Northern New York's Premier Business Monthly
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Executive Director Robert G. Horr III in his Collins Landing office. Norm Johnston/ NNY Business
When the Thousand Islands Bridge opened to traffic in 1938, connecting Northern New York to Canada, the nation’s interstates were still years away and the country was mired in the Great Depression. [Read more...]
Brian H. Murray, Washington Street Properties owner and president, in the lobby of the former Agricultural Insurance Co. building, Watertown. Norm Johnston/NNY Business
Real estate developer and Jefferson Community College business professor Brian H. Murray has his hands full. When he is not shaping young minds, he is brainstorming ways to revitalize downtown Watertown and Public Square. His latest purchases, the Lincoln Building and the Hospice of Jefferson County Building on Washington Street have garnered him increased interest from the community eager to know his plans. We sat down with Mr. Murray to talk about his plans for both buildings and his future in the north country.
NNYB: You moved to the north country in 2004 from Reston, Va. What was it about Watertown that drew you to the area?
MURRAY: I was living in the Adirondacks and I took some time off and enjoyed some substitute teaching and an opportunity came about at Jefferson Community College in the business division. I applied , took the position and moved to the Watertown area. [Read more...]
Robert R. Sturtz, president and CEO of Slack Chemical Co., in his Carthage office. Photo by Amanda Morrison/NNY Business.
In 1986 Robert R. Sturtz bought Slack Chemical Co. in Carthage at the age of 52. Some 27 years later, the man widely known for generously giving to his community shows few signs of slowing down. With 80 now in his sights, he continues to oversee daily operations at the chemical warehousing and distribution firm. We sat down with him to see what fuels his drive.
NNYB: In its own right, Slack Chemical is a family firm. Who from your family is involved with the business?
STURTZ: My daughter Mary is here as vice president and runs the office as well as her husband, Michael, who is an excellent mechanical repair and design man and works on equipment. Their sons, Michael, a graduate of Clarkson University with a mechanical engineering degree and his brother, Paul, are here and do a number of other things. [Read more...]
JCC President Carole A. McCoy in her campus office. Photo by Norm Johnston/NNY Business.
In 2006, Carole A. McCoy moved from Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Md., to Watertown’s Jefferson Community College where she became only the fifth person — and the first woman — to serve as college president. We spoke with her about her first six years in the north country, women in business and what she hopes to still accomplish at the school.
NNYB: What’s it like to serve as the first woman president of JCC? Has there been anything unique about your experience?
MCCOY: There have only been five presidents of Jefferson and I’m the first woman. I just had my six-year anniversary. There are a lot of strong women leaders in this community. At first people talked about it like it was a novelty or something, but I just don’t notice anything. [Read more...]
Darrin R. Prance, founder of North American Tapes, Watertown, in his office. Photo by Amanda Morrison/NNY Business.
In 2004, Darrin R. Prance and business partner Martin J. LeMoine launched North American Tapes LLC in Watertown, with Mr. Prance serving as company president, Mr. LeMoine as vice president of sales, and a dozen employees. In nine short years, the firm has doubled its work force — and its footprint. Mr. Prance talks about the journey and his firm’s bright future. [Read more...]
Dr. Noaman Sanni, founder of the Center for Sight, in his Watertown medispa.
Nearly 15 years ago, Center for Sight’s Dr. Noaman Sanni opened his first office in Watertown. Since, he’s expanded to three counties, growing his practice to six offices across the north country, adding locations in Massena, Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Gouverneur and Lowville. A skilled eye surgeon, his latest innovation is a medispa, a veritable one-stop-shop for cosmetic procedures.
NNYB: You are originally from Pakistan and attended school in the Midwest, what brought you to Northern New York?
SANNI: I graduated from medical school in Pakistan and came to Berkeley, Calif., where my younger brother was going to school and I decided to do my medical equivalency exams and decided to stay here. After I finished exams, I went to New York and did a residency there and then moved to Chicago. I was approached for a position here [in Northern New York], so I said, ‘Let me try Watertown.’ After that I was director of a laser center in Manhattan but then I decided not to follow through with that. I enjoyed the patients here more than I did in New York City. I thought I could offer a lot more here. Even though we were just a one-person practice here, we had five employees and a small office. [Read more...]
At Clarkson’s Reh Center, Director Marc Compeau develops problem solvers
Marc S. Compeau, director of Clarkson's Reh Center for Entrepreneurship, in his office at Clarkson. Photo by Jason Hunter.
Clarkson University is on the cutting edge of a lot of things these days. Once known primarily as an engineering school, in recent years, officials have sought to leverage technical strengths to create opportunities in business, innovation and entrepreneurship. We sat down with the director of Clarkson’s Reh Center for Entrepreneurship to learn how it has become an influential and relevant force in north country business.
Michael E. Lundy, president of LUNCO Corp., discusses his firms’ latest projects in his Carthage office. Photo by Justin Sorensen/NNY Business.
For Carthage native Michael E. Lundy, good development is a personal story
Michael E. Lundy sees the north country differently than many large-scale developers. Some 50 years ago, his father started LUNCO Corp. as a carpenter, mainly taking on remodeling jobs. Today, the Carthage native continues in a tradition of quality he learned while working beside his father. With several projects now in various stages, LUNCO is poised to see its best year ever in 2013.
Michael J. Hawthorne, president of the New York Air Brake, in his Watertown office. Photo by Norm Johnston.
New York Air Brake boasts a storied history in Northern New York, at one point employing thousands to manufacture train and truck brakes. Today the firm remains a vital part of the region’s economic landscape. On July 1, 18-year NYAB veteran Michael J. Hawthorne, a Harrisville native, assumed the job of president. We sat down with Mr. Hawthorne for his first in-depth interview since he moved into the top post.
Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center, outlines how the Watertown hospital has made it through the economic downturn by having a sustainable business model. Photo by Norm Johnston.
Hospital chief believes steady, strategic planning helped navigate in tough times
The Samaritan Medical Center campus has been in a constant state of flux for more than five years, adding a parking garage, new pavilion, connector to Samaritan Keep Home and dozens of interior renovations, costing in total more than $61 million. We sat down with Samaritan President and CEO, Thomas H. Carman to find out how the hospital has been able to achieve such growth in a dicey economic climate.