Meet Mark Eagan - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

Not your typical nursing home 

The Eddy Village Green transforms design, culture of care for seniors 

The most precious cargo 

Quik Flight provides safe medical transport for patients young & old 

acchamber.org :: techvalley.org 

Health care 

proxy has 

power 

Nurse-turned-attorney 

encourages everyone 

to have one 

Let’s get fiscal … 

er, physical 

SEFCU fitness center sees its 

share of sweat equity 

Expansion 

underway 

at St. Peter’s 

Hospital 

Meet Mark 

Eagan 

New Chamber president/CEO 

shares vision for the future 

Historic construction 

project slated for 

2011 completion 

healthcare 

volume 8 issue 10 october 2008

contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents contents 

healthcare 

october 2008 / volume 8 / issue 10 

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28 

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38 

is a monthly publication of albany-colonie regional chamber of commerce 

Our offices are located at One Computer Drive South, Albany, NY 12205. Telephone: 518.431.1400. Fax: 518.431.1410. To reach the Chamber on the World 

Wide Web, go to acchamber.org. Comments about the publication should be directed to John Spadafora at 518.431.1413 or johns@acchamber.org. For 

information about advertising, contact Don McCormick at 518.783.9368 or dmccormick2@nycap.rr.com. Annual subscriptions are available for $335. 

lyntaylor 

publisher 

johnspadafora 

editor 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

25 

4 

21 

33 

38 

43 

26 

26 

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28 

christopheriula 

layout & design 

paulquirini 

writer 

features 

Expansion underway at St. Peter’s Hospital 

Historic construction project slated for 2011 completion 

Health care proxy has power 

Nurse-turned-attorney encourages everyone to have one 

Gold’s Gym helps members achieve fitness goals 

A good workout is one significant step toward a healthy lifestyle 

Not your typical nursing home 

The Eddy Village Green transforms design, culture of care for seniors 

Let’s get fiscal … er, physical 

SEFCU fitness center sees its share of sweat equity 



in every issue 

chambercalendar 

communitycircuit 

chatroom 

photoop 

newmembers 

valleyspeak 

Leadership Tech Valley Class is in session 

Joint initiative of embarks upon year three 

Technology Acceleration Fund Advisory Board in place 

Committee will review applications for $1.5 million loan fund 

Word on the Street 

Health care initiatives from our nation’s next president 

Congratulations, Small Business Award Winners 

Chamber councils to honor winners October 2 

newyorkpress&graphics 

printing 

colleenbrescia 

photographer 

donmccormick 

advertising sales 

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advertising sales 

Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Business Services Corporation and their representatives, employees and agents are held harmless from any claim, demand, liability or action 

on account of or in any way arising out of the client’s advertising, products and services, or its participation in visions. © visions 2008. Chris Iula 

44 

22 

James. J. Barba 

President/CEO 

Albany Medical 

Center 





For someone who has thus far 

spent his entire career with chambers 

of commerce in Massachusetts 

and Indiana, Mark Eagan feels right 

at home here in the Capital Region 

with the Albany-Colonie Regional 

Chamber of Commerce. Eagan, the 

Chamber’s new president/CEO, officially 

begins in his new position on 

October 7, succeeding Lyn Taylor, 

who announced her retirement earlier 

this year. He recently visited the 

area to introduce himself to 

Chamber staff and share his 

thoughts on why the move to Tech 

Valley makes sense, from a personal 

and professional standpoint. 

acchamber.org :: techvalley.org VISIONS 3

To register visit acchamber.org/events.aspx or call 518.431.1400 

october 

wednesday 

1 

Member Benefits Breakfast — Sponsor: Creative Marketing Concepts 

Chamber membership entitles you and your employees to a host of benefits. Learn how to optimize your membership and understand the positive 

effects it can have on your business. Review the programs and opportunities your Chamber membership offers at this breakfast. Several knowledgeable 

Chamber volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer questions. 

7:45 – 9am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Cost: No charge; Chamber members only 

1 15 

2 

2 16 

Business Referral Group 1 / Noon – 1pm / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

Cultural Diversity Business Council / Topic: Transcend Traditional Definitions of Diversity / 7:45 – 9am 

Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany; Chamber members only 


thursday 

2 

monday 

6 

6 20 

tuesday 

7 

Funny Business — An Evening of Small Business and Big Laughs 

Major Sponsor: First Niagara Bank / Featuring: The Mop & Bucket Theatre Company 

Hosted by the Small Business Council and the Business Council of Cohoes, it’s the region’s most entertaining awards event. 

Honorees will be recognized in eight categories including Small Business of the Year, Spirit of Cohoes and Lifetime 

Achievement. The Mop & Bucket Theatre Company will perform engaging improv skits to entertain all. Supporting small business 

has never been this much fun. 

5:30pm cocktails; 6:30pm dinner and program / Michael’s Banquet House, 1019 New Loudon Road, Cohoes / Cost: $65 

Celebrating a Distinguished Community Leader 

All Chamber members are invited to join us for this very special event, as we celebrate Albany-Colonie Chamber President/CEO 

Lyn Taylor’s 17 years of service with the organization. Taylor, who is retiring at the end of the year, has led the Chamber for 

the past seven years. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in the development of the Tech Valley initiative, the education 

of tomorrow’s leaders and the continued collaboration with fellow chambers in the region. This is your only opportunity 

to show Lyn your appreciation for her numerous contributions to the Chamber and the community, so let’s give here a 

fitting tribute for the lasting impact she’s had on the Tech Valley landscape. 

5:30 – 7pm / Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany / Cost: $10; Chamber members only 


Women’s Business Council — Sponsor: The Bonadio Group / Topic: Forward Thinking into 2009 – WBC Planning Session 

Join WBC Chair Heather Ford and Vice Chair Maureen O’Brien-Thornton for this luncheon meeting, which will serve as a strategic planning session 

for 2009. The proposed slate of officers for 2009 will also be presented for consideration. 

11:30am – 1pm / Wolferts Roost Country Club, 120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany / Cost: $12; Chamber members only 

wednesday 

8 

8 22 

13 27 

14 28 

Seminar: Promote a Healthy Work Place — Presented by: Dr. Mark Nelson/Margaret Van Houten, Take Shape for Life/GetFitMD 

Obesity is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and the second leading cause of cancer in the U.S. All of us are impacted by this epidemic and 

its many adverse consequences. Learn how to achieve optimal health through safe, rapid weight loss, and maintain a healthy weight through proper 

nutrition and exercise. Bring these useful tools back to your workplace to help encourage and create a better, healthier work environment. 

5 – 6:30pm / Chamber Office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Cost: No charge; Chamber members only 

Business Referral Group 2 / 8 – 9am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 


Toastmasters / Noon – 1:30pm / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

15 

tuesday 

14 

Small Business Council — Topic: Selling in Hard Times 

Maintaining marketing and sales momentum in an economic downturn is a challenge for all small businesses. Learn how to deploy effective selling 

and practical marketing tactics for the service, commercial product and consumer product industries. 

7:30 – 9am / Chamber Office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Cost: $5; Chamber members only 

Executive Dialogue Group 2 / 7:45 – 9am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

wednesday 

15 

Solo Entrepreneurs Council — Topic: Roundtable Discussion 

Join fellow solo entrepreneurs for an open roundtable discussion that will foster new ideas about what you can do to grow your business. Get answers 

to the questions you have been eager to ask other solo entrepreneurs and share your triumphs and lessons learned with the rest of the group. 

7:30am networking; 8 – 9am program / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Chamber members only 

4 

VISIONS 

acchamber.org :: techvalley.org

Please register and pay by credit card online at acchamber.org/events.aspx Or, make checks payable to the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and mail to: One Computer 

Drive South, Albany, NY 12205. Pre-payment is required. CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. Walk-ins will be charged an additional $5 fee. All events 

are for Chamber members only. For more information on councils and committees, call 518.431.1400. 

wednesday 

15 

17 

thursday 

16 

friday 

17 

Women’s Business Council’s Symposium on Excellence 

Major Sponsor: Bank of America 

With a dynamic keynote speaker combined with a goal-setting workshop, you’re getting two great events for one low 

price. This event provides two unique skill sets to help you reach the summit of your career. Debra Fine, professional 

speaker and best-selling author, and Lorin Beller Blake, professional business coach and author, highlight the event. 

7:30am registration & breakfast; 8am program / Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, 

Albany / Cost: $55; Chamber members only 

Business Council of Cohoes — Sponsor: Capital Communications Federal Credit Union / Topic: Creating a Work/Life Balance 

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is crucial for business owners. Panelists Allen Linville, from Fitness Together; John Tubbs, from Albany Massage Professionals; 

and Barbara Hildreth, from Beaukints Ltd. Yarn Shop, will share their secrets on balancing work/life and enhancing your physical and mental well being. 

7:45 – 9am / Harmony House Marketplace, 188 Remsen Street, Cohoes / Cost: $5; Chamber members only 

Executive Dialogue Group 1 / 7 – 9am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

Why certify as a minority– or woman–owned business 

Sponsor: McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP 

Valuable procurement opportunities are widely available for minority- and woman-owned business enterprises (MWBE), and contractors are constantly seeking 

to work with these companies. Presented by the Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, this informative event features Michael H. Jones-Bey, 

executive director, NYS Division of Minority and Women Business Development, who will discuss the many benefits of MWBE certification and how to use 

your certification to generate new business. Embrace the opportunities that await you. It just might be one of the best business decisions you’ll ever make. 

8:30 – 10am / Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany / Cost: $10, open to the public 

tuesday 

21 

Tech Valley Global Business Network — Topic: Doing Business in Canada 

Canada is the largest trading partner with New York state, specifically, and the United States, overall. Learn how to increase your business opportunities with 

our neighbors to the north during this informative program. 

7:30 – 9:30am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Cost: $15 

21 

tuesday 

21 

Colonie Business Council — Topic: Retail Development Panel 

Key leaders from the newest retail companies in Colonie will discuss the business climate in the Greater Capital Region/Colonie, green 

initiatives, effect of gas prices and the Internet on their businesses, and what they anticipate for the upcoming holiday season. 

11:30am – 1pm / Chamber Office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Cost: $10; Chamber members only 

Ambassadors Committee / 8 – 9 am / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

thursday 

23 

thursday 

23 

Wake Up Your Networking Skills — Ambassadors Committee Networking Seminar 

Join us for this interactive workshop and learn how to maximize your networking skills. Lisa Giruzzi from Transformational Conversations, and the 

ambassadors, will help you develop your 30-second commercial and share insights and ideas for networking. 

7:45 – 8am networking / 8 – 9:30am presentation / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany 

Cultural Diversity Business Council 

Sponsor: Linguaggio / Topic: Building a Diversity Program in your Organization 

Success in your organization is directly linked to employees who feel accepted and appreciated. Presenter Lisa Austin, Girl Scouts of Northeastern New 

York, Inc., will teach you to build a diversity program within your organization and enable your employees to reach their full potential. 

3:30 – 5pm / Chamber office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Chamber members only 

monday 

27 

GenNEXT and the Tech Valley Nonprofit Business Council: Building a Bridge for the Future 

Sponsors: Blue Shield of Northeastern NY and Pioneer Bank 

A fun speed networking event! Learn about the many ways to get involved in your community that will make a lasting difference. The Councils come together to 

bring a new energy to the nonprofit’s impact & influence on the region. 

5:15 –7:30pm / Proctor’s Theatre, 432 State Street, Schenectady / Cost: $12; Albany-Colonie and Schenectady County Chamber members only 

tuesday 

28 

friday 

31 

Seminar: The Retirement Plan that is Right for Your Business 

Presented by: Michael Ruger and David M. Wojeski, Wojeski & Company, CPAs, PC 

Saving for retirement continues to be one of the hottest topics in the marketplace today. Which plan is right for your business It all depends on your retirement 

goals as a business owner, your employee demographics, business cash flows and much more. 

7:30 – 9am / Chamber Office, One Computer Drive South, Albany / Chamber members only 

Chamber Breakfast featuring Congressman Michael McNulty 

Major sponsor: Excelsior College 

Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island), who is retiring in January upon completion of his 10th term in the U.S. 

House of Representatives, will reflect on his two decades in Congress and nearly 40 years in public office. He will also look 

ahead to the upcoming presidential election and share his thoughts on the race for the White House. During this breakfast, 

our Second Annual Affinity & Health Programs Benefits Fair will be held. 

7:30am registration & breakfast; 8 – 9am program / Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany 

Cost: $20; Albany-Colonie Chamber members only 


healthcare 

A new, six-story Patient 

Care Pavilion & Diagnostic 

Treatment Platform is the 

centerpiece of the St. 

Peter’s expansion 

Expansion 

underway 

at St. Peter’s 

Hospital 

Historic construction project 

slated for 2011 completion 

St. Peter’s Hospital is in the midst of a $258 

million construction project that will transform 

the campus into a state-of-the-art 

health care facility for the 21st century. 

Ground was broken almost a year ago 

for a new, six-story Patient Care Pavilion & 

Diagnostic Treatment Platform that is the 

centerpiece of the project, which is slated 

for completion in 2011. There will be the 

addition, replacement or renovation of 

nearly 600,000 square feet of patient care 

facilities, increasing efficiency, convenience 

and privacy at the hospital campus. 

This is the third major expansion in St. 

Peter’s 138-year history, and is one of the 

largest private construction projects ever in 

the Capital Region. 

“This new pavilion will make it possible 

for St. Peter’s to provide the highest quality, 

compassionate care for the Capital 

Region,” said Steven P. Boyle, 

president/CEO of St. Peter’s Health Care 

Services. “The historic mission begun by 

four Sisters of Mercy in 1869 will continue 

into the 21st century and beyond.” 

St. Peter’s Health Care Services was 

established by the Religious Sisters of 

Mercy in 1985 with components that date 

back to 1869, led by St. Peter’s Hospital, a 

442-bed acute care facility. 

The construction project will replace 

and expand the current surgical space with 

eight multipurpose procedure rooms and 

22 new, state-of-the-art operating rooms. 

It will also expand cardiovascular services 

to accommodate a nationally ranked 

Cardiac and Vascular Center. 

Although the total number of beds will 

remain at 442, the share of private inpatient 

rooms will increase from 10 percent 

to 70 percent, which will reduce potential 

for disease transmission and shorten hospital 

stays for patients. 

