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...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , ,

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...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , , ,

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...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , , ,

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.

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...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Business, Entrepreneurs, Interview Tagged With: , , ,

Building a brighter NNY

October 13, 2012 By

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.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , ,

Growth through forethought

August 11, 2012 By

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.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , ,

Marketing NNY’s best-kept secrets

July 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

TI tourism director Gary S. DeYoung confident region will continue to attract

With all its natural splendor, many people say the north country is a best-kept secret. Since 1997, Wisconsin native Gary S. DeYoung has worked to share some of the secrets that attract thousands each year to the region’s fresh waterways and unspoiled assets. We sat down with Mr. DeYoung to talk about a part of NNY’s economy that, despite a slow-paced national economic recovery, is a bright spot.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , ,

20 Questions: Kathryn L. Mullaney, St. Lawrence University

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kathryn L. Mullaney, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of St. Lawrence University, Canton.

  • Age: 60
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, Union College, Schenectady. Graduate of the General Electric financial management program.
  • Career: Twenty years at General Electric, lastly as manager of finance for locations in Binghamton and Valley Forge. Eighteen years at St. Lawrence University in current position.
  • Family: Married to husband, Brian, two children ages 26 and 24, and a granddaughter, 5.
  • Last book read: “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back,” by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent.
    [Read more...]

Pages: 1 2 3

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , , , , , ,