February - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Board of DirectorsOfficersChairman ofthe BoardJ. Kenneth Desmond*The Desmond Hotel &Conference CenterChair-ElectAlan J. Krafchin*Center for DisabilityServicesPresident and CEOMark N. Eagan*Albany-ColonieRegional Chamber ofCommerceDirectorsCandace AdamsGrossjohannNYS Department of HealthWalé F. AdeosunRensselaer PolytechnicInstituteThomas L. AmellFirst Niagara BankMarri K. Aviza*Rumors Day Spaand Hair SalonJames J. BarbaAlbany Medical CenterJohn D. BennettCapital District Physicians’Health PlanKenneth L. BlassBlass Communications, LLCSonny Bonacio*Bonacio Construction, IncMark J. BreslinTurner ConstructionCompanyJames W. ColeBST Advisors, LLCDiane Conroy-LaCivitaHarmony House MarketplaceJaney DygertBechtel Marine PropulsionCorporationRobert GaitoSolutionSetElaine Hannay GruenerHannay Reels, Inc.Richard E. HonenPhillips Lytle, LLPImmediatePast ChairMichael T. Keegan*M&T BankChair, FinanceTimothy F. Pierce*Stulmaker Kohn &RichardsonSecretaryI. Norman Massry*Tri City RentalsLegal CounselKara Conway Love*Law Office of KaraConway LoveStephen R. JanackCollege of NanoscaleScience and EngineeringRichard G. Kotlow*UHY Advisors NY, LLPWilliam Lia, Jr.*Lia Auto Group Inc. /Gold’s GymPhilip MorrisProctorsAnn C. MoynihanDocument Strategies, IncKevin J. Mullen, OFMSiena CollegeKevin O’Connor*Tech Valley CommunicationsRyan O’DonnellBullEx Digital SafetyThomas QuickGE EnergyMel QuinlanOberlander GroupAndrew C. RoseNixon Peabody, LLPKay Stafford*CMA Consulting, IncJeffrey D. StoneKeyBankMichele L. VennardAlbany County Convention&Visitors BureauMarcia J. WhiteSaratoga PerformingArts CenterAs you read this issue of Visions, you’llnotice that we’ve made several changes toits look and feel.The content and layout of the articlesthemselves is, hopefully, more reader-friendly,making for a more engaging, welcoming read.We will continue to profile Chambermembers in our articles, but we’re aiming tobroaden our perspectives in 2010.Instead of devoting entire issues toprimarily to one theme, each issue now willcontain articles based on several differenttopics, such as family-owned businesses,long-time Chamber members, customerservice and workplace culture.It’s our hope that this approach will include a wider variety of our membershipand not limit any one issue to a particular field, industry or area of expertise.In this issue, for example, we profile Time Warner Cable and its new “Connect aMillion Minds” initiative, aimed at inspiring more students — especially young girls — topursue studies in science, technology, engineering and math.As you’ll see, Time Warner Cable — a Chamber member for more than 35 years— does more than just provide digital cable, Internet and phone services to TechValley; the company is shaping young minds and making a difference in the lives oftomorrow’s scientists, researchers and engineers.Did you know that the newest port in the Capital Region was once the home of theoldest brick manufacturer in New York state, a company that produced tens of millionsof bricks annually, beginning in the late 1880s?Today, the Port of Coeymans Marine Terminal is a thriving, modern port,thanks to Eli Weiss and Carver Laraway. Read their story, and learn how twobusiness partners and trusted friends have transformed this location 10 milessouth of Albany on the upper Hudson River into a successful, modern-day commercialventure.Family-owned businesses have a unique dynamic, to say the least. Just ask DaveSands, who has started several family-owned businesses himself, including DorsetPartners LLC.He and his son, Jeff, specialize in assisting family-owned companies and preparingthem for the transition of leadership from one generation to the next. See what advicethey have for family-owned business owners when it comes to strategic planning,succession planning and maintaining the balance between work and family.We hope you enjoy reading Visions. I’d welcome any comments or suggestions atmarke@acchamber.org.=Mark N. Eagan, CCEPresident and CEOAlbany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerecepresident’s perspective*Denotes Executive Committee memberFebruary 2010 | VISIONS | 3