chamber of commerce

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series prepared on behalf of the tourism agency of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. The new tourism guide was recently published and is available at the chamber's office and will soon be available at other tourism locations. The guide is also available for download from the official tourism site for Genesee County, VisitGeneseeNY.com.

At a time when institutions across New York are cutting back on arts program, Genesee Community College built a new, modern art gallery.

The Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery is one of several forward-looking initiatives taken by GCC over the years that attracted Shirley Tokash Verrico to a job at the college.

Verrico teaches art history and is director of the gallery.

"It speaks a lot to the commitment of the college to education and the arts,"  Verrico said. "The college has had the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Genesee County Symphony in the arts center. They've done a wonderful job of balancing a commitment to both regional and community arts."

The Steiner gallery opened in the Spring of 2011. The 1,700-square-foot gallery is located inside the Center for the Arts on the Batavia campus of GCC. The gallery is named in honor of a tireless and strong supporter of the arts -- the late wife of longtime college President Stuart Steiner, now retired.

The combination of its soft white walls and lighting, ample natural light, gleaming wooden floors and uncluttered displays, makes for a space that is peaceful, roomy and well-designed, a formula that can only enhance the visitor's experience.

"The gallery space works really well for both multimedia and traditional art forms," Verrico said. "Those white walls can accommodate big paintings, but it's also a good space for sculpture."

The gallery is open to the public and admission is free, but Verrico said she is really trying to bring in shows that also provide teaching opportunities for students across disciplines.

With more than 15 years experience as an artist, cultural critic and educator in Western New York, Verrico is an expert in the regional arts scene. She holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, master's degree in Arts and Humanities and is a NYS certified art teacher.

Artists selected for showings at the gallery come from throughout the region, from Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo as well as Genesee County and the neighboring rural counties.

The media of the shows are as wide ranging as the artists selected, from  ceramics, glassworks, metal sculptures, abstract modern art, portraiture, watercolors and traditional oil paintings, and a wide array of pen-and-ink and charcoal drawings, along with interactive and multimedia displays.

Shows change every five weeks.

"Our gallery offers an excellent opportunity to see professional work in a state-of-the-art facility," Verrico said.

The spring showings feature the works of GCC students.

The grand opening, for example, featured large-scale sculpture and traditional paintings on canvas. Both worked very well in the gallery space.

When Verrico is in the gallery, she's generally available, and enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge about the work on display.

Currently, the gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours may vary during college breaks, including the summer sessions. Groups interested in visiting the gallery on weekends should contact Verrico in advance to make special arrangements.

The campus is at 1 College Road in the Town of Batavia. Once you arrive, park in the main lot, walk toward the main entrance, and on your left you'll see the "Stuart Steiner Theatre." Enter it, turn right, and the gallery is straight ahead.

Check out the website or contact the gallery to see what's on exhibit and the line-up of special events. Plus, you might get a chance to meet the artists, experience live music, or take in a performance at the Center for the Arts. Maybe you'll find a unique piece of art for sale that you simply must have!

Here's contact information:

http://www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/gallery/

(585) 343-0055, ext. 6490

stverrico@genesee.edu

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series prepared on behalf of the tourism agency of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. The new tourism guide was recently published and is available at the chamber's office and will soon be available at other tourism locations. The official tourism site for Genesee County is VisitGeneseeNY.com.

Some people leave their mark on the land by building highways and shopping centers.

Paul Osborn is leaving his mark by making Genesee County's parks more accessible and inviting to visitors.

Osborn started his parks career 12 years ago after getting a degree in landscape architecture, but he thinks he made the right choice when he decided to apply to the county for a parks job.

"It was an opportunity to be part of creating something that will be there forever," Osborn said. "It my chance to create a legacy, to leave my stamp on things."

When Osborn took over as parks supervisor, the Genesee County Park in Bethany was in pretty bad shape, he said, and Dewitt Recreational Area was less than two years old and needed a lot of improvements.

"It was an opportunity to show what I could do for the community," said Osborn, a native of Oakfield who still lives in Genesee County with his wife of 12 years, Melinda, and their two children.

The vast Genesee County Park, covering 430 acres, was beset by disrepair when Osborn started. The bridges were getting old, the pavilions needed fixing, the playgrounds weren't up to standards and the facilities management structure was just a hut with a dirt floor.

Slowly, Osborn was able to rehabilitate the park infrastructure, and improve access for people with disabilities.

Today, the park is one of the gems to attract people to Genesee County.

With more than 150,000 trees, which were planted between 1885 and 1935, the park was the first county forest established in New York’s history.

Its four acres of wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl. There are also five ponds, a few of which are good fishing spots.

Visitors can enjoy five picnic areas and four playgrounds. There are pavilions equipped with grills and restrooms at each area. Hikers, walkers, runners and long-distance skiers can enjoy more than 10 miles of marked and mapped trails.

There's also a baseball and football field, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and a sledding hill.

Dewitt Recreational Area, on Cedar Street in Batavia, is where Osborn has been able to exercise some of his creative energy.

While there was a master plan in place for Dewitt when he took over, it doesn't specify every detail of development. This allowed Osborne to choose the design of pavilions, select picnic tables and playground equipment and decide the best placement for them all.

And the park is still a work in progress.

Currently, it offers a state-of-the-art playground in easy view of either of its pavilions, plus a quarter-mile track, all on the edge of a large pond. The water is stocked each spring with brown trout, providing a lure to young anglers right in the city.

Since Osborn took over the parks, the Nature Center at Genesee County Park has also undergone its own kind of upgrades (the center is off Bethany Center Road, the last left before crossing the county line).

With the help of Judy Spring, environmental education specialist, programs have been added, displays made more interactive and marketing has been improved so local residents can stay apprised of what's going on at the center.

The 3,000-square-foot center was built in 1998. It offers a laboratory, a classroom, several display areas and a conference room. From the back porch, visitors are often able to view wildlife hanging out in their natural setting. The center is open year-round Thursday through Sunday, with hours varying according to the season. 

"The nice thing about our parks is that there’s something for everyone when they come,” Osborn said.

While Osborn is no naturalist -- he considers himself a facilitator for the parks, and finds the right experts to help with forestry and wetlands management -- he does think the parks play an important role in a healthy community.

He frets about childhood obesity and that too many children today do not get enough opportunities to play in the dirt.

"Last year we had a small girl from Batavia who had never been outside in the woods," Osborn said. "She needed a leader to hold her hand because she had never been in the woods before.

"Here we are living in a rural community and there is a little girl who has never been in the woods. That's just shameful for society. We need the chance for natural experiences."

Photos by Howard Owens

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce today announced the 2011 honorees who will be feted at the 40th Annual Awards Ceremony on April 14 at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia. However, the Geneseean of the Year has not yet been named.

Here are the award recipients:

Business of the Year: Arctic Refrigeration Company of Batavia, Inc.  

Agricultural Business of the Year: Baskin Livestock, Inc.

Industry of the Year: Graham Corporation

Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: Adept Equipment Services

Innovative Enterprise of the Year: Palm Island Indoor Waterpark at the Clarion Hotel

Geneseean of the Year:  To Be Announced

This is the county’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. If you would like to attend, tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. There will be entrée tables and a cash bar (No formal sit-down dinner will be served). The award program starts at 7 and dessert and coffee will be served at that time.

Call Kelly J. Bermingham, at 343-7440, ext. 26, to make your reservations or with any questions you may have.

Reminder...

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Committee has announced the 2011 Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel, Park Road, Batavia. This is the county’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.

The chamber has streamlined its nomination forms to make submissions less cumbersome and time consuming. Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration.

Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition and Geneseean of the Year. Business Nominees must be a chamber member (If unsure of your nominee, call the chamber to verify).

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 210 E. Main St., Batavia and can also be downloaded from the chamber website at www.geneseeny.com.

If you would like more information, feel free to call Kelly J. Bermingham, director of Membership & Special Events at the chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 26.

Deadline for nominations is Jan. 6

• Business of the Year Award

The nominee must have demonstrated significant business stability, commitment to the business community, community service and leadership.

• Entreprenuerial Business of the Year

Leading the way in the development of business through opportunities that created uniqueness of business ideas and initiation of the owner.

• Agricultural Business of the Year

Nominee must be considered an agri-business and have demonstrated steady or increased growth in this industry.

• Innovative Enterprise of the Year

A business that is successfully generating and implementing new or novel ideas and methods.

• Special Service Recognition

Does not have to be a business. Can be an organization, club, government agency, educational institute or health care facility that is recognizing a major event or activity/activities. Must have had lasting benefit to the community at large for that organization.

• Geneseean of the Year

A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, contributed or volunteered beyond the call of duty, a true unsung hero of today. Person must be a resident of Genesee County.

(Members of the chamber of commerce board of directors are not eligible for awards.)

Members of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce gathered at Terry Hills this afternoon for the chamber's annual meeting and installation of officers.

Chamber President Lynn Freeman gave an update on chamber activities and spoke about the chamber's decision to partner with Tompkins Insurance to provide a new health insurance plan to members (key reasons -- the ability to offer monthly payments for members and eliminating a fee the chamber had to charge with the former plan).

JoAnne McInerney from Tompkins also spoke about the state of the health insurance industry and the trend away from co-pay plans to higher deductible plans.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has for some time been concerned with rising medical insurance premium costs and the impact they have on the small business community. In order to better serve members that provide employee benefits, the chamber is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Tompkins Insurance Agencies to provide health insurance programs for its members.

Tompkins Insurance will now be the health insurance provider for the chamber, a move that will immediately reduce health insurance costs for most members by eliminating service fees. This partnership also adds flexibility in making premium payments, as well as offering a wider variety of policies from which to choose.

“Tompkins Insurance is honored to have been chosen by the chamber to help it provide its valued members with quality, cost-effective benefits for their employees, especially in these unsettled economic times,” said David Boyce, president and CEO of Tompkins Insurance.

The licensed professionals at Tompkins Insurance will work with the chamber to identify different options in health insurance and other employee benefit programs. The goal will be to customize programs to meet the varied needs of members’ businesses in the most economical way.

“This arrangement is being put in place to address the issue of continually rising health insurance premiums in challenging economic times. The chamber is confident this partnership will help control costs and offer savings opportunities, flexibility and more options to our members,” said chamber President Lynn Freeman.

Jeff Boshart, board chair of the chamber said, “We feel this alliance with Tompkins Insurance is especially significant in that it not only provides our members with top-notch insurance programs and services, but that they will be provided to chamber members, by a chamber member.”

This information was provided by Genesee Community College.

Jerry Kozlowski has been appointed to the "Higher Education Work Group" of Governor Cuomo's Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.

Kozlowski will assist the council with the development of a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan to galvanize regional and local economic development for the Finger Lakes area. The workgroup has been defined as the "heart of the Council's work" by the Governor.

New York's 10 Regional Economic Development Council's are tasked to assemble detailed strategies to capitalize on principal regional economic drivers and other opportunities, and to address critical issues that have impeded appropriate economic growth.

The timetable is ambitious and work needs to be completed by mid-November. A final decision from Albany in December will outline how almost $1 billion dollars in new state funding will be allocated to the 10 regions.

"I am honored to be a part of this important work" Kozlowski said. "Millions of dollars are at stake for the GLOW region and I look forward to helping our team identify and develop transformative projects that achieve our region's many needs."

Kozlowski currently serves as the associate vice president for Workforce Development at Genesee Community College and is the incoming chairman of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to stop by Oliver's Candies parking lot -- at 211 West Main St. in Batavia -- today for their bumper-to-bumper brochure exchange.

Set to run from 3 until 4:30 p.m., this event is a great opportunity to learn about the many attractions in Genesee County and the surrounding region. Representatives from each organization will be there to talk with people and provide information.

The following organizations from Genesee County are participating:

• Oliver's Candies
• Simply Homespun
• Batavia Bus Service, Inc.
• Coffee Culture
• Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
• D & R Depot
• Jell-O Gallery and the Historical Le Roy House
• Batavia's Original (formerly Pontillo's)
• Copper Top Gardens

Other organizations from our region will include:

• Hidden Valley Animal Adventure (Wyoming)
• Genesee Country Village & Museum (Monroe)
• Genesee Country Campground (Livingston)
• Barn Quilt Trail (Orleans)
• Watt Farms (Orleans)
• Orleans County Tourism
• Artists of the Oak (Orleans)
• Medina Railroad Museum (Orleans)

"Yankee Doodle Brochure Distribution" will also be represented.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 343-7440.

