Celebrating forty years of connecting people who care with causes that matter, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County is a driving philanthropic force in the region that strengthens the community by offering donors of any means the ability to establish charitable legacies, by making grants, and by providing leadership to address community needs in a manner that is responsible, responsive and lasting.

“As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year, we want to remind our community that we are the one-stop-shop for all things charitable and philanthropic to help make our communities even better places to live, work and play. We are the first place people can call when they want to do something charitable – whether it is creating a program or establishing a fund or foundation for your charitable giving,” says Andrea Reynolds, president and CEO.

Established in May, 1969, and formerly known as The Area Fund, the Foundation was created by community leaders and funded with the first grant from the McCann Foundation of $100,000.

“We spearheaded the initial campaign to construct the Mid-Hudson Civic Center; acquired and restored the historic landmark buildings that now comprise the Cunneen-Hackett Art Center; and in partnership with the Stanford Lions Club helped construct the Stanford Medical Center,” notes Reynolds.

Although functioning as a community foundation since its inception, in 1997 the Board of Trustees of The Area Fund voted to legally assume the name of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County to more clearly describe the organization and the geography it served. The Community Foundation of Dutchess County is a local organization guided by a volunteer board of leading citizens. The Foundation knows its community and shares common interests, cares about the future and offers giving vehicles that are easy to set up, manage, and provide the maximum tax benefits allowed by law.

“To accomplish this we help donors with their charitable giving, assist financial advisors and attorneys to explore giving options to benefit their clients, establish endowment funds for nonprofits and other charitable causes, provide grants and resources to community organizations, and work with government, private foundations, and local leaders to address current and emerging needs. The Community Foundation is both a grantmaker and a vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals,” says Reynolds.

Andrea L. Reynolds, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.

The Community Foundation also administers a number of grant programs that support local nonprofit organizations and work to make the quality of life even better for the residents in the region.

“When we first started awarding grants in 1971, the Community Foundation distributed $5,048 that benefitted seven organizations. This past year, through the more than 390 philanthropic funds that comprise our endowment, we awarded $1.6 million in grants and scholarships,” says Reynolds.

“As an example, our Community Response Grants program, which is funded by the generosity of donors, unrestricted funds and supporters of our annual Garden Party, helps build the effectiveness and efficiency of local nonprofit organizations. Our Partnership in Education Grants program has provided grants to teachers in public, private and parochial schools to be used for professional development or bring creative curriculum to their classrooms,” adds Reynolds.

Today, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County is one of more than 750 community foundations in the United States, collectively holding more than $35 billion in charitable assets. They serve as a link between charitably minded citizens and their commitment to the advancement of the arts, human services, the environment, health care, and the education of young people throughout Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties.

A long time member of the GSDCC, the Community Foundation values the services and benefits offered to Chamber members.

“Through their monthly membership meetings, and programs such as the Women of Worth seminar presented by the Women in Business Committee, there are networking opportunities where we can learn more about other members and form relationships that help our organization to grow,” says Reynolds.

“We are also very pleased with our long-standing partnership with the Chamber Foundation, Inc. in administering the Norman and Rita Nussbickel Memorial Scholarship. It truly demonstrates the meaning of collaboration among organizations and members of the Chamber,” she adds.

Grinnell Library, which has been a part of the village of Wappingers Falls since 1867, has grown and changed greatly over the years so that it’s now a “whole lot more than books,” according to Library Director Matt Pfisterer.

From a humble beginning as a Circulating Library and Reading Room founded by Victorian philanthropist Irving Grinnell and Zion Church minister Henry Yates Satterlee, Grinnell Library has evolved into a valued community resource.  In the beginning, Grinnell and Satterlee charged a dollar a year for membership and hired a local widow to take care of the books.  Today, Grinnell boasts a staff of 20 and the many and varied resources that Grinnell offers are all free, a boon in a challenging economy.

“We want the community to know that we are here for them, especially in these hard economic times.  We offer such money saving options as free DVD rentals, the Wall Street Journal and other dailies, valueline.com – which tracks stocks, workshops for adults, AARP tax filing assistance, help with homework, summer reading programs and much more,” says Pfisterer.

And if all these offerings aren’t enough, Grinnell keeps on giving to the community by being linked to the 66 libraries in the Mid Hudson Library System, providing access to a very extensive network with various and numerous resources. But, serving as a resource center for the community is not the only thing that is noteworthy about Grinnell.

