Board of Directors
Georgia Van Dyke, Executive Director
The chamber's Board of Directors meetings are open to all Chamber members. They are the fourth Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:15 a.m. and usually are completed by 9:00 a.m. These meetings are held at various locations. Feel free to call the chamber office to find out where.
Georgia Van Dyke, Executive Director
Georgia came to the area from Long Island in 1986 and worked for New York
State Nurses Association as a Nursing Representative for 21 years before
retiring in 2004. In March of 2005 SUNY Cobleskill as a "Notable Woman of
Schoharie County" recognized Georgia, along with five other women. She
continues to be committed and involved in many community and volunteer
organizations. Georgia has been a member of the Lions Club since 1988.
She is also an active member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. In
2003 Georgia established "The Darryl West Van Dyke Memorial Fund" through
The Community Foundation of the Capital District. This fund supplies AEDs
(defibrillators) to businesses though out Schoharie County. Georgia's late
husband Darryl opened Gobbler's Knob Driving Range in 2001. Over the past
four years, Georgia has worked very hard to bring his dream of a Family Fun
Park to fruition. With the assistance of her business partner Larry Gribben,
the miniature golf course, which features "Schoharie County Landmarks"
opened in May 2006. |
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Scott Ferguson, President
Scott Ferguson is the owner of Upstate
Professional Cleaning and founded Building Environment Service Technicians (BEST). Scott also teaches two courses a semester at SUNY Cobleskill's business school.
He has 17 years of small business ownership experience and twenty years of corporate organizational
development and Human Resource Management experience. Additionally, Scott is certified to teach
property damage continuing education courses for the insurance industry.
Building Environment Service Technicians (BEST) provides remediation of water, fire, smoke, and mold damage to residential
and commercial properties across ten counties. Upstate Professional Cleaning provides cleaning services,
which include duct cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and power washing, to both residential and
commercial customers throughout Schoharie county.
Scott and his wife Carrie live in the town of Root just a couple miles from the Schoharie county line.
They made this area their full-time home in 2005. They have eight children and seven grandchildren and are
actively engaged in supporting their children in the local sports programs, scouting, and church activities.
Both Upstate Professional Cleaning and Building Environment Service Technicians (BEST) - are members of the Schoharie County
Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber's Business Generators Group which is focused on keeping and
growing business in Schoharie County. Scott is also the founder, board member, and Treasurer of Solar
Farms, Inc. which is a hydroponic farm. Scott will be defending his dissertation for his doctorate in
Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College in August. He was awarded his MBA from Duke and his
BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.
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Kathy Smith
Kathy is co-general manager for Howes Caverns Adventure Parks, in Howes Cave, NY. Kathy
started her career at the Best Western in 1993, having been Restaurant
Manager for BW Delaney's working her way to the Sales Office. She was
Director of Sales and Catering accepting the General Managers position in
August of 2004. Kathy, along with her husband, was chair for the Schoharie
County Fourth of July committee for two years and on the Chamber's Harvest
Festival Committee for several years. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Events & Activities and Promotional Committee. |
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Patrick Coffey, 2nd Vice President
Patrick is employed by Schoharie County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. as Job Developer for the agency’s New Pathways Employment Services program. New Pathways is an employment service providing disabled county residents with career counseling, soft skills training, job placement and specialized job training. It also is a resource for employers providing qualified trained employees, assistive technology resources and up to date information on tax credits and money incentives that are available to businesses that hire workers with a disability. New Pathways is currently working with over sixty individuals at over forty Schoharie County businesses. Patrick serves on the Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie Workforce Investment Board’s Business Consortium Committee and represents the Schoharie ARC on the Human Services coordinating Council. He has served on the Chamber’s Membership Committee for the past six years. He is a former member of the Guilderland Chamber. After graduating from Siena College, Patrick began a long career in business and sales management working for several large and small companies including R. H. Macy, BP Oil and Tractor Supply Co. Patrick’s spare time is spent caring for the many horses and Labrador retrievers at the family farm in Schoharie. Patrick believes that a strong local economy is necessary to provide opportunities that people desire in Schoharie County. |
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Johnathan Wilsey
Johnathan Wilsey is a Senior Financial Services Representative with First Investors Corporation located in Albany, NY. John has been affiliated with First Investors since 2006 and has held various roles in the company, including Sales Supervisor and Division Manager. In February of 2012, John “returned home” after relocating from Springfield, MA to Rensselaer, NY to continue building his financial services practice in the greater Capital Region.