Joe Teresi, above, accepts his 2010 Geneseean of the Year award from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce during the its annual awards dinner Saturday at the Clarion Hotel.

Below, the articles we previously published about each of the award winners.

• Meet Joseph Teresi, Geneseean of the Year
• Business of the Year has it covered
• Pudgie puts the local into 'locally grown' produce and garden plants
• Stuart Steiner: Leaving at the 'top of his game' and reaping a special reward
• Robert Bennett honored for outstanding community service

Ron Weiler, Sterling Tents, Business of the Year.

Robert Bennett, winner of Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award.

More pictures after the jump:

MC, Dan Fischer, WBTA.

Jeff Boshart, chairman of the chamber board.

Chamber President Lynn Freeman.

Stu Steiner accepting the chamber's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Stu Steiner.

Daniel "Pudgie" Riner, owner of Triple P Farms, 2010 Agricultural Business of the Year.

This is our fifth and final installment of stories on the 2010 Genesee County Chamber of Commerce awards winners. The awards will be presented at a dinner tomorrow evening at the Clarion Hotel.

Among the many good works that 2010 Geneseean of the Year Joe Teresi has been active in over the years is the Challenger Sports program.

His involvement began when a local woman came to him with an idea for a program serving kids with special needs, giving them a chance to play sports, but wondering how to insure those activities. As vice president of Tompkins Insurance, he might have the answer. 

His plan, rather than burdening the upstart program with its own policy, was to get it under the umbrella of the YMCA.

With that insight, one of Genesee County's most enduring and endearing community activities was born.

Teresi said that seeing the joy on the faces of the kids in the Challenger program is reward enough for the volunteer work that he does, but he’s had to find the best way to balance nonprofit work with his career.

“Sometimes, I’m able to mix the two like with the Challenger Sports,” he said.

But other times, Teresi just donates his extra time to a cause he feels is worthy.

“Being able to give an organization 100 percent of my effort is great,” he explained. “But one thing about volunteering is sometimes the same thing gets old and when that happens, you’re ready to move on to the next challenge.”

Teresi has been an officer and director on the Genesee and Wyoming counties YMCA board and his knowledge of the organization was crucial when he helped found Challenger Sports.

According to Teresi, a lot of things in his life have led him toward volunteerism.

“It’s been instilled in me -- – probably through my parents, high school at Notre Dame where they make community service a big part, and also through my company here,” Teresi said as he sat in his office at Tompkins Insurance.

“We get so much from the community that we make it a big point for all of our employees to give back to the communities where we live and serve – both with some money if they can, but more importantly with their time and effort.”

But Teresi doesn’t volunteer his time just because it’s encouraged at work.

“It’s the smiles,” he said.

“For Christmas dinner this year we served over 300 people and probably over 100 of them were kids…seeing the smiles on their faces when they got not only a good meal, but when they received their present and had a taste of Christmas that they might not have had a full taste of before.”

Teresi worked with the Lions Club of Batavia for years to make a free Christmas dinner possible to those who might need it. He explained that his whole family gets involved and it’s a special time for each one of them.

“The Lions Club does a lot of good for the community that goes unnoticed and it was really my beginning of giving back as an adult,” Teresi said.

He thanked Rocco Della Penna for introducing him to the Lions Club, and the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for choosing to honor him this year -- along with Rick Mancuso and Shelly Fallitico for nominating him – especially because being named Geneseean of the Year came as a surprise.

“I was in shock and awe,” he admitted.

“Then I realized that it would be a great thing to be recognized for some of the work over the past few years, but there are many other people who do good work that often go unnoticed."

Although the 2010 Business of the Year has all seasons "covered," owner Ronald Weiler says that the spring and summertime are certainly the most hectic.

“It’s very intense,” he admitted, and after a moment, chuckled at the accidental pun.

As it happens, Weiler spends most of the warmer months quite literally in tents.

Sterling Tents & Awnings, Inc., was chosen by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce to receive the award on April 9.

“It feels really great,” Weiler said. “It’s quite an honor for just a small business with all the big businesses around. You would never think it would happen for a small operation like ours so it really feels great.”

