Chamber Ambassadors

Membership/Ambassador Committee

Welcome to the Chamber Membership/Ambassadors' Page! This dedicated group of volunteers work hard to promote the Chamber and recruit and welcome new members.

Ambassadors welcome new members by:

Attending ribbon cuttings/grand openings and New Member Orientations
Stopping by businesses to say hello and answer any questions about the services and benefits of the Chamber.
Inviting them to upcoming events
Acting as mentors

The Ambassadors also greet attendees at 2nd Networking Mixers, Business Showcases and other Chamber functions. Members of this enthusiastic group generally lend a hand whenever they see something that needs doing!

Part networking group, part leads club, part civic volunteer group and part social club, the Chamber Ambassadors are a great way to get to know other business people in our region, have a bit of fun and keep on top of what's new in the community.

For information on joining the Chamber Ambassadors, please contact Nigar Hale at the Chamber at 371-7748 or by email at nigar@southernsaratoga.org.

2011 Ambassadors


		Matthew Castilla TW Telecom A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Matt has more than 10 years of experience in management and consultative selling. Matt brings a blend of business and technical experience to the Chamber. Being someone who works and lives in Southern Saratoga County, Matt has a vested interest in achieving the goals of the Chamber and being fully involved in the community. Matt is an Account Executive with tw telecom. tw telecom offers highly reliable voice, data, internet and collocation services that are specifically designed to meet the business and technology needs of Capital Region businesses. Matt is part of a tenured technical sales team in Albany specializing in working with your business to deploy network technologies that align and support your specific business strategies. He looks forward to being a resource to the members of the Chamber wherever possible.

		Jenny Crawford JC Sweet & Company Jenny Crawford, owner of JC Sweet & Co., began serving as an ambassador at the Chamber in 2007 as a representative of Leapfrog Marketing. In September of 2009, Jenny Crawford started a website design and management company, JC Sweet & Co. and resumed her role as ambassador. In March of 2011, Jenny Crawford was named Ambassador of the Year for her service to the team, the Chamber, and the local community. JC Sweet & Co. focuses on helping local companies use the internet to improve their visibility in their local market. Her company creates and manages websites, social media profiles, and email marketing campaigns. In addition, Jenny finds herself lecturing at local seminars including the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County’s own Start Up Smart Entrepreneurial Program as well as the SBDC Business Education Seminar series’ located at the University at Albany. Jenny is a connector by nature and prides herself in being a trusted resource for local businesses. She thrives in her role as Chamber Ambassador as she helps to weave new businesses into the culture of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County. Jenny’s success as an ambassador is due to her belief that the best way to build local business is to cultivate relationships and she is eager to educate local business owners on just how to do this by fostering new relationships between current, new, and soon to be new members in our local community.

		Dan Glaser Law Office of Daniel S. Glaser Dan started the Law Office of Daniel S. Glaser, PLLC in 2008, and has been practicing law since 2005. His practice is built around exceeding client's expectations to help with their legal matters. He has a general practice with an emphasis on residential real estate, traffic violations, estate planning, and business law. Dan has been a proud Chamber member since 2009. As a Chamber Ambassador, Dan looks forward to working hard with fellow Ambassadors, the Chamber Staff, and Chamber Members to develop important and lasting relationships among many members that will help businesses and the community thrive. He will take the time to listen to Members and do what is necessary to help them achieve their goals.


		Brian Meers Colt Recycling and Refining Brian Meers, representing Colt Refining & Recycling, has been a Chamber member since 2010. Colt Refining & Recycling is the premier electronics recycling company in the Capital Region and can handle proper destruction of your personal and corporate electronics. As a Chamber Ambassador, Brian’s goal is to provide information, mentorship and support for new members of the Chamber. With his years of experience and successes, he brings a wide variety of experience and knowledge that he freely shares with other Chamber members. He works closely with the other Chamber Ambassadors to promote the benefits of the organization as well as the opportunity to connect with other individuals on a professional basis. He will meet with members at anytime as he knows Ambassadors are a crucial link between the Chamber and its members to help foster an active business environment.