“We are known for our quality customer service.  Patrons are always commenting on how much they enjoy using Grinnell because of the personal service and attention to their needs that they are given,” says Pfisterer.

In line with wanting to continue to provide top quality customer service, Grinnell Library recently underwent a remodeling project to continue to provide their patrons with the most accessible, user friendly facility.  Grinnell installed a new circulation desk and remodeled its interior entrance.  This project was necessitated by increased demand for library materials and funded entirely by the generous donations to Grinnell from local businesses and individuals.  

While customer service and multiple resources top the list of Grinnell’s value-added benefits to the community, the economic advantage is key, especially right now.

“The more you frequent the library,” says Pfisterer, “the more you save.  People are surprised at how they can maximize their family entertainment dollars by using our services.”

Maximizing limited dollars is something many people are interested in.  And Grinnell Library is increasingly helping families do just that.

“We’ve seen an explosion of usage during this economic downturn.  Circulation is up by 10 percent this year and 24 percent since 2006.  With consumers having less disposable income, bookstores may be experiencing their worst quarters in years, but we are seeing more and more people coming in to take advantage of all the free services we can provide,” says Pfisterer.

Wanting to get the word out so that more families and businesses will be aware of what Grinnell has to offer, Pfisterer adds that he promotes the library to the community through membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. 

“Being a member of the Chamber helps us network with the business community and to market ourselves to businesses so that they will know what valuable resources offer,” says Pfisterer.

          It’s that time again.  The weather is getting nicer and if you're a business owner, you might be considering doing something to improve the curb appeal of your firm since having a beautiful exterior can go a long way in boosting your clients' confidence in you. What's more, having your business property professionally landscaped can create a warmer environment for you and your employees.

          “Adding landscape features and keeping the property well maintained adds a level of attractiveness that can make you stand out and make people want to visit your business,” says Kathy Neave,  secretary/treasurer, Neave Landscaping, Inc., a multi-award winning firm located in Wappingers Falls. 

          Neave Landscaping, Inc. is a family owned business begun in 1973 when Bill Neave (Kathy’s husband) started the business with a lawn mower and his father-in-law’s station wagon.  In 1978, he left his Con Edison job in Westchester as the business demanded his attention full time.

          “While the business remained very small for a long time he built a reputation of giving his customers great personal service, attention to every detail, and a great job for a competitive price,” says Neave.

          In 1993, they added another division, “All County Sprinklers,” to meet their clients’ need for great customer service and quality products in the irrigation business.  Then in 1998, the Neave family built their facility on Airport Drive to house the growing business.  That same year son Scott came on board full time after graduating from SUNY Cobleskill and Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in landscape design and contracting.  Scott brought to the company a fresh outlook, hard work, and his design and business expertise, says Neave.

          Not only has the company’s facility expanded, but revenue has increased more than 7 fold since 1998, with revenues now exceeding $5 million a year. Neave credits Scott’s arrival into the family business as a significant factor in the company’s growth, and says that her son is currently working towards his landscape architecture license.  He holds many other certifications and awards including SUNY Cobleskill distinguished alumni award that he received when he was only 28.

Continuing on their growth trajectory, in 2000 Neave purchased a holiday decorating franchise called “Christmas Décor” to add another service for their clients and in order to make their downtime of the year more productive. This service includes both indoor and outdoor holiday and event decorating.  Neave now owns three franchises that include Westchester and Fairfield counties, as well as Dutchess.

           In 2002, they restarted their snow and ice management and now service more than 50 commercial accounts in Dutchess, Putnam, Fairfield, Westchester and Orange counties, employing more than 100 people during a winter snow event.  During peak landscaping season, the company employs between 50-65 employees.

          “Our snow and ice management team is one of the best as you can see from our quick growth and over 95% customer retention rate.  We have quickly become one of the leaders in that field,” says Neave.

          The company has also received numerous environmental and design awards through the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA).  Additionally, they have been featured on the cover of Lawn and Landscape Magazine, a nationwide publication with over 70,000 readers, and are the recipients of the Business Excellence Award in 2007, Service Business of the Year, by the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation.

          With a highly trained, courteous staff, Neave Landscaping services both residential and commercial clients and includes such features as Landscape Design and Construction including master plans and complete job management; hardscapes - all types of masonry, concrete, unilock and  stonework; lawn care, seasonal clean ups, pest control, decks and fencing, and athletic court installations, among many other things.  For more information, visit www.neavelandscaping.com.

