Rochester B U S I N E
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ROCHESTER BUSINESS HALL OF FAME 2018 VISIONARY LEADERSHIP UNLOCKING BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get. -Frederick Douglass What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are. -George Eastman Alesco Advisors salutes Rochester leaders of the past and those we celebrate today. From inventors to social reformers, Rochester continues its strong history of innovation and leadership. Here's to an even brighter tomorrow, planting the seeds of the future for the Flower City. www.alescoadvisors.com Table of Contents 4 Junior Achievement celebrates 10 Carl Myers 50 years of helping develop Myers started Sweeteners Plus after becoming entrepreneurs unhappy with the result of the sale of his first sweetener business. 6 Jim Gould Gould, the founder and CEO of Alesco Advisors 12 Michael Mandina and Rick Plympton Mandina and Plympton have grown Optimax LLC, used a steady hand to guide investment from a startup to an optics powerhouse that is advisory firm past early obstacles. still expanding in Wayne County. 8 Andrew Langston 14 Pursuing creativity, A pioneer in broadcasting, Langston founded the first black-owned radio station in New they built Rochester York after being rebuffed by television. This year’s Rochester Business Hall of Fame inductees will be honored on Oct. 16 during a dinner at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Publisher: Suzanne E. Fischer-Huettner; Editor: Ben Jacobs; Special Products Editor: Colin Hogan; Copy Editor: Bill Alden; Reporters: Bennett Loudon, Kevin Oklobzija, Nicole Sheldon, Velvet Spicer; Events & Marketing Coordinator: Jessica Sims; Account Managers: Jean Moorhouse, Michelle Sanfilippo; Special Projects Manager: Kady Weddle; Advertising Design Supervisor: Sarah Sansom; Graphic Designer: Jennifer McNally; Business Manager: Maria Kelly. 2018 Rochester Business Hall of Fame ▪ OCTOBER 12, 2018 3 Honoring the Best. Benefitting who’s next. 2 018 develop and run their own small business- engaging learning environment that re- es. To this day, I hear countless stories flects the workforce demands of our local (and sometimes I am even shown the economy, and empowers them with the actual products!) from alumni of the JA knowledge, skills and confidence to un- Company Program, many of whom credit lock greater economic opportunity. The their success to this single JA experience. JA Discovery Center has had measurable In the early 80’s and beyond, Junior impact on over 400,000 students in cities Achievement took the basic tenants of such as Washington, DC, Atlanta, and the JA Company Program inside the Detroit, to name only a few. It will be classroom, developing a K-12 continu- the first of its kind in New York State. um of programs focused on preparing In the future, we will continue to for success in any career – including explore additional proven opportunities, By PATRICIA LEVA financial literacy, workplace readiness like the JA Discovery Center, that provide and entrepreneurial skills, all delivered by a collective impact approach to meeting very year the Rochester Busi- a community volunteer. the needs of the community. An example ness Hall of Fame inducts new Today, we reach over 14,000 student in is the recent introduction of 3DE by JA members who have helped shape 25 counties, and continue to focus with USA, a unique JA-run high school that Eour Region as business owners and earnest in the Rochester City School integrates curriculum, professional devel- innovators. They have made extraordi- District, where the need for skills and opment and business partnerships into - Event Sponsor - nary contributions to their industries, inspiration is greatest. the daily academic experience. given generously to our community, and We have also introduced digital I would be remiss if I didn’t mention serve as excellent role models for the next program delivery, and have more that our 50-year milestone is even more generation. student-based events, competitions, meaningful as we share it alongside our Junior Achievement takes great pride opportunities for networking and schol- national partner, JA USA, which marks its - Laureate Sponsors - in helping prepare and inspire the next arships than ever before. We continually 100th anniversary this year. As I am often generation to follow in the footsteps of the collaborate with educators to help fill reminded, when you start marking your age exceptional men and women of the Roches- their needs, as evidenced by this year’s in centuries, it doesn’t mean you are old, it ter Business Hall of Fame. The 2018 class launch of the JA Youth Entrepreneurial means you are adaptable, innovative, and is a special one for JA, as we celebrate our Summit, and the upcoming launch of the ready for the future. Special thanks to all 50 year anniversary this month. JA Stock Market Challenge. of our stakeholders who have supported - Entrepreneur Sponsors - It was October 1968, when 33 individ- While we demonstrate the impact of JA throughout the last 50 years, especially - Video Sponsor - uals, representing business, government, our programs by testing for knowledge those members of the Rochester Business education and clergy, rallied around gain and behavioral changes, we know Hall of Fame, who are the role models for a vision for the next generation – one we can do more in the years ahead. We this bold vision for the future. which not only provided the skills to be have a bold vision for the future, one that Patricia Leva is president and CEO of - Investor Sponsors - successful in a burgeoning manufacturing takes an even more active role in helping Junior Achievement of Central Upstate economy, but also the inspiration that to reduce poverty, increase graduation New York Inc. ® would fuel the continuation of invention rates, and fill the gap of skilled workers in and innovation that Rochester had be- a variety of industries. come known for. With a $50,000 invest- - Shareholder Sponsors - As part of our anniversary, we have ACC Business | Bank of America | Burke Group | DeCarolis Truck Rental | ESL Federal Credit Union ment from both Eastman Kodak Co. and launched a capital campaign that will Xerox Company, and a commitment of bring a state-of-the-art, hands-on Finger Lakes Community College | Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce | Greater Rochester Health Foundation their employees to share their expertise, learning lab for 12,000 middle and Home Leasing Construction | Key Bank | JP Morgan Chase | LaBella Associates | Paychex | Ron & Mary Pluta Family | Rochester Junior Achievement of Rochester, New high school students in our region. The Institute of Technology | St. Bonaventure University | Stifel Financial | University of Rochester Advancement/ Noyes Health York Area, Inc. was born. 17,000 square foot “JA Discovery Cen- Valley Fuel | WDKX-FM | Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation Over the next decade, business and ter” will be located in the historic former - Special Thanks - education converged, as JA matched tens firehouse at Eastman Business Park, and of thousands of students with industry will showcase “replica” businesses and or- Constellation Brands | 29 Design Studio mentors, after school hours, to help them ganizations – providing students with an The Rochester Business Hall of Fame is proudly presented by: 4 OCTOBER 12, 2018 ▪ 2018 Rochester Business Hall of Fame Proceeds from this event will enable students in the Greater Rochester area to participate in Junior Achievement programs focused on financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship. 2 018 - Event Sponsor - - Laureate Sponsors - - Entrepreneur Sponsors - - Video Sponsor - - Investor Sponsors - ® - Shareholder Sponsors - ACC Business | Bank of America | Burke Group | DeCarolis Truck Rental | ESL Federal Credit Union Finger Lakes Community College | Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce | Greater Rochester Health Foundation Home Leasing Construction | Key Bank | JP Morgan Chase | LaBella Associates | Paychex | Ron & Mary Pluta Family | Rochester Institute of Technology | St. Bonaventure University | Stifel Financial | University of Rochester Advancement/ Noyes Health Valley Fuel | WDKX-FM | Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation - Special Thanks - Constellation Brands | 29 Design Studio The Rochester Business Hall of Fame is proudly presented by: Proceeds from this event will enable students in the Greater Rochester area to participate in Junior Achievement programs focused on financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship. Gould’s steady hand steered Alesco past early obstacles JIM GOULD 6 OCTOBER 12, 2018 ▪ 2018 Rochester Business Hall of Fame By NICOLE SHELDON were expanding and getting a lot of Gould is a St. Bonaventure Advisors, he also lends his expertise new clients,” says Gould. “So, we had University graduate. He received and time to local organizations that his year, investment advisory a revenue boost to offset the market his bachelor’s degree in accounting, he has fostered long-standing rela- firm Alesco Advisors LLC value declines of the portfolios.” and has maintained close ties with tionships with, including St. Ann’s surpassed $4 billion in assets In 2006, Gould oversaw an the college. In fact, he received the of Greater Rochester, St. John’s Tunder advisement. But the firm had expansion into the Buffalo market. Gaudete Medal from the school, an Home and the Diocese of Rochester. a rocky start after its founding