St. Peter’s will be able to further organize 

and enhance its wide array of services, 

including cancer care, cardiac care, surgical 

services and Women’s & Children’s Health 

Services. The hospital will consolidate programs 

and services that are currently located 

on several floors or in several buildings 

into spaces that become destinations unto 

themselves. 

In addition, the project will simplify 

campus circulation to better meet patient 

needs, clinical objectives, parking and visitor 

way-finding, while further enhancing 

the hospital’s healing environment to 

accommodate physicians, nurses and staff. 

St. Peter’s has already completed several 

related projects, including new clinical 

labs and a bank of elevators, which will 

facilitate the relocation of offices to an 

older wing and the usage of clinical space 

in prime areas. 

Last June, St. Peter’s Hospital and the St. 

Peter’s Hospital Foundation kicked off the 

St. Peter’s Cornerstone Campaign, bringing 

together the founding members and hundreds 

of contributors for a reception to 

officially begin a $35 million fundraising 

effort during the next two years. 

“These community leaders, Capital 

Region businesses, families and grateful 

patients of St. Peter’s Hospital are among 

the first in the Capital Region to help us 

modernize the campus and the health care 

services at St. Peter’s,” said George R. 

Hearst III, chair of the Cornerstone 

Campaign and vice president, associate 

publisher and general manager of the 

Times Union. 

6 

VISIONS 


healthcare 

Health care 

proxy has power 

Nurse-turned-attorney encourages 

everyone to have one 

Signing a health care proxy form may not seem to be cause 

for celebration, unless you’re Karen Butler, a partner at 

Thuillez, Ford, Gold, Butler & Young, LLP. 

“We actually had a health care proxy signing at my house 

on Thanksgiving, and now everyone in my family has one,” 

she said. 

Butler has a unique perspective on health care proxies, 

having worked as a nurse in cardiac care and intensive care 

units prior to earning her law degree and joining the firm in 

1996; in addition, she serves on the New York State Task Force 

on Life and the Law. 

She encourages everyone over the age of 18 to designate 

a health care proxy in order to avoid some of the difficult situations 

she has witnessed in hospitals. 

“According to the New York Health Care Proxy Law, if you 

lose the capacity to make health care decisions, your health 

care proxy would make any of those decisions you would 

make,” Butler said. “The problem is only 15 percent of New 

Yorkers have a health care proxy.” 

In New York, the only mechanism if you don’t have a 

health care proxy is if you have expressed clear and convincing 

evidence prior to becoming incapacitated that it is your 

wish, in the very same or a similar situation, that you would 

not want this or very similar intervention. 

“It has to be a specific statement, that the person held a 

firm and well-settled belief that they would not want this 

treatment in this or very similar circumstances,” Butler said. 

It’s also important to look at the extracted promises of 

loved ones. For example, if someone indicates they don’t 

want a ventilator, but they do require a feeding tube, that 

isn’t the same scenario. Or, if someone says they don’t want 

to be kept alive after a stroke, but they suffer some other 

debilitating condition, that’s also not the same. 

A health care proxy can’t make decisions about artificial 

nutrition or hydration, unless that is specifically stated in the 

form and you’ve discussed those decisions with your proxy. In 

New York, there’s no living will statute, because legislators 

continued on page 42 


healthcare 

William Lia, Jr., president 

of Gold’s Gym 

Gold’s Gym helps members 

achieve fitness goals 

A good workout is one significant step toward a health lifestyle 

Just because your workout is over doesn’t 

mean you should stop being healthy the rest 

of the day, according to William Lia, Jr., president 

of Gold’s Gym. 

“One of our slogans is ‘change your body, 

change your life,’ and that’s what a gym 

should do for people,” he said. “It’s about getting 

your workout, leaving the gym and continuing 

a healthy lifestyle. People are realizing 

it’s not a quick fix, it’s a lifestyle change, and 

there’s no time like the present to commit to 

a healthy lifestyle.” 

With locations in Guilderland, Latham, 

Clifton Park and Niskayuna, Gold’s Gym 

includes more than 13,000 members who use 

cardio equipment, attend group exercise classes, 

work with personal trainers –– and, yes, lift 

weights. 

“It’s a misnomer that Gold’s Gym caters to 

bodybuilders, because 95 percent of our members 

just want to improve their lifestyle, and 

we’re here to help them figure out how to get 

where they want to be,” Lia said. 

A workout at Gold’s Gym can be quite the 

multimedia experience; in the cardio cinema, 

8 

VISIONS 

members can watch a movie complete with 

surround sound, while burning calories on stationary 

bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines 

and stair climbers. 

“We’re creating an entertainment element, 

to make the time pass quicker and create 

a more positive experience so they keep 

coming back,” said Vinny Esposito, general 

manager. 

Each time a new Gold’s Gym opens, there’s 

a celebration to mark the occasion, Lia pointed 

out. The Clifton Park opening, for example, 

featured Lou Ferrigno, star of “The Incredible 

Hulk,” and the Niskayuna opening last year 

attracted Kim Lyons from NBC’s reality show 

“The Biggest Loser,” who spoke about weight 

management and proper nutrition. 

Lyons’ appearance tied in with the Gold’s 

Gym Challenge, a 12-week competition in 

which participants commit to fitness and chart 

their progress; there were 150 members who 

completed the challenge, and participants 

achieved more than merely shedding pounds. 

“It’s not just a weight loss challenge, it’s a 

body transformation,” Esposito said. “Events 

like this create a community, and people feel 

a sense of support and develop friendships 

that last a lifetime.” 

When Lia opened his first Gold’s Gym in 

1991, the focus was on adults, but it’s now 

geared more toward families and members of 

all ages. The minimum age for membership is 

12, when accompanied by a parent or trainer. 

In addition, more senior citizens are joining as 

a way to stay healthy and active, thanks to the 

Silver Sneakers program, which is funded by 

health insurance companies. 

Lia preaches the five components of fitness 

–– food plan, resistance training, cardio respiratory 

training, food supplementation and 

personal assistance –– and hopes that health 

and wellness remain a priority in society. 

“Health care is a major issue on the political 

landscape, and health insurance companies 

are seeing that it pays to be proactive 

rather than reactive,” Lia said. “People want 

to do the right thing, and businesses need to 

make the option of fitness available to people. 

We help people fit fitness into their lives, 

and we focus on getting people results.” 


healthcare 

Not your 

typical 

nursing home 

The Eddy Village Green transforms 

design, culture of care for seniors 

When residents move into the Eddy Village 

Green this fall, they’ll be living in ranch-style 

houses with private rooms and baths, familystyle 

country kitchens and open living/dining 

areas for socializing. 

In other words, they should feel right at 

home. 

“It’s a very different culture of care that will 

be provided in the Green Houses,” said Jo-Ann 

Costantino, CEO of The Eddy. “Our residents and 

their families don’t believe we’re sending them 

to a nursing home. They believe we’re sending 

them to a home. That changes their perception 

of the environment.” 

Eddy Village Green is based on The Green 

House concept of care first conceived by Dr. Bill 

Thomas, a Harvard-trained and nationally 

renowned geriatrician. This will be the first 

Green House campus in New York state. 

“Several years ago, we looked at The Eddy’s 

Cohoes campus and asked ourselves what it 

would take to turn this into a more up-to-date 

nursing facility,” Costantino said. “It was dated, 

in terms of design, because it had been renovated 

from a hospital structure and had an aging 

infrastructure.” 

Eddy officials then visited the first Green 

House project in Tupelo, MS and were very 

impressed with what they saw. 

“We became aware of different ways to 

design nursing home care and move away from 

an institutional, medical feel into a home-like, 

residential feel,” Costantino said. “Large nursing 

homes often do things that are more convenient 

to the staff; most were built with long corridors 

and dining areas for 40 people or more. This is 

really resident-centered and puts them in the 

middle of decision making.” 

Green is good 

In the Green House model, residents are 

known as “elders,” and they are encouraged to 

make decisions for themselves and participate in 

all decisions of the household. 

Staff who care for elders are certified nursing 

assistants (CNAs) referred to as “shahbazim,” a 

Persian word meaning “king’s falcons.” 

Shahbazim are specially trained to become the 

“midwives of elderhood,” engaging more in the 

lives of the elders, much like family members. 

Each home will have a mix of elders whose 

personalities mesh, and no one house will be too 

intense or moderate in terms of its residents’ 

medical needs, Costantino pointed out. 

The Green Houses will also change the way in 

which nurses will administer care to elders. 

“They used to be stationed on a floor of the 

facility. Now when they do visits, they’ll be coming 

into someone’s house. They’re more a part of 

the team than the hierarchical structure,” 

Costantino said. 

The new campus will feature 16 houses, each 

accommodating 12 elders, for a total of 192 seniors. 

Six homes are currently under construction 

and residents presently living on the Cohoes 

campus are scheduled to move in this fall; the 

remaining homes are slated for completion during 

late 2009 into early 2010. 

“Many residents of our existing nursing 

home are sitting on their patios, watching these 

Green Houses go up, and they’re really excited,” 

Costantino said. “And our staff members are 

coming out of their training invigorated. This 

campus is doing something different and valueadded 

for our elders.” 

Costantino eagerly anticipates the Eddy 

Village Green’s opening this fall and is proud of 

The Eddy for building upon its tradition of 

skilled nursing in the Capital Region. 

“We’re really changing the dynamic of care. 

It’s both a design change and a cultural change,” 

Costantino said. “This gives people much more 

empowerment in how services are being delivered. 

It engages them, stimulates them and 

keeps them healthy longer. The Eddy’s history is 

one of innovation, and it’s great that we can be 

a model.” 

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healthcare 

Let’s get 

fiscal … er, 

physical 

SEFCU fitness center sees its 

share of sweat equity 

An afternoon workout 

is part of Michael 

Castellana’s fitness 

regimen 

Michael Castellana, president/CEO of SEFCU, 

spends most of his workday crunching numbers. 

But when he gets the chance, he enjoys 

pumping iron. 

Thanks to SEFCU’s on-site fitness center at 

its Patroon Creek Boulevard headquarters, all it 

takes for Castellana to transform from executive 

to exercise buff is a change of clothes, an 

energy drink and his iPod, and he’s good to go. 

“Health and wellness are part of our culture 

at SEFCU,” he said. “Our employees are here, at 

a minimum, one-third of every waking day, and 

we can have a tremendously positive influence. 

It’s our responsibility to give them the opportunity 

to balance that part of their lives.” 

The fitness center includes everything you’d 

expect at the gym, including cardio equipment, 

free weights, Nautilus equipment, treadmills, 

elliptical machines and an elevated track for 

running, jogging or walking. 

“What’s nice about this fitness center is it’s 

as casual as people coming in and taking a walk 

or doing a full workout. Whatever’s going to 

appeal to that individual, on a broad spectrum, 

is what we try to offer,” Castellana said. “It 

overcomes many of the obstacles people may 

encounter in trying to get healthy because it 

provides the incentive, and people see their 

peers here, as well. It’s average people here 

working out, trying to do a good thing.” 

Each SEFCU employee and one relative of 

their choosing can use the fitness center, 

“whether it’s their child, spouse or whoever,” 

Castellana said. “We even have retirees who 

come in.” 

The level of participation among employees 

varies, depending on time of day and time of 

year, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly 

positive. 

“So many people have told me they no 

longer have to take blood pressure medicine or 

insulin because they’ve gotten healthy,” he 

said. “People are buying smaller sizes of 

clothes, and one of our employees is a seamstress 

who’s done a lot of alterations for 

employees, myself included. This fitness center 

has had an immediate and direct impact on 

people’s lives.” 

In addition to the fitness center, there are 

classes in yoga, pilates, aerobics, cardio-sculpt, 

kickboxing and belly dancing; tap, jazz, salsa 

and merengue lessons; and boot camp, taught 

by a personal trainer who works with several 

employees one-on-one each week. 

A massage therapist visits every other week 

for a few hours, with employees signing up for 

chair massages of 10–15 minutes. SEFCU also 

provides a free salad bar stocked with healthy 

options for employees daily, and a registered 

dietician is on site every Thursday. 

Employees can even get a workout on a 

Nintendo Wii or simply decompress in a tranquility 

room. “Whatever is going to balance 

you out and help you handle the stresses of 

life, that’s what we’re hoping to accomplish.” 

SEFCU offers weight loss programs, including 

its own version of “The Biggest Loser,” 

called “Lighten Up for Life,” and Weight 

Watchers hosts weekly meetings on site. 

10 

VISIONS 


There are walking contests, including the 

latest, “Hike the High Peaks,” in which every 

10-mile interval logged in a database recorded 

by walking, running, biking or swimming earns 

an entry into a prize drawing. Ten miles equals 

one mile hiked up a mountain peak, and there 

are six mountains to choose from; each one 

completed earns the participant an entry in 

two prize drawings. 

During SEFCU’s annual Wellness Fair, which 

is free for employees and their guests, various 

types of biometric testing are given, including 

glucose, pulmonary functioning, blood pressure, 

cholesterol profile, body mass index and 

oxygen saturation. The Mobile Mammography 

Van also comes on site to SEFCU once a year. 

Castellana practices what he preaches when 

it comes to wellness, and he hopes SEFCU 

employees –– and other employers –– embrace 

the same mentality of healthy living. 

“I have heart disease and diabetes in my 

family, so I’m fighting genetics,” he said. “It’s 

all about balance, and we care about our 

employees as individuals, not as staff members. 

Not only is it okay for employees to use our fitness 

center, it’s encouraged. With the increase 

in childhood obesity, we need to start education 

and prevention sooner rather than later, 

and corporations have to take on health and 

wellness as part of their responsibility.” 

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healthcare 

Health insurance 

open enrollment 

begins 

Explore prescription and Medicare options, 

and consider consumer-driven plans 

The open enrollment period for health insurance 

for Chamber members starts in October. 

This is your opportunity to ask questions 

about existing health insurance plans and 

explore new plans being offered in 2009, 

including MVP Preferred EPO, with no referrals, 

and Medicare Advantage for Business from 

BlueShield of Northeastern New York. 

