The History of Capital District Business Leaders

Capital District Business Leaders was started in 1979 by three individuals who were looking to help each other grow their businesses. They started meeting in a Schenectady bowling alley to trade business leads and information. Soon they were meeting weekly and were able to recruit other businesses to their group. As a result, they outgrew their meeting place and moved to a local restaurant. They then created by-laws to govern the group. A key provision was that they would limit membership so that each member occupies a unique category, and do not compete with each other. They also created a newsletter to share leads with the entire group.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, CDBL moved to new meeting locations to accommodate growth in membership. Currently we meet at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 496 Albany-Shaker Rd.

CDBL meets the first three Thursdays of each month at 8 a.m., except for holiday periods or occasionally when the group is participating in another activity, such as assisting the regional food bank.

CDBL Officers 2024:

President: Teresa Freeman
Vice President: Walter Guiles
Secretary: Terry Hamlin
Treasurer: Nick Marchese

Board Members at Large:

Alan Baker  (Speakers & Greeters Chair)
Frank Paladino (Leads Chair)
Josh Jennings (Membership Chair)
Will Berglund (Special Events Chair)
Chuck Shank

Past Presidents of Capital District Business Leaders

2023: Jeff Dorrance – Premium Mortgage Corp.
2022: Josh Jennings – Tech Valley Office Interiors
2021: Mike Corey – LeChase Construction
2020: Rob Shauger – Confidata
2019: Jordan Modiano – Express Employment Professionals
2018: Dawn Morrison – The KarMa LLC
2017 Andy O’Reilly – Stanley Security Systems
2016 Terry Hamlin – First Data Merchant Services
2015 Ken White – UBS Financial
2014 Ed Beisler – Keller Williams
2013 Jeff Stedge – Integrated Technology Solutions
2012 Scott Lusher – Lawrence and Pearson Associates
2011 Nancy McKiernan – Charles Street Studio
2010 Scott Schroeder – Jan-Pro of the Capital District
2009 Alan Baker – Creative Marketing Concepts
2008 Chris Hebbard – First National Bank of Scotia
2007 Samantha Bloom – Lipeles Graphic Design
2006 Chuck Shank – Shank & Falvey Insurance
2005 Bob Bucher – Design Logic Associates Inc.
2004 Barry Levine – The Negotiators, Inc.
2003 Alan Rosenberg – Time Warner Cable
2002 Peter Pollak – Empire Information Services
2001 Donna Bates – Recovery Management Systems
2000 Dan Simpson – Conley Associates
1999 Dave Lindsey – First National Bank of Scotia
1998 John Cotrofeld – Payroll Service Center
1997 Genevieve Connor – Adaptive Computer Technologies
1996 Stan Blanchard – Stan Blanchard Photographer
1995 Barry Levine – The Negotiators, Inc.
1994 John Glasser – Advanced Telecomunications
1993 Paul Rosamilia – Alchar Printing Group
1992 Gary Torino – G.J. Torino Insurance Agency
1991 Ken White – Shearson Lehman Bros.
1990 Steve Nagle – Nagle Law Office
1989 Jim Van de Wal – Capital District TriMark Inc.
1988 Merilee Marsh – Marsh and Donohue Advertising
1987 Budd Mazurek – Sales Consultants of Albany, Inc.
1986 Merilee Marsh – Marsh and Donohue Advertising
1985 Lee Sitzer -Barry, Bette and LaDuke