility”

Hinman Construction offers complete design and build services for those interested in remodeling their kitchens, bathrooms, or other rooms in their home.

The process begins with a design meeting during which clients view 3D visuals and virtual renderings for their desired project. They are presented with various options, ones tailored to fit into their budgets.

“Our design process is much like you see in the HGTV shows. With the 3D visuals, we can place you in the home so that you can visually see what it’s going to look like,” said Hinman. “It’s photo-realistic, and we can do as much or as little as needed. ”

Vast Improvements In Heat Pump Technology Make Them A Viable Option For Homeowners

April 17, 2024

Improved heat pump technology has many homeowners using them to heat and cool homes.
Courtesy of Suburban Services Group

By Christine Graf

For homeowners looking to save money on heating and cooling costs, heat pumps may be the answer. Heat pumps operate using electricity, extracting heat from outside, bringing it indoors to heat a home during winter. Conversely, the pumps move heat from indoors to outdoors during the summer.

Although heat pumps have been commercially available since the late 1940s, it wasn’t until the energy crisis of the 1970s that their popularity increased. As fuel prices skyrocketed, people looked for more cost-effective ways to heat and cool their homes.

According to Craig MacDonald, owner of Suburban Services Group in Burnt Hills, heat pumps declined in popularity as fossil fuel heating equipment was mandated and engineered for much higher efficiency.

“We’ve been installing heat pumps for 30 years, and most people remember that the old heat pumps blew cool air and were often inefficient compared to oil or propane heat. Over time, they fell out of favor as furnace technology improved. But because of improvements in heat pump technology, today’s heat pumps are capable of heating many homes in cold climates.”

In recent years, heat pumps have been re-engineered, enabling them to recover significantly more heat from the outdoors. Unlike conventional heat pumps, these cold climate heat pumps are ideal for those living in Northern New York and New England.

Empire Pizza Opens New Location in Saratoga Springs, Plans Fifth in Ballston Spa

April 17, 2024April 17, 2024

Lihan Bozkurt’s rapidly expanding chain of Empire Pizza restaurants includes this one he opened recently on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Business Journal

By Jill Nagy

Lihan Bozkurt plans to open his fifth Empire Pizza restaurant next January in Ballston Spa. He recently purchased an I Love New York Pizza outlet and is in the process of renovating it to join his growing family of Empire Pizza outlets.

Empire Pizza restaurants are located in Corinth, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and the newly opened one on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Bozkurt’ opened his first location in Glens Falls in 2009. Further expansion is planned for Clifton Park and Amsterdam. Bozkurt plans to develop the chain into a franchise operation. The first franchises are slated for long-time employees; others will be sold to non-employees.

The Ballston Spa restaurant is planned to seat between 20 and 25 customers. It will also offer take-out service and delivery. Customers will be able order online or in person, as they can at other Empire Pizza outlets.