Klaas
DeWaard was honored with a certificate of appreciation
at the December 2008 After Hours as our After Hours
Ambassador. Klaas rarely misses this monthly event,
always has his business cards ready and is a friendly
face to newcomers. Thank you Klaas!
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce
Press Release
For Immediate Release
From: Cynthia Oswald
Date: 12/17/08
Re:
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Announces New
Chairwoman and 2009 Board 0f Directors
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2009
Chairwoman and Board of Directors Livingston County
Annual Meeting December 12th at the Valley Oak Event
Center in Geneseo
The
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to
announce Bonnie Swanson, manager of Key Bank Geneseo
has been elected to serve as Chairwoman of the Board
for 2009. Bonnie has been a member of the chamber board
since 2003 and has served as treasurer of the board
and co-chair of the small business committee prior to
serving as vice-chair the past two years. She is an
active member of the Livingston County community, involved
in the Geneseo Rotary and last year led a successful
campaign as chairwoman for the Livingston County United
Way.
Serving
with Bonnie as the Chamber's newly elected Executive
Committee for 2009 are: Bill Bacon, Five Star Bank -
Vice-Chairman, John Quinlan, Quinlan's Pharmacy and
Medical Equipment - Secretary, Tracy Ingraham, Steuben
Trust Company - Treasurer, and Carl Lutz, Protection
Savings & Growth Consulting - Past Chairman.
The
membership of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce
has also elected three new area business leaders to
serve on the 2009 Board of Directors. Our newly elected
directors are: Matt Cole - Commodity Resource Corporation,
Art Hatton - SUNY Geneseo Foundation (retired), Helen
Zamboni - Underberg & Kessler, LLP.
The
Chamber would like to thank out going board members:
Gary Blythe - Image City Interiors, Steve Boscoe - Padgett
Business Services, Les Cole - Commodity Resource Services,
Jim Coniglio - Underberg & Kessler, LLP, Walt Isaac
- Eastman Kodak (retired), Tim McMahon - Catholic Charities
(retired).
The
balance of the board for 2008 is made up of existing
board members serving three-year terms: Virginia Amico
- Liv. Co. Board of Supervisors Designee, Phil Brooks
- Livingston County IDA, Matt Gaynor - Bank of Castile,
Kathryn Hollinger - Genesee Valley Council on the Arts,
George Kuyon - Deer Run Winery, Phyllis Meyer - Dairy
Knoll Farms, Sue O'Hearn - O'Hearn Machine & Tool,
Corp., Patrick Rountree - Livingston County Economic
Development, Mike Schinski, SUNY Geneseo, and Jim Wissler,
Noyes Memorial Hospital.
With
over thirty programs and initiatives and one of the
lowest dues structures in Western New York, the Chamber
Board of Directors is charged with formulating and directing
policy for the organization.
For
more information on how you can become a member of the
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce at 243-2222. Information
is also available on our website, www.livingstoncountychamber.com
.
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce
Press Release - For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Cynthia Oswald - President
2008
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce George Traber
Community Service Goes to Walt Isaac!
The
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Award Nomination
Committee, which was headed by Tim McMahon and included
Kathryn Hollinger, Eric Barnard, Matt Gaynor and Julie
Marshall, honors Walt Isaac as the second annual recipient
of the George Traber Community Service Award. The award
is named after George Traber, a dedicated community
volunteer who passed away this past summer. George was
one of the founding fathers of the Chamber, Chairman
of the Livingston County IDA, Chairman of the Livingston
County United Way Board, a life-long member of the Boy
Scouts and the 2006 New York State Economic Development
Volunteer of the Year.
The committee developed criteria, screened nominations
and weighed them against the criteria for the award.
Selection
criteria for the award included:
The
nominee should display evidence of leadership, volunteerism,
and service to Livingston County.
The
nominee should evidence contributions that led to
significant change or improvements to the community.
The
nominee should evidence a commitment to volunteerism
and civic engagement over a period of time, with specific
examples provided to support the nomination
It
was this process that brought the Chamber to Walt Isaac
...
Whether
it's a charity golf tournament for the Chamber or Catholic
Charities, selling ads, getting sponsors and of course
playing Walt is always there to lend a hand. Even taking
down the hole sponsor signs each year when everyone's
tired and just wants to go home.
Serving
on the Livingston County IDA Board, the Catholic Charities
Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board and Co-Chairing
the Chamber's Small Business Committee he is an example
of how one man can impact his community.
Walt
is a very active member of St. Mark's Church and for
years an advocate for Conesus Lake and the lakeshore
community. He and Dick Palermo were instrumental in
helping establish priorities for the cleanup of Conesus
Lake.
These
are just a few of the reasons Walt has made Livingston
County a better place to live.
His
leadership and civic engagement has inspired others
and is the benchmark in our community. I think Steve
Harrison said it best when he said, "Walt is a
man of principle through and through - the perfect gentleman.
Walt also received certificates from NYS Senator Dale
Volker, NYS Senator Catharine Young, NYS Assemblyman
Dan Burling, NYS Assemblyman Joseph Errigo. Congratulation's
Walt!
Leadership
Livingston visits the GV BOCES CG May Center in Mount
Morris on December 11th.
Leaders are impressed with the level of skill
students exhibit restoring vehicles.
Leaders board school bus for visit to construction
site. Many leaders haven't been on a school
bus in twenty years.
Animal Science is always a favorite. Lots of
hands-on learning. The Leaders love
Doggie Daycare!
The home site filled with hard working students
really shows the Leaders how GV BOCES
connects with the community. "The Students
build the whole thing?" is asked again and again.
