The president and chief executive officer of the Business Council of New York State will make two presentations in Oneonta on Thursday.

Kenneth Adams is speaking Thursday morning at the Holiday Inn and Thursday afternoon at the Elks Club on Chestnut Street.

Adams has been with the council since November.

"We value our relationship with the Otsego County Chamber and Rob Robinson, and our dialogue this month will strengthen that relationship and our joint advocacy efforts," Adams said in a prepared statement.

The Otsego County Chamber is sponsoring both presentations. The first is at 7:45 a.m. Thursday and the second is at 12:15 p.m. The presentations are open to the public.

"We are very pleased to be able to discuss face-to-face the concerns and hopes we have for the region with the official charged with making a difference within the business community and our agenda in Albany," Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Otsego County Chamber, said in a prepared statement.

Reservations are required. People should register for the morning presentation by calling the chamber at 432-4500. Those who want to go to the Rotary presentation should call Sam Koury at 432-0354.

Horticulture educator hired

at Otsego CCE

A West Burlington woman has been hired as a horticulture community educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County.

Jano Nightingale will be the community educator for fruits and vegetables, according to a news release from the agency. She will work with those who grow fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Nightingale also will coordinate the office’s master gardener program.

Cornell Cooperative Extension announced Nightingale’s hiring earlier this week.

She last worked as the master gardener coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie County. Nightingale has a horticulture degree from the State University College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.

NBT hires trust officer

in Norwich

NBT Bank has hired a new trust officer in Norwich, according to a news release.

John Stafford, of Norwich, has joined the bank’s trust and investment division. He will be working in "customer relationship services" for retirement-plan clients, the release from NBT said.

"The addition of John will help us maintain the personalized service we aim to provide for our clients," Timothy Handy, senior vice president at NBT Bank, said in a prepared statement.

Stafford was most recently director of human resources at the Blueox Corp. in Oxford.

He is on the board of directors for the Chenango United Way and is a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

NBT Bank has its headquarters in Norwich.

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To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, e-mail aashbridge@thedailystar.com or call Amy L. Ashbridge at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.