Kathy Giannantonio and Patricia Weber, the 

Chamber’s health insurance specialists, recommend 

Chamber members and their employees 

consider all the health insurance plan options 

available to them. “There are many plans we 

offer at the Chamber, and we always try to be 

most economical for the most benefit,” Weber 

said. “It’s being a better consumer, evaluating 

your health care needs and your family’s and 

choosing the right plan that would fit while saving 

dollars.” 

Prescription coverage and Medicare are 

among the topics of most interest to Chamber 

members and their employees, and Weber 

encourages health insurance plan participants 

to consider consumer-driven plans in choosing a 

health care provider. 

“This involves taking a little bit more initiative 

and more risk, but maybe you can save 

some dollars by choosing a plan where you have 

12 

VISIONS 


to pay a little more out of pocket if you have medical 

expenses,” she said. 

For example, a younger person who’s healthy and 

doesn’t have medical conditions may want to look at 

higher deductible plans and put away the savings on premiums 

to pay for out-of-pocket expenses along the way 

as they incur. “You may be able to put away pre-tax dollars 

for qualified reimbursed medical expenses, and we 

encourage you to look at these options and decide what 

is best for you,” Weber said. “People look at the bottom 

line and what the co-pay is, but some of these plans can 

reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.” 

With prescription drug programs, people may want to 

look at plans to see if they fit for them and have better 

coverage than their current plan. “Some have higher premiums, 

but while you don’t need to see a doctor every 

day, you may be taking prescriptions every day. You really 

need to evaluate yourself and your health care needs,” 

Weber said. 

The Chamber offers Medicare replacement plans for 

those who are eligible, with a low premium and low outof-pocket 

expenses, Weber noted. 

Whatever their health insurance needs, Weber wants 

Chamber members and their employees to be smart 

shoppers when it comes to choosing a plan. “Everybody 

is becoming a better consumer these days, in terms of 

shopping around for fuel, groceries and other items. Why 

shouldn’t people shop around as much, if not more, for 

the health insurance plan that’s right for them” she said. 

If you have any questions regarding the Chamber’s 

health insurance plan offerings, please contact Kathy 

Giannantonio at 518.431.1419, press 1 for the Chamber, 

and press 1 again for eligibility. 

Where traditional and complimentary 

mental health services come together 

• Psychiatric evaluations 

• Medication management 

• DWI Evaluations 

• Adolescence & adult services 

• Individual, family & group counseling 

• Womens Issues 

Laura A. Hunt, LACSW-R 

Experienced medical & clinical staff 

689.0244 

1 Pinnacle Place, Albany, NY 12203 

member benefit 

Looking for the 

right person for 

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conducting numerous interviews to discover you still do not 

have the right person for the job 

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administrative services, information technology and engineering. 

With more then 15 years of experience, Linium 

Staffing looks beyond the resume to send you only the best 

candidates possessing leadership integrity and character. 

Through your membership with the Albany-Colonie 

Chamber of Commerce, you will receive: 

:: A $500 savings on any direct hire placement 

:: One day of complimentary services for any new temporary 

or temporary-to-hire placement 

For more information, please contact Staci Grandy at 

518.689.3147 or staci.grandy@linium.com, or Jennifer Sims 

at 518.431.1418 or jennifers@acchamber.org. 


healthcare 

Wellness in 

more ways 

than one 

A cardiologist promotes safe, 

rapid weight loss; a chiropractor 

embraces holistic health 

Dr. Mark Nelson, believes an ounce of prevention 

is worth a pound –– or 10, or 20, or 50 –– of cure. 

A cardiologist with Capital Cardiology 

Associates, Nelson is global director of the Take 

Shape For Life (TSFL) Program/Get Fit MD, a medically 

supervised, rapid weight loss program 

founded by Dr. Wayne Andersen that promotes 

small, frequent, low-fat meals and teaches participants 

habits of health so they learn how to maintain 

a healthy weight. 

In a society where obesity is reaching epidemic 

proportions, and weight-related diseases are 

becoming unmanageable, Nelson believes our 

healthcare system is at a crossroads, and that a 

paradigm shift is necessary to keep patients on a 

path to wellness. 

“We know our healthcare system is broken; it’s 

not about health, it’s not about care and it’s not a 

system,” said Nelson, a certified new health professional 

through TSFL. “Doctors are good people, 

they care about their patients, but their response 

to people who are overweight is to either say 

nothing or tell them to lose weight. That is obviously 

not working. I’d rather help people get 

healthy so they don’t need to see me.” 

Nelson and his wife, Margaret Van Houten, 

are health coaches in the TSFL Program, offering 

advice and support to participants in their quest 

to lose weight. Although some health coaches are 

doctors, it’s not a prerequisite; in fact, of the 2,800 

TSFL health coaches in the U.S., only 20 percent 

are health professionals. 

TSFL is based upon a 5 & 1 Plan in which an 

individual eats five nutritionally based Medifast 

meals and one lean and green meal each day, 

totaling 1,000 calories. Introduced in 1980, 

Medifast replacement meals contain soy protein, 

fiber and essential vitamins and nutrients to 

encourage weight loss without sacrificing proper 

nutrition. 

Once an individual reaches a health body mass 

index, he or she gradually transitions to regular 

food so that their body adjusts to their slowed 

metabolism while keeping the weight off. 

After the initial rapid weight loss phase, clients 

are encouraged to follow the BE SLIM philosophy 

(Breakfast, Exercise, Support, Low-fat meals 5-6 

times a day, Individual Plan and Monitor) that fellow 

TSFL clients have used to lose weight and 

maintain their weight loss successfully for years. 

The success stories are numerous, according to 

Nelson, because the TSFL program teaches people 

information and habits that enable them to lose 

Margaret Van Houten and Dr. Mark Nelson 

are both certified TSFL health coaches 

weight safely and maintain a healthy lifestyle, 

often while reducing or eliminating their need for 

prescriptions. 

Back pain treatment is only the 

beginning 

True health comes from within, according to 

Dr. Kirsten Hamilton, owner of Inner Balance 

Chiropractic, and it’s her mission to bring out the 

healthy person in each of her patients, whatever 

their ailments may be. 

“I’m definitely a wellness perspective doctor,” 

she said. “Through chiropractic care, you’re able 

to optimize the function of your body. It’s a part 

of chiropractic care that not everybody knows 

about, but it’s definitely a benefit. I don’t say I can 

cure patients’ ailments, but I tell them my story 

and say that through chiropractic care, they may 

see an improvement in their symptoms.” 

Her story is a firsthand testimonial of the overall 

benefits of chiropractic care. An Ithaca College 

graduate with a degree in health administration, 

Hamilton worked in physician recruitment for a 

health maintenance organization, followed by a 

position in pharmaceutical sales, but she sought 

something greater. 

“I wanted to do more clinical work, because 

I’ve always been interested in helping people,” 

she said. 

At the time, she was taking five medications 

daily for asthma and allergies. After a visit to the 

chiropractor, she noticed a dramatic improvement 

in her overall health. 

“Within six months, I was off all my medications,” 

she said. “Through chiropractic care, my 

body was better able to adapt to its environment 

and counter those triggers to my asthma and 

allergies. It had such a dramatic impact on my own 

health that I decided to become a chiropractor.” 

Hamilton earned a degree from Palmer College of 

Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, Hers is a holistic 

approach to chiropractic care, one that addresses 

issues of the neck, back and so much more. 

“Most people associate chiropractic care with 

pain management and think it’s all about neck 

and back pain,” she said. “But I’m working on the 

Dr. Kirsten Hamilton promotes wellness 

through chiropractic care 

entire nervous system. Your brain communicates 

with your nerves, which communicate with your 

entire body through the spinal cord, and the vertebrae 

protect that. When those vertebrae are out 

of alignment, that’s called a subluxation, which 

causes nerve interference in the spine. I correct 

that misalignment and take pressure off the vertebrae, 

restoring the normal connection between 

the body and the brain.” 

In other words, chiropractic care can alleviate 

not just back pain, but also headaches, earaches, 

anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, even asthma and 

allergies, as in Hamilton’s case. 

“Chiropractors don’t specifically treat these 

other ailments, but patients may notice improvement 

because I’m working on their nervous system 

and it coordinates all functions in the body,” 

she said. “It’s not a cure-all, but some people do 

find improvement in other areas of their health. 

I’m a mechanic of the spine, assessing the situation 

and correcting misalignments or subluxations. 

The body is what heals.” 

The cause of subluxation can be physical, emotional 

or chemical, with emotional causes often 

being the culprit, even if isn’t obvious to the 

patient. 

“Stress is a huge factor,” Hamilton explained. 

“A lot of times, when people come in, they’ll have 

muscle spasms, they’ll be tender to the touch, and 

everything’s out of alignment. I’ll ask what’s going 

on and whether or not they’re stressed and they’ll 

say, ‘You have no idea how stressed I am.’ It’s 

important to acknowledge stress, accept it for 

what it is, and manage it in our lives.” 

As Hamilton preaches, true health comes from 

within, and patients can help themselves achieve 

inner balance by being proactive when it comes to 

their wellness. 

“There’s a time and a place for medication and 

surgery, but if you take responsibility and identify 

what’s contributing to your lack of health, you’re 

going to be a healthier person.” 

14 

VISIONS 


techforce 

Supporting children and families: Our most valuable resource 

Push the 

easy button, 

pursue Web 

applications 

Parsons has been committed to caring for children and strengthening families for 

179 years. We offer a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of our 

ever-changing community through innovation, experience, and expertise. 

Michael Holtzman 

President 

Gavant Software 

60 Academy Road, Albany, NY 12208 / 518.426.2600 / www.parsonscenter.org 

Today, businesses have many advantages when opting to 

use custom Web applications. A Web application is internet-based 

software that simplifies and improves workflow. 

Unique applications can be used internally or externally 

for employees and customers alike. Web applications 

are designed to: 

Streamline tasks – Combine your current multi-step 

processes into a simple and automated solution. This 

eliminates sifting through files, folders, post-its, spreadsheets 

and documents. 

Centralize information – Allow for instant access of 

stored data in a secure and electronic format. This eliminates 

creating spreadsheets, duplication of processes 

and prolonged turnover time. 

Improve communication – Enable employees to collaborate, 

cross-train and share information. This, in turn, 

will increase customer satisfaction as the customer can 

access information and assistance as it is readily available, 

thus eliminating phone calls, emails, meetings and 

costly customer service. 

Facilitate customization – Assist people or perform 

nearly any task in any type of organization. In fact, a 

business doesn’t need an IT department to utilize or 

maintain an application. Editing the application is easy 

and should always fit your needs. This eliminates nonfunctional 

Web sites and countless hours of error-prone 

manual work. 

There are numerous advantages, cost savings and 

new opportunities to explore via Web applications. 

Though the process may be different from what you are 

used to, once you make the switch you won’t know how 

you operated without it. 


small business council 

Small Business 

Council in 

Transition 

Jim Harrison, CCFC 

Owner 

Business Capital 

Connections 

Chair 

Small Business Council 

The health and growth of any business depends on its 

capacity to respond to the needs of its customers and to 

then evolve to meet those needs. The Small Business Council 

(SBC) is no exception. 

Kate Baker, our council chair for 2009, has already 

focused the steering committee on the development of a 

comprehensive series of very targeted workshops under a 

common theme: “Roadmaps.” 

Under this theme, the Small Business Council will offer a 

series of On-Ramp Workshops throughout 2009 geared 

toward building small business success in sales, marketing, 

business operations, technology, leadership, finances and 

business financing. These On-Ramp Workshop sessions are 

designed to provide small businesses with the necessary 

tools to develop and follow their own personal Roadmap to 

Success. 

We invite you to our initial Roadmap On-Ramp session, 

“Roadmap to Business Growth,” on November 11. During 

this interactive workshop, attendees will utilize a series of 

modified and streamlined strategic planning exercises to 

develop their personal Roadmap to Business Success. 

For more information on how you can become more 

involved with the Small Business Council, please contact 

Erika Giordano. 

The Small Business Council is the 

Workshop Council 

Mission: To give you the tools and information to 

improve how you market, run and protect your business 

When: 2nd Tuesday of each month 

Time: 7:30 – 9:15 am 

Where: Chamber office, Adirondack Conference Room 

Contact: Erika Giordano, 518.431.1439 or erikag@acchamber.org. 

Register early. Seating is limited. 


member anniversary 

Zing-a-Gram sings Chamber’s praises 

Zing-A-Gram is about more than just 

“monkey” business 

Zing-A-Gram, Inc. has become a premier entertainment 

company in the Capital Region, infusing birthday 

parties, anniversaries and other special occasions 

with its unique brand of comedy and laughter. 

A Chamber member since 1988, Zing-A-Gram 

sends its costumed entertainers to perform a comical 

routine and sing a personalized song written to roast 

the guest of honor in a humorous yet tasteful way. 

Cynthia Werner, president, plays more than 45 

characters herself, including Sadie the Bag Lady, for 

whom she’s best known. “I’m one of the first and last 

original performers from when the company started 

in 1979, and it’s become my livelihood,” she said. 

“I’ve done more than 17,000 performances myself 

and my company has done more than 30,000 events 

over the years.” 

During the past 20 years, Zing-A-Gram has 

expanded into new areas, including corporate gigs 

and event planning, by taking a concept or theme 

and developing it into a full-blown event. 

Zing-A-Gram provides balloon decor for events, 

and children’s entertainment is also a big part of its 

work, providing popular children’s characters, 

clowns, mimes, balloon twisters, magicians, jugglers, 

pony rides, along with bouncy-bounces that are popular 

for grand openings and promotions. 

A member of the Ambassadors Committee and 

the Executive Dialogue group, Werner has seen 

numerous benefits from Chamber membership. 

“I’ve met a lot of wonderful business owners, 

and once they know your name, you form a network 

of people to spread the word about your business,” 

she said. 

Other Chamber members celebrating 

anniversaries in October include… 

20 years 

New York State Chiropractic Association 

SEFCU 

Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, Inc. 

Levine Memorial Chapel Inc. 

15 years 

Ann Fisher 

EXCEL Engineering, PC 

North Colonie Central Schools 

The Other Company Restaurant 

New Visions 

Caffe’ Italia Ristorante 

C.F. Graphics 

St. Catherine’s Center for Children, Inc. 

Nancy Schultz Consulting 

The Shaker Group, Inc. 

Abacus Information Systems, Inc. 

Carole J. Foucault 

10 years 

Albany County Department of Consumer Affairs 

Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP 

Albany Valve & Fitting Company, Inc. 

