Watertown Daily Times, N.Y., careers and commerce column [Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.]

Apr. 25--STAFFING CHANGES AT BANK: Community Bank has made a promotion and a new hire in its Potsdam branch.

Duane M. Pelkey has been promoted to commercial banking team leader and will oversee a team of commercial and business bankers in St. Lawrence, Franklin and Essex counties.

Mr. Pelkey has 20 years of banking industry experience, most recently as commercial lender overseeing the bank's Leasing Partnership Program in New York and Pennsylvania. He started with Community Bank as a branch manager in Corning.

Mr. Pelkey is past president of Potsdam Rotary Club and active board member. He serves on the boards of Canton Potsdam Hospital and the Potsdam Community Development Corp. He graduated from Massena High School and from SUNY Potsdam, with a bachelor's degree in English/writing.

Mr. Pelkey resides in Madrid with his wife, Laurean, and three children.

The bank also hired Matthew J. Rollins as commercial loan officer in the Potsdam branch.

Mr. Rollins will be responsible for serving business customers and assisting branch lenders with duties within the commercial lending field.

Mr. Rollins is a graduate of the Alfred University, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

NAMED MANAGER: Daniel Burke has been named store manager at Lowville Tractor Supply Co. store that is under construction, according to District Manager Lynn Leiterman.

Since joining the company in July 2006, Mr. Burke has served as team member and team leader at Watertown Tractor Supply Co. store and assistant manager at the Fulton and Baldwinsville locations. Before joining Tractor Supply Co., Mr. Burke was brand central manager at Sears Hardware Store in Oneida and worked in automotive sales.

The new Lowville Tractor Supply store, at 5710 Number Four Road, will open in early May.

AGENT EARNS DESIGNATION: Rick Roberts's Allstate agency at 21093 Route 12F in Watertown, has been designated a Premier Service Agency for 2010. This designation is awarded to agents who have consistently demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable, and personal customer experience.

Mr. Roberts can be reached at 779-1990 or [email protected].

AGENT HONORED: David DeRemer of Watertown qualified for President's Club with the Mutual of Omaha Companies for 2009. Mr. DeRemer has earned honor club status with Mutual of Omaha for 36 consecutive years. In addition, he was the top disability income producer and top annuity producer of the year for the Ray Togias Agency, Syracuse.

SALON LEADER HONORED: Sandra Cole, leader of the JCPenney Salon in Salmon Run Mall, was recognized for outstanding performance in 2009.

The salon was one of 59 salons out of 982 in JCPenney stores presented with the company's Champion Award. The awards were given at a ceremony April 16 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Careers and Commerce contains news about the local business and professional communities. Send your news to Business Editor, Watertown Daily Times, 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, or to [email protected].

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