CenterState CEO Celebrates 2015 Economic Champions

CenterState CEO today recognized 234 companies (full list below) as 2015 Economic Champions for their collective hiring of 1,628 employees, nearly 1.8 million square feet of expansions, and more than $1 billion in capital investments. In keeping with this year’s theme, Celebrating CNY Business Legacy, 97 companies were also recognized for their enduring success.

“When a business add jobs, expands their location, makes capital improvement or purchases new equipment, that impact extends far beyond the four walls of that particular company,” said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “Each individual success – no matter how big or small - is a critical part of building a stronger economy where all businesses can thrive.”

The Economic Champions Luncheon celebration, presented by Fust Charles Chambers LLP and CR Fletcher Associates, brought together more than 600 CenterState CEO members, community leaders, and guests at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. Honorees were recognized for their contributions to the economic growth of the CenterState New York region through capital expenditures, hiring of new employees, expansion or relocation due to growth, and for state or national recognition. Companies were nominated as Economic Champions for their accomplishments throughout the year by peers, employees and staff. New this year, companies celebrating a major milestone or anniversary were also recognized.

The CenterState CEO Community Visionary Award, sponsored by Wegmans, was presented to ProLiteracy. This award is given to a person, company or association that embodies the vision of economic opportunity, and which has had a significant impact on community prosperity.

“It’s estimated that 23 percent of Syracuse area residents struggle with literacy, and 43 percent of adults over 16 with the lowest literacy rates live in poverty,” said Evelyn Carter, director of community relations at Wegmans. “And yet, literacy is among the keys to success and employment. That is why the work of ProLiteracy, and its founding partners, the Literacy Volunteers of America and Laubach Literacy International, is so critical to our collective efforts to advance our community and local economy. The national literacy movement was started in Syracuse, and continues with innovative services and cutting-edge programs, such as digital literacy and cultural responsiveness to improve literacy rates in our community and around the world. Wegmans is proud to support the Community Visionary Award, and to recognize ProLiteracy for all their efforts.”

The luncheon also featured remarks from three visionary business leaders: Jim Fox, CEO, O’Brien & Gere (celebrating 70 years); Janet Callahan, managing partner, Hancock Estabrook, LLP (celebrating 125 years); and Tim Kennedy, president, Syracuse Media Group (celebrating 185 years of The Post-Standard, and 20 years of Syracuse.com). Led by Simpson, the group discussed their enduring success in the region, their investments in downtown Syracuse, and commitment to talent and innovation.

The celebration took place during the day-long B2B Marketplace, presented by Time Warner Cable Business Class. The highlight of the event is a structured forum where buyers and sellers meet to engage with key decision makers during 10-minute pre-set appointments, allowing participants to enhance outcomes.

“The B2B Marketplace is a chance for businesses in our region to make new leads and strengthen existing relationships,” said Jane Amico, vice president of chamber services at CenterState CEO. “The structured format ensures greater efficiency while enhancing connections that lead to new opportunities. Participants met with exhibitors from many diverse industries, creating new partnerships critical to their company's growth and bottom line.”

Attendees also participated in training and education sessions and networking events. This year’s B2B Marketplace, presented by Time Warner Cable Business Class, was produced in partnership with BTI The Travel Consultants, with support from dozens of sponsors in the business community. 

