Voice of
Business
Newsletter
January/February 2016
Rob Sands Elected Rochester Chamber Chairman,
Unveils New Logo
G
reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
members elected Constellation Brands
Chief Executive Officer Rob Sands chairman of
the board for the 2016-2018 term. Along with
Sands, members also elected Bank of America
President John Pitton as vice chair and
Nixon Peabody General Counsel Brian
Flanagan second vice chair, secretary, and
treasurer.
He wants to ensure that we use these
relationships for the success of our entire
region. Rob Sands serving as our chairman
of the board sends a powerful message of his
commitment.”
Duffy and Sands also unveiled the
new Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce logo and mission statement as
the organization rebrands from Rochester
Business Alliance. The logo, designed
by Rochester Chamber member Dixon
Schwabl, symbolizes both the urban and
rural nature of the Rochester and Finger
Lakes region. The vertical lines represent
the Rochester skyline but also call to
mind the horizontal rows of the region’s
farmlands. The curved elements are the
rolling hills of the Finger Lakes and the
waterfalls that powered Rochester’s
first businesses. The region’s abundant
freshwater is represented by the rippling
line of the river and streams and the placid
line of the many lakes.
Sands said, “Rochester’s unique history
and strong entrepreneurial spirit have
long attracted families and businesses
seeking economic prosperity and quality
of life. As a local business leader, I know
the value of Rochester’s talent, resources,
and collaborative partnerships. As
chairman, I look forward to working with
leaders across our region to further our
economic prosperity and make Rochester
the standout choice for long-term growth
and opportunity.”
Rochester Chamber President and CEO
Bob Duffy said, “Rob’s leadership, which
is recognized internationally, along with
his business acumen, his attention to
detail, and his relationships will bring
great benefit to our organization and its
membership. His main areas of focus are
both on advocacy and to engage all of our
chamber membership business leaders to
work together toward common goals. Rob is
quite aware that the collective influence that
we have in our region often goes untapped.
This issue sponsored by:
Duffy said, “Daan has been a great partner, a
great friend, and a great leader assisting my
transition into the CEO position last year. He
deserves tremendous credit for his vision, his
leadership, and his heart.”
Sands succeeds former Rochester Chamber
chairman, Nazareth College President Daan
Braveman. Braveman remains a board and
executive committee member.
The mission statement, “Greater
Rochester Chamber of Commerce
passionately serves, promotes, and
advocates for its members in order to
secure economic prosperity for our Finger
Lakes region” solidifies Rochester Chamber’s
service to the entire nine-county Finger Lakes
region.
inside
CEO Bob Duffy
Optimistic About
2016
2
Blood Pressure
Collaborative Gains
Recognition
3
Public Policy
Focuses on
Community
7
NY Women’s Equality
Act Effective Jan. 19
9
2015-2016
Board Officers
Rob Sands, Chairman of the Board
Constellation Brands, Inc.
John Pitton,Vice Chair
Bank of America
Brian Flanagan, Second Vice Chair,
Secretary, and Treasurer
Nixon Peabody LLP
RBA Senior Staff
Robert J. Duffy
President and CEO
Bill Anderson
Sr. director, support services
Bill.Anderson@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Colleen DiMartino
Chief of Staff
Colleen.DiMartino@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Kevin Donahue
Director, membership
Kevin.Donahue@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Kathy Richmond
Sr. director, human resource services
Kathy.Richmond@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Nina Shelton
Director, group health insurance
Nina.Shelton@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Dan Smith
Sr. director, membership and
communications
Dan.Smith@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Tammy Stefani
Director of accounting services
Tammy.Stefani@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Chris Wiest
Vice president of public policy and advocacy
Chris.Wiest@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Voice of Business is the official newsletter
of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, published at 150 State St., Rochester, NY 14614.
Articles printed are for information only and are not
intended to render legal advice.
2
January/February 2016
From the CEO
W
e at Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce enjoyed a very exciting
and fast-paced 2015 and look forward to even
more great things to come in 2016. Along
with changing our name to Greater Rochester
Chamber of Commerce and adopting a new
logo, we expect to launch our new website in
the first quarter of this year and initiate many
more changes aimed at helping our member
businesses grow and prosper.
One significant change is the election of
Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands as
the next Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce chairman of the board. As busy
as Rob stays leading a top global beverage
manufacturer, I already sense the passion that
he has in moving our chamber forward.
Along with Rob taking the chairman position,
I am also pleased that Bank of America
President John Pitton has been elected vice
chair while Nixon Peabody General Counsel
Brian Flanagan will serve as second vice chair,
secretary, and treasurer.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank
Nazareth College President Daan Braveman
for his extraordinary service as RBA/
Rochester Chamber chairman for the past
two years.
Looking back, it’s been a whirlwind since I
started as Rochester Chamber CEO last year.
I’ve said it before, but I want to once again
thank Sandy Parker for her ten years of leading
the organization before me. Even with our
rebranding as Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce, Sandy’s legacy will always remain
intact. Stepping into the position that Sandy
held for a decade has been an extraordinary
learning experience. Getting to know the
Rochester Chamber staff, board members,
and countless leaders of member companies
that I have toured over the past 12 months
has given me a solid foundation heading
into year two. That foundation gives me the
confidence to begin implementing the changes
and adjustments that I believe will help better
serve all of our members.
