The Otsego County

Chamber salutes
Citizen of the Year
Robert A. Harlem
and
Business of the Year
The Otesaga Resort Hotel

Contributed photo

Above: Robert A. Harlem,

seen in this formal portrait
from the late 1970s, was
named The Eugene A.
Bettiol Jr. Distinguished
Citizen of the Year by The
Otsego County Chamber.
At left: The Otesaga Resort
Hotel, seen in early March,
was named The Otsego
County Chamber/NBT
Bank Distinguished
Business of the Year.
Crier photo by Michelle Miller

A supplement to
The Daily Star on
Tuesday,
March 31, 2009,
The Cooperstown
Crier on Thursday,
April 2, 2009, and
The Weekly Star
on Friday,
April 3, 2009.
 The Otsego County Chamber/NBT Bank
2
Distinguished Business of the Year
The Otesaga going strong after 100 years
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
By Cassandra Miller
Contributing Writer
Sitting on an elevated spot
on the south shore of Otsego
Lake, with an imposing brick
facade and an interior of high
ceilings, chandeliers and jew-
el-tone carpets, the Otesaga
Resort Hotel is very much the
“grand dame” of Cooperstown.
One hundred years old
this year, the Otesaga is aging
gracefully. Once considered
elitist, it’s changed its reputa-
tion in the past several years.
It’s more approachable than
in years past, reaching out to
local businesses, organiza-
tions and citizens. It’s in bet-
ter shape than ever due to a
recently completed $40 million
restoration, and is attracting
social guests, business organi-
zations, Baseball Hall of Fame
tourists and professionals who
stay for conferences and bring
business to the area.
The Otsego County Cham-
ber is recognizing the historic
hotel as the NBT Bank Distin-
guished Business of the year
because of its commitment to
the community. “We look for
a business that has staying
power and in a large part gives
back to the community,” said
Rob Robinson, president and
chief executive officer of the
Chamber.
The Otesaga gives back by
generously supporting area
charities and not-for-profit
groups, including Catskill
Area Hospice and Pallia-
tive Care Inc., the Pathfinder
Village, Bassett Healthcare,
American Red Cross and the
Otsego County Food Bank.
“I’m thrilled (about the
award),” said John Irvin,
general manager of the hotel
for the past seven years. “It
recognizes us for what we’ve
tried to do, and that is be a
good business partner in the
county. ... It’s nice to learn that
people have noticed what you
try to do. It was a surprise and
The Otesaga Hotel is seen in 1909.
an honor.” ing school from 1920 to 1954,
As far as staying power is and then was a training center
concerned, the Otesaga has for American Telephone and
been going strong for all 100 Telegraph from 1961 to 1970.
years it has been open. “I have Every summer for the past 100
yet to find another hotel that years, the Otesaga has oper-
has continuously operated ated as a resort. The Otesaga’s
for 100 years under the same season is from mid-April to
ownership,” Irvin said. Thanksgiving.
The hotel first opened the Otesaga means “a place of
summer of 1909 under the own- meetings” in Iroquois, and it
ership of Edward S. and Ste- has lived up to its name in a
phen C. Clark and has been in variety of ways.
the family since. Jane Forbes On the hotel’s premises
Clark now oversees the hotel. is the Leatherstocking Golf
“She’s in and out of Cooper- Course, which is considered
stown a lot and lets me know one of the most scenic and
how she wants things done,” challenging in the Northeast
Irvin said. “She really enjoys _ and it’s open to the public.
this hotel ... I thoroughly enjoy The course, along with “off-
working for who I work for.” season” events such as cook-
The hotel was the location ing classes, concerts, comedy
of the prestigious Knox finish- nights and two restaurants, are
Contributed photo
meant to provide socializing
opportunities for community
members.
“The community looks to us
to find out what we‘re doing ...
Most everyone in Cooperstown
eats at the Hawkeye at least
once or twice in the winter.
(The Otesaga) is a social gath-
ering spot,” Irvin said. “We
don’t want any of the local
people to feel that those gates
out there are a closed door.
We want to be a part of the
community.”
The Hawkeye Grill is the
hotel’s restaurant, which of-
fers casual dining year-round.
The hotel’s main dining room
is also open to the public.
Conference Service Man-
ager Jonathon White, who
started working at the Otesaga
19 years ago as a bellboy and
worked his way through the
ranks, said the Otesaga has
become more a part of the
community since he was a
young boy growing up in Coo-
perstown. “We have definitely
become more a part of the
village. I used to think it was
elitist,” White said.
But now local people are in
and out of the hotel for afford-
able dining, events or just to
have a drink on the veranda
overlooking the lake on a sum-
mer night.
“It’s seldom in the summer-
time that I cannot see local
people having a drink on the
veranda, and then they’ll just
walk home,” Irvin said.
The hotel, which has 135
guest rooms and suites and
nine meeting rooms, is also
a popular place for school
reunions, birthday parties and
weddings. “Weddings are the
most fun,” said White, who is
involved in managing all of
the nuptial celebrations at the
hotel.
The staff of more than 300
take great care in making
sure guests are happy. White
remembered one particularly
chilly autumn when a bride
was disappointed that the usu-
ally brilliant fall foliage had
fallen off the trees before her
wedding. White paid a bunch
of his friends $50 each to sail
their boats across the lake so
the bridal party had something
special in the backdrop.
Whether providing the set-
ting for a wedding or a Sunday
brunch, the Otesaga is one of
Otsego County’s most-impres-
sive and elegant meeting plac-
es. And its recently renewed
dedication to area charities
and nonprofit organizations
have made the Otesaga go from
“a good corporate citizen to an
outstanding corporate citi-
zen,” Robinson said.
The Otesaga will be recog-
nized at a dinner at the State
University College at Oneonta
on Friday.

