Appointment announced
PLATTSBURGH — Rick Holmes has been named corporate vice president of sales for Usherwood Office Technology.
In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the Sales Department at each of the seven locations in New York State including Plattsburgh.
"We are excited to welcome Rick to our team and we are looking forward to harnessing his industry experience and expertise in developing winning solutions for our customers," CEO Lou Usherwood said.
Before joining Usherwood, Holmes worked for Canon USA for more than 21 years and most recently as the director of field sales for the Integrated Solutions Divisions.
Usherwood Office Technology is locally owned and operated in Upstate New York and has provided sales and service of office technology since 1976. Usherwood sells and provides local service for copiers, laser printers, computer networks, IT solutions and advanced application software.
Donation to pantry
LAKE PLACID — Adworkshop, an employee-owned digital marketing and public relations agency, wrapped up a month of events and community outreach for National Employee Ownership Month recently. After a month of fundraising, the agency presented Lake Placid Ecumenical Food Pantry founder and director Linda Young with a check for $687 and 183 pounds of non-perishable food and other items collected throughout October.
The pantry, which operates out of the basement of St. Agnes Church, was established in 1985 to serve the Adirondack Community. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of families using the pantry's services. The pantry relies solely on donations and volunteers to provide confidential outreach in communities around the Essex County region.
Bank rated
PLATTSBURGH — Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. has been recognized as a superior, 5-Star-rated bank by BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla., the nation's leading bank-rating and research firm. To earn this rating, the bank must not only report impressive capital levels, but also an enviable loan portfolio with negligible levels of delinquent loans, a combination that has been hard to come by the past couple of years.
The rating denotes the highest level of strength and performance a bank can receive. Glens Falls has earned this rating for the last 18 consecutive quarters.
"Not only has Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. proven its efficacy yesterday and today, it is also primed for whatever tomorrow may bring," said Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. "The past three years have put a considerable amount of pressure on our nation's banks, and we are pleased to see community banks (like Glens Falls) still able to shine."
Chamber seminar
PLATTSBURGH — A seminar hosted by the North Country Chamber of Commerce titled Introduction to IP Strategy and Basic Trademark Protection will be held Tuesday at 8 a.m. at the chamber office, 7061 Route 9 in Plattsburgh.
The seminar will be presented by attorneys from Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. The seminar covers intellectual property strategy, the America Invents Act and trademark issues faced by established brand owners as well as new businesses seeking to create valuable brands.
The fee is $15 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. Call 563-1000 for more information.
Funds collected
PLATTSBURGH — The Halloween Festival held Oct. 29 at Plattsburgh Housing Outlet collected $4,300 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Burlington, Vt., for a lifetime total donation of more than $40,000.
A total of 475 children and their families enjoyed the festivities of the day. Participants were asked to make a $1 donation to trick or treat in Plattsburgh Housing Outlet's display homes, staffed and sponsored by area businesses and organizations.
Children participated in arts and crafts, enjoyed cider and munchkins and viewed a magic show in the service waiting area at Della Honda. A raffle and games also helped send additional funds to the Ronald McDonald House.
The Adirondack Safe Kids offered a car-seat check and replaced seats, if needed. Despite the parents' best efforts, only nine seats the technicians examined were installed properly of the 42 they checked.
District 3 gave fire-truck tours and gave out fire-safety information.
"It is a fun community event where children can trick or treat in a controlled environment and families can learn valuable safety lessons," said Michelle LaBounty, marketing director.
LaBounty presented the proceeds to Pam Fenimore, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Vermont, to continue its support of families in need.
Rebuilding help
ELIZABETHTOWN — Adirondack Community Action Programs Inc. in Elizabethtown has announced that Kinney Drugs Inc. will donate $1,500 to their organization to aid in the continual relief efforts of those impacted by Hurricane Irene. The donation will assist with the ongoing, day-to-day operations of the organization to help support the needs of families throughout Essex County as they continue to rebuild.