A native of Schoharie County, John graduated from Schoharie High School in 2001 and furthered his education at the State University of New York, College at Potsdam. In 2006 he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Business Economics, Employment Relations, and Politics. John continues to be a proud member and supporter of various local organizations like the summer community theater group “Timothy Murphy Playhouse” and the Schoharie County Chamber Business Generators Group. John is excited to serve as a Chamber Board Director and eagerly looks forward to promoting the growth of commerce in and around Schoharie County. To reach John, please call him at (518) 452-8118 ext. 221 or email him at johnathan.wilsey@firstinvestors.com. For more information about First Investors, please visit their website, www.firstinvestors.com.
First Investors Corporation is not affiliated with the Schoharie Chamber of Commerce |
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Denise Lloyd, 1st Vice President
Denise is a career agent and financial services professional with New York Life
Insurance Company and a registered representative with NYLIFE Securities,
LLC since April 2005. Her primary focus is helping business owners and
individuals accumulate wealth, reduce taxes and protect assets. She enjoys
helping her clients reach their financial goals and objectives. Prior experience
includes agricultural sales in fifteen counties and agricultural lending for a local
bank. Denise is a 1984 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor
of Science in Agriculture. She is married to David and has three children. She
is a partner in the family dairy business, Maple Downs Farms II, LLC. The farm
business includes the sale of milk, crops and genetics. She is involved with Agri-
Mark’s Legislation and Education Committee (their milk cooperative). A 25 year
resident of Middleburgh, she serves on a local level on the Village and Town
of Middleburgh Planning Board and member of the Schoharie County Planning
Commission. Denise joined the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce
Business Generator’s Group in January 2009 and acts as its chair. She is a
member of Schoharie County Holstein Club and Schoharie County Farm Bureau.
She is a member and lector of Our Lady of the Valley Church. |
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Wynn Kintz
Wynn is President and Founder of Kintz Plastics in Howes Cave. Currently a
resident of Guilderland, Wynn grew up in Schoharie before leaving for
college and four years in the United States Navy. Prior board experience
includes Capital Region Center for Economic Growth, President Daughters of
Sarah Nursing Home, President Capital Region Chief Executive Network and
member of the Schoharie County Economic Summit Manufacturing Task Force.
Wynn currently serves on the Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie County Workforce
Solutions Board, Proctors Theatre Board and Hudson Valley Community College
Advisory Board.
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John Lavelle
John H. Lavelle is a lawyer, CPA and founding partner of Lavelle & Finn, LLP, a eleven - lawyer law firm based in Latham, Saratoga and Oneonta, New York. Founded in 1991, the firm offers high end estate planning, business and tax related services to successful families and business owners throughout upstate New York, including many in Schoharie County. John and his wife Patty started Windhorse Thoroughbreds, LLC, a horse breeding operation, in 2006 and recently moved the business to Middleburgh. After purchasing farm property and converting it to equine operations during 2009, John and Patty relocated full time to “Cotton Hill Farm” on December 7, 2009. Always active in the community, John has been a board member and officer of the Albany Symphony, L’Ensemble, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, Inc., and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Currently, John serves on the Executive Committee and Board of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio and the Community Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, and is a member of several local chambers of commerce. Both Lavelle and Finn, LLP and Windhorse Thoroughbreds, LLC have joined the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce. John looks forward to becoming fully engaged in his new community and has always considered the local chambers a critical resource for area businesses.
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Scott Stevens
Scott is the General Manager for AMT, Inc., a Precision Investment Casting Company located
in Sharon Springs, NY. He has over 40 years of manufacturing experience in the areas of
Quality Assurance, Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Management. He has worked
for companies including Beech-Nut Inc. in Canajoharie, NY, Planters-LifeSavers Division of
RJR-Nabisco in Canajoharie, NY, Winston-Salem, NC and Suffolk, VA, Schoolhouse Candy
in Pawtucket, RI, A&H Manufacturing in Johnston, RI, Longview Fiber and Liberty ARC in
Amsterdam, NY. Scott and his wife Cindy, a Clinical Laboratory Consultant for the NYS Department of Health,
live just outside of Ames, NY. Both were born, raised and graduated in the Canajoharie/Fort
Plain area. In 1999, 10 years after leaving, they chose to return to the area they loved in upstate
NY.
