www.geneseeny.com / www.visitgeneseeny.

com

1972-2022

Special Supplement To:

August 18, 2022

2 • Thursday, August 18, 2022
Chamber gala to celebrate
Golden Anniversary
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
The Genesee County Cham-
ber of Commerce, a non-profit
organization focused on “cre-
ating an environment for busi-
ness success in Genesee Coun-
ty,” is celebrating 50 years of
service.
In 1972, the late newsman
William F. Brown announced to
the public via his WBTA broad-
cast the merger of a new organi-
zation was at their disposal.
“A county-wide chamber, a
new organization embracing
and replacing the present Le
Roy and Batavia Chambers, and
affording representation to the
remainder of Genesee County,
would be a major improvement
and greater use of resources
than Batavia now has…,” stated
Brown, 50 years ago according
to a Chamber history.
John Connor editorialized
in The Daily News that a coun-
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is at 8276 Park Rd., in
Batavia. The Chamber is celebrating 50 years of service in 2022.
ty-wide effort was needed “to
boost and strengthen the Gen-
esee County community” and
praised the vision of the two
Chambers for taking on such an
effort.
Soon after a merger between
the Le Roy and Batavia Cham-
bers was agreed upon during a
meeting in Stafford, a midway
Celebrating 50 Years!
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Staff
Tom Turnbull, president.
Kelly Bermingham, director
Steven Falitico, director of
sales and marketing.
of member relations and special
events.
Kelly Rapone, tourism market-
ing director.
Sara Stockwell, accounting
and human resource director.
Morgan Hoffman, assistant
tourism marketing director.
Congratulations
to the Genesee County Chamber!
Lamb Farms,, Inc
A New York leader in quality
GENESEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PHOTOGRAPH
milk production and ag innovation
point between the two commu-
nities.
585-948-5777
Since its inception, the lambfarmsinc.net
Genesee County Chamber of
lambfarms@hotmail.com
Commerce has emphasized lambfarms@hotmail.com
the promotion and support of
local businesses, created coun-
ty-wide resources such as the
Micro-Enterprise Program, the
See GALA T3

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its50th year with a ribbon cutting and open
house on Jan. 20, 2022, at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Rd., Batavia.
Gala
From T2
Job Development Bureau, and a
Resident Resource guide.
The enthusiastic and dedi-
cated staff has an award-win-
ning tourism department – vis-
itgeneseeny.com – which offers
a virtual guide through Gene-
see County featuring weekend
highlights, upcoming events,
where to stay and more.
“We’d like to invite everyone
to join us for a night of celebra-
tion, food and fun as we mark
the first 50 years of The Genesee
County Chamber of Commerce
and look forward to the next
50 years,” said Tom Turnbull,
interim president of the Gene-
see County Chamber of Com-
to
to the
the Genesee
Genesee County
County Chamber
Chamber
on
on Celebrating
Celebrating 50
50 Years!
Years!
merce. Turnbull is also a past
president of the organization.
To commemorate the Cham-
ber’s long-standing achieve-
ments, a Golden Anniversary
Celebration is slated from 5 to
10 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Original
Red Osier Landmark Restau-
rant, 6492 Main St., Stafford.
The event will kick off with
cocktails at 5 p.m., a dinner buf-
fet at 6:30 p.m. with live music
on the patio, by The Six Feet
Apart Band beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $50.
Register to attend the event on-
line at geneseeny.com.
The community is encour-
aged to come out and enjoy an
evening celebrating the people
behind the scenes.
The gala is the final sched-
uled anniversary event. Other
commemorations have includ-
Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 3
2022 Genesee County Chamber Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DIRECTORS
Mickey Hyde, Tompkins Bank of Daniel Fischer, WBTA Radio; Tammy
Castile, chair. Hathaway, Batavia Development Corpo-
John Whiting, Whiting Law Firm, ration; Beth Kemp, Council Rock Wealth
chair-elect. Advisory Group; Justin Kipfer, Six Flags
Joe Forsyth, certified public ac- Darien Lake; Jeremy Liles, Oliver’s
countant, treasurer. Candies; Patrick McGee, Byron-Bergen
Janice Jones, Bonduelle USA, Central School; Barbara O’Rourke, Bat-
secretary. avia Downs Gaming and Hotel; Richard
Danielle Rotondo, Terry Hills Golf Sutherland, Genesee and Finger Lakes
Course and Banquet Facility, immedi- Regional Planning; Peggy Weissend,
ate past chair. Visiting Nursing Association of WNY.
Charter Partner
Nancy M. Crocker
Lic. Real Estate Salesperson
Cell: (585) 314-7982
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO crocker@rochester.rr.com
7133 W. Main Road • LeRoy, NY 14482
office • (585) 502-5250
Main Office: 2112 Empire Blvd • Webster, NY 14580
ed a ribbon cutting and open
house in at the Chamber office
and a Founder’s Reception at
the Genesee-Orleans Regional
Arts Council, 201 East Main St.,
Batavia.
For more information
For more information about
the Genesee County Chamber
of Commerce & Visitor Center,
at 8276 Park Rd., Batavia, call
(585) 344-4152 or visit its web-
sites at https://geneseeny.com
or visitgeneseeny.com.
Congratulations
to our
Genesee Chamber of
Commerce on
50 Years!
77 Years in Business “IT’S WHAT WE DO”
Trusted. Reliable.
Professional.
Richard Wendt, President
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • AGRICULTURAL Fully Insured & Free Estimates
128 Cedar St. Batavia, NY • 585-343-2400 / 585-356-4300
RAHAITZ.COM
4 • Thursday, August 18, 2022 Celebrating 50 Years!

Chamber events commemorate anniversary BE IN THE KNOW 24/7: THEDAILYNEWSONLINE.COM

The Genesee County Cham- n Golden Anniversary Cel- ber from the merger of the Le
ber of Commerce has com- ebration – Scheduled from 5 Roy and Batavia Chambers
memorated its golden an- to 10 p.m. Sept. 17, 2022, at the of Commerce, current mem-
niversary year with several Red Osier Landmark Restau- bers are returning to the place
special events. Here’s a look rant, 6492 Main St., Stafford. where it began – the “neutral
back at what has already hap- To celebrate the 50-year territory” of Stafford. To regis-
pened, and what is to come: anniversary of the creation of ter, go to https://tinyurl.com/
n Ribbon Cutting and Open The Genesee County Cham- bxuvkc4n.
House – On Jan. 20, 2022, the
Chamber of Commerce start-
ed its “Golden Anniversary
Celebration” with an official
ribbon cutting for its 50th year.
The event included light
refreshments. Members past,
present – and hopefully, future
– attended.
n Founder’s Reception –
An invitation-only reception
took place April 27, 2022, at
the Genesee-Orleans Regional
Arts Council, 201 East Main St.,
Batavia.
Th was held to recognize the
men and women who have led
the Chamber of Commerce for
the first 50 years.
Past and present staff and
board members shared an eve-
ning of fellowship and remem-
brance.
 Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 5

Chamber presidents reflect on service

These five recent leaders look back, recalling achievements and fond memories, and cast a look at future of organization
By KORI SCIANDRA

‘
ksciandra@batavianews.com
Getting to go inside businesses that we drive by
Throughout its 50 years of
service, the Genesee County every day and to see the amazing things they are
Chamber of Commerce has
welcomed many different
leaders. Among those at the
forefront of the organization
accomplishing is a real eye-opener and never gets old.

TOM TURNBULL
’
are Tom Turnbull, current in-
terim Chamber president, Er- Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is offering...
ik Fix, Ray San Fratello, Lynne
Freeman, and Frank Ferrando.
The above gentlemen are
FREE HOME ENERGY
the five most recent presidents
of the Chamber of Commerce.
IMPROVEMENTS
The Weatherization Assistance Program is available
They have provided a com-
bined 32 years of service to for income eligible homeowners in Genesee County.
local businesses and the com- Reduce energy costs & improve the safety of your
munity.
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
home through energy efficiency measures.
Tom Turnbull speaks at the 2019 Genesee County Chamber
In a series of interviews, HEAP Recipients are automatically eligible.
of Commerce Awards Night on March 2, 2019. Turnbull was
each past president – Turnbull president of the Chamber for 7.5 years and returned in July to Income guidelines are:
previously served more than lead the organization in an interim role.
seven years before returning Household size of 1: $2,729/month
in July in an interim role – re- time as president? and promote Genesee Coun- Household size of 2: $3,569/month
flected on their personal ex- A: The most notable ty’s many assets to visitors Household size of 3: $4,409/month
periences during their term as achievement was probably the from the busy Exit 48 Thruway
Chamber president, offered Household size of 4: $5,249/month
construction of the new Gene- exchange. Weatherization Works
insight on Chamber achieve- see County Chamber of Com- We are also very proud of the Please call 585-343-7798 for more information.
ments, shared thoughts on the merce building and Tourism support we gave to area busi-
significance of the Chamber Visitor Center on Park Road. nesses during the pandemic.
marking 50 years and looked This was project that had been We compiled COVID-19 re-
into the future of the organiza- talked about for 20 years and sources on our website, held
tion. we were finally able to bring it Paycheck Protection Program
to fruition in 2017. The move
allowed us to be more visible See PRESIDENTS T6
Tom Turnbull
Tom Turnbull was president
of the Genesee County Cham-
ber of Commerce from 2013
until he retired in 2021, a span
of 7.5 years.
Bouchard Financial
Services, LLC
QUESTION: What is the to-
tal number of years you were
involved in the Chamber?
ANSWER: While I was at
The Daily News, I served on Investments*, Insurance and Tax Preparation
the Chamber’s Board of Di-
rectors in the late 1990s and
2000s. I was chairman of the
Board of Directors in 2000.
Donald E. Bouchard,
Even after my term on the MBA, ATP, LUTCF
Chamber Board of Directors Financial Advisor and Accredited Tax Return Preparer
ended, I continued to be ac-
tive in Chamber affairs in my
role as publisher at The Daily
585-343-7478
News. The Daily News has al-
ways been an active member
Visit Online: www.BouchardFinancialServices.com
and collaborative partner of
* Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC,
the Genesee Chamber of Com- Investment Advisory Services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM,
merce. Insurance Services offered through Avantax Insurance AgencySM,
Q: What were some notable Bouchard Financial Services, LLC is not a registered broker/dealer or registered investment advisory firm.
achievements during your
6 • Thursday, August 18, 2022 Celebrating 50 Years!

to see what happens, but as for the 50th Anniversary. In ad-

Presidents long as the Chamber keeps
listening to its members and
dition, we created a new web-
site for both the Chamber and
From T5 putting their best interests at Tourism, and created our new
hand, the Chamber will con- marketing slogan of “Promote,
and Economic Injury Disaster tinue to thrive along with our Support, Connect.”
Loans webinars, promoted county’s businesses. We added many neces-
and supported businesses on sary internal controls, like re-
social media, gave local busi- vising our personnel policy
nesses updates and relayed Erik Fix and by-laws. We rebounded
community and state man- Erik Fix was presidents of from membership losses due
dates – anything we could do the Genesee County Cham- to COVID and maintained a
to help support the Genesee ber of Commerce from March membership base of more
County business community. 2021 to July 2022. He left the than 500 businesses.
Reviving the Home Show and Chamber to become assistant Q: What was your favorite
making it a successful show- manager for the City of Bata- experience as president?
case for our area businesses via. A: Getting to work with a MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
great group of dedicated staff Erik Fix said the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce reaching
was another notable achieve- QUESTION: What were
and volunteers every day! a 50-year milestone demonstrates the importance of a chamber
ment. some notable achievements
Q: What is the significance to its community.
Q: What was your favorite during your time as presi-
experience as president? dent? of the Chamber reaching its
A: Being able to visit and ANSWER: We were able to 50-year milestone?
tour area businesses and meet bring back all of our annual A: I believe it demonstrates
the people who run them was events post-COVID (annual the importance of a chamber
my favorite part of working at award dinner, Home Show, to our community. The fact the
the Chamber. Getting to go in- golf outing, Celebrate Ag Din- Chamber has been a resource
side businesses that we drive ner and annual meeting), and
by every day for years and to added three new annual events See PRESIDENTS T7
see the amazing things they
are accomplishing is a real
eye-opener and never gets old.
Q: How did you grow as a re- Norton’s CHIZZELWOOD
sult of your time as president?
A: You can’t work at the 4309 Gilhooly Rd. Alexander, NY
Genesee County Chamber of
Wood Products, Home Décor, Primitives,
Commerce without having an
Country Treasures, Amish products, Outdoor Lawn
increased respect for the busi-
nesses in Genesee County. The Items, Barn Stars, and many one-of-a-kind gifts
ingenuity, creativity, persever- Like and follow us on Facebook for special events and updates
ance and tireless dedication Fran & Bobbi Norton 716-560-2094 Chizzelwood@gmail.com
of our business community
is truly inspiring and very un-
derappreciated by the general QUEEN SIZE ADJUSTABLE BEDS
public. Starting At $1395 With Bedding
Q: What is the significance
of the Chamber reaching its
50-year milestone?
A: The Genesee County
Chamber of Commerce has $
been able to stay relevant and
pertinent in spite of the many
$
179 ea. pc. 249 ea. pc.
changes in how businesses
have transformed over the past
50 years by evolving along with
the business community.
$ $
Q: Why has the Chamber
been able to enjoy such lon-
gevity?
599 799
A: By listening to its mem-
bers and putting the best in-
terests of the business com-
munity as the Chamber’s
number-one priority.
Q: What do you think the
next 50 years holds for the
Chamber?
A: I’m probably not the best
person to answer this question
Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 10-4
because I doubt I’ll be around
 Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 7

Presidents
From T6
for our community through all
of the ups and downs shows it
serves a major role in helping
to grow businesses in Genesee
County.
Q: Why has the Chamber
been able to enjoy such lon-
gevity?
A: The dedication of the
staff. Kelly Bermingham and
Kelly Rapone have more than
50 years of experience between
the two of them. Steven Faliti-
co and Sara Stockwell eat and
sleep the Chamber. Couple
that with great leadership over
the years, and you have a pretty
good product.
Q: What do you think the
next 50 years holds for the
Chamber?
A: I think the Chamber is
uniquely situated to have a
major impact on business-
es in Genesee County. As we
look to drive tourism, estab-
lish a unique place brand, and
begin to redevelop the live,
work, play mentality in the
county, the Chamber will be
at the forefront. They have the
flexibility to pivot when need-
ed while maintaining the core
principals of promoting, sup-
porting and connecting local
businesses.
Ray San Fratello
some notable achievements
during your time as presi-
dent?
ANSWER: Spearheading a
partnership in conjunction
with Genesee County govern-
ment to expand financial re-
sources for our county’s tour-
ism promotion efforts through
the institution of a coun-
ty-wide “bed tax.” Our market-
ing dollars from public and pri-
vate contributions increased
from $117,000 to $295,000 in
Congratulations on 50 years -
wishing you many more years of success!
five years.
Supporting Genesee Coun-
ty’s efforts to host three major
“Wings of Eagles” air shows
with Geneseo’s National War-
plane Museum at the Genesee
County Airport and subse-
quently producing, along with
the county, two of our own
Batavia air shows in the mid-
’90s.
The establishment of the an-
nual Wing Ding Weekend fes-
tivities in Batavia’s Main and
Ellicott Streets areas during air
show weekends to draw some
of the 40,000 air show attend-
ees to the downtown area,
as well as, for citizens of our
county to enjoy.
The creation of our annual
county-wide Agriculture Deci-
sionmakers tours (our largest
industry) in partnership with
Genesee County Cooperative
Extension.
The expansion of the Cham-
ber’s member service to small
businesses of group health weekend event with the City of
insurance programs from ad-
ministering two plan offerings
Batavia and all the small busi-
nesses that participated in it.
to 10 plans, increasing our I remember how our Board of
enrollment numbers to more Directors and tourism com-
than 1,000 subscribers gener- mittee worked so hard to find
ating $4,000,000 in premium the right person to chair the
collections. Wing Ding Planning Com-
Q: What was your favorite mittee, and then asking Anne
experience as president? Garlock if she would be that
A: I truly enjoyed working on person. What a relief when she
the air show projects with the
gave a resounding, “yes.”
National Warplane Museum
The first organizing com-
folks and Genesee County, as
See PRESIDENTS T8
well as, the related Wing Ding
Carol Hunt
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
ofc: 585-672-1689
cell: (585) 250-5853
carol.hunt@huntrealestate.com
www.carolhunt.huntrealestate.com
Congratulations
to our friends at
The Chamber of
Commerce!

Ray San Fratello

The longest serving of the
recent Chamber presidents is
Ray San Fratello, who was in
the post from November 1990
to May 2003, nearly 13 years.
“My Jaycees (the Junior
Chamber of Commerce) vol-
unteer background was critical
in qualifying me for the posi-
tion. And I had a hard-work-
ing staff and wonderful group
of volunteers who unselfish-
ly gave of their time to make
the organization strong,” San
Fratello said.
San Fratello has had a
25-year career working for
chambers of commerce. He
was recruited by the South
Lake County Chamber of
Commerce in Clermont, Fla.,
just outside Orlando, and
served there from January 2004
to May 2016.
QUESTION: What were
8 • Thursday, August 18, 2022 Celebrating 50 Years!

for us, particularly with social munities. I believe chambers

Presidents
From T7
mittee meeting at St. Nicholas
Social Club stands out in my
‘People will always need a place to gather
and meet face-to-face, socialize and act in a
strategic effort to advance their communities.
media being such an immedi-
ate and powerful force to reck-
on with right now. The reality
is that people will always need
of commerce in some fash-
ion can change with the times
and continue to lead the way
a place to gather and meet through these immediate and
Chambers of commerce can change with the face-to-face, socialize and future minefields.

mind as representatives from
the Chamber Board and Tour-
ism Committee, the City of
Batavia, and the County met
openly – but sort of in secret.
Ideas were flying around on
how to make it happen and all
obstacles were cleared away
one-by-one by decision mak-
ers there that had us laughing
and coming up with idea after
idea to ensure it would be fun
and different.
I’d peek around the room
and bar area and St. Nick’s
members sitting there as this
was happening and they were
looking at us over in the corner
as if it were a mob boss meet-
ing like you would see in the
movies. It was an energizing
“can do” moment….
Q: How did you grow as a re-
sult of your time as president?
A: I always have seen myself
as a team player and detailed,
organized, and resilient. I grew
in my position as a voice for
working cooperatively and
being able to collaborate to-
gether for the greater good and
developing common sense ap-
proaches to problem solving
that goes hand-and-hand with
relationship building, strategic
thinking and the blending of
local and regional focuses.
Q: What is the significance
of the Chamber reaching its
50-year milestone?
A: It is not easy for any not-
times and continue to lead the way ...
RAY SAN FRATELLO
for-profit entity to last 50 years
– and not for the faint of heart
at times I might add. It truly is
an achievement to celebrate
– much like a couple celebrat-
ing a golden wedding anniver-
sary. A chamber of commerce
is not only the business com-
munity acting on its own be-
half – though it is critical that
membership acts on that with
enlightened self-interest – but
it is also critical to be ground-
ed in the community where
you live, work and play and
to address issues that create a
culture, identity and sense of
place people can be proud of.
I believe from first-hand expe-
rience this Chamber has done
just that and that is why it has
weathered the ups and downs
presented over time.
Q: Why has the chamber
been able to enjoy such lon-
gevity?
A: In the last analysis it is all
about people and how they
give of their time, treasure, and
talent in pursuit of the organi-
zation’s mission and vision,
and their ability to change
with the times in order to keep
growing, and how they play
that forward to continue to at-
’
act in a coordinated strategic
effort to advance their com- See PRESIDENTS T9
tract new blood to carry on the
effort. It is apparent that over
the years the staff, the mem-
bership at large, and their lead-
ership have done the job.
Q: What do you think the
next 50 years holds for the
Chamber?
A: The next 50 years…. Who
in 1972 could have envisioned
what our local communities,
these United States, and the
world would have looked like
in 2022? You have to believe in
the future becoming better and
have faith and hope that life
will go on for the greater good
of the planet. Local chambers
are under great stress to live
and work in this virtual age of
ours and the good and bad of
what technology has wrought

Lawn • Landscape Maintenance • Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control

Aeration & Overseeding • Tree & Shrub Care
MOSQUITO CONTROL
“Make Precision Your Celebrating
28 Years
Lawn Care Decision” Located in Le Roy

993-LAWN(5296) Bob Brydges

Owner
 Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 9

Presidents
From T8

Lynne Freeman
Lynne Freeman was Cham-
ber president for seven years,
serving from 2006 to 2013.
QUESTION: What were
some notable achievements
during your time as presi-
dent?
ANSWER: I would start by
saying that I inherited a great
staff without whom we would
have not been able to do the
Lynne Freeman
things we did.
Most notable were: the programs, we partnered
n As the tourism promotion
with the Genesee Communi-
agency for Genesee County we
initiated numerous successful ty College Business Center to
programs to bring visitors to offer counseling to the partic-
our county, e.g. support for our ipants.
golf courses, race track, camp- n We restarted the dormant
grounds, restaurants, and, of annual Home Show.
course, Darien Lake. n For several years we part-
n We initiated two small nered with a California compa-
business loan/grant programs ny (and other local chambers)
for enterprising entrepreneurs to run low cost/high quali-
that might not be able to find ty trips to China. All told our
start-up capital through con-
ventional sources. As a part of See PRESIDENTS T11

Congratulations
Genesee
To
The
County
Chamber

Auctioneers • Appraisers • Real Estate Brokers

585-343-5449
P.O. Box 58, Stafford • www.williamkentinc.com
10 • Thursday, August 18, 2022
Correct Vision
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following
is the text of an editorial published
July 27, 1972, in The Daily News:
Validity of a county-wide ef-
fort to boost and strengthen the
Genesee County community
has long been recognized.
The potential and the possi-
bilities are self-evidence. But,
until now, there has been no
positive effort to implement
this objective.
Directors of the Le Roy and
Batavia Area Chambers of
Commerce have taken the ini-
tiative. The format is being de-
veloped by a special committee
of both organizations.
There is every reason for this
concept to be fulfilled and no
justifiable argument against it.
Whatever happens for the
better in any segment of Gen-
esee County reacts to the good
and future strength of the entire
county community.
Celebrating 50 Years!
FOLLOW THE DAILY NEWS
Employment opportunities
Twitter: @Batavia_Daily and @BataviaDNSports
do not know town, village or Facebook.com/BataviaDailyNews
city lines. Thus, the concerted TheDailyNewsOnline.com
effort of the entire county in
fortifying existing industry, at-
tracting new and enhancing the
industrial climate is vital.
Many of the roads and
highways in the county are be-
coming so built up that they are
more like streets in the county
community than they are by-
ways from one place to another.
This building up and knit-
ting together through housing
development is certain to con-
tinue.
The two Chambers are to be
commended for their vision in
realizing the cohesiveness and
interdependence of the entire
community and are deserving
of maximum support and en-
couragement from all sources.
– John H. Connor

Presidents
From T9
Chamber was responsible for
introducing 4,000 visitors to
China. Our success was recog-
nized with a life-sized replica
of a terracotta Xian soldier that
is showcased in the Richmond
Library.
Q: What was your favorite
experience as president?
A: I have so many pleasant
remembrances of my time
with the Chamber that I can’t
name a “favorite.”
Q: How did you grow as a re-
sult of your time as president?
A: Coming into the position
with no chamber experience
and limited exposure to the
businesses in Genesee County,
I learned on a daily basis what
Genesee County was all about.
Although living in Le Roy for
28 years, I realized that I really
did not know Genesee Coun-
ty. Early in my tenure I spent
several days driving the coun-
ty corner-to-corner, stopping
in many businesses to intro-
duce myself and to learn. (In
fact, that may be my “favorite
experience” for the question
above.)
Q: What is the significance
of the Chamber reaching its
50-year milestone?
A: Any entity that survives
and flourishes for 50 years is
a tribute to the individuals in-
volved and to the support of the
local community. The Cham-
ber has an involved board that
sets reasonable, achievable
goals and a staff that is able to
focus and achieve those goals
through imagination, creativ-
ity, and hard work. From my
perspective, our Chamber ex-
celled.
Q: What do you think the
next 50 years holds for the
Chamber?
A: The landscape for the fu-
ture will undoubtedly be ever
changing and challenging for
the Chamber. Programs come
and go but based on history,
the Chamber will do well.
Frank Ferrando
Frank Ferrando was presi-
dent of the Chamber of Com-
merce from 2003 to 2004. He
served 18 months as interim
Celebrating 50 Years! Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 11
of the Chamber reaching its
50-year milestone?
A: The significance is it
works well to fulfill its purpose.
It has had great leadership
down through the years. Ray
San Fratello was the president
before me and Lynn Free-
man, following my interim,
and both did an excellent job.
Tom Turnbull who is presently
serving is also doing an excel-
lent job. Leadership, great staff
and a well understood purpose
is so important to the success
of any program. The Chamber MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
Frank Ferrando has had all three. John Dwyer speaks on at the Genesee County Chamber of
Q: Why has the Chamber Commerce’s 50th Anniversary ribbon cutting and open house
president. been able to enjoy such lon- event on Jan. 20, 2022.
QUESTION: What were gevity?
some notable achievements A: Excellent vision of the
during your time as presi- board chair people and the
dent? board
ANSWER: Approval of a Q: What do you think the
state loan program for Gene- next 50 years holds for the
see County businesses. And Chamber?
rearranged office for efficiency A: The next 50 years will
and effective client support. present new challenges. The
Q: What was your favorite world is changing rapidly and
experience as president? small business in particu-
A: Working with a very com- lar will be impacted in many
petent and hardworking staff ways. We saw the mom-and-
– Kelly, Ginny and Kelly were pop stores fade out over the
three of those who were very past 50 years and hopefully,
supportive and friendly CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHAMBER ON 50 YEARS!
small business can survive the
Q: How did you grow as a re- growth in internet use for sales
sult of your time as president? and big business conglomer-
A: I learned much about the ates. This challenge will guide
challenges small businesses the focus and priorities of the
face and how important they Chamber over the next several HOME PURIFIER KILLS
are to our community years. I am sure the future lead-
BACTERIA & VIRUSES!
Q: What is the significance ers will meet these challenges.
INSTALLED IN YOUR FURNACE!
Self cleaning & no maintenance!
YOUR COMFORT SYSTEM
SPECIALISTS
National Fuel’s Conservation
Walkways • Retaining Walls • Hardscapes • Landscape Tree incentive program offers energy
& Shrubs • Bed Maintenance • Lawn Care & Fertilization saving rebates for high efficiency
All Mulch Is Triple Ground natural gas furnaces and boilers!
Brown Hardwood | Black Diamond | Red Ochre Natural gas heating is
Mushroom Compost | Topsoil clean-burning, low emissions,
- Call For Pricing - *Delivery Charges Additional
*3 Cubic Yard Minimum For Local Delivery *Out of Town Varies (6 Yard Minimum Buy)
and fuel greater savings.
Phone: 585-343-2678
www.arcticrefrigeration.com
RESIDENTIAL
75th
ANNIVERSARY &
585.768.6578 • 81 Lake Street, Le Roy, NY 14482
Refrigeration Co. of 1947-2022
COMMERICAL
info@bubbaslandscape.net
info@bubbaslandscape.net
BATAVIA, INC.
For Delivery or Pick-Up, Please Call Ahead! 26 Cedar St., Batavia, NY 14020 Heating • Cooling • Refrigeration
Monday-Friday, 8AM OWNED & OPERATED BY THE MAGER FAMILY SINCE 1947
AM-4PM
PM • Saturday, 8AM
AM-12PM
PM
12 • Thursday, August 18, 2022 Celebrating 50 Years!