Vice President News from Ian Harper
I hope everyone is well and enjoying the start of the new academic year, along with the energy that the students bring to campus.
Thank you to everyone who attended our semi-annual divisional meetings in early September and to those of you who provided feedback. On the whole, the new format of the meeting (particularly the panel discussion) was well received and, as always, we will be looking to incorporate your feedback into future meetings. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank BASC for the excellent food they served and a big thank you to Laurie for all of the organizing that these sessions require.
I always welcome your input, good or bad, so that we can make changes for the betterment of the division. For example, we have listened to your feedback on the monthly Mystery Photo competition and have made a change that will allow more people to have the opportunity of winning, so please check that out. Also, we have increased the value of the Dining Coupons and expanded where they can be redeemed (see page 8), as part of our recognition program for “doing something above and beyond, making a difference on campus,” so thank you and keep sharing your feedback.
During September, I attended the SUBOA (State University Business Officers Association) Conference in Albany. This was an opportunity to connect with other business officers across SUNY as well as with key staff at SUNY Central. We discussed a range of topics from budget to facilities to procurement to legal. It’s helpful to be reminded that the challenges and opportunities in front of us are the same across SUNY. We did have an interesting discussion around the potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and its benefits in helping with work-life balance.
I also attended the Courage Bowl luncheon at Saint John Fisher University ahead of the football game that took place at the weekend; unfortunately, we lost in overtime. This tremendous event, the amazing work that Camp Good Days carries out, and the way the football players and coaching staff embrace the occasion and the children impacted by cancer, is a great reminder that there are a lot of good people in the world.
Take care and thank you for all that you do.
Departmental News
Brockport Auxiliary Services Corporation (BASC)
BASC Dining Services is teaming up with campus and community partners for a One Core dinner event on October 22 at Harrison and Brockway Express Dining Halls. The campus community is coming together to celebrate local NYS apples with delicious food and festivities. BASC’s One Core event focuses on culture, community, and the future. Come enjoy a delicious menu featuring many NYS products including local apples (plus a guest chef!) and learn about the benefits of sustainable agriculture and eating local. Plus, students can engage with campus and community partners for a chance to win prizes like an Apple Airpods Pro 3! Festivities include apples from Kirby Farm Markets, games with Campus Recreation, education from Res Life & Learning Communities, information from the NYS Apple Association, and more! The main event with all activities will be at Harrison Dining Hall. Brockway Express will feature a smaller-scaled version. Join us at either location. This event will be the apple of your eye this fall!
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS)
We are excited to share an important update about the structure of BITS. As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service and aligning with the evolving needs of our campus, we have implemented a new leadership structure designed to make our organization more agile, proactive, and responsive. The following key roles have now been introduced within our IT leadership team:
- Carl O’Connor, Business Manager – Responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, vendor management, and ensuring operational efficiency across IT services.
- Krystal Reagan, Director of Customer Support – Focused on enhancing the user experience through responsive service desk support, training, and frontline support.
- John Perevich, Director of Systems and Networks – Leading the design, maintenance, and security of our core infrastructure to ensure reliability and scalability.
- Jeff Thompson, Director of BITS Project Management and Enterprise Applications – Overseeing enterprise systems, application development, and project delivery to support institutional goals.
- James Onley, Information Security Officer (ISO) – Focused on developing, implementing, and overseeing information security policies and strategies to protect the University.
Additional Organizational changes include:
- Tanasee Conner, Assistant Director of BITS Project Management – Leading the BITS project management process and managing projects.
- Mike Gamin, Assistant Director of Enterprise Applications – Responsible for leading the enterprise application integrations and programming.
These changes are more than just title changes — they represent a shift toward a more collaborative, service-oriented, and forward-thinking IT organization. By clearly defining leadership roles and areas of responsibility, we are better positioned to:
- respond quickly to campus needs and technology trends
- deliver projects with greater efficiency and transparency
- strengthen partnerships across departments
- provide a seamless and consistent customer service experience
We believe this new structure will empower our teams to innovate, adapt, and deliver the high-quality services our campus deserves. Thank you for your continued support as we evolve to meet the future of technology at SUNY Brockport.
Separately, the migration to Teams Calling is progressing well:
(and updates will continue via the BITS Newsletter)
- 324 of ~1,500 lines migrated (Phases 1–3 complete)
- Early deployments included:
- IT, CELT, Accountability & Assessment, University Communications
- Drake, Fannie Barrier Williams, SERC, Tuttle North/South, Edwards, Thompson, and all residence halls
- Project Leadership:
- Led by Mark Maglietto, with support from Sam Lewis and networking students
- Thanks to Terry Eason for foundational work prior to retirement
- Next Steps:
- Phases 4 & 5 pending phone shipment and coordination with SUNY/OSC
- Phase 6 (call centers & critical departments) planned for winter break
- Timeline: Full migration expected by March
Finance & Management
Since July 1, 2025, the Procurement & Payment Services Office has processed 593 purchase orders and 965 payment vouchers, and the Print Shop and Mailroom worked tirelessly to print and mail 60,000 admissions mailings to prospective students. Now that’s a lot! Great teamwork!