I attended the Northeast Institute of the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an intensive
one-week course for chamber executives,
in July at Villanova University. I learned that
the chamber world is an
exciting one that gives
us great opportunity to
grow our relationships and
influence in this region. I
also learned that chambers
across the country face
the same challenges of
recruiting and retaining
Bob Duffy
members and staying
relevant in making an impact on their local
businesses and communities. It reinforced that
we at Rochester Chamber must constantly
reinvent ourselves and stay responsive to
our members’ needs. A long-term goal that
I have set for Greater Rochester Chamber
of Commerce is to become accredited by
the U.S. Chamber, a feat that only a small
percentage of chambers ever achieve.
The mission statement that we have
developed as part of our new strategic plan is,
“Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
passionately serves, promotes, and advocates
for its members in order to secure economic
prosperity for our Finger Lakes region.”
We do that through our strong advocacy
efforts, business networking events and direct
connection opportunities, human resource
services, staffing and background checking
services, health insurance, advertising, and
professional development offerings. To fully
succeed in the mission, we encourage all
businesses to join our team to create the
strong voice of business that we need to be
locally, in Albany, and in Washington.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
serves the nine-county Finger Lakes region.
Our future economy and our future success
depend upon teamwork among all of the
counties. That will be one of our main
priorities and focuses for 2016. We need all
hands on deck going forward, so I ask for your
support.
Those who sit on the sidelines should not
complain about a lack of progress in some
areas. If you are not a Rochester Chamber
member, join us. If you are, become actively
involved. Our region needs you.
Voice of Business
Finger Lakes Region Receives $500M in
Upstate Revitalization Competition
T
he Finger Lakes Regional Economic
Development Council, led by cochairs and Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce board members
Joel Seligman and Danny
Wegman, took home one
of three half billion dollar
awards in the New York
State Upstate Revitalization
Initiative competition. The
Southern Tier and Central
New York won the other
two URI awards.
The FLREDC plan, entitled “United for
Success: Finger Lakes Forward,” outlines a
strategy to grow jobs, increase regional wealth,
attract private investment, and reduce poverty.
It received Best Plan Awardee status, bringing
with it $500 million in state investment over
five years. In total, New York State dedicated
more than $2 billion in economic development
resources statewide through the Upstate
Revitalization Initiative and Regional Economic
Development Council competition.
Seligman and Wegman said, “We are proud
that Governor Cuomo and New York State
have singled out the Finger Lakes Regional
Economic Development Council as a ‘Best
Plan Awardee’ and that we
will receive half a billion
dollars to move the region
forward. This is recognition
that Governor Cuomo
believes in the Finger Lakes
and is giving our region the
attention it deserves. With
this infusion of funding in our
pockets, we are united for
success and ready to move
our communities forward.”
The Finger Lakes Region’s URI plan consists of
three industry clusters, or pillars, that will act
as the core drivers of job and output growth:
optics, photonics and imaging; agriculture
and food production; and next generation
manufacturing and technology. The FLREDC plans to soon release its strategy
for implementing its URI plan, including the
process for project sponsors seeking to apply
for funding. Click here to learn more.
Blood Pressure Collaborative Gains Recognition
R
ochester’s health initiatives are moving
the needle on high blood pressure control
rates and earning praise from national experts
for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke,
and kidney failure.
Over the past five years, hypertension control
for adults in Monroe County has improved
13.7 percent — an increase of more than
8 percentage points, according to clinical
data collected by the High Blood Pressure
Collaborative, a community-wide health
campaign spearheaded by Greater Rochester
Chamber of Commerce and Finger Lakes
Health Systems Agency. The collaborative
involves the region’s largest employers,
hospitals, and health insurance companies.
Today, 71.3 percent of individuals 18 and older
in Rochester diagnosed with hypertension
have their blood pressure under control
— compared to the national average of 52
percent as reported by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
High Blood Pressure Collaborative Chair
and Wegmans Food Markets Vice Chair and
Secretary Paul Speranza said, “Collaboration
is hard work and hard work every day. We
owe a large debt of gratitude to our CEO
group and our extraordinary group of
dedicated experts and volunteers who have
been meeting every Thursday morning for two
hours, while doing significant work in between
meetings, for the last 10 years. There is nothing
like this anywhere else in America.”
Community experts point to a variety of
initiatives that have contributed to the
county’s high blood pressure success, including
early work by the Greater Rochester Health
Foundation, targeted incentives for clinicians
through the hospital systems and refusal to sell
cigarettes by businesses.
New Member Profile:
Once Again Nut Butter Collective, Inc.
R
ochester Chamber welcomed new
member company Once Again Nut
Butter Collective, Inc. in November and
had a moment to get acquainted with
President and General Manager Bob
Gelser to learn more about this business.
Tell us about your company:
Once Again Nut Butter Inc. is an employee
owned (E.S.O.P.) company incorporated
in 1979. The company is located in the
Village of Nunda (Livingston County), and
currently employs 65 people. Our products
are sold in the natural and organic
products industry through distribution.
Other customers include private label and
industrial (ingredient) accounts. Our nut
and seed butter products include peanut,
almond, cashew, sunflower, and tahini. We
also package honey products, purchasing
from local beekeepers.
What prompted you to join the chamber? Our management staff had experience
working with the Rochester Chamber
in previous professions. That experience
coupled with networking and training
opportunities were the drivers in our
decision to join the Rochester Chamber.
What business/economic challenges are
you currently facing?
Increased manufacturing costs including
health care for employees are concerns.
Fluctuation in cost of agricultural raw
materials (nuts and seeds) caused by a
combination of weather conditions and
increased demand has been a challenge.
Capital investment and supply chain
(organic) management remains a focus
to remain competitive and to meet
government regulations.
What is your business outlook for 2016?
After a series of years with double
digit growth, our company is assuming
a more modest single digit growth for
2016. Marketing strategies to increase
our brand awareness and investigation of
new products will be incorporated in the
coming year. With more public attention
given to health and nutrition, we believe
our products are in line for future growth.
www.onceagainnutbutter.com
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
3
Voice of Business
NYS Senate Majority Leader Flanagan Talks Minimum Wage
A
t a meeting with Greater Rochester
Chamber of Commerce members,
New York State Senate Majority Leader
John Flanagan urged employers opposed to
an across-the-board $15 minimum wage
proposed by Governor Cuomo to speak out
publicly and to their elected representatives.
Senators Rich Funke, Patrick Gallivan, Mike
Nozzolio, Rob Ortt, Joe Robach, and Cathy
Young brought Flanagan to Rochester to talk
about the minimum wage and other issues
facing employers including the Scaffold Law,
agriculture, and the upstate/downstate divide.
After the meeting, which was dominated by
the minimum wage discussion, Flanagan said,
“I have grave concerns listening to the folks
in this room about the efficacy of increasing
the minimum wage without having a fullblown discussion. We have a legislative
process. The assembly and senate need to
be involved. It’s fabulous to be able to listen
to people who actually are creating jobs talk
about the potential negative effect of a twothirds increase in the minimum wage.”
Bob Hurlbut, president and CEO of Rochester
Chamber member Hurlbut Care Communities,
said a $15 minimum wage may force him to
close some of his company’s nursing homes.
Hurlbut said, “I think that the care is going to
be affected. We haven’t gotten an increase in
nine years. Try and live with that. It cost me
$2 million on the minimum wage increases
that I’ve already paid for in the last two years.
I don’t have any more money left. I can’t cut
any more expenses. We are open 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. I’m not going to be
able to take care of my residents. Bottom line,
they will be back in hospitals. Health care will
shut down as we know it today.”
Rochester Chamber board member and First
Niagara Financial Group Market Executive
Suzanne Nasipak-Chapman said her takeaway
from the meeting is that the legislators
who attended do care. Nasipak-Chapman
said, “They see the whole issue. We are
all dedicated to serving our communities
and making it a world where everyone can
succeed. We need to figure out how to do
it in a coordinated fashion so that we can be
successful.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
has voiced its opposition to a $15 minimum
wage as part of the Minimum Wage Reality
Check coalition. Reality Check supporters
say such an increase will put many struggling
small businesses, family farms, and not-forprofit service providers out of business.
Others will have to reduce the number
of people they employ, reduce employees’
hours and put a freeze on plans to add staff
or expand operations. The costs of products
and services will rise dramatically. Also
because of mandated budget growth, local
governments will be forced to raise taxes,
reduce services, or both. Learn more at www.
MinimumWageRealityCheck.com.
Rochester Chamber welcomes its new members
APFS Rochester Inc. .................................www.teamapfs.com
Associated Brands, Inc. .............................www.associatedbrands.com
Burgos Income Tax, inc. ............................www.burgostax.com
Casco Security Systems ...........................www.cascosystems.com
Claims Recovery Financial Services, LLC ...www.crfservices.com
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown
www.rochesterdowntown.hgi.com
Hunter-Ross, LLC ......................................www.hunterross.com
Hurlbut Care Communities ....................www.hurlbutcare.com
iCircle Services, Inc. ..................................www.icirclecny.org
ISM-R ...........................................................www.napmr.org
IV4 Inc. .........................................................www.IV4.com
Laser Integration
MMI Logistics .............................................www.mmi-logistics.com
4
January/February 2016
Morgan Management LLC ........www.morgancommunities.com
Once Again Nut Butter Collective, Inc. ..www.onceagainnutbutter.com
Paramax Corporation ...................www.paramaxcorp.com
Park Strategies LLC ..................................www.parkstrategies.com
People Inc. ...................................................www.people-inc.org
Places Mobile, Inc. ......................................www.placesmobile.com
The Bortnick Agency, Inc.
The Project Solvers of America, Inc. ......www.theprojectsolvers.com
TruForm Manufacturing Corp. ................www.truformmfg.net
Uber Technologies Inc. ..............................www.uber.com
UGI Energy Services .................................www.UGIes.com
*Company listed in blue denotes our Partner Member*
Connecting Business
Rochester Chamber offers a variety of events each month. For more photos, visit our Facebook page.
Rochester Chamber staff visited
Livingston and Wyoming
Counties, including member SUNY
Geneseo.
Never a dull day at the office when
rock legend Eddie Money visits!
Our last Showcase Tour was at member
GW Lisk, manufacturer of tin ware and
supplier of solenoids.
Rochester Chamber joined Rebuild NY
Now to rally local and state officials for
transportation infrastructure funding.
Genesee County was the last stop for
the Rochester Chamber nine county
tour, including a visit to member
Chapin.
Rochester Chamber celebrated the grand
opening of member Five Star Bank’s
CityGate branch.
Rochester Chamber hosted the
Monroe#1 BOCES Creative Teen
Leadership Conference, which
encourages problem solving skills.
Rochester Chamber CEO Bob Duffy
returned to RIT E. Philip Saunders
College of Business to discuss
leadership.
Rochester Area Business Ethics
Foundation presented an honorary
ETHIE Award to outgoing chair
Twyla Cummings.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher
met with Rochester Chamber members
to discuss Stand with SUNY.
Our team members volunteered at the
Open Door Mission to cook breakfast
for those less fortunate.
Our staff wishes you a happy and
prosperous 2016!
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
5
Voice of Business
Upcoming
Affiliate Events
Women’s Council Names 2016 ATHENA
Awards Finalists
G
S
reater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce is made up of employers
big and small, in just about every industry
imaginable. While our programs and
events are designed for all, we recognize
that there are times when employers and
employees want to be among a smaller
group that shares their specific business
issues. Here are some of our affiliates’
upcoming events:
Associated New York State Food
Processors
nyfoodprocessors.org
Greater Rochester Quality Council
• Jan. 20 - Performance Excellence Forum
• Feb. 17 - Performance Excellence Forum
www.grqc.org
Small Business Council of Rochester
• Jan. 27 - Holiday Networking Event
www.rochestersbc.com
Rochester Hispanic Business
Association
• Jan. 19 - Lunch Series with Abraham
Hernandez
• Feb. 16 - Lunch Series with Alex Castro
www.rochesterhba.org
The Women’s Council
• Jan. 21 - ATHENA Awards Luncheon
www.RBAWomenscouncil.org
Through our affiliate groups, you can
meet business people who share your
interests and challenges.
6
January/February 2016
upporting its mission to recognize and
empower professional women, the
Women’s Council, a Chamber affiliate,
announced the finalists chosen for the 30th
annual ATHENA Award and its second annual
ATHENA Young Professional Award.
A pre-selection committee chose the
ATHENA Award finalists based on their
significant professional achievements,
community service endeavors, and leadership
in the advancement of other professional
women. Broadstone Real Estate President and
CEO Amy Tait received the 2015 ATHENA
Award.
The 2016 ATHENA Award finalists are:
• Melissa Brown, Executive Vice President
of Strategic Initiatives and Marketing, CDS
Monarch
• Katrina Busch, President, Roberts
Communications
• Dorothy Coleman, Chief Financial Officer
and Executive Vice President, Excellus/
Lifetime Healthcare Co.
• Rachel DeGuzman, President and Chief
Executive Officer, 21st Century Arts
• Deborah Hughes, President and Chief
Executive Officer, National Susan B.
Anthony Museum & House
• Susan Latoski, Executive Director,
Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley
• Dr. Lesli Myers, Superintendent of Schools,
Brockport Central School District
• Marilynn Patterson Grant, Owner/
Consultant, M.P. Grant, LLC
• Kathleen Pringle, Chief Executive Officer,
Kathleen Pringle Group, Inc.
• Elaine Spaull, Executive Director, Center
for Youth
• Patricia Uttaro, Director, Rochester Public
Library and the Monroe County Library
System
• Lori Van Dusen, Chief Executive Officer,
LVW Advisors
The ATHENA Young Professional Award
recognizes emerging leaders in the 30 to 45
year old range who demonstrate excellence,
creativity, and initiative in their business or
profession. Recipients also provide valuable
service by contributing time and energy
to improve the quality of life of others
in the community while serving as a role
model for young women both personally
and professionally. Business development
professional Claudia Burcke received the
inaugural ATHENA Young Professional Award.
The 2016 ATHENA Young Professional Award
finalists are:
• Traci Adolph, President, Tra-Lin
Corporation DBA Samson Fuel & Trucking
• Lauren Gallina, Marketing Director, Gallina
Development
• Alyssa Belasco, Marketing and
Communications Coordinator, The
Highlands at Pittsford
• Sufiya Kwaja, Relationship Manager, Bank
of America
• Jessica Lord, Recruitment Coordinator,
Volunteers of America Western New York
• Lindsay Morrow-Lilly,Vice President,
Corporate Communications and
Shareholder Relations Manager,
Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
• Katelin Pellett,Vice President of Programs,
Ad Council of Rochester
• Leah Tarantino, Associate Attorney,
Underberg & Kessler, LLP
• Erin Tolefree,Vice President of Sales,
Baldwin Richardson Foods
• Melanie Wolk, Attorney (Partner), Trevett
Cristo Salzer & Andolina P.C.
A committee of renowned business
professionals will select the recipients of both
awards. The Women’s Council presents the
30th annual ATHENA Award and the second
annual ATHENA Young Professional Award at a
luncheon January 21 at the Joseph A. Floreano
Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The
2016 ATHENA Awards are presented by title
sponsor First Niagara Bank. For ticket and
sponsorship information, contact Events and
Affiliate Relations Director Susan George at
(585) 256-4612.
Public Policy
2016 Public Policy Agenda to Focus on Business Environment
By Chris Wiest
Vice President of Public
Policy and Advocacy
U
sing member
feedback from the
recent Public Policy and
Advocacy survey, Greater
Rochester Chamber
of Commerce has
developed its legislative and policy agenda for
2016. Our priorities will continue to focus on
creating a more business-friendly environment
for employers and supporting initiatives that
improve our community as a whole. Below is
a summary of several key areas of focus based
on survey results:
New York State Mandates and Taxes Affecting
Business: Mandate and tax relief topped the
list of member concerns on this year’s survey.
Rochester Chamber will work to support
broad-based tax reform, reduce outdated
and complex business taxes and regulations,
oppose excessive wage mandates, and support
business-backed tort reform legislation.
