Increase your bottom line by developing relationships with successful professionals in the Capital Region.

Capital District Business Leaders, established in 1979, is a regional networking business group. We meet at a local area restaurant in the Capital District every Thursday morning where we network with members, exchange leads for future business, and enjoy a hot breakfast served to our table!

CDBL Mission Statement:

The Capital District Business Leaders enhance the growth of members' businesses by providing a forum for the exchange of business leads, products and services. Our name represents excellence and respect for our clients, community and professions. We are committed to contributing back to the community.

CDBL Officers for 2008:

History of Capital District Business Leaders

Capital District Business Leaders was started in 1979 by three individuals who were looking to help each other grow their businesses. They started meeting in a Schenectady bowling alley to trade business leads and information. Soon they were meeting weekly and were able to recruit other businesses to their group. As a result, they outgrew their meeting place and moved to a local restaurant. They then created by-laws to govern the group. A key provision was that they would limit membership so that each member occupies a unique category, and do not compete with each other. They also created a newsletter to share leads with the entire group.

During the 1980's and 1990's, CDBL moved to new meeting locations to accommodate growth in membership. Currently we meet at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center's Scrimshaw Room, 496 Albany-Shaker Rd.

CDBL meets on Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. except for holiday periods or occasionally when the group is participating in another activity, such as assisting the regional food bank.

Testimony to CDBL's success is the fact that five members have been with the organization for more than ten years and 12 have belonged for more than five years.

Past Presidents of Capital District Business Leaders

1985 Lee Sitzer -Barry, Bette and LaDuke
1986 Merilee Marsh - Marsh and Donohue Advertising
1987 Budd Mazurek - Sales Consultants of Albany, Inc.
1988 Merilee Marsh - Marsh and Donohue Advertising
1989 Jim Van de Wal - Capital District TriMark Inc.
1990 Steve Nagle - Nagle Law Office
1991 Ken White - Shearson Lehman Bros.
1992 Gary Torino - G.J. Torino Insurance Agency
1993 Paul Rosamilla - Alchar Printing Group
1994 John Glasser - Advanced Telecomunications
1995 Barry Levine - The Negotiators, Inc.
1996 Stan Blanchard - Stan Blanchard Photographer
1997 Genevieve Connor - Adaptive Computer Technologies
1998 John Cotrofeld - Payroll Service Center
1999 Dave Lindsey - First National Bank of Scotia
2000 Dan Simpson - Conley Associates
2001 Donna Bates - Recovery Management Systems
2002 Peter Pollak - Empire Information Services
2003 Alan Rosenberg - Time Warner Cable
2004 Barry Levine - The Negotiators, Inc.
2005 Bob Bucher - Design Logic Associates Inc.
2006 Chuck Shank - Shank & Falvey Insurance
2007 Samanth Bloom - Lipeles Graphic Design

Capital District Business Leaders, Inc.
P.O. Box 14352, Albany, NY 12212-4352