Employees in the Spotlight!
New Employees
- Facilities Maintenance and Operations welcomes four new Cleaners: James Schemanski, Miquellia Dettman, Tyler Goodman, and Zachary Lujan. They also welcome Justin Edlich as a new HVAC Plant Utilities Assistant, and Parking & Transportation Services welcomes Tyler Passamonte as a new Office Assistant.
- Finance & Management’s Campus Services Department welcomes Zachary Price, who joined the Print Shop Team as a Print Equipment Operator.
- Human Resources welcomes Kierston Thomas as our new Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Jennifer Senter as our new Investigator and Compliance Specialist, and Lorie Breed as a new Recruitment and Retention Specialist.
Please join us in welcoming all of our new folks to SUNY Brockport!
Promoted Employees:
- Finance & Management’s Procurement & Payment Services Department welcomes Deborah Vivian who joined the Central Stores Team as an Office Assistant, previously with Facilities Maintenance & Operations Custodial. Congratulations!
BizLibrary suggested course of the month
Dealing with Toxic Coworkers (8 minutes long; rated 4.5 / 5 stars) – This video lesson is intended to teach you how to recognize toxic behaviors and respond appropriately at work. Inevitably, you’re going to run into negativity at work in some form or another. It could be an employee on your team who likes to gossip. It could be a coworker in another department who always sees the downside of any situation. You need to be able to manage your response to this negativity in order to ensure you stay high performing and positive at work. By following the tips from this lesson, you’ll be able to remain positive and understand how to work effectively with all your coworkers.
Our Semi-Annual Division Meetings – September 8 & 9, 2025
Answer Key to “Who’s that baby?”:
- Bill McNamara – BASC
- Erika Johnston – F&M OSAA
- Gary Morog – Facilities P&C
- Michael Oher – BITS
- Johnna Frosini – FMO Parking
- Pam Turner – BITS
- Brittany Narburgh – F&M Budgeting
- Elizabeth Gorall – F&M OSAA
- Jean Gilman – BASC
- Carl O’Connor – BITS
- Ezgi Erdogan – HR
- Ian Harper – VP AF
- Deborah Ferris - BASC
- Laura Merkl – F&M SRSP
- Tammy Gouger – HR
- Laurie Smith – VP AF Office
- Kurt Pijanowski – BITS
- Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall – F&M
- Jeff Thompson – BITS
- Tanasee Conner – BITS
Winners of the Candy Jar Guess:
Kyle Rombaut of Facilities HVAC won at the Night Staff meeting, with a perfect guess of 289 candies!
Wanda Wells of Facilities Custodial won at the Day Staff meeting, with the closest guess of 276 candies (answer was 277)!
Congrats to them both!!
Mystery Photo – New Process!!
24 Hour Chance to Win a Gift Card!
This photo was recently taken somewhere on campus.
If you would like to submit a guess, you must be an A&F Division Employee and send an email to lausmith@brockport.edu *within 24 hours* of this newsletter distribution with “Mystery Photo” in the subject line and the name of the person pictured and their exact location (building & floor) in the body of the email. All correct guesses will be entered into a drawing for one $15 Amazon Gift Card – this way, all employees, no matter their shift, have a chance to win! This was suggested in feedback from our September 8-9 Division Meetings – thank you for that suggestion!!
Last month’s image was of Scott Haines at some stairs on the Second floor of the SERC – and the winning guesser was Nick Leone of HR, which won him a $15 Amazon Gift Card!
August 2025 Green & Gold Star Awards
- Julie Caswell (FMO): For great collaboration to honor the life of Miller Mietus through the bench dedication. Thanks!
- Angelo Cole (FMO/PTS): Way to represent PTS and Campus Ids at all new student orientation sessions.
- Angelo Cole (FMO/PTS): Excellent job designing promotional materials for PTS and Campus IDs.
- Stephen Cook (BITS): An inspiring manager who drives innovation and fosters a supportive, collaborative team.
- Marley Derosia (BASC): Thank you for invaluable support during the Golden Eagle Orientation.
- Cameron Forsythe(FMO): For supporting us with building a (huge!) desk in an emergency - and making sure it’s just right!
- Cameron Forsythe(FMO): Thank you for helping the CELT department move and for helping with setting up the furniture.
- Beth Gregory (FMO/EHS):Beth assisted with BASC’s annual fire extinguisher training in Aug. I appreciate Beth’s partnership!
- Kayla Guck Amo (FMO/PTS): Way to represent PTS and Campus Ids at all new student orientation sessions.
- Mary Kochmanski (BITS): For helping solve two issues facing the Department of Journalism and Social Media.
- Julie Letourneau (F&M / PPS): For always supporting and encouraging with a fantastic attitude - it is greatly appreciated!
- Shawn Maher (BITS): We are so grateful for all of your guidance and support in transitioning to Adobe Sign!
- Theresa Martinez (FMO): For your ready support in an emergency - and willingness to do more, as needed!
- Terri Martinez (FMO): Thank you for going out of your way to help with CELT’s move.
- Chris martinez ( FMO / PTS): Way to represent PTS and Campus Ids at new student orientation sessions.