          While hard work, talent and providing quality goods and services are essential in growing any business, Neave notes that their membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce has been invaluable.

          “The Chamber continues to benefit our business by creating networking and educational events where we can meet other businesses in the area.  Membership gives us a level of credibility and professionalism since companies that belong to professional organizations show that they are serious about what they do and customers and staff realize and appreciate that,” says Neave.

You’ve just received a devastating diagnosis.  Breast cancer.  Your world has been turned upside down with fear, anger and despair.  On top of that, you need to start making vital decisions about treatment options, while trying not to worry about mounting medical bills. Into this darkness, shines a beacon to guide you through the adversity with love and support.

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit, 501 c 3 public charity established in March of 2004 which has helped thousands of people through its 4 Pillar Programs, as well as other funded projects, says Executive Director Pari Forood.

“The Medical Gap Care Fund granted over $100,000 last year to people in treatment for breast cancer with a financial emergency not covered by insurance.  Scholarships helped eight high school seniors with college tuition and the Peer to Peer program puts recently diagnosed people with a survivor for support and comfort.  Also, Healing Vibrations provides live music at The Dyson Center for Cancer Care for people going through chemo and radiation,” says Forood.

Miles of Hope was started by local residents Dana Effron, a breast cancer survivor, and Cathy Varunok, a practicing occupational therapist with a breast cancer specialty.

“For years, Dana and Cathy raised money for national breast cancer organizations.  In 2004, these two community activists saw a need for increased services for people with breast cancer.  They decided to focus their fundraising efforts on helping their friends and neighbors in the eight counties of the Hudson Valley,” says Forood.

Beginning with these two founders, Miles of Hope now boasts a staff of hundreds of volunteers led by Forood.  The mission of the Foundation is to provide funding to non-profit organizations for support services and outreach for people affected by breast cancer in the Hudson Valley including Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange, Ulster and Greene counties.

“People call and tell us they are going to be evicted, cannot buy food, clothing or shoes for their children, or gas for transportation to treatment, because medical expenses or related expenses have eaten up their cash.  Through the Medical Gap Care Program we help them with all of these types of expenses.  It happens everyday, someone needing help like this.  It reaffirms our reason to be here and strengthens our resolve to raise money in this troubled economy,” notes Forood.

All funds raised in the Hudson Valley are used to support programs in the Hudson Valley, says Forood.  To extend its reach and help as many people as possible, Miles of Hope partners with agencies such as Dutchess County Community Action Partnership, Putnam County Community Action Partnership, Family of Woodstock (Ulster), Cancer Support Team (Westchester) and The Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center (Orange), among others.

Annual fundraisers include Hoops for Hope women’s basketball tournament at Marist College; the Spring Brunch, honoring the Dyson Foundation, May 3 at the Grand View in Poughkeepsie; Family Fun Run, May 9, LaGrange; Goals for Hope Women’s Soccer Tournament, LaGrange Soccer Fields, August 1 and the Community Breast Cancer Walk, September 27, James Baird Park.

Forood says she wants to continue promoting these fund raisers and would like to see increased participation among people outside of Dutchess and Orange counties.

“I would like to see our annual walk become an even larger event.  The more money we raise with more participants, the more we can give away,” she adds.

Reflecting on how membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce has helped Miles of Hope, Forood says, “Fundraising is about relationships.  The more people who know about you (through networking at Chamber events), the more exposure you get which is better for the overall growth of your organization.”

For more information about Miles of Hope or any of their upcoming events, please call 845.264.2005 or visit www.milesofhope.org

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Ask anyone who has ever bought a car from Rick Brownell what drives the success of Freedom Ford in Fishkill and they’ll undoubtedly say it’s the quality of customer service that Brownell and his staff has been providing for the last 25 years.

Taking the wheel from his dad, Maynard Brownel, Rick has steered Freedom Ford in the right direction by focusing on what is most important.

“Freedom Ford wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers,” says Brownell, a third generation auto dealer. 

With dealership in their DNA, Brownell notes that his grandfather, owned North Avenue Motors, a Ford dealership in Beacon in the 1930s and 40s, and  brother Chip runs Brownell Motors in Fishkill.

“At Freedom Ford, our business philosophy is based on providing top quality service to our customers.  Plus, we build relationships.  We take care of our customers, and that customer base, in turn takes care of us through referrals and repeat business.  Especially in hard economic times like right now, our return customers are helping us to weather the current business cycle,” says Brownell, who learned the car dealer business from the ground up and has held “every position possible in a car dealership.”

Having paved the road to lasting success with integrity and respect, Brownell is able to ride out the soft economy --  “with people holding onto their cars longer than usual”  -- because he has built a reputation for providing excellence in sales, repair and parts service, community involvement and friendship. 

With an emphasis on people, both customers and staff, Brownell adds that “what sets Freedom Ford apart from other dealerships is the sense of family that we have here.  We take good care of our customers, our staff and our dealer.  We know about the lives of each of our customers and we care about what’s going on with them.  We’ll go above and beyond to help them out whenever and however we can,” says Brownell.

He adds that his “customers are my friends and my friends are my customers.”

Noting that a dealership is about more than just selling cars, Brownell says that his dealership is “only as good as my staff.”   Brownell, who serves as dealer, general manager and sales manager, superviser of the staff and his service manager, who has been with him for 25 years.

Brownell notes that his business has changed and grown in many ways over the years.

“We’ve renovated this building (on Route 52 in Beacon).  The business has changed in the type of product offered and financing options available,” he says adding that customers today are increasingly asking for hybrid and alternative fuel-type vehicles.  The Ford Fusion and Focus are in line as proposed hybrids, he says.

“It’s been quite a ride in the auto business,” says Brownell, who currently has 150 new and used vehicles in his lot.  The Ford Escape, a small SUV, is a top model with the all time bestseller being the Ford pickup.

A member of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce for a quarter century, Brownell highly recommends that businesses get involved and join the Chamber.

“Being a part of the Chamber has been a great way to keep connected with other business leaders and community leaders in the area.  You’ll not only make business contacts, but friends as well.”

Looking in the rear view mirror, Brownell recalls the number one sale of his life.

As the story goes, a local family had come in one day looking to buy a car for their daughter, who was “very pretty.”  They were on their way out of the parking lot, when Brownell ran up to the car and told the dad they hadn't’t seen everything available.

“So they came back inside, I wound up selling them a car and meeting my future wife, Nancy, who still is very pretty, a great woman and a great mom.  It was the best sale of my life,” notes a beaming Brownell.

Visiting Camp Hillcroft in LaGrange will make any adult wish he was a kid again!  And will make any kid and her parents wish that summer would never end!!

The 58 year old camp, which has been run by the Buttinger family for three generations, is located on 165 acres with a lake, three swimming pools, a farm, fields for sports, an obstacle/ropes course and studios for dance and performing arts, ceramics and weaving, among many other amenities.

“We offer a traditional summer day camp with four and eight week sessions, but we are unique from other camps in that our highly trained staff is comprised of mature, child work-experienced college students, teachers, social workers and parents.  Plus, 60 of our 180 person staff are from overseas giving our camp a very international flare,” said Greg Buttinger, camp director and grandson of founders Louis and Friedl Buttinger, who opened the camp in 1950 with approximately 40 children and a staff of 6.

This summer the camp will host 460 children ranging in age from 4 to 14.  Overseeing the operation of the camp with Greg is his wife, Sally.  Hailing from England, Sally served as part of the international camp staff, teaching gymnastics (and meeting her future husband) in 1987.

Greg adds that Hillcroft staff, “stretching from around the corner to around the world,” are selected for their integrity and respect for each individual, as well as for their educational backgrounds and specific skills they offer.  Many return each year, providing a continuity of camp values and traditions.

Not only does returning staff provide continuity, but so does an adherence to the traditional values upon which Camp Hillcroft was founded.
“Our philosophy and mission statement has stayed the same and will continue for the next 58 years,” says Sally, noting that she and Greg “look for what is current and appropriate for the children, but only incorporate new programs as long as they reflect the mission statement.”

Camp Hillcroft’s mission statement, written more than five decades ago, is as valid today as it was then.  In the words of the late Louis Buttinger, founder and a former New York City school teacher:|

“A camp has no rival as a place where children can spend a summer filled with new adventure, new experiences and new friends. What other place can make the claim of being purposefully designed to serve the many, varied physical and psychological needs of healthy children? While good fun and wholesome adventure must clearly be obtainable for all, it goes without saying that a modern camp is also obligated to inform and instruct children in many social and physical skills considered indispensable for the ‘adequate personality’ and to help children successfully meet the many challenges of our society in this shrinking world."   

Clinging to traditional values, in an increasingly hi-tech world, sets Camp Hillcroft apart and ensures that kids can be kids, in the very best sense of the word.

