The Business Council announces 2019 Annual Meeting award recipients
Honorees named for Corning Award, Member of the Year and Chamber of the year
ALBANY, N.Y.— The Business Council of New York State, Inc. today announced the winners of this year’s Annual Meeting awards. The Annual Meeting is the Council’s signature event, held each year at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, NY.
The Annual Meeting, which will take place September 18th-20th, attracts hundreds of the state’s top leaders in business, politics and media. This year’s agenda is focused on a Forward Thinking look at 2020 and will features presentations from some of the state and the nation’s largest companies and organizations.
Award Winners
Corning Award: This year’s winner of the prestigious Corning Award, presented each year by Corning Incorporated to the individual who best demonstrates an outstanding level of accomplishment in their chosen discipline, as well as a deep and sustaining commitment to the people of New York, is SUNY Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Nancy Zimpher. Dr. Zimpher was given the honor of Chancellor Emeritus after serving as the twelfth Chancellor from 2008-2017.
“I am honored to join the legion of remarkable individuals whose contributions to New York State have been recognized with the Corning Award for Excellence. The power of the State University of New York lies in its capacity to extend the economic vitality of our state while also enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said Dr. Nancy Zimpher. “The Business Council of New York State has always recognized this as a shared vision that can and must be achieved through our partnership across sectors. I am grateful to have worked with BCNYS over the past decade as it has made our collective dream a reality."
Member of the Year: The 2019 recipient for Member of the Year is CMA Consulting Services. CMA Consulting Services is located in Latham with several hundred employees based in the Capital Region and around the country. Aside from being leaders in technology consulting, CMA also has a history of developing application system solutions for their clients.
CMA is extremely honored and proud to be recognized as the Business Council’s “Member of the Year”. There are so many tremendous people from many different companies that donate an incredible amount of their time, energy and resources to this wonderful organization, and to be singled out is humbling,” said Peter Chynoweth, Senior Vice President of CMA. “CMA joins a long list of esteemed companies that have received this award previously. Together we will continue to promote the advocacy of the Business Council in the years to come.
Chamber of the Year: This year’s recipient of the Chuck Steiner Memorial Chamber of the Year Award is the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s roots are traced back to 1903 when the first business organization was formed known then as the Cortland Board of Trade. Today the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce is the region’s leading business advocacy group supporting more than 450 businesses who employ over 14,000 people.
“We are truly honored to be named The Chuck Steiner Memorial Chamber of the Year. Chuck was a great friend and mentor to many of us in the Chamber world and we accept it knowing that he played a role in what we do here in the Cortland area,” said Bob Haight, President & CEO Cortland County Chamber of Commerce. “Tremendous credit goes to our team of Debbie Thayer, Nikki Davi, and Jennifer Reminick who live and breathe Chamber. Thank you to our members and Board of Directors for having the faith in us to do this important work.”
Father Young Award: The 2019 Father Young award recipient is SEFCU. This new award is given to the company or individual who has demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back and service to their community. The award is named in honor of Father Peter Young who has dedicated his life to improving the lives of those the system has left behind. SEFCU has been serving their valued customers since 1934 when the first branch was opened.
“Fr. Peter Young has been a beacon of hope for people across New York state for more than 50 years, and SEFCU strives to follow his example through our commitment to changing lives every day, and that’s why we are honored to receive this year’s Father Young Award from the Business Council,” said SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana. “SEFCU is committed to serving the most vulnerable among us, including those who are struggling with hunger and homelessness, military veterans, and children. We are creating a movement that allows people to be part of something bigger than themselves by building partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations in the communities we serve.”