Category Archives: Business Briefs

Business / Personnel Briefs: April 2026

April 20, 2026

NBT Bank announced that Tesha Mihaly has joined the company as Vice President and Mortgage Loan Originator, serving customers throughout the North Country region.

Mihaly will guide borrowers through the home financing process, reviewing financial profiles, explaining mortgage options and supporting customers from application through closing.

A lifelong member of the Bolton Landing community, Mihaly brings more than 16 years of mortgage experience in the North Country. Prior to joining NBT Bank, she served as a Residential Mortgage Officer at Arrow Financial Corporation.

NBT Bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc., are headquartered in Norwich, NY. NBT Bancorp had assets of $16 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025, and trades under the symbol NBTB. Member FDIC.

Provided by NBT Bank; edited for style and length.

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Alliance180, Inc. will present its inaugural Field of Honor, a display of 250 U.S. flags at Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, from June 14 through June 21. The display is free and open to the public.

A Flag Day opening ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 14.

Individuals may dedicate a flag with a personalized tribute tag; after the event, the flag and tag will be given to the purchaser.

Donations, dedications and sponsorships support the event. Proceeds benefit Alliance180, Inc., which describes its mission as: “A peer-to-peer, action-based program preventing suicide and healing trauma for Veterans and First Responders through a transformative equine experience.”

An educational exhibit adjacent to the display will include a life-sized Declaration of Independence banner and historic American flags representing the 26 flags flown over the past 250 years, in recognition of America 250.

Provided by Alliance180, Inc.; edited for style and length.

Business / Personnel Briefs: March 2026

March 16, 2026

Fenimore Asset Management has hired Carina Trudell as senior operations associate and Jim Haley, CFP®, as senior director, the firm said.

Trudell, a Voorheesville resident, has 25 years of investment industry experience and previously was vice president and head of corporate onboarding and experience at Goldman Sachs Ayco.

“We are very pleased to have Carina on the team,” said Liza Baran, Director of Shareholder Services & Operations. “As Fenimore continues to grow and evolve operationally, Carina will be integral to our strategic vision and adoption of new technologies to better serve investors.”

Haley, who is based in South Carolina, has nearly 30 years of experience and works with individuals, families, nonprofits and institutions. He previously served in management at Dividend Assets Capital.

Founded in 1974, Fenimore manages $5.06 billion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2025, through its Cobleskill and Albany offices.

Provided by Fenimore Asset Management; edited for style and length.

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North Country Media Network, a multimedia podcast network based in Glens Falls, New York, has launched and is accepting applications for a limited “Founding Member” cohort, the company said.

Founder Ann Donnelly said the network provides studio or mobile recording options and handles production, editing and publishing.

NCMN will accept one participating expert per industry for the cohort, offering category exclusivity, the release said.

Founding Members who commit to a six-month weekly podcast schedule under the Authority Pro package will receive top placement in network listings, preferred monthly pricing and waived start-up fees.

Professionals can inquire by emailing ann@northcountry.media.

Provided by North Country Media Network; edited for style and length.

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Business and Personnel Briefs: August 2025

August 19, 2025

The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 grant cycle through August 12. The Foundation supports public benefit organizations that improve quality of life, health, and well-being for Saratoga County residents.

Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated nonprofits offering programs that serve Saratoga County. Priority is given to proposals addressing problem gambling, youth programs, senior services, arts, recreation, and overall community enhancement.

“We take great pride in the strong partnership among the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, and Saratoga Casino Hotel,” said Foundation Treasurer Skip Carlson. “For more than two decades, our grants have supported organizations providing education, senior services, family assistance, food security, disability support, and aid for those facing domestic violence and addiction.”

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Foundation’s website, www.saratogacasinohotelfoundation.org, no later than Sept. 12.

The Foundation’s board will meet Oct. 1 to review submissions, and applicants will be notified by Oct. 8. Grant recipients will be formally recognized during the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 21.

Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 to more than 200 local organizations. A list of past recipients and additional details are available online.

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Arrow Bank National Association is pleased to welcome Debbie Reynolds as Vice President, Regional Manager.

In her new role, Reynolds will oversee branch operations and sales at Arrow Bank’s Capital Region locations, where the bank remains focused on business development and delivering exceptional service to the communities it serves. She will work closely with branch teams to drive performance, support local engagement and foster meaningful client relationships across the region.

Reynolds brings more than two decades of leadership experience in retail banking, training and development and sales. Most recently, she served as Director of Training and Development at TCT Federal Credit Union, following leadership roles at Pearl Insurance and Citizens Bank, where she spent nine years as a Regional Manager.

