Champlain National Bank News

Bank Gives Back to Local Communities This Christmas - 2022

Champlain National Bank employees are once again spearheading projects throughout Essex, Clinton, and Franklin counties to help make the holidays brighter for local families. The Project We Care program at Champlain National Bank partners with local agencies and schools throughout the region to help collect toys, food, warm clothing, and other items, which are provided to people in need in our communities during the holidays. The Bank provides the majority of the funding to fulfill these projects, which is supplemented by the generosity of our employees and people from the communities we serve. Projects are as follows:

Champlain: In partnership with the Mooers Community Giving Tree, tags are available to be picked up at our branch, which list warm winter clothing items needed by students from Mooers Elementary. To help: give us a call at (518) 983-3314 or stop by the branch to pick up a tag. Please return the clothing unwrapped by December 9 with the tag attached.

Crown Point: Working with Crown Point Central School District, we will be collecting gifts for children in need who attend the school. The Crown Point branch has a Christmas tree full of tags, each listing a local child’s wish and need. These gifts need to be returned wrapped with the tag attached by December 12. We’re also collecting non-perishable food and hygiene products to give to these students and their families. To learn more or to help, please call (518) 983-3322.

Elizabethtown: Continuing a long-standing tradition and partnership with Adirondack Community Action Program, our branch will once again be a drop off location for ACAP’s Holidays are for Sharing Toy Drive. We are asking the community to help us find items for older children (like hats, gloves, basketballs, footballs, lotion and body wash sets, makeup, ear buds, etc.) New and unwrapped items can be dropped off into a large collection bin inside our lobby any time during business hours. The deadline is December 15. Please call the branch at (518) 873-6347 with any questions.

Keene: We are collecting warm clothing for local children and senior citizens in need, working in conjunction with local churches and the Keene Valley Neighborhood House. To help: give us a call at (518) 576-9515 or stop by to pick up an angel or mitten tag, which will give details about the person’s size. Gifts need to be returned to the branch by December 16 and can be either wrapped or unwrapped with the tag attached.

Lake Placid: We are collecting toys, toiletries, clothing, and gift cards for the North Elba Community Christmas Fund. Tags listing a local child’s Christmas gift wishes will be in the branch. Please return the unwrapped gift to the Lake Placid branch by December 12. If you need more details about the Christmas Fund, you can call (518) 523-7070.

Plattsburgh Downtown: Working in partnership with Stafford Middle School, help us purchase needed items for older kids Christmas. Tags listing a child’s need and even wishes are located at our branch. We ask that you return the gift wrapped by December 16. Give us a call at (518) 562-1785 to learn how you can help.

Plattsburgh (500 Route 3): Working in partnership with Plattsburgh High School, help us purchase needed items for older students Christmas. Tags listing a child’s need and even wishes are located at our branch. We ask that you return the gift wrapped by December 16. Give us a call at (518) 561-6000 to learn how you can help.

Saranac Lake: We are collecting toys, toiletries, clothing, and gift cards for the North Elba Community Christmas Fund. Tags listing a local child’s Christmas gift wishes will be in the branch. Please return the unwrapped gift to the Saranac Lake branch by December 12. If you need more details about the Christmas Fund, you can call (518) 304-5200.

Westport: In partnership with Boquet Valley Central School District, we will be providing gifts for children who another social service agency might not reach. The Westport branch has a Christmas tree full of tags, each listing a local child’s wish and need. These gifts need to be returned wrapped with the tag attached by December 12. You can also donate spare change into special change jars located at Westport businesses and we’ll put it towards these gifts. We’re also collecting non-perishable food and hygiene products to give to these families. Call (518) 983-3316 to learn how you can help.

Willsboro: We are collecting food for the Willsboro Food Pantry to help keep their shelves full during the holiday season, and to fill Christmas Baskets. Any non-perishable food can be dropped off in the box located in the lobby during business hours. For any questions, please call (518) 963-4201.

“Employees of Champlain National Bank are always looking for ways to give back to their communities, and Project We Care has become our signature annual event that allows us to take care of some of the most vulnerable people in our area. We know that the holidays can be difficult for people in need, so we hope our Project We Care initiatives help make the season a little easier for our neighbors,” said Jackie Hallock, Director of Marketing. “It’s also important to us that everything collected goes to families and children in need in the North Country and Adirondacks.”

Donation to Local Nursing Home

The Press Republican included our recent donation to the Essex Center in their Spotlight on Business section.

Champlain National Makes Donation of 'Beauty' to Essex Center Residents

ELIZABETHTOWN — On August 15, Champlain National Bank donated a large amount of beauty products to the residents at Essex Center in Elizabethtown.

The bank is holding these collection drives for various area nursing homes as they donate many top requested items such as lap blankets, socks, slippers, soaps, sponges, shampoo, perfume, aftershave, combs, brushes, toothpastes, toothbrushes and many lotions.

“The smiles on the faces of our residents after seeing this incredible donation spoke a thousand words,” Beth McLaughlin, recreation director at Essex Center said.

“They surely loved everything the bank brought in. The folks at Champlain National Bank have the biggest hearts.”

Essex Center Administrator Tara Vilardo echoed Beth’s remarks and also thanks the bank deeply.

Essex Center Donations

Jay Winthrop Appointed to Champlain National Bank Board of Directors

Peter S. Paine, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Champlain National Bank and its holding company, Champlain Bank Corporation, is pleased to announce that at a recent board meeting, Jay Winthrop of Greenwich, CT was elected as a new member of both Boards.

"Jay Winthrop's extensive experience as an investment advisor managing, via his firm Douglass Winthrop, some $4.5 billion in assets will bring valuable experience to our Board,” Peter S. Paine, Jr. remarked. “In addition, he is familiar with our area as a result of his long association with the Paine family."

Mr. Winthrop is a managing partner of Douglass Winthrop Advisors LLC, a New York-based registered investment advisory firm. Before cofounding the firm in 2000, he worked at JP Morgan Chase and predecessor firms. Mr. Winthrop currently serves as chairman of the Conservation Fund and was previously chairman of American Farmland Trust, both in Washington, DC. From 2014 through 2016 he served on the U.S. State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. Mr. Winthrop received an AB from Harvard College in 1986 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1992.

On joining the Board, Jay Winthrop said, “As one who has travelled to the Adirondacks for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact Champlain National Bank has in the communities it serves in this wonderful part of the country. I’m honored to join the Bank board and support the good work of the bank and its terrific employees in the years ahead.”

Jay Winthrop

Champlain National Bank Awards $4,000 in Scholarships to 2022 Graduates

Champlain National Bank gave $4,000 in scholarship money to graduating seniors throughout Essex, Clinton and Franklin Counties at graduation ceremonies in June. Recipients of the Champlain National Bank Scholarship receive $500 towards college expenses. Champlain National Bank Scholarships are awarded every year at graduation to students from school districts within the three counties who will be attending college in the fall.

Winners

Willsboro Central School: Anna McShane, daughter of Michael and Melinda McShane from Essex. Attending SUNY Plattsburgh to study Arts and Communication.

Boquet Valley Central School: Jude Brearton, son of Timothy Brearton and Dava Clement from Elizabethtown. Attending SUNY Plattsburgh to study Law and Justice.

Crown Point Central School: Noah Spaulding, son of Warren and Falynn Spaulding from Crown Point. Attending Siena College to study Business.

Keene Central School: Lacey Lawrence, daughter of Jill Lawrence from Champlain. Attending SUNY Plattsburgh to study Business Administration.

Plattsburgh Central School: Andrew Knowles, son of Robert and Nicole Knowles from Plattsburgh. Attending Rochester Institute of Technology to study Finance.

Northeastern Clinton Central School: Thomas Gilbo from Champlain. Attending SUNY Plattsburgh to study Economics.

Lake Placid Central School: Weber Jane Hemsley, daughter of Stuart Hemsley and Petra Weber from Lake Placid. Attending St. Lawrence University to study Business.

Saranac Lake Central School: Elizabeth Owens, daughter of Kenneth and Jennifer Owens from Bloomingdale. Attending St. Lawrence University to study Business.

Champlain National Bank Plans Move to New Saranac Lake Location

Steven Cacchio, President and CEO of Champlain National Bank, is pleased to announce the Bank will be moving its Saranac Lake branch to a new location at 151 Church Street. This new branch will increase convenience with drive-through access, an after-hours depository, and enhanced deposit-taking ATM. It will provide clients with all bank products and services, including business accounts and loans, in addition to a robust mortgage offering.

“We see this as a natural progression of our presence in Saranac Lake, and look forward to making another investment in both our bank and our community,” said Cacchio.

The Bank is working with local contractors for the project, including Black Mountain Architecture from Saranac Lake, JFP Enterprises from Plattsburgh, Northwoods Engineering from Saranac Lake, and Marvin Land Surveying from Lake Placid.

The new branch is scheduled to open in the fall.

John Perley Retires From Champlain National Bank Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Champlain National Bank will be saying goodbye to one of its longest serving members in 2022 who is retiring. John Perley, who served as President and CEO of the Bank from 1989 until 2006, continued to make meaningful contributions after retirement as a member of the Board, including returning to serve as interim President and CEO in 2015.

Mr. Perley had a long career in the banking industry starting at Chemical Bank in 1961. In additional to Champlain National Bank, he also served as President of Amoskeag National Bank in Manchester, NH. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth. Mr. Perley was a member of the American Bankers Association and served on the Government Relations Council. He was also involved in many local community groups, including the CVPH Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh.

“Under John Perley’s leadership, Champlain National Bank was transformed from a modest institution, operating solely in Essex County, to a dynamic regional bank with branches in Clinton and Eastern Franklin County,” commented Peter S. Paine, Jr., Chairman of the Board. “When he took over as President in 1989, the Bank had $60 million in assets. Today we have $450 million.”

Reflecting on his retirement, John Perley noted: “My wife Suzanne and I spent 17 wonderful years living and working for the Bank in Essex and Clinton Counties. I want to thank the many great people and organizations that extended their support and kindness to us during our 33 years involved with the Bank.”

John Perley

Employee Promotions Announced - April 2022

Steven Cacchio, President and CEO of Champlain National Bank, is pleased to announce the following employees have been promoted:

Desiree Maze to Learning, Development and Employee Engagement Manager. Desiree joined Champlain National Bank in 2021 as the Branch Manager of both Plattsburgh branch locations. She has more than 15 years of banking industry experience, which includes retail bank management, consumer and commercial lending/banking, business development, and employee training and development.

Desiree Maze

Ralitsa Livermore to Branch Manager of both Plattsburgh branches. Ralitsa started with Champlain National Bank in 2017 as a Teller. She was promoted to Elizabethtown Assistant Branch Manager in 2020 and Branch Manager of the Elizabethtown and Westport branches in 2021. Ralitsa came to the Bank with international experience in client service, having worked in the travel and hotel industries with Marriott hotels in San Diego, California. She holds a BS from the University of Economics in Varna, Bulgaria in Business Management. Ralitsa enjoys spending time with family, pets, traveling, staying active for herself, and within her community.

Ralitsa Livermore

Lena Robetoy to Branch Manager of both Elizabethtown and Willsboro branches. Lena became an employee of Champlain National Bank in February 1991. Before that, she received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Northeastern Christian Jr. College in Villanova, PA. Lena stays active in the community by being involved with the Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Group. She also serves as the Treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 551 in Elizabethtown.

Lena Robetoy

Maja Giambalvo to Lake Placid Assistant Branch Manager. Maja was hired in 2019 and was quickly promoted to Vault Teller in 2020. Maja is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a B.S. in Economics. Born and raised in Serbia, she enjoys traveling around Europe and going back to Serbia to visit her family. In her free time, she enjoys listening to crime podcasts, reading, and watching movies.

Maja Giambalvo

Bank Donates Infusion Chair to CVPH in Memory of Employee

Champlain National Bank and its employees donated $5,000 to The Foundation of CVPH so they could purchase a new chair for the Infusion Center, in memory of long-time employee, Lori Boren. Lori, who passed away in September 2021 after a battle with cancer, was the Downtown Plattsburgh Office Supervisor for many years, and was the first face many would see when they entered the branch. The Bank also purchased a leaf on the Tree of Life display in the FitzPatrick Cancer Center in her honor.

“We were all devastated by Lori’s passing, and wanted to come up with a special way to honor her. When we heard that The Foundation of CVPH was looking to purchase these new chairs, we felt like it was a perfect fit,” said Jackie Hallock, Vice President and Director of Marketing. “The employees donated $1,000 of their own money towards the chair and the Bank chipped in the rest. It was truly a generous act of love for our friend and colleague, whom we all miss.”

“We were so touched by this special gift,” said Kerry Haley, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy. “Turning a loss into an act of kindness will impact so many people who use our Infusion Center. Our staff is committed to the compassionate care they provide and donations, like this, further build upon their efforts to create a positive experience for our patients.”

The new chairs in the Infusion Center are designed to promote patient comfort and staff safety, and include a power height adjustment and power reclining positioning. They also feature ultra-comfortable contoured layered foam seating and a USB port for patients to plug in their electronics to help pass the time during treatment. The new chairs can accommodate any type of treatment in the Center, which will provide flexibility as to where patients can be stationed.

Long-Time Colleagues of Lori Boren: Anne Franks, Lisa Roberts, and Lori Hebert, along with Kerry Haley (The Foundation of CVPH)

Infusion Chair Plaque

Tree of Life in the FitzPatrick Cancer Center at CVPH

Tree of Life Leaf in Memory of Lori Boren

New Hires Announced

Steven Cacchio, President and CEO of Champlain National Bank, is pleased to announce the following new hires:

Desiree Maze has been hired as the Branch Manager of both Plattsburgh branch locations. Desiree has more than 15 years of banking industry experience, which includes retail bank management, consumer and commercial lending/banking, business development, and employee training and development.

Desiree Maze

Brian Ellsworth has been hired as the Elizabethtown Assistant Branch Manager. Brian comes to the Bank with eight years in the banking industry as a Head Teller and Customer Service Representative. He graduated from Siena College in 2013 with a B.S. in Accounting. He is an avid sports fan and has been a North Country resident most of his life.

Brian Ellsworth

Jennifer Tedford has been hired as the Human Resources Manager. Jennifer is responsible for all aspects of human resources and payroll. Before Champlain National Bank, she worked in Human Resources for a local manufacturing company for more than 20 years.

Jennifer Tedford

Champlain National Bank Gifts CAP Scholarships to North Country Students

Champlain National Bank has pledged $5,250 in scholarship money to North Country High School Students to be able to take college courses at Clinton Community College, while still in high school. The CAP (College Advancement Program) Scholarship through CCC, allows high school students to complete college-level education courses at a lower (or no) cost, in addition to helping students feel “college ready”, increasing their chance of success.

“We are honored to support educational opportunities for local students at Clinton Community College,” President and CEO Steven Cacchio said. “CAP is an excellent way for high school students to start obtaining college credits.”

“Support of the CAP Scholarship program is an investment in the community. We are grateful for the commitment Champlain National Bank has made to the North Country in providing access to education. This partnership will allow us to continue assisting deserving high school students in Clinton County and illustrates Champlain National Bank’s dedication to our region,” said Megan Morrissey-Kelley, Associate Director of Institutional Advancement.

Clinton Community College’s CAP allows high achieving students to earn college credit through approved courses at ten local area high schools. The objective of this concurrent enrollment program is to improve the likelihood of local high school student success in transitioning from secondary to post-secondary institutions, as well as increase the number of local students who choose a higher education pathway. The Clinton Community College Foundation incepted the CAP Scholarship program in 2002 in an effort to increase availability of the program’s benefits to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Desiree Maze, Megan Morrissey-Kelley (Clinton Community College), Dr. John Kowal (Clinton Community College)

50th Anniversary of the APA Features Peter Paine Jr.

With 2021 being the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), we want to salute our Board Chairman Peter Paine Jr., who was part of the Temporary Study Commission that formed the APA, and to thank him for his subsequent service as a member of the APA Board for 25 years.

Champlain National Bank provided broadcast support to Mountain Lake PBS to air a new documentary, A Wild Idea, which tells this important story about land use in New York State, and features Mr. Paine prominently as he shares his unique perspective on how the APA came to be. To learn more about the documentary and about Mr. Paine’s role in the formation of the APA, click on the links below.

A Wild Idea

In His Sixth Decade of Fighting for the Adirondacks

Champlain National Bank Named Top Trustworthy Bank Brand

Champlain National Bank was ranked #3 out of all banks in New York for “Trustworthiness of Bank Brand” in a recent issue of Banking Northeast Magazine. We are so humbled and proud of this honor.

The Best Banks In The Northeast