On Friday, April 28th, 2023, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Professional EOS Implementer’s new office, located at 9 Broad Street in Glens Falls.
EOS is an Entrepreneurial Operating System that helps thousands of entrepreneurs around the world achieve the goals for their businesses by focusing on three main categories: vision, traction, and healthy management.
Wendy Waldron – franchisee and professional EOS implementer – is a successful medical practice specialist, coach, and speaker. In her role as Professional EOS Implementer, Wendy helps provide methodology to support business owners and executives who see the need to create a change in their companies. Operations leadership is about planning and executing, and EOS helps to set up tools and solutions for businesses that will facilitate team development and create measurable results.
At the ARCC ribbon cutting, Wendy explained the importance of her new role as a Professional EOS Implementer: “Now I get to work with our local leaders of businesses, people who are creating jobs, they are creating communities, they are creating space… Creating what they want from their business and their lives, giving back to those around them, and they are able to do that because of the success that they have had, and that I can be a small part of that is just a tremendous honor,” she said.
Wendy brings vast experience to each and every project. She has the ability to remove barriers, and deliver guidance that is simple and practical. Wendy opens up opportunities for business leaders to improve both their businesses, and their own lives as well.
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion of WinklePickers into the Outlets at Lake George! WinklePickers has a location at 222 Canada Street in Lake George, and now has a store in the Outlets at Lake George. WinklePickers – which is owned by Lake George natives Rachel and Dave Dutra – features kitchenware, exciting flavors of jerky, and spices from Rachel’s Spice and Tea Company.
If you are interested in the name, you are not alone: “I’m so happy that we named it WinklePickers because when we did that, we were really just looking for an extra outlet… We really just wanted to get Rachel’s Spice and Tea Company a little bit more publicity, but maybe we can’t do a whole store just on that; so we brought in some beef jerky and some hot sauce. We need a name that means absolutely nothing! Because we had no idea where this business was going… That was three years ago. Because our business had a name that meant absolutely nothing, we could just let it grow… Let it go where it was going to go,” said owner Rachel Dutra.
The Dutra’s are always looking to try new things and create new offerings for their customers. This year at the Canada Street location, Rachel will be “slinging” fresh popcorn!
WinklePickers is the official retail home of Rachel Spice and Tea Company and it features kitchen accessories and more! For more information, visit pickwinks.com
The Women’s Business Council of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) is excited to host their annual Succession Summit event for businesses in the greater Glens Falls region, on the afternoon of May 10th at the Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center.
Succession and Continuity Planning are key business activities that frequently take a backseat to growing revenues, trimming costs, or running day-to-day business operations… Whether you’re a community leader, business owner, executive, or a next-generation rock star, join us as we and our panel invest an afternoon to discuss why succession is a critical business activity in which you should engage! Together, we can create a culture of regular succession planning and development to ensure our community’s upward economic trajectory continues.
This year’s SUCCESSion Summit will focus on all aspects of attracting and retaining employees; once you have the right person with the right skills and attitude in the right seat, how do you nurture, grow, and keep them content as you run your business? After all, you need to nurture and grow yourself to your next success without painting yourself into a corner…
We’ll hear from successful leaders of local businesses, as well as subject matter experts, who are prepared to discuss the roles of culture, transparency, financial incentive, and empowerment in growing organizations that attract and retain great talent.
Our panelists include: Crystal Grimaldi (Ideal Dairy), Tyler Herrick (Spruce Hospitality Group), Bert Weber (Common Roots Brewery), and Tracey Wardwell (Capital Bank), as well as domain expertise from Jennifer Massey, (Integra HR), Wendy Waldron (WaldronWorks EOS Worldwide), and Sherry Finkel Murphy, CFP® (The Atrium Financial Group).
The conversation will be facilitated by ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers. Information on how to register can be found on the ARCC’s website at www.adirondackchamber.org/events
On Thursday April 6th, 2023 the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at 37-40 Lawrence Street. This event was held to celebrate the partnership of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, with the WAIT House. The partnership added 10 affordable rental units to the Glens Falls Community! This initiative helps to put individuals and families on the pathway to home ownership with stable and affordable housing.
Glens Falls and the surrounding area are experiencing a housing shortage… The evolution of the short term rental market has had an effect on affordability of homes in the area. The idyllic concept of knowing your neighbors and feeling a true sense of community faded long ago; as society shifts and changes, and our values shift and change along with it, we individually and collectively find ourselves changing how we use resources and income. The boom of the short term rental market has created challenges for the members of our community who are looking to become first time home buyers, and those who are in the rental market as well.
When you think of AirBNB and VRBO, you may be thinking of your next vacation… The concept of short term vacation rentals has reinvented the tourism and the homestay market. Short term rental have facilitated a peer-to-peer trading platform in an unprecedented way, and has intensified an existing housing shortage in towns across the country. Housing units that are converted into short term rentals are removed from the open rental market, which leads to an increase in rent costs as supply diminishes. The decrease in the supply in housing spurs displacement of people who can not afford the increase in the rent.
Currently, The City of Glens Falls has 78 short term rentals – an increase of 59% from last year. Short-term rentals have decreased the availability of regular rental properties for the community, so The WAIT House and Habitat for Humanity have partnered up to help underprivileged community members build a pathway to stability and home ownership.
The mission of the WAIT House is to provide stability to youth who present themselves as homeless. WAIT House started in 1998 when a group of community leaders came together to address the issue of youth homelessness in Warren and Washington County. WAIT House opened in 2003 and has provided shelter, support and services to homeless youths and those at-risk of homelessness.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington County is part of a global nonprofit housing organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing. Habitat works locally and worldwide through the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of homes, and advocates for fair and just housing policies. The housing shortage helped to facilitate the partnership between these nonprofit organizations – it’s created the opportunity for these two nonprofits to work together to help bridge the gap for those in need.
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner was on hand for the ribbon cutting: “I am here to say congratulations and to lend my thanks to our phenomenal Wait House and Habitat for Humanity. The partnership that you bring to this is really powerful and you each bring expertise and a dedication to the mission and I think it is really wonderful to see and I hope that it is one of many. And, I celebrate your willingness to work outside the box and think outside the box to accomplish something amazing for our communities” she said.
Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins was also on hand for the event: “I am just so grateful to be here and in the last few years we have had Habitat projects; three on Hovey street, one on Orville street. The City is very happy to support Habitat. For those of you who have not noticed, we have a housing shortage in Glens Falls, Warren County, and the surrounding area, and THIS is helping to address that. If you had a chance to drive by these properties just six, nine months ago, you would have seen a completely different scene… I like the fact that these are not all done. So you can walk into this one and see what a new apartment is going to look like… I agree with Carrie, how to change your model and be flexible so you can help people… Housing prices all over the region have risen, and we need to make sure that people can get out of apartments and into homes… Owning homes in Glens Falls is what we need more of; Thank you for all you have done,” The Mayor said.
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties Adam Feldman said a few words at the ribbon cutting as well: “Those were all very kind words and I am humbled to hear everyone’s support and I was reflecting on our journey… About 6 years ago I had the Chamber come to a single family home in Lake George when I recently took the position, and at that (event) we recorded it and one of the things I said was ‘This is just the first step. I am committed to being a leader in not just home ownership but housing in the greater community.’ Three years later… We raised the first wall as a new partnership with the city. So, thank you very much. That sort of set the tone. And now two years after that, we have expanded and have 10 new rental units here,” Feldman said.
The members of the community that are supported by WAIT House are between 16-24 years old. When they age out of the program, they often don’t have any place to go… Creating affordable housing helps to create stability and community for the segment of the community that needs the help and support.
On Wednesday, April 5th, Glens Falls High School hosted the inaugural 2023 Job Fair and Career Expo event. 35 employers set up tables in the gym, and 12 area business leaders held seminars in classrooms. There were also workshops to help students with resumé building, work/life considerations, and financial management. This event gave high school students the opportunity to get a head start on their career search, and develop valuable skills.
There were also job fairs at Queensbury High School and Lake George Junior-Senior High School. Employers from both large and small companies attended the event, as well as companies associated with the Lake George tourism industry. These job fairs give the employers an opportunity to prepare for the summer hiring season; summer jobs fill an employment need and help young people contribute to the workforce, and also provide students with valuable social skills that set them up for future employment. Criteria for the businesses to participate in the job fair included location and number of positions available. All attending businesses took part in a 30-minute virtual orientation program to ensure success in recruiting teens to their open positions.
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) President and CEO Tricia Rogers was also on hand for the event. The job fair featured many of the ARCC members and regional businesses with employment opportunities… The mission of the ARCC is to partner with and support regional businesses to grow, succeed and thrive. It unites industries collectively to positively impact continued growth and continual investment.
Glens Falls High School Principal Kevin Warren, Tricia Rogers, Director of Warren County Employment Liza Ochsendorf and Glens Falls Assistant Principal Bill Levett
Warren County expanded the high school job fair to Glens Falls High School and Queensbury High School this year as a result of the successful 2021 and 2022 job fairs at Lake George Junior-Senior High School.
On Friday March 31st, 2023, the ARCC opened the Great Upstate Boat Show with a celebratory ribbon cutting. The 75,000 square-foot Adirondack Sport Complex “The Dome” was transformed into a bright and festive boat showroom… The ribbon fell, the crowd cheered, and the 15th annual Great Upstate Boat Show was underway!
This year, The Great Upstate Boat Show ran from March 31st to April 2nd. This event attracts thousands of people to the area each year, and showcases the latest innovations in the boating industry at a time of year when dealer inventory is at its highest. There were over 175 boats on display, and more than 1500 boats available through dealers. Live seminars added to the festivities, as locals and tourists alike wandered the turf fields turned boat showroom. The three featured seminars focused on boat maintenance, safety, and water sports training.
Doug and Terri Miller, the owners of “The Dome” as it is fondly known, work tirelessly on all events that they host there. “We started work on Monday. Every piece of sporting equipment had to be taken out and stored,” Terri said. “But, this should be a good weekend. Some years it’s been brutally cold and others it’s been too nice and people have wanted to spend time outside. But this year the weather should be mild enough that a lot of people will come,” she said.
On Thursday, February 23rd, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the “Lunch With Legislators” event at the Queensbury Hotel. Trisha Rogers – President and CEO of the ARCC – was the MC for the event, and she added levity to the event and kept the pace of the event moving. The legislators in attendance were Congresswoman Elise Stefanik from District 21, New York State Senator Dan Stec from District 45, New York State Senator Jake Ashby from District 43, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner from District 113 and Assemblyman Matt Simpson from District 114. The questions were provided by the attendees of the event, and the question-and-answer period lasted just under an hour and twenty minutes.
The legislators who attended this event agreed on the severity of the problems facing the people of New York, and that there are solutions that can be implemented… Each legislator had their own opinion of the struggles facing the region but it was clear that each had empathy and respect for the community, and genuinely wanted to help and support their constituents.
The first question touched on businesses, manufacturers and the healthcare sector struggling to attract labor; this opened up the conversation to workforce training and childcare, and the concern that extended pandemic unemployment assistance had incentivized people staying out of the workforce as opposed to rejoining the workforce. On a positive side of the issue, Assemblywoman Woerner pointed out a highlight that people are starting businesses and “making jobs instead of taking jobs.”
The shortages in the workforce led to a discussion on the decreasing population of the state – State Senator Dan Stec said, “There are just fewer people here. We have had 300,000 New Yorkers decide that they don’t want to be New Yorkers anymore. I think a lot of them are going for quality of life.”
Assemblyman Simpson added that it may be a question of changing priorities: “To some people, what is most important is how much they are taking home, versus their benefits. Most of the younger generation is more concerned about what they are bringing home at the end of the week. I think there needs to be an opportunity to retain people who may want more money in their check at the end of the week as opposed to their benefits.”
Another problem that the panel agreed on was the burden of the increase in unemployment insurance taxation rates for businesses; both Assemblywoman Woerner and State Senator Ashby had a sense that people believed that this is a dead issue with no way to address it: “Most of you in this room didn’t lay off a single human being during the pandemic. You figured out how to keep things going and how to keep people employed. And to have to pay a higher unemployment rate cost now feels like you are being punished for doing the right thing“ Woerner said.
Senator Stec pointed out that this could be a factor in people leaving the state: “…(we all) should be angry. This is not how it is in other states. It should be addressed in the budget” he said. Assemblyman Simpson agreed, pointing out that this increase has only added to the problems of inflation and high cost of living in the state… The members of the panel agreed that it was the burden of the state to pay the debt, and that it should not be passed on to employers.
Other topics that were discussed included increasing accessibility to broadband – each of the panel sympathized with the problem, having faced it themselves when driving through their districts and regions of the state. Congresswoman Stefanik pointed out that the federal map shows that when an area is covered with satellite coverage, that area is considered covered: “We all know that is not the case. That is poor, poor service. I know all of the pockets where the service drops. If you look at the cost for building out broadband in New York, you will see that it is the costliest state in the nation” she said. Congresswoman Stefanik pointed out that the fiber fee was eliminated, and that has reduced the potential cost of expanding broadband networks.
One of the more poignant moments in the panel discussion came when Assemblywoman Carrie Woener described the effect that underfunding medicaid is having on the entire healthcare system: “Our entire healthcare system is going to collapse if we don’t address this crisis. When a facility has to cut costs, a facility has to shut down beds. That means when a patient is ready to be discharged from the hospital and they need a stay in a nursing facility, there are no beds in the nursing facilities… So, the hospital keeps them there until a bed opens up. They have to be rounded, so there is medical care, they have to be fed, their rooms have to be cleaned, and you know who doesn’t pay for this care? Insurance companies. So, if you can be medically discharged from the hospital and you are not discharged, the insurance companies pay nothing. That means that the hospital is getting no revenue. Then on the other end, a patient enters the ER and are triaged in the ER. They are ready to be admitted to the hospital… (But) now, there are people… taking up those beds because there is no space in the nursing homes! So then the patients are in the waiting room or they are in a bed in a hallway… So we have the hospital system financially impacted by this, and we have patient care impacted. The nursing homes that are without support could cause the whole system to collapse” she concluded.
The afternoon came to a close with the last question, regarding advocacy for non-profit organizations. Each of the members of the panel encouraged non-profits to use their voice and reach out to advocate for their cause; there was a call to think outside of the box to keep a cause in the front of people’s minds, and a reminder to donate locally.
The ARCC should be congratulated for putting together a well-run event. This event showcased each of the panelist’s ideas and perspectives, shedding light on the legislators’ knowledge of the challenges that are facing our communities… There was an affirmation that these legislators did not share all of the same opinions and positions on issues, but were able to work together regardless on issues that were priorities to their constituents.
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) is pleased to announce that the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award will be presented to retired physician and founder of Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Dr. John Rugge. Dr. Rugge will be presented with the award at the ARCC Annual Dinner on the evening of March 10, 2023, at The Sagamore Resort.
“We are excited to celebrate Dr. John Rugge as the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett award honoree. Dr. Rugge is so deserving of this honor. As the founder of Hudson Headwaters Health Network, his passion and drive to further healthcare in our region is admirable. We are fortunate that Dr. Rugge chose to stay in our region and establish a healthcare system that helps so many of our community members,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers.
John Rugge was a family physician who dropped into the Adirondacks to finish writing a canoe book in 1974. He then accepted a position with the Glens Falls Hospital to serve as supervising physician at a brand-new health center in Chestertown, with the intention of practicing for six months before returning to Albany Medical Center.
As it turned out, all the surrounding communities were losing their GPs to retirement, and he found it impossible to depart with no one to take his place… So instead, he combined medical practice with community engagement – and grant writing – to establish the Hudson Headwaters Health Network. This network has grown to include 21 health centers from Saratoga County all the way up to the Canadian border, with some 200 medical providers and more than 150,000 patients. Dr. Rugge observes the way local needs generated remarkable community support, and this attracted the attention of health care policymakers in Albany and Washington, leading him to serve on 40 government advisory panels, task forces, and councils… All of which has served to make Hudson Headwaters a model for others across the state, and across the nation.
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced the addition of four new members to their Board of Directors – the new board members are F. Raymond Agnew (Ray), Bill Moon, Paula Traina, and Daniel W. Washburn.
Photo Provided by ARCC: F. Ray Agnew
F. Ray Agnew, CFRE, is Vice President for Hospital & Community Engagement at Glens Falls Hospital. He took on the role at the hospital in 2020, after having previously served as Vice President for College Advancement at Paul Smith’s College since 2011. Ray has previously served as Vice President of Community Relations of Glens Falls Hospital, and Executive Vice President of Glens Falls Hospital Foundation. He joined the Glens Falls Hospital Staff after spending 18 years with the State University of New York (SUNY) as Vice President for College Advancement at SUNY Potsdam. Other credits include Assistant Vice President for development at SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, and development work at SUNY Binghamton and at Geneseo in both residential life and institutional advancement. He received his CFRE credential in 1996.
Ray graduated from the Crane School of Music, and is a member of ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). He is a member of Rotary International, and was named Rotarian of the Year by the Glens Falls Rotary Club in 2008; he was also named Humanitarian of the Year by Rotary District 7190 in 2008. Ray was also the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Recognition Award, and has been named faculty “Heavy Hitter” for his presentations to both the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.