A graduate of Herkimer County Community College with an associate degree in public relations, Reynolds is a native of Camden, N.Y., and a graduate of Camden Central School District. She is a certified notary public and holds an active NMLS license.

Deeply committed to giving back, Reynolds volunteers with Habitat for Humanity as a food drive volunteer, participates in Adopt a Soldier initiatives and is a regular runner in the American Heart Association 5K.

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Business Briefs: October 2024

October 15, 2024

The Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS® – AROW) on October 2, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share payable October 29, 2024 to shareholders of record on October 15, 2024. This represents a 3.7% increase to our quarterly dividend and is in lieu of the 3% stock dividend the Company has declared in recent years. This cash dividend marks the 46th consecutive quarterly cash dividend declared by Arrow.

“We are pleased to deliver enhanced value to our shareholders with the increased cash dividend,” said Arrow President and CEO David S. DeMarco. “So far this year, we have returned more than $6.4 million of capital to shareholders through share repurchases, in addition to the regular quarterly 2024 cash dividends of $13.6 million paid to date. Our continued success allows us to offer increased returns to our shareholders.”

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Saratoga Hospital has replaced its CT scanner in the Emergency Department with a state-of-the-art Siemens X. Cite model, thanks to the generosity of key community donors. The Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild and The Robert and Lisa Moser Family Foundation contributed the lead gifts to the project, as well as generous support from Bill and Susan Dake, Mike and Linda Toohey, and Millennium Medical Imaging.

Business Briefs: September 2024

September 17, 2024

The Saratoga Springs History Museum has announced the introduction of a new, cutting-edge self-guided audio tour, bringing history to life like never before through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This innovative experience is the first of its kind in Upstate New York, offering museum visitors an immersive journey through the Gilded Age with AI-narrated stories and carefully curated ambiance.

After months of work, the museum’s new audio tour encapsulates the rich atmosphere and diverse narratives of Saratoga Springs. The tour is enhanced with period-specific sounds and music, transporting guests back to the 1800s and ensuring an authentic historical experience. With over four hours of content covering more than 200 historical artifacts, visitors will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the stories that shaped the region.

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Loud Media has announced it has rebranded its local radio stations in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls/Lake George. Star Radio and Lake George Radio became 93.3 Lake FM and 93.5 Lake FM.

Ricki Lee, CEO of Loud Media, said, “We own several radio stations in the area, and we wanted to serve our communities and our clients better. So we’ve decided to rebrand all of our radio stations under a singular brand. This allows us to have a consistent sound playing the greatest hits from the ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s and to broadcast more locally-produced radio shows and content.”

Walt Adams will host the flagship morning show starting at 7a.m. Rick Foxx is joining Lake FM to host mid-mornings from 10a.m. to 3p.m., including a new Top 10 at 10 feature, playing 10 songs from one year along with trivia and throwback memories from that same year. Marissa will be hosting a show from 3p.m.-7p.m., and then it’s ’Totally 80s’ from 7a.m.-9a.m.

Jerry Crouth will host a newly focused ‘Oldies Show’ on Saturday mornings, and the Jazz Show has a new time on Sunday from 7a.m. to 9a.m.

For more information visit https://www.lakefm.com/

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Business Report: State Budget Changes Will Affect Employers

May 13, 2024

Allen Shoikhetbrod, Esq., managing partner, Tully Rickney PLLC, Albany.
Courtesy of Tully Rickney

By Allen Shoikhetbrod, Esq.

On April 20, the 2024-2025 New York state budget was approved, ushering in many significant changes employers should take note of. While some of the initial proposals did not make the final draft, there are three significant changes coming to New York that employers need to review.

Paid Prenatal Leave:

Taking effect on January 1, 2025, New York state private sector employers will be required to provide employees with 20 hours of paid prenatal leave each year, amending New York Labor Law § 196-b. Cut in half from the originally proposed 40 hours, this leave can be taken for health care services received by an employee during their pregnancy or related to such pregnancy, including physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provided related to the pregnancy.

One aspect to note is that this leave is separate from the existing hours of paid sick leave mandated by state law and can be used in hourly increments. Additionally, employees must be paid their regular rates of pay when using this leave.

Paid Breaks for Breast Milk Expression:

In a similar vein to prenatal leave, Governor Hochul also proposed adding paid break time to express breast milk throughout the day. Currently, New York laws allow employees to take reasonable unpaid breaks for this purpose at least once every three hours, or as the employee may reasonably desire. But as of June 19, 2024, employers are required to provide paid 30-minute breaks for this reason, amending New York Labor Law § 206-c.

