Kirk S. Gilchrist in his office at New Life Christian Church, Watertown. Mr. Gilchrist, a Detroit native, came to the north country 17 years ago and has grown the church to 900 members. He also owns six businesses. Norm Johnston / NNY Business
20Q: Thomas Burns, SLC-Lewis BOCES
October 11, 2013 By
Thomas R. Burns, St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES district superintendent, in his Canton office. Mr. Burns has been in the job for the past five years, after working as a social studies teacher, principal and superintendent. Jason Hunter/NNY Business
In tough fiscal climate, BOCES is a vital resource for rural schools [Read more...]
20Q: Ken Carmon, Bay Brokerage
September 6, 2013 By
Bay Brokerage president Kenneth M. Carmon in the conference room of his firm’s new headquarters near Alexandra Bay. Mr. Carmon supports Jefferson County’s plan to develop an industrial park at the airport. Norm Johnston/ NNY Business
Nearly a decade since founding, Bay Brokerage positioned to grow [Read more...]
20Q: Denise K. Young
August 8, 2013 By
Denise K. Young, Executive Director of Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, in her Washington Street office. Mrs. Young has been with the organization since 2007 when it first had staff. Justin Sorensen/ NNY Business
Targeting gaps in region’s health: FDRHPO director sees value in data analysis [Read more...]
20 Q: James P. Scordo, Credo Community Center
July 12, 2013 By
James P. Scordo, Executive Director of Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addiction. Photo by Justin Sorensen/ NNY Business
Credo director says overall wellness, integrity key to healthy community
After leading Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions for more than two decades, Executive Director James P. Scordo, 55, reflects on the success of the organization’s treatment model as it celebrates its 40th year. Despite the challenges facing nonprofits, Mr. Credo believes a healthy community can be built and sustained through a focus on an individual’s overall wellness. Credo will hold an anniversary celebration on Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown.
NNYB: What qualities do you think are important for any leader?
SCORDO: A CEO kind of has to be a jack of all trades, but you need to be a foundation. You need to be a person of integrity—you need to be honest with your clients, your employees ans the people you interact with. You need to be able to lead but step aside and let people do their jobs. You need to empower employees and provide opportunities to grow. The team approach is crucial. As a leader, I look at myself almost like a coach. The best thing I can do is hire good people and surround myself with good people that will help us make the best decisions. We look for quality employees that value the language of our organization and that are going to make a difference in people’s lives.
NNYB: How are you funded?
SCORDO: We get a third of our funds from the state, then we rely on county funds, United Way dollars, donations and various fundraisers. [Read more...]
20 Q: Robert G. Horr, TI Bridge Authority
June 13, 2013 By
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Executive Director Robert G. Horr III in his Collins Landing office. Norm Johnston/ NNY Business
As TI Bridge turns 75, Authority Director Robert Horr III looks ahead
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.
In its first year, the bridge saw roughly 94,000 vehicle crossings. Some 75 years later, annual vehicle traffic tops 2 million and the agency that operates the bridge — Thousand Islands Bridge Authority — also manages Boldt Castle. We sat down with TIBA Director Robert G. Horr III to learn how things have changed.
NNYB: You have such a varied background. How did you get your start in this business?
HORR: Certainly it’s something I had an interest in. I wanted to come back to the area — I had a wife and three small children who were still living here and we hadn’t made the move yet. This job became available and I applied and interviewed and here I am. It was interesting to me for a lot of reasons, especially the international aspect. The organization is international not only at the board level, but at the employee level. All the things you do as an employer, you do twice. Given my human resource background, I thought that was fascinating. I knew the U.S. pretty well, but I didn’t know the Canadian side at all. And it is different. Right now there are 63 full-time employees — the split is about 40 American and 23 Canadian. The reason it’s not 50-50 is that the administrative function is all on the American side. That’s not to say we don’t have Canadians working over here, because we do. In fact, our head of operations and maintenance is Canadian and our total operations manager is Canadian. They go back and forth all day long. We’re constantly going back and forth. The border is a minor inconvenience. [Read more...]
20Q: Brian H. Murray, Washington Street Properties
May 31, 2013 By
Success on the Square: For Washington Street Properties developer, risks lead to big rewards
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...]
20Q: Robert R. Sturtz, Slack Chemical Co.
April 9, 2013 By
The right chemistry: Employing the best team is crucial for Slack Chemical Co. president, CEO
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...]
20Q: Carole A. McCoy, president of Jefferson Community College
March 6, 2013 By
Blazing a new trail
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...]
A recipe that sticks
February 4, 2013 By
Nearly 10 years after production started, North American Tapes growing
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...]