Aflac is again on Fortune Top 100 list for the 14th straight year. Aflac is part Fortune magazine’s Fortune 500, 100 Best Companies to work for and World’s Most Admired Companies lists, not only are we the only insurer on all three lists, Aflac is 1 of only 18 companies on the list! Plus 2011 makes 5 years listed as one of the most ethical companies to work with. Aflac is listed as top 10 insurance Company in the USA for 2012. Aflac is free for employers to offer to employees.

The Board of Trustees of The College of Saint Rose today proudly announced the selection of Dr. David Szczerbacki of Albany to serve as the ninth president of the College. He will assume his new role July 1, 2012. Currently, Dr. Szczerbacki is the College’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, a position he has held since August 2004.  He will succeed Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, who will step down from the leadership post after serving for 16 years.

The Bonadio Group is pleased to announce the following addition: Thomas Gillick has been hired as an assistant accountant with The Bonadio Group. Gillick is a graduate of Syracuse University. He currently resides in Schenectady.

On Wednesday, March 28^th, from 6:30-8:00, Taylor School will be hosting a night of music and art at The Arts Center in downtown Troy.  This first-ever event will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the musical and artistic talents of our K-6 students.  The Arts Center will be ours that night!  We will be the "visiting artists." 

Brown’s Brewing Company is hosting the Second Annual Firehouse Chili Cookoff this Saturday, February 18 from 2pm until 5pm in Brown’s Revolution Hall. The event is open to the public with $10 admission at the door. The admission fee allows guests unlimited chili samples from all participating firehouses. 100% of the door proceeds will be donated to the Fireman’s Home in Hudson, New York. 

Tech Valley High School students and faculty are once again organizing a team to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. A TVHS Relay for Life team will join other area groups in the March 31 Relay for Life event at Siena College.

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, one of New York’s largest law firms, has named a new associate: Danielle E. Drayer of Albany, New York. Before joining the Health Care Practice Group of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, Ms. Drayer was Associate Counsel and Director of Managed Care at the Healthcare Association of New York State. 

Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy, an affiliate of Troy-based not-for-profit network, The Eddy, has been awarded five-star ratings -- the highest overall ranking
from the federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as reported by U.S. News' Best Nursing Homes 2012. This is the second year the center has received such ranking.

It was announced Robert A. Sherwood, President and CEO of Kinderhook Bank, that Kathy Bogarski and Alexis McCagg have been named to the position of Branch Manager at the new Delmar Financial Service Office and at the Greenport Banking and Loan Center, respectively.

Support Literacy Volunteers and have fun! On Saturday, March 3^rd, join Literacy Volunteers for a Bowl-a-Thon at Uncle Sam Lanes, 600 Fulton Street, Troy, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person before the event and $20 at the door. The ticket price includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, and bowling ball. There will be raffles for prizes, and food and drink will be available from Uncle Sam Lanes.

Spark your children’s interest this School Break with a visit to the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium. The Museum is offering extended hours during break and will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. Explore science, technology, engineering, and math through new Hidden Power Demos, planetarium shows, science activities, and guest scientists.

Literacy Volunteers congratulates Elshekh Saad and Mariama Massaquoi, two English Language Learners who have become naturalized U.S. citizens. Sworn in on January 20 and 27, respectively, Mr. Saad and Ms. Massaquoi took the Oath of Allegiance at the United States District Court in Albany. The hour-long ceremonies began with welcoming remarks from the judge and elected officials, and included patriotic songs performed a cappella by guest vocalists. Certificates of Citizenship were presented to almost 60 people on each occasion.

The Tri-City ValleyCats announced today that 1994 Albany-Colonie Yankee Derek Jeter will be the inaugural member of their brand new "Heritage Series Bobblehead Collection." The collection will pay tribute to those who have played professional baseball in New York’s Capital Region.

George E. LaMarche III, Esq., founder of LaMarche Law PLLC and Andrew R. Safranko, Esq. today announced the formation of their new firm: LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC, a law firm focused on addressing the needs of individual clients, small businesses and corporate entities throughout the Tech Valley - Capital Region area, and beyond. 

IT solutions provider Turnkey Internet  announced their acquisition of KCNet, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri.  KCNet, Inc. is a full service Internet Service Provider (ISP) specializing in commercial web hosting services, dial-up and both business and residential high speed broadband internet connectivity.  With this acquisition, Turnkey Internet can now offer their Cloud Based IT Solutions to the Kansas City market under the KCNet, Inc. name. This will expand KCNet, Inc.’s offerings to include advanced cloud services.

The Rocky Music  studio would like to offer JIM WEIDER MASTER CLASS: "THE ROOTS OF ROCK-IN -ROLL & ART OF TELECASTER PLAYING" Saturday, March 10th, 3:00 pm at the Woodland Hill Montessori School in North Greenbush, NY Group Guitar Lessons for Beginners will be held on Thursday nights and run 6 weeks from March 22nd to May 3rd (there is no class the April 12th which is Spring Recess).  Classes will start at 6:10 and run for 1 hour until 7:10.  There must be 3 students registered in each class and class size is limited to 6 students.

KeyBank held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new West Sand Lake branch at 3701 Route 43 in West Sand Lake. The 3,400-square-foot branch, which features a drive through ATM, four teller stations, four workstations and a conference room available for public use, replaces the bank's former location at the corner of Routes 43 and 150.

Jean F. Gerbini, Of Counsel with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in Albany, New York, has become the new chair of the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.  The Section has approximately 3,000 members from across New York State and outside the State.

Seton Health Specialty Services is offering a free bladder screening on Monday, February 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Massry Center’s Incontinence and Wound Services, 147 Hoosick Street, Troy. The free screening includes a urine test and bladder scan, followed by educational information and recommendations by Seton Health medical staff.

Tech Valley High School senior Nate Moseley has earned the top rank in the Boy Scouts of America. With TVHS Principal Dan Liebert, teacher Ed Coolidge and others from the TVHS family looking on, Moseley was awarded Eagle Scout rank during a tradition packed-ceremony on Sunday.

Nigro Companies has released a new website to showcase its many properties throughout and surrounding upstate New York.  The website includes pages that highlight the strong history of Nigro as well as the wide range of services offered by the firm that specializes in commercial real estate development and management.  The new website is more user-friendly with improved navigation, updated content and added functionality. The website now offers several benefits to retailers interested in space at any of Nigro Companies’ commercial properties including the incorporation of MapPress technology.  Users can now see where each property is located on a pinpointed, interactive map.  This added function allows users to retrieve and print directions to each property location.  The “Contact Us” page and sections on the site now offer direct contact information for Steve Powers,who handles inquiries from new and prospective tenants, as well as a direct link to send Mr. Powers an email.

Carter Conboy is pleased to announce that attorneys Jessica A. Desany and William J. Decaire have been elected Shareholders of the firm.  “Jessica and Bill are exceptional attorneys in key practice areas within the firm,” said Michael J. Catalfimo, Chief Operating Officer.

Fifteen Schenectady Middle School teachers spent the day on the other side of the desk at Tech Valley High School, as they took part in professional development provided through the school and The Center for 21^st Century Teaching and Learning (CTL). The faculty members, who have already started project-based learning in their respective classrooms, visited TVHS to see project-based learning in action and to refine how they integrate projects into their classrooms.

James P. Girvin, a 2007 graduate of Boston College and a 2011 graduate of Albany Law School of Union University, has joined Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC of Albany as an associate. Girvin served as an intern in the Counsel’s Office of the Governor’s Appointment Division and at the New York State Thruway Authority. 

Couch White, LLP is pleased to announce that effective February 1, 2012, the Firm has opened its third Tech Valley office located at 107 Hermes Road in the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park® (STEP®) in Malta, N.Y. The firm’s other two Tech Valley offices are located in Albany and Saratoga Springs.  

A NAPA Auto Parts retail store and distribution facility will open February 27th at 369 Second Avenue in Troy. The existing Troy and Waterford stores will consolidate into this new, custom-built, 8,000 square foot building. Jeffrey Pfeil of J.W. Pfeil & Company, owner/broker, represented 369 Second Avenue, LLC. Ann MacAffer of CBRE represented NAPA. Munter Enterprises of Middle Grove, NY was the general contractor.

Sparkle Spa Parties LLC specializes in providing traveling spa services with professional treatments for girls and women for all occasions, including birthdays, proms, ladies night out, bachelorette, and wedding parties. Parties feature relaxing facials, stress relieving back treatments, pedicures and manicures with nail art, and more. Contact Audrey at 518.369.8398 or visit www.sparklespaparties.com.

Shows Leary Project Management LLC has been awarded the contract for the pre-construction planning phase of the Greenfield Fire District’s new main office and storage facility in Greenfield Center. Established in 1996, the firm has previously worked with the Greenfield Fire District as well as the Guilderland, Lansingburgh, Waterford, North Colonie, and Lanesborough, Massachusetts school districts.

Tangible Development LLC has partnered Tech Valley Connect with Ania Hair Studio and Spa in Albany for the salon’s 10th anniversary celebration. Proceeds from the event’s raffles went to Tech Valley Connect, and three clients of the non-profit served as models, dressed by Evoke Style in Stuyvesant Plaza. During the celebration, Berkshire Bank presented a $500 donation to Tech Valley Connect.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society presents new school-break week programming for 2012, from February 21-24, and April 10-13. Each day is packed with activities, projects, crafts and games, the opportunity to tour the Hart-Cluett House, and to explore downtown Troy. Programs are for grades 3–6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp includes materials, craft supplies, and daily snacks but not lunch. Cost is $225 for RCHS members; $275 for non-members. Call 518.272.7232, ext. 12 or visit www.rchsonline.org for registration materials.

The Rensselaer Land Trust has received a donation of 23.6 acres from the family of John B. Staalesen to establish the Vanderheyden Preserve in his memory. To be opened to the public this year, the land is one of the few remaining natural areas in the City of Troy and features open space, wildlife habitats, and the Wynantskill Creek.

The Northeast Health Primary Care Network has announced the completion of its new South Troy Health and OnCall Center, now open and accepting patients. The facility is located at Hudson Valley Plaza, Route 4, across from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The new site represents the expansion and relocation of Northeast Health’s South Troy Health Center, formerly located on Fourth Street in Troy.

The Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium has received a $3,000 Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) grant. The funds will be used to help cover the cost of integrating real-world examples of nanotechnology into the museum’s existing exhibits through a “nanotrail” of nanotechnology-related items and information.

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition has launched a newly-enhanced website at www.smokefreehousingny.org. The site has been expanded to provide the latest information to New York property owners and tenants on handling the issue of drifting tobacco smoke in multi-unit housing, including a “toolkit” for landlords, guides for condo owners and tenants, and a section dedicated to affordable public housing.

Carter Conboy Director Adam H. Cooper has been appointed chair of the GenNEXT Young Professional’s Council, an initiative to retain a talented workforce in Tech Valley by connecting, developing, and empowering young professionals.  Mr. Cooper was previously the chair of GenNEXT’s Executive Mentorship Program.

architecture+ has named Arien Cartrette to the position of  associate. A member of the firm for 14 years, his recent projects include the new Administration Building at Hudson Valley Community College and the renovation of student dormitories and dining halls at the University at Albany. He is currently designing exterior renovations for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Low Center and Freshman Residence Hall Complex.

BST announces Ronald L. Guzior has been appointed partner-in-charge of the firm’s financial services department and its tax department. BST also announces the election of  Stephen L. Ferraro as the firm’s new managing partner.

The Bonadio Group announces three staff members have been promoted to the position of manager. They are Kait Bloss, CPA, Kelly Saposnick, EA, and Ariel Ammirato, CPA.

Gavant Software, Inc. welcomes Brendan Reuss as senior sales executive, charged with leading the firm’s new sales, business development, and marketing efforts. Gavant has also hired Craig Nolin as business project manager, responsible for operational oversight, project portfolio management, and continuous process improvement.

Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar, Inc. announces its new board members: Sarah Metzger Boggess, Behan Communications; Matthew R. Smalls, Esq., New York State Senate; Carly C. Capitula, Brighter Choice Foundation; and Kathleen Dudley-Perry, Skidmore College.