Gary
Cox (shown here with his wife Shirley and Livingston
County Tourism Director, Lisa Burns) was awarded the
2008 William Pryor Letchworth Excellence in Tourism
Award at the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce
2nd Annual Tourism Harvest Luncheon November 2008.
Cynthia
Oswald, President of the Livingston County Chamber of
Commerce Receives
Certificate of Completion from Institute for
Organization Management, Nonprofit Leadership Program
produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Geneseo
- Cynthia Oswald, president of the Livingston County
Chamber of Commerce recently completed Institute for
Organization Management (Institute), an intensive nonprofit
leadership training program held at Villanova University
in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
The
industry leader in nonprofit education, Institute is
a four year program, held at five sites each year—four
in the summer and one in the winter. Most participants
attend the one-week sessions at the same site each year,
building valuable relationships with others in the industry
and creating a network of idea sharing. Through a combination
of required courses and electives, students not only
enhance their own organizational management skills but
add new fuel to their organizations, making them run
more efficiently and effectively.
Graduates
of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying
completion of more than 90 hours of nonprofit
study and dedication to the nonprofit profession.
In addition, participants can earn points toward
the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified
Association Executive (CAE) designations.
The
US Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest
business federation representing more than three
million businesses and organizations of every
size, sector, and region.
For
more information, contact Institute for Organization
Management at US Chamber headquarters at 202-463-5570;
1615 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20062-2000;
www.uschamber.com/institute.
President
Cynthia Oswald completes US Chamber Institute for Organizational
Management Certificate Program at Villanova University
Jim
Culbertson, Livingston County Clerk speaks to Leadership
Livingston Class of 2009 during their tour of the Government
Center on November 13th.
What
a great new business in Livingston County.! November
After Hours at Healing Point Wellness Center in Lakeville.
Chamber President, Cynthia Oswald and business owners,
Dwayne and Sarah Claud prepare to greet the crowd.
Little
Liam and mom enjoy chatting with Mike O'Brien, the Get
Away Guy from RNews, at the Chamber on Thursday, November
20th. Mike was promoting his new book which features
great local get aways, including some in Livingston
County!
.
The
George Traber Memorial Gardens Dedication
Thursday, October 30th at Noon at the Chamber
Free and Open to the Public
Dedication
Ceremony
& Reception
Plantings
completed! Mulching will be done on October 18th United
Way Day of Caring.
The
planting begins thanks to our landscape designer Matt
Cole, Deputy Hillier and the trustees.
Plants,
trees and supplies are delivered by Al Landscaping.
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce/LCEA Institute holds eighth
annual Leadership Livingston Kick-Off Breakfast Thursday,
September 11th at the Big Tree Inn. Chamber Chairman
of the Board Carl Lutz welcomes a record breaking
crowd. Twenty-two leaders will be participating in
this year's ten-month certificate program. The breakfast
was held in the Big Tree Inn's beautiful new reception
and conference center.
LEADERSHIP
LIVINGSTON
Lori
Cruz, class of 2008, speaks to the group
about her community service project.
Guest
Speaker Art Hatton shares a leadership
story with the breakfast crowd.
Chamber Chairman of the Board welcomes
leaders and guests to the eighth annual
Leadership Livingston Kick-Off Breakfast.
Chamber
President Cynthia Oswald speaks to a
record breaking breakfast crowd. Over 50 people attended
the breakfast including Joan Harrison representing NYS
Senator Dale Volker and Scott Gardner representing Dan
Burling.
2008
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Small Business
of the Year Award presented to Steve Boscoe at
the Chamber's September 10th After Hours at the Yard
of Ale in Piffard.
L to R, Nominations Committee Chairman
Tim McMahon, Steve, Chamber Board Member Bill Bacon
and Scott Gardner representing NYS Assemblyman Dan
Burling.
Senator
Dale Volker
awards Livingston County Tourism Office grant to bring
the Wingwalker to the 2008 Geneseo Airshow
Chamber
President Cynthia Oswald kicks off SUNY Geneseo's
leadership program Pearls of Wisdom on September
3rd.
August
Chamber After Hours - Outdoors - Director of Camp
Cherith located in Hunt, Nathan Welton hosted
a great event at the camp.
We
even made s'mores while networking! Mark your calendar
for June 10, 2009 when we will be back at camp for
another After Hours - Outdoors!
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce announces Padgett Business
Services 2008 Small Business of the Year. Steve
and Debbie Boscoe and staff will be honored at the Chamber's
September 10th After Hours event at the Yard of Ale
in Piffard from 4-6pm. Free and open to the public.
Click HERE for Flyer.
Senator
Dale Volker stops by the Chamber to greet dignitaries
from the New Juaben, Ghana.
City
of Rochester, Mayor Duffy's Office and the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce enter into a long-term friendship
and partnership with the New Juaben Municipality, Ghana.
Signing at Rochester City Hall, Thursday, July 31st.
Full
day of exploring Livingston County Agriculture thanks
to, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Livingston County
Farm Bureau, Coyne Farms, Noblehurst Farms and RT Solutions.
Ghana
Dignitaries arrive at Rochester International Airport
on July 25 for a ten day visit to Western New York.
Artists
give horse, "Geneseo"
a facelift.
Community
Collaborative meets at the Chamber to continue planning
for visitors from the New Juaben Municipality, Ghana.
Chamber
July After Hours at the 1941 HAG Museum Airfield. Wine
and cheese with a performance by
Wingwalker, Carol Pilon and Pilot, Rob Holland
Member
Benefits Specialist Deb Cisco with Marketplace
Mall Macy's Manager Bill Kearns and Shop For A
Cause Coordinator Pam Leone as they Kick-Off coupon
ticket sales for this year's fundraiser on September
20th. Tickets are $5.00 and give the coupon holder
20% throughout the store on September 20th. All
proceeds will go to Livingston County Education
Alliance (LCEA) the Chamber's 501c3 affiliate.