Scott looks forward to representing AMT, Inc. as an advocate of growth and prosperity for
Schoharie County. |
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Arthur LaFleur
Arthur currently holds the position of District Manager with Community Bank, NA, based in the
Cobleskill Office. He oversees the operations and sales teams of 5 branches from Cobleskill to
Cooperstown. He has been in the banking industry for over 25 years, working primarily in the
Capital District region before coming to Cobleskill in March of 2009. He has a wide array of
banking experience, having worked in commercial lending / business development, mortgage
and consumer lending, branch management, and sales management. Over his career, he has
served on the boards of the Mechanicville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ballston Spa Business
and Professional Association, and the American Institute of Banking. He has also served in
numerous community organizations, including Lions, Rotary, and Exchange clubs. He is also a
musician / songwriter, playing guitar and singing in a band in his spare time. He lives in Clifton
Park with his girlfriend Beth, and has two adult children, Marisa and Kevin, has a dog Bacchus,
and 3 cats (yes THREE!), Bond, Bookie and Sebastian. He is looking forward to serving the
chamber as a board member and working to help the businesses in Schoharie County. |
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Thomas Valosin
Tom and his family relocated to Schoharie County in a job related move from
Central New Jersey in 1973. Declaring Middleburgh and the County "home", he
turned down a promotion involving relocating to another area. Both he and
his wife, Barbara, felt this was the right place to raise their sons.
Drawing on his early training and his real estate experiences, Tom invested
in the Small Business Entrepreneurial Training courses offered by the
Chamber, SUNY, and the County PDA and opened ASKUS Consulting Services LLC,
inspection services for the home or small business buyers, investors and
sellers. An active Chamber member since founding ASKUS Consulting Services,
Tom serves on the Government Affairs Committee and has participated in
several of the Chamber Lobby Days with the Four Partners Team. |
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Tony VanGlad
Tony lives on the family farm established in 1962 in the Town of Gilboa. Over the years, the farm has changed from hay and beef cattle to maple syrup, vegetable and sorghum syrup. A large portion of his maple crop has been retailed in Manhattan at the Greenmarkets for 23 years. A new venture since 2007 is sorghum syrup production. Markets are gaining strength for this southern treat. Their vegetables are marketed through their farm stand in Gilboa. Since the fall of 2003, Tony has been the Gilboa Town Supervisor. This has enabled him to hone his administrative skills. Tony says he never looks at the glass as half full, but always looks to see how much he can add to it! Tony is currently on the board and is seeking re-election so that he may continue to serve the Chamber membership |
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Brian Walrath
Brian is an Agricultural Business Bachelor of Technology graduate from the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. He also earned an Associate Degree in Agriculture Engineering. After working and living in the Syracuse area for a couple of years, he returned to Schoharie County in 2001 to marry his college sweetheart, Jennifer, who works in Admissions at the College. Brian spent a couple of years commuting to work for a company in Schenectady before learning of the opening at Mesa Technical Associates in Cobleskill. He accepted the position of Applications Engineer in July of 2007 and has enjoyed growing with the company and working close to home ever since. He and his wife just built a new home in the town of Cobleskill and have 2 young children. He is a member of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church and loves living and working in Schoharie County. He has gained knowledge, skills, and numerous, valuable experiences both academic and practical through the course work that he has successfully completed, as well as from his current and previous employment, and experiences. Brian states, “The vast majority of skills that I possess, and both my professional and personal experience, have been learned through small business in upstate NY and I look forward to promoting all that Schoharie County has to offer Businesses”. |
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Milan Jackson, Secretary
Milan H. Jackson, P.E. is Principal Engineer and Supervisor of Business Development for Lamont
Engineers, P.C. in Cobleskill with over 19 years of civil engineering experience. Mr. Jackson received his B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University graduating
with Honors. Prior to his position with Lamont Engineers, Mr. Jackson held positions with Chemung
Contracting in Elmira, New York; ATCS, PLC in Waldorf, Maryland, and ABD Engineers & Surveyors in
Schenectady, New York. Mr. Jackson’s civil engineering experience includes hydrologic computations, hydraulic engineering,
environmental site assessments, design of stormwater facilities and reports for stormwater
management, water treatment design for public and private facilities, site designs including layout,
grading, roadways, water supply, sewer service/septic systems, lighting, landscaping, and applications
and reports for proper permitting, structural design of wood framing, masonry construction, and
concrete construction, with responsibility for cost accounting, project schedule, subcontractor
scheduling, safety, material testing, supply and material acquisition, and overseeing personnel. Mr. Jackson is a Licensed New York State Professional Engineer and a certified Code Enforcement
Official. He is a member of Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honors Society), Rotary International, and
Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce Business Generator Group. Milan and his wife, Lisa, reside in Schenectady with their two daughters, Elizabeth and Alaina.
