admin, Author at CNY Publications

Building Plan or Building a Career; Donna Tupper, Infinity Northeast, Inc. wants the younger generation to consider construction as a career.

Posted on January 12, 2021January 12, 2021 by admin

By: Molly English-Bowers

It may surprise some that the “construction worker” ranks third on Indeed.com’s projection of in-demand jobs for the next five years. But not Donna Tupper. The President and Owner of Infinity Northeast Inc. wants to spread the word that construction is a rewarding career.

“It’s a great industry,” Tupper said. Our conversation took place while Tupper was driving to Syracuse from North Carolina where Infinity Northeast is commencing development projects. “There’s a lot of opportunity in construction and the younger generations may not know this.”

With 36 years of experience in the industry, Tupper is making it her mission to inform young men and women about those opportunities. “My goal is to reach all younger generations, not gender- or ethnic-specific.” She has spoken at groups including Small Business Administration Women in Construction, New

England Regional Council of Carpenters, and Girls World Expo.

The latter is a 21-year-old national program that aims to connect girls to resources and partners in their communities to help them realize their potential. Syracuse has been a host to the organization in 2018 and 2019 and Tupper spoke, hoping to inform and educate those in attendance. “The girls come to look at opportunities that are available,” she said. “If you have no idea about construction, how would you know the opportunities that are out there? We try to explain what is out there and the vast avenues for girls to become involved in the construction industry.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 68 percent of high school students attend college, but 40 percent of those do not graduate, leaving a lot of time wasted and money owed. In addition, 37 percent of currently employed college grads are doing work for which only a high school diploma is required. It is that population Tupper wants to reach.

“Kids don’t know that construction opportunities really exist,” she said. “It’s as strong as the medical industry. The demand for medical facilities and housing is not going to diminish, regardless of politics. For those who find themselves unemployed during this difficult time, if you put in a little hard work, you will be financially stable with a solid career. Have no fear and take a chance in construction.”

Locally, trades are primarily taught at BOCES. Trade schools teach hands-on skills for specific careers, such as welding, auto mechanics, plumbing and carpentry. Among the benefits of a trade school education is the reduced time it takes to graduate, more affordable tuition costs, smaller class sizes, hands-on training, and job placement services.

Career Change

Even though Tupper’s degree is in science, she took a chance on a new career after the birth of her first daughter. With limited options for childcare and a husband that often worked out of town, she considered her options.

“I quit my job and went into housing management for real estate companies,” she said. She began cleaning houses that had been vacated by traveling executives while they worked in Central New York. “The properties were vacant, and I could bring my daughter with me while I worked,” she said.

Real estate companies began asking Tupper if she could do more than clean; she started out painting, then flooring, doors, and woodwork. “I had an all-girl crew and we worked afternoons and evenings. That was 36 years ago,” she said. “It was gradual, and I had a lot of challenges with men. I was blonde and 22 when I started, and they thought I was naïve and inexperienced. Now, after years of hard work, I do not have to prove myself to anyone, and I do not take every project that I am offered. I work with a number of clients that believe in the professionalism and respect of the industry.”

Tupper is the president and sole owner of Infinity Northeast, incorporated in 2008. She is a member of the Syracuse Building Exchange and a signatory to Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Local 277. Infinity Northeast Inc. is also a New York State and Tennessee Certified WBE (Women-owned Business Enterprise). The main office is located at 6090 E. Taft Road, North Syracuse, with satellite offices in Murfreesboro, TN., Naples, FL., Orlando, FL., and on Thompson Road in Syracuse.

The office in Tennessee has made it possible for Tupper’s oldest daughter, Jessica T. Graham, to work for her mother as Senior Project Manager. She is educated in law and previously worked for the state of Tennessee. “She left her job and has been working with me for a number of years,” Tupper said. Tupper’s middle daughter, Stephanie K. Baker, is the Director of Human Resources and Union Benefits. She is educated in mental health and, also left her career to work with her mother.

It is vital to Tupper the employees and subcontractors of Infinity Northeast, are members of trade unions, such as Carpenters Local 277. For that reason, if she were to take on an apprentice, he or she would need to join the union. “I would have no problem having them learn in-house.” The in-house trade work includes architectural, mill work and finish carpentry. Tupper hires subcontractors for other trade work when contracted as a general contractor.

After working in the field for nearly four decades, Tupper has discovered what she enjoys building. “I like repetitive work—casinos, high-end hotels, military barracks,” she said.

Among Infinity Northeast’s projects are: SUNY Upstate Health and Wellness Center, Syracuse, NY; Athenex Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Dunkirk, NY; Resorts World Catskills, Monticello, NY; Del Lago Resort, Tyre, NY; and Seneca Nation Cultural Center, Salamanca, NY. Infinity also did the rigging and set-up for Woodstock ’94, located in Saugerties, NY.

She has also ventured into the latest in upscale family fun, “multi-tainment” centers containing bars, restaurants, movie theaters, high-end bowling alleys, laser tag and the like. “Ten years ago I did a research study for the Oneida Nation that found that if there is a gambler in the family, if you want them to come and stay at the resort, you need something for the other individuals in the family.” Tupper is associated with the development of UltraStar Multi-tainment and pursuing an interest in IRL Companies, which purchases distressed shopping malls throughout the United States to renovate and re-create their usage.

One reason Tupper was driving back from North Carolina was she had checked in on UltraStar, multi-tainment facilities in Cherokee and Murphy, both in the western mountains of the state. “I am pursuing the owner of Resorts World Catskills to put in a multi-tainment center. It’s close enough to New York City to attract customers and it would eliminate or reduce children being in areas of a casino where they shouldn’t be.”

Tupper is in the process of purchasing land in North Carolina to construct single-level, high-end housing for ages 55-and older. “These homes are for people who are looking to buy a single-level structure with a couple of bedrooms and no maintenance, in a gated community” she said. “I have decided I am done with Central New York weather and my work can be performed anywhere.”

Then there is the medical field, for which construction work will always be in demand. “I am in the planning stages of owning and developing a medical center in Naples, FL. Owner-Development is the highest level you can go in the building construction industry.” Given Tupper’s track record, she will succeed. “I never sit still.”

But she is also looking toward the future when she will retire and hand over the company to her daughters. “I’m 58 years old,” she said. “If my daughters allow it, I will drop dead working, because this is what I love to do. I love the industry, but I needed something more for future stability. My plan is to find property, develop projects and own them. That’s how I’m going to survive. I don’t want my children to worry about the future and having to support me or the stability of the company.”

At the same time, Tupper realizes the next generation needs to be exposed to construction as a career, especially as professionals near retirement age. “Most of my crew is over the age of 40,” she said. “I love my industry and I have huge passion for it. I don’t want to market my company; I want to market my story so maybe other people and younger generations will consider getting into the business. Anybody can start a company, you must work hard, stay focused and if it’s something you enjoy, it’s not like work. The money will just come.”

“Always remember, Be Honest, Be Kind and Live Life with Integrity.”

Five Star Equipment Opens New Syracuse Facility

Posted on November 15, 2020November 16, 2020 by admin

November 10, 2020: Bill Farrell, CEO of Five Star Equipment, is pleased to announce the opening of the company’s brand new facility located at 5835 East Taft Road in Syracuse, New York. The facility opened for business on November 9.

The 25,000 square foot facility incorporates state-of-the-art design features geared towards maximizing efficiency and service capabilities for its customer base. Situated on eight acres, the building features an expansive showroom/reception area with parts counters, offices for sales and administrative functions, multimedia training room, a break room with adjacent outdoor patio, parts warehouse with garage door access for receiving and parts dispatch, an eight bay service area equipped with four 10-ton overhead cranes and a separate wash bay. The new facility provides sales, rentals, parts and service throughout central New York State, including Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida and Herkimer Counties. The branch is home base for two road service vehicles and 20 employees.

Key Syracuse branch personnel include: General Manager, Dave Kreis; Service Manager Rob Hecox; Sales Manager Scott Hinman; Sales and Rental Coordinator Valerie Smith, who has been with the company for 27 years; and Corporate Parts Manager Pam Huckaby.

The construction of the Syracuse Branch is part of the company’s long-term strategic growth plan, as it celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, which includes either new facilities or upgrades at all of its locations. Five Star Equipment operates seven locations in 57 counties throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania.

Five Star CEO Bill Farrell stated “this new facility is about more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about commitment. Commitment to our customers, our community and our employees. Five Star Equipment is committed to providing world-class equipment brands like John Deere and Hitachi and backing these brands with outstanding customer support. This new facility in this strategic marketplace equips us to do just that.”

The company was established in 1980 when founders Frank Gallo and Bill Bochicchio, Sr. acquired the John Deere Construction & Forestry dealership in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. Five Star Equipment is the authorized dealer for John Deere, Hitachi, Topcon and Bomag, and offers products from a number of additional lines, including Eager Beaver and Trail King trailers. The company also offers a wide range of attachments and equipment for applications in construction, forestry, municipal maintenance and pipeline industries.

Northeast HVAC Solutions, Inc.; First choice for highest-quality products, abundance of experience

Posted on October 13, 2020October 16, 2020 by admin

By Martha E. Conway

Northeast HVAC Solutions, Dillon Barbieto, Parts and Service Manager and Kelli Walsh, VP of Operations.