Tickets are available from Deb at the Chamber
or by calling 243-2222. Click
HERE for the flyer.
First
Annual Leadership Institute CEO Roundtable facilitated
by Helen Zamboni, Esq., Underberg & Kessler at the
Big Tree Inn on May 7th.
May
Business After Hours at Studio Sales Pottery on
Routes 5 & 20 in Avon.
Mike Carroll, Owner welcomes the group.
Date:
July 7, 2008
Re: 2008 LCEA/Chamber Scholarship
Winners
The
Livingston County Education Alliance (LCEA)/Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce
the names of the four area high school seniors that
have been chosen to receive scholarships of $2,000
each from Livingston County Education Alliance (LCEA)
and the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce.
The
students participated in the LCEA/Chamber Scholars
program, an annual High School awards program. The
award is based on an essay submitted by the student
or a portfolio presentation and demonstration by the
student.
This
year’s scholarships have been presented to the
following:
Brittany
Lunn, Dansville Central School
Elizabeth
McEvoy, Avon Central School
Anthony
Smith, GV BOCES CG May Center, Keshequa Central School
Katie
Stanley, GV BOCES CG May Center, Dansville Central
School
The
Chamber Scholars program was judged by a special committee
of LCEA chaired by Helen Zamboni, Esq. of Underberg
and Kessler. A special thank you to the CG May Career
and Technical Center for their help and Genesee Valley
Motors, Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee,
NYS Dept. of Labor JSEC Committee and an endowment
from the Avon Oddfellows/Community Foundation which
help make these scholarships possible.
"The
Chamber is proud to award $2,000 to these deserving
local students," says Livingston County Education
Alliance Executive Director and Chamber of Commerce
President Cynthia Oswald. "This program honors
the emerging workforce, our students, who are the
future of a working community. This year’s pool
of scholarship applicants were amazing young people
and the four recipients are outstanding students and
individuals."
The
recipients were honored at the Chamber’s 30th
Annual Business & Industry Day luncheon on Friday,
June 20th at the Genesee River Restaurant in Mount
Morris.
New
York State Assemblymen, Joe Errigo and Dan Burling congratulate
Katie Stanley at the Chamber's 30th Annual Business
& Industry Day June 20th
Assemblymen
congratulating Tony Smith
Elizabeth
McEvoy speaking to the crowd at the Livingston County
Chamber of Commerce 30th Annual Business & Industry
Day June 20th
Brittany
Lunn accepting her scholarship award with Steve Boscoe,
Chamber and LCEA board member at the Chamber's 30th
Business & Industry Day Luncheon on June 20th at
the Genesee River Restaurant and Reception Center
Slice, Dice & Spice Organizers Make Donation
to Foodlink
Pro-Am Chef Challenge Leads to Contribution In A Time
of Record Food Prices -
Canandaigua,
NY, Thursday, July 3, 2008 - Organizers of the Slice,
Dice & Spice competition donated $250 to Foodlink
as a follow-up to last month's highly successful pro-am
chef challenge that featured locally grown products.
Valerie Knoblauch of Finger Lakes Visitors Connection,
Christine Worth of Wayne County Tourism, and Lisa
Burns of Livingston County Tourism - all partners
in Slice, Dice & Spice - presented the check late
yesterday afternoon at Lagoner Farms in Williamson,
Wayne County.
"We
are so excited to share the success of our Slice,
Dice and Spice NY competition with Foodlink,"
Knoblauch said. "In our efforts to highlight
the food products and wines of this region, we feel
that we would be remiss not to share our prosperity
with such a worthy cause."
Thomas
Ferraro, Executive Director of Foodlink, was on hand
to receive the contribution.
"Foodlink
is proud to receive such a generous donation from
Slice, Dice & Spice in an effort to both highlight
locally grown foods and shine a spotlight on the tremendous
need for more funding for local food organizations
like ourselves," Ferraro said. "In
times like this - with record food prices and more
families seeking assistance - every little bit helps."
Slice,
Dice & Spice NY was an Iron Chef-like competition
that took place during National Tourism Week, May
12-15, 2008 at the New York Wine & Culinary Center
in Canandaigua. For three days, professional chefs
were teamed up in preliminary competitions with nine
amateur teams, which featured community members, media
representatives, local dignitaries, and Wannabe chefs.
Next
on the agenda is Slice, Dice & Spice NY II - Progressive
Taste Off, a trail of area restaurants that feature
and use locally grown and made products and wines
in their recipes. Additional details will be available
soon.
For
more information on the competition, please contact
the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection at 877-386-4669
or visit www.slicediceandspiceny.com.
Press
Release 7-1-08
For
Immediate Release
From Cynthia Oswald - Livingston County Chamber
Chamber/LCEA
Leadership Livingston's First College Student Graduate
- First in the State!
How
do you define Leadership? Is it passion, Is it vision?
What about creativity and discernment? Is it a focus
on opportunities, a great communicator and motivator,
Someone who is proactive and a calculated risk taker,
an understanding that relationships are what business
and life are all about, bringing others with you as
you climb the ladder of success. Someone who builds
community.
Leadership
is action not position!
Mission:
The purpose of the Leadership Livingston program is
to identify and train community leaders for action.
This
program not only encourages participants to enhance
and expand their toolbox of leadership skills but also
exposes them to a variety of Livingston County businesses,
agriculture, organizations, agencies and government.