- Pat Maxwell (BITS): We are so grateful for all of your guidance and support in transitioning to Adobe Sign!
- Laura Merkl (F&M /SRSP): Fantastic assistance with preparing budgets and letter of support for a federal grant submission!
- Kevin Montano (BITS): Kevin’s amazing efforts & energy toward our Campus ID program is much appreciated.
- Parking & Trans. Svcs. (FMO/PTS): Thanks to the entire PTS team for your help manually updating approx 600 transactions at collections.
- Kurt Pijanowski (BITS): For your help in setting up the IT in my new office - without hesitation and with great care!
- Megan Radder (F&M / PPS): For going above and beyond EVERY SINGLE DAY!
- Gabe Rivera (FMO): Gabe is helping to spruce up Hazen Hall with his exceptional painting skills. Thank you!
- Dian Robak (FMO Custod): Thank you for all your hard work preparing offices for CELT to move into. We appreciate you!
- Dian Robak (FMO): For making my new office - and our break room in Drake! - look beautiful! And so quickly!
- Jeff Thompson (BITS): For taking the time to help me with an issue in the midst of a very busy time. Thank you!!
- Jeff Thompson (BITS): For your help with faculty success issues, leading to my having a cleaner, more organized email box.
- Connor Winkely (FMO): Connor has been going above and beyond his call. Bringing amazing teamwork and attitude daily.
October Birthdays
- Kirsstin Althoff
- Kevin Anderson
- Joseph Arno
- Frederick Banks
- Marcia Brown
- Calvin Cavagnaro
- Angelo Cole
- Jason Conn
- Audrey Corby
- Kevin Derrane
- Robert Fisher
- Peter Gattie
- Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall
- Dora Henry
- Nicholas Heveron
- Robert Johnson
- Gina Johnson
- Andrew Jones
- Jason Knab
- Kevin Manners
- Christopher Martinez
- Patricia Maxwell
- Robert McAllister
- Frances Moore
- Joe Peles
- Ty Pharoah
- Jessica Pruss
- Kallee Quill
- Sara Strait-Mcquoid
- Jeffrey Thompson
- Nathan Trembley
- Jasmine Wells
- Cynthia Wolfe
- Carmen Wyse
- George Yankanich
October Work Anniversaries & Years of Service
- Brad Menear, 29
- Chad Collins, 28
- Robert Johnson ,28
- Kevin Manners, 27
- Sarah Plain, 24
- Christine Passarell, 21
- Wanda Wells, 21
- Cameron Forsythe, 20
- Jason Knab, 20
- Sharon Engle, 18
- Steve Mallaber, 18
- Michael Baird, 16
- Joseph Arno, 15
- Alicia McGuire, 15
- Darlene Sietmann, 13
- Diane Staub, 13
- Sally Avino, 11
- Sue Clase, 11
- Wayne Thorn, 10
- Erel Lozano, 9
- Tammy Jo Manz 9
- Mark Watt, 9
- Nabil AL Rashdi, 7
- Peggy Barringer, 7
- Bonnie DeZarn, 4
- Amy Freeman, 4
- Gina Johnson, 4
- Linda Mason, 4
- Jill Trimble, 4
- Hanna Guck, 3
- Nicholas Heveron, 3
- Kayla Manners, 3
- Thomas Spoto, 3
- Amy Whitlatch, 3
- Robert Skrzypek, 2
- Karen DiMarzo, 1
- John Oliver, 1
- Anthony Olivieri,1
- Mary Ontiveros, 1
- Brooke Prince, 1
- Janet Traino, 1
- Dan Walterick, 1
Fall 2025 Dining Coupons:
For Fall 2025, we have increased the dollar amount of our BASC Dining Coupons from $5 to $10, and some can now also be used at the Harrison or Brockway Dining Halls! If your Department head or other supervisor(s) see you doing something above and beyond, making a difference on campus, you could be rewarded with one!
Events Coming Up
Oct 3 (4:00-5:30 p.m.) – First Friday in the Alumni House
Oct 8 (5:00-8:00 p.m.) – EOP & BSG’s semesterly Campus-wide Kickball Tournament in Tuttle South
Nov 7 (4:00-5:30 p.m.) – First Friday in the Alumni House
Nov 7 (6:45 p.m.) - Reliant Federal Credit Union Scoreboard Ribbon Cutting in the Wegmans Ice Arena
Every Friday! – Green & Gold Fridays – everyone is encouraged to wear their SUNY Brockport gear / colors!
Check out our inclusive SUNY Brockport Events Calendar
Webpage Links for Reference:
Leadership Newsletters (see 5th topic down)
Vice President for Administration & Finance (A&F)
Brockport Auxiliary Services Corporation (BASC)
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS)
Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FMO)
Facilities Planning & Construction (FPC)
- Budgeting Office
- Procurement & Payment Services (PPS)
- Scholarship, Research, & Sponsored Programs (SRSP)
- Office of Student Accounts & Accounting (OSAA)
Human Resources & Payroll (HR)
If you have news you’d like included in a future issue, please email to Laurie A. Smith (lausmith@brockport.edu).