Northeast HVAC Solutions, Inc. (NEHVAC), specializing in commercial and industrial projects, is an 80-plus-year-old firm that serves as a premier manufacturers’ representative for heating, cooling, ventilation and other mechanical products in New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Service Manager Dillon Barbeito said the outfit, headquartered in Clifton Park, can do everything from providing parts for existing equipment or a full-system design solution.

“We can do it all,” he said. “No job is too large.”

In addition to commercial and industrial work, Barbeito said the firm does a fair amount of public works projects through the company’s many mechanical contractors, as well.

NEHVAC prides itself on having cultivated relationships with not only mechanical contractors, but also consulting engineers, commercial businesses and industrial businesses throughout its more than eight decades in business. Barbeito said the company is proud to let customers know they are trained and certified in all equipment they sell, but they also are willing to provide service for some manufacturers they do not represent.

“We want to meet the needs of customers,” he said. “We are unique in that we are a manufacturer’s representative, installer and servicer.”

Barbeito, a graduate of the Hudson Valley Community College heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration program, said he was working with contractors in the Capital District when he learned about the service position available at NEHVAC.

“I was eager to take on new challenges,” he said, adding that his experience in the field provided him with the credentials necessary to help grow the service department by instilling confidence in potential end-users. “I was someone who actually had experience turning a wrench, and I think that carries weight with our customers. We’ve grown 400 percent in volume, sales and personnel.”

Upon contact, customers can expect NEHVAC professionals to meet with them to inspect and evaluate the condition of their existing equipment or size up what is needed in a new install.

“We use the Marley inspection tool to generate a detailed condition report of the components and overall condition,” Barbeito said. “From there, we generate a life-expectancy projection and develop a detailed report. With that report in hand, we will know whether repair or replacement is more cost-effective and appropriate in each circumstance, and we discuss the options with the customer. From there, we work up a proposal weighing the benefits of each potential solution.”

Barbeito said there are 10-, 15- and 20-year-old cooling towers out there that can be repaired.

“By putting some money into a unit like that, it could operate another 10 years,” he said. “In a world with a throw-away mentality, we’re a bit different. In addition, we are experts in the products we represent.”

As part of their outreach and to save customers money, NEHVAC employs an aggressive inspection and maintenance program tailored to the type and application of equipment and the needs of each customer.

“Inspection of heating and cooling systems prevents inopportune and costly breakdowns, as well as unexpected downtime,” Barbeito said. “Cooling towers, for example, may need inspection anywhere from monthly to annually. All intervals are based on critical usage and the sensitive nature of the equipment.”

NEHVAC has long believed the philosophy that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, he said.

“COVID made it evident that maintenance and inspection can prevent dangerous and costly failures, which is absolutely critical during a healthcare crisis like the one we’re experiencing,” Barbeito said.

Barbeito said he is particularly proud of NEHVAC projects that kept hospitals and health care centers functioning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had several projects that were scheduled prior to the COVID shutdown and we picked up more work during the pandemic,” Barbeito said. “One effort that really stands out is Nathan Littauer Hospital.”

Barbeito said NEHVAC replaced aging cooling tower equipment in desperate need of attention at the hospital, preventing a shutdown or interruption in services.

Facilities Engineer Mike Connelly of Nathan Littauer Hospital said it was a pleasure working with NEHVAC.

“Thanks to NEHVAC, we kept moving forward, even under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis going on at the time,” Connelly said. “They did a great job and really cultivated a good working relationship with us.”

Another project during this time included a rural hospital operating room in Vermont that needed emergency repair of a hot water pump motor that had failed.

“This hospital is the only facility for maybe hundreds of miles around,” he said. “It was absolutely imperative that we keep them up and running to serve their patients.”

Barbeito looked back on another big fix: there was a crisis at a major pharmaceutical plant.

“In 2018, we scheduled a project at this big pharmaceutical manufacturing plant – they were renovating their cooling system in order to ensure quality control for production,” Barbeito said. “Before the project could get underway, we got a panicked call from the plant that the chiller was down.”

He said NEHVAC coordinated all the moving parts of renting and installing a 400-ton unit – hoisting, running lines, electrical work – to bridge the gap.

“There was a lot to that job,” Barbeito said, “We got it up and running in less than 48 hours; they were able to keep the plant open and staff working at full production.”

Owners Dave Principe, Donald F. Ferguson and Luke Principe talked about other aspects of NEHVAC.

“We all hear about businesses trying to open up safely and how they can effectively do so,” Dave Principe said. “The first idea is to increase fresh air through the circulation of their HVAC system. The second is to replace filters with Merv 12 or 13. This is better than what is typically happening, but what happens when you cannot increase your outside air in the winter, which causes higher heating bills?

“We all know businesses are financially stressed, so why pay more to heat? Merv 12 and 13 is a better safety measure than we have seen in the past, but the current virus is so small, we know they do not catch it in the filter. The Aerisa family of units in layman’s terms basically produces fresh air through the technology that will kill viruses and bacteria in the space and at the filter. There would be no need to increase outside air.