In response to the devastation that Irene brought, Kinney Drugs encouraged its customers to make donations at store checkouts during September to support local community relief efforts for those affected by the damage. A total of seven stores in Northern New York participated in the donation campaign, including Elizabethtown, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake.
"The impact that Hurricane Irene had on the Northern New York area was devastating," said Bridget-ann Hart, R.Ph., president and COO of Kinney Drugs. "We received overwhelming support from the community during the Kinney Drugs 'Rebuild Northern New York' donation campaign. With their help, Kinney Drugs is proud to be able to support the Adirondack Community Action Programs, which play such an important role in the community."
Kinney Drugs representatives visited Adirondack Community Action Programs Inc. in Elizabethtown last Wednesday to tour the facility and deliver the donation.
Honor earned
PLATTSBURGH — BauerFinancial Inc., the nation's leading independent credit-union rating and research firm, has recognized UFirst Federal Credit Union in Plattsburgh with its 35th consecutive achievement of a 5-Star Superior rating.
The rating, BauerFinancial's highest honor, is based on the financial condition of the institution and indicates that UFirst is one of the strongest credit unions in the country.
"There are many ways to measure a credit union's success," said Karen Dorway, president of the research firm. "At BauerFinancial, we analyze the past and present financial condition of the credit union to ensure that taking care of their members' deposits is a top priority. We factor in a myriad of ratios and calculations based on regulatory reports filed by the credit union each quarter. And based on our analyses, this award is well earned."
Established in 1971, UFirst has been serving the financial needs of its members in Clinton County for 40 years. UFirst has locations in Plattsburgh, Rouses Point and Mooers and can be reached at 324-5700, 236-6228 or at www.ufirstfcu.net.
Top lenders
ALBANY — The Small Business Administration has released the most active lenders in the Capital region, including the North Country, for the recently ended federal fiscal year 2011. KeyBank, NBT Bank and The Adirondack Trust Co. had the highest number of approvals in their respective categories.
KeyBank topped all large commercial banks in the Capital Region, assisting small businesses with 34 loans at a value of $3.7 million. KeyBank's SBA lending activity increased over last year's performance by 26 percent in number of loans.
In the large community lender category, NBT Bank was the most active in the Capital Region. NBT Bank made 22 loans worth $3.2 million to startup and existing businesses in the Albany area. District-wide, NBT Bank approved 74 loans valued at $9.6 million, a 208 percent increase in number and a 184 percent increase in dollar amount from 2010.
For the 10th straight year, The Adirondack Trust Co. outperformed all other small community lenders. It approved 30 loans worth $3.2 million in the Capital Region, representing a 20 percent increase in number and 87 percent increase in dollar amount.
"Strong relationships with our lending partners are essential in providing small-business owners with increased access to capital. With continued partnership, Capital Region entrepreneurs can continue to invest in their businesses and communities," said SBA Syracuse District Director Bernard J. Paprocki.
Although SBA does not make direct loans to small business, the agency's use of its guaranty authority enables commercial lenders to make loans to small businesses they would otherwise not have made. The SBA Capital Region covers Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.
Business mixer
PLATTSBURGH — The North Country Chamber of Commerce is inviting area business people to Business After Hours on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Perrywinkle's Fine Jewelry.
Anthony's Restaurant & Bistro is catering this western-themed event. There will be hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and more than $1,000 in door prizes.
Everyone who attends will receive $50 off a purchase of $200 or more made that night. Those who bring a new, unwrapped gift for a child will be entered in a special drawing to win a Perrywinkle's Gift Card.
All gifts will be donated to JCEO and the Christmas Bureau. Rambach's Bakery will be serving cupcakes for $1 each with proceeds going to Hospice of the North Country.
Business After Hours is an opportunity to expand business networks and is open to all chamber members and their employees. Future members are encouraged to contact the chamber for a special-guest pass. The fee for Business After Hours is $3 with an advance reservation and $4 without. For more information, or to make reservations, call the chamber at 563-1000.