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| Lori Wortz
Lori is the co-founder of KyMar Farm Distillery (KyMar), a craft farm distillery located in Charlotteville. KyMar is the first licensed distillery in Schoharie County since Prohibition. Lori and her husband, Ken, formed KyMar in 2008 and after three years of planning, planting and R&D, KyMar opened for business in late 2011. KyMar Farm Distillery takes great pride in bringing New York State agricultural products from the field to the glass. Lori recently became KyMar’s first full time associate and will spend the next year gearing the company up for full time operations which is expected to occur in 2014-15.
Lori has 20+ years experience in developing large scale multifamily communities. She is currently the Vice President of Development at Belpointe Capital, LLC where she oversees the design, development and construction of new multifamily, mixed-use communities. Prior to joining Belpointe, Lori was the Senior Development Director at Stillwater Investment Management Corp., where she oversaw the development and construction of multiple multifamily communities including Glenview House Apartments which won the Apartment Association’s award for Best Apartment Development in the country under 150 units in 2009. Before working at Stillwater, Lori was a Development Coordinator at AvalonBay Communities, working on new developments in Connecticut and New York. Lori is a summa cum laude graduate of Fairfield University with a Bachelors degree in Management. |
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Debra Mickle
Debra is the branch manager for National Bank of Coxsackie,
Middleburgh Branch. She began her banking career in 1999 as a teller
for Catskill Savings Bank. Due to several banking conversions, she also
worked for Troy Savings Bank, First Niagara, Legacy Banks and Berkshire
Bank at the same location. Due to the flood in 2011 she was relocated
to Berkshire Bank on Central Avenue in Albany, NY. When she heard
that National Bank of Coxsackie had purchased the building that was
flooded, she knew she Wanted to be employed back in her hometown
and Work for National Bank of Coxsackie because they are a small
hometown bank with only 7 branches. She is married to Terry MíckeI
and has 2 children, 4 step children and 9 grandsons who keep her very
active. She has been a resident of Schoharie County her entire life. |
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Angela Kogler
Angela, born in Buffalo New York, she lives in Cobleskill with her husband Gary (also in IT). She owns Upstate NY IT a technology consulting firm which serves the Schoharie Valley and surrounding areas. She has over 25 years of experience in the IT Industry, and provides diverse computer services for all. Upstate NY IT assists small businesses (in and out of state), providing solutions ranging from setting up a network with servers, workstations, and networking/broadband equipment. She can troubleshoot any problem situation to provide a quick fix or conduct maintenance on an already existing network. Angela can also help your business broaden its own presence by developing a high quality informational website, as well as creating other marketing tools such Social Networking sites, Search Engine Optimization, branding, brochures and publications.Angela prides herself on keeping your digital information flowing and your business running on all cylinders, so you can concentrate more on what you do best and she can always explain a technical solution in a non-technical & friendly way. Upstate NY IT provides services including but not limited to: Technical Support and Troubleshooting, General Tutoring Services, Microsoft Windows 2K/XP/Vista/7 as well as Virus/Spyware Removal, Data Recovery, QR Codes and Mobile Apps, PC Hardware Replacement/Upgrades, CD/DVD Duplication, Video/Audio Editing, Photo Presentations and more.
