Capital Connect

In this week’s episode of Capital Connect, host Kito Delgado sits down with Warren Zeiser from We Rise Consulting for an engaging conversation on how organizations can unlock their team's full potential, drive sustainable growth, and foster environments where both businesses and employees thrive.

Whether you are a local Capital Region business owner, an HR professional, or an emerging leader, this episode provides actionable strategies to transform your organizational dynamics.

• Learn more about We Rise Consulting: https://www.weriseconsulting.com/
• Connect with Warren Zeiser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenzeiserbusinesscoach
• Discover GTM Payroll & HR: https://gtm.com/business

How do you double a 50-year-old family business during a pandemic, keep 35 employees intact, and turn a traditional pool company into a technology-powered growth machine?

In the latest episode of the Capital Connect podcast by GTM Payroll and HR, we are joined by Jon Foshee, President and CEO of Concord Pools. Jon unpacks the leadership decisions, modernized systems, and people-first culture behind his company’s recent surge in growth. Drawing from a highly diverse career path—including time spent as a recording engineer, radio professional, sales representative, and home builder—Jon shares how his unique background shaped his approach to earning trust, handling rejection, and leading through severe market uncertainty.

In this episode, Jon discusses:

• Taking the Leap: How an unexpected opportunity led him to acquire Concord Pools.
• Crisis Management: The strategic decision to keep his team together and fully employed when COVID-19 disrupted the business landscape.
• Tech-Driven Scaling: How implementing modern systems—from ERP and route optimization to digitized records and AI—helped Concord scale efficiently.
• Workplace Culture: Why hiring for attitude, investing in staff, and connecting with employees' families builds an unbreakable team.
• Operational Growing Pains: How rapid expansion exposes operational challenges, and how agile leaders can respond.
• Passing the Torch: His practical approach to succession planning and developing future leaders from within.

Jon also highlights what makes the Capital Region a uniquely special place to build a business. He leaves listeners with actionable advice for handling the weight of leadership: stay calm, believe in your team, and never take your role’s impact on people's lives for granted.

*Links & Resources:*

* https://concordpools.com/
* https://www.gtm.com/business
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitodelgado/

A reliable transportation network isn't just about getting people from point A to point B—it’s a critical driver of workforce development, employee retention, and regional economic growth.

In this episode of Capital Connect, GTM Business Sales Manager Kito Delgado sits down with Frank Annicaro of the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). Frank shares an inside look at how the CDTA is actively connecting the Capital Region's workforce with local businesses, breaking down the direct link between accessible transit and a thriving local economy. Kito and Frank explore how the CDTA is adapting to the changing commute habits of modern employees, upcoming infrastructure expansions, and how local employers can leverage transit partnerships to attract and retain top talent.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to solve employee commuting challenges or just curious about the future of infrastructure in the Capital Region, this episode delivers valuable insights into the systems keeping our community moving.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about the CDTA and employer programs
• Streamline your HR and payroll with GTM
• Connect with Kito Delgado on LinkedIn

In this episode of Capital Connect, presented by GTM Payroll & HR, we sit down with Tricia Rogers, President & CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC).

Tricia shares insights into the Adirondack region's economic pulse, the essential role local chambers play in advocating for small-to-midsize businesses, and how community-focused leadership drives sustainable growth. Whether you're an established business owner, an HR professional, or an aspiring entrepreneur, Tricia highlights actionable advice on networking, workforce development, and leveraging regional resources to help your organization thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• The Role of the ARCC: How the chamber serves as a voice for regional businesses across Warren, Washington, Saratoga, and Essex counties.
• Workforce & Economic Trends: Key strategies local employers are using to attract, retain, and develop talent in upstate New York.
• Community Connection: Why regional collaboration and networking remain vital for business longevity.

Connect & Resources:

• Learn more about GTM Payroll & HR: gtm.com/business
• Explore the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce: adirondackchamber.org
• Subscribe to Capital Connect on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

On this episode of Capital Connect, host Kito Delgado sits down with Gary Dake, CEO of Stewart's Shops, to explore the leadership principles behind one of Upstate New York's most iconic brands. Since stepping into leadership, Gary has helped double annual sales to over $1.6 billion, but the company's true hallmark is its profound commitment to its workforce.

We go behind the counter to uncover how Stewart's Shops scaled from a single dairy shop in Ballston Spa to a network of over 400 locations across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire—all while maintaining a close-knit, family-business culture. Gary breaks down the mechanics and philosophy of their famous Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which has transferred more than 40% of the company's ownership to its employees and created roughly 90 millionaires in the process.

Whether you are scaling a business or looking for ways to boost employee retention, this conversation offers a masterclass in how investing in your human capital pays the highest dividends.

In this episode of Capital Connect, we sit down with Mark Eagan, President and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber and the Center for Economic Growth.

With decades of experience advocating for businesses across Upstate New York, Mark shares his insights into what makes the Albany capital region a thriving hub for innovation, workforce development, and enterprise.

We dive into the current economic landscape of the Capital Region, how local businesses can leverage the Chamber’s resources to scale, and the ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the regional economy.

Whether you're a startup founder, an established business owner, or simply interested in the economic future of our community, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap for growth and regional success.

Key Takeaways:

• The Vision for the Capital Region: Mark’s perspective on the area's economic trajectory and competitive advantages.
• Chamber Resources: How the Capital Region Chamber supports local businesses through networking, talent attraction, and pro-business policy advocacy.
• Workforce & Innovation: Strategies being deployed by the Center for Economic Growth to attract and retain top talent in Upstate New York.
• Advocacy in Action: A look at recent pro-business initiatives and how state budget agreements impact the local economy.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about the Capital Region Chamber: capitalregionchamber.com
• Explore the Center for Economic Growth: ceg.org
• Contact Mark Eagan: [email protected]

How do we bridge the gap between untapped local talent and the businesses that need them most?

In this episode of Capital Connect, we sit down with Jennifer Lawrence, Founder and CEO of the SEAT Center (Social Enterprise and Training Center). Jennifer shares her journey of bringing opportunity to underrepresented young adults across the Capital Region, detailing how her organization equips the next generation with in-demand skills—from culinary arts in downtown Albany to green construction and healthcare.

For HR leaders, executives, and small business owners, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on workforce development. Discover actionable ways your organization can partner with community programs to build a more resilient, inclusive, and vibrant workplace without the corporate jargon.

• The SEAT Center Mission: How the organization transforms lives in Schenectady and Albany through education and sustainable wage jobs.
• Removing Barriers: Identifying and dismantling the systemic hurdles that keep talented youth out of the workforce.
• Employer Integration: Practical strategies for local businesses to connect with trained, credentialed, and ready-to-work young adults.

• Learn more about the SEAT Center and their mission: seatcenter.org
• Explore SEAT's employer partnership opportunities: seatcenter.org/about-us
• Streamline your workforce management with GTM Payroll & HR: gtm.com/business

Subscribe to Capital Connect for more thought leadership and actionable advice designed to help Capital Region employers thrive.

In this episode of the Capital Connect podcast, we sit down with Ryan M. Hungershafer, Founding Partner and Private Wealth Advisor at Spring Street Financial.

Ryan shares his expert insights on wealth management, strategic financial planning, and how business owners and professionals can navigate today’s economic landscape to secure their financial futures.

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to optimize your company's financial health or an individual focused on long-term wealth building, this conversation is packed with actionable advice you can start applying today.

🔗 Connect with our Guest:

https://springstreetfinancial.nm.com/

🏢 About GTM Payroll & HR: Capital Connect is brought to you by GTM Payroll & HR. We help businesses streamline their operations with customizable payroll, human resources, and benefits administration solutions.

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How does a pharmacist with zero business experience end up founding a software company that gets acquired by Time Inc.? On this episode of the Capital Connect podcast, brought to you by GTM Payroll & HR, host Kito Delgado sits down with Matt Scarchilli, Franchise Owner of Sandler Training in Albany.

Matt shares the incredible 15-year story behind Sports Sign Up, a company born out of a desperate need to modernize a cumbersome paper registration process for the Latham Soccer Club. What started as a volunteer passion project turned into a massive leap of faith, requiring Matt to walk away from a stable career and rely on the unwavering support of his wife to build a tech business from the ground up.

Matt opens up about the realities of bootstrapping a startup, the critical self-awareness required to eventually hand over the reins to an outside CEO, and the surreal experience of negotiating a major acquisition. Today, Matt draws on his hard-earned entrepreneurial experience to coach Capital Region sales teams through the Sandler Selling System, emphasizing why a structured, disciplined approach is the key to long-term success.

• The ROI of Giving Back: How volunteering and following a lifelong passion for soccer unexpectedly uncovered a scalable business opportunity.
• The Power of Naivety: Why overthinking can lead to paralysis, and how sometimes taking a leap of faith is exactly what you need to seize an opportunity.
• Knowing When to Let Go: Why founders must detach from their "baby" and recognize when it’s time to bring in external leadership to push past revenue plateaus.
• Mastering the Pivot: Navigating the transition from tech founder to the corporate world, and eventually stepping into franchise ownership and sales coaching.

• Connect with Matt Scarchilli: LinkedIn
• Get Connected with GTM and Learn More About our Services

Welcome back to the Capital Connect Podcast, brought to you by GTM Payroll & HR!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Erin Napoleone, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Co-Founder of Choice PT.

While her husband and fellow Co-Founder, Dr. Joe Napoleone, couldn't make it to the mic for this recording session, Erin provides an incredible behind-the-scenes look into the journey they’ve shared building a premier physical therapy practice right here in the New York Capital Region.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Origins of Choice PT: The shared vision that led Erin and Joe to launch their own practice and redefine patient care.
• Building a Business: The unique challenges and immense rewards of managing a growing healthcare clinic as a husband-and-wife team.
• Community Wellness: How Choice PT is making a tangible impact on the health and mobility of the Capital Region.
• Entrepreneurial Insights: Actionable advice for other local business owners navigating growth, staffing, and community engagement.

Whether you're a fellow entrepreneur seeking inspiration, a healthcare professional, or simply a Capital Region local interested in the businesses shaping our community, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

Connect & Learn More:

• Choice Physical Therapy
• GTM Payroll & HR

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