Economic Development: Growing private
sector jobs is key to the region’s economic
future. We will continue to work with local,
state and federal leaders to support regional
efforts including the $600 million American
Institute for Manufacturing Integrated
Photonics (AIM) project. Rochester Chamber
remains committed in supporting the priorities
and projects of the Finger Lakes Regional
Economic Development Council (FLREDC),
including Optics and Photonics and Imaging,
Agriculture and Food Production, NextGeneration Manufacturing and Technology.
Signature projects such as North American
Breweries’ plan to create a Genesee EcoBrewery District will invest millions of dollars
into our economy. We applaud the FLREDC’s
successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative plan
submission and look forward to working with
community leaders on its full implementation.
Health Care Costs: We will continue to work
to control the rising costs of health care
in our region. Members of the Rochester
Chamber Health Care Initiative meet weekly
on initiatives designed to generate affordable,
quality health care – with the ultimate goal of
making Rochester the healthiest community
in America. Work will continue on the High
Blood Pressure Collaborative, a partnership
between Rochester Chamber and the Finger
Lakes Health Systems Agency, that aims to
improve management of this costly chronic
condition. Between 2010 and January of 2015,
the proportion of hypertensive adult patients
achieving blood pressure control has increased
to over 71% percent, one of the highest rates
in the nation. Higher blood pressure control
rates leads to reduced risk for heart attacks
and strokes, improving quality of life and
reducing health system costs.
On the legislative front, Rochester Chamber
will continue to oppose state and federal
health care mandates that increase costs for
employers.
Workers’ Compensation: New York State is
currently ranked #4 in the nation for high
workers’ compensation costs. The system
needs continued overhaul to modernize
guidelines and stem rising costs. The Rochester
Chamber Workers’ Compensation Committee
meets regularly to work on reforms to
reduce costs and improve system efficiency.
We oppose rollbacks of cost saving measures
and continue to defend against costly, new
legislation. Our member education sessions
last year were well-attended, and we will
continue our outreach to help businesses
better understand and navigate this challenging
area.
Education/Workforce: Rochester Chamber
remains committed to helping improve
student achievement in our region, specifically
in the Rochester City School District where
student performance suffers most. We will
continue our participation in ROC the
Future, an alliance of more than 50 leading
Rochester-area institutions and partners
dedicated to ensuring that children receive
the opportunities necessary to be successful
in school and life. Rochester Chamber will
also support increased opportunities for
Career and Technical Education, as well as
FLREDC Workforce Development Committee
Initiatives and the Rochester-Monroe AntiPoverty Initiative.
Transportation/Infrastructure: Rochester
Chamber recognizes that a solid infrastructure
and transportation system is crucial to the
economic success of our region. Rochester
Chamber supports the City of Rochester
and Monroe County Arts & Tourism Growth
proposal, increased upstate investment in
road and bridge repair, and strengthening
federal highway trust fund commitments.
State Races: The Committee for a Strong
Economy, our political action committee,
will make endorsements in regional state
Senate and Assembly races in the fall. Stay
tuned for more information on how you can
participate in the interview and endorsement
process.
Constituent Support: We are always there
to assist members on company-specific
matters involving local, state and federal
government. This may include legislative,
regulatory and funding issues. If there is an
issue impacting your business, we are happy
to write letters of support or opposition
and to help connect you with legislators
and key decision-makers. This year, we will
host our new “Policy Matters” series, which
allows members to connect directly with
community and state leaders.
As always, we will continue to serve as a
voice for the employer community-actively
responding to legislative and policy concerns
that develop over the course of the year, and
look forward to your input.
For more information on the 2016 advocacy
agenda, and how you can help, please feel
free to contact me at (585) 256-4626.
We have an exciting
events lineup for 2016!
Visit our website’s events
calendar for more details!
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
7
Human Resources
Build Your HR
Rochester-Area Surveys Starting Soon
Network: Register for
ochester Chamber’s first quarter 2016
launches, and after that, must contact Kathy or
R
benchmarking surveys begin in January.
Jennifer to sign up. If you have any questions
2016 HR Forums
Only Corporate and Partner members
about benchmarking surveys, please contact
R
ochester Chamber is now accepting
registrations for the 2016 Benefits
Forum and 2016 HR Professional Forum. If
you missed the opportunity to join either of
these forums in 2015, here is your chance to
connect with your peers.
Each year, the Rochester Chamber HR
forums give members an opportunity to
connect with peers who understand the
challenges HR professionals face every day. The HR forums help keep you up-to-date on
state and federal labor laws and help build
on the experience you already have through
active participation and interaction with
peers. All forum participants are expected
to maintain the confidentiality of discussions
at the meetings so forum members can be
free to have open discussions. Participant
qualifications are reviewed to ensure the
level of expertise is commensurate with
the group. Below is a summary of the two
forums starting in the January and February:
Benefits Forum: Provides senior level
benefits professionals with the opportunity
to benchmark and network with peers on
benefit trends and issues including benefits
practices and strategic planning. Meetings
begin in February.
HR Professional Forum: Presents midlevel human resource professionals the
opportunity to benchmark and network with
peers while sharing HR knowledge through
roundtable discussions and presentations
from guest speakers. Meetings begin in
January.
The registration deadline for the HR
Professional Forum was December 10 but
we are still accepting registrations. The
Benefits Forum registration deadline is
January 14, 2016. Space is limited and will be
offered on a first-come, first served basis.