The Chamber appreciates the support of community members
and the generosity they have shown in opening their
doors and choosing to be part of this successful program.
In
Livingston County accepting the leadership challenge
means:
Ten
sessions (field trips) created to immerse the learner
in hands-on Livingston County experiences! We do everything
from a trip to a dairy farm where we learn about worm
farming and a product called, Worm Power Gold, we are
served a wonderful lunch by the Culinary Arts students
at the C.G. May Center, have a chat with County Administrator,
Nick Mazza, a remarkable underground tour of American
Rock Salt, learn about healthcare, human services and
education in the county, visit the jail, and an all
day familiarization bus tour of Livingston County hosted
by the Livingston County Tourism Office.
Yes,
there is homework! We ask that the participant answer
two reflective questions each session. One is always
question on leadership and ethics development and the
other is on the impact of the speaker(s). The class
participates in community service as a required part
of the certificate program. We work with the United
Way of Livingston County and their annual Day of Caring.
This
year we have celebrated a milestone, our 100th graduate
since the program's inception in 2002.
We
were proud to have received verification from the NYS
Business Council and the Chamber Alliance of NYS that
our leadership program is the first and only in New
York State to open its doors to qualified college students.
The
first SUNY Geneseo student, Joseph W. Norman '08, completed
the course and graduated on June 20th at the Chamber's
30th Annual Business and Industry Day Luncheon. This
initiative is in response to the "I Live NY"
campaign created to expose our young people to mentors,
community and career opportunities here in Upstate New
York before they graduate from college.
"I
thank SUNY Geneseo President Chris Dahl and our colleagues
at the college for their collaboration on this innovative
concept. Multi-age programming is a simple but effective
way to share knowledge and experiences across generations
benefiting both the individuals involved and our communities,"
said Cynthia Oswald, President of the Livingston County
Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of LCEA.
We
would be pleased to share our best practices with chambers
around the state. You can contact Cynthia at 585-243-2222
or coswald@frontiernet.net
. For more information about enrolling in the Leadership
Livingston program visit the chamber website at www.livingstoncountychamber.com
Left
to Right: Cynthia Oswald, President and Executive Director,
Joseph Norman, SUNY Geneseo "08, Carl Lutz, Chairman
of the Board
Visit
Rochester Annual Meeting Luncheon
L to R, Thomas Ranese (Chief Marketing Officer, Empire
State Development), Carl Lutz (Chairman of the Board),
Cynthia Oswald (Chamber President), and Lisa Burns (Tourism
Director for Livingston County)
LCEA
Leadership Livingston Class of 2008
2008
Livingston County Business of the Year - Sweeteners
Plus
L to R, Chamber President Cynthia Oswald, Sweeteners
Plus Owners, Anne Myers and Carlton Myers, Chamber Award
Selection Committee Chairperson Tim McMahon.
June
5th Healthy Business Breakfast , "Never Eat Alone"
facilitated by SUNY Geneseo Student Ben DeGeorge
co-owner of VIP Profiles.
LCEA
Leadership Golf Tournament A Huge Success
Beautiful
weather, great golf and good friends! June 2nd LCEA held
its annual golf tournament fundraiser at the Livingston
Country Club and Villa on the Green. The winning team was
Blue Bye You. Tournament Sponsor was the Big Tree Inn. You
can access a complete list of sponsors from our homepage.
Thanks to all who participated. See you next year!
Finalists
in the Regional Tourism Initiative, Slice Dice & Spice
at the NYS Wine and Culinary Center May 15th. Livingston
County Team from L to R: Bill Bacon (Five Star Bank),
Chef Brian Simmons (The Yard of Ale), Cynthia Oswald (Chamber
President), Dominick Martello ( Ossian Town Supervisor)
and Mark Gillespie (Editor of the Livingston County News)
Leadership
Livingston and United Way of Livingston County teamed
up to clean up the Clara Barton House (Dansville) for
the United Way Annual Day of Caring on Saturday, May
10th
Leadership
Livingston visit Coyne Farms and RT Solutions hosted
by
Jerry Coyne and Tom Herlihy on May 8th
Leadership
Livingston tours American Rock Salt Company on April
11th
2008
GV BOCES CG May Center Scholarship Winners
Scholarships
are made possible in part by Livingston County Dept.
of Labor JSEC Committee, Genesee Valley Motors and
the Chamber's Agriculture Committee
R to L: Principal Rick McInroy, Coor. Student Services
Jane Rahn, Scholarship Winner Anthony Smith (Keshequa)
and Scholarship Winner Katie Stanley (Dansville).
Congratulation Winners!
President
Cynthia Oswald and Past Chair of the Capital Campaign
Project Committee Dean Johnston pose by the Donor Plaque
honoring contributors to the building of the new chamber
office building and visitor center.
Chamber
April 9 "After Hours" hosted by the
Livingston County Tourism Office at Deer Run Winery
Dawn
Zigenfus honored at the BEA Spring Breakfast, May 2nd,
by Cynthia Oswald and Carrie Malone for her eight years
serving as volunteer treasurer for the BEA.
Press
Release
From: Cynthia Oswald
Date: 4/15/08
Re: 2008 Chamber Scholars Program Deadline May 2, 2008
For Immediate Release
County
Chamber Makes $8,000 Available in Scholarship Program - Deadline
May 2, 2008
Up to four $2,000 awards available to graduating High School
Seniors
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce/LCEA (Livingston County Education
Alliance) will award up to four $2,000 scholarships to graduating
high school seniors attending college in 2008. The Chamber's
scholarship program is now accepting applications. Application
forms are available at the Chamber office, 4635 Millennium
Drive, Geneseo, 243-2222, on the Chamber website, www.livingstoncountychamber.com
and at all high school guidance departments.
Helen
Zamboni, lawyer with Underberg & Kessler, is chairing
the Scholarship Committee. The committee has determined contest
criteria and will judge all applications. Sponsors, New York
State Department of Labor JSEC (Job Services Employer Committee),
Genesee Valley Motors and the Livingston County Chamber Agriculture
Committee fund two of the awards.
The awards
are categorized in two areas: an essay competition for students
living in Livingston County, applications are available at
all Livingston County high school guidance offices and at
the Chamber website, www.livingstoncountychamber.com and a
project presentation competition for Genesee Valley BOCES
C.G. May Center students, with at least one scholarship going
to a student with an interest in agriculture. Vocational students
should contact the C.G. May Center office at 658-7900 for
information.
"Once
again, LCEA and the Chamber are proud to be part of this long
standing community initiative," says Chamber President
and Executive Director of LCEA, Cynthia Oswald. "The
scholarship program is one of the ways business supports education
in Livingston County."
Applications
must be postmarked by Friday, May 2, 2008. Recipients will
receive a cash award to be used for their college or technical
career training expenses. In addition, recipients will be
guests of the Chamber at the annual Business & Industry
Day Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 20, 2008 to be held at
the Genesee River Restaurant in Mount Morris.
Chamber's
11th Anniversary Farmer Neighbor Evening Draws Record
Crowd!
Speaker,
Robert Smith, VP of Public Affairs for Farm Credit
Associations
Chamber
Board Member, Tim McMahon gives the blessing
The
Livingston County Chamber of Commerce in partnership
with the Livingston County Farm Bureau held our 11th
annual Farmer Neighbor Evening on Friday, March 28th
at the Genesee River Restaurant & Reception Center
in Mount Morris.
Over
three hundred guests attended the evening's festivities.
Jennifer San Filippo attended the dinner representing
Governor David Paterson. Joan Harrison from New York
State Senator Dale Volker's Office and Nancy Levan from
New State Senator Catharine Young's office were in attendance,
along with Bonnie Turner from New York State Assemblyman
Joe Errigo's Office.
Carol
Carey, manager of HSBC's Geneseo branch office, the
Event Committee Chairperson, presented Neenan Farms
(the Neenan Family, Lima) with the Chamber's 2008 Agricultural
Honoree Award. Event sponsor for the evening was Genesee
Valley Motors, owned by Dom Genova.
The
evening consisted of a trade fair, "Livingston
Made" food sampling, wine tasting, buffet dinner
and guest speaker, Robert Smith, V.P. of Public Affairs,
Farm Credit Associations who was invited to Livingston
County by Les Cole, Chamber Ag Committee Chair. The
Pledge of Allegiance was led by the G.V. BOCES C.G.
May Center Future Farmers of America and America the
Beautiful was sung by Jennifer Brady.
The
Chamber honored eleven area high school students that
will be pursuing careers in agriculture including Mary
Ellen Macauley, Livingston County Dairy Princess from
Lima Christian School.
The
Chamber would like to thank our event, platinum, gold,
silver and bronze sponsors. This event would not be
possible without their generous support. The Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce and the Livingston County
Farm Bureau thank all of those in attendance and look
forward to seeing you next year on Friday, April 3.
Congratulations Neenan Farms and the Neenan family!
Gary
Benedict, Project Manager places plaque on wall in Chamber
foyer.
The
Major Donor Plaque has arrived for the LCEA Building
Project. Barb Cornell from Penny Lane Promotions unveils
the plaque.
LCEA
Executive Director, Cynthia Oswald and LCEA Finance
Administrator, Deborah Cisco pose with new plaque.
The April 3rd Healthy Business Breakfast
"Commercial Credit Caveats"
facilitated by Robert Blair , HSBC
Joan Harrison, representing NYS Senator Dale Volker
networks with SUNY Geneseo student, Joe Norman and HSBC
VP, Peggy Martinez after the
Healthy Business Breakfast.
March
After Hours hosted by Community Bank in Dansville on
March 12th.
Deb Cisco, Chamber Members Benefits Specialist,
Joe DiVincenzo, United Health Care and NYS Senator
Dale Volker take a moment to pose for a picture at
the Chamber/GVHP Annual Health Fair on February 14th.
Lori Mazza (far right), FLBA District 10 Chairperson
poses with Chamber President Cynthia Oswald and
two other volunteer judges for the FLBA's annual competition
in Rochester
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2008 Farm of
the Year: Neenan Farms, Lima, New York. The
Neenan brothers, Dennis, John and Paul will be honored
on March 28th at the Livingston County Farmer Neighbor
Evening at the Genesee River Restaurant & Reception
Center. For more information on the dinner please call
243-2222 or visit our website www.livingstoncountychamber.com
Senator
Dale Volker takes time to pose for a picture with Chamber
President Cynthia Oswald and Leadership Livingston Participant
and SUNY Geneseo Student, Joe Norman at the GVHP/Chamber's
Annual Community Health Fair on February 14th at the Chamber
of Commerce in Geneseo.
Wal-Mart
Geneseo Supercenter Awards $700 Grant to Livingston County
Education Alliance (LCEA) for development and expansion
of Leadership Institute programming. L to R: Felecita Tabor,
Wal-Mart Community Involvement Coordinator, Cynthia Oswald,
LCEA Executive Director, John Smith, Wal-Mart Manager, Maxx
Hamblin, Avon CSD Business Student Intern with the Chamber
and Deborah Cisco, LCEA Finance Administrator.
Avon
CSD Business Admin Student, Maxx Hamblin, interns with Chamber
President Cynthia Oswald on February 7th. The half-day internship
was part of the Avon Bridge to Employment program and the
Livingston County Business/ Education Alliance program..
Sheriff
York, Deannie Traphagen, Art Traphagen and Chamber President,
Cynthia Oswald pose for a picture after a presentation
delivered by The Sheriff at the Wayland Rotary on Tuesday,
January 29th at the Miller House in Perkinsville.
Ms
Beatrice Lokko an educator from Ghana enjoys dinner
at the Big Tree Inn with Chamber and College representatives
Thursday evening, January 31st. Ms. Lokko is in this
country building educational partnerships and opportunity
for international study.
Lisa
Burns, Tourism Director for Livingston County poses
with her Job Shadow student, Courtney from York CSD.
Courtney spent the morning on January 31st with Lisa
getting hands on experience in Marketing.
Matching
Funds Grant Seminar
Festival
and Events Coordinators learn
more about applying for a grant to
support their marketing efforts.
January
9th After Hours hosted by Nicholas H, Noyes Hospital
was the Kick-Off for the Chamber's popular monthly networking
program. Representatives from Dansville Rotary and Lions
presented Noyes Hospital CEO Jim Wissler with donation
checks.
Leadership
Livingston class of 2008 tours SUNY Geneseo's Integrated
Sciences and Technology Building after a presentation
by SUNY Geneseo President Chris Dahl on January 10th.
January
16th Board of Directors' Meeting, guest speakers: Mike
Raszeja (past chamber board member), Kathryn Hollinger
(board member), and Joe Norman (SUNY Geneseo) presented
to the board on their trip to Ghana this past October.
The trip was the start of a long-term friendship between
Livingston County and the people of Ghana to develop
business, cultural and educational exchange.
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce
Press Release – For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
2007 Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce George Traber Community Service
Award Goes to Jon Shay!
This year,
on recommendation of the Award Nomination Committee, the Chamber
created the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce George Traber
Community Service Award. The Award Nomination Committee, which
was headed by Tim McMahon and included Kathryn Hollinger,
Eric Barnard, Kevin Denton, Matt Gaynor and Julie Marshall,
The award is named after George Traber, a dedicated volunteer.
George is one of the founding fathers of the Chamber, Chairman
of the Livingston County IDA, Chairman of the Livingston County
United Way Board, a life-long member of the Boy Scouts and
the 2006 New York State Economic Development Volunteer of
the Year.
The committee
developed criteria, screened nominations and weighed them
against the criteria for the award.
Selection
criteria for the award included:
The
nominee should display evidence of leadership, volunteerism,
and service to Livingston County.
The
nominee should evidence contributions that led to significant
change or improvements to the community.
The
nominee should evidence a commitment to volunteerism and
civic engagement over a period of time, with specific examples
provided to support the nomination.
It was
this process that brought the Chamber to Jon Shay, Vice President
and co-owner of Main Tire Exchange.
Whether
it’s picking up garbage along the highway, a charity
golf tournament, Rotary, community parade, hospital or hospice
fundraisers, Jon is there with support, time, expertise and
most importantly, a positive attitude. His leadership and
civic engagement inspires others and is the benchmark in our
community.
His resume
of community service projects stretches over more than twenty
years and includes; serving as a member of the executive council
of Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America; member
of the Dansville Protective Fire Department; member of the
Dansville Fish and Game Club; past president of the New York
Motor Truck Association; founding director of the New York
State Motor Truck Insurance Co.; past president of the Dansville
Rotary; member of the long-range planning committee for the
Dansville Central School System; 15 years on the board of
directors for Noyes Memorial Hospital and co-chair of the
fund-raising campaign for the surgical center expansion; on
the board of directors for the Dansville Economic Development
Corporation; a representative on the GLOW Work Force Investment
Board; a volunteer Junior Achievement Business partner; a
founding father of Vincent House hospice in Wayland; and serves
on the Livingston County Empire Zone Administrative Board.
Jon
was thanked for his many years of commitment to Livingston
County, as well as his civic service throughout the
region and presented with a plaque on behalf of the
Chamber by, Bill Bacon and Tim McMahon.
Jon
also received certificates from NYS Senator Dale Volker,
NYS Senator Catharine Young, NYS Assemblyman Dan Burling,
NYS Assemblyman Joseph Errigo. Congratulations Jon!
LCEA's
Leadership Livingston 2008
visits SUNY Geneseo's Integrated Science
Building on January 10th
SUNY
Geneseo President Chris Dahl
speaks to LCEA's Leadership Livingston
Class of 2008
Wayland-Cohocton
High School Students visit the Chamber on a Mini-Grants
for Schools BEA fieldtrip on January 9th.
Steve
Boscoe, Secretary of the Livingston County Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors signs the official copies
of the Chamber's and LCEA's updated by-laws at the January
4th Chamber Executive Committee meeting and the LCEA Board
of Directors' meeting. To the right is Carl Lutz, Chairman
of the Board and on the left is George Traber, Chairman
of the By-laws Committee.
SUNY
Geneseo College President Chris Dahl welcomes business leaders
to the 14th Annual SUNY Day Chamber Luncheon at the Campus
House on October 4th
Leadership
Livingston Class of 2008 tours the Livingston County Government
Center with Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Virginia
Amico
Lisa
Burns, Livingston County Tourism Director, unveils the
2008 Visitor Guide Cover at the Chamber's Community
Update Luncheon on December 14th at the Yard of Ale
in Piffard
Dorothy
Hotchkiss was awarded the 2007 William Pryor Letchworth
Excellence in Tourism Award at the Livingston County
Chamber of Commerce 1st Annual Tourism Harvest Luncheon
November 7, 2007
On
December 14th at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Update
Holiday Luncheon at the Yard of Ale in Piffard, Bill
Bacon, Five Star Bank, and Chamber Board Member, presented
Jon Shay, Main Tire Dansville, with the first
annual Livingston County Chamber of Commerce George
Traber Community Service Award.