Harlem’s influence felt in many areas
By Cassandra Miller
Contributing Writer
Robert A. Harlem has quiet-
ly left his mark on the greater
Oneonta community through
his involvement in numerous
area organizations. Those have
included the Oneonta Boys
and Girls Club, Rotary Club,
Elks Club, A.O. Fox Memorial
Hospital and Hartwick Col-
lege, among others.
His innate drive to be a
good neighbor and an active
part of his community by being
involved in a variety of organi-
zations coupled with Harlem’s
successful career as a trial
lawyer and later a judge, in-
fluenced the Otsego County
Chamber in its decision to give
Harlem the Eugene A. Bet-
tiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen
Award.
Harlem has helped make
the community a better place
and has humbly been involved
in the community for decades
without ever seeking acknowl-
edgement, according to Rob
Robinson, president and chief
executive officer of the Otsego
County Chamber.
“I’m not sure we have a
complete list of all of the
organizations he’s contributed
to or been a part of,” Robin-
son said. When Harlem, 82,
was told he had received the
honor, he tried to argue his
way out of it, saying that he
shouldn’t be the recipient and
that he’s done what he’s done
because it’s his community,
according to Robinson. But
many people in the community
believe that he is very deserv-
ing of the honor.
“It’s easy to see the things
that he’s done in the 15 years
I’ve been here,” said Rob-
inson, who has lived in four
states, but said that he hasn’t
seen the same commitment to
quality of life from citizens
and businesses as he has in
the Oneonta area.
Harlem’s professional life
Eugene A. Bettiol Jr.
Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Contributed photo
has been defined by fairness,
knowledge and “a command-
ing presence,” according to
lawyer Edward Gozigian, who
has tried cases against and in
front of Harlem.
Harlem was admitted to
practice law in New York
state in 1953 and was what
Gozigian describes as “a for-
midable” trial lawyer before
he was elected to the Otsego
County and Surrogate Court as
judge in 1972, and then to the
Supreme Court for the Sixth
Judicial District in 1978.
“He was an outstanding
jurist because of his extensive
experience as a trial lawyer,
at which he excelled,” said
Gozigian, who has known
Harlem for 50 years. “He’s
very much in charge when he’s
on the bench. I liked trying
cases before him because he
was both knowledgeable and a
commanding presence.”
Harlem retired from the
bench in 1991, but has since
privately practiced law with
his son Richard at the Law
Office of Harlem and Jervis in
Oneonta.
When it comes to working
with his dad, Richard said,
“he’s a remarkable legal
mind,” adding that “it’s always
wonderful to work with top-
The Low Office of Harlem and Jervis, formally known as the Harlem Law Office, is seen
Wednesday, March 25. Robert A. Harlem, seen at left, works with his son Richard at the firm.
notch people.”
Richard said that his dad
has led a good life, helping a
lot of people, never for a pat
on the back, but because it’s
the right thing to do.
“He still helps people, and
you don’t even know it,” he
said. Richard described his
dad as a hard worker who
always insists on doing what’s
best for other people.
Harlem’s family members,
of which there are many, are
very important to him. They
are one of the defining charac-
teristics when people speak of
Harlem.
“He certainly has a large
family of which he’s very
proud, and understandably
so,” Gozigian said.
Apart from Harlem’s accom-
plished children are Harlem’s
granddaughters Madie and
Lesley, Richard’s daughters,
who were two of the starters
on the Oneonta girl’s varsity
basketball team, which played
in the state finals. “I’m a pretty
lucky guy,” Richard said of his
father’s and daughters’ suc-
cesses this year.
The focus growing up in
Harlem’s house was on dis-
ciple, being a good person and
being a good neighbor, accord-
ing to three of Harlem’s six
children.
Richard remembers one
Christmas when his parents
told them to take their favorite
toy and give it to an agency
that collected toys for kids
who didn’t have them. Two of
Harlem’s other children, Bob
Jr. and Rebecca Lloyd, who
work together at Bob Jr.’s busi-
ness, Picket Building Materi-
als, spoke about having strict
guidelines, which included
daily chores and not being
allowed to watch television on
weeknights during school.
They read books, played
games or went to their neigh-
bors in Oneonta’s West End
“to help out, mow their lawns,
whatever needed to be done,”
said Rebecca, who added that
her dad always led by example
and emphasized taking care of
3
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
Star photo by Brit Worgan
your neighbors and doing “the
right thing.”
Harlem resisted the idea of
being recognized for his ser-
vice to the community and said
“I don’t want that” when he
talked to his children, accord-
ing to Bob Jr., who said his dad
explained that he has been
involved in his community be-
cause it’s where he lives and
he has just wanted to make it a
better place.
Harlem has been involved
in the community “not for ac-
colades, but because it’s his
community, and he leaves it
a little better than when he
found it,” Bob Jr said.
Of the organizations Har-
lem has been a part of, which
include St. Mary’s church, A.O.
Fox Memorial Hospital, Hart-
wick College, Oneonta Coun-
try Club, Oneonta Elks Club
and Opportunities for Otsego,
the Oneonta Boys and Girls
Club has consistently been an
important part of Harlem’s
volunteerism.
See HARLEM on Page 4
 Harlem
4
Continued from Page 3
Harlem helped Carl Del-
berta Sr. incorporate what was
then the Oneonta Boys Club
at its River Street location in
1968, and is still involved with
the club today.
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
Carl Delberta Jr. was a
child when he first met Har-
lem, but has worked closely
with him at the club in the
past couple of decades. Har-
lem has been “a key member”
of the club and has helped
“build one of the best clubs
in the country,” according to
Delberta Jr.
Harlem and Delberta Sr.,
met in the mid-1960s. Delberta
was a police officer at teh
time. Harlem “started to sup-
port right away what (Delberta
Jr.’s) dad was doing” with the
Boys Club.
“Bob’s a great man,” Del-
berta Jr. said. “He’s honest
and open. He’s a sincere per-
son. He’s absolutely a wonder-
ful person. ... Bob went along
with my dad’s lines of help-
ing the kids who otherwise
wouldn’t be taking advantage
The Boys and Girls Club in Oneonta is seen Wednesday, March 25. Robert A. Harlem has
been a supporter of the club since its inception in 1968.
of these opportunities. ... I
think the world of Bob. He’s
been 100 percent behind the
club and I wish him the best
always. He’s a wonderful
person.”
Harlem considers Oneonta
his home, even though he
now lives in Milford and
spends winters in Florida.
He hadn’t heard of Oneonta
before he was offered a job
Star photo by Brit Worgen
at Farrington and Bookhout
in Oneonta out of Albany Law
School in 1953, and he’s never
felt any desire to leave since.
“My home is still in Oneon-
ta,” Harlem said. “I think it’s
a wonderful community in
which to raise children. The
people are welcoming. There’s
a wonderful school system,
good security, unending aca-
demic opportunities. We have
a lot of pluses in the whole
county.”
Harlem brushes off the
recognition from the Otsego
County Chamber because, he
said, he doesn’t feel like any
acknowledgement is necessary
for the work he’s done in the
community.
“I just did what I enjoyed
doing. I’m overwhelmed. I cer-
tainly don’t feel that I deserve
it. I feel they’re being very
generous in doing what they’re
doing,” he said. “I’m extremely
grateful for all of the things
Otsego County has done for
me. I’m humbled by all of this
that’s happening.”
Harlem will be presented
with the award at the Cham-
ber’s annual Banquet and Cel-
ebration of Business on Friday
at the Hunt Union Ballroom at
the State University College at
Oneonta.
It’s time for a rebirth for New York state

5
In upstate New York, we are facing engine we now have to jump-start New Department should use the investment
some of the most challenging times York’s economy is the State Univer- already made in the BOCES system to
most of us have witnessed. We are sity school system. We should not help component districts to share ser-
seeing things we thought were solid balance the state’s spending appetite vices and activities and reduce the cost
fall apart right before our eyes due to by “sweeping” away college tuition. to individual districts. Such services
greed, lax enforcement and limited SUNY campuses must be able to keep might include: BOCES-wide central-

personal responsibility. This situation
is both a threat and an opportunity.
At The Otsego County Chamber,
our mission is to assist in developing
a future that will make our children
and grandchildren proud of what we
have left them. To do so, we must take
personal responsibility _ have a little
skin in the game _ to return basic
logic to the role government plays in
the lives of our families, employees
and citizens.
The Otsego County Chamber is
pleading with Albany to adopt a new
way of doing business, and a budget,
that speak to some basic tenents to cre-
ate new opportunities for our grand-
kids:
Fairness: Level the playing field for
all businesses to be able to compete
with our out-of-state competitors in the
financial situation that now exists.
Accountability: We strongly demand
our elected representatives show
vigorous, effective leadership in, and
support of, the reduction in the bur-
densome cost of all levels of govern-
ment and its effect on our ability to
ROB
ROBINSON
create jobs.
Reduce spending: New York’s
financial crisis is not one of revenue;
it is one of spending at a pace that is
unsustainable. The cost of government
and education activities continues to
outpace the economic growth of our
businesses and citizens. Until the
spending urge is reduced, our economy
will not be able to allow for personal
income growth.
No new taxes or fees: Backdoor taxes
only hide the real individual cost of
government _ and its need for money.
Government needs to review its scope
of services in line with the constitu-
tional role of government. Those items
that are “the legitimate” role should
be supported directly from the general
fund and not by special fees and as-
sessments.
Dedicated SUNY tuition: The best
all the tuition revenue and operate
under a rational tuition policy that sets
the fee based upon campus needs and
not legislative fiat.
No unfunded mandates: The state
can not be allowed to balance its
spending glut by passing down to the
cities, towns and schools boards the
cost of mandated programs or pro-
grams the state no longer wants to
fund. If the feds or the state wants to
mandate a service, program or report-
ing function, then they must fund it!
No mandates on health insurance
coverage: The state must not add more
mandated coverages or services to the
small group or other markets for health
insurance without funding them. No
new taxes on health insurance are to
be added to balance the budget, as
these costs will only be added to the
premium cost for the subscribers. New
York state has one of the highest costs,
and the most mandated specific cover-
age, for health insurance.
Expand BOCES’ role in regional
educational shared services: School
districts and the state Education
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
ized reporting to government, human
resource activities, union negotiations,
and others functions that would save
money and improve efficiencies for
component districts.
Enhance consolidation/shared ser-
vices activities: We must put in place
efficient methods that will aggressively
explore logical consolidation of gov-
ernmental entities/agencies to maxi-
mize the services our citizens receive
at an affordable cost.
Together, we can make a difference
in Albany and in our local communi-
ties. It is time for a fundament shift to
living within our means and allowing
businesses and citizens an opportunity
to seek the real American dream. That
dream where hard work is respected
and rewarded, where giving back to
your community with your time is
revered, and where the pursuit of
individual success is again an honor-
able goal.
Rob Robinson is president and chief
executive offi cers of The Otsego County
Chamber.