To learn more about these forums, including
meeting dates, or to download a registration
form, please visit our website and click
on the forum of choice. If you have any
questions, please email Jennifer Suppé or call
her at (585) 256-4608.
8
January/February 2016
are eligible to participate and those who
participate receive complimentary results
when released.
There are three different surveys starting
in January. The local Annual Wage and
Salary Surveys begin the week of January
11, 2016 and provide Rochester-area wage
and salary data. The four local surveys
include Nonexempt, Professional/Managerial,
Manufacturing, and Health & Human Services.
The National Executive Compensation
Survey begins the week of January 4, 2016
and covers compensation and perquisites
for 47 key executive positions. The Turnover
and Absenteeism Survey starts the week
of January 18 and gathers data on turnover
statistics and absenteeism rates for calendar
year 2015. Questionnaires for all surveys will
be emailed to those members who requested
to participate in the timeframes specified
above.
Sign-up for all first quarter surveys began in
early December 2015 via an e-mail invitation
which was sent to the main HR contacts at
Corporate and Partner member companies.
If you are a Corporate or Partner member
and you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet,
click here to go to the online signup page.
Members can sign up online until the survey
Kathy Richmond at (585) 256-4618, or Jennifer
Suppé at (585) 256-4608. To discuss upgrading
your membership so that you can participate
in these valuable benchmarking surveys, please
contact Kevin Donahue at (585) 256-4651.
HR Services Staff
Kathy Richmond
Sr. director, Human Resource
Services
(585) 256-4618
Kathy.Richmond@
GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Jennifer Suppé, MSHRD,
PHR
HR Services Specialist
(585) 256-4608
Jennifer.Suppe@
GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Survey Spotlight
Survey
Questionnaires Deadline
Sent
Date
(week of)
(week of)
Release
Date
(week of)
If you haven’t yet signed up for first quarter surveys but would like to, contact Jennifer
Suppé at (585) 256-4608 or Jennifer.Suppe@GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Legal Briefing
The New York Women’s Equality Act
Andrew Burns and
Jill Schultz
Davidson Fink LLP
N
ew York State
Governor
Andrew Cuomo
recently signed into law various bills that will
provide greater protection for women in the
workplace as part of the New York Women’s
Equality Act. The new law becomes effective
January 19, 2016 and provides the following
new employment-related provisions:
Pay Equality
Section 194 of the New York Labor Law
currently provides that men and women must
receive equal pay for equal work unless the
employer can show that the differential is
based on: (a) a seniority system; (b) a merit
system; (c) a system that measures earnings by
quantity or quality of production; (d) or any
factor other than sex.
The new law amends section 194 of the Labor
Law and makes it more difficult for employers
to defend claims.
The employer can no longer rely on “any
factor other than sex” to justify a difference
in pay between a female and male employee
doing the same job. Rather, the employer
must show any pay difference is due to “a
bona fide factor” other than sex that is both
“job-related” and “consistent with business
necessity.” The new law cites education,
training, and experience as bona fide factors
that may warrant different rates of pay under
certain circumstances. Thus, it will be harder
for employers to defend pay disparities,
especially those based on subjective factors.
In addition, even where an employer can
show bona fide reasons for a particular
wage differential, an employee will be able to
overcome this by showing: (a) the employer
uses a particular employment practice that
causes a disparate impact based on sex; (b)
an alternative employment practice exists
that would serve the same business purpose
without a pay differential; and (c) the employer
has refused to adopt this alternative practice.
The new law prohibits pay
differentials even if two employees
whose pay rates are being compared
work in different physical locations,
provided the locations are in the
same geographic region.
Employers can no longer prohibit employees
from sharing wage information with other
employees, although employers can place
reasonable limitations on the time and location
of any such discussion.
The new law increases the amount of
liquidated damages allowed for willful
violations to 300% of the wages found to be
due.
Familial Status
The new law amends section 296 of the New
York State Human Rights Law to prohibit
discrimination based on “familial status” in
addition to the current prohibition against
discrimination based on marital status. Familial
status protection applies to any person who
is pregnant, has a child, or is in the process of
securing legal custody of any individual under
the age of eighteen. Employers cannot inquire
into or consider parental status when making
employment decisions relating to hiring,
promoting, firing, or subjecting to different
terms and conditions of employment.
Employees of Small Businesses
The new law amends section 292 of the
New York State Human Rights Law and
protects all workers from sexual harassment
regardless of the size of the workplace. It
is not clear whether the new law will apply
to claims of sex discrimination, as opposed
to sexual harassment. The four-employee
minimum continues to apply to other claims of
discrimination and harassment.
Attorneys’ Fees
The new law amends section 297 of the New
York State Human Rights Law and provides
for the recovery of reasonable attorneys’
fees in employment cases when the employee
succeeds in proving sex discrimination. It
also allows a prevailing employer to recover
attorneys’ fees if it demonstrates that the
employee’s action was frivolous.
Pregnancy Discrimination
The new law amends section 296 of the
New York State Human Rights Law and
requires employers to perform a reasonable
accommodation analysis for employees
with pregnancy-related conditions and
to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Reasonable accommodations are likely to
include bathroom and water breaks, time
off for doctors’ appointments, and leaves of
absences for periods of disability. Employers
can require employees to provide medical
information regarding the pregnancy-related
condition and the need for reasonable
accommodation. Employers are not required
to agree to requests for accommodations
that impose an undue hardship.