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce
For Immediate Release: 12-17-07 Chamber Recognizes Deb Cisco for 20 years of service!
The Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce took the opportunity on December
14th at the Annual Membership Meeting and Holiday Update
Luncheon held at the Yard of Ale in Piffard
to recognize Deb Cisco for her 20 years of service.
Deb has
played multiple roles during her twenty years at the Chamber,
and usually, all at the same time; as Office Manager, Members
Benefits Specialist, Insurance Director, Finance Administrator
and unofficial fashion consultant for the Chamber. She also
serves as Finance Administrator and co-chair of the Golf Tournament
Committee for our 501c3 affiliate LCEA and was critical to
the creation of that organization.
During
her years at the Chamber she has seen the organization grow
from a monthly lunch group that offered insurance to their
members in a tiny storefront, to a short stint in an old bank
building, and on to a basement location for many years. Now
a two affiliate, five division organization, offering over
30 programs and initiatives with its own facility Deb has
been a part of it all.
Insurance,
our largest value to membership is overseen by Deb. An account
with multiple insurance companies and products, it is the
largest association group in Western New York. Deb never wavers
in her commitment to affordable insurance for all. You will
often hear her on the phone with a member trying to help them
navigate the health insurance system.
Her LCEA
legacy consists of paying off the building project loan, overseeing
the finalizing of LCEA and administrating, through LCEA, our
first two outside educational fund, and accepting and administering
an endowment for a high school scholarship program.
She is
involved in multiple county level committees and is an advocate
at the state level for affordable health insurance coverage.
A life
long resident of Livingston County, and one of its best cheerleaders,
Deb is a Leadership Livingston Graduate and lives with her
husband Bob in their beautiful historic family home in Griegsville.
On behalf
of the Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber members and community,
Carl Lutz, Chairman of the Board presented Deb with a recognition
plaque and a twenty-year pin. She also received certificates
of recognition from New York State Senators, Dale Volker and
Catherine Young and New York State Assemblymen, Dan Burling
and Joe Errigo.
Holiday
After Hours hosted by
Quality Inn & Valley Oak Conference Center
Geneseo
December 12, 2007
Music
provided by G&L Music Studio, Inc.
For Immediate
Release
From: Cynthia Oswald
Date: 12/17/07
Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2008 Board of Directors
The Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the second
year term of Chairman of the Board, Carl A. Lutz, owner of
Protection, Savings & Growth Consulting in Avon. Carl
has been a member of the chamber board since 2003 and has
served as a board member for the Business Education Alliance.
He is an active member of the Livingston County community
and three years ago led a successful campaign as chairman
for the Livingston County United Way.
Serving
with Carl as the Chamber's newly elected Executive Committee
for 2008 are: Bonnie Swanson, Key Bank - Vice-Chairperson,
Steve Boscoe, Padgett, Business Services - Secretary, Tracy
Ingraham, Steuben Trust Company - Treasurer, George Traber,
IDA - Appointed, Bill Bacon, Five Star Bank - At Large and
Jim Coniglio, Underberg & Kessler - Past Chairman.
The membership
of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce has also elected
three new area business leaders to serve on the 2008 Board
of Directors. Our newly elected directors are: John Quinlan
- Quinlan's Pharmacy and Quinlan's Medical Equipment and Supply,
Mike Schinski - SUNY Geneseo Business Department, Jim Wissler
- Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital.
The Chamber
would like to thank out going board members: Mike Glover -
Genesee Valley BOCES and Janice Infantino - NYSEG for their
years of service to the Chamber.
The balance
of the board for 2008 is made up of existing board members
serving three-year terms: Virginia Amico - Liv. Co. Board
of Supervisors Designee, Gary Blythe - Image City Interiors,
Inc., Les Cole - Commodity Resource Corporation, Matt Gaynor
- Bank of Castile, Kathryn Hollinger - Genesee Valley Council
on the Arts,Walt Isaac - Eastman Kodak (Retired), George Kuyon
- Deer Run Winery, Ray Martel - American Rock Salt, Tim McMahon
- Catholic Charities of Liv Co. (Retired), Phyllis Meyer -
Dairy Knoll Farms, Sue O'Hearn - O'Hearn Machine & Tool,
Corp., Patrick Rountree - Livingston County Economic Development
With over
thirty programs and initiatives, the Chamber Board of Directors
is charged with formulating and directing policy for the organization.
For more
information on how you can become a member of the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce at 243-2222. Information is also
available on our website, www.livingstoncountychamber.com
.
Reaping
Tourism Benefits
(GENESEO,
NY - November 7, 2007) Tourism is a $1.3 trillion dollar industry
in the United States, $37 Billion in New York State and $200
Million in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Livingston
County is reaping the benefit of tourism and at the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce 1st
Annual Tourism Harvest Luncheon the local Festivals
and Events in the county were highlighted for their major
contribution to attracting tourists into our communities.
"When
a visitor stays overnight in a community they, on average,
contribute $192 per day into our local economy," according
to Lisa Burns, Livingston County Tourism Director as she addressed
the attendees during the luncheon. "A one day visitor
spends $94 and based on numbers submitted by several of our
local events, this year alone we saw over 130,000 visitors
with roughly half coming from outside Livingston County and
approximately 20% of those visitors stay for more that one
night at our local accommodations," she continued. "Tourism
works for Livingston County and is a great economic driver."