2015 Economic Champions
40 Below
911 Restoration of CNY
AccessCNY
Advance Auto Parts
Air Innovations, Inc.
Aloha Japanese Bento Express
Alto Cinco
Ambit Abstract
AmeriCU Credit Union
ANSUN Graphics
Answer Syracuse - A Division of Finger Lakes Business Services, Inc.
Apex Solar
Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture
Arboxy Creative Group
Ascioti's Meat Market
ASI Energy
Audibel Hearing Center - Cicero
Auer & Co., Inc.
Baby's Debut 3D/4D Imaging
Baldwinsville Nursery School
Barclay Damon, LLP
Benefit Specialists of NY
Better Skateboard Shop
Bill Rapp Superstore
Bitzer Scroll, Inc.
Bowers & Co., CPA's - Watertown
Brown & Brown Empire State
Byblos Mediterranean Café
C & S Companies
C.R. Fletcher Associates, Inc.
Café Kubal
Caliber Patient Care
Cameron Group LLC
Cavalry Club
CenterState CEO
Charlie Bear's Cares
China Towne Furniture & Mattress
City Electric Co., Inc.
City Food Center
Clark's Ale House, Ltd.
CMC Dance Studio
CNY ATD
CNY Dental Arts
Columbus Baking Co.
COR Development Co., LLC
Cornell University
Courier Building
Covanta
Covey Computer Software, Inc.
Cowley Associates
CoWorks
CPS Recruitment, Inc.
Creole Soul Café
Crouse Hospital
Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage Company, Inc.
CXtec
Dance Syracuse
Dannible & McKee, LLP
Davis Standard
De Julio's Army & Navy Store
Deborah Holloway Income Tax Accounting Services
Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC
Destiny USA
Downtown Committee
Downtown Grocery Store
Dupli Envelope & Graphics Corp.
East Syracuse Chevrelot
Edward Joy Electric
Elderwood at Liverpool
Empire Brewing Company
Environmental Design & Research
Ephesus Lighting, Inc.
Ernst & Young, LLP
Eskapes Restaurant
Estate Planning Law Center, David J. Zumpano CPA/Esq.
Feldmeier Equipment, Inc.
F. Oliver Oils & Vinegars
Fairmount Animal Hospital
Finger Lakes Railway Corp
Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, PC
Food Bank of Central New York
Frazer & Jones Company
Funk N Waffles - Downtown
Fust Charles Chambers, LLP
G.A. Braun, Inc.
Gannon Pest Control
Garcia's Automotive Service
Giovanni Food Co., Inc.
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes (Cicero)
Grand Slam Safety, LLC
Greek Peak Mountain Resort & Hope Lake Lodge & Conference Center
Green Hills Farms
GRYPHON Sensors (SRC)
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
H. P. Hood
H.C. Bainbridge
Hancock Estabrook, LLP
Harris Beach PLLC
Hen House Diner
Herb Philipson's Army & Navy Store - Dewitt
High Point Chiropractic
Hinerwadel's Grove
Hofman Sausage Co., LLC
Honeywell International
Hospice of Central New York
Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC
Housing Visions
Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc.
Hutchings Psychiatric Center
ICM Controls Corp.
ICS Solutions Group
International House of Pancakes - Destiny
Image Auto, LLC/Rim Doctor
INFICON, Inc.
Ish Guitars
J.R. Clancy, Inc.
JADAK Technologies
Jefferson Clinton Hotel
Johnson Brothers Lumber Co.
Kinney Drugs - Manlius
Koolakian’s Menswear
Kreme of the Krop
Kutmaster - A Division of Utica Cutlery Co.
L. & J.G. Stickley, Inc.
Lakeview Amphitheater
Last House on the Block Ministries
Leadership Greater Syracuse
Learning Disabilities Association of CNY
Legrand/Pass & Seymour
Liehs & Steigerwald /Downtown
Lockheed Martin MST
Longhorn Steakhouse
M&T Bank
M. Lemp Jewelers
Mackenzie Hughes LLP
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York
Malara Eyecare & Eyewear Gallery - Fayetteville
Massage Envy
Matthews Salon
Maxwell's Tavern
Meals on Wheels of Syracuse NY, Inc.
Metro Fitness Club
Michael's - Destiny
Midnight Sun
Modern Malt
Mohawk Global Logistics
Monaghan Medical Corp.
Montessori School of Syracuse
Morse Manufacturing Co., Inc.
New Court Deli & Grill
New York Air National Guard 174th Attack Wing
Nojaim's Supermarket
Northland Communications
Northside Urban Partnership
Nottingham Pet Clinic
Novelis Inc.
NUAIR Alliance
OBG (O’Brien & Gere )
OneGroup
PaperWorks Industries
Parrott Towing & Recovery
Peppino's/ Downtown
Pet Haven Cemetery & Crematory
Pinckney Hugo Group
Pinnacle
Plumley Engineering
POMCO
Port of Oswego Authority
Potter Heating & AC/ Perrone Plumbing
Preferred Mutual Insurance Company
QMP/Syracuse Supply Machine Tools
Rapid Cure Technologies, Inc.
Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.
Recess Coffee
Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS)
Runnings
Saab Sensis Corporation
Simon's Agency, Inc.
SKY Armory
Spark.Orange, LLC
Speach Family Candy Shoppe, Inc.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center
St. Margaret's School
Stewart's Shops
Strada Mia, LLc
Sunoco, Inc. - Fulton Ethanol Plant
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Sutherland Global Services
Sweet on Chocolate
Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Club
Syracuse Executives Association
Syracuse Media Group
Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, Inc.
Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists , PC /Camillus
Syracuse Posters
Syracuse Stage
Syracuse University
SyracuseFirst
TCGPlayer.com
TERACAI Corporation
The 214
The Atmosphere
The Braserie
The Brooklyn Pickle
The Distillery
The Fulton Companies
House of S. Jaye
The Jacobs Press
The Tech Garden
The York
Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc.
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
Time Warner Cable Business Class
Titan Security
Tompkins Trust -Syracuse
Tony Baird Electronics, Inc.
Tully Rinckey PLLC
Unique Elegance Boutique
Upstate Medical University
Upstate University Hospital at Community General
Vanguard Research & Title Services, Inc.
Venturetechnica
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel
VF Outlet - Destiny
VIP Structures
Virtucom Group
Visit Syracuse
Visual Technologies Corp.
VNA Homecare
Wegmans Food and Pharmacy
Welch Allyn, Inc.
Will & Baumer, Inc.
Wolff's Biergarten
YMCA - Baldwinsville

CenterState CEO Thanks This Year’s Event Sponsors

Economic Champions Luncheon

Presenting:
Fust Charles Chambers LLP
CR Fletcher Associates

Corporate:
Lockheed Martin

Community Visionary Award:
Wegmans

B2B Marketplace Tickets:
C&S Companies

Media:
Business Journal News Network
Visual Technologies Corp.
Syracuse Media Group
News Radio 570 WSYR Now on 106.9 FM

B2B Marketplace

Presenting:
Time Warner Cable Business Class

Sponsors:
CPS Recruitment
Visions FCU
Mohawk Global Logistics and their consulting division, Mohawk Global Trade Advisors.
NBT Bank
KeyBank Foundation
Syracuse Media Group
SUNY Oswego
Hotel Syracuse Restoration
Birnie Bus Service, Inc.
Cushman & Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage
PostNet
Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Usherwood Office Technology
C&S Companies
ICS Solutions Group
TERACAI
American Food & Vending

Media:
Business Journal News Network
News Radio 570 WSYR Now on 106.9 FM
WCNY
Visual Technologies Corp.