Governor Kathy Hochul has a number of economic development initiatives in this year’s budget, from supporting the semiconductor supply chain to helping adults reskill for the new careers that will be available in the state.

Leading these projects and all other economic development in the state is Empire State Development. On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development Hope Knight joins the show to discuss the state’s plans to see New York grow.

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Commissioner Hope Knight LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn 

CenterState CEO’s vision of economic development is not narrow. It aims to enable inclusive and sustainable growth, bringing together a range of partners to find creative solutions that will make for a vibrant community. 

That means the work is varied. From multi-billion dollar investments like Micron to new restaurants opening in city neighborhoods. It’s all economic development. 

On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, CenterState CEO Vice President of Economic Development Nora Spillane discusses a range of projects currently underway in this region and how they’ll impact the community.

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Nora Spillane LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn 

CenterState CEO is taking on an exciting new role as a sub-intermediary for Micron Technology’s workforce development investment through the CHIPS and Science Act. And we’ll get to work with one of our long-time partners, the Central New York Community Foundation, which will serve as the lead intermediary for the investment. 

The Central New York Community Foundation has invested more than $300 million in the region since its establishment in 1927. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region.

Joining host Katie Zilcosky on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, to discuss the foundation’s work with Micron as well as its role in the community, is the Community Foundation’s President, Melanie Littlejohn. 

It’s a new year, and 2025 will be filled with a lot of work and a lot of opportunity. Micron is expecting to break ground this year, partners in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Ithaca continue their work as a federally awarded Tech Hub, ON-RAMP will begin to take shape and we’ll be celebrating the opening of the new Tech Garden. And that is just a bit of what’s to come. 

On this episode of Talk CNY by CenterState, presented by NBT Bank, CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson discusses what’s to come and what it means for our community. 

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Rob Simpson LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn 

Today’s conversation on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is with Miniseries, Economic Champions host, Kate Hammer and multi-hyphenated entrepreneur, Arel Moodie. You may know him as the host of Disney+ show, "Family Reboot", which is oh so much fun, but in this episode we discuss his current businesses and work as a professional speaker.

Arel is co-founder of the tech start up Talkadot, a top tool for professional speakers allowing them to capture leads, collect data, and prove their value with hard numbers.

He also co-founded Profound Mastermind, where he helps bring together some of the top entrepreneurs and business professionals in Upstate NY to partake in unforgettable experiences with unforgettable humans.

Beyond these exciting ventures, Arel spends quite a bit of time hopping from city to city as a professional speaker. We’re talking 48 states and 5 countries to audiences that add up to three quarters of a million people. Now that’s a big number, in fact if we compare it to the Syracuse metropolitan area, tack on another 100,000 folks and we’re in the ballpark!

Arel has been invited to speak at the White House twice, the TEDx stage three times, and has been quoted in media outlets like Inc. Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, and many others. 

Today’s conversation on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is with Miniseries, Economic Champions host, Kate Hammer and guest, Tom Huegel, founder and senior Partner at Wireless Business Group. Tom brings his clients over 35 years in the cellular industry, primarily working in corporate sales and engineering. And if you think you know what we mean when we say cellular, tune in because we are not just talking phones, we’re talking drones! 

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Guest: Tom HuegelLinkedIn

Guest’s Company: Wireless Business Group

Host: Kate Hammer LinkedIn 

Today’s conversation on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is with Miniseries, Economic Champions host, Kate Hammer and guest, Anthony E. Rojas, AIA, principal of in-ARCHITECTS. In this episode they discuss Anthony’s passion, which lies in successfully translating a clients’ vision into a path towards construction.

Anthony has over 17 years of professional experience in the architectural profession with a focus in  Planning and Design. He is responsible for the conceptualization and implementation of design  strategies and solutions for various project types which include; Mixed-Use, Multi-Unit Residential,  Office, Retail, Restaurant, and Healthcare. 

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Guest: Anthony Rojas LinkedIn

Guest’s Company: in-ARCHITECTS

Host: Kate Hammer LinkedIn 

Today’s conversation on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is with Miniseries, Economic Champions host, Kate Hammer and guest, David Casullo, CEO and founder of Daneli Partners and CEO of Rock City Development. David is the author of Leading the High-Energy Culture: What the Best CEOs Do to Create an Atmosphere Where Employees Flourish, an Amazon best seller published with McGraw Hill.

In this episode, Kate and David discuss David’s work as a C-suite executive, entrepreneur, leadership coach, and author on a mission to develop leaders who have the courage and capability to change the world. Dave has developed leaders in local businesses through executive coaching and leadership development programs, and has traveled the world to work with leaders, including top executives in Fortune 500 organizations. Here in Central NY, he has also worked on the development of LIttle Falls including creative infrastructure projects from restaurants to a boutique hotel and even a dance studio. 

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Guest: David Casullo LinkedIn & Book

Guest’s Companies: Daneli Partners and Rock City Development

Host: Kate Hammer LinkedIn 

Today’s conversation on Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is with Miniseries, Economic Champions host, Kate Hammer and guest, Sheena Solomon, executive director of The Gifford Foundation. In this episode Kate and Sheena discuss the role of the non-profit in economic development, and foundations in particular.

Sheena joined the Gifford Foundation team in 2007, and was named Executive Director in January 2019. Her prior work at the foundation was primarily focused on expanding its community impact initiatives, as well as working with the grants management team.  She has been instrumental in the design and planning of Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders, a leadership development training that focuses on increasing the diversity and inclusiveness of nonprofit boards. In her role as Executive Director she remains fully committed and engaged in racial justice, equity and inclusion work.

Sheena also dedicates her time by serving on local and national boards such as the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), PLACES (Professionals Learning About Community Equity and Smart Growth), the Urban Minority Economic Association (UMEA), The Near Westside Initiative, The Funders Network, Empire State Development (REDC) Council and the M&T Directors Advisory Council.

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Guest: Sheena Solomon LinkedIn

Guest’s Company: The Gifford Foundation

Host: Kate Hammer LinkedIn 

CenterState CEO’s Strategy, Policy and Planning team works closely without our elected officials to advance policies that help our region grow. Now with less than a month until the start of a new legislative session for both Congress and the New York State legislature, they’re identifying some legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

So what are we at CenterState CEO paying attention to, and what are we hoping to see? Joining this episode of  Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank is CenterState CEO’s Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations and Senior Aviation Industry Advisor Kevin Schwab.

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Kevin Schwab LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn