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September 9, 2009

Local workforce leader to retire

Masella retiring after more than 3 decades making jobs work

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — A valuable member of the local economic-development and work-force-development team is retiring at the end of the month.

New York State Department of Labor North Country Team Leader John Masella is going to retire Sept. 29. He is responsible for Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

"I've been very lucky to have a great job that I loved. I've been very fortunate to work with great people."

STARTED AS TEMP
Masella took what was supposed to be a six-month position with the Department of Labor in the late 1970s, working in its Disabled Veterans Outreach Program.

During that time, he developed a policy called 10 Things I Promise You as a Veteran, which was picked up at the state level.

Masella was then tapped to be part of the team that created the department's Veterans Bill of Rights.

"That was the start of my 32-year career with the Department of Labor."

Masella later worked with Miles Manchester to write a book, "Doing Business in New York," which was a guide for Canadian and other companies looking to locate in this region.

MOVING AHEAD
Masella said he's been fortunate to work with a tremendous local economic-development team.

"If you look at the North Country, we always seem to keep on our feet and move ahead," he said.

Members of that team say the same about Masella.

Mark Barie, founder and partner of Crossborder Development Corp., said his company has worked with Masella for more than 30 years.

"John is the best-kept secret in the North Country economic-development effort," Barie said. "He's like a walking encyclopedia of the local work force. I can't count the number of deals that wouldn't have come here if not for John.

"When it comes to jobs in the North Country, no one is more involved than John."

About 275 Canadian companies have sites in Clinton County, Barie said, and Masella dealt directly with about 95 percent of them and was a big reason they decided to come here.

He is invaluable in explaining the local work force's salary and benefits needs, Barie said.

Then, he helps develop the proper training programs to meet each company's needs.

PASSION FOR JOB
North Country Regional Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Paul Grasso Jr. said Masella helped smooth his transition into the job in October 2007.

"I'm certainly going to miss him. He is very accessible and a good person to bounce ideas off of."

Masella has four signs on his wall that summarize his approach to the job: "Passionate," "Commitment," "Fun" and "Find a way."

Grasso said Masella has always exhibited those characteristics since he's known him.

"He certainly has a passion for the job, yet he's one of the funniest guys you're ever going to meet."

His value goes beyond knowledge of the local business community, Grasso said. When the unemployed need assistance, Masella would always go above and beyond to help them achieve the results they need.

JOB HELP
Masella said a big part of his job has always been to get people who lost jobs back on a career path.

"I've always had an attitude that if one door closes, another door opens for you."

There have been a number of large plant closings during his career, including Harris Graphics in Champlain and Imperial Wallcovering in Plattsburgh.

For his work, Masella has received a number of awards and recognitions. Those include Manager of the Year, from the International Association of Employment Agencies, in 1998 and Irishman of the Year, from the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, in 2007.

In 2007, Masella chaired the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties fundraising campaign, which exceeded its $750,000 goal by $35,000.

KEY ROLE
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said that during his 16 years at the chamber Masella has been one of the most important members of the North Country economic development team.

"From Bombardier to Nova Bus, he has been a key part of attracting every new company we've welcomed and then meeting their ongoing work force and training needs.

"When I talk to my colleagues across the state, none of them has enjoyed the open partnership with the Labor Department that our chamber has enjoyed, and that's thanks to the get-it-done approach of John Masella."

For Douglas, it even goes beyond their business relationship, calling Masella a great friend.

"On a personal level, he brings humor and positivity everywhere he goes."

FUTURE PLANS
Masella said he's not leaving the area. He's thinking about starting a consulting business but also wants to spend more time with his wife, Vicki.

He plans to continue his work with the CVPH Medical Center Board of Directors, the advisory boards at Clinton Community College, Plattsburgh State School of Business and Economics and CV-TEC.

"No matter what you do, you have to still give back to the community."

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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