Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Kevin O'Connor to speak on TUESDAY, Nov. 10
CEO of Tech Valley Communications will discuss voice, data and wi-fi innovations
ALBANY, NY – October 29, 2009 – Kevin O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Tech Valley Communications, will address the Albany Roundtable at a special TUESDAY luncheon on November 10. (The luncheon will be held on Tuesday due to the Veterans’ Day parade slated for November 11.)
The Albany Roundtable luncheon meetings are now held at the historic University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street in Albany, but remain open to the public.
Tech Valley Communications is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier located in downtown Albany, providing telecommunications services to businesses and residents throughout the Tech Valley region of New York State. Mr. O’Connor, a co-founder of Tech Valley Communications, joined the company as the CEO in July 2000.
Headquartered in Albany, Tech Valley Communications (TVC) is the region’s preeminent provider of voice, data and related services over its advanced FirstLight® fiber optic and high speed wireless networks. TVC owns and operates over 425 route miles of fiber optic cable connecting some 340 office buildings in upstate New York. Tech Valley Communications employs approximately 70 people in downtown Albany and has received the NYS Public Service Commission’s Commendation for Excellent Service each of the past four years. TVC, in partnership with the City of Albany, is also proud to provide “Albany FreeNet,” a free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet service, to a growing number of locations throughout the City.
From 1992 to 2000, Mr. O’Connor served as the President of the Center for Economic Growth, a business and government supported economic development organization providing managerial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to that Mr. O’Connor worked in New York State Government in various capacities from 1980 to 1992, which included regulatory and staff assignments in the Department of Health, Division of Budget, Governor’s Office and the Department of Economic Development. Mr. O’Connor holds a Bachelors and Masters degree from the State University of New York at Brockport.
Reservations for the November 10 luncheon are required by Friday, November 6 and can be made by calling 518-431-1440 (through the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by e-mail at albanyroundtable@yahoo.com . The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $15. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30.
For additional information visit www.albanyroundtable.com or www.albanyroundtable.blogspot.com .
ALBANY, NY – October 29, 2009 – Kevin O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Tech Valley Communications, will address the Albany Roundtable at a special TUESDAY luncheon on November 10. (The luncheon will be held on Tuesday due to the Veterans’ Day parade slated for November 11.)
The Albany Roundtable luncheon meetings are now held at the historic University Club, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street in Albany, but remain open to the public.
Tech Valley Communications is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier located in downtown Albany, providing telecommunications services to businesses and residents throughout the Tech Valley region of New York State. Mr. O’Connor, a co-founder of Tech Valley Communications, joined the company as the CEO in July 2000.
Headquartered in Albany, Tech Valley Communications (TVC) is the region’s preeminent provider of voice, data and related services over its advanced FirstLight® fiber optic and high speed wireless networks. TVC owns and operates over 425 route miles of fiber optic cable connecting some 340 office buildings in upstate New York. Tech Valley Communications employs approximately 70 people in downtown Albany and has received the NYS Public Service Commission’s Commendation for Excellent Service each of the past four years. TVC, in partnership with the City of Albany, is also proud to provide “Albany FreeNet,” a free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet service, to a growing number of locations throughout the City.
From 1992 to 2000, Mr. O’Connor served as the President of the Center for Economic Growth, a business and government supported economic development organization providing managerial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to that Mr. O’Connor worked in New York State Government in various capacities from 1980 to 1992, which included regulatory and staff assignments in the Department of Health, Division of Budget, Governor’s Office and the Department of Economic Development. Mr. O’Connor holds a Bachelors and Masters degree from the State University of New York at Brockport.
Reservations for the November 10 luncheon are required by Friday, November 6 and can be made by calling 518-431-1440 (through the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by e-mail at albanyroundtable@yahoo.com . The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $15. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30.
For additional information visit www.albanyroundtable.com or www.albanyroundtable.blogspot.com .
