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 E5: Building a Foundation of Trust: How Northern Builders is Expanding the Trades and Workforce Growth
In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with co-founders Mark Stewart and Nic Denno. After merging their independent contracting companies in 2020, Mark and Nic have scaled Northern Builders into a regional powerhouse. They pull back the curtain on how their background in public service forged an unbreakable business partnership, how they are actively combating the skilled-trades workforce shortage, and what it takes to manage sustainable business growth in Upstate New York.
S4 E4: Ray Agnew, Vice President, Hospital & Community Engagement, Glens Falls Hospital
In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with F. Raymond “Ray” Agnew, the Vice President of Hospital and Community Engagement at Glens Falls Hospital. Ray shares his fascinating career trajectory, which began at the Crane School of Music, where he studied music composition and theory.
S4 E3: John Snyder, Executive Director, The Park Theater Foundation, Glens Falls, NY
In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with John Snyder, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Park Theater Foundation in Glens Falls, New York. Relocating from a remote village in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, John brings a unique blend of experience in the performing arts and nonprofit leadership to the historic downtown venue. Listen in as they discuss John’s community-driven vision for the theater, exciting new summer programming, and his ultimate goal to get Glens Falls audiences up out of their seats and dancing.
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 E20: Sharon Horton, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Northern Saratoga, Warren, Washington Counties
In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly sits down with Sharon Horton, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. With a rich background spanning hospitality and major nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and NAMI, Sharon brings a wealth of operational and advocacy expertise to the region’s housing challenges. Sharon discusses the profound, generational impact of homeownership, the organization’s strategic pivot to modular building to combat rising costs and weather delays, and the exciting new initiatives on the horizon—including a powerful “Women Build” project in Hudson Falls.
S3 E19: Kevin Kroeze, Owner, The Use Less Store, Glens Falls NY
Embracing Sustainability with the Use Less Store in Glens Falls
Discover how Kevin Kroeze has revolutionized local shopping with his eco-friendly refill store, bringing sustainable habits to Glens Falls. Learn about innovative products, community impact, and tips to start reducing waste today.