Promotion announced

PLATTSBURGH -- NBT Bank President of Commercial Banking Jeff Levy recently announced that Vice President of Commercial Banking Brian Gladwin has been promoted to regional manager of commercial banking for the North Country.

In this position, Gladwin is responsible for developing and servicing loans for large commercial clients. The bank has 12 branches in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties.

Gladwin, based at the bank's office on Route 3 in Plattsburgh, has more than 18 years of banking experience. He has been with NBT Bank since 2004, serving as vice president and commercial banking officer. Before joining the bank, he was vice president of economic development for The Development Corporation in Plattsburgh for three years. Prior to this, he held a number of commercial banking positions for more than 14 years at KeyBank in the North Country.

"Brian is taking over for Mike Beaudin, who recently retired from NBT Bank," Levy said. "We wish them the best in their new endeavors. Together, they have built a solid commercial banking platform for us in the North Country."

Gladwin has a bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University. He is president of the Plattsburgh YMCA board of directors, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Plattsburgh and board or committee member for the Clinton County Empire Zone, North Country Alliance and SUNY Plattsburgh's College Auxiliary Services.

NBT Bank provides personal banking, asset management and business services. The independent community bank, headquartered in Norwich, N.Y., has 85 offices in 20 upstate New York counties. NBT Bank's parent company is NBT Bancorp Inc.

Benefits forum

PLATTSBURGH -- The 2008 Employee Benefits Forum sponsored by Burnham Financial Services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Burgundy Room in Plattsburgh, Airport Plaza, 770 Route 3.

Seminar workshops will be offered as follows:

2009 Health Insurance Marketplace Update, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. This workshop provides a general health-insurance marketplace update including analysis and discussion of the most popular low-cost health-insurance options currently available to North Country employers.

Creating a Healthy Workplace, 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. The workplace has a powerful effect on the health of employees. How healthy a person feels affects his or her productivity and performance, and how satisfied they are with their job affects their own health, both physical and psychological.

Hot Topics in Human Resources -- How to Manage Unemployment Claims Costs, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Robert Banuski, president of HR One Consulting Inc., will discuss another area of cost containment -- unemployment claims costs. One unemployment-insurance claim can cost your firm $10,500. By knowing what to do and how to do it, you can control performance, discipline, separations and unemployment-insurance expenses.

A complimentary continental breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Burnham Financial Services at 523-8100 or bfs@bumhamsolutions.com. Since 1977, Burnham Financial has been dedicated to exceeding client expectations in benefit knowledge, innovative ideas and day-to-day five-star service.

Driver honored