When Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the protocols for opening ski resorts during the on-going pandemic, he took the opportunity to boast about what New York State has to offer winter sports enthusiasts but he might have spotlighted the resorts for another reason. After securing nearly $240 million in funding to modernize and expand the facilities read more
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The Glass is Always Half Full
Many businesses experienced the nightmare of furloughing their employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Garvey Hyundai was no exception. Marc Garvey, co-owner of Hyundai dealerships throughout Upstate New York, described the day he had to lay off 112 employees as, “One of the worst days of my life.” To Garvey, his employees are like read more
Nature is the Best Medicine
Driving under a canopy of pristine woodland dripping amber, crimson and honeyed old-gold leaves, I arrived at Point Au Roche Lodge on a glorious autumn afternoon. Nestled in its surroundings, the Lodge’s sophisticated Adirondack architecture blends into its natural environment. Serenaded by joyfully singing birds, chirping squirrels and an impressive array of perennials (including eye-catching read more
Strong Leadership During Unprecedented Times
Despite his busy schedule during SUNY Plattsburgh’s fall reopening, Dr. Alexander Enyedi, President, agreed to an interview with Strictly Business where he shared his approach to leadership, lessons learned during 2020 spring semester and his vision for the future. Your first semester here could certainly be divided into a “before” COVID and “after”. What in read more
BRICKS, MORTAR & COMMUNITY
When Maggie Pope began working as a teller at the Peru Federal Credit Union (PFCU) in 2005 the financial cooperative was tucked into a tiny space behind the McDonald’s restaurant on the Bear Swamp Road. “It was so small,” she reminisced. Since that time the PFCU has received a community charter and Pope has gone read more
LEADERSHIP &PLANNING
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS LEFT MUCH IN ITS WAKE. THE WORD SOCIAL SEEMS UNFINISHED IF IT ISN’T FOLLOWED BY THE WORD DISTANCING. BUT NOT TOO CLOSE — SIX FEET APART AT LEAST. FOR MANY OF US OUR HOMES HAVE BECOME OUR WORKPLACE, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO DEFEND US FROM AN INVISIBLE, POTENTIALLY LETHAL, ENEMY. read more
Happy Anniversary to Us
THE FIRST ISSUE OF STRICTLY BUSINESS ROLLED OFF THE PRESS ON THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990. WHAT PRECEDED THAT AUSPICIOUS DAY WAS MORE THAN A YEAR OF RESEARCH, BRAINSTORMING AND PLANNING. WE PUT TOGETHER A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, OUTLINED OUR PLAN AND ASKED FOR THEIR INPUT. ALL WERE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AND ENCOURAGED US TO read more
A Focus on Women
When I asked Dr. Susan Rech what brought her to Plattsburgh, she explained: “In the late 1980s, in the midst of completing my residence training in Philadelphia, I put my name on several bulletin boards (1980s job-search technology), and was called by a recruiter from CVPH Medical Center. Since I grew up in a small read more
Share Holders of the North Country
30 Years Ago… Chuck Racette was operating a real estate office and building homes in Plattsburgh. He is now happily retired. Neil Fesette, owner/broker of Fesette Realty, was a senior at RIT majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management, playinga final season of basketball, and working part-time jobs to pay the bills. Deena Giltz McCullough was read more
Carrying On A Family Tradition
The Beekmantown property where Todd Giroux currently milks 79 cows has been in his family for 52 years. His father, Joe Giroux, the oldest of 10 children, grew up on a farm just a few miles away. When he graduated from high school a farm down the road was vacant, so Joe made a deal read more