Practical Advice
To comply with the new law, an employer
should: (a) review its pay practices and pay
structure; (b) update its employee handbook
to reflect the new requirements; (c) update
other applicable human resources policies
and procedures; and (d) create or update
its standards and policies for providing
accommodations to pregnant employees.
When it comes to hiring
the right person, take a step
in the right direction
with RBA Staffing
Criminal Records Check
Sex Offender Registries
Social Security Number Check
DMV Check
Current/Past Employment Verification
References Check
Academic Verification
And more!
Let RBA Staffing help you make better
decisions to hire better employees.
(585) 256-4647
www.RBAstaffing.com
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
9
Voice of Business
Rochester Chamber Supports Rebuild NY Now
G
reater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce has thrown its support
behind Rebuild NY Now, a broad-based
coalition seeking to raise public awareness
about issues impacting New York State’s
infrastructure. Rochester Chamber Vice
President of Public Policy and Advocacy
Chris Wiest appeared at an event at the
Monroe County Office Building where
Rebuild NY Now launched a comprehensive
statewide campaign to call upon Governor
Cuomo and the state legislature to include
funding parity between capital plans of the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
and the New York State Department of
Transportation in the 2016-17 state budget.
Wiest said, “Sound transportation
infrastructure is the lifeblood of commerce. Employers rely upon safe and wellmaintained roads and bridges to deliver
goods and services to their customers and
Rochester Chamber
Welcomes New Board
Members
F
ollowing elections at the end of 2015,
Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce welcomes new board members
Eric Bieber, Rochester Regional Health
System;Vilma Burgos-Torres, Rochester
Hispanic Business Council representative;
Ken Glazer, Buckingham Properties; William
Goodrich, LeChase Construction; Paul
Kaiser, Sr., Genesee Regional Bank; Michael
Kane, Democrat and Chronicle Media
Group; Wende Knapp, Women’s Council
representative; Faheem Masood, ESL Federal
Credit Union; Mark Meyerhofer, Time
Warner Cable; Deana Porterfield, Roberts
Wesleyan College; Gerard Rooney, St. John
Fisher College; Gregory Soehner, Council
of Agency Executives representative; and
Michael Zimmer, Xerox Corporation.
Rochester Chamber also thanks the
following departing board members for
their service: Donald Bain, St. John Fisher
College; Paul Deering, Time Warner Cable;
Dave Fiedler, ESL Federal Credit Union, and
Wayne LeChase, LeChase Construction.
10
January/February 2016
for their employees to travel safely to and
from work. Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce is pleased to support the Rebuild
NY Now campaign to call for an increase
in investment in upstate transportation
infrastructure to improve road safety, boost
the economy, and create jobs.”
Rebuild NY Now President and CEO Mike
Elmendorf said, “A coalition unprecedented
in its breadth and diversity has come
together around this issue. Everyone from
labor to chambers of commerce and elected
officials from across Western New York
have come because our crumbling roads and
bridges are in serious need of attention and,
more importantly, are in serious need of a
multibillion dollar capital commitment from
the state. Renewing a commitment to the
historic parity agreement between roads and
bridges and transit will not only create jobs
and save New Yorkers money – but it will
ensure the safety and well-being of Rochester
families who every day ride on roads and
bridges that are in a state of disrepair.”
New York State Senator Joe Robach,
Transportation Committee Chairman, said,
“We support the historic MTA funding deal,
but we cannot leave the rest of the state
behind and driving on unsafe roads and
bridges. An all-encompassing capital plan that
restores parity between mass transit and our
roads and bridges will provide safer roads and
bridges for residents and will put thousands
of skilled laborers to work and provide
them with good paying jobs for our state’s
economy.”
Visit www.RebuildNYnow.org for more
information on the “Parity” campaign. Watch a
YouTube video at http://bit.ly/1SzHb0o.
A Brief Rochester Chamber History
R
ailroad and canal problems, banking
concerns, trade with Canada, a growing
city, and a host of other issues prompted
20 Rochester business leaders to gather in
November 1887 to discuss forming a board
of trade. In December, the group approved
the Rochester Chamber of Commerce
constitution and the rest is history:
1891: A group of insurgents, among them
Eastman Kodak founder George Eastman,
defeat the Chamber’s official slate of officers
and plans to reform the city charter.
1904: Chamber membership opens to
suburban businesses.
1915: George Eastman offers $500,000 for
a new Rochester Chamber of Commerce
building on St. Paul Street.
1941: The Chamber and the Industrial
Management Council begin applying
Rochester’s manufacturing skills to war
production programs.
1960: President Donald A. Gaudion declares
that business leaders have a responsibility to
support “art, culture, and political purpose.”
1975: A new name, the Rochester Area
Chamber of Commerce, reflects an increasing
attention to regional development.
1987: The Chamber holds its inaugural
Rochester Top 100 program.
1989: A name change to the Greater
Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce
solidifies the Chamber’s regional reach.
2003: The Greater Rochester Metro Chamber
of Commerce and the Industrial Management
Council merge to form Rochester Business
Alliance.
2006: RBA convenes the Rochester
Community Coalition, a precursor to the
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development
Council.
2006: RBA and the Buffalo Niagara
Partnership announce the formation of
Unshackle Upstate.
2016: RBA returns to its roots by rebranding
as the Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce. This move clarifies its position as
the Chamber of Commerce serving the ninecounty Finger Lakes region.
Voice of Business
Rochester Chamber and its RBA Staffing division teamed up with Amerks Hockey, Democrat and Chronicle, and
CareerBuilder to host a Downtown Career Fair November 20.
Survey Finds More Businesses Offering
High-Deductible Plans
T
he 2015 Greater Rochester Chamber of
Commerce Health Benefits Survey found
an increase in the number of responding
employers that offer high deductible health
care plans. Among respondents to the
survey, 86 percent said that this year they
offered one or more high-deductible health
insurance plans, up from 76 percent in 2014.
The annual Rochester Chamber Health
Benefits Survey also found that employers
pay a significant share of their employees’
health insurance premiums. Respondents
reported contributing an average of 71
percent of single-person plans, 63 percent
of two-person, 66 percent of family plans
without spousal coverage, and 61 percent of
family premiums. For 2015, only 14 percent
paid the full cost of single coverage for at
least one plan, down from 17 percent a year
ago.
Employer health insurance premium
contributions as a percentage of payroll
averaged 9.4 percent, up from 8.9 percent
last year. Responding employers said they
expect their 2016 health insurance premiums
to rise by an average of 13.1 percent. Asked
about covering the increase, 13 percent of
respondents said they plan to absorb the
majority, 18 percent plan to split the increase
with employees 50/50, and 11 percent plan to
pass on either a majority or all of the cost.
The Health Benefits Survey included
responses from 209 member organizations
representing approximately 76,100 full-time
employees. Read the full news release here.
Friday Business Briefings
Jan. 22 - Annual Employment Law Update
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 5 - The Importance of the Business
Report Card
Time: 8-9 a.m.
Feb. 19 - TBD
Time: 8-9 a.m.
Location: Rochester Chamber
150 State St., Rochester, NY 14614
Open to: Members only (no cost)
To register, email Michele.Hefferon@
GreaterRochesterChamber.com
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
11
Seminars and Software Training
Register at www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Seminars Held at Rochester Chamber
Feb. 5Leadership for Managers
Feb. 18 Successful Supervision
Business After Hours
Holiday Jam
Networking
Training Held at Logical Operations
Register at www.newhorizonsatlo.com/rochester-business-alliance
Jan. 4 MS Excel 2007/2010 - Part 1
Jan. 5-7, 11-12 CyberSec First Responder: Threat Detection and Response
Jan. 5 MS Excel 2007/2010 - Part 2
Jan. 8 Excel 2013: Data Analysis with
Power Pivot
Jan. 12Excel 2013: Dashboards
Jan. 13Troubleshooting and Supporting
Windows 7 in the Enterprise
Jan. 14MS Access 2013 - Part 2
Jan. 15CyberSAFE (Securing Assets for the
End User)
Jan. 19MS Excel 2016 - Part 1
Jan. 19 MS Outlook 2010 - Part 1
Jan. 21 MS Excel 2013 - Part 3
Jan. 22 CyberSAFE (Securing Assets for the
End User)
Jan. 25 Installing and Configuring Windows
Server 2012
Jan. 25 Google Drive and Productivity
Jan. 25 MS PowerPoint 2010 - Part 1
Jan. 26 MS PowerPoint 2010 - Part 2
Jan. 27 MS SharePoint Foundation 2013:
Site User
Jan. 28 MS SharePoint Foundation 2013:
Site Owner
Jan. 29 Drive Strategy Execution Through
Effective Goal Setting
Jan. 29 MS SharePoint Foundation 2013: Site
Administrator
Feb. 1-5 Managing Windows Environments with Group Policy
Feb. 2 Coaching and Counseling Employees
Feb. 3 MS Excel 2013 - Part 1
Feb. 4 MS Excel 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 5 MS Excel 2013 - Part 3
Feb. 8-12 CompTIA Security+ Certification
Feb. 8, 20 Creating a Culture of
Accountability
Feb. 8 MS PowerPoint 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 9 MS PowerPoint 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 9 Emotional Intelligence
Feb. 10 Business Communications Electronic
and Printed
Feb. 10 Crystal Reports 2011/2013: Part 1
Feb. 11 MS Outlook 2013 - Part 1
Feb. 12 Getting Organized: The GO System
Feb. 12 MS Outlook 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 15-19 CyberSec First Responder: Threat
Detection and Response
Feb. 15 Effective Presentations
Feb. 15 MS Access 2013 - Part 1
Feb. 16 MS Word 2013
Feb. 17 Crystal Reports 2011/2013 - Part 2
Feb. 17 MS Word 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 18 MS Word 2013 - Part 3
Feb. 19 Effective Project Management Skills
Feb. 19 Employment Law Basics
Feb. 22-26 CompTIA Network+
Certification
Feb. 22 Excel 2010 - Mastering Pivot Tables
Feb. 22 Excel 2010 - Charts and Graphs
Feb. 22 Zoho CRM: Critical User Skills
Feb. 24 Create a New Hire Orientation
Program
Feb. 25 MS Excel 2013 - Part 1
Feb. 25 MS Excel 2016 - Part 1
Feb. 26 MS Excel 2013 - Part 2
Feb. 29 MS Excel 2007/2010 - Part 1
Feb. 29 MS SharePoint Foundation 2010 Level 1
This issue sponsored by:
From Bob and the rest of
the team at Greater Rochester
Chamber of Commerce, we
appreciate your continued support!
www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com
Follow us on...
www.comtecsolutions.com