Banking Briefs:

March 17, 2024

Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Arleen Girard, Candice Healy and David Riihimaki to Senior Vice President.

“We are excited to recognize Arleen, Candice and Dave for their accomplishments within the Arrow Family of Companies,” said President and CEO Dave DeMarco. “Their knowledge and experience will help lead our continued growth and excellent customer experience.”

Each will continue in their management roles for Saratoga National Bank and Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, part of the Arrow Family of Companies.

Girard, Senior Vice President, Director of Business Services, joined the company in 2014 and oversees municipal banking and cash management services. She is responsible for developing and managing opportunities for revenue growth including deposits, merchant and payroll services and credit cards. Girard earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Le Moyne College.

Healy, Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Banking, joined the company in 2012 and oversees the Arrow Family of Companies branch network of 37 branches in a footprint of more than 160 miles along the eastern border of New York state. She is also responsible for leading and developing the branch teams to further expand customer relationships. Healy is a 2016 Leadership Adirondack graduate with more than 20 years of experience in retail banking. She is currently pursuing a degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Business Briefs: March 2024

March 17, 2024

The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, in partnership with the Saratoga Springs Public Library, is excited to announce the launch of their spring 2024 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series. This community lecture series is designed to highlight the rich history, culture, and traditions of our city.

All Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series programs are free and open to the public. Each program takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Attendees are encouraged to check the library website for more information and guidelines https://www.sspl.org.

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Corinne Scirocco and Heather Mabee, officers of the Saratoga Springs Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), will discuss the storied life of Ellen Hardin Walworth and her passion for preserving the history of Saratoga Springs and its veterans.

This Women’s History Month program will take place on Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more. For additional information or to register for the virtual program visitwww.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030. Everyone who pre-registers for this program will be emailed a Zoom link in advance and will receive a link to the recording.

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The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the next event in its Dunkerley Dialogue series will be Thursday, March 21, at 7 pm, featuring artist Yvette Molina and Adam Tinkle, Skidmore College Associate Professor of Media and Film Studies and Director of the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS). The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080 or visithttps://tang.skidmore.edu.

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Personnel Briefs: January 2024

January 22, 2024

Roohan Realty has announced that Laura Creazzo has joined the team as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.

Ms. Creazzo was born in Kansas and has lived in five different U.S. states, Holland, and Germany as her dad is a retired Army Major. She graduated summa cum laude from Thomas University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Before moving to Saratoga Springs in 2023, she spent 11 years in Enterprise, Alabama, where she owned a bakery and a real estate brokerage, Wiregrass Home Heroes.

Over the last three years she has had 166 successful real estate transactions and has been an active real estate investor. She specializes in residential real estate and is certified in military relocation. She has four children, enjoys spending time with family and going to the theater.

Ms. Creazzo can be reached at 518.796.4399 or laura@roohanrealty.com.

Roohan Realty, a tradition of excellence and trust since 1969, is now celebrating 54 years of successfully serving the community’s residential and commercial property needs. Located at 519 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, Roohan Realty is the largest locally based and family-owned real estate company in the area with over 50 professionally licensed agents.

Coworking And Flexible Spaces Significant Part Of Office Trends In The Coming Year

January 22, 2024January 23, 2024

Dorothy Rogers-Bullis is owner and president of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.

By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis

The keyword in workspace design for 2024 is going to be “flexibility.” Employees and employers alike are looking for solutions that give them an array of design, construction, and furniture options to choose from. A few examples:

Operable walls for multi-use spaces

In today’s work environment, putting 22 chairs around a conference table and only using the room for that one purpose is a waste of space and ultimately money. Instead of dedicating office square footage to a single function — like a large conference room — a more cost-effective option is to find multiple ways to use that same space, and operable walls are one simple solution. These walls are easy to move and can be reconfigured to utilize a space in many ways. Turn an area into a multifunctional space for work, meetings, dining, parties, or even a multimedia room.

Recreate your downtown office at home

Few good things came out of the pandemic, but many employees would argue that there is one: the flexibility to work from home. More and more people are working remotely or in a hybrid environment where they are in the office for part of the week and working from home the remainder. Given that an increasing number of work hours are being spent in home offices, people are putting a greater emphasis on functionality. In some cases, hybrid workers are even recreating their “downtown” office at home, using the same furniture and design esthetic so that on a video call, customers wouldn’t know if they are at home or in the main office.