“Our children will get dirty and sweaty in a healthy way this summer.  There are no video games or computers or any high tech vehicles at Camp Hillcroft.  They will use their muscles and their brains each day, experiencing a variety of 30 different programs ranging from swimming, sports and arts to reading, cooking and climbing,” says Sally, adding that the camp curriculum builds on itself offering returning campers a different experience each summer with more freedom of choice as they mature.

Each summer, Greg and Sally and their three children, move onto and live at the camp, which is accredited by the American Camp Association. 

“We are family-owned and operated.  While we have to run the camp as a business, we put a whole lot of heart into it,” says Sally.

As long time members of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, Greg and Sally are grateful for the networking and other opportunities available through their membership.

For further information about Camp Hillcroft, visit www.camphillcroft.com or call 845.223.5826.

Making their corner of the world a little greener, and the homes and buildings they construct a lot more energy efficient and sustainable, is part of the mission of Hudson Valley Green Builders, Inc., an eco-conscious, high performance company located in LaGrange.

“We are a green building company, covering the Hudson Valley, that also specializes in  Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) installation and training,” says Sunshine Tartter, president.   She adds that “building with ICFs gives you all the benefits that have made concrete the material of choice for many buildings worldwide.  Benefits such as solid, lasting construction that resists the ravages of fire, wind, and Father Time.”  She notes that ICFs provide two built-in layers of foam insulation which yields tremendous energy savings.  The walls are constructed with the ICFs and then concrete is poured between the polystyrene forms which house reinforcing steel rods.

Hudson Valley Green Builders was established in February 2006, born out of A.S.K. Contracting, a family owned and operated business founded in 1985.  The focus of Hudson Valley Green Builders is to create super energy efficient and net-zero energy buildings.  Topping the list of their successes is a net-zero Hyde Park residence.  A net zero energy building, explains Tartter, is one that is on the grid but produces more, or the same amount of, energy than it uses.

Hudson Valley Green Builders also provides services such remodeling, decks, high end restoration, fine carpentry and wood work, and serving as a sub-contractor.  The company  consists of Tartter, her husband, Frederick - who is a master carpenter, a soon-to-be hired office administrator and a labor crew that varies in size depending on the job. 

An ICF home or building has distinct advantages over an ordinary stick-built or steel-built structure, including greater energy efficiency, more peace and quiet, a sturdy, solid feel and more day-to-day living comfort all wrapped up in a solid, high-quality building package. 

“An ICF building has a totally remarkable feel that really has to be experienced to be believed. As soon as you step inside, you can tell that a high performance ICF building is not the same.  It is not only beautiful, but comfortable, quiet and safe. You can feel that it’s solid, it’s built to last,” says Tartter, who was a systems engineer for Hewlett Packard before marrying Frederick and getting involved in construction.

In an ICF home you feel safe and sound because you are, says Tartter, noting that ICF homes save up to 80 percent on heating and cooling costs, have a 3 to 4 hour fire rating and can withstand hurricane and tornado-force winds.  Plus, in sound transmission tests, ICF walls allowed less than one-third as much sound to pass through as do ordinary frame walls filled with fiberglass.

Not only is green building environmentally responsible and safe, but, it is cost effective too.

“You’ll save up to 80 percent on your utilities which pays back on the day you move in, even though it may cost up to 10 percent more to build,” notes Tartter, adding that “any increase you might see in your mortgage will be more than offset by the decrease in your utility costs.”

Since going green is now very much in focus with more and more people and businesses coming on board to the environmental realities facing planet Earth, Tartter is hoping that her business will continue to grow.  Education is part of the plan, notes Tartter, adding that moving forward she wants to continue the company’s focus on training builders, reaching more architects and educating homeowners about the benefits of using ICF construction.

“Green building is definitely the way to go, for both the planet’s and one’s personal priorities,” says Tartter.

Your son or daughter has suddenly taken ill and the diagnosis is juvenile diabetes.  If that’s not scary enough, you now have to travel to an unfamiliar hospital in Westchester or Albany for treatment since hospitals in Dutchess, Ulster, Orange and Sullivan counties don’t have pediatric endocrinology departments -- yet.

Topping Linda Delia’s wish list is the hope that one day families can stay in the region and receive the quality care needed to manage the as yet incurable disease. But until that day comes Delia, manager of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Hudson Valley Branch located in Wappingers Falls, and her team of volunteers, will keep working hard to educate the public, advocate for and support families and fund raise to “cure through research,” she says.

The JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes to raise funds to find a cure for the auto immune disease which can cause kidney failure, adult blindness, nerve damage, amputations, stroke and heart attacks.  JDRF – Hudson Valley is managed by an all-volunteer board of directors, most of whom are personally affected by the disease, either in themselves or a family member.

 “The volunteers are phenomenal,” Delia notes, adding that since they have a personal connection to the disease this translates into an unrelenting commitment to finding a cure.  Volunteers are the driving force behind more than 100 locations worldwide that raise money for type 1 diabetes research. In addition to its primary objective of fund raising, the JDRF also provides outreach and support to families, especially the newly diagnosed.

“When families or hospitals notify us, we provide a back pack containing information on the disease, support group information, blood glucose test kit, plus a teaching teddy bear which has colored patches corresponding to where children need to test their blood or inject insulin,” says Delia.

The JDRF is structured on a business-world model that efficiently and effectively directs resources to research aimed at finding a cure as soon as possible.  More than 85% of JDRF’S expenditures directly support research and research-related education.  Because of its unwavering focus on its mission to find a cure, JDRF annually receives top rankings from independent sources that rate charitable giving.  A local example of this efficiency would be last year’s gala, which was produced on a “shoe string” budget, yet was an elegant and very successful evening, raising $125,000, says Delia. 

The Hudson Valley did not become an official JDRF branch until the late 1990s, however its presence had been strong in the Hudson Valley since the early 1970s.  Beginning with a dedicated group of approximately 20 volunteers, today the board of directors and several fundraising committees can include up to 200 volunteers.  A full time staff person was added around 1998 during a merger into the Northeastern NY Chapter for greater utilization of regional resources.  The very first Walk, started in Kingston, raised $25,000 and has now grown into a multi-site community Walk event that raised more than $315,000 in 2007.

Delia joined the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce to network with area businesses and hospitals in order to educate the public about juvenile diabetes and the need for donor dollars.  She is also hoping that by raising awareness she will be able to recruit new volunteers.

If you are looking for a great organization to work with or know of someone who would benefit from hands on leadership training and skills please consider the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” Delia says.          

For further information, call her at 845.297.8600.

Business BLOTTER

Welcome to a new feature in Chamberviews, the Business Blotter, where we share little known facts about some familiar faces in the GSDCC membership. It’s the Chamber’s own “rap sheet” which will highlight some of our members’ past business experiences, hobbies or other stories that may come as a surprise — but should surely make you chuckle.

If you have a story or past experience that you would like highlighted—or if you have a colleague or a friend with an interesting story that is “business blotter worthy”— email Ann at annm@gsdcc.org or Karolyn at events@gsdcc.org.

This month’s Business Blotter feature is:

Steve Mayhew

CEO, Hair Club for Men

HUH?

Most people in the Hudson Valley are probably familiar with Sy Sperling’s famous TV tagline “I’m not only the Hair Club President, I’m also a client.” But what most people probably aren’t aware of is that Steve Mayhew, President of Momentum Advertising & Design in Fishkill, was the CEO of Hair Club for almost five years.

Steve joined Hair Club in 1992 and spent time as Vice-President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer before becoming Chief Executive Officer in 1993. While at Hair Club, it grew to over 60 centers throughout the USA and Canada including 25 franchised locations. Oh, and by the way… Steve is not a client, a question he says he is invariably asked by everyone he meets, once they learn of his background.

“Hair Club is the perfect example of what marketing can do for a product when done right,” says Steve. “We created inexpensive direct-response commercials that appealed to regular guys who were experiencing hair loss. Oh, we had many, many celebrity clients too, some that would really surprise you, but our message was designed to appeal to the average person. We marketed relentlessly through TV, radio, direct mail and telemarketing to capture new clients.

“Because of our success, we were able to build our advertising budget to several million dollars a year which created instant celebrity status for our founder Sy Sperling. As a result, Sy wound up on shows like Letterman, Leno and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous – all which perpetuated the Hair Club name,” recalled Steve.

Ah, but all good things must come to an end. After the birth of his fourth son, Steve felt it was time to stop the five day a week travel schedule with Hair Club and start his own marketing company, closer to home. And with that, Momentum Advertising & Design was born. Now Momentum’s many Hudson Valley clients are the beneficiary of Steve’s extensive marketing, advertising and media buying experience. By applying some of the same philosophies and principles that made Hair Club a household name, Momentum is able to help its clients achieve their revenue and branding goals. Momentum also just purchased an office building in Fishkill which they will be expanding and moving into later this spring.