		Ben Neary Grace Communications Ben Neary is in his second year as an Account Manager at Grace Communications, a locally owned and operated Telecommunications company. Ben aligned himself with GraceCom after seeing first hand, their commitment to solving their client’s needs as well as offering them the best and most complete service experience possible. From the hardwiring of a building to the set-up, installation and service of the phone equipment and even the “right-sizing” of your phone bill, GraceCom is a one stop shop for business telephony. Grace Communications is a family owned company with a focus on community and giving back. Ben has been active in many local chambers including Adirondack, Saratoga, Fulton, Schenectady and now the Chamber of Southern Saratoga. As an Ambassador for the chamber, Ben stands beside a group of enthusiastic and committed professionals geared towards the progress of not only their own businesses, but to the strengthening of the local and regional economy.

		Kaz St. John KeyBank Kaz has been in the financial industry for over 12 years and is both licensed to sell real estate and Insurance. Kaz is currently an AVP, Branch Manager with Key Bank in Clifton Park, NY. Kaz has been driven to his career in banking for the fact that he has the ability to help people make true and honest decisions that will benefit there way of life. He has gained valuable experiences through multiple mergers and acquisitions as well as being appointed as a task force leader to train incoming management. Kaz has been involved in every chamber from Albany to the Adirondacks and always have had great experiences and has formed life long relationships. He is a member of local Rotary as well as the Banking Institute of America, and a proud Wilton Youth Baseball coach. He was also selected to the Who's Who among Financial Executives in 2009 recognizing his involvement in the area communities and his leadership. Kaz's passion for meeting new people and deepening the relationships that he has already established will be paramount in his new endeavor into the Ambassadorship. Kaz is looking forward to working with the chamber and the ambassadors to unite our community.

		Mary Catherine White Huntington Learning Center Mary Catherine White is the Executive Director at Huntington Learning Center, Clifton Park. She has been a member of the Chamber since 2008. At Huntington Learning Center, we do more than improve grades, we improve lives. Mary Catherine is thrilled to be on the Ambassador committee, she is looking forward to working with other Chamber members to drive membership and strengthen existing relationships. Mary Catherine is on the board of the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga counties and involved with the Capital District YMCA.

		Ken Herkert National Benefit Equipment & Supply LLC Ken has been in the office technology industry for 18 years, five as a service technician, moving into sales in 1997. Serving the document output needs of the greater Warren County area for 9 years, Ken's success is primarily due to his excellent customer service. His customers' loyalty is a result of his initiative to work with the day-to-day business challenges and find resolutions that exceeds the customer's expectations. Ken credits his involvement with Chambers of Commerce with providing the opportunity to be successful in the business community in the greater Capital District. Ken feels that although there are many Chambers of Commerce around, they do not all function the same. Ken enjoys the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County because the staff provides a welcoming friendly atmosphere.

		Patti Montgomery Patti has been in banking for 20 years. She began her career as a teller for KeyBank at the Ushers Road branch. In addition to her role as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, Patti is a member of Women's Council of Realtors, Women in Business and the Mortgage Bankers Association. She is a past trustee for the Chapman Museum in Glens Falls. Recently Patti joined the Kiwanis. She is assisting with starting a chapter in Clifton Park.

		Dee Pangburn Capital Bank Dee is an experienced and innovative banker at Capital Bank and is always striving to exceed her client’s expectations. The Chamber sponsorship opportunities have given Dee the opportunity to reach many Chamber members and help them by providing advise, products, and services. As a Chamber Ambassador, Dee is looking forward to helping both new and current members get the most out of their Chamber membership. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Dee is a member of the Women in Business Committee at the Chamber, Rotary Assistant District Governor in Southern Saratoga County, and a member of the Glenville Rotary Club. She has served as Chair of the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District, and President of the Scotia Glenville Children’s Museum.