Epilepsy Foundation of 

Northeastern New York, Inc. 

Vesuvio Foods Co. 

AMTEK Human Resource Consultants 

Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany 

Rensselaer Securities 

18 

VISIONS 


women’s business council 

Good health is 

good business 

Heather G. Ford 

Vice President 

KeyBank 

Women’s Business Council 

Chair 

In business, we often measure success by looking at the 

bottom line. This is why we get a little scared when it 

comes to health and business, because health care is so 

expensive. 

If you’re a business owner, costly health and disability 

plans are a very real challenge to growing your business. 

If you’re an employee, it seems more and more of your 

health care costs are coming out of your own pocket. It’s 

no wonder, then, that health care is at the forefront of the 

political conversation and will help influence the outcome 

of November’s presidential election. It’s an issue that 

touches everyone. 

On a micro level, the relationship among health, life 

and work is quite simple. We want to live full and meaningful 

lives. We want to bring peak performance to our 

jobs and have enough energy left over to participate in 

the non-work activities that fulfill us. For me, that’s spending 

quality time with my family and playing soccer, the 

sport I’ve loved since I was a child. 

On the macro level, research indicates that good 

health is good business. It promotes: 

:: Reduced absenteeism 

:: Increased productivity 

:: Improved self-confidence 

:: Improvement in morale 

At the Women’s Business Council, we know that wellness 

and good health care coverage are critical to every 

business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship or large corporation. 

Through the Chamber, our members have access to 

a range of plans that are suitable for one person to 250 

and more. So, if you’re not covered, get covered –– 

because the success of a business should be determined 

not by the quality of its insurance plan, but by the quality 

of the products and services it provides. 


circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circuit circu 

october 

2 

6 

6 

9 

16 

30 

november 

5 

october may 

visit acchamber.org/events.aspx for a complete listing. 

event sponsor location contact 

Funny Business — An Evening 

of Small Business & Big Laughs 

6th Anniversary 

Celebration 

5th Annual 

Golf Tournament 

Siena Festa Vino 

4th Annual 

Fall Wine Tasting 

Swing n’ Swirl 13th Annual 

Wine Classic 

An Evening of Friends, 

Food and Fun 

First Niagara 

Bank 

Capital Region 

Theological Center 

Epilepsy Foundation 

of NENY 

Siena College 

Arthritis Foundation 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 

Capital Region 

Regional Food Bank 

of NENY 

Michael’s Banquet House 

Cohoes, NY 

Glen Sanders Mansion 

Scotia, NY 

Wolferts Roost Country Club 

Menands, NY 

Siena College Campus 

Loudonville, NY 

Envy Lounge 

Albany, NY 

Canfield Casino 

Saratoga Springs, NY 

Crowne Plaza 

Albany, NY 

Laura Cassidy 

518.431.1411 

Martha Reisner 

518.462.2470 

Susan Kaczynski 

518.456.7501 

Nathan Maloney 

518.783.2430 

Rainbow Doemel 

518.456.1203 

Betsy Gorman 

518.862.1250 

Joanne Dwyer 

518.786.3691, ext. 223 


chamber 

For someone who has thus far spent his entire career 

with chambers of commerce in Massachusetts and 

Indiana, Mark Eagan feels right at home here in the 

Capital Region with the Albany-Colonie Regional 

Chamber of Commerce. 

Eagan, the Chamber’s new president/CEO, officially 

begins in his new position on October 7, succeeding 

Lyn Taylor, who announced her retirement earlier this 

year. He recently visited the area to introduce himself 

to Chamber staff and share his thoughts on why the 

move to Tech Valley makes sense, from a personal and 

professional standpoint. 

“It already feels natural, like my home,” Eagan 

said. “I know that the Chamber can have an impact 

and make a real difference. When I met with the 

Chamber’s volunteer leadership, I could see their passion 

for the community. They’re happy to see where 

the Capital Region has come, and they want to make 

sure it realizes its true economic potential.” 

By way of the Bay State 

A native of Mansfield, MA, Eagan’s chamber of 

commerce career began immediately after his 

22 





VISIONS 

graduation from Stonehill College in North Easton, 

MA in 1987. He was hired as the founding executive 

of the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce in his 

hometown to direct the start-up chamber from 

being a dream of area merchants to an active, 

meaningful business organization. 

In 1990, he moved on to the Metro South 

Chamber of Commerce in Brockton, MA as president/CEO, 

revitalizing the organization and recognizing 

its roots while strategically advancing the 

chamber as the area’s primary business support and 

advocacy organization. 

Eight years later, he relocated to the Midwest to 

become president/CEO of the Chamber of 

Commerce of St. Joseph County in South Bend, IN. 

The chamber has 1,300 member businesses, a professional 

staff of 20, a 37-person board of directors 

and a $2.5 million annual budget. South Bend is 

the economic, healthcare, higher education and 

media hub of a region of 800,000 people and is 

perhaps best known as the home of the University 

of Notre Dame. 

Among Eagan’s most recent accomplishments, 

he spearheaded a new strategic plan to accelerate 

business growth and ensure regional economic 

competitiveness. The chamber increased its membership 

revenue by more than 30 percent, its operating 

budget by 70 percent and its reserve fund 

from $44,000 to $912,000 during his tenure. 

In addition, Eagan mobilized support to form 

a single-purpose organization comprised of 

chambers of commerce, municipalities, businesses 

and area economic development organizations 

to successfully advance a $1 billion transportation 

project. 

Throughout his career, Eagan has been a leader 

on statewide and national levels within the chamber 

of commerce movement. 

He is past president of the Massachusetts and 

Indiana associations of chamber of commerce executives 

and past chairman of the Institute for 

Organization Management Board of Regents. 

Eagan was named Chamber Executive of the 

Year by the New England Chamber Association in 

1996 and by the Indiana Chamber Executives 

Association in 2006. 

Currently, he serves as chairman of the board of 

American Chamber of Commerce Executives 

(ACCE), an association that represents more than 

6,000 chamber professionals in the United States 

and Canada. 

Champion for chambers 

For Eagan, working for chambers of commerce 

goes beyond being merely an occupation. 

“I realized this was more than a job for me, it’s 

a vocation,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 21 

years, and I believe in the power of what chambers 

are and what they can be: a vehicle to support business 

and create a growing, vibrant, prosperous 

community. One of the primary ways to do that is 

through job opportunities. Business is the fuel for a 

strong quality of life. Business doesn’t exist on its 

own in a little cocoon, it’s part of a greater community, 

and a chamber of commerce is an effective 

vehicle to harness that energy.” 

Eagan appreciates the great strides made by 

the Chamber under the leadership of Taylor and 

her predecessor, Wallace Altes. 

“I am energized by the opportunity to join the 

Chamber,” Eagan said. “The Chamber has developed 

a strong track record of accomplishment, the 

staff likes working here and they believe in what 

they do. I look forward to working with the volunteer 

leadership, membership, staff and greater 

community to ensure that we maximize opportunities 

for economic growth. 

“One of the best ways to facilitate economic 

development is to have both an inside and outside 

strategy. We need to actively assist and support 

existing companies and promote Tech Valley for 

business relocation. Tech Valley has name recognition. 

To build a brand locally is one thing, but to 

build it beyond New York state is something else,” 

Eagan said. “You need people who live and work 

here to believe in the community. As our economy 

continues to grow and diversify, developing 

greater synergy between existing organizations 

from throughout the region will enable us to better 

address challenges and collectively seize opportunities.” 

He believes Love SAM (Science and Math), the 


“ 

I know that the Chamber can have an impact and 

make a real difference. When I met with the Chamber’s 

volunteer leadership, I could see their passion for the 

community. They’re happy to see where the Capital 

Region has come, and they want to make sure it 

realizes its true economic potential. 

regional initiative led by General Electric, the 

New York State Senate and the Tech Valley 

Chamber Coalition, will help meet the 

increasing demand for a more highly skilled 

workforce to help expand Tech Valley’s growing 

high-tech economy, as elementary students 

at schools throughout Tech Valley benefit 

from enhanced science and math content. 

“Years ago a company might relocate or 

open operations in a community because of 

reduced labor costs, inexpensive land or 

favorable taxes,” Eagan said. “But today, the 

” 

competitive advantage for communities is 

often a skilled workforce. If we’re going to 

take advantage of the life sciences, biotechnology 

and nanotechnology, some of those 

prospective employers are going to come in 

here and ask what we’re teaching our third 

and fifth grade students. That’s why Love 

SAM is so important, because we are teaching 

critical skills necessary for our citizens and 

community to be successful in the long term.” 

In South Bend, Eagan focused on being a 

catalyst to get multiple counties to work 

together; last March, the city was named the 

site for a new nanotechnology center, joining 

Albany, Los Angeles and Austin as the only 

locations across the nation hosting such 

research and development. “Our intent was 

not to be a self-anointed, self-appointed 

leader but, instead, to see how we could work 

together to grow the overall economic pie,” 

he said. 

Knowledge and growth 

Eagan’s involvement in the national chamber 


of commerce movement has provided him with 

tremendous insight into chamber leadership, and he 

looks forward to using that knowledge and applying 

what he’s learned in his new role with the Chamber. 

“I see my professional experiences helping me here, 

because they give me background and perspective as 

we chart the future course of this region,” he said. 

“There’s no question how much my experience has 

been enhanced by the national network. I have a lot of 

lifeline calls, so to speak. You know what chambers in 

other regions of the country are doing, and you’re 

always learning and growing. This region has so much 

potential, and my job is not to come in and hope to 

ride a wave, it’s to help make sure the wave happens. I 

look forward to reaching out to other partners 

throughout the region to develop and implement a 

coordinated strategy to build regional prosperity and a 

rising standard of living.” 

Eagan’s wife and two children will be joining him 

here in the Capital Region in the coming months, and 

most of his relatives still live in the New England area. 

As he himself says, you can take the man out of the 

Northeast, but you can’t take the Northeast out of the 

man. 

“It’s amazing how quickly I became a Notre Dame 

fan, but for my professional sports teams –– the Boston 

Red Sox and the New England Patriots –– I haven’t 

been converted,” he said. Then joking, he said he realizes 

that those teams probably have a small fan base in 

the area. “The nice part of being here is that we’re 

coming to an area that’s not foreign to us. It just feels 

like home.” 

24 

VISIONS 


Chandler Atkins, 

president, Quik Flight 



Perhaps it’s a sick child who needs to be transported 

from Albany to a hospital in Syracuse, Boston or across 

the country. Or it could be a frail senior citizen who may 

require medical assistance during a flight from Florida. 

Whatever type of patient, Quik Flight, LLC is able to 

transport the individual quickly and safely via its Air 

Ambulance service based at Albany International 

Airport, easing the concerns of family and loved ones, 

in the process. 

“That’s why I’m doing this, because it’s important, 

meaningful work and it needs to carry on and be done 

in Albany,” said Chandler Atkins, Quik Flight’s president. 

“As our population grows or ages, Air Ambulance 

is a vital service that’s required in the area.” 

Air Ambulance is a business class, Piper Cheyenne 

aircraft that has been specially equipped with a flight 

stretcher, advanced life support equipment, medications 

and a highly trained medical staff to transport 

patients from one location to another. 

“It’s a good service that this community needs,” 

said Atkins, who founded Quik Flight in 2003 and started 

the Air Ambulance service a year later. “After 9/11, 

the seven medical transport planes that were based 

here in Albany went to Denver and merged with a 

company there. Albany had no local air medical air 

transport, and the entrepreneur in me saw an opportunity.” 

When a patient needs medical transport, Quik 

Flight arranges bedside-to-bedside service, sometimes 

with as little as one-and-a-half hour’s notice, Atkins 

said. 

An ambulance picks up the Air Ambulance crew, 

which includes the pilot, medical director and medical 

coordinator. The ambulance goes to the hospital, picks 

up the patient and brings the patient and crew back to 

the plane. 

“In a lot of cases, a family member will ride on 

board, and we have two additional seats for a respiratory 

therapist and a nurse,” Atkins said. 

Once the Air Ambulance arrives at its destination, 

the crew gets on an ambulance with the patient, goes 

to that hospital, and is brought back to the Air 

Ambulance for its return to Albany. 

Although emergencies are handled by helicopters, 

a jet airplane is preferable in most other situations 

because it can travel longer distances without needing 

to refuel. “A helicopter may pick up a patient initially 

and bring them to a nearby hospital to be stabilized, 

but it when it comes to transports out of the area, you 

really don’t want to make a stop,” he said. 

Depending on the availability of its own jet, Quik 

Flight may work with a sister company or another jet 

carrier to transport a patient; an Internet-based software 

program tracks all the air ambulance companies 

in the United States on a map, and Atkins can identify 

which planes have “empty legs” on their routes and 

could accommodate someone for a medical transport. 

Insurance will cover Air Ambulance service if proper 

treatment cannot be provided locally, but if a medical 

transport is elective or deemed unnecessary, those 

costs are not covered by insurance. 

Atkins estimates one-third of Quik Flight’s business 

comes from its Air Ambulance service, one-third comes 

from its air charter service for business and one-third 

from leisure trips. He views the Air Ambulance service 

as a mission of mercy, if not a moneymaking endeavor. 

“Albany only does 1 – 2 trips per month, or 15–18 

trips each year,” he said. “We don’t do enough medical 

trips to make the Air Ambulance profitable, and in 

some ways Quik Flight is subsidizing every medical trip 

we take out of here, but those trips are saving people 

money. We’re driving down the cost for insurance and 

for air transport services in the community by being 

based here.” 

Quik Flight’s first priority is transporting patients to 

their destination safely, but sometimes the call of duty 

goes beyond merely making travel arrangements. 

“It’s always touching, because it’s scary enough to 

fly, and it’s even scarier to think you have a loved one 

who is in pain or close to death,” Atkins said. “When 

there’s a sick child who’s just excited to be flying in a 

plane, and a mother who’s so upset that her child is ill, 

I try to comfort her and tell her that we’re going to get 

her child to the hospital quickly and safely. When I see 

the plane taxi down the runway, and I give the pilot a 

thumbs up as he takes off, that’s what it’s all about. It’s 

nice that we’re able to do that for them.” 


october 

techvalley.org 

valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak 

26 

Leadership Tech Valley Class is in session 

Joint initiative of Albany-Colonie and Schenectady Chambers embarks upon year three 

For the third year in a row, the Albany-Colonie 

Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber 

of Schenectady County are coordinating nine 

months of leadership and networking programs for 

the class of Leadership Tech Valley, a shared initiative 

of the two chambers. 

The 34 class members of Leadership Tech Valley 

will spend their time networking and building their 

leadership skills, as well as completing a leadership 

project in Tech Valley to better the community. 

The program kicked off September 18-19 with a 

retreat at the Kaatskill Mountain Club in Hunter, to 

give classmates time to become acquainted, learn 

about themselves and discover the skills needed to 

become distinguished leaders in the community. 

The Leadership Tech Valley Class of 2008-09 

includes: 

Bramble Buran, The Albany Academies; Jill 

Burger, Blue Slate Solutions; Jacqueline Carey, Bank 

of America; Pamela Cerrone, Price Chopper 

Supermarket; James Crawley, Center for Disability 

Services; Kevin Catalano, Albany-Colonie Regional 

Chamber of Commerce; George Clifford, Albany 

Medical Center. 

VISIONS 

Keith Dolan, Rose & Kiernan, Inc; Maggie Erlich, 

Living Resources; Corporation; Melissa Ferraro, 

Knolls Atomic Power Lab, Inc.; Brenda Garretson, CB 

Richard Ellis Albany; Dale Getto, North Albany 

Academy; Erin Glock, KeyBank. 

Robert Grove, Knolls Atomic Power Lab, Inc; 

Matthew Hunt, KeyBank; Nicholas Ihnatolya, 

Sneering Monahan Provost Redgrave Title Agency; 

Gregory Klokiw, CSArch; Sharvari Kulkarni, UHY 

Advisors Inc.; Mary Lisa, Center for Disability 

Services; Martha Mabeus, Austin & Co., Inc. 

Bryan Mahoney, KPMG LLP; Kelly Mateja, Town 

of Colonie, Planning & Economic Development; 

Janet Mattis, Schenectady Inner City Ministry; 

Matthew Mazzone, Mazzone Management Group 

Inc.; Donald Morrell, 109th Airlift Wing, NY Air 

National Guard; Kellie Peters, Ellis Hospital; Debra 

Perez, Fenimore Assets Management Inc. 

Katie Pindiak, Capital District Physicians’ Health 

Plan; Charles Robinson, M&T Bank; Heather Skinner, 

Seton Health Foundation; Jeremy Speich, McNamee, 

Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C.; Kimberly Terpening, 

109th Airlift Wing, NY Air National Guard; Sondra 

Valle, Hudson Valley Community College; and Keyon 

Young, Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany. 

The major sponsor of the Leadership Tech Valley 

Class of 2008-09 is M&T Bank. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for M&T 

Bank, as well as Leadership participants, to extend 

our support to regional development and growth,” 

said Michael Keegan, M&T Bank regional president. 

“There is no greater resource for this endeavor than 

our local professionals.” 

In 2006, the two chambers merged their very successful 

programs –– the Albany-Colonie Regional 

Chamber’s CAPITAL LEADERSHIP program and 

Schenectady Chamber’s Leadership Schenectady initiative 

–– to create Leadership Tech Valley. The program 

provides individuals from various fields and 

backgrounds an opportunity to address regional 

challenges, enhance their leadership network, foster 

creative problem solving and shape a progressive 

future for Tech Valley. 

Technology Acceleration Fund (TAF) 

Advisory Board in place 

Committee will review applications for $1.5 million loan fund 

The Albany County Business Development 

Corporation (ACBDC) has formed an advisory board 

to review loan applications for the Technology 

Acceleration Fund (TAF), which is designed to assist 

growing technology companies in Albany County. 

The TAF Fund, a subset of the ACBDC’s Al Tech 

Loan Fund, is capitalized at $1.5 million and designated 

for the purpose of affording Albany County 

the opportunity to foster emerging technology 

ventures that have a high probability of creating 

new employment opportunities and increasing the 

standard of living in the region. 

“We are very fortunate to have assembled a 

technology advisory committee with diverse and 

relevant experience across technology, venture capital, 

banking, intellectual property and start-up 

leadership,” said Richard Barnett, CEO Blue Slate 

Solutions and chair of the TAF Advisory Board. 

“These leaders are committed to growth in the 

region driven by quality technology companies.” 

TAF Advisory Board members include: 

:: Richard Barnett, Blue Slate Solutions (Chair) 

:: Allan Birkett, Capital Bank 

:: Kevin Catalano, Albany-Colonie Regional 

Chamber of Commerce 

:: Bob Gaito, I-Centrix 

:: Paul Goetz, UHY Advisors 

:: Felton McLaughlin, NAI Platform 

:: Michael Perrin, Albany County Executive’s Office 

:: Lyn Taylor, Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of 

Commerce 

:: Richard VanAuken, ACBDC Chair 

:: Spencer Warnick, Hoffman Warnick LLC 

:: Tim Welles, Pine Street Capital 

TAF loan amounts will typically be in the 

$100,000-$150,000 range. The TAF Advisory Board 

will review the technology and make recommendations 

to the ACBDC loan committee. The Albany- 

Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce will 

administer the TAF Fund as part of the Al Tech Loan 

Trust Fund under the auspices of the Albany County 

Business Development Corporation. 

Technology companies face a significant challenge 

in securing private sector financing. The typically 

high-risk nature of their business means that 

their intellectual property most often serves as their 

collateral. Because these companies have such 

rapid growth potential, public sector involvement is 

warranted where private sector capital does not 

exist or is not readily accessible. 


Word on 

the street 

What are you looking for, in terms 

of health care initiatives, from our 

nation’s next president 

DonnaMarie Bates 

Owner 

Jewelry By DonnaMarie 

The next president could achieve great 

national objectives if health care is 

made affordable and it’s easily available. 

I would love to see doctor’s 

offices, hospitals and providers modernized 

by implementing information 

technology reform. In addition, I think medical liability 

reform is necessary to prevent “junk lawsuits,” which, in 

turn, run up the costs of medicine. The bottom line is that 

when health care becomes more affordable, it then becomes 

more available. 

Sybil R. Schwartzbach, LMT 

NYS Licensed Massage Therapist 

America needs a health care system 

that looks at the person as a whole, 

not just individual acute or chronic conditions. 

This system must combine preventive 

medicine with traditional and 

non-traditional approaches and recognize 

the mind-body connection. Such a 

system should include mental health services, acupuncture, 

massage and other types of preventive modalities. As a 

licensed profession in New York state, massage should be 

covered under the umbrella of health care. America needs to 

change its for-profit health care paradigm. 

Pilar Arthur-Snead 

Financial Services Professional 

MassMutual Financial Group 

America is one of the last few industrialized 

countries in the world where 

health care is not free and accessible to 

all persons who live here. We have 

been seduced and conditioned by the 

politics of health care, philosophizing 

that a system that cares for its own will be detrimental 

rather than produce a healthy society in which individuals 

and families thrive and contribute to a great nation. I would 

like to see the next president focus on health care initiatives 

that will guarantee all Americans have access to the health 

care they need for themselves and their families. 

Peter Russo 

President 

Russo Computer Consulting, Inc. 

Why do insurance premiums keep 

going up while we get fewer services 

from the insurance companies The 

co-pays have gone up, more prescription 

drugs go off of formulary (which 

is another topic), and they make it 

harder to resolve issues that are ultimately their fault. So I 

would like to see them stop promising that they are going 

to do something about health care and do nothing once 

in office, it’s like the story of the little boy who cried wolf 

too many times, people stopped listening. 


Congratulations, Small 

Business Award Winners 

Chamber councils to honor winners October 2 

The Chamber’s Small Business Council and the 

Business Council of Cohoes will present this 

year’s Small Business Awards at Michael’s 

Banquet House in Latham on October 2, with a 

5:30 pm cocktail reception and 6:30 pm dinner 

program. 

The event, “Funny Business - An Evening of 

Small Business and Big Laughs,” will feature the 

theater troupe Mop & Bucket Theatre Company, 

who will provide some laughs while the award 

winners are honored for their success and commitment 

to the community. First Niagara is the 

major sponsor of the event. 

The Small Business Awards dinner is the culmination 

of a process that began in July, when 

nomination forms were sent to the Chamber’s 

2,800 members. Businesses nominated for 

awards were reviewed by a committee of judges. 

The judging committee, comprised of community 

and business leaders, selected the honorees. 

Categories and award 

recipients include… 

Barry L. Gold 

Memorial 

Small Business 

of the Year 

Award 

TL Metzger & 

Associates, LLC 

TL Metzger & 

Associates is a 

full-service real estate brokerage firm with two 

distinct teams specializing in commercial and residential 

real estate sales and leasing, bringing 

clients the expertise they need and expect. 

Tenants, landlords, buyers and sellers consistently 

rate the agents at TL Metzger as superior. 

TL Metzger’s extensive involvement in this 

region –– on economic development boards, in 

regional chambers of commerce, in local industry 

chapters and in the Tech Valley initiative –– allows 

the firm to really make a difference in shaping 

the future of this region and gives the firm 

advance notice of breaking trends and news. 

TL Metzger and its associates have also had a 

strong commitment to community service that 

spans many years. Driving the homeless van, helping 

children, supporting the arts and contributing 

time and funds to dozens of charities provides 

further insight into the people who work at TL 

Metzger. 

“We’re very honored to receive this distinguishing 

award. In particular, we’re honored 

because it’s recognizing not just one person, but 

also the entire company. It attests to the type of 

people who work at TL Metzger – they really care 

about their clients and the community.” Tracy 

Metzger, president 

Skip Dickstein/Times Union 

Lifetime 

Achievement 

Award 

The Rosenstein 

Family of 

Jack’s Oyster 

House, Inc. 

Since 1913, 

Jack’s Oyster 

House has been 

a cornerstone 

of the Albany community and is recognized as 

The 12th 

Annual 

Celestial Ball 

“A Season for a Cure” 

Honoring Mr. Michael Leichman 

Executive Vice President/Wealth Management 

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC 

Saturday, November 8, 2008 

Albany Marriott 

If you would like more information 

please call the JDRF office at (518) 477-2873 

or email tsetzer@jdrf.org. 

Remember, insulin is not a cure for diabetes! 

A cure is achievable, and you can be part of it. 

Kyle, 

diagnosed at 

age 2 1/2 

28 

VISIONS 


one of the oldest continuously operating 

restaurants in America. 

Besides striving to provide the best in guest 

service, Jack’s has always tried to be unique 

and innovative in everything they do. They 

believe in providing a special dining experience 

for every guest that comes through the 

doors, beginning with a personalized greeting 

from owner Brad Rosenstein or his father, 

Arnold. 

Jack’s believes in giving back to the people 

who have supported them for the past 95 years 

by actively participating in numerous community 

events and donating their services to local 

and national charitable organizations. On 

average, Jack’s donates up to $500 in gift certificates 

each week, because without their 

guests and the community of Albany, Jack’s 

wouldn’t have been around for 95 years. 

As Jack’s expands its restaurant to include a 

larger dining room, an enhanced lounge area 

and updated banquet facilities, they hope to 

provide guests with an improved dining experience 

and help the business become an even 

bigger part of the Albany community. 

“We’re thrilled to win this award. Certainly, 

for our family to be honored in this way is such 

a special achievement, and we’ve tried to show 

our appreciation to the community for their 

support over the past 95 years.” Brad 

Rosenstein, owner 

Tech Triumph 

Award 

LabPrints, LLC 

LabPrints software 

offers a 

complete solution 

to the professional 

photographer’s 

workflow –– its comprehensive suite of software is 

unique in the industry, and helps in every step of 

the post-production process, including organizing 

images, placing print orders, designing albums, projecting 

images, and online proofing and album 

review services. LabPrints is affiliated with more 

than 100 of the top photo labs in the country, 

allowing photographers the ability to choose the 

lab that best fits their needs. 

LabPrints was founded by Bill Gamble, a graduate 

of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He saw an 

opportunity to provide a broad range of services to 

photographers that would allow them to easily and 

efficiently do the post-production work required in 

the digital photography field. The company has 

consistently added to the range of capabilities of its 

products –– the full suite of LabPrints software will 

now “take the images from the camera to the 

client’s hands.” 

“LabPrints is extremely proud to receive this 

year’s Tech Triumph Award. By receiving this award, 

we hope to bring even more attention to the hard 

work and efforts by all small businesses striving to 

succeed. We truly believe in the great community of 

Cohoes and the bright future of Tech Valley –– and 

look forward to our continued growth in the 

region and beyond.” Bob Kolbe, CEO 

Entrepreneurial 

Excellence 

Award 

Albany 

Aqua Ducks & 

Trolleys, Inc. 

The Albany 

Aqua Ducks & 

Trolleys, an 

amphibious tour and trolley tour company, features 

historic tours of the city of Albany. 

The Ducks offer unique, educational and funfilled 

tours. Visitors can see the historic sites and 

then splash into the Hudson River for a mariner’s 

view of the city’s skyline and others who call the 

Hudson “home,” including the USS Slater and 

Dutch Apple Cruises. The Trolleys operate a seasonal 

Trolley loop tour and are available year round for 

charters and events. 

The Ducks and Trolleys are available for parades, 

festivals, family reunions, corporate events or any 

special occasion that needs to be “Just Ducky!” 

“It’s nice to see the hard work and dedication of 

our staff being recognized. We enjoy what we’re 

doing, and we see ourselves as ambassadors for the 


city of Albany. We’re able to positively impact other 

businesses in the region. A lot of people come from 

outside the area to visit and go on a tour, but even 

those who’ve lived here all their lives are amazed at 

what they learn.” Robert Wolfgang, CEO 

Innovative 

Enterprise 

Award 

Radiant Pools 

Utilizing aerospace 

engineering, 

Radiant 

Pools manufactures 

state-ofthe-art, 

energyefficient 

pools in its 100,000-square-foot facility and 

ships them around the world. These pools are the 

first and only made from durable structural insulated 

wall panels composed of two-inch EPS foam R- 

10 insulation bonded between layers of acrylic coated 

aluminum; they are also strong enough to be 

installed above ground, inground and semiinground. 

Designed to resist heat loss more efficiently 

than other types of pools, the insulated Radiant 

Pool can retain heat generated by the sun, maintaining 

its water temperature overnight when 

other types of pools typically lose up to 10 degrees. 

With its heat retention properties, Radiant Pools 

yield significant savings on heating costs and 

extend the swimming season. 

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by 

the Small Business Council and the Business Council 

of Cohoes with the Innovative Enterprise Award. It 

is real validation for our vision and our efforts to 

put a truly unique product out in the marketplace. 

Radiant Pools has had a tremendous growth year 

and this award will serve as a great reminder of our 

successes.” Jim Beaudoin, co-owner 

Micro-enterprise 

Award 

Miron’s For 

Floors 

A third-generation 

business, 

Miron’s For 

Floors aims to 

provide customers 

with the 

best value for their dollar. The company is run by 

Richard Miron and his cousin, and includes one fulltime 

installer. 

Miron’s prides itself on its installation services 

and has embraced flooring trends over the years, 

from laminate-style floors to cork and hardwood 

floors that are “greener” in today’s environmentally 

conscious society. 

Perhaps the person who nominated Miron’s For 

Floors for a Small Business Award summed it up 

best: “Dick Miron and his staff are always there to 

make sure the job is done right. When you do business 

with Miron’s, you feel like the owner cares 

about you. They help you with your selection and 

give you the best offer they can. Miron’s is one of 

those businesses you can always rely on, with a personal 

touch and a friendly smile from the staff.” 

“We’re very pleased to have been nominated 

for this award and selected as the recipient. When 

you’re a small shop, you wear many hats, and it’s 

nice to be recognized for the work we do.” Richard 

Miron, secretary/treasurer. 

Community Service Award 

Palio 

With 128 employees representing a variety of key 

disciplines, Palio is structured to meet the needs of 

small and large brands. Everything the agency does 

supports its vision: the destination for work that will 

never be forgotten. To achieve this vision, Palio 

articulated five core values: Great Work, 

Continuous Learning, Work/Life Balance, 

Teamwork and Fun. 

Philanthropy and volunteerism have become 

30 

VISIONS 


part of today’s corporate culture. Today’s employees are passionate 

about investing in their communities, and more and 

more companies are embracing this spirit. It is a reflection 

upon the agency’s commitment to its own values. Civic responsibility 

has been a priority since Palio opened its doors in 1999. 

And, as the agency has grown, from a team of 20 in 1999 to 

one of 128 today, its depth of giving has increased, as well. 

Palio has worked with such organizations as: Double H 

Hole in the Woods Ranch, Medical Missions for Children, 

Saratoga Shakespeare Company, The Saratoga Palio: Melanie 

Merola O’Donnell Memorial Race, as well as its own GRACE 

(Giving Relief and Care to the Elderly) Campaign and numerous 

other local boards and associations, just to name a few. 

“We’re thrilled to be recognized, and very appreciative of 

the honor. And, it is an honor, as we’re fortunate that so many 

local organizations who we were compared to in this case consciously 

seek to make our region a better place through their 

efforts. But, we’re more energized by the fact that we’re making 

a small impact on the people and communities where we 

live and work. Since we opened our doors almost 10 years ago, 

we’ve sought to ensure that we always give back to charities 

and the Capital Region, in general. This recognition is a testament 

to that desire and our staff who have embraced our 

belief that we all need to serve our community.” Mike Myers, 

president 

Spirit of Cohoes 

Award 

Spendwood 

School of Dance 

& Gymnastics, 

LLC 

Spendwood 

School of Dance 

& Gymnastics 

started in Cohoes 

in 1964. The studio expanded to Waterford in 1972 and then 

in 1999 purchased the former St. Agnes’ Lyceum in Cohoes 

and relocated its operations to this historic Cohoes building. 

Owned and operated by Ralph and Margie Pascale, the 

studio serves the entire greater Capital Region with programs 

in dance, gymnastics, tumbling and even competition cheerleading. 

Spendwood serves students of all ages, from 18 

months to senior citizens. 

As an owner-operated small business, Spendwood is 

directly involved in all aspects of the business and takes great 

pride and interest in the programs it provides and the students 

it serves. Students come to the studio as babies and stay right 

through high school, college and as they raise their own families. 

In fact, there are now three generations of families at 

Spendwood. 

Its first mission is to students and their individual growth, 

but Spendwood also looks for ways to benefit the community. 

Students perform for various groups, such as senior centers, 

and every year they create, produce and present a benefit performance 

at the Cohoes Music Hall to help raise funds to 

donate to local charities. This not only gives students an 

opportunity perform on stage at this wonderful theatre but 

to experience the joy of giving back to the community the 

gift of their personal talents and the monies Spendwood raises. 

“We are honored by the recognition of the Albany Colonie 

Chamber of Commerce and this wonderful award. As we 

watch our students grow and blossom our lives are enriched. 

With our students giving so much to us, it is easy for us to give 

back to the community.” Ralph Pascale, owner. 


NYS Library is 

valuable resource 

for businesses 

Wealth of information available 

online and onsite 

Google if you choose. MSN Search if you must. But for the most 

comprehensive online resource for business-related information, 

look no further than the New York State Library (NYSL). 

New York state residents who are 18 years of age and older 

can apply for a free NYSL Resident Borrower’s Card, with which 

they can directly access the NOVELNY online databases 24/7 from 

work or home. Users may also access NOVELNY through their local 

library or by providing their driver’s license number via the Web 

site. 

Through NOVELNY, users have free access to more than 5,400 

full-text magazine, journal and newspaper articles 24/7 from their 

homes or offices. With competitive information, industry reviews, 

financial and securities data, company profiles and full-text newspapers 

and business magazines, NOVELNY online resources give 

businesses every advantage possible in the global economy. 

“Any business would have a leg up by accessing the wide variety 

of information we have available 24/7 for no fee,” said Mary 

Woodward, senior librarian. “It’s a huge savings for businesses to 

be able to access this information.” 

Users can log in and peruse online sources such as Business and 

Company Resource Center, Business Plans Handbook, 

Encyclopedia of Small Business, the Gale Encyclopedia of E- 

Commerce, Times Union, Buffalo News, Syracuse Post-Standard, 

New York Post and The New York Times. 

There’s also Reference USA for directory information and sales 

leads; the New York Contract Reporter for contracting opportunities 

in New York state; the CCH Tax Research Network for information 

on state corporation tax; and TechStreet for industry standards 

from IEEE and ASME and others. 

Plus, users can read online issues of the Wall Street Journal and 

80 newspapers published in New York state, such as the Leader- 

Observer (Queens) and the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. 

To request a NYS Resident Borrower’s card application, email 

circ@mail.nysed.gov, call 518.473.7895 or go to the NYSL 

Circulation Desk on the seventh floor of the Cultural Education 

Center. 

From directory information to market research, from industry 

standards to city codes, NYSL staff members are available to 

answer questions, identify appropriate resources and suggest 

search strategies using the library’s catalog, print resources, online 

collections and journals. 

Library staff has extensive experience in locating business information, 

Woodward pointed out. “Patrons can ask questions over 

the phone or online at www.nysl.nysed.gov/ask.htm and be assured 

of a timely, accurate and confidential response,” she said. 

32 

VISIONS 


ice to the organization in its very successful start-up year. 

Children’s Museum of Science & Technology (CMOST): 

Included in Parents magazine’s top 20 Science Centers 

across the nation. Compiling information through an 

extensive survey, Parents magazine determined its rankings 

based on a variety of factors including the quality of 

exhibits, science presentations, programming, special 

events and camps. The magazine also considered amenities 

such as accessibility, dining options, quality of staff and 

whether the science center was a good value based on the 

admission prices to the center. 

Consulting Alliance: Health and education consultant 

Carol Day Young, Ph.D. of Delmar, was accepted for membership. 

The Consulting Alliance is an association of the 

Capital Region’s leading independent consultants focused 

on learning and business development. 

Credit Union Association of New York: Received three 

Awards of Excellence from the APEX Awards for 

Publication Excellence. APEX Awards, given in recognition 

of excellence in publications work by professional communicators, 

are based on graphic design, editorial content 

and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. 

Deily, Mooney & Glastetter, LLP: Bonnie Baker, associate, 

has been appointed as chair of the Committee on 

Consumer Bankruptcy of the American Bar Association’s 

Section of Business Law. 

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, Architecture & Engineering, P.C. 

(EYP): Selected by the National Archives and Records 

Administration to conduct a building conditions report at 

the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR. 

With this significant project, EYP is now conducting, or has 

previously conducted work at all 12 of the nation’s 

Presidential Libraries. Also, the EYP-designed U.S Embassy 

Compound in Panama City, Panama earned LEED certificachatroom 

chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom chatroom 

on the move 

Albany Law School: Laura Liebman-Alperson, major gifts 

officer; Lindy Gage, assistant registrar; Nick Crounse, assistant 

director of communications 

Albany Medical Center: Dr. Mary Anne Carroll, maternalfetal 

medicine specialist 

Albany Medical College: Drs. Damian Compa and Hung 

Nguyen, assistant professors of medicine; Dr. Junichi 

Yamamoto, assistant professor of surgery; Dr. Salimah 

Dhanani, assistant professor of pediatrics 

architecture+: Kristin Maki, intern architect 

Baker Public Relations, Inc.: Deanna Fox, account executive 

Capital Business Advisors, Inc.: Kevin Kryskowski, associate 

business broker 

Clough Harbour & Associates LLP: Stephanie Lanza, document 

support assistant; Codie Montanye, human resources 

assistant; Mary Anne Dunham, project technician; Matt 

Cathone, senior engineer 

Living Resources Corporation: Willie Davis and Bernice 

Mullins, team leaders; Irma Terrell, habilitation specialist; 

Ladonna Benders, Earron Durham, Paul Haynes and 

Dominique Smith, resident instructors; Ronna Fisher, RN; 

Erin Lesson, acquired brain injury service coordinator 

Palio: Shawn Howard, account executive; Marlene Magila, 

senior art director; Donna McCarthy, project manager; 

Paula Purtell, business presentation manager; Bob Rath, 

associate creative director; Rich Roginski, creative services 

manager; Lee Whitcher, research analyst 

Parsons Child and Family Center: Julia Filippone, director 

of agency advancement 

Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium: 

Michelle Topper, facilities associate 

Seton Health: Dr. Renee Argubano has joined Clifton Park 

Family Practice Group; Dr. Jai Kim-Pulver has joined Capital 

Region Family Health Care in East Greenbush; Dr. Atter 

Shahid has joined Troy Internal Medicine; Dr. Youssef 

Tawfik MD has joined Seton Internal Medicine Group in 

Troy 

Siena College: Andrea Duffy, head women’s lacrosse coach; 

Aidan Byrne and Steve Wieczorek, men’s soccer coaches 

Tully Rinckey PLLC: Gina Decker and Constantine 

DeStefano, associate attorneys; Graig Cortelyou, director 

of marketing 

kudos 

acchamber.org 

october 

Active Family Chiropractic, PC: Opened its new office at the 

Pine West Plaza-Building 3 on Washington Avenue 

Extension in Albany. 

Albany Medical College: Student Misty Richards has been 

awarded a prestigious Fulbright United States Student 

Scholarship to study at the National Center of Neurology 

and Psychiatry in Tokyo, Japan. A California native, 

Richards is a third-year medical student at the Medical 

College, and also is working toward her doctorate degree 

in the College’s Center for Neuropharmacology and 

Neuroscience. 

Art n Soul: Artists S. Douglas Smith and Marilyn Rock both 

won awards at the 57th Annual Stockade Art show. 

Capital District Habitat for Humanity: Named a “Charity of 

Choice” by Bartel Communications, Inc. This designation 

adds Habitat for Humanity to A Cause for Celebration, the 

registry of not-for-profit organizations Bartel 

Communications recommends to clients seeking a beneficiary 

for corporate-anniversary community-service campaigns. 

Careers In Transition LLC – Dr. Tom Denham, Managing 

Partner & Career Counselor recently was honored by the 

Capital Alliance of Young Professionals as this year’s Service 

Award winner. He was recognized for his dedicated serv- 


tion from the United States Green Building Council. This is only the second 

U.S. Embassy compound so designated. 

Eric Mower and Associates (EMA): John Favalo, managing partner for 

group B2B, is among BtoB magazine’s “Who’s Who in B-to-B 2008.” 

This is the third year in a row Favalo has been recognized in the trade 

magazine’s annual report that highlights the industry’s key thought 

leaders, movers and shakers. 

Gilberti Stinziano Heintz & Smith, P.C.: Deborah O’Malley, Esq., an associate, 

has become the membership director for the Central New York 

Women’s Bar Association. 

Profitable Speech, LLC: Effective August 5, its logo has been registered 

as a trademark on the Principal Register of Trademarks at the US Patent 

and Trademark Office. Also, owner, Dale Klein, was recently interviewed 

by web strategist, Jim Kukral, regarding 10 must-have professional 

communication tips. To listen to the podcast, visit: 

www.jimkukral.com:80/10-must-have-professional-communicationtips/. 

Palio: Bob Mason, executive vice president, managing director of brand 

strategy, has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People 

by PharmaVOICE. This recognition is based on how Mason has inspired 

and motivated those around him, his influence as a corporate leader, 

and his positive impact on the industry through his actions. Also, Palio 

received four NORI Awards from the Ad Club for outstanding achievement 

in advertising. 

Pioneer Savings Bank: Joseph Fleming, Sr., vice president/chief lending 

officer, received a diploma, with highest honors from the National 

School of Banking of American Bankers Association. Fleming was one 

of 48 members of the Class of 2008 who took part in the July 18 commencement 

ceremonies at the Regina Quick Center for the Arts of 

Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. 

St. Anne Institute: Received a $184,948 grant from the Hackett 

Foundation, Pittstown, NJ. The funds have been used to install central 

air conditioning in four of the Institute’s living units. 

Tully Rinckey PLLC: Nicole M. Helmer, Esq. has been accepted to the Fall 

2008 Citizens’ FBI Academy. Designed to promote a partnership 

between the FBI and the community, the Citizens’ Academy is attended 

by business, civic and religious leaders who are each nominated by 

an FBI employee or a previous Academy graduate. Classes are taught 

over a period of eight weeks by special agents in charge of the field 

office, their senior managers and senior agent experts. 

more 

AIDS Council of Northeastern New York: Hosted a free networking and 

wine tasting open house for business and community leaders on 

August 28. 