Chamber Board Member Index

George Allen ....................................... 6
Mark Barstow ..................................... 7
Carol A. Blazina ................................. 7
Chad Bommer .................................... 7
Scott Bonderoff ................................... 8
Karyl Clemens .................................... 9
Scott Davis .......................................... 9
James Empie ...................................... 9
Sean Gahagan .................................... 9
Mark Grygiel .................................... 10
Douglas C. Gulotty ........................... 10
Jon Hansen ....................................... 10
Richard Harlem ............................... 11
Roxana Hurlburt .............................. 11
Brian Hutzley ................................... 12
Kerri Insinga .................................... 12
Rachel Lutz Jessup .......................... 12
Marc Kingsley ................................... 13
Paul A. Lawrence ............................. 13
Peter Livshin .................................... 13
Tanya Shalor .................................... 14
Russell A. Southard Jr. ................... 14
Michele Stoeger................................. 15
Leif Van Cott .................................... 15
Cyndy Yager ..................................... 15
 Past Otsego County Chamber George Allen
6

Distinguished Citizens and Businesses George Allen is

sales manager of
Northern Eagle Bev-
erages in Oneonta.
Year Citizen Business Allen, 44, has
worked for Northern
Catskill Area Hospice
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009

Eagle Beverages
2007 David Brenner
and Palliative Care since 1988 and be-
came sales manager
Arnan Corp. in 2001.
He was born and
(Oneonta Block/ raised in Oneonta
2006 Dr. William F. Streck
Otsego Ready Mix/Pickett’s) and is an Oneonta
High School gradu-
Mirabito Fuel Group ate.
2005 Carl Delberta Sr. /Mang Insurance Agency
He attended the
tors. He sits on the
State University
College of Technol- Member Services,
BK Associates/ ogy at Delhi and the Business Action and
2004 Jane Forbes Clark Technology commit-
The Neptune Diner University of South
tees.
Florida. He gradu-
“After completing
2003 Geoffrey Smith The Daily Star ated from the State
my first year on the
University College
Chamber Board, it
Award named for at Oneonta, with a
2002 Bassett Healthcare Bachelor of Arts was interesting to
Eugene A. Bettiol Jr. degree in English. see how many lo-
Allen lives in cal businesses are
2001 Marion Mullett Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Qs Oneonta with his enhanced by being
fiancee, Elizabeth a member of the
State University College Chamber,” he said.
2000 Edward Stack Murwin, and two
at Oneonta Labrador retrievers, Allen’s hobbies in-
clude golf, canoeing,
Buckley and Higgins.
1999 William R. Davis A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital He is a member skiing and travel.
of the Oneonta Elks “For any local
1998 VanNess D. Robinson Oneonta Athletic Corp. Club and the Oneon- businesses that are
ta Country Club and not a member they
1997 Hiram Skinner Hartwick College is president of the should consider
board of directors joining,” he said.
1996 D.K. Lifgren New York Central Mutual for the United Way “The resouces avail-
of Otsego and Dela- able that come with
Fire Insurance Co. ware Counties. a Chamber meme-
This is his second bership will help lo-
1995 Robert Moyer no award given year on The Otsego cal business not only
1994 Walter G. Rich no award given County Chamber survive but thrive in
Board of Direc- today’s economy.”
1993 Gordon B. Roberts no award given
1992 Dr. Phillip Wilder Medical Coaches
1991 Sidney Levine Wilber National Bank
1990 Wilmer and Phillip Bresee The Clark Foundation
1989 LeRoy “Sonny” House no award given
1988 Joan Lutz no award given
 Chad Bommer Carol A. Blazina

7
Chad Bommer is ty Chamber and is Carol A. Blazina Directors.
the vice president on the Chamber’s is the vice president A member of
of sales at Support Business Action for community rela- Kiwanis, Blazina
Services Alliance Committee. He is tions and has been a served as president
Inc., an Excellus also president-elect teaching professor at of the Oneonta Ki-
company, located in of the board of the the State University wanis from 1999 to
Oneida and Schoha- Syracuse Chapter

The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
College at Oneonta 2000.
rie counties. He is of the National As- for more than 36 In 2002, she was
responsible for all sociation of Health years. She serves as honored for her
new business sales Underwriters. college spokeswom- distinguished ser-
and sales reten- Bommer grew up an and is responsi- vice with the George
tion for all products in Bellaire, Ohio, a ble for coordinating F. Hixson Award,
within SSA’s port- rural area that sits the college’s public, the first woman ever
folio across upstate on the Ohio River community and gov- recognized with the
New York. across from Wheel- ernmental relations award by the Oneon-
He moved here secondary educa- ing, W.Va., and efforts. with the Chancel- ta Kiwanis.
from Ohio, where tion degree in social about 50 minutes’ She serves as lor’s Award for Ex- She also served as
he worked for seven studies and history drive from Pitts- chairwoman of the cellence in Profes- chairwoman of the
years for Aetna from Walsh Univer- burgh. He now lives Commencement and sional Service. She board of directors
Health Plans in the sity in Canton, Ohio, in Holland Patent College Enhance- serves as chairwom- of Saturday’s Bread,
Cleveland market. as well as an execu- with his wife, Molly, ment committees, an of the Chamber’s strategic planning
He was formerly tive Master of Busi- who is a registered and is faculty advis- Tourism Committee facilitator for St.
the regional sales ness Administration nurse at M.I. Bassett er for the Terpsicho- and is a member of Mary’s Church, and
manager for Excel- degree from Kent Hospital, and their rean Dance Compa- the Business Ac- a board member for
lus in the Utica State University in 3-year-old son, Har- ny at the college. tion Committee and Planned Parenthood
region before join- Kent, Ohio. rison, and 18-month- In 2001, she was The Otsego County and the Oneonta
ing the SSA team in He serves on the old daughter, Ada. honored by SUNY Chamber Board of Newman Club.
2006. board of directors
Bommer has a for The Otsego Coun- �

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Visit the Chamber

at 189 Main St., Suite 201,
in Oneonta
 Scott Bonderoff
8
Scott Bonderoff is
the administrative
years with his wife,
Mary, and three
���������������
director for Bassett sons, David, Max Robert A. Harlem
Healthcare’s depart- and Sam, where he
ments of emergency is a coach for the Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr., Distinguished Citizen Award
and trauma services Cooperstown Youth and
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009

and radiology. He Little League.

sits on hospital com- He is also a board The Otesaga Resort Hotel
mittees for business member for Coo-
development, qual- perstown Youth The Otsego County Chamber/NBT Bank
ity management and Football. He enjoys Distinguished Business
patient flow, among baseball, soccer
others. and biking, and also
In addition to volunteers as a ski
services on the Coo-
perstown campus,
patroller.
Oneonta Urgent Care
his work reaches
into Oneonta, Her- Quick & Comprehensive Care for Non-Emergencies
kimer County and
Bassett’s affiliates
around the region. Urgent Care treats:
Before working for
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in management for
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Bonderoff has a
Bachelor of Science
Congratulations! � ���������������������

degree in psychol- � ����������������������������

ogy from the State � ���������������������������������
University College
� ����������
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at Oneonta and a We are pleased to partner with
Master of Business � �����������������������
Administration de- The Otsego County Chamber
gree in health care � � ������
������������������
honoring our area businesses, recognizing
administration from � � �������������
Binghamton Univer- THE OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL
sity. He is a member as the
of the American Col- NBT Bank Distinguished Business of the Year.
lege of Healthcare
Executives and the Congratulations to Honoree
Association of Medi-
JUDGE ROBERT A. HARLEM
cal Imaging Manage-
ment. Eugene Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
As a first-year
member of The
Otsego County One Associate Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820
Chamber Board of
Directors, Bonderoff 1-800-NBT-BANK
sits on the Special www.nbtbank.com
Projects Committee. With offices in: Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,
Bonderoff has Cherry Valley, Cooperstown,
lived in the Cooper- Edmeston, Oneonta and Richfield Springs Member FDIC
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
stown area for 17
 Karyl Clemens Scott Davis James Empie

9
Karyl Clemens Scott Davis is a James Empie is
is special assistant graduate of Key- vice president and
to the president at stone College in La manager of Key Bank
Hartwick College in Plume, Pa., with a in Cooperstown.
Oneonta. major in business. He serves on the
A resident of He is chief ex- Chamber Business
Oneonta for 30 years, ecutive officer of

The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
Action Committee.
Clemens serves on The Country Club He is chief of
The Otsego County Automotive Group, the Worcester Fire
Chamber Board of a seven-franchise Department and
Directors and is auto group, which an EMT-D with the
a member of the sells Buick, Pon- Worcester Emergen-
Chamber Person- tiac, Cadillac, GMC, cy Squad.
nel, Education and Chevrolet, Mitsubi- He also serves on
Scholar Recognition shi and Kia vehicles, the Worcester Advi-
committees. on Oneida Street in sory Committee of
She is also a phony. truck rentals. Maple Grove Cem-
Oneonta. the Robinson Broad-
past member of the Clemens is a He is a member of etery Association.
He is president hurst Foundation,
board of directors of graduate of Kirk- the board of direc- Empie and his
of Oneonta Automo- the Penska Founda-
the Oneonta Rotary land College. tors of A.O. Fox wife, Michelle, live
tive Lease & Rental tion Board and is
Club, and serves on She and her hus- Center Inc., an Memorial Hospital in Worcester.
on the board of the
the Civic Beautifica- band, John, profes- automobile rental in Oneonta and a
tion Committee for sor of management car company with member of the board
the city of Oneonta at Hartwick College, Rent-A-Wreck and of directors of the
and on the Board live in the city of Priceless car rental technology division
of the Catskill Sym- Oneonta. franchises and a 50- of the State Univer-
car rental fleet, at 48 sity College of Tech-
nology at Delhi.
Sean Gahagan Oneida St. in Oneon-
ta. Davis is also Davis and his
wife, Kathy, live in
president of West
Sean Gahagan, a End Self Storage, a Otego and have two
Binghamton native, 100-unit self-storage daughters, Heather
is the vice president business located and Erin.
of retail merchan- at 48 Oneida St. in A first-year mem-
dising and licens- Oneonta, which is ber of the Chamber
ing for the National also a Penske Truck Board of Directors,
Baseball Hall of Rental Dealer spe- Davis serves on the
Fame and Museum cializing in local Member Services
in Cooperstown. and one-way moving Committee.
Before joining the
Baseball Hall of
Fame, Gahagan
worked in various
brand manage-
ment positions for
licensees of Ralph ber of The Otsego
Lauren, Nike and County Chamber
Wilson Sporting
board, Gahagan
Goods. He received
his undergraduate serves on the
degree from the board’s Education
State University Col- and Membership
lege at Oneonta, and committees.
a Master in Business Gahagan and his
Administration de- wife, Kelly, live in
gree from Bingham- Binghamton and
ton University. have two children,
A first-year mem- Grace and Ryan.
 Mark Grygiel Douglas C. Gulotty Jon Hansen
10
Mark Grygiel is Douglas C. Gu- Jon Hansen is
assistant vice presi- lotty was named serving his fourth
dent at New York president and chief term on The Otsego
Central Mutual Fire executive officer County Chamber
Insurance Co. in of both the Wilber board after joining
Edmeston. Corp. and Wilber in January 2006.
A lifelong resi-
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009

National Bank on He has been in

dent of Oneonta, Jan. 2, 2006.
he graduated from the insurance busi-
Gulotty is a gradu-
Drew University ness since 1980 and
ate of the State
with a Bachelor of is a partner at the
University College
Arts degree in eco- at Oneonta with a Gordon B. Roberts
nomics and political Bachelor of Science Agency Inc.
science in 1990. degree in political He is a member of
He joined New science and econom- the Chamber’s Busi-
York Central Mutual ics, graduating mag- ness Action Commit-
in June 1990. of Otsego County Family YMCA. He tee. Oneonta with his
na cum laude. He is
He joined The Ot- face this year are also serves as trust- Hansen lives in wife, Maureen.
also a 1995 graduate
sego County Cham- ones many of us ee on the A.O. Fox
of the Stonier Grad-
have never been Memorial Hospital
ber in January 2007,
and is chairman of confronted with
uate School of Bank-
Foundation board
Call the Chamber at 877-5-OTSEGO
ing at the University
the Special Projects before. The Otsego of Delaware, gradu- and the Schenevus
Committee, a mem- County Chamber has ating cum laude. Central School Dis-
ber of the Executive always been on the He began his trict Board of Edu-
Committee and vice front line battling career in financial cation.
chairman of the for local business in services with Wilber The Wilber Corp.
Board of Directors. Albany, but the time National Bank as a is a single bank
“I am very fortu- has come for all of management trainee holding company,
nate that New York us to stand together in 1985. In 1993, he which, through Wil-
Central is such a and let our voices be was promoted to ber National Bank,
strong advocate of heard. It is our goal, vice president of its subsidiaries and
community involve- as the Chamber, to retail banking, and affiliates, offers a
ment,” he said. “It educate our mem- in 1998, to senior full range of bank-
is because of their bers and the com- vice president of ing, trust, financial
support and encour- munity on how all of customer delivery. planning, invest-
agement I am getting the new taxes and In 2000, Gulotty was ment and insur-
more involved.” fees proposed by the appointed executive
His wife, Michelle, ance services. The
governor will impact vice president of the
is an English teach- bank was chartered
us. bank.
er at Oneonta High in 1874 and has 21
“I feel very fortu- He was named
School. They have a president and chief branches in Otsego,
nate to be associated Delaware, Schoha-
3-year-old son, Zach- operating officer of
with such a strong rie, Ulster, Chenan-
ary. the bank in 2005.
team of board mem- go and Broome
“Throughout my Gulotty serves on
bers,” he added. counties, and loan
entire life, I have the boards of direc-
benefited from a “We all come from production offices
tors of The Otsego
countless number diverse business in Clifton Park, New
County Chamber,
people who have backgrounds and York City and Syra-
the New York State
invested time and are a very strong cuse. The company
Bankers’ Associa-
money in many of representation of tion, Springbrook has total assets of
the activities and our local economy. and the Oneonta about $925 million.
organizations I I look forward to
have been associ- working with our
ated with,” he said. team to come up
“Now it is my turn to with new and inno-
`pay it forward.’ The vative ideas that will
challenges the busi- help strengthen our
nesses and residents economy.”
 Richard A. Harlem Harlem is a
Roxana Hurlburt

11
founding member of
Richard A. Har- dent of the Hartwick the State University Roxana Hurlburt
lem is managing College Citizens College at Oneonta is vice president of
partner of the Law Board, and a mem- Children’s Center Information Systems
Office of Harlem and ber of the Newman and has coached Division Inc.
Jervis in Oneonta, House Board of Oneonta Little She joined The Ot-
which concentrates Directors. He is League and basket- sego County Cham-
ball in the Pickett’s

The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
on real estate, wills, also a member of St. ber Board of Direc-
estates and trusts, Mary’s Church, the League at the tors in 2008. She is
general litigation, Elks Club, Oneonta Oneonta Boys and serving as second
business law and Lodge #466 Free & Girls Club, as well vice chairwoman
municipal law. He Accepted Masons, as the club’s girls’ of the board and
has been practic- and Kiwanis. He is a traveling team. serves on the Execu-
ing law in Oneonta two-term past presi- He is a member of tive Committee and
since 1983. Har- dent of the Board the New York State, Chamber’s Business Member Services
lem received his of Education of the Florida, Otsego Action Committee Committee.
bachelor’s degree Oneonta City School County, Delaware and Technology “It is a wonderful it is imperative that
in political science District, former County and Broome opportunity to serve people `give back’
Committee and is
from the State Uni- Milford town justice County bar asso- as a voice for busi- to their communi-
chairman of the Per-
versity College at and a former mem- ciations, is a former ness. Our Chamber ties,” she said. “We
president of the sonnel Committee.
Plattsburgh and his ber of the Otsego connects its mem- are so very fortunate
law degree from the County Republi- Otsego County Bar He and his wife,
bers to the people, to live and work in
University of Toledo can Committee. He Association, and is a Debra, a teacher issues and infor- the greater Otsego
College of Law in also served on the member of the New at Greater Plains mation that matter County.”
Toledo, Ohio. boards of directors York State Academy Elementary School, most to business in Lifelong residents
He is an Execu- of the United Way of Trial Lawyers. have three children, these very complex of the area, Hurlburt
tive Council mem- and the Ricky J. Pa- Harlem serves on Zachary, Madeline economic times. In and her husband,
ber and past presi- risian Foundation. The Otsego County and Lesley. today’s environment Jim, live in Otego.

CENTRAL SERVICES GROUP

PROVING OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU! SINCE 1899

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12
Brian Hutzley is vice president
for business and finance at the
State University College of Tech-
nology at Delhi.
His responsibilities include
strategic visioning, budget and
planning, computer information
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
Brian Hutzley
His prior positions include direc-
tor of finance and strategy for Mead
in Sidney, where he drove acquisi-
tions and alliances processes, bud-
geting, credit and collection and
accounting services. Before Mead,
he held management positions at
He is on the board of directors
for The Otsego County Chamber
and on the Chamber’s Business Ac-
tion Committee. Hutzley is also on
the Delaware County Empire Zone
Administration Board and the Sid-
ney Community Foundation Board.

systems, food service, campus book-
store and business and community
service including continuing educa-
tion programs. He also serves on
the SUNY Chancellor’s Leadership
Advisory Committee.
Amphenol Aerospace, AT&T and
NCR.
His expertise includes strategy
and implementation, financial plan-
ning and controls, and organization-
al and leadership development.
Hutzley has a Master of Business
Administration degree from Syra-
cuse University and a bachelor’s
degree from Michigan State Univer-
sity. He is originally from Michigan
and now lives in Gilbertsville.

Kerri Insinga Rachel Lutz Jessup

Kerri Insinga is woman of the Tri- Rachel Lutz tive member of Main
the sales manager County Young Pro- Jessup is banking Street Oneonta, a
at WCDO radio in fessionals and was officer and branch member (and first
Sidney and has been recently appointed manager for NBT female member) of
with WCDO since to The Otsego Coun- Bank of Oneonta. the Oneonta Rotary
2000. Jessup was born and Club and a member
ty Chamber board.
She also began raised in Oneonta, of the First Pres-
her own business, Insinga loves daughter of Sayers byterian Church in
Celebration Cre- spending time with and the late Joan Oneonta.
ations Wedding & her family, reading, Lutz, who have both This is Jessup’s
Event Planning, in running and her been active mem- second year on the
2006. friends. bers of The Otsego Chamber Board of
Insinga is an Insinga and her County Chamber. Directors. She is on
active volunteer fiancé, Blake Green, Jessup has been the Chamber’s Ex-
within the tri-county are looking forward in the banking ecutive Committee
area, serving on a Commerce Chenan- profession since gree in psychology and Special Projects
to their upcoming from Alfred Univer-
variety of boards go, board member 1986, the past seven Committee.
and committees. winter wedding. years with NBT sity. Jessup lives in
of the Delaware
She is vice president County Chamber, They live in Sidney Bank. She graduated Jessup is a board Oneonta with her
of the Sidney Cham- chairwoman and with their children, from Oneonta High member for the twin daughters, Kac-
ber of Commerce, a founding board Kelsey, Rachael and School and has her Future of Oneonta ey and Jamie, and
ambassador for member and chair- Grace. Bachelor of Arts de- Foundation, an ac- her son, Andrew.
 Peter Livshin
Peter Livshin has
been the superinten-
dent of schools for
the Milford Central
School District since
July 1997.
He holds a Bach-
elor of Arts degree in
history from Trinity
University, Master
of Arts and Master of
Science degrees from
Syracuse Univer-
sity in social studies
education and inter-
national relations
and a Certificate of
Advanced Study in
educational adminis-
tration from the State
University College at
Brockport.
Before becom-
ing superinten-
dent, Livshin was
a secondary school
principal in Fort
Edward, social stud-
ies supervisor in the
Skaneateles Central
School District and a
social studies teacher
in the Albion Central
Congratulations
ROBERT A. HARLEM
Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen
AND THE
OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL
NBT Bank Distinguished Business
connect with us @ www.hartwick.edu
Paul A. Lawrence Marc Kingsley
13
Paul A. Lawrence Marc Kingsley is a
is general manager native upstate New
of the Holiday Inn Yorker and the own-
in Oneonta. er/innkeeper of the
He and his fam- Inn at Cooperstown,
ily moved to Oneon-
an 18-room restored
ta three years ago
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
historic hotel lo-
from Gainesville,
Fla., due to a trans- cated in downtown
Cooperstown.
fer with his com-
pany, Charter One He is responsible
Hotels Inc. for all daily aspects
He is graduate of of running and man-
Concord University aging the hotel.
in Athens, W.Va., He served in the
with a degree in U.S. Air Force for 10
School District. He has been the years before receiv-
travel industry They now live in
A sixth-year mem- manager of the ing an honorable
management. Cherry Valley.
ber of The Otsego Lawrence is a Country Club Minor discharge and mov-
He serves on
County Chamber second-year mem- League Baseball ing to Atlanta, Ga.
the Otsego County
board, he is chairman ber on the board Team for three He met his wife, Chamber Board of
seasons, and sup-
of the board. He also of directors and Sherrie, in Georgia, Directors and is
serves on the Educa- serves on the Tour- ports Oneonta High and she persuaded president of the Coo-
tion and Business ism Committee. School athletics as him to move back to perstown Chamber
Action committees. Lawrence and his a member of the upstate New York. of Commerce.
He is on the boards wife, Cherie, have Booster Club.
of directors of the four boys, Taha- The Lawrences
United Way of Dela- ren, 14, Anthony, 9, purchased a house
ware and Otsego Zyeir, 6, and Kar’ri, in Oneonta and live
Counties and Leath- 5, which keeps in a neighborhood
erstocking’s Promise them very active that has made them
Inc. _ The Alliance in school functions feel welcome, he
for Youth. and sporting events. said.
 Tanya Shalor Russell A. Southard Jr.
14

Tanya Shalor is ber of the Oneonta Russell A. South- er of the Elm Park
the publisher of The Business Women’s ard Jr. is general United Methodist
Daily Star and all Club, an Interactive manager of Mirabito Church Board of
associated products. & Newsmedia Fi- Energy Products Trustees.
She started her nancial Executives headquartered in A sports enthusi-
newspaper career member, a Rotar- Binghamton. ast, Southard spends
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009

with the company ian, volunteers for Before his em- much of his free
as the comptroller the Women Helping ployment with time as a volunteer
and human resource Girls Make Choices Mirabito, which coach for various
director in 2000 and and Girls on the began in Septem- youth sports in the
was promoted to her Run, and coaches ber 2000, he worked Oneonta area and
current role in 2007. youth soccer. for New York State
being a specta-
Before her posi- Shalor serves on Electric & Gas Corp.
tor and supporter
tion with the local The Otsego County as a commercial/in-
of Oneonta High
newspaper, Shalor Chamber Board of dustrial marketing
worked with Morgan Directors and on the representative for School athletics.
and is a graduate As a sixth-year
Stanley Dean Witter Chamber’s Business 14 years. He also enjoys
of the Leadership member, he is past
in Manhattan as a Action Committee, He graduated chairman of the Ot- playing golf and
Otsego program and
fund accountant and now serves on the Tourism Committee from the State sego County Cham- spending time with
with a local waste Advisory Council and Special Projects University College ber Board of Direc- his family.
disposal firm. for the organization. Committee. of Agriculture and tors (2008), and also He and his wife,
Shalor received She is also a board Shalor and her Technology at Mor- is on the Chamber’s Tammy, live in
her bachelor’s member of the Tri- husband, Kevin, a risville with an Executive and Busi- Oneonta and have
degree in account- County Young Pro- contractor, live in associate’s degree ness Action commit- three children,
ing from Elmira fessionals. Worcester with their in business adminis- tees. Reisa, Brandon and
College with honors Shalor is a mem- daughter, Hailey. tration. He is also treasur- Tyler.
 Michele Stoeger Leif Van Cott Chamber staff

15
Michele Stoeger Leif Van Cott is di-
is the executive of-
ficer of the Otsego-
rector of operations
at Unadilla Silo Co. Pam Ferguson
Delaware Board of Inc. Pam Ferguson joined The
Realtors, which has Van Cott was born Otsego County Chamber in
about 450 members in Sidney and lived May 2006 and is the member-
in Oneonta until the

The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009
who serve Otsego, ship coordinator/adminis-
Delaware, Chenango age of 6. His family’s trative assistant. She is the
and Madison coun- business, Unadilla first point of contact for most
ties. Silo Co. Inc., has people with the Chamber.
Stoeger grew up been operating in Ot- Her duties also include coor-
sego County for more
in Otego and has Ferguson dinating membership issues,
been involved in the than 100 years. His organizing meetings and special events.
involvement in the
real estate business ___
company represents
since 1975 in Florida
and New York state.
She lives in Dav-
eight grandchildren.
Stoeger has
the sixth generation
of Van Cotts. ness.
Shortly after grad-
Shelly Giangrant
At 13, he began at- Shelly Giangrant joined The Otsego
enport with her served on the board tending Eaglebrook uating, he moved to
husband, Gary, and County Chamber in 2000 as
of directors of The School, a small New Hampshire and
the executive administra-
they enjoy many out- Otsego County boarding school took a position in the tor and was promoted to the
door activities with Chamber and on the in Deerfield, Mass. human resources de- position of the director of
their blended family Tourism Committee After graduating in partment at Wheela- operations in January 2008.
of four children and since 2005. 1994, he attended brator Technologies, She is responsible for the
Phillips Exeter a subsidiary of the Chamber’s day-to-day activi-
Cyndy Yager
Academy in Exeter, Waste Management ties, financial activities and
N.H., where he met Corp. concentrating on expanded
his future wife, Erin. Giangrant
In late 2004, he internal efficiencies and
Cyndy Yager is They married in returned to upstate cost-beneficial services to members.
the controller at 2003. After graduat- New York and took
A.O. Fox Memorial ing from Exeter in over as director of
Hospital in Oneonta. 1997, he attended operations at Un-
She is responsible Boston University. adilla Silo Co. He
for all of the report- He then graduated
lives in Oneonta with
ing and accounting from BU’s School of
his wife, Erin, and
functions for the Management in 2001
with a bachelor’s their children, Xan-
hospital and its vari- der and Gwyneth.
ous entities. degree in finance.
During his high He said, “I feel
Yager grew up in great being able to
school and college
the Oneonta area work for an organiza-
years, he interned at
and graduated from Unadilla Silo in the tion that is deeply
the State University estimating and ac- committed to fos-
College at Oneonta counting department tering the financial
with a bachelor’s serves on hospital to become familiar success of Otsego
degree in business committees includ- with the family busi- County businesses.”
economics with a ing the Revenue Cy-
minor in accounting. cle Committee and
She serves on the the Strategic Plan-
Board of Directors ning Management
for The Otsego Coun- Advisory Group
ty Chamber and is Committee.
on the Chamber’s She lives in Otego
Business Action with her husband,
Committee. Yager Wayne.

Visit the Otsego County Chamber online

at www.otsegocountychamber.com
The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 31, 2009; The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 2, 2009; The Weekly Star, Friday, April 3, 2009 16