Award received
PLATTSBURGH — Champlain Valley Audiology, PLLC, was honored recently with a Small Business Administration Small Business Excellence Award at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.
The SBA and the New York Business Development Corp. hosted the 14th-annual luncheon to recognize the achievements of local small businesses.
The North Country Small Business Development Center nominated Champlain Audiology, owned by Dr. Sharon Macner. The business provides clients of all ages with comprehensive hearing care, which includes diagnostic services, rehabilitative services and pediatric care.
Macner opened the practice with the goal of improving the quality of life for her patients through thoughtful evaluations and management of hearing loss. CVA is built on the founding principal of providing outstanding clinical and personal service to its hearing-impaired patients and their families. Since opening, CVA has captured a large segment of the market share of audiological care in the Champlain Valley with a client base that has grown to more than 1,500 patients.
Small businesses are selected for the awards based on their company's longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.
New CFO
DANNEMORA — Effective April 10, the president/CEO of Dannemora Federal Credit Union, Randall Martin, named Jamie Cecilia chief financial officer.
Cecilia spent the last four years in manufacturing as the manager of financial planning and reporting at Richardson Brands Co. Prior to that, he was responsible for the asset and liability management of a $1 billion credit union in Central New York.
Cecilia holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Syracuse University. In addition, he earned a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Union College.
Dannemora Federal Credit Union is a community chartered credit union offering personal financial services to more than 14,000 members. The credit union has more than $120 million in assets. Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Clinton County is eligible for DFCU membership.
Designation received
PLATTSBURGH — Judy Guglielmo, an associate broker at Fesette Realty, earned the designation of Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) in March.
Realtors who hold the ABR designation have completed coursework through the National Association of Realtors that is specific to exclusive representation of buyers.
"This achievement is yet another example of Judy's commitment to improving her skills, which ultimately provides exceptional service to her clients," said Neil Fesette, broker/owner of Fesette Realty. "The ABR designation complements Judy's membership and designation as a GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)."
Guglielmo represents both buyers and sellers. She has been a licensed agent for 13 years and is a consistent multi-million-dollar producer.
Fesette Realty provides residential and commercial brokerage services, property management and real-estate consultation services. Their offices are at 176 U.S. Oval in Plattsburgh.
Officer hired
TICONDEROGA — The Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union (TFCU) has added Paris Aranguiz to its team. He joined TFCU on April 30 as chief financial officer.
"Paris comes to TFCU with a robust background in the credit-union movement and a philosophy that mirrors our own," said Shawn Hayes, TFCU's president and CEO.
Aranguiz has more than 18 years of experience in the credit-union industry. His area of expertise is in accounting and investments. He enjoys developing products that meet membership needs.
"I believe credit unions exist to provide the highest quality customer service and products at the lowest possible cost to their membership," Aranguiz said.
Aranguiz graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He is relocating from Waxhaw, N.C., a small town south of Charlotte.
TFCU is a nonprofit financial institution focused on serving its members' financial needs and supporting the community. Originally chartered in 1954 as the International Paper Ticonderoga Mill's employee credit union, TFCU currently offers membership to people who live, work, worship or attend school in — or businesses or legal entities located in —Essex and Washington counties or the towns of Hague, Horicon and Chester. For more information, visit www.tfcunow.com or call 585-6725.
Employees honored
JAY — Jay Ward, president of Ward Lumber, has named Team Members recognized for outstanding achievements and contributions they have made to Ward Lumber.
The following were selected for the first quarter of 2012:
Bradly Titus, shipper, Malone Store; and Travis Thwaits, sales, Jay Store.
Karen Sheasby, accounts receivable clerk, was selected for the Support Center located at the corporate headquarters in Jay.
Reunion planned
ROUSES POINT — The Ayerst/Wyeth/Pfizer Reunion for past and present union and non-union employees and guests will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 4 at VFW Post 1418 in Champlain.
The DJ will begin at 2 p.m. The cost is $5 per person with money and RSVP due not later than July 14. A food vendor will be available.
RSVP to Vikki at 204-4015, Frenchy at 594-7595, Sally at 298-4724, Mary at 236-5648 or Tracy at 298-3516.
Campers and tents are welcome for the night on the premises. No coolers or beverages are allowed on the grounds. All beverages are to be bought at the bar.
The event is not company sponsored.
Promotional blog
PLATTSBURGH — The Explore Adirondack Coast blog is now being offered for community members to find ideas on how to spend their weekend on the Adirondack Coast.
Since its start in January, the blog has already gained popularity with its writing, adventures and pictures of each journey.
Ben Bradford, the man behind the blog, said he started it because he didn't think people realize all the hidden treasures found on the Adirondack Coast. Bradford, originally from Maine, has lived all over the country but finally decided to settle here for good.
The blog allows people to get a chance to see what they can do in their own backyards.
From taking an ice tour of Ausable Chasm, visiting the North Star Underground Railroad Museum and kayaking on Lake Champlain, Bradford's blog posts assure followers that there is more to the Adirondack Coast.
Fishing, snowshoeing, hiking and kayaking are just some of the activities that Bradford's passion for everything outdoors has lead him to do.
Followers can read about these outdoor thrills plus his visits to Adirondack Coast attractions.
From the great outdoors to museums and local businesses, the variety makes it the perfect resource for anyone looking to experience something different.
The blog can be found at exploreadkcoast.word press.com.
The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1994 as the official tourism promotion agency for the travel and tourism industry in Clinton County.
China trip
PLATTSBURGH — A free informational session for the North Country Chamber of Commerce trip to China will be held at 8:30 a.m. on May 21 at the chamber office.
The trip is open to everyone. The chamber's all-inclusive, nine-day tour of China includes Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou with tours of the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Tian An Men Square, Sozhou Silk Factory, Yu Garden and more.
This tour takes place Oct. 19 to 27 and is $2,199 per person based on double occupancy. This includes all meals, flights, English-speaking tour guides and more.
Call the chamber at 563-1000 to RSVP. More information is available at www.northcountrychamber.com.
Business mixer
PLATTSBURGH — 8-Ball Billiards Café, Jay's Nursery and Landscaping, Loreman's and Chauvin Agency will co-host the North Country Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 17.
The mixer will be held at 8-Ball Billiards Café just North of Cumberland Head Corners.
Participants may connect with friends and make new business contacts while enjoying the outdoor party area.
In case of rain, there is plenty of covered space as well. Attendees may bring business cards to enter to win door prizes.
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 is $3 with an advance reservation and $4 without.
For more information, or to make reservations, call the chamber at 563-1000.
Grant awarded
PLATTSBURGH — Mountain Lake PBS recently received $500 from Stewart's Holiday Match Program in support of the PBS KID'S GO! Writers Contest, a local competition designed to promote the advancement of children's reading and writing skills through hands-on, active learning.
Mountain Lake Director of Outreach and Education Jane Owens said the money from Stewart's will help support the Writers Contest so that children, families and the community can encourage students to be writers and illustrators and celebrate the creation of their stories.
Mountain Lake PBS has participated in the PBS KID'S GO! Writers Contest for 18 years, in which more than 3,000 stories from students in the region have been collected. This year's winners will be celebrated at an event on May 22, and their stories will be posted online at mountainlake.org.
The Holiday Match is a holiday collection program, matched by Stewart's, to help kids all year long. Last year, Stewart's, its media partners and customers gave $1.2 million. Since 1986, Stewart's has raised more than $11 million. For more information, visit www.stew artsshops.com.
