Category Archives: Personnel Briefs

Sarah Robinson, a partner at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, PC was named to the Albany Business Review’s list of 40 Under Forty.

The award honors 40 professionals in the Capital Region who are under 40 years of age for their outstanding business achievements and community influences.

Robinson is the third TBC employee to receive the accolade since the program’s inception in 2000. As one of the 40 honorees selected by an advisory committee of business leaders, she will be honored on May 12 at the Albany Capital Center.

Robinson joined the firm in 1999, after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the College of Saint Rose. By 2014, she was named a partner at the firm.

She is the treasurer on the board of directors of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is involved specifically with the AICPA’s employee benefit plan quality control center and internally, she sits on the firm’s employee benefit plan audit niche committee.

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Rebuilding Together Saratoga County announced four new members of its board of directors.

Added to the board are Deanne Devitt,  assistant treasurer/main office branch manager at the Adirondack Trust Co; Alicia Jacobs, director of communications and community engagement at Excelsior College; Catherine French, assistant general manager/corporate sales development at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs; and Bridget Reilly, chief financial officer at Bonacio Construction Inc.

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County provides critical home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners who are older adults, individuals living with a disability, veterans or families with children. The services are provided at no cost to the families they serve and focus on ensuring they can live independently in a home that is safe and healthy. Rebuilding Together also rehabilitates properties that house qualifying nonprofit organizations serving our community.

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Jean Gerbini, of counsel with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, was recently honored with the John E. Leach Memorial Award.

The award is presented by the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, recognizing outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the TICL Section.

An attorney with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna since 1986, Gerbini focuses her practice upon issues affecting consumers and providers of insurance. She is former chairwoman of the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, and previously served as chair of that section’s insurance coverage and newsletter committees.

She currently represents the section as a member of the NYSBA House of Delegates.  She also served as vice chairwoman of the Association’s Sections Caucus, which promotes best practices and advocates on behalf of all sections of the association. 

Gerbini is a fellow of The New York Bar Foundation.

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Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. appointed J. David Brown and Philip Morris to its board of directors.

Brown is president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and his MBA from University at Albany.

Brown is involved with organizations on the national, state and local levels. He serves as chairman of the Diversity and Inclusion Council for YMCA of the USA, as well as the YMCA of North America Network. He is also a board member on the governor’s Regional Economic Council and the Siena College board of trustees.

Morris is CEO of Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre. He earned his degree in history from Hamilton College.

Through his involvement with Proctors, Capital Repertory Theatre and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga, Morris actively works to enhance the region’s education, economic development and civic engagement.

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The Summit at Saratoga, an independent senior-living community for adults 55-plus in Saratoga Springs, promoted Christy Durant from senior living consultant to community manager.

In her new position, the Wilton resident will supervise the day-to-day property management, including hiring and training new staff. She is also responsible for leasing the facility’s 110 apartments, as well as overseeing all aspects of the community’s marketing activities.

Durant, a graduate of Providence College, launched her career as director of resident services at Sakonnet Bay Manor in Tiverton, R.I. She held other positions in Rhode Island, including director of marketing and sales at East Bay Manor in East Providence and executive director of Greenwich Bay Manor in East Greenwich.

Upon returning to the Capital Region, the Amsterdam native worked as executive director of the Crossings at Saratoga Springs, director at Avila Retirement Community in Albany and director at Woodlawn Retirement Community in Saratoga Springs.

She holds an MBA from the University at Albany.

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First New York Federal Credit Union announced that Heather Parent has been promoted to assistant branch manager of the company’s Saratoga branch. 

She was previously the support services supervisor of the Operations and Support Services Department at First New York’s Headquarters from 2015-2016.

Prior to joining First New York Federal Credit Union, Parent worked for Community Resource Federal Credit Union in Latham as a Visa coordinator, member service representative and member service/operations supervisor.

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Peter Beames and Michael Himpele Jr. were promoted to credit analyst II at Ballston Spa National Bank.

They will be responsible for preparing annual reviews and new loan requests for commercial borrowers. They will also support the overall analysis of commercial and other related business credit, and perform various functions associated with the management of the commercial loan portfolio.

Beames joined BSNB in 2015 as a credit analyst I. He received a degree in business administration
with a minor in economics from SUNY Plattsburgh. He is active in the bank’s Volunteers in Action program where he recently participated in a walk to benefit JDRF and a roadside cleanup in Malta.

Himpele joined BSNB in 2015 as a credit analyst I. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Potsdam and a master of business administration in innovation and new venture management from Clarkson University.

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Franklin Community Center hired Stephany Deuel to the Project Lift team as a family outreach educator.

Roohan Realty announced two new hires.

Brittany L. Alexander and Megan M. Alexander, are both licensed real estate salespeople and will be specializing in residential real estate.  They are also sisters.

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. expanded its business development team with the addition of John Marcantonio as assistant vice president and business development officer.

The Wesley Community announced that Jack Arnold was appointed to its board of directors.

As executive vice president of operations, chief administrative officer, chief financial officer and treasurer of the Adirondack Trust Co., Arnold brings comprehensive leadership and financial skills to the Wesley Community.