Weiler recalls a day that changed his life forever -- a Monday night in early August of 1958 -- the day he met his wife, Sandra Sterling. They were just teenagers at the time.

“After we started going together, I started helping out with the business,” Weiler said, smiling as he stood in his office at 150 Pearl St.

“And here we are now.”

Sandra’s grandfather founded Sterling Tents & Awnings in 1911, making this year a century of coverings, tents and custom-made protection from the elements.

“We sort of help people to enjoy the outdoors,” Weiler said. “We all live in Western New York.”

Weiler pointed out the benefits that a small operation like his can provide to a customer.

“What really sets us apart is that we’re not a big box store,” he said. “We can handle individual needs, wants and desires and match them up to the application, pocketbook and the date it has to happen.”

Weiler also said that he and his employees take special pride in the customer service that Sterling Tents & Awnings is able to provide.

“Our doors are always open and you can always get a live person on the phone – we don’t have a recording or a lot of prompts. It’s an easy access type personnel that just drives to satisfy.

Sterling Tents & Awnings may be a family name, but Weiler likes for his customers to identify the business and service with a “sterling” reputation as well.

“Whether it’s protecting your party or wedding under your patio or just protecting an investment (boats, motorcycles, etc.), we’d like to see you have fun outdoors. That’s our goal.”

Top photo, from left: Kelsey Ferguson, Russell Irwin, Sandy Wilson, Ron Weiler.

This is the second in our series on the 2010 Chamber of Commerce award winners. The awards will be presented at a dinner at the Clarion Hotel on Saturday.

The inaugural Genesee County Lifetime Achievement Award of the local chamber of commerce will be presented Saturday to retiring college President Stuart Steiner, Ed.D. The accolade will be a singular coda for an exceptional career.

By all accounts, it is altogether fitting that this renowned educator, who leaves his post at Genesee Community College on Aug. 31, should get this unique honor.

During his 44 years at the GCC, 36 as president, he has worked relentlessly to make what used to be known as "junior college" more attainable, affordable and respectable. Nationally recognized for his solid and indefatigable leadership in education, he has brought GCC to new heights in every respect, according to community leaders.

In his comfortable office at the Batavia campus, the Maryland native talked about how pleased he is to be honored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at its 39th Annual Awards Ceremony.

His eyes seem to "smile" when he talks and he smiles a lot, too. His voice is soft and low and he's easy to chat with, a guy students can talk to, even play Ping-Pong with, seriously.

He motioned toward the MedTech building across the street, the new athletic fields, and indicated that most of what he set out to do has been accomplished.

So after two consecutive academic years of record enrollments and sound financials, with new labor contracts in place, and good relations with staff, faculty and the Genesee County Legislature -- he's taking his late wife Rosalie's advice.

"(Roz) said 'I know you love the job. You get up and you still go to work at 6:30, quarter to 7, in the morning. ... But when you decide that maybe it's time to retire, pick a time when everything's going right, when you're at the top of your game."

Steiner looks back and takes a lot of pride in what's taken place.

"It's enjoyable to see people who the college made a difference in their lives and the lives of their families," Steiner said. "It's not a theoretical difference. That's just a delightful thing."

Time was when going to that hilltop "high school with an ashtray" meant slouching toward a place of second-rate learning, where you went when you couldn't get into a "real" college. 

But over the years that perception waned because it could be proven that the quality of instruction and the transferability of credits earned would make it possible for more students to attend say, the University of Buffalo or even Cornell, as juniors. From a practical standpoint, for parents, that meant that a four-year university that was out of reach financially, could become at least a feasible option.

The degree earned comes from the graduating college. It doesn't say, the "first two years at a community college," Steiner said.

Add to that the surge in working adults, so-called "nontraditional students," needing job-specific instruction, and more people wanting certificate courses, and junior colleges grew up to become community colleges.

Steiner saw the changes and helped encourage the trends. Today, GCC typically has students from more than 20 different nations and more than 40 counties statewide.

The success story that is GCC would not be possible, Steiner repeatedly notes, without being able to delegate to quality staff members and instructors.

"You have to have a great support team and staff," Steiner said. "You can't run it and have a good college if you don't have other people who are good at their jobs."