The newly
remodeled Valley Oak Event Center at the Quality Inn Geneseo
hosted the tourism event with over 80 attendees, including
a large contingency from Dansville present to help Dorothy
Hotchkiss celebrate being awarded the "William Pryor
Letchworth Award for Excellence in Tourism." The award
was named and sanctioned by the Letchworth family and honors
its namesake and recipient as "tourism advocates."
Ms. Hotchkiss conveyed her honor to be in such fine company
as Mr. Letchworth and encouraged the group assembled to help
promote our beautiful county and spread the word about our
attractions and events.
In addition
to the award and report on the benefits of tourism for our
county the event showcased Mike O'Brien, Rochester's RNews
"Getaway Guy" as the keynote speaker. Mr. O'Brien
spoke about the many tourism attributions of Livingston County,
including the Abbey of the Genesee which proved to be one
of his most successful featured stories. Additionally he highlighted
many other destinations and spoke about the process of taking
a great destination story and making it fascinate its viewer
in just three minutes.
The tourism
office of the chamber produces the county's visitors guide
and tourism website and administers the I Love New York Matching
Funds Grant Program. The local festivals and events apply
for marketing assistance under this grant and in 2006 the
tourism office awarded over $26,000 in grants.
Mike O'Brien,
Rochester's RNews "Getaway Guy"
Lisa Burns, Livingston County Tourism Director
November
6th meeting of the U.S. Chamber's Council on Small Business
in Washington D.C. attended by Livingston County Chamber
of Commerce President Cynthia Oswald. The council consists
of approximately 100 members and meets two to four times
a year.
Livingston
County Job Club Meets at the Livingston County Chamber
of Commerce on Friday, November 9th. The meeting guest
speakers were Cynthia Oswald, President of the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce and Deb Gage, Director of
the Livingston County Foster Grandparents Program.
From All Around the County ...
Guido Barilla speaks to invited guests at the Friday,
October 19th grand opening of the Avon, New York Barilla
Plant
Barilla Banners alongside the American Flag line the
streets of Avon in celebration of Barilla's grand opening.
Leadership Livingston Kick-Off Breakfast draws record
crowd September 13th at the Quality Inn
Geneseo.
NYS Assemblyman Dan Burling enjoys conversation with
tablemates at the Leadership Livingston
Kick-Off Breakfast
Who's Afraid of Chickens? Bruce Dehm,
Jim Merrick, Virginia Amico, Deb Cisco, Lisa Burns,
Bruce's daughter and Cynthia Oswald at the Genesee Valley
Farm Discovery Center Open House on September 27th.
Bruce Dehm, founder of the Genesee Valley Farm Discovery
Center welcomes guests to the September 27th Open House.
Chamber's Annual SUNY Day Luncheon draws record crowd.
(L to R): Guest Speaker, Ken Levison, SUNY Geneseo Vice
President for Administration with Chamber President
Cynthia Oswald
Tom
Cicero, local author from Livonia presents autographed
copy of his second book to Livingston County Chamber
President Cynthia Oswald. For information on purchasing
"Cicero Farm's Hometown Livonia" or "Out
Behind the Barn on Cicero Farm" email Tom at cicerofarm@yahoo.com
From: Cynthia
Oswald, President
Date:
9-17-07
Re:
Livingston County Chamber First Annual Small Business Award
Chamber’s
First Small Business of the Year Award Event Draws Record
Crowd!
Physical
Therapy Professionals, P.C. was the recipient of the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce first annual Small Business
Award. The award was given at the Chamber’s September
12th After Hours event held at Temple Hill Bed & Breakfast
in Geneseo.
Over sixty
guests attended the evening’s festivities. New York State
Assemblyman Joe Errigo was in attendance, along with wife
Kathy and his assistant, Bonnie Turner. Governor Elliot Spitzer’s
regional representative, Jennifer SanFilippo was also in attendance.
Staff from the Physical Therapy Professionals, P.C. Caledonia,
Lakeville and Mount Morris locations attended the event along
with the recipients’ parents.
Carl Lutz,
owner of Protection Savings & Growth Consulting in Avon,
and Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, presented
Andy and Dawn Mattle, owners of Physical Therapy Professionals,
P.C. with the Chamber’s 2007 Small Business Award. Joe
Errigo presented Andy and Dawn with a certificate of recognition
and New York State Assemblyman Dan Burling sent a certificate
of recognition for the couple.
Physical
Therapy Professionals, P.C. opened their first office in Lakeville
in 1994. Andy and Dawn have both received their doctorate
degrees while working through their expansions. Also, Andy
has recently been elected to the Livonia School Board while
Dawn has been busy raising funds for Teresa House in Geneseo.
Both are very active in their church, St. Matthews Parish
and have two children, Ryleigh (12) and Reid (9).
The Chamber
would like to thank our event hosts, Gail, John and Mary White
for opening up their beautiful, historic business for the
September Chamber After Hours event.
Congratulations
Physical Therapy Professionals, P.C. and the Mattle family!
To receive
more information about this monthly networking event, Temple
Hill Bed & Breakfast or the Chamber call the Livingston
County Chamber of Commerce at 243-2222 or visit our website
at www.livingstoncountychamber.com
L
to R: Mary and Gail White the gracious hosts of the
Livingston County Chamber September After Hours Event
and Small Business Award Ceremony held at Temple Hill
Bed & Breakfast in Geneseo.
L
to R: Andy Mattle and Dawn Mattle owners of Physical
Therapy Professionals, P.C. receive Certificate of Recognition
from New York State Assemblyman Joe Errigo, as MC for
the ceremony, Carl Lutz, Chairman of the Chamber Board
of Directors looks on.
.
