S4 E10: How Authentic Communities Win in the Age of AI with Jim Siplon, EDC Warren County, NY
What if the secret to building a resilient regional economy isn’t chasing smokestacks or mega-factories, but leveraging the irreplaceable “power of place”?
S4 E9: Mastering the “Human Layer” of Cybersecurity: Vicki Marking & Bryan Carr, LayerEight
In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Vicki Marking and Bryan Carr from Layer Eight. Layer Eight is an IT company that recently expanded its presence from Plattsburgh to a new office on Broad Street in Glens Falls.
S4 E6: The AI Equalizer: How Local Businesses Can Compete with Enterprise Giants
Are you a business owner drowning in daily tasks and struggling to scale? In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly sits down with Christopher Crowd, the tech specialist and founder behind Severus AI, a new Glens Falls-based business. Christopher shares how artificial intelligence is no longer just for massive tech giants; it’s a powerful tool ready to level the playing field for solopreneurs and local businesses. From AI voice agents that never miss a lead to customized workflow automations that act as your fractional executive assistant, Christopher breaks down how their platform, Ada, gives you your time back. Discover how implementing private, business-centric AI can revolutionize your customer care, supercharge your social media, and help you fall in love with your business all over again.
S4 E2: Kevin O’Brien, President & Insurance Sherpa, TechFirst Insurance
In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Kevin O’Brien, co-founder of TechFirst Insurance Agency. With a career spanning decades—from working with industry giants like Travelers to leading family-run agencies and bank consolidations—Kevin has seen the insurance landscape transform through technology and private equity.
S4 E1: Spencer Bray & Nic Ketter, Founders, Realize Brokers & Consultants, Glens Falls, NY
What do aviation, cryptocurrency, and a chance meeting at a local cigar bar have to do with the future of real estate in Glens Falls? In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Spencer Bray and Nic Ketter, the innovative co-founders of Realize Brokers. Rejecting the older, traditional methods of property brokering, this duo is rewriting the rules of the local market. Discover how their unique backgrounds—from fueling planes to working in emerging tech at General Electric—led to a real estate agency built on custom digital marketing, intense discretion, and deep community relationships. Whether you are looking to buy, thinking of selling a business, or just want to understand the shifting landscape of Upstate New York real estate, this episode is packed with insider knowledge.
S3 E16: Jared Humiston, President & CEO, Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs)
In this episode, Jared Humiston, President and CEO of Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs), shares his journey from a small startup to a thriving IT service provider focused on proactive cybersecurity, strategic growth, and company culture. Discover how intentional client selection, embracing technology, and investing in team well-being have fueled their success over two decades.
S3 E10: Jason Tyler, Eastern New York, Market Lead, Stark Tech
In this episode, host Ann Donnelly meets Jason Tyler, the Eastern New York Market Lead for Stark Tech. As a new member of the Adirondack Chamber, Jason shares how Stark Tech is transforming from a traditional temperature control company into a powerhouse of holistic building solutions and energy management.
S3 E6: Jacqueline O’Donnell, Author, Founder, Math Educator
In this episode, Ann Donnelly speaks with Jacqueline O’Donnell, founder of Math Refresh. They discuss her journey in creating a math education company that makes math relevant and engaging for students. O’Donnell shares insights on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the benefits of online tutoring, and the importance of creating a safe learning environment. She emphasizes the need to empower girls in STEM and the role of parents in their children’s education. She also outlines her future plans for expanding Math Refresh and her innovative approaches to math education.
S1 E30: Megh & David Howard of Erbessd Instruments, A Global Leader In Machine Health Monitoring
This week, I bring you a very special episode of Building Success Stories—an interview with Megh and David Howard of Erbessd Instruments, a global leader in machine health monitoring. The company has customers in nearly every country and works with 145 distributors and partners worldwide. It has approximately 140 employees working between Glens Falls, two locations in Mexico, a European office in the United Kingdom, and a facility in India added last year.