Ray’s community involvement also includes currently serving on the Board of Directors of High Peaks Hospice, and he served as past Chairman of the Board of Adirondack Medical Center (serving on the Board from 2012-2020), along with serving on the Board of The Adirondack Health Institute (2016-2019), and a previous holding of the President role at the Rotary Club of Glens Falls. Ray has been on the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) Board and the Saratoga County Arts Council (now called Saratoga Arts) Board, and he is currently serving a temporary assignment on the Warren County ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) committee.
Ray lives in Glens Falls, and has two children – Mary Victoria and Zane.
Photo Provided by ARCC:Bill Moon
Bill Moon has been the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks since 2015. Bill is also a local rest estate agent, assisting clients in both residential and commercial real estate transactions. Bill lives in Fort Ann with his wife, Bethany, and their two boys Jason and Colby. Bill holds a degree in humanities and social services, a BA in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Human Resources – strategic alignment.
Bill enjoys working closely with other agencies and businesses to provide local families with the resources that they need to be successful. He believes the key to organizational success includes a strong sense of strategic alignment and sustaining an effective team.
Photo Provided By ARCC: Paula Traina
Paula Traina is the CEO of Traina Insurance and Financial Services Incorporated, with two Warren County agencies specializing in providing insurance and financial services products offered by State Farm. Paula is a transformative leader known for building teams who execute at a high level – she has led multiple start-ups and cross functional teams.
Paula was professionally groomed by a Fortune 500 Company, and has benefited from one of the top leadership and development programs in the corporate world. She holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership, and is currently pursuing FINRA investment advisor licensing.
Paula and her family call Queensbury their home, and enjoy all of the activities that the Adirondacks have to offer. Paula Looks forward to serving the business community as an ARCC board member.
Photo Provided By ARCC: Daniel W. Washburn
Daniel W. Washburn is the Vice President of Commercial Operations and Shareholder of Hilltop Construction Company; he has been a part owner of Hilltop Construction since 2006. Dan helped to diversify the company with a strong focus on the commercial construction side of the business. He served as an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves as a councilman for the Town of Kingsbury. He is a commissioner at the Washington County Sewer Department, and was president of the Hudson Falls Girls Softball Organization from 2009-2014.
The ARCC extends its gratitude to the board members whose terms were completed in 2022: Ash Anand of the Lotus Group Company, Jared Humiston of Adirondack Technical Solutions, and Zach Moore of French Mountain Commons.
The ARCC would also like to announce the appointment of Mark Yrsha, EVP, Director of Relationship Banking of Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company, as the ARCC Board Chair.
“The ARCC plays a critical role in our region by championing the needs, ideas and goals of our business community. I am very appreciative of the opportunities to chair this great board of highly engaged volunteers and work alongside the tremendous team at the ARCC. Together, we will continue to be the local leader supporting, educating, advocating and delivering for the members of the ARCC and our business community. Thank you to all the members of the ARCC: we really appreciate you” said Mr. Yrsha, EVP and Director of Relationship Banking at Glens Falls National Bank.
“The ARCC is so fortunate to have a board that is dedicated to the organization and our business community. We are grateful for past board members’ service and excited to welcome our new board members. We can achieve so much together” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers.
The ARCC was founded in 1914, and is 100% membership funded. The mission of the ARCC is to serve the members and business community through advocacy efforts, educational opportunities, and the power of connection and collaboration. To learn more, visit www.adirondackchamber.org
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the addition of Ava Kanninen as a new member of their team – Ave will fill the role of membership manager for the ARCC. Ava comes to the position after having worked throughout upstate New York with Stewart’s Shops for ten years. She grew up in Dutchess county, moved to Warren county in 2009, and became a Glens Falls homeowner in 2021. Ava’s experience in the fields of agriculture, hospitality and industry will make her a strong new addition to the ARCC, and she is eager to serve the community that she now calls home: “I am thrilled to be making the transition into mission-driven work. Since my first introduction to the ARCC, I have been so impressed with their accomplishments and passion. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team and serve this community” she said.
Ava is a long-term community coordinator for the Red Cross Blood Program, as well as a five-gallon donor herself. She is also an ambassador for C.O.R.E, Children of Restaurant Employees – this is an organization founded by beverage executives who recognized a need to help employees with children in the food and beverage industry, and they focus on assisting families during unexpected medical crises, injuries, or deaths.
In her free time, Ava enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, and padding. When she is home, she enjoys planning and creating meals for her partner, and spending time with their cat, Xena.
“We are so excited to welcome Ava to the team. She brings with her impressive experience in sales and relationship building. We feel she will be an integral part of the ARCC team” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers.
