Category Archives: Personnel Briefs

Capital Bank, a division of Chemung Canal Trust Company, announced that Tracey L. Wardwell, assistant vice president and Saratoga County retail manager, was named 2021 Banker of the Year by Pursuit Community Finance, formerly known as NYBDC.  

The award, presented to Wardwell by Pursuit Vice President Nicole Scribner, recognizes outstanding dedication to the small business community.

Wardwell joined the company in 2018 and currently oversees Capital Bank’s branch offices in Clifton Park and Wilton. 

Wardwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics, from St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

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Arrow Financial Corp. has promoted named executive officers David S. DeMarco, David D. Kaiser, Edward J. Campanella and Andrew J. Wise to senior executive vice presidents of Arrow and its subsidiary banks as a reflection of the company’s strong operational and financial performance.

Each will continue in their primary roles overseeing the management of critical functions for Arrow, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. and Saratoga  National Bank and Trust Co.

In addition to serving as chief banking officer of Arrow and Glens Falls National Bank,  DeMarco is president and CEO of Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co.

Campanella continues as treasurer and chief financial officer, Kaiser continues as chief credit officer, and Wise continues as chief operating officer, each for Arrow and its two banks.

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Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. announced the appointment of Kasey Norton, assistant vice president and branch manager, to the South Glens Falls Office. 

She was previously branch manager of both the Aviation Road and Exit 18 offices.

In her expanded role, she will oversee operations, supervise staff and develop business and personal banking relationships for the South Glens Falls Office. She brings more than 10 years of financial services experience to the position.

Norton is active in her community and serves as an advisory board member of the Salvation Army of Glens Falls, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles – Aerie 2486, and an Auxiliary member of the American Legion Post 574.

Norton is originally from Glens Falls and currently lives in Hudson Falls.

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The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) said two staff members are the recipients of this year’s Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award presented by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.

LGLC communications and outreach manager Sarah Hoffman and land steward Alex Novick  received the award on Dec. 13.

Named after long-time WCSWCD Board Member Ronald Montesi who died in 2019, the award “is provided to individuals who have taken the initiative to improve their environment and developed partnerships in their community. The District is committed to recognizing those people who we have worked with to provide new conservation opportunities and enhance existing programs.”

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The editors of Graphic Design USA have announced the winners of the American Graphic Design Awards for 2021, among those a graphic design and marketing consultant from Queensbury.

Jake Van Ness of Graphic Precision won for the design created for Simon’s Heating & Cooling, also of Queensbury. The design created was a direct mail piece specifically used for Every Door Direct Mail and was created to list the services provided by Simon’s. Working with the client, it was decided on to make the design resemble a pizza menu with the services listed as “entrees” and the add-ons available listed as “appetizers.”

“It is wonderful to be recognized by peers in the graphic design industry and to specifically have this unique design in the spotlight on a national stage,” said Van Ness.

Graphic Precision is an independent graphic design and marketing consulting business created in 2007 and Van Ness has over 20 years of experience in the graphic design, printing and marketing industries. His business specializes in graphic design for print including direct mail, stationery, publication design, marketing collateral, package design and branding.

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Associates of Glens Falls Insurance announced the hiring of its newest commercial lines account manager, Lisa DeWitt.

Mrs. DeWitt holds a New York state insurance agents’ license and has been an active member of our local insurance community for over 30 years, in a variety of commercial insurance roles.

She has also earned the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.

Mrs. DeWitt lives in Fort Ann.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County announced the hiring of two new employees, Kali DeMarco and Rebecca Devaney.

DeMarco, a graduate from Green Mountain College, is the farm-to-school coordinator. Her focus will be to strengthening partnerships between local food producers and area public schools in Warren and Washington counties. The objective of this program is to connect locally grown, fresh, healthy foods to schools and to teach students the importance of healthy eating in an educational setting.

DeMarco will also work to create and implement the Harvest of the Month program, which highlights a different local product each month.

After graduating from Green Mountain College, DeMarco earned a B.S in natural resource management and a B.A. in animal care and conservation, focusing on law and policy. Before her time at CCE, DeMarco worked at The Wild Center, a natural history museum in the Adirondacks.

Devaney, a graduate of Siena College and currently perusing her M.S. in Agriculture and Plant Health Management from Washington State University, is the new community horticulture coordinator.

She will oversee Warren County’s master gardener volunteer program, and assists with related programs for CCE Saratoga. She will also deliver educational programs and resources on diverse community-based horticulture topics.

Devaney is originally from Long Island, spent her undergraduate years studying environmental science at Siena College. She went on to spend five years working as an educator at the Queens and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, where she received a certificate in horticulture.

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NBT Bank announced Mark Sidoti has joined the company as a community banker.

He is based at the NBT office located at 295 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

As community banker, Sidoti will be responsible for managing customer relationships and serving as a financial partner for the Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls region.

Sidoti brings more than 30 years of business development and sales experience in the telecommunications, payroll, outsourcing, and employee benefits industries.

An active member of the community, he serves as the treasurer of the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation board, and as an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

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Upstate Agency LLC announced that Kevin Rucinski recently joined the team as commercial lines practice leader.

Rucinski will be responsible for the management, leadership and growth of the commercial lines division, including oversight of day-to-day operations, projects and profitability goals. He will develop and execute both strategic and tactical plans to ensure long-term success, client retention and growth of the commercial lines practice.

Rucinski brings more than 14 years of insurance experience in the greater Capital Region to the company.

He is certified through the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) as a construction risk insurance specialist (CRIS), and through the National Underwriter Company as a commercial lines coverage specialist (CLCS). He is licensed with the New York State Department of Financial Services as a property and casualty insurance agent/broker.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. He currently lives in Wilton.

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The Arrow Family of Companies announced the appointment of Blake Jones, vice president and director of marketing, to senior vice president for Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. and Upstate Agency LLC.

As part of the senior leadership team,  Jones will be responsible for all activities related to the Arrow Family of Companies branding, marketing, communications and community outreach and development.

Jones joined the company in 2012, was named director of marketing in 2017 and vice president in 2018. She has more than 15 years of experience in communications and marketing.

Shes earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Washington and Lee University. She is active in the community serving on various local nonprofit committees including the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network.

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Associates of Glens Falls Insurance  announced the hiring of Carol Taylor as commercial lines assistant account manager.

Taylor spent over 20-years working on the provider side for a human services agency in Texas.  She transitioned into the insurance arena five years ago and attained her New York State insurance agent license after moving to the area in 2019.

Taylor, of Queensbury, also holds the certified insurance service representative (CISR) designation.

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