“I do know that if my kids’ school would put these in their facilities, I would send my kids back to school in the fall. This is an added safety measure that would give me, as a parent, peace of mind and more importantly reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

“We also hear that ultraviolet technology is a good product to kill the novel coronavirus, but it has to be at the source, which means the virus must hit the UV light directly. Whereas bipolarionization – like Aerisa technology – kills all the time and in the room 24/7.”

Dave Principe, Ferguson and Luke Principe want to cultivate a legacy of exceptional customer service and establish NEHVAC as a problem-solving organization and a resource for its customers.

“More than 80 years in business has earned us that reputation, and we are always looking for ways in which we can partner with our customers to enhance that resource for their benefit,” Ferguson said.

The trio has a vision for NEHVAC, which has survived more than 80 years that encompassed evolutionary changes.

“As you can imagine, we must adapt to market conditions, manufacturer changes and our internal growth – both in equipment and personnel,” Ferguson said. “Our service department has grown tremendously and has become a major profit center for our five- and 10-year growth plans.

“As Dillon mentioned, we are unique as a manufacturer’s representative because we can service, commission and install, as necessary, the products we represent. We have three distinct parts of our organization, ventilation product sales, mechanical product sales and service capability. All three of these are interdependent on one another, and our plan as an organization is to achieve sustained growth in all these areas, additional satellite locations and an expanded service territory.

“We are unlike most other representative firms … we work hard to foster a team approach to what we do and to make sure we are a ‘family’ in which all members of the team are in alignment with the goals we are working to achieve. We out-work and out-perform our competition, and we like to have fun doing it. When we bring on a new member of our organization, we invest a lot, and we expect a lot; when we commit, we commit to that person for a career and do all we can to inspire, teach and promote them throughout that career with us. We truly are only as successful as our people are.”

The trio said they began having discussions about re-introducing/re-branding the company in late 2019.

“We wanted our brand to reflect our growth and the increased services we could offer,” the owners said.

“The actual work of re-branding began in January 2020,” said Vice President of Operations Kelli Walsh. “As COVID began shutting things down, it made it challenging to complete this rebranding with limited people working.”

“With all the in-person restrictions, I knew there would be a challenge introducing it to customers in person, as we normally would,” said Luke Principe. “But with the team in place, we worked around these added obstacles to complete the task. We reintroduced a quarterly newsletter to introduce the new logo and keep customers, manufacturers, engineers, architects and end-users informed about our products and services now and in the future.”

The owners also stressed the importance of being a part of their community and of making a positive community impact.

“What really stands out for us is that we provide a critical service to customers such as hospitals, nursing homes and research facilities, especially during this COVID challenge,” they said. “We are proud to know we are really helping to facilitate the needs of these critical customers who need to lean on us in order to carry out their essential responsibilities during this crisis.

“It’s also very important to us that we be good corporate citizens, so we donate company and personal time and resources to causes such as the Run for Life, the Epilepsy Foundation, March of Dimes, local homeless shelters, and the American Cancer Society to name a few.”

“Long story short, if a customer is looking for a company that prides itself on being experts in the products and services they want, NEHVAC is the company to call,” Barbeito said.

More about Northeast HVAC Solutions

Northeast HVAC Solutions are manufacturer’s representatives for some of the leading names in mechanical products – including Acme Fans, American Aldes, Ampco, Armstrong Fluid Technology, Durkeesox, EHG Duct, Flexmaster, Flow-Tech, Halton, Hartzell, Honeywell Analytics, Hunter Fans, Indeeco, Marlo Coil, Marley, Movex, Neptronic, Pennbarry, Perry Fiberglass, Precision Air Products Co., Pro Hydronic Specialties Proco Products, Inc., Puroflux, Recold, REDD-I, Rovanco Piping Systems, Rupp Air, Ruskin, Seiho, Solaronics, SPX Cooling Technologies, Titus, TMI Climate Solutions, Vibro-Acoustics and Viron International – that provide the best technologies in air handling equipment, air measuring products, air rotation, airflow and zone control, automatic and manual balancing valves, baseboard heaters, breeching, cabinet heaters, coil hook-up kits, coils (all types – fluid, steam, process, refrigerant, AHRI cert.), commercial and industrial fans, counter-flow space heaters, custom air handling units and advanced hydronics, diffusers, direct- and indirect-fired make-up air unit, dryer venting, duct coils, electric unit heaters, duct heaters cabinet, energy recovery units, environmental protection and gas detection systems, exhaust extractors, expansion joints, fabric dispersion systems, fans, fiberglass fans, filters, filtration and control systems, filtration for hospital operating rooms, fire and smoke dampers, flexible connectors, flexible duct, floor and radiant heaters, FRP duct, grease duct, grilles, hose kits, HVLS ceiling fans and industrial, industrial air distribution systems, industrial and commercial humidifiers, industrial and control dampers, industrial fans and blowers, kitchen ventilation, lab exhaust systems, laminar air flow, local extractors, louvers, low and high-intensity infrared heaters, make-up air systems, Marley and Recold cooling towers and fluid coolers, noise control, non-chemical water treatment pre-insulated double wall FRP duct, pre-insulated flexible and containment piping systems, pumps (all types – hydronic specialties, heat exchangers, boiler and chiller plant control solutions, fire pumps, pressure boosters systems), PVC-FRP ductwork, registers, residential system solutions, restraint systems, round and oval duct and fittings, rubber check valves, scrubbers, sheet metal fittings, specialty fans (paint booths, green houses, poultry), specialty spot diffusers and grilles, stacks, terminal boxes, vibration isolation and wall heaters.

Rethinking K-12 Renovations

Posted on October 13, 2020October 16, 2020 by admin

Paul Johnston, RA, REFP, Sr. Project Manager, King + King Architects

Our region is home to many K-12 school buildings exceeding 60 years old. Often these early to mid-20^th century structures are still in use and have encountered few upgrades. These facilities were designed around an outdated educational model preparing students for a workforce that largely no longer exists. As education philosophies and delivery methods adjust to our modern world, all too often instruction is occurring in physical spaces that do not sufficiently accommodate or support it. Teachers and students are seen using hallways, closets, and even obsolete locker rooms for a variety of crucial individual and small group activities that do not fit in the traditional classroom.

Upstate NY school districts rely on State Building Aid as a significant funding source for capital improvement projects. In most cases, aid is maximized through renovations; rarely can new replacement buildings or significant additions be justified due to flat or declining student enrollment (a major factor in aid formulas).

As districts are steered toward renovations, existing building layout and structural elements must be evaluated and often can pose challenges to the redesign. Limitations such as long narrow classroom wings, circulation and exit requirements, fire-rated walls, and structural systems are hurdles to significantly rethinking and reorganizing the floor plan.

However, as school districts strive to go beyond just recreating 21^st century versions of their 1950’s classroom wings, they are finding creative ways to overcome these obstacles to provide school facilities better fit for student learning.

The North Syracuse Bear Road Elementary School is currently under construction, and as part of a full ‘gut renovation’ of the single-story school, the building is being upgraded with a sprinkler system. This fire suppression system takes the place of fire-rated walls at classrooms and corridors, allowing for a greater amount of design flexibility. Classrooms can now have larger amounts of interior glass, open doors, and stronger connections to adjacent areas. This allows students to spread out into a variety of open and enclosed small group work areas beyond the classroom, while still allowing teacher supervision and students remaining connected to the larger group.

The Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District is nearing the completion of a significant Middle School renovation, one which required the demolition and rebuild of an entire single-story wing on the original footprint. The existing bearing wall construction did not allow for the flexible/ adaptable team-teaching environment required by their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) teams. This became an opportunity to address an area of the building beyond its useful life and provide unique learning spaces specifically designed around team-teaching and students working in teams. This wing was also uniquely situated to allow direct access to each STEAM team area without the original corridor. This recaptured floorspace, equal to the size of another classroom, allows larger communal work areas that can accommodate each 120-student team.

Finally, the Romulus Central School District recently completed an interior renovation of its High School located on the 2^nd floor of the original 1930’s portion of their K-12 building. Existing rooms were too small, isolated, and did not promote the District’s cross curricular team-teaching approach. To remedy this, classrooms were enlarged and, in several zones, completely removed allowing the corridor to gain back this additional space. Classrooms were organized on either side of these enlarged corridor nodes. The added double doors create a strong visual and spatial connection across these classrooms and communal break-out spaces. Reorganizing these spaces encourages the integration of disciplines like Math-Science and English-Social Studies as teachers, students, and subject matter collaborate together.

Finding strategic ways to better utilize areas like corridors, for more than just circulation, is a key component to breaking the limitations of ‘double-loaded’ corridor and provides more adaptive and supportive spaces for student learning moving forward.

For more information on rethinking K-12 renovations, you may contact Paul Johnston and King + King Architects at 315-671-2400, email pjohnston@kingarch.com or visit online at kingarch.com.

History Has Shown the Construction Industry will Endure

Posted on October 13, 2020October 16, 2020 by admin

By: Earl Hall, Executive Director, Syracuse Builders Exchange

It is early September. The cool mornings and slight tint of colors in trees illustrate the beginning of change. It is a timely and expected change, transitioning summer to fall. The annual upstate New York tradition also means contractors are busy wrapping up projects over the next few months in preparation for the expected change to winter.

Unexpected change is inevitable, but how we as a society and construction industry executives react to uncertain changes can vary. Although the country is still in the midst of a pandemic, construction industry employers have adapted to new “norms” both in the office and on the construction job site. What are the new “norms” when bidding a project? What lessons have been learned about how to bid on projects during a pandemic, and for how long will these new “norms” be in place? Have contractors and project owners alike done all they can do to mitigate risk and liability exposures, and are those measures adequate protections in the event of unexpected issues?

Over the decades, the construction industry has endured many eras of uncertainty and recessions. The industry has many wonderful success stories of second and third generation construction companies which have survived similar times. Lessons have been learned and new best practices have been adopted during each occurrence, so I suspect the current economic and industry turmoil resulting from COVID-19 is no different – except for those who have no experience.

History is a great teacher of delivering the most difficult lessons. Some examples of recessions in the United States that have led to eventual recoveries and survival of construction contractors include:

The Asian Flu Pandemic lasted from the summer of 1957 through April of 1958. While the coronavirus originated in China, the Asian Flu originated in Hong Kong. It ripped through India and Europe and eventually made its way to the United States. It killed over 1 million people world-wide and initiated a global recession. In an effort to end the recession, then President Dwight D. Eisenhower convinced congress to pass a stimulus package addressing national infrastructure needs in the Federal Aid Highway Act. Notice any similarities today?

The Oil Embargo from 1973-1975 resulted in the longest U.S. economic recession since the Great Depression from 1929-1933. Unemployment reached approximately 8.8% and gas prices soared, increasing the cost of consumer goods and services. In an effort to end the recession, the Federal Reserve significantly lowered interest rates, which would later lead to high inflation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Sound familiar?

From July 1981 to November 1982, the U.S. endured yet another oil-related recession when the Iranian Revolution ended and the new regime exported oil at very low prices, keeping gas prices in the U.S. high. With inflation in the U.S. at an all-time high, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates to 21.5% which then lowered the inflation rate, however, the economy declined by 3.6% over the next 16 months while unemployment soared to over 10%. Then President Ronald Reagan attacked this problem by reducing taxes and increasing military spending.

The Savings and Loan crisis and Gulf War lead to a recessionary era from July 1990 through March 1991. This modest recession saw GDP decline to 1.5% while unemployment reached 6.8%. Although the recession officially ended in 1991, the U.S. experienced 7 consecutive quarters thereafter of very slow growth.

Who could ever forget the short and swift Dot-Com crash in 2001, and the horrific events of September 11, 2001? During this recession, the Nasdaq fell 75% while the S&P 500 lost 43% between 2001 and 2002. What lead the U.S. economy out of this recession: The housing market. What later initiated the next recession?

From December 2007 to June 2009, the housing market imploded and triggered the Great Recession. Some of the largest U.S. financial institutions collapsed under the default weight of mortgage-backed securities. During this time, unemployment rates hit 10.5% and the GDP declined 4.4%. What did the government do to re-energize the economy? Congress passed a $1.5 trillion stimulus package.

What lessons did the construction industry learn during these past recessions and why is history so important to those who are responsible for developing a strategy for 2021? The circumstances and events we find the U.S. in today, and those in upstate New York, are not unique. History has proven the construction industry has endured those same challenges we are experiencing today. And while the politicization of the coronavirus is evident, some pundits have argued the over-reaching of governmental authority has crippled the economy more than the virus itself. Through it all, the construction industry has learned how to not only endure times of uncertainty but position itself to be stronger when the crisis is over.

People often ask me what I think about the current state of the construction industry in upstate New York. My answer is the current state of the industry is strong, despite the pandemic and the new “norms” mentioned above that has caused the industry much angst and money. While 2020 is still in play, I do have concerns for 2021 and 2022 for the reasons mentioned in my prior article about the lack of funding for future public and private projects. The many regional architects and engineers I speak with share my belief, in that this recession will end when a vaccine is developed and our elected officials in Washington, D.C. pass a meaningful infrastructure stimulus package to address the crumbling infrastructure in our country – but specifically in New York State.

During this time, and while planning for 2021, I would encourage construction industry executives to identify:

Means to become more efficient
Market segments that provide your company the best return on your investment
How to improve the quality of your team
How to improve your firm’s information technology
Future training and/or equipment needs
Other areas to achieve economies of scale

Recessions and market trends come and go. Those of you who have been in the construction industry long enough know this and have positioned your company to endure the hardship, only to ultimately persevere and prosper in the long run. What is new about the current environment? New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ability to unilaterally control businesses opening and closing. Such strict governmental mandates and regulations on businesses is unique in our history, so we have no history lessons to lean on to know how to react when governmental mandates adversely impact businesses and the employees they hire.

In the end, upstate New York’s construction industry and those executives who lead their companies will be resolute. Perseverance will overcome fear and determination will overcome governmental mandates. Lessons will be learned from COVID-19 that will resonate for generations.

The construction industry will lead the way to our regional economic recovery; unfortunately, there will be tumultuous times ahead as I anticipate a very challenging time in 2021.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield President/CEO-Elect James Reed to Take Lead with Confidence, Competence, and Compassion

Posted on October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 by admin

By: Tami Scott

When Excellus BlueCross BlueShield President and CEO-elect James Reed discusses his past, present, and future roles with the nonprofit health plan, his response is both competent and instinctive. Having joined the team almost 25 years ago, he is educated in virtually all areas of the organization.

“I’ve been fortunate over the majority of my career, to have been in positions that have allowed me to interact with our customers (both in the community and in the provider network) on a routine basis,” said Reed, an Elmira native who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Le Moyne College in Syracuse.

Through his participation on the senior leadership team over the last decade, Reed has had the opportunity to regularly engage with employees. This variety of roles has given him an appreciation and understanding of different and unique perspectives.

Reed will succeed long-standing President/CEO Christopher Booth, who is retiring in May 2021. Described by Reed as a “man true to his word,” Reed said his integrity is most admirable.

“[Booth] cares about the company; he cares about the employees; he cares about the community; and he cares about the mission of our company,” Reed said. “When you couple that with his extremely high integrity, it’s clear to see why he has been a fantastic leader and role model for so many over the past 10 years.”

Company Mission and Culture

Reed is passionate about two vital components of Excellus BCBS: satisfying the mission of the company and maintaining the corporate culture.

“The focus on our mission has been critical to the success of the company,” Reed said. “I believe if we’re taking action in making decisions that we believe will either impact the quality of healthcare, the affordability of healthcare, or improve access to healthcare in our community, then inherently we will be successful as a business.”

Customers, he said, from Medicare members to employer group clients, base their decisions on a company’s reputation, product price, size of the provider network, and brand reputation. Over the last decade, for example, the company prioritized these essentials, which resulted in positioning products competitively in the marketplace and gaining a stronger reputation.

But success isn’t based on one goal alone. It’s also the result of good morale, and Reed plans to continue Booth’s legacy of maintaining a strong company culture where employees are engaged and committed to the organization’s overall health and wellbeing.

“That to me is one of the keys to our overall success, and as I think about turning the page on leadership, the culture has been really one of the most important aspects of our success,” he said. “I want to make sure that we continue to keep growing, improving and working on the culture at Excellus BCBS.”

Community Investment

Headquartered in Rochester, Excellus BCBS has operating sites in Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Buffalo, with satellite offices in Binghamton, Elmira, Watertown, and Plattsburgh. As a local, community-based health plan, Excellus BCBS partners with dozens of nonprofits across all regions. It sponsors programs that promote healthy cooking and provide meals to children in low-income areas. It’s the annual presenting sponsor of the nationally renowned Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica, which uses its platform to promote year-round programs such as an urban garden and kids’ after-school running programs.

“We live and work within the communities that we serve, and we have historically been very generous with our investments into community-based initiatives,” said Reed, who sits on the board of directors for Centerstate CEO, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and HealtheConnections.

In recent years, Excellus BCBS has deliberately focused on aligning its community investment dollars to the organization’s mission. Reed illustrated this concept by using food banks as an example.

“Obviously we’re in a very unique situation this year with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Reed said. “In our communities, many businesses and therefore, many people, are struggling to get by and food insecurity and access to food is a growing issue.”

As a result, Excellus BCBS distributed $600,000 to support food banks and pantries across its 39-county upstate New York territory.

“The link between food insecurity and overall health is very clear,” he said. “If we’re able to partner with nonprofit organizations in our communities that are doing great and meaningful work across our different territories, and that work aligns to affordability, access and improved quality of healthcare — then that’s a homerun for all of us. That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

Pandemic Response

The ceaseless goal of first-rate client care has also been exhibited through its comprehensive response to the pandemic. Excellus BCBS expects to spend an unbudgeted amount of at least $162 million, which is being funded through the health plan’s reserves.

Excellus BCBS has responded to the pandemic by taking measures such as increasing reimbursement rates for telehealth; waiving out-of-pockets costs for telehealth; expediting payments of hospital claims and implementing a 20 percent increase in reimbursement for COVID-19 admissions. This, Reed said, is all to reduce the administrative burden on the provider community.

“Leadership wanted to remove any obstacles physicians might have had in providing care to members through virtual services,” he said. “And in terms of our business, we’ve made investments in how we interact with our provider community and what benefits we offer to our members with the intent to make sure there are no barriers, either financial or administrative, that would prevent someone from seeking care to either be tested or to receive treatment should they be infected with the virus.”

In addition to the behind-the-scenes adjustments made during this difficult time, the team uses the company website to inform its members, providers and the public about the latest in news and resources related to the coronavirus through a landing page that includes resources and up-to-date information on coverage.

Another public platform hosted by Excellus BCBS, “A Healthier Upstate,” offers lighter reading on topics including the importance of well-child visits and nutrition. “This has proven to be a valuable tool in getting information out to the community,” said Reed. Contributing writers from throughout Excellus BCBS share their knowledge on www.ahealthierupstate.org regarding trends and tips connected to both remote work and distance learning.

Vision for Future

As Reed begins his role as President/CEO elect, he’s contemplating what the next 10 years might be like. With remarkable statistics behind and beside him, he’s optimistic in gauging a promising future.

“Looking back, a true measure of our success can be seen in the uninsured rate in the Upstate and Central New York communities,” he said.

In 2018, the uninsured rate for Upstate New York was 3.5 percent, the lowest in modern times, and less than half the national rate of 8.9 percent, according to the 2018 American Community Survey.

Additionally, rate requests for 2021 were well below the New York state average for both individuals and small groups for the fourth year in a row.

On August 13, New York state reduced that rate request even further, cutting individual premium by 0.2 percent and giving small group, community-rated products an increase of less than one percent.

“To me, that’s the result of the mission focus on health care affordability,” Reed said. “If 10 years from now we can look back and say that in the communities we serve, we still maintain uninsured rates that are lower than the rest of the country; that we’re still rated as a high-quality health plan; that we are still a nonprofit that is mission-oriented, and focused on our local community; then, to me, that’s the measure of success.”

James Reed currently resides in Skaneateles with his wife and three children. For more information on Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.

Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists Offers Full-Spectrum Spine Surgery

Posted on October 8, 2020October 8, 2020 by admin

By: Thomas Crocker

At Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS), a four-physician team of orthopedic surgeons specializing in spine surgery performs the gamut of procedures for neck and back pain, including a variety of outpatient operations at the practice’s
ambulatory surgery center.

In most cases, nonoperative treatments provide sufficient relief from neck or back pain to allow patients to carry out daily functions and enjoy favorite activities. Options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nerve-blocking cortisone injections and physical therapy (PT), which is available from the orthopedics and sports therapy team at SOS. Nonoperative care is also available from one of SOS’ partners in care, New York Spine & Wellness Center.

“PT is a mainstay of spine care and is quite effective at treating most back problems,” says Richard DiStefano, MD, orthopedic surgeon at SOS. “It’s an advantage to have PT in our practice because it’s easy for physicians and therapists to collaborate to tailor therapy for patients.”

Surgical Solutions
When conservative therapies prove ineffective, surgery may be appropriate. Large operations, such as cervical laminectomy, cervical fusion, cervical laminoplasty, and lumbar laminectomy and fusion, typically require hospitalizations of two or more days, and SOS spine surgeons perform these procedures at St. Joseph’s Health and Crouse Health.

Many spine surgeries do not require a hospital stay, and for these, SOS has a dedicated home: Specialists’ One-Day Surgery Center, located at 5801 East Taft Road in North Syracuse. There, surgeons perform anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, lumbar discectomy, and one-level laminectomy. Another outpatient procedure, sacroiliac joint fusion, may provide relief for individuals with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Requiring just two small incisions in the buttocks, the procedure allows a spine surgeon to solidify the joint with a cage-like implant.

One of the most common procedures that Dr. DiStefano performs at the Specialists’ One-Day Surgery Center is spinal cord stimulator implantation. Spinal cord stimulation uses implanted electrodes and a small generator to deliver mild, pain-relieving electrical impulses to the cervical or lumbar spine. Candidates include individuals for whom back surgery did not provide relief or who have chronic back or leg pain, degenerative spine changes, reflex dystrophy in the foot or knee, or painful neuropathies in the feet or hands, according to Dr. DiStefano.

“Patients undergo a one-week trial using electrodes placed percutaneously and an external battery pack,” Dr. DiStefano says. “If that’s successful, we permanently implant the electrodes in the spine through a small incision in the upper or lower back. The wires are connected to a generator in the buttocks. Patients can adjust the strength of the electrical signal with a remote.”

The variety of outpatient spine procedures available at the Specialists’ One-Day Surgery Center is indicative of the sweeping nature of spine care at SOS.

“Ours is a comprehensive spine program,” Dr. DiStefano says. “We perform procedures on all parts of the spine in inpatient and outpatient settings, and we also offer a wide range of nonsurgical treatments. Patients get all-encompassing care at SOS.”

Telemedicine Appointments Available

Video visits played a crucial role in allowing Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists to continue caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine appointments through the SOS Virtual Visit App remains an option for initial and follow-up appointments, as appropriate, for patients who wish to see their orthopedic surgeon from the comfort of home.