February - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

and Governor David Paterson, and thesteadfast support of its business community.”Previous recipients of the Envoy Saluteinclude: The Golub Family (2009),William Kennedy (2008), Jack Aernecke(2007), Joseph L. Bruno (2006), Carl E.Touhey (2005), Richard C. Liebich(2004), Dr. Karen R. Hitchcock (2003),Wallace Altes (2002), Alan Goldberg(2001), Dr. Roland Schmitt (1999), JohnEgan (1998), Joseph Bulmer/LouisVaccaro (1997), Fred Field (1996), Mattand Phoebe Bender (1995), ThomasWhalen (1994) and Donald McKay(1993).Arthur R.Kapner Spiritof theChamberAwardNehme FrangieVice President ofPartnerships &OperationsVicarious Visions,Inc.Nehme Frangie spearheads businessdevelopment, operations and partnershipsfor Vicarious Visions, an ActivisionBlizzard company, located in Menands.For the past 10 years, he has helpedtransition what was started as a small studiofounded at a college incubator into athriving company with more than 200employees. The company has become aninternationally recognized video gamedeveloper, producing hit titles based ontop entertainment brands such as GuitarHero, Spider-Man and Tony Hawk.Frangie is actively involved in theTech Valley community as a volunteerand mentor. He served as the keynotespeaker at the graduation of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber’sEntrepreneurial Assistance Program forthe past two classes, and for the past severalyears was a mentor for theGenNEXT Council, a joint initiative ofthe Albany-Colonie Regional Chamberand the Chamber of SchenectadyCounty.He has hosted GenNEXT, ExecutiveInstitute, Leadership Tech Valley andTeacher Externship events and is on theplanning committee for the Hop Scotchand Slide fundraiser for Seton Health, aswell as other charity events at whichVicarious Visions regularly donates gamebundles to auction.“Nehme’s personal involvement isan incredible asset to our Chamber,”said Mark Eagan, president and CEOof the Albany-Colonie RegionalChamber. “His career with VicariousVisions has taken him around theworld, yet he has maintained an extraordinarilystrong commitment to theCapital Region, in general, and theChamber, in particular, helping othersbecome successful and mentoring othersto show appreciation to those whohelped him along his career path.”Before beginning his career in thevideo game industry in the mid-1990s,Frangie owned a jewelry business that hestarted when he was 23. He holds apatent for a diamond measuring devicehe invented and brought to market.Frangie earned his bachelor’s degree inBusiness Management & Economicsfrom Empire State College and an associate’sdegree in Marketing from HudsonValley Community College.“I am deeply honored to be recognizedby the Albany-Colonie RegionalChamber with such a meaningfulaward,” Frangie said. “Through theChamber, I have been able to meetinsightful and creative people and connectwith other members to learn moreabout ways we can all give back to thecommunity.”Previous recipients of the Spirit ofthe Chamber Award include: JohnMurray (2009), Robert Wakeman(2008), Jan Smith (2007), Linda Hill(2006), Karl Johnson (2005), RichardKotlow (2004), James Howe (2003),Kevin McCoy (2001), Ken Colloton(1999), Dean Rueckert (1998), PamelaSawchuk Brown (1997), William Clay(1996), Gary Smith (1995), MikeHickey (1994), Larry Miller (1993)and Charlotte Buchanan (1992).The Chamber thanks NBT Bank,the major sponsor of the AnnualDinner, and Working Pictures Inc.,the video sponsor. Corporate sponsorshipopportunities are available. Formore information, contact CarissaRosato, events and program manager,at 518.431.1438 or carissar@acchamber.org.=View the entire list of ChamberMembers at acchamber.orgnew membersNew Chamberinvestors…Chamber members are encouragedto do business with each other. Pleaseadd these companies to your list ofprospective customers and suppliersA Calculated SolutionBookkeeping ServicesBaker Public Relations, Inc.Public Relations Counselorsblue.0, Smart Marketing forProfessionalsMarketing ConsultantsBob’s Diner – WatervlietRestaurantsBryans & Gramuglia CPAsCertified Public AccountantsCamp OnawayCampsCapital District BeginningEarly Intervention Provider-Preschool Special EducationCapital Valley Sports &Entertainment, Inc., Alb. LegendsBasketball, ProfessionalCarissa CeremoniesReverends & MinistersCeltic ToursTravel Agencies & BureausCenter for EmploymentOpportunitiesNonprofit, EmploymentClickbasics Internet MarketingInternet Marketing ServicesCSX TransportationTransportation CompaniesDanker FloristFlorists, RetailDave’s Glass, Inc.Glass, Auto, Plate, WindowJoe Yoga, Inc.Health & Wellness ProgramsJoseph Roche Accounting & TaxServicesTax Return PreparationKalos K’Agathon, Inc.Marketing & InvestmentKay Bond EnterprisesMusic Arrangers &ComposersLoving LabelsMarketing ConsultantsMary Elizabeth McCaffreyTitle Companies & AgentsMishka Luft Papercut ArtArtistsDavid Mitola, DDS, LLCDentistsNetwork Experts of New YorkInformation TechnologyConsultantThe Pike Company, Inc.Contractors, GeneralPinnacle Recruiting and HRSolutionsRecruitingPort of Coeymans MarineTerminalPortsProfessional Women’s NetworkNonprofitScisci ArtArtistsStone & Youngberg, LLCInvestment ManagersTele-ClientTelephone On-Hold AudioServicesTravel Health 101, LLCTravel Industry HealthcareConsultantJoan M. Zinter CPO, OTR/LConsultantsFebruary 2010 | VISIONS | 25