Local business leaders participate in Emerging Leaders program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honored the owners of 17 participating companies in its Emerging Leaders program at a graduation ceremony in Syracuse on Nov. 2, 2016.

The intense program, providing more than 40 hours of advanced management training, has been a collaboration of the SBA Syracuse District Office with CenterState CEO, CNY TDO, City of Syracuse Office of Neighborhood and Business Development, Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc., MACNY, Onondaga County Office of Economic Development, Onondaga SBDC, SUNY ESF, Syracuse SCORE, The Falcone Center, The Tech Garden and the WISE Women’s Business Center.

Now in its sixth year, Syracuse is one of 51 participating Emerging Leaders locations nationwide. With the 2016 class, 95 Central New York entrepreneurs have completed the program since it launched in Syracuse. The Emerging Leaders program targets small companies that have the potential for rapid expansion and job creation.

Nationally, Emerging Leader graduates have secured more than $1 billion in government contracts and accessed $73 million in new financing.   Graduates also reported having created nearly 2,000 new full-time jobs since the program’s inception.  Sixty-two percent of surveyed participants reported an increase in revenue while 70 percent of those surveyed reported maintaining or creating new jobs in their communities.  To learn more about the Emerging Leaders program, please visit www.sba.gov/ny/syracuse.

SBA Emerging Leaders Class of 2016 Graduates include:

Morgan Marzano, China Towne Furniture & Mattress, Solvay

Marazano is proud to represent the third-generation of locally- owned, family-operated China Towne Furniture and Mattress, the One Big Store in Solvay. She joined the China Towne team following the completion of her bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College in 2012. Her favorite aspects of working in the family business are the opportunities it provides to consistently learn and grow professionally, create diverse local and regional connections, and provide life-changing services to better local households, businesses and communities. She is proud to carry on her family’s tradition of helping the greater Syracuse area actualize each customer’s home décor dreams and get a better night’s sleep.

Jonathan Massett, Valley Auto, Onondaga

Jonathan Massett founded Valley Auto in 2005. Since that time, he has grown the business to encompass a full range of automotive sales and repair services. He has overseen growth of the staff and a major physical renovation to the property, allowing for a diverse group of tenants to inhabit the building as well. Massett also has a record of success in residential property, and enjoys beautifying homes in disrepair. Outside of his professional career, Massett enjoys entertaining, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his family especially his wife Sarah and sons Jonathan Jr. and Henry.

Gregory Steencken, Immediate Care West, Camillus

Gregory Steencken was born in Syracuse and grew up in Camillus, NY. Steencken completed his BA in Biology at SUNY Binghamton, followed by his MD at SUNY Upstate. While there he met his wife, Amanda, in the library. From there it was to Bethlehem, PA to complete a residency in emergency medicine, then on to San Jose, CA for a sports medicine fellowship. In 2009, the Steenckens decided to return to Upstate NY to raise a family. After a few assorted jobs in area ERs and urgent cares, Steencken decided to become his own boss and became a partner in Immediate Care West in 2012.

Peter Wiles, Mid-Lakes Navigation Co., LTD., Skaneateles

Peter Wiles and his three siblings operate Mid-Lakes Navigation Co., LTD. Wiles became president of Mid-Lakes in 1992. Mid-Lakes is a family business with a 50 year history of providing waterborne enjoyment on Skaneateles Lake and the Erie Canal. Mid-Lakes offers cruises lasting from 50-minutes to seven days, providing guests simple sightseeing or fully-catered affairs. Mid-Lakes Hireboats provide the opportunity to explore New York’s Erie Canal and you’re the captain! Peter is a 37-year member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He serves on the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and is a founding member of Canal NY Marketing and Business Alliance.