Meet the 2024 Business of the Year Winners

Posted On
April 11, 2024

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Surge Accelerator Graduation Certificates

Congratulations 2024 Business of the Year Winners!

CenterState CEO's Business of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of regional businesses and organizations in five categories. Winners were announced at the 2024 Annual Meeting. Visit CenterState CEO's YouTube channel to watch videos from the event, including Business of the Year recognitions, remarks from Rob Simpson, and the event’s keynote speaker. Download CenterState CEO’s 2023-2024 Annual Report

This year’s winners are:

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More than 50 Employees

Crouse Health

Crouse Health is a not-for-profit organization serving Central New York since 1887. In 2023, it hired more than 600, opened the Pomeroy College of Nursing in a new location, and was named one of 30 'most trusted' hospitals in the U.S. in 2023. Last year, it became the first and only hospital in Central New York to acquire the da Vinci Single Port robotic technology, making this program the largest robotic surgery service line in the region. Crouse celebrated 15,000 robotic surgery procedures, making Crouse the largest provider of robotic-assisted surgery in the region.

Additional finalists: Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC; Tompkins Community Bank; and Woodford Bros., Inc.

Fewer than 50 Employees

Drakos Dynamics

Drakos Dynamics provides after-hours urgent care services that includes treating basic and moderate injuries and illnesses as well as onsite radiology, advanced onsite laboratory service, ADHD screening and wellness services for patients of all ages. In May 2023, Drakos opened the only standalone pediatric urgent care in the Central New York area at Clay Medical Center in Liverpool to address the lack of accessible after-hours pediatric care for children and their families in the area. Following patient demand, Drakos opened a second urgent care location in Cicero that serves patients of all ages.

Additional finalists: 325 Productions, Potter Heating & AC - Perrone Plumbing Services, and ResilienX

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Nonprofit

Food Bank of Central New York

Food Bank of Central New York is leading the effort to eliminate hunger in the region by partnership with others in the community, through education, advocacy, and distribution of nutritious food. During 2023, the Food Bank distributed more than 20 million pounds of food and 327,466 pounds of hygiene and household items to partner agencies and households facing hunger throughout an 11-county service area.

Additional finalists: Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, ConnextCare and Housing Visions

Community Involvement

NBT Bank

NBT Bank offers a comprehensive suite of personal, business and commercial banking services, and is dedicated to relationship-based community banking. In addition to donating to several service organizations, NBT Bank has funded a career advisor position with On Point for College to help local students find careers in the semiconductor industry. It’s also expanding its Youth Enrichment Outreach Program to the Syracuse City School District, sponsoring field trips for local youth.

Additional finalists: CPS Recruitment, Inc.; Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C.; and Novelis, Inc.

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Minority-owned Business, in partnership with UMEA

SGTR LLC

SGTR is an award-winning full-service construction company that specializes in federal contracting, demonstrating excellence in construction, inclusivity and community involvement. The company is leading the multimillion The Tech Garden expansion project and several others throughout the county, including at Fort Drum and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. It is focused on hiring from within the community, fostering a supportive work environment, and is dedicated to excellence and making a difference in its industry and community. SGTR has multiple federal and state certifications, showcasing its commitment to quality and safety. SGTR workers are OSHA 30 certified and provide expertise in construction management, demolition, site work, janitorial services, and post-construction clean-up.

Additional finalists: Brackens Financial Solutions Network, Cocoa’s Candle Bar, and La Liga

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