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Good Patroon Award to be Presented to Maria and Roger Markovics
Housing, social justice advocates will be honored on October 14
ALBANY, NY – September 25, 2009 – The Albany Roundtable has selected community organizers Maria and Roger Markovics to receive its prestigious Good Patroon Award for their efforts to ensure that Albany residents have access to decent and livable housing – regardless of their income. This annual award was established in 1988 to recognize outstanding contributions to the community by institutions and individuals.
“United Tenants of Albany knows, better than most, that Albany is a city of many neighborhoods,” said Colleen Ryan, President of the Albany Roundtable. “From well-kept, tree-lined streets to blocks where every other building is dilapidated or vacant, these neighborhoods are both the key – and an obstacle – to this city’s success. By working for equity and justice in housing, Maria and Roger have in fact become staunch champions for a revitalized and sustainable city. Through more than a third of a century of upswings and downturns, the continued success of United Tenants of Albany is the tangible result of their unwavering leadership, and we are delighted to honor them with the Good Patroon Award.”
Susan Cotner, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region will present the Award at the first meeting of the Albany Roundtable’s 31st season on Wednesday, October 14th. The luncheon’s featured speaker is Kirby White, a founder of the Capital District Community Loan Fund and author of two mystery novels set in upstate New York.
“We moved to Albany in 1970 and began working in a small storefront crisis intervention program called Providence House in Albany’s South End,” said Roger, whose efforts with his wife Maria brought together a group of low-income tenants that eventually became the United Tenants of Albany (UTA). “Now, almost 40 years later, we maintain a similar job sharing arrangement, now with Catholic Charities, to continue working on housing and welfare issues.”
Maria and Roger’s leadership at UTA encouraged staff and volunteers to create several other community-based regional organizations addressing the socio-economic roots of housing problems, including the Capital District Community Loan Fund, the Albany Community Land Trust, the Affordable Housing Partnership, and Albany Area Housing Opportunities. As these organizations have grown they have formed an informal network connected with UTA to both develop and preserve affordable housing with an expanding grass roots leadership.
At UTA, Maria currently coordinates a Homeless Intervention Program and manages administrative and fund raising affairs. Roger concentrates on reinvestment work with the Capital District Community Loan Fund, the Albany Community Land Trust, and the Affordable Housing Partnership, including related efforts with an anti-predatory lending campaign (HomeSave), the Capital District Regional Homeownership Collaborative, and the Capital District Labor Religion Coalition.
The October 14 Roundtable Luncheon begins at 12:00 noon and will be held in a new location this year – the historic University Club of Albany at 141 Washington Avenue. The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $15, which may be paid at the door. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations are required by Monday, October 12 and can be made by calling 518-431-1440 (through the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.
The most recent Good Patroon Award winners include Christine M. Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art; Parsons Child and Family Center and its Executive Director Raymond Schimmer; Capital Repertory Theater and its Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill; and the Albany Housing Authority and its Executive Director Stephen Longo.
“When he died in 1839, Stephen Van Rensselaer III was remembered as ‘The Good Patroon’ for his benevolent attitude toward the residents of Rensselaerswyck,” said Ryan. “The Good Patroon Award is the Albany Roundtable’s primary means of honoring those leaders who make our community a better place to live. We are so pleased to be able to present Maria and Roger with this award.”
###
ALBANY, NY – September 25, 2009 – The Albany Roundtable has selected community organizers Maria and Roger Markovics to receive its prestigious Good Patroon Award for their efforts to ensure that Albany residents have access to decent and livable housing – regardless of their income. This annual award was established in 1988 to recognize outstanding contributions to the community by institutions and individuals.
“United Tenants of Albany knows, better than most, that Albany is a city of many neighborhoods,” said Colleen Ryan, President of the Albany Roundtable. “From well-kept, tree-lined streets to blocks where every other building is dilapidated or vacant, these neighborhoods are both the key – and an obstacle – to this city’s success. By working for equity and justice in housing, Maria and Roger have in fact become staunch champions for a revitalized and sustainable city. Through more than a third of a century of upswings and downturns, the continued success of United Tenants of Albany is the tangible result of their unwavering leadership, and we are delighted to honor them with the Good Patroon Award.”