Steve summed everything up by saying, “The Hair Club journey was a lot of fun and an incredible learning experience, but there isn’t a better place to live and do business than right here in the Hudson Valley.”

If your company could use someone with Steve's experience, give Momentum a call. 

www.momentumadvertising.com

Enter RiverWinds Gallery on Main Street in Beacon and you’ve crossed the threshold into a place of rare and beautiful treasures.  Whether paintings, photography, fine art, ceramics, jewelry or fiber art, each item is unique and lovely to behold.  From the eye-catching pieces in the storefront windows to the racks of hand made cards in the back, everything in the gallery represents the artist/owners’ impeccable taste and artistic flair.

RiverWinds Gallery, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary, was one of the early tenants on the newly revitalized West End of Main Street, says owner Linda Hubbard, joining the Cup and Saucer and a gallery next door, “but we realized there was a lot of potential on the West End and knew Hudson Valley Beach Glass was coming soon.” 

Established as “a place to showcase Hudson Valley artists,” the vision for RiverWinds became reality through the support and dedication of Hubbard and current partners Mary Ann Glass and Virginia Donovan, as well as artists and former partners Paulo Bari and Kelly Makara.

Launching with 20 artists, the gallery currently features 35 “mostly Hudson Valley” artists across a broad range of media.  Artists who have been with the gallery since its inception include:  Marilyn Price, Alexis Lynch, Allison Cross of Dia:Beacon, Jennie Chien, Julie Siegmund and Pete Seeger’s daughter, Tinya Seeger.

RiverWinds, which serves as the Dutchess County Tourism Center for Beacon, holds artists receptions every Second Saturday featuring a different artist each month.It also provides changing art exhibits at Wachovia Securities in Rhinebeck and has just decorated an unoccupied storefront across the street from the gallery with its photography.

As RiverWinds “continues to grow in sales, foot traffic, reputation and the number of artists featured,” Hubbard says she and her partners are “constantly seeking new artists.”

“We continue to grow in the quality of work featured and in the caliber of the artists,” she says. 

“We are very enthusiastic about the artists, their work and their growth.  It is exciting to watch them experiment with new designs and concepts and see their creativity and energy expressed in new styles.  As they grow, the gallery grows,” she adds.

Part of the reason for RiverWinds growth over the last five years is due to membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber has helped us become part of the community through their different events, plus they help publicize our events and provide networking opportunities which are critical for building our reputation and spreading the word about what the gallery has to offer,” says Hubbard.
        
Hubbard notes that tourists from New York City and around the world, who visit Dia:Beacon, often stop at RiverWinds.

“This demonstrates the amount of wonderful art we have in Beacon and the Hudson Valley.  This has helped make RiverWinds Gallery the premier showcase for Hudson Valley artists,” says Hubbard.

With hearts on fire for their customers, Zimmer Brothers Jewelers in the Arlington section of Poughkeepsie has kept the flame burning since 1893 when two brothers set up shop in downtown Poughkeepsie.  Offering “approachable elegance” –including the dazzling Hearts on Fire, The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond -- the full service, family-owned and operated store not only sells and repairs fine jewelry and watches, but participates in the memory making business as well.

“We help people mark the important occasions in life -- such as engagements, anniversaries, graduations and communions -- by selecting a suitable gift which will last for years to come and let the recipient know just how much they are valued by the giver,” says Michael D. Gordon, vice president.

“We hear people’s stories of how he proposed or how long a couple has been married and what trials and joys have gone on in their lives.  We feel honored and are happy to be included as a part of these special lifetime events,” he says.

Gordon, who has worked at Zimmer Brothers since 1971, is the son-in-law of President Leonard Zimmer Jr., the grandson of founding brother Thomas J. Zimmer, a bench jeweler, who along with Fred Zimmer, an expert watchmaker, started Zimmer Brothers 115 years ago.

Leonard Jr., who joined his father, Leonard Sr., in the firm in 1948, “transformed the business and adapted to the times and post war boom,” says Gordon, “by adding lines of silver, crystal and china and joining the American Gem Society,” which is dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of professionalism and business ethics.  Zimmer Brothers is the only AGS accredited gem lab in the area, notes Gordon.

During the Great Depression, it was Leonard Sr.’s watchmaker skills that carried Zimmer Brothers through the lean years when there was no new jewelry business, adds Gordon. 

Today, with the current soft economic conditions, Gordon notes that overall business is steady.

“The jewelry business is event driven.  We have a loyal, long standing family customer base with the younger generations, who may have moved out of the area, returning to make purchases with us,” says Gordon adding, however, that he has seen a slight impact in consumer’s discretionary buying.

“People aren’t coming in to buy something ‘just for me’ like in the past.  But, this is just a cycle and business will keep going forward,” says Gordon, who runs the business with the help of his daughter, Jocelyn Klastow, and a full time sales, service and office staff of ten.  Klastow, who joined the company in 2001, oversees marketing and buying.

Although busy raising the next generation of Zimmer Brothers jewelers (she is mom to two little girls), Jocelyn is also responsible for innovating new marketing techniques, providing creative events for customers.

“We just held our Spring Designer Trunkshow,” says Jocelyn.  “We brought in three of our favorite designers for three days to showcase their exciting, new designs.”   Pandora, Robert Lee Morris and Hidalgo were the featured designers along with complimentary mimosas, sweet treats and door prizes all day, she adds. 

Looking forward, the store will undergo a remodeling and expansion project this spring and Gordon says he hopes to add staff members, as well.  While the facility and lines of jewelry offered may be changing, providing quality products and service just like they have done for generations, will continue.

“We are a unique business offering professionalism, expertise and a desire to do things right for our customers.  We stand behind every piece we sell.  If someone isn’t happy, we will work with them until they are fully satisfied with their purchase,” says Gordon, noting that because of Zimmer Brothers ethical, caring approach to buying gems and jewelry, customers obtain beautiful pieces with great wearability for years to come.

As a quality establishment, Zimmer Brothers wanted to align itself with the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce because of its reputation for providing quality service with a personal touch. 

“We are very happy with our membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber,” says Gordon, with his daughter adding that once the renovations are complete a celebratory ribbon cutting will be held.

For further information on Zimmer Brothers Jewelers, please call 845.454.6360 or visit www.zimmerbrothers.com.  Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

While many businesses in today’s economy are running in the red, you could say that Ellis & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., is running in the green.  Paul Ellis, a certified financial planner, along with his associate, Kim Dingee, specialize in Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI).

“Green is growing,” says Ellis, noting that “in the last ten years SRI has seen double-digit growth, whereas the industry as a whole has seen a growth rate of only half that.” 

 $2.3 trillion – which represents 20% of monies invested in the stock market in the U.S.  -- are being invested in sustainable and responsible ways, says Ellis.

Starting “from scratch” in 1989, Ellis notes his company now manages about $60 million annually, 30% of which is in green investing, and it has grown to some 350 clients.

Ellis says that more and more clients are interested in what the social and environmental consequences are when they invest their money.

“People want to invest their money in such a way that it is in line with their personal values.  People are concerned with things like global warming, human rights and corporate governance issues,” he says.

“My clients can feel totally powerless at times regarding issues like these in addition to women’s workplace and diversity issues,” adds Dingee, who has worked at Ellis & Associates for 8 years and whose client base is comprised of mainly women.

“We advise, support and educate our clients while investing in companies that focus on these larger issues and we do it all in a very personal way.  Our clients are all successful in accumulating wealth, but they understand the need for our expertise,” she adds.

Something that sets Ellis & Associates apart from all the rest is the fact that they focus on the sustainable aspect of investing while integrating clients’ personal values into their investment plans. 

“For us this means focusing on green issues – when others may only do that when a client requests it.  At Ellis & Associates we ask every client how they feel about green investments,” notes Ellis.

While focusing on green has helped Ellis build his business in the last 20 years, he says so has “taking time to build trust, meeting with clients regularly to get to really know them and their dreams and goals. We also provide education, bringing in other experts when necessary and always supporting the client’s goals and objectives.”

Another way Ellis grows his business is through his membership in the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce.

“I think of our Chamber dues as tuition we pay to have access to the network of experience and knowledge in our local business community. Membership also gives us the opportunity for advocacy on issues we think are important in the region’s development. We’re very forutnate to have such dedicated leadership for all the Chamber’s activities in southern Dutchess County.”

While the world in which we live is big and no one person can change it all, Ellis says the  he is “committed to the belief, verified by performance, that investing according to your personal values will have a positive  impact on the causes you believe in while also earning a competitive return for the investor.”

“You can make money investing with your personal values,” says Ellis.

For further information about Ellis & Associates, please call 845.896.7520, ext. 23.