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Small Business Person of the Year - Trent Griffin-Braaf



Trent Griffin-Braaf is the founder and president of Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle.  He is recognized as the 2023 SBA Upstate New York Small Business Person of the Year for creatively pivoting his business during the pandemic and in 2022, increasing revenue 100 percent and adding seven employees.  He also provides mentorship to minority entrepreneurs and free rides for people who are unhoused, veterans, and transporting people to and from rehab and correctional facilities.  Since its founding, the company has grown from a small office to a 1,500 square foot space with a parking lot.

Trent is distinguished by his ability to identify, leverage, and develop businesses.  Throughout his career, he has helped managers and owners increase company morale and bottom line by addressing team issues, offering leadership, team development, marketing and budgeting.  He has a contagious enthusiasm and passionate belief in people that inspires them to become prouder, stronger, and more valuable contributors to their organizations and our local communities.  The Schenectady High Alum was a part of the state champion “Patriots” basketball organization.

After serving a 4-12-year prison sentence he decided to change his life for the better.  While indulging himself in his career and business, and forming two successful companies, he has been striving to be the best spouse, son, brother, friend, and father.

Trent Griffin-Braaf is a member of many boards and organizations in his community.  He serves as vice president of the Community Fathers Board in Schenectady, and is on the boards of The Salvation Army, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, the Capital Region Food Program, the Capital Region Chamber and the Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region.  He serves on the Capital District Transportation Committee and committees for an ex-offender job fair in the Capital Region and the Albany DA that looks at cases and provides alternatives for jail or prison.

Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle received an SBA Microloan in 2020 from Pursuit to refinance existing debt and fund working capital, helping the business retain employees.

U.S.-based employees of GlobalFoundries will soon be able to receive tax-free financial assistance from the company to pay down student-loan debt, the chipmaker announced last week. The new benefit program is part of what the company described as a multimillion-dollar investment to strengthen the semiconductor workforce by mitigating the cost of…
WHAT:                   Pioneer marks Giving Tuesday by presenting $20,000 in donations to local nonprofits, launching winter clothing drive throughout its branches WHERE:                Pioneer Headquarters 652 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12211 WHEN:                    Tuesday, November 28 – 9:30 a.m.   Marking the national observance of…
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has announced St. Peter’s Health Partners has joined its Universal Access Program, giving all employees at St. Peter's unlimited ridership within CDTA's service network.  “CDTA is once again excited to partner with a top employer in the Capital Region to provide mobility options for its…
Dec
23
'Twas the Night Before Christmas was originally published on December 23rd, 1823. In celebration of it's bicentennial, we will be holding a luncheon at…
12pm
Jan
11
Join the us at the 2024 State of the County Luncheon and learn what's ahead for the Rensselaer County business community in the new year.  Rensselaer…
Check-in and Lunch at 11:30 AM. County Executive's address at 12 PM.