Susan Cotner, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region will present the Award at the first meeting of the Albany Roundtable’s 31st season on Wednesday, October 14th. The luncheon’s featured speaker is Kirby White, a founder of the Capital District Community Loan Fund and author of two mystery novels set in upstate New York.
“We moved to Albany in 1970 and began working in a small storefront crisis intervention program called Providence House in Albany’s South End,” said Roger, whose efforts with his wife Maria brought together a group of low-income tenants that eventually became the United Tenants of Albany (UTA). “Now, almost 40 years later, we maintain a similar job sharing arrangement, now with Catholic Charities, to continue working on housing and welfare issues.”
Maria and Roger’s leadership at UTA encouraged staff and volunteers to create several other community-based regional organizations addressing the socio-economic roots of housing problems, including the Capital District Community Loan Fund, the Albany Community Land Trust, the Affordable Housing Partnership, and Albany Area Housing Opportunities. As these organizations have grown they have formed an informal network connected with UTA to both develop and preserve affordable housing with an expanding grass roots leadership.
At UTA, Maria currently coordinates a Homeless Intervention Program and manages administrative and fund raising affairs. Roger concentrates on reinvestment work with the Capital District Community Loan Fund, the Albany Community Land Trust, and the Affordable Housing Partnership, including related efforts with an anti-predatory lending campaign (HomeSave), the Capital District Regional Homeownership Collaborative, and the Capital District Labor Religion Coalition.
The October 14 Roundtable Luncheon begins at 12:00 noon and will be held in a new location this year – the historic University Club of Albany at 141 Washington Avenue. The luncheon is open to the public and the cost is $15, which may be paid at the door. The University Club will serve lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations are required by Monday, October 12 and can be made by calling 518-431-1440 (through the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.
The most recent Good Patroon Award winners include Christine M. Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art; Parsons Child and Family Center and its Executive Director Raymond Schimmer; Capital Repertory Theater and its Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill; and the Albany Housing Authority and its Executive Director Stephen Longo.
“When he died in 1839, Stephen Van Rensselaer III was remembered as ‘The Good Patroon’ for his benevolent attitude toward the residents of Rensselaerswyck,” said Ryan. “The Good Patroon Award is the Albany Roundtable’s primary means of honoring those leaders who make our community a better place to live. We are so pleased to be able to present Maria and Roger with this award.”
###
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Albany Roundtable Elects New Members, Officers
The Albany Roundtable is pleased to welcome four new members to its board of directors:
- Robert F. Bristol, FASLA
Chair, CEO and President, Senior Principal, Saratoga Associates - Judith Johnson
Director of the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization, City of Albany - Ed Parker
Partner, Integral One Network Solutions - Jerry Shaye
Director, International Trade Development, Empire State Development
The following members of the board were elected to an additional term in their respective offices: Colleen Ryan, President; James Dennehey, Vice President; Lori Harris, Secretary; and Mark Patten, Treasurer.
Committee chairs are: Al DeSalvo, Good Patroon Committee; Elizabeth Griffin, Friends Committee; and Justin Priddle, Nominating Committee.
Returning board members include: Paul Bray (Founding President), Guy Alonge, Chris Betts, Nancy Burton, James Carr, Mary Darcy, Mark Eagan, Christopher Hawver, Catherine Hedgeman, Paul Larrabee, Marcus Pryor, Daniel Sanders, Jeff Sherrin, and Ruth Walters.
The Albany Roundtable is an all-volunteer not-for-profit corporation founded in 1979. Their civic luncheon series is open to the public and presents speakers with diverse viewpoints on timely subjects relating to the region.
Reservations for the October 14 luncheon featuring Kirby White are required by Monday, October 12 and can be made by calling 518-431-1440 (through the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by e-mail at albanyroundtable@yahoo.com. The luncheon will be held at the University Club of Albany and the cost is $15. Lunch will be served from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Excerpt of Jaime Correa's speech on KunstlerCast
http://kunstlercast.com/shows/KunstlerCast_67_Jaime_Correa.html
Thanks to James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary for making this happen!
Thanks to James Howard Kunstler and Duncan Crary for making this happen!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Talk about Albany is still on the table, 30 years later
By PAUL GRONDAHL, Times Union Staff writer
First published in print: Thursday, May 28, 2009
ALBANY-- The Albany Roundtable will celebrate its 30th anniversary in much the same way it began in 1979, with a provocative talk on urban planning, followed by a lively discussion about how to make the capital city more livable.
"The Albany Roundtable was talking about New Urbanism before there was a New Urbanism," said the group's president, Colleen Ryan, who is communications director of the Preservation League of New York State.
She took over the reins of the civic group last year from founder Paul Bray, a writer on urban planning issues who is an associate counsel at the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
"When we started, the concept was called managed growth and there have been other flavors of the months over the past 30 years," Bray said. "Often, it's a matter of two steps forward and one step back. There's still a lot of work to be done in Albany."
The 30th anniversary event will be held tonight at the University Club in Albany. The speaker is Jaime Correa, an architect and professor at the University of Miami. About 120 people have signed up. The group has a paid membership of 60 and its monthly luncheons are open to the public.
Bray was the catalyst for an organization that started in the same decade as Historic Albany Foundation, Urban Cultural Parks and other preservation-minded groups. Banker Mark Patten and attorney James Dennehey were also founders and are still actively involved. The group has hosted more than 200 speakers, including politicians, academics and business leaders.
"We call it networking now, but when we started it was just a forum for leaders and people who were active in the community to come together to discuss issues," Bray said.
Ryan has attracted younger attendees through a Web site, blog and Facebook page.
"We're using social media to strengthen the mix," Ryan said. "We feel that positive things happen when people from different walks of life and backgrounds sit down together to talk about what's going on in their city and their neighborhood."
The group's durability stems from keeping events open to all.
"We're not a club and you don't have to belong in order to come share your opinions and hear what other people have to say," Ryan said.
Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.
To learn more, visit their Web site at http://www.albanyroundtable.com/
First published in print: Thursday, May 28, 2009
ALBANY-- The Albany Roundtable will celebrate its 30th anniversary in much the same way it began in 1979, with a provocative talk on urban planning, followed by a lively discussion about how to make the capital city more livable.
"The Albany Roundtable was talking about New Urbanism before there was a New Urbanism," said the group's president, Colleen Ryan, who is communications director of the Preservation League of New York State.
She took over the reins of the civic group last year from founder Paul Bray, a writer on urban planning issues who is an associate counsel at the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
"When we started, the concept was called managed growth and there have been other flavors of the months over the past 30 years," Bray said. "Often, it's a matter of two steps forward and one step back. There's still a lot of work to be done in Albany."
The 30th anniversary event will be held tonight at the University Club in Albany. The speaker is Jaime Correa, an architect and professor at the University of Miami. About 120 people have signed up. The group has a paid membership of 60 and its monthly luncheons are open to the public.
Bray was the catalyst for an organization that started in the same decade as Historic Albany Foundation, Urban Cultural Parks and other preservation-minded groups. Banker Mark Patten and attorney James Dennehey were also founders and are still actively involved. The group has hosted more than 200 speakers, including politicians, academics and business leaders.
"We call it networking now, but when we started it was just a forum for leaders and people who were active in the community to come together to discuss issues," Bray said.
Ryan has attracted younger attendees through a Web site, blog and Facebook page.
"We're using social media to strengthen the mix," Ryan said. "We feel that positive things happen when people from different walks of life and backgrounds sit down together to talk about what's going on in their city and their neighborhood."
The group's durability stems from keeping events open to all.
"We're not a club and you don't have to belong in order to come share your opinions and hear what other people have to say," Ryan said.
Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.
To learn more, visit their Web site at http://www.albanyroundtable.com/
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