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Committees & Chairs
Agri-Business Committee – Co-Chairs, Lori Wortz & Tony VanGlad
Business & Education Committee - Chair, Johnathan Wilsey
Business Generator's Group - Chair, Denise Lloyd
Economic Development, Governement & Tourism Committee - Chair, Wynn Kintz
Events & Fund Raising Committee – Chair, Kathy Smith
Membership, Public Relations & Website Committee – Co Chairs, Angela Kogler, Pat Coffey
Executive Group of Committees:
Executive Committee Chair, Scott Furgeson
Finance Committee - Chair, Michelle Davis
Personnel Committee - Chair, Scott Ferguson
143 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, NY 12092
Committee Descriptions
Agri-Business Committee
The Agri-Business Committee is comprised of Chamber Agri-Business members and
representatives of the Farm Bureau and other interested parties.
Provide input by local agri-businesses and other organizations
represented on the committee into the economic stability and growth of
agri-business in Schoharie County.
Create public awareness of the impact of agri-business on the economy
of Schoharie County.
Create programs to encourage the use of locally grown agricultural
products by the citizens and businesses in and outside of Schoharie
County.
Economic Development, Governement & Tourism Committee
To review issues which affect the economic well being of the community and make recommendations for Chamber action.
To support business development by sponsoring training seminars and providing technical and management assistance.
To gather and disseminate information concerning the economic development needs of the County.
To aggressively pursue, in cooperation with local government the recruitment of business and industry to Schoharie County, and to promote the expansion of existing business and industry.
To inform Chamber members of pending or recently enacted legislation which impacts upon the business community,
To inform Chamber members of other issues which might impact upon the business community, and
To coordinate and when directed to do so by the Board of Directors, communicate the Chamber's opinion on specific issues or proposed legislation.
Develop a cooperative relationship between the business and education communities
Encourage integration of soft skills into the existing NYS Standards
Create awareness of the employment opportunities in Schoharie County businesses for future graduates
Provide recognition of outstanding students in Schoharie County Schools
Assist in securing favorable legislation for education
Provide a forum for discussion of topics of mutual concern to business and education.
Events & Fund Raising Committee
The Events & Activities, Promotional & Fundraising committee is composed of Chamber members and other council that is familiar with various fundraising techniques such as but not limited to: grant writing and other interested parties.
Plan and coordinate various activities and events as directed by the President. These may include but are not limited to: The Annual Meeting, Bet On Schoharie County and the fundraising activities at the Cobleskill Fair Booth.
Develop an ongoing program to acquire outside funding for the Chamber.
Assist other committees in securing funding for various programs and initiatives of that committee when appropriate.
The committee shall not be responsible for membership dues nor the collection of delinquent dues
Membership, Public Relations & Website Committee
Meets the 1st Friday of each month 3PM KPI
The Membership, Public Relations, & Website Committee is comprised of Chamber members and other interested parties.
Develop criteria for Chamber membership eligibility,
Develop and oversee implementation of membership recruitment and retention program,
Review applications for membership and make recommendations to the Board of Directors,
Review membership eligibility when necessary and make recommendations to Board of Directors regarding revocation of membership privileges. Such review should include a personal visit to the member to be revoked by at least 2 members of the membership committee.
Preserve an up to date Website via links, information, attractiveness, etc.
Business & Education Committee
Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month
Expand awareness of the Chamber’s mission throughout all educational levels (K-12).
Educate school teachers, college professors, and other individuals in a “position of influence over future chamber members” in Schoharie County and surrounding areas on the Chamber’s mission.
Foster and maintain relationships with local educational institutions throughout Schoharie County. These include public schools, private schools, colleges, and other organizations that promote civic engagement and community awareness in Schoharie County.
Direct events related to business and educational initiatives for all educational levels (K-12) and direct events related to business and educational initiatives for existing and future chamber members.
Develop a system to measure the effectiveness of the business and education committee.
Business Generator's Group
The Schoharie County Business Generators Group is an initiative of the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce. The primary purpose is to exchange qualified referrals to help you grow your business.
Membership in the Schoharie County Business Generators Group is ideal for those interested in gaining new business and developing a network of contacts.
There is no additional charge to join the group if you are a Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce member and membership in the group is exclusive by industry.
Meetings are every other Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Apple Barrel Café. Call the Chamber Office, 296-8820.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Business Generators Group may attend a meeting or contact the Chamber. Remember to bring plenty of business cards to pass around, as you will meet lots of local business professionals.
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