There's high praise from Steiner about the college's foundation board and the board of trustees. Over the years, the men and women involved have helped steer the course, raise the money, get the buildings built and more. Ditto the county legislators.

(He happens to be the second-longest-serving community college president in the nation. Here's true kismet -- In the early years, he accepted a job at a community college in Maryland and there was another person hired there, same day, same hour, same type of job -- a director -- who is now the president of Westchester Community College. And that man is the longest-serving community college president in the nation.)

A lot of fancy degrees are on Steiner's office wall, including a doctorate in education and also in law, master's degrees and an AA degree from Baltimore Junior College (as it was called then). So he, too, started at a community college.

But of all his awards, honors and degrees, his crowning moment comes April 15 when the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery opens at the campus. She herself was a highly regarded artist.

"The decency that the board recognized that I couldn't do all that I was able to do if she wasn't doing a lot of the support work. She worked with the board, she hosted things. She did things in the community.

"That's the highlight -- to have the kids there and let them see their mom recognized for the work she did, not because she was my wife. I think that's important."

This is the first in our series on the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce award winners. Today, we feature Robert Bennett, winner of Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award. The awards will be presented at a dinner Saturday at the Clarion Hotel.

It takes a truly selfless man to find ways to go above and beyond to volunteer in his community for more than 20 years but Robert Bennett swears that his countless hours of community service have rewarded him just as much in return.

He has served on a number of boards and organizations in Le Roy and Genesee County just because he likes the feeling of being productive and doing good things for good people.

“I’ve made some great friendships and relationships,” Bennett said.

“The kind where if they need something, they call you and if you need something, you call them.”

When he heard he was to receive the Jay Humphrey III Excellence in Leadership Award at the annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Bennett said he certainly felt humbled.

“What a great award. I was close friends with Jay – he and I worked on many different boards together. We’re old friends.”

Bennett used to work with Humphrey’s family at Wyoming County Bank. Although he’s remained in the banking industry, Bennett now manages the Le Roy Bank of Castile.

“My job at the Bank of Castile encourages everyone to get involved with the community,” he shrugged.

“Banking promotes getting involved…and there’s a lot of things that need your help but it’s not always the money. Anyone can write a check but sometimes it’s expertise, it’s running the projects or helping to guide these organizations.”

Bennett dedicates his time to the Genesee Community College Foundation and the college’s housing board. He’s been involved with United Way, the American Red Cross and he even helped develop the Le Roy Business Council. He is an active Le Roy Rotarian and a past president. He has coached sports teams, helped with Easter egg hunts, appliance raffles and various fundraisers for a number of different causes.

He plans to continue to make service to his community a priority and is currently looking forward to the annual Easter celebration in Le Roy, helping to choose which deserving graduating seniors will be awarded scholarships through the Le Roy Rotary, and working with the GCC foundation.

“If I get involved, I’m usually trying to just do something,” Bennett said.

“It’s not to be a member or a board director…I’m a people person. I just try to make a difference.”

Photos by Howard Owens

An effort to boost membership in the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is being launched and will culminate in a drive in May to sign 100 new members.

On May 11, 12 and 13, chamber volunteers will call on local businesses that are not members and ask them to join.

Above, Lori Stupp, Kelly Bermingham and Chad Zambito, who are heading up the effort.

There are 800 businesses in Genesee County that are eligible for membership.

Photo submitted by the chamber.

Full press release after the jump:

Committee organizers are preparing for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Membership Dive which will be held May 11th, 12th and 13th. Community volunteers will be contacting local businesses that are not currently Chamber Members and encouraging them to join the already 800 local businesses that are members to become a Chamber Member.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has seen a steady decline in membership over the last several years and getting the community behind this event will allow the Chamber the manpower it needs to significantly increase the number of Chamber Members and has set a goal of 100 new members during this 3 day event.

The Chamber of Commerce has a lot to offer our local businesses such as Promoting your Business, Employee Discounts, Consulting, Networking, Advocacy and Health Insurance just to name a few of the many benefits. Becoming a member of the Chamber is one of the best investments your business can make.

For more information on the Membership Drive or becoming a Chamber Member please contact Kelly Bermingham, Director of Membership at 585-343-7440 or email her at kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

Lori Stupp – Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Chad Zambito – Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Kelly Bermingham – Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership