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April 20th, 2001
CONTACT: Linda McCandless, llm3@cornell.edu, 315-787-2417
by Linda McCandless
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Suggested caption: Vincent Scalise, chairman of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce (left) presents Jim Hunter (right), Director of the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, with the 2001 Business of the Year plaque. CREDIT: NYSAES/Cornell |
GENEVA, NY: The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, in Geneva, NY, was named business of the year by the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner, on April 6. At the same time, the Chamber awarded the Citizen of the Year to Stephen DeRaddo, Executive Vice President of the National Bank of Geneva.
Chamber Chairman Vincent Scalise made the awards. He cited the Experiment Station's mission, and the fact that it had an annual budget of over $21 million, employing 303 people, who "contribute to Geneva's schools, civic organizations, local businesses, and community events," as reasons for the award. He said the Chamber also recognized the "innovative community partnership" the Station was involved in with the City of Geneva and Ontario County to develop the Cornell Agricultural and Food Technology Park on 70 acres of land immediately adjacent to the Station.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Station, Director Jim Hunter thanked the Chamber and the selection committee, admitting he was more accustomed to thinking of the Station as an educational institution than a business. "I am very proud of our people," said Hunter, "and believe that is what has brought this recognition to the Station." He cited the many ways that Station faculty, staff, graduate students, spouses and children contribute to the community. He acknowledged the importance of the Ag & Food Tech Park, and hopes to succeed in bringing new jobs and economic opportunities to Geneva.
Geneva native David Rickey, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego-based Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC), was the keynote speaker. Rickey grew up in Geneva and is a 1974 graduate of DeSales High School. Speaking of the Station's plan to build a high tech research park, he called it "very smart" for Geneva "to leverage what it already has" which is a critical mass of experts in agriculture and food technology.
Dave's father, George F. Rickey, retired as a Senior Research Support Specialist in the Experiment Station's Food Science & Technology Department in 1983, where he had worked since 1947, managing the Feed and Fertilizer Laboratory.
