Category Archives: Personnel Briefs

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. recently appointed A. Kishani Choudhury as branch manager of the Clifton Park office.

Choudhury joined the bank in 2018 as a business development officer and was most recently branch manager of the Schenectady Office.

In her Clifton Park Office role, she manages the staff and branch operations to deliver quality customer service while strengthening established relationships. She brings almost 20 years of banking experience to the position.

Choudhury is active in her community, serving on the Women In Business committee for the Southern Saratoga Chamber, as a member of Schenectady Business and Professional Women’s Club, a member of Business Network International and as a children’s ministry leader in her church. She currently lives in Malta.

***

Upstate Agency LLC part of the Arrow Family of Companies, recently welcomed Matthew S. Ellis as senior commercial lines account manager.

Ellis is responsible for servicing a dedicated book of existing clients, which includes processing service-related needs and marketing renewals, as well as developing new business.

Ellis brings more than 10 years of local commercial lines insurance experience as an account manager and in commercial lines marketing. He is a licensed property and casualty agent and broker and is a designated certified insurance service representative.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The College of Saint Rose and lives in Schuylerville.

***

Ballston Spa National Bank announced the addition of Cynthia Minuti in the new role of senior vice president and chief customer officer. 

Minuti joins the executive team as a senior leader responsible for the oversight of wealth management, retail banking and marketing. As the company’s chief customer officer, Minuti will focus on branch and brand expansion, optimization of the customer journey and delivering an exceptional omni-channel customer experience. 

She relocated to the region after having served more than 25 years in senior level positions at both community and international financial institutions. Most recently she was the senior vice president of retail strategy and delivery at Landmark Credit Union in Wisconsin. 

With the addition of the new chief customer officer position, Margaret de Koning, who has served as the company’s executive vice president and chief banking officer since 2005, will assume the new role of executive vice president and chief credit officer. 

In this capacity she will retain responsibility for the oversight of commercial banking, retail/residential lending and treasury management. She will now also be responsible for the oversight of credit administration.

***

SUNY Empire State College hired Julieta (Julie) Majak as vice president for administration and finance position based in Saratoga Springs. 

Majak will serve as SUNY Empire’s senior business and financial officer, responsible for overseeing development of policies, procedures, and controls to ensure sound management of the college’s financial, human, technology, and physical resources. She will also serve as treasurer of the Empire State College Foundation board.

She served as assistant vice president for administration and campus controller at SUNY New Paltz, where she oversaw the college’s fiscal operations, including procurement and contracting, accounting services, accounts payable, internal controls, facilities finance and administration, and risk management.

In her 29 years at SUNY New Paltz, Majak  served in progressively senior roles within the division of finance and administration, from associate director of telecommunications and administrative services to director of administrative services and assistant vice president for research administration.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Siena College and a master’s degree in educational administration from SUNY New Paltz. She also completed the SUNY and Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Leadership Development Program, and she served as the 2021 Fellow for the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute.

***

The board of directors for the Dake Foundation for Children announced a new executive director, Sarah Burns. 

She brings more than 15 years of non-profit experience to the foundation, and her leadership has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for organizations across the upstate region, the company said..

For more than a decade, The Dake Foundation for Children has been helping local children with physical disabilities have more fun and independence. Founder Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops, realized that health insurance would fund “medical necessities” but would not approve recreational equipment or activities, and he vowed to work to close that gap. Since then, the foundation has helped connect more than 330 children with adaptive bikes, tricycles, swings, strollers, and communication tools that allow them to have the fun, carefree experiences that every child deserves.

***

Brian Bearor was recently named Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech) vice president of sales. 

Bearor has served as the CEO at the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for 12 years and the Y Movement for 29 years. 

He has held both national and community leadership positions that include serving on the Adirondack Health Institute board of directors and as former vice chair of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He also served as chair of the National YMCA of the USA Small and Midsized CEO Cabinet and the State Alliance of New York State board of directors.

Bearor received a bachelor’s degree from Green Mountain College. 

***

Cheryl Walton with Sterling Homes, Inc. was awarded the nationally recognized military relocation professional certification. 

The National Association of Realtors awards the MRP certification to those who help military personnel, veterans and their families find housing that lets them make the best use of their benefits and serves the unique needs of military life.

The certification provides NAR’s members with resources to accommodate current and former military service members at any stage of their military career, and is an approved elective for NAR’s accredited buyer’s representative designation. To earn the MRP certification, Realtors must be in good standing with NAR; complete the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification course, and complete two webinars.

***

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. hired  Valerie Patrenets as officer and branch manager of the Corinth branch.

In her new role, Patrenets will oversee daily operations, provide quality customer service and develop banking relationships to help customers reach their financial goals. 

She brings more than five years of banking and retail management experience to the position.

Patrenets has a bachelor of arts from SUNY Oswego and is a native of Corinth.

***

Roohan Realty announced that Valentina Sergeeva has joined the team as a licensed real estate salesperson.

Originally from Russia, Sergeeva grew up in Colorado and moved to New York in 2013. .

She is also a photographer and talent manager. In addition to various artistic pursuits, Sergeeva has had the opportunity to work in sales/marketing for companies like Hewlett-Packard, Six Flags, and Stella Artois.

Utilizing diverse experiences from work in different industries has helped her specialize in finding and creating properties to suit the functions and aesthetics people are looking for when purchasing real estate. 

***

The Adirondack Trust Co. announced it has named Bobbi Jo Lucas as senior vice president, chief retail banking officer.

Lucas joined the bank in April and is responsible for the administration, growth, and efficient operation of the bank’s retail network, including oversight of the bank’s 14 branches in Saratoga and Warren counties.

Prior to joining Adirondack Trust, Lucas’s 30-year career focused on retail banking and management. With more than 14 years of leadership at Fifth Third Bank, she provided direction to 82 financial centers across six regions in eastern Michigan. 

During her tenure there, she also played a lead role in retail staff recruitment, hiring, and development.

Lucas earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kaplan University, and a business diploma from the Center for Banking Education. 

She has served as an executive board member for the Boy Scouts of America—Water and Woods Council; committee co-chair for the Flint Institute of Art’s Art on Tap Event; past president of the Genesee Valley Rotary; board member for the Genesis Hospital Foundation, and more. 

***

NBT Bank has named Ruth Mahoney as regional president for the Capital District and North Country. 

Mahoney will assume this new position in addition to her role as executive vice president and president of wealth management with responsibility for NBT’s brokerage, trust, investment and corporate retirement services businesses.

The bank also announced that David Krupski, who has served as regional president for NBT since 2012, is being promoted to chief of staff for NBT’s Commercial Banking Division. 

In this new enterprise-wide position, Krupski will provide executive leadership for new lending initiatives and expansion efforts in addition to overseeing NBT’s agricultural lending and Pennsylvania commercial banking portfolios.

Mahoney joined NBT in August 2021 and has more than 30 years of industry experience, including wealth management, private banking, retail banking and regional leadership. She serves as co-chair of the Regional Economic Development Council, as immediate past chair for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member for Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Medical Center Health System and New York State Teachers’ Retirement System.

Krupski has over 35 years of experience in banking and joined NBT in 2004. A resident of Clifton Park, he currently serves on the board of directors for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and formerly held board positions with The United Way of the Greater Capital Region and the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).

***     

Michael Spaulding has joined the NBT Insurance Agency as vice president of retail-personal insurance.

Spaulding is a member of the NBT Insurance leadership team and will lead the expansion of the Agency’s Retail-Personal Insurance Division. He brings more than 25 years of experience to his new position, including leadership positions in sales, underwriting and operations. 

He comes to NBT Insurance from Travelers Insurance Companies where he most recently served as Eastern New York state regional sales director.

The vice president of retail-personal insurance is a new position at the agency, intended to drive growth in our current and expanding footprint, the company said.

 Spaulding is part of the expanding team of insurance professionals based at NBT Bank’s Saratoga Springs location. 

Currently a board member of Big Brother Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, Spaulding previously volunteered as a youth sports coach in the Queensbury area where he resides with his family.

***

Saratoga Hospital has named Kristin Mosher director of marketing and communications, responsible for internal and external communications at all hospital locations. 

 She also will play a key communications role for the Albany Med Health System. In addition to Saratoga Hospital, the system includes Albany Medical Center Hospital, Albany Medical College, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital and the Visiting Nurses Association of Albany.

