(Credit: Cam Cardinale, 2023)
(Credit: Arrow Corp. 2023)
(Credit: Sean Kelleher, 2023)
Simone takes helm of Feeder Canal Alliance
Pattie Simone has lived in the Glens Falls area for four years and was laid off — “Twice!” she joked — during the pandemic from two different remote positions with the mortgage lending firm AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation.
It was time for something else, she said. She had heard through the grapevine that the former director of Feeder Canal Alliance, Jeanne Williams, was retiring.
"I have a background in civic and nonprofit participation,” she said, listing a number of groups she has worked with in this area and elsewhere. "It's been in my DNA for a while to try to be helpful in the community."
She was offered the part-time position in December, and in January began the position at two-and-a-half days per week.
"A, it was a great fit, but, B, how come we have been here four years, and we've never heard of this place?” she wondered. She found she was not the only one.
"They don't know about the feeder canal," she said of many people in the area. Since the trail is the former trail used by the mules that pulled boats and barges, the current trail is flat, and an easy walk, bike or jog for most people. It features park areas and has canoe and kayak access points.
"It's easy, and still really beautiful and serene," she said.
So one of her first goals as director is to raise the profile of the canal path that runs from Queensbury to Hudson Falls.
Other items on her agenda include fundraising and grant writing, creating programs and educational opportunities, increasing the volunteer pool, and continuing the opportunities for people to have “healthy outdoor experiences,” she said, adding, "It's a great spot for day-tripping and tourists"
The Feeder Canal Alliance is a 501c3 founded in 1987, preserves, promotes and protects the Glens Falls Feeder Canal And Towpath Trail, their website says. It is an operational arm of the New York State Canalway Corporation and the Champlain Canalway, Simone said.
Bank Promotes Connor McCoy to Commercial Relationship Manager
From a press release: Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Connor McCoy to Commercial Relationship Manager serving the Queensbury and Lake George region.
In his new role, Mr. McCoy will manage a portfolio of current commercial customer relationships and work to continuously foster new relationships for the bank. Mr. McCoy has been with Glens Falls National Bank for six years, starting as a Loan Services Representative and later promoted to Corporate Banking Associate.
Mr. McCoy is a current member of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Adirondack Class.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in management and finance from Holy Names University in Oakland, California. He is a Lake George native and currently lives in Glens Falls.
Cam J. Cardinale promoted to Director of Strategy & Operations at Advokate, LLC
From a press release: Advokate, LLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Cam J. Cardinale as Director of Strategy and Operations.
Cardinale has been employed at Advokate since 2021, beginning as Marketing & Operations Associate and moving up to Marketing & Operations Director, and is now the lead on the Advokate team, overseeing internal operations and strategy as well as taking a supervisory role over the marketing and design that Advokate performs for clients.
“Cam is my right-hand man,” says Kate Austin-Avon, Founder and CEO of Advokate, which she established in 2010. “He’s shown time and time again that he’s creative, capable and driven, and I feel extremely fortunate to have him stepping into this role at Advokate.”
Advokate helps nonprofits, small businesses, startups, and artists with the tools they need to succeed.
Kelleher Appointed to Erie Canalway NHC Commission
From a press release: Sean Kelleher, the vice president of the Saratoga County History Center, has been appointed to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. This federal commission works with communities along the Erie Canal to celebrate and promote the Canal's heritage.
Kelleher directs communications and is a project director for special events at the History Center based in Ballston Spa. Kelleher is also the historian for the town of Saratoga and the vice chair of the Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission.
"Sean Kelleher truly exemplifies the spirit of this region," said Field Horne, president of the History Center. "Kelleher has been tireless in promoting our historical treasures in Saratoga County."
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission is a 27-member, community–based federal commission appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior that works with 234 communities along the Erie Canal route. They plan and direct activities that preserve and celebrate the historical, natural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Kelleher's appointment is for a three-year term.
Editor's Note: We wrote that Pattie Simone lived Glens Falls. She lives in Lake Luzerne and works in and visits Glens Falls.