Albany Medical College: A team of researchers has been awarded a 

$1.36 million grant from the United States Department of Defense to 

expand its work on a brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The 

research team, led by Gerwin Schalk, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology 

at Albany Medical College and research scientist at the 

Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health, and 

Anthony Ritaccio, M.D., the J. Spencer Standish professor of neurology 

and neurosurgery and director of the Epilepsy and Human Brain 

Mapping Program at Albany Med, will further explore BCI technology. 

American Marketing Association-NY Capital Region Chapter: Jarek 

Mlodzinski, of IKON Office Solutions, led a breakfast roundtable program 

titled “Shameless Self-Promotion: Marketing Yourself” on 

September 25 at Professor Java’s. 

Bartel Communications, Inc.: Has formed a strategic alliance with 

FireThread Studios. The alliance designates FireThread Studios as a preferred 

vendor and places the company on the vendor list that Bartel 

Communications recommends to clients seeking Web and graphic 

design, E-commerce, content management and Internet marketing. 

Capital Communications Federal Credit Union: Distributed more than 

200 backpacks to various organizations including St. Catherine’s Center 

for Children, Marillac Family Shelter, Girl’s Inc., Joseph’s House and 

Shelter, Equinox and Equinox Youth Shelter. 

Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan (CDPHP): John Bennett, president/CEO, 

recently presented a check for $7,479 to the Ronald 

McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The health plan’s 

employees, vendors, and local retailers helped raise the funds at its seventh 

annual Hurricane Classic Golf Tournament, held at the Western 

Turnpike Golf Course. 

34 

VISIONS 


Citizens Bank: Distributed 400 new backpacks, filled with school supplies, 

to elementary school children in need throughout the Capital 

Region in partnership with the Capital District YMCA as part of the 

Gear for Grades program 

City School District of Albany: William S. Hackett Middle School 

reopened for the start of the 2008-09 school after a complete renovation 

and reconstruction. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening 

celebration welcomed the school back online on August 26. 

Hackett Middle School was named after Albany’s 67th mayor and was 

among the first junior high schools in the United States. 

Clough, Harbour & Associates LLP (CHA): Has opened new offices in 

Baltimore, Maryland and Pittsburgh. The opening of these locations 

brings CHA’s total number of offices to 30. 

College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of the University at 

Albany: Announced that a California resident will honor the memory 

of her late daughter through a donation that will fund the creation of 

a new endowment at the NanoCollege. The $100,000 donation by Dr. 

Helene Fulton Belz will fund the Katherine Belz Groves Memorial 

Graduate Fellowship in Nanoscale Science, which will support a graduate 

student engaged in innovative education and research at the 

NanoCollege. 

Community Care Physicians: Clinicians from its Image Guided Radiation 

Therapy program have started treating cancer patients using 

RapidArc(tm) radiotherapy technology, an advancement that delivers a 

highly-precise image-guided, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) 

treatment in two minutes or less. RapidArc treatments spare healthy 

tissue and other vital organs in the body by adapting to the shape and 

size of a patient’s tumor. These treatments can be completed more 

quickly than conventional image guided IMRT because they are delivered 

with a single continuous rotation of the radiotherapy machine 

around the patient rather than treating the tumor from fixed positions. 

Dudley Observatory: Hosted an Open Mic Night for attendees to share 

memories of the observatory on September 17. 

Eric Mower and Associates (EMA): Will combine with Sawchuk Brown 

Associates and operate under the EMA name, with Robert Bellafiore, a 

senior partner and board member of EMA, and Pamela Sawchuk 

Brown sharing day-to-day management duties and strategic direction 

for the Albany office. EMA will combine physical office operations this 

fall. 

Fidelis Care: Has distributed $65,000 from its Community Grant Fund to 

benefit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. Approved and 

selected by the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, the grant supports 

the efforts of mission-based organizations that provide services and 

assistance to members of society who are most in need. 

Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the American Society for Training and 

Development: Hosted a breakfast meeting on September 19 with 

Corey Jamison of The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. as guest 

speaker. 

Media Sales Group LLC: Changed its name to Leapfrog Marketing. The 

location remains the same at 750 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, but its 

services have been fully extended to include full service marketing and 

public relations services. 

Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society: The City of Rensselaer is collecting 

a list of residents affected and is coordinating with the Humane 

Society to try to find care for animals in need after flooding last summer: 

Rensselaer residents can call Mary Cramer at the City of Rensselaer 

Water Department, (518) 462-6466. Anyone wishing to donate to the 

Humane Society’s disaster relief fund for affected Rensselaer animals or 

victims of future disasters can donate online at www.mohawkhumane.org, 

call 518.434.8128 or mail donations to 3 Oakland Avenue, 

Menands, NY 12204. 

Northeast Parent & Child Society: Celebrated another successful year of 

helping the most vulnerable community members with its annual 

report to stakeholders on October 7 at the Glen Sanders Mansion. 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): Public and private researchers 

and businesses in New York State will have nearly 150 million CPU 

hours on one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers. Businesses, 

universities and state agencies can apply for time on the supercomputer 

located at RPI’s Computational Center for Nanotechnology 

Innovations. 

Pioneer Bank: Received a 5 Star-Superior rating from BauerFinancial, 

Inc. for a 19th consecutive year. Fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s 

financial institutions have maintained this high level of consistency for 

this length of time. 


Premiere Transportation: Began offering a shuttle from 

Albany International Airport to Newark International 

Airport on September 1. The shuttle departs Albany at 

10:30 am and arrives in Newark by 1:30 pm, with stops in 

Catskill, Kingston. Cost is $60 per person. For reservations, 

call 800.772.2172. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region: 

Presented its 10th annual fashion show at Saratoga Race 

Course on August 21. Held under the At the Rail Pavilion, 

fashion fans were treated to fine designs from the area’s 

best boutiques, an elaborate luncheon buffet, a silent auction 

and an afternoon of world-class Thoroughbred racing. 

Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations LLC: Provided public 

relations support for the NYS Broadcasters Association’s 

(NYSBA) 47th Executive Conference at the Sagamore 

Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing. The full-service marketing 

communications firm handled publicity for nominees to 

the 2008 Hall of Fame, including veteran Buffalo Bills playby-play 

announcer Van Miller, acclaimed radio general 

manager Bob Bruno, former president of ABC Radio 

Network Edward F. McLaughlin, veteran Capital Region 

radio manager John Kelly, and TV syndication legend 

Roger King. 

Town of Colonie: Its Senior Resources Department sponsored 

a Lunch and Learn Program on September 12 at 

Beltrone Living Center, Six Winners Circle, Colonie, with a 

presentation by Candy Rivera Whitehead on EPIC. 

Troy Boys & Girls Club: Received a $2,500 Capacity Building 

grant from The Community Foundation for the Greater 

Capital Region’s Capacity Building Fund. The grant will 

fund board orientation/training and board development 

initiatives that include: role expectations, fundraising 

responsibilities, committee structure, targeted succession 

planning and organizational strategic planning for members 

of the Troy Boys & Girls Club Board. 

Working Pictures, Inc.: Recently completed production on a 

video for SCA Americas, a paper company with offices 

throughout North and South America. The objective of 

the video was to illustrate how the company is embracing 

the idea of teamwork at each location and across international 

borders. The video was presented in June at the SCA 

America’s 3rd Annual Leadership Meeting in Philadelphia, 

PA. 

datebook 

Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST): 

Announces the following expansion and enhancement at the 

museum this fall. Operation W.I.L.D. – “Working In the Living 

Domain” will house an impressive living collection of exotic 

animal species in an interactive and sensory stimulating environment 

that represents their appropriate habitats from the 

desert to the tropic. Go Power Solar House Presented by GE, a 

new interactive and hands on exhibit, enables children to discover 

the uses and ways that solar power can be utilized in 

their homes. Hudson River Animal Kiosks are a new part of 

the Hudson River exhibit that enables children to discover our 

extensive animal collection that is native to the Hudson River. 

Made possible by the William Gundry Broughton Foundation. 

For more information, call 518-235-2120 or visit 

www.CMOST.org. 

Citizens Bank: Presents the inaugural Red, White & Chocolate, 

a celebration of fine wine, exotic cheeses and decadent 

chocolate, on Thursday, November 13 from 7 – 11 pm at the 

Desmond Hotel. Semi-formal attire. Hearty hors d’ouvres, a 

jazz quartet, brassy big band and a DJ. All proceeds benefit 

the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany. 

Dudley Observatory: The first of three “Skywatch Lectures” at 

Proctors GE Theater this fall will be held on October 9. The 

first guest lecturer will be acclaimed author Dava Sobel, 

whose lecture last fall drew a full house and standing room 

crowd at the Nott Memorial at Union College. Sobel will 

return for the first “Skywatch Lecture,” when the unveiling of 

the remake of Matteson’s painting of the Dudley Observatory 

Inauguration will take place. Dr. John Delano will be guest lecturer 

on November 13, and Dr. Sten Odenwald, scheduled for 

December 11, will kick off the “2009 International Year of 

Astronomy.” Each lecture begins at 8 pm and tickets can be 

purchased at the Proctors Box Office or on-line. 

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): Attorney Stephen 

Coffey has teamed up with the MDA to create “Steve Coffey’s 

Community Legal Leaders.” The event will run from 5:30 - 7:30 

pm on November 6 at the 74 State Restaurant in Albany. All 

proceeds from this event will go to funds for research for a 

cure for Duchenne MD. Coffey is chairing the event in honor 

of his son, Quinn, who died from the disease last June. 

Pierro Law Group: Will conduct its 4th Annual 

Intergenerational Wealth Planning Conference, “The 21st 

Century Estate Plan: A Case Study Approach,” on Thursday, 

November 6 from 8am – 12:30pm at Albany Country Club, 300 

Wormer Road, Voorheesville. For attorneys, accountants, 

financial advisors, insurance professionals and other estate 

planners. Continental breakfast served. Admission is free, 

but seating is limited. To make reservations, contact Lori 

Dalrymple at 518.459.2100, ext. 141 or ldalrymple@pierrolaw.com. 

Tosca: Fall Beer and Food Festival on Friday, October 24. 

Featuring select beers paired with a specialty menu, arranged 

by Chef Larry Schepici. $55 per guest; reservations are limited. 

For more information, call 518.272.3013. 

To get your information into Chatroom, email Paul Quirini at 

membernews@acchamber.org or fax him at 518.431.1410. 

The deadline for the December issue is October 8; for the 

January issue, the deadline is November 8. 

Families Together 

in Albany County 

Families Helping Families 

We help children & youth with social, emotional 

and/or behavioral concerns and their families through: 

• Youth Empowerment Project 

• Parent Support & Training 

• Care Coordination & Advocacy 

• Resource Centers 

• Tracking Outcomes to Ensure We are Successful in All We Do! 

Call one of our program’s Family Resource Centers at: 

Albany: 436-KIDS; Colonie: 218-1030; Hilltown: 872-1460. 

SAVE THE DATE: Development Meet and Greet Receptions at our Family 

Resource Centers: October 23rd-Colonie site, November 13th-Berne site, 

December 4th-Albany site. We are Seeking Community Champions! Community Champions 

are individuals who are interested in enthusiastically supporting youth and families by serving as board 

members, advisors, and engaged community partners/stakeholders. 

For more information and to RSVP, contact Joyce Muller at jmuller@ftnys.org 

or 518-432-0333 ext. 28 

Your best source 

for residential 

& commercial 

flooring 

for over 60 years! 

Family Owned & Operated 

• Hardwood 

• Sheet Vinyl 

• Cork 

Proud recipient 

of the 

Micro-enterprise 

Award 

• Laminate 

• Carpet 

• Ceramic Tile 

Do-it-yourself or professional 

installation available. Quality and 

service mean everything — our 

customers recommend us! 

Miron’s for Floors 

“Still the Best” 

239 Remsen Street • Cohoes, NY 

518-237-1313 

Open daily 9–5:30 • Thurs 9–7 • Sat 9–2 

36 

VISIONS 


photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op photo op 

Summer Social was a 

spectacular success 

The Women’s Business Council’s Seventh Annual Summer 

Social was a great opportunity to network on August 26 

at The Beltrone Living Center, while supporting Colonie 

Senior Service Centers, Inc. The event featured a fabulous 

selection of hors d’oeuvres, a spectacular wine tasting 

and silent and live auctions. Thank you to KeyBank for 

sponsoring this event. 

Park provides unprecedented 

view of Cohoes Falls 

Officials from Brookfield Renewable Power and the City 

of Cohoes joined local, state, federal and county representatives 

for a ribbon cutting on August 21 to unveil the 

new four-acre Falls View Park on the Mohawk River near 

Cohoes Falls. 

Matchmaker presents big opportunities 

for small businesses 

Small businesses met one-on-one with purchasing representatives 

from government agencies and some of the 

nation’s largest corporations during the 2008 Albany 

Matchmaker & Expo on September 5 at the Desmond 

Hotel & Conference Center in Colonie. The Chamber, U.S. 

Small Business Administration Syracuse District Office, 

Small Business Development Center-University at Albany, 

New York Business Development Corporation and The 

Business Review hosted the event. 

october 

“Goose” soars in All-Star Luncheon keynote speech 

Rich “Goose” Gossage, the newest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was the 

keynote speaker during the New York-Penn League All-Star Luncheon on August 19 at 

The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center. The All-Star Luncheon was hosted by the 

Chamber and the Tri-City ValleyCats and was part of a two-day All-Star celebration presented 

by National Grid. WNYA MyTV4 was the media sponsor. 

Ribbon-cutting in downtown Cohoes 

Assemblyman addresses Colonie 

Business Council 

New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly addressed 

the Colonie Business Council on August 13 at the 

Chamber office. To date, Reilly has donated nearly 

$145,000 to local charitable organizations, has 

focused efforts to improve education and health 

care funding, and has helped pass laws to keep 

families safe from crime. 

Bread and Jam, a coffee house and live music venue, celebrated its grand opening on 

August 13 in the historic downtown business district of Cohoes. Pictured l-r: Sean Ward, 

Albany County legislator; Ed Tremblay, director of Economic and Community Development; 

Gil Ethier, Albany County legislator; Salvatore and Nicole Prizio, owners; John McDonald, 

Cohoes mayor; Ron Canestrari, Assembly majority leader; Barbara Hildreth, Business Council 

of Cohoes chair; and April Kennedy, Cohoes common council member. 

38 VISIONS 


strong 

energetic 

distinct 

Providing quality products 

& service for over 20 years 

formidable 

potent 

rich blend 

Power & manual wheelchairs • commercial & custom seating systems 

patient lifts • pediatric mobility • specialty bathing 

ambulatory aids (walkers, canes, etc.) • seat lift chairs 

We directly bill: Medicare, NYSMedicaid, CDPHP, MVP, BSNENY, 

APA Partners, GHI, Aetna, Fidelis, Blue Cross Blue Shield 

and most private insurance. 

Member of 

and the coffee’s not bad either. 

Chamber Monthly Breakfast 

featuring 

Congressman 

Michael McNulty 

7:30am 

Desmond Hotel 

& Conference Center 

Cost: $20; Albany-Colonie 

Chamber members only 

Star Plaza, 2050 Western Avenue, Suite 101, Guilderland, NY 12084 

v. (518) 869-9372 f. (518) 869-0250 

www.upstaterehab.com 

major sponsor: 

To register visit 

acchamber.org/events.aspx 

or call 518.431.1400 


tech valley nonprofit business council 

Step up 

to the plate 

E. Kristen Frederick 

President/CEO 

The Community 

Foundation for the 

Greater Capital Region 

Tech Valley Nonprofit 

Business Council Chair 

In a 2003 study that shocked the business community, the number 

of regional nonprofits in operation was 1,556. 

Fast forward to July 2008, when the reported number of 

regional nonprofits in operation ballooned to 1,900, based on 

research done by the National Center for Charitable Statistics. 

While we might be able to quibble over square miles surveyed 

or types of nonprofits included, the fact is this: the nonprofit 

community has grown more than 25 percent in five 

years. 

On one side of the coin, there is probably a nonprofit in this 

area to address whatever aches, pains, recreational choices and 

educational needs you might have, if you do a little digging. 

On the other side, there’s the phasing out of the baby 

boomer generation –– that is, those who have staffed and supported 

these nonprofits historically and who represent more 

than 70 million people nationwide. 

The challenge: passing the torch down to a younger generation 

that is half its size. Add it up. Twenty-five percent growth 

in five years, aging baby boomers who are beginning to bow 

out, and only half the number of people coming up through 

the ranks to support and staff these nonprofits. 

The answer: look to the next generation to “work smart.” 

In October, the TVNBC and GenNEXT will partner to start building 

a nonprofit board toolkit for young professionals who are 

looking to volunteer. Why Nonprofit leaders openly disclose 

that they need the involvement of committed young people to 

sustain the lifeblood of their organizations, but some are having 

difficulty engaging and keeping them. GenNEXTers, by and 

large, neither have the resources nor know how to put their 

collective toe in these waters. 

The bridge that will be built between the two councils 

addresses the concerns of both: 

:: For GenNEXT – What do young professionals need to know 

to engage in board service with an area nonprofit Statistics 

tell us that young people who are engaged in their community 

are more likely to stay put than move somewhere else. 

:: For TVNBC – What are the realistic expectations that come 

with aspiring to board service It isn’t all connections and 

networking; it’s accountability, transparency and, with an 

increase or more than 25 percent in just five years, helping to 

set competitive direction. 

Join us on Monday, October 27 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at 

Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady to learn the answers as we 

build this bridge together. For more information on this event, 

please contact Christina Savini, Chamber liaison for both councils, 

at 518.431.1414 or christinas@acchamber.org. 

40 

VISIONS 


continued 

health care proxy continued from page 7 

believe such decisions should be made in context, not years or 

decades ahead of time, Butler noted. 

Health care proxy forms are available via the New York 

State Department of Health Web site at no cost; you may 

appoint one proxy, and completion of the form must be witnessed 

by two people, neither of whom is the proxy. 

There are also myths surrounding do not resuscitate (DNR) 

orders and what that means for patients. 

“The DNR statute literally means do not resuscitate the 

patient in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest,” Butler 

said. “It does not mean comfort measures only, and it doesn’t 

mean there won’t be other aggressive treatment. The other 

big myth is that if you sign a DNR form, you won’t get treatment 

in the hospital. It has nothing to do with what kind of 

treatment you receive, it just means you won’t receive CPR.” 

She empathizes with health care professionals who are 

constantly faced with life-and-death decisions, as she was during 

her years as a nurse. 

“Working in the intensive care unit, people on the front 

line have no legal protection when making these decisions,” 

she said. “Most of the people in intensive care do not have the 

capacity to make decisions, and hundreds or thousands of 

those decisions are being made every day. They’ll ask the 

patient’s significant other, but they have no legal standing. 

People assume that the next of kin gets to decide those things. 

As a practical matter, they often do, but there’s no legal 

authority for it. 

At least in her family, the matter of health care proxies has 

been resolved, thanks to the party last Thanksgiving. “And 

they all say we can make decisions about artificial nutrition 

and hydration,” she said. 

42 

VISIONS 


not-for-profit exchange 

Capital Region’s largest 

breast cancer awareness 

event returns 

Hope starts here on Sunday, October 

19, as thousands of Capital Region residents 

— moms, dads, children, grandparents, 

co-workers, breast cancer survivors 

and their loved ones — will join 

the fight against breast cancer by 

walking in the American Cancer 

Society’s Making Strides Against Breast 

Welcome to these new 

Chamber members 

Cancer event at Washington Park in 

Albany. 

The 5K walk raises funds for the 

American Cancer Society’s breast cancer 

research, education, advocacy and local 

patient service programs. For more 

information call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit 

www.cancer.org/stridesonline. 

that joined between August 5 and September 8, 2008 

Albany County Adventure 

Boot Camp 

Health & Fitness Program 

Consultants 

Berkshire Farm Center & 

Services for Youth 

Crisis Intervention Services 

BL Companies, Inc. 

Architects 

Bodacious Baskets 

Gift Baskets & Parcels 

Capital Region Digital, LLC 

Digital Signage Systems & 

Services 

Corporate Sales 

Consultants, Inc. 

Human Resource Consultant 

Dynabil Industries, Inc. 

Manufacturers 

Innovative Link 

Consulting, LLC 

Consultants 

Labella Financial Group 

Financial Services 

Northeast Capital Markets 

Corp. 

Investment Securities 

Senior Hope Counseling, Inc. 

Counseling, Seniors — 

Alcohol & Drug Addiction 

Recovery 

SRI Fire Sprinkler Corp. 

Fire Sprinkler Systems 

Christine Straight, 

Consultant 

Consultants 

Weichert Realtors Northeast 

Group 

Real Estate 

Mercer Technology 

Consultants, LLC 

Information Technology 

Consultant 

Platon US, Inc. 

Business Intelligence 

TownePlace Suites-Albany 

Empire State Plaza 

Hotels & Motels 

ambassadors 

How buff 

is your 

business 

Dr. Thomas J. Denham, MCDP 

Managing Partner 

& Career Counselor 

Careers In Transition LLC 

Solo Entrepreneurs Council Chair 

The theme of this issue is health care, which made me 

reflect on the “physical condition” of my own business. 

Thanks to the Chamber, my annual physical 

resulted in a clean bill of health. 

Here’s why. 

As a solo entrepreneur, I value the health insurance 

that the Chamber offers as a benefit. Having health 

insurance provides necessary peace of mind so I can 

put my heart into running my business and counseling 

my clients. 

Another way the Chamber helps me stay in shape 

is through the various “physical education” programs 

it offers. Networking is like a good workout; you have 

to do it with a disciplined approach to keep yourself 

and your business fit. 

Each month, I make it a practice to review the calendar 

of events published in Visions, and then commit 

to several programs. Opportunities such as the 

Member Benefit Breakfasts, GenNext Mentorship, 

Small Business Council and the Solo Entrepreneurs 

Council help to build my network with new faces and 

tone my relationships with old faces. 

By networking with other professionals, we often 

chat about such topics as business plans, finances, marketing, 

the state of the economy and incorporations. 

Formal programs and informal talks help me stay 

focused on overall company wellness. 

Think of your business like your body, which needs 

regular exercise and good nutrition. Keeping my venture 

robust means taking care of my “core muscles,” 

including sales and marketing, operations, finances, 

legal, strategic business planning and technology. 

Networking is not a spectator sport; you must be 

present to win. In the words of Woody Allen, “90 percent 

of success is just showing up.” 

I encourage you to attend our next program and 

bring a “workout partner.” You will meet other “personal 

trainers” who will help you keep your business 

“buff.” 

If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, 

you are invited to our Roundtable Discussion on 

Wednesday, October 15 from 7:30 - 9am at the 

Chamber Offices. 


opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion opinion 

James. J. Barba :: President/CEO :: Albany Medical Center 

Whose prescription for health care 

reform do you prefer 

Like many of you, I watched more television 

than usual this summer. When spectacular 

events from the Summer Olympics in Beijing 

came to a close, a competition of another kind 

began its broadcast live from Denver and St. 

Paul at the Democratic and Republican 

national conventions, respectively. 

Although political pundits focused on how 

the events differed, I noticed a striking similarity. 

The two sides found unprecedented common 

ground in the message of health care 

reform. 

During this campaign season, both parties 

and candidates agree that health care reform 

in America is sorely needed; however, presidential 

nominees Barack Obama and John 

McCain offer sharply different approaches on 

how that reform would be realized. 

Either way, for the first time in years, voters 

have a clear choice and real ability to bring 

about change in how the nation’s health care 

system is administered and accessed. The 

stakes could not be higher. 

Candidates Obama and McCain both recognize 

something I have long held to be true: 

that we have created and fostered a marketdriven 

health care system that fails millions of 

Americans every day –– 45.7 million, to be 

exact, including 9 million children. 

Let us understand what we have produced: 

in 2007, $2.3 trillion was spent on 

health care in the United States, or $7,600 per 

person, representing 16 percent of our Gross 

Domestic Product (GDP). By 2016, health care 

spending is projected to reach $4.2 trillion, or 

20 percent of our GDP. The fact is, our marketbased 

system is unsustainable, and the way 

we finance it has failed. 

Spending the last 13 years as CEO of the 

Capital Region’s only academic health sciences 

center –– which is one of only 125 such centers 

in the country –– has afforded me a firsthand 

look at our nation’s health care system. 

Sadly, I have concluded that the U.S. health 

care system is not a system at all. It is a loose, 

disorganized collection of costs and constituencies. 

Costs, including labor, drugs and 

medical equipment, are escalating at an 

unprecedented rate. Meanwhile, constituencies 

ranging from the payers and HMOs to 

hospitals and physicians are struggling to control 

the supply and administration of health 

care. 

What can we do to fix our health care system 

For one thing, we can spend the next 30 

days involved in the debate and, on 

November 4, exercise our right to vote. Then, 

we must hold our next president and Congress 

responsible for health care reform, as promised. 

Two seminal issues for voters to be educated 

about this election are costs and coverage. 

You can learn details about the candidates’ 

plans on numerous Web sites, including the 

Kaiser Family Foundation. 

Obama’s plan embodies a long-held 

Democratic Party goal of covering the 45.7 

million uninsured by giving employers, health 

insurers, individuals and the government 

greater responsibility to help close the gap. 

By contrast, the McCain proposal follows 

Republican orthodoxy of trying to make the 

private insurance marketplace more affordable 

and competitive by altering the tax treatment 

of health care benefits. 

Both candidates plan to reduce health care 

costs and improve quality of care. McCain has 

proposed tax credits of $2,500 for individuals 

and $5,000 for families. The cuts would likely 

have a limited impact on reducing the number 

of uninsured, but would reshape how 

Americans receive health insurance by encouraging 

more to obtain it on their own rather 

than through employers. 

Obama aims to reduce health care costs 

and make it affordable for every American, in 

part, through greater regulation of insurance 

companies and by requiring employers to contribute 

toward health insurance, a benefit 

that only one-half to two-thirds of workers 

now receive. While both candidates propose 

investments in preventative medicine, experts 

agree that these initiatives will help individuals, 

but there is little evidence to suggest these 

initiatives will save money. 

The role and responsibility of the federal 

government in bringing about health care 

reform may be the core issue in determining 

how you cast your vote. 

McCain rejects the use of federal authority 

to mandate care, coverage or costs. “What I 

want is for families to make decisions about 

their healthcare, not government,” McCain 

has said. “That’s the fundamental difference 

october 

between myself and Senator Obama.” The 

Republican presidential nominee rejects a single-payer 

system to lower health care costs. 

On the other hand, Obama has stated, 

“The market alone cannot solve our health 

care woes, in part because the market has 

proven incapable of creating large enough 

insurance pools to keep costs to individuals 

affordable, in part because health care is not 

like other products or services.” He would 

require all children to have health insurance 

and expand public programs like Medicaid 

and the State Children’s Health Insurance 

Program (S-CHIP). 

Who among us would advocate for more 

government in our lives And yet, in the case 

of health care, one must consider that of all 

constituents vested in the system, government 

may be best suited to provide the bold leadership 

we need in order to bring about reform. 

On August 26, the same day Senator 

Edward Kennedy expressed his lifelong hope 

to an arena full of delegates “that every 

American –– North, South, East, West, young 

and old –– will have decent, quality health 

care as a fundamental right and not a privilege,” 

the Census Bureau reported a decrease 

in the number of uninsured in America. 

Yet, while the number of uninsured 

Americans dropped from 47 million in 2006 to 

45.7 million in 2007, the portion of people 

covered by employer-sponsored health insurance 

continued to diminish. This number of 

uninsured would have been considerably 

worse had it not been for growth in public 

health coverage through programs like S- 

CHIP. 

Whatever your perspective on government’s 

role, and whoever finds himself in the 

White House in January 2009, we all need to 

have an honest, open and potentially painful 

conversation about choices, resources and 

health care reform. Around kitchen tables in 

America, the conversation needs to focus on a 

simple premise: what do we want, and how 

much we can afford to pay. The two must be 

aligned. 

I appeal to each of you to get involved in 

this debate, to vote, and to hold the next president 

accountable for change. We have too 

much to lose as citizens, as a nation and as 

human beings. 

44 

VISIONS

Meet Mark Eagan - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

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