 Mosher, of Ballston Spa, joined Saratoga Hospital in 2016 to head its digital marketing efforts. She dramatically increased the hospital’s social media presence, oversaw the redevelopment of 10 websites under the Saratoga Hospital umbrella, and took on the day-to-day management of the marketing and communications department.

Mosher came to Saratoga Hospital from WEGO Health, now part of the social health company Health Union. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University in Rhode Island and certifications in digital, mobile, online, content and inbound marketing.

***

Sterling Manor Financial announces the addition of Gina Sherman, as executive administrative assistant. 

Sherman has nearly 30-years of experience.

 The firm undertook an extensive search process, combing through more than 100 resumes to fill the position. With an administrative assistant certificate from Mildred Elley Business School, she also holds a paralegal certificate. 

She is a longtime resident of Saratoga Springs.

***

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announces that Tricia Rogers has been promoted to vice president of membership and community engagement. 

Rogers has acted as the membership director since September of 2016, bringing in new members and maintaining relationships within the business community.

She serves on the board for the Tri-County United Way, Warren Washington Association for Mental Health, and the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation.She also won the second annual Dancing with the Adirondack Stars competition hosted by Community, Work & Independence Inc. (CWI).

Rogers lives in Hudson Falls.

Debra A. Verni recently joined Rowlands, LeBrou, & Griesmer, PLLC bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the practice of elder law, long-term care and estate tax planning, asset protection, and estate administration. 

Verni graduated from Syracuse University College of Law with a juris doctorate degree concentrating in tax and estate law in 2001. She graduated from Cazenovia College with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in business management in 1998. 

She is a member of the Trusts & Estates and Elder Law & Special Needs planning sections of the New York State Bar Association, and member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is also a board member for the Estate Planning Council of Eastern NY. 

Verni practices law in the Saratoga and Latham offices, and frequently lectures on estate and medicaid planning issues.

***

Capital Bank, a division of Chemung Canal Trust Company, announced that Tracey L. Wardwell, assistant vice president and Saratoga County retail manager, was named 2021 Banker of the Year by Pursuit Community Finance, formerly known as NYBDC.  

The award, presented to Wardwell by Pursuit Vice President Nicole Scribner, recognizes outstanding dedication to the small business community.

Wardwell joined the company in 2018 and currently oversees Capital Bank’s branch offices in Clifton Park and Wilton. 

Wardwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics, from St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

***

Arrow Financial Corp. has promoted named executive officers David S. DeMarco, David D. Kaiser, Edward J. Campanella and Andrew J. Wise to senior executive vice presidents of Arrow and its subsidiary banks as a reflection of the company’s strong operational and financial performance.

Each will continue in their primary roles overseeing the management of critical functions for Arrow, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. and Saratoga  National Bank and Trust Co.

In addition to serving as chief banking officer of Arrow and Glens Falls National Bank,  DeMarco is president and CEO of Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co.

Campanella continues as treasurer and chief financial officer, Kaiser continues as chief credit officer, and Wise continues as chief operating officer, each for Arrow and its two banks.

***

Charles R. Smith, chairman of the board of First New York  Federal Credit Union, was recognized with the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen’s  2021 Eugene Ball Award during the 45th annual Chair’s Roundtable Forum in Denver, Colo. 

Smith was elected as board chairman of First New York Federal Credit Union in 1990. Soon after, he become involved with the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen (NACUC) and began attending the Chair’s Roundtable Forums. In 1998, he was elected to NACUC’s board of directors serving as Chairman from 2003 to 2007.

Smith has served with First New York Federal Credit Union for more than 50 years beginning as a volunteer field rep. Before he was elected to the board of directors in 1984, he served on the  supervisory committee. Smith spent more than 25 years as an educator and school principal in  the Schenectady City School District.

***

Michael R. Testa, CRPS, the principal/senior financial advisor of Tailored Wealth Solutions in Saratoga Springs has been ranked in the top 50 Forbes Financial Security Professionals.

Testa made the list at number 49 with a total Value of Policies at $415 million.

He has been in the financial industry for 16 years. His services for helping families and business owners organize their finances and keep their financial goals long term is just part of what he does. Testa utilizes his resources with the Tailored Wealth Solutions firm to provide the right solutions for clients.

His areas of concentration include personal retirement planning, business succession/ exit planning, comprehensive asset management, insurance protection/ wealth transfer planning, education planning and investment portfolio construction.

***