It is our pleasure to announce Matt Lavoie as an Information Automation Specialist to the Syracuse Headquarters. In his new position, Matt will be responsible for creating and enhancing the company’s ability to manage, monitor, configure, report and track assets through automation. Along with enhancing remote management to reduce reactive support needs while driving efficiencies across all aspects of service delivery. Matt comes to Usherwood from Optanix where he was employed for over five years in many different roles including Application Support, and Product Engineering. His most recent position was Software Quality Assurance. Matt is a certified Scrum Master in the Agile software development scrum framework. In his spare time, Matt enjoys building computers, playing video games and board games.

Keara Connors, Solutions Architect in our Utica office, volunteered with fellow Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce members at the Rescue Mission of Utica, Inc over the weekend. We appreciate all that our employees do to give back to the community in which we serve.

Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, Lindsay Usherwood, was admitted as an attorney and counselor-at-law to the New York State Bar last week! Pictured above at the ceremony in Albany, NY is Lindsay and Company CEO (and father), Lou Usherwood. "I want to thank my family for their support and especially my dad for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to help our company continue to provide the best IT services in the Northeast," says Lindsay.

We are pleased to welcome Tanner Coad as our newest Setup Technician. Tanner is a 3rd generation Coad family member to work for Usherwood and we are proud to have him on board. In his new position, Tanner will prepare printers and copiers for shipment to clients, working out of the Syracuse Headquarters. Tanner comes to us from SUNY Oswego were he worked during the summer in the grounds department. In his spare time, Tanner enjoys watching sports and snowboarding.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT (December 13, 2018) – Usherwood Office Technology is proud to announce the opening of newest and first office in Connecticut. Usherwood’s newest Odyssey Experience Center will be located at 624 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury, CT. This is the company’s 17th office in the Northeast. “The Hartford marketplace represents an incredible opportunity for our company to expand its services and operational footprint,” says company CEO, Louis F. Usherwood. “Our ability to integrate many technologies within the office environment provides us with a unique advantage over our competitors. IT is a sophisticated business and Usherwood has made all the necessary investments to provide our clients with the most stable, secure, and reliable solutions in the marketplace.” Usherwood is an independent family-owned IT solutions provider representing industry-leading manufacturers such as Canon, Xerox, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Polycom, Cisco Meraki, Milestone, Axis, and Samsung. In addition, Usherwood offers local services for managed IT, managed print, unified communications, video conference, video surveillance, digital signage, and mailing solutions. Since 1976, Usherwood Office Technology has been the leading regional provider of Information Technology solutions and services throughout the Northeast serving over 7,000 clients.

We are proud to announce that Laura Cahill has been promoted to Team Leader of the newly formed Unified Communications group, which includes Usherwood’s Managed Solutions Specialists team with coverage throughout the Northeast. In her past 5 years at Usherwood, Laura has held the position of Contracts Administrator and most recently as Sales Analyst. This new opportunity represents both positive changes for the company and Laura. In this position, it will be Laura’s job to help build and develop a team of Managed Solutions Specialists for Unified Communications (UC). UC represents several of Usherwood’s line of businesses to include Polycom video conference, Microsoft Skype for Business, telephony, and digital signage.

We had a record year in our Buffalo branch as our team increased sales year to year by 428%. Making this branch our fastest growing branch of 2018. The steep increase in business allowed us to open a new office, a new sign, and a fresh new outlook for Western, NY. Due to this large increase in sales, we are pleased to announce that we have relocated our offices to our new 5500 square foot Odyssey Experience Center at 50 Corporate Parkway in Amherst, NY. For those familiar with the area we are right across from the Anchor Bar. This new experience center allows our clients to see the very latest in information technology solutions ranging from print management, managed IT, video conferencing and communications, as well as security and surveillance solutions. Our Buffalo branch is headed up by our VP of Sales, Ken Stinson; Buffalo Sales Manager, Nick Osika; and Service Manager, Fred Trybus. All of who have a long history of experience in the IT industry.

Wow! What a great year! We had the opportunity to open over 7 new offices in New England and added an additional 30 employees to our company headcount. In the past year, we have been fortunate and we are very thankful for our clients and our employees whom through we were able to share our most successful year in our company’s history. Usherwood was able to garner several awards this year including The Family Business Award for Business Innovation in Central New York, Best Places to Work in Central New York for the 5th year, Economic Champion in Central New York for the 4th year, and one of ENX Magazines’ Elite Dealers for the 3rd year. In addition, we also received Fastest Growing Business award from Xerox Corporation and an Advanced Dealer Partner award from Canon. What do you do to celebrate such a successful year? Well, you throw a party! We had the great opportunity to gather our entire team from across New England to the Turning Stone Resort Casino on October 26th for our all company 2018 review and 2019 kick-off meeting. The meeting was a huge success and we all became more aligned and focused on our objectives and goals for the new year. The meeting was followed by an outstanding dinner provided by the Turning Stone Resort Casino and we played host to over 240 employees and guests. Afterward, company CEO, Lou Usherwood, and the Usherwood Leadership Group consisting of CTO, Charlie Usherwood; VP of Operations, Cliff Laws; VP of Finance, Andrew Flamik; and VP of Sales, Ken Stinson were able to recognize the efforts of our long-standing and loyal employees. Those employees received gifts to commemorate 5-year, 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year anniversaries with the company. At the same awards dinner, we were able to honor over 20 employees with awards that distinguished both their talents, loyalty, and hard work on behalf of Usherwood.

In a continuing approach to increase professional development opportunities for all employees, Usherwood has expanded its Odyssey Technical Center with the addition of a new training facility in its Syracuse Headquarters. This is an addition to training facility opened in Auburn, MA in March 2018. The training division at Usherwood is headed up by Michael Riordan who serves as the Corporate Field Service Trainer for the Imaging Division. Michael has worked at Usherwood for over 34 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our professional development team. In his new capacity, he has already completed the required “Train the Trainer Program” for all our major manufacturers to include Canon, Hewlett Packard, and Xerox. Mike’s high-level of training allows Usherwood to develop employees to the highest levels, considered by many to be well beyond those offered by direct manufacturers. In addition, he is responsible for teaching imaging theory, MFP equipment operations, product specifications, product capabilities, and advanced software. Usherwood’s professional development also consists and teaches technicians hardware procedures, assembly, disassembly, and reassembly processes, IT troubleshooting techniques, and professional decorum. To complete Usherwood’s stringent training, candidates are tested for their understanding and ability to deliver up to date real world resolutions. Candidates that certify from Usherwood’s internal professional development garner the very latest in imaging field knowledge, imaging best practices, and specific processes that are required during Usherwood’s industry renowned total call process (TCP). In addition, students will be certified for the manufacturers' products and have the ability to escalate to the highest levels of manufacturer support. Usherwood is proud to have our latest Odyssey Technical Center being led by Michael Riordan. The combination of our vast service resources, our 42 years of experience and our legacy knowledge of the industry all but guarantee the next generation of technicians will keep our client's office technology up and running for years to come.

We are proud to announce that Jeffrey Spink has been promoted from Field Service Manager of the Central New York Territory, to Manager of Imaging Services. In Jeff’s new position he will be responsible for the operational leadership of the Imaging Service Division. He will be focused towards driving company objectives and goals, increasing accountability and improving client relationships in all service territories. Jeff started with Usherwood Office Technology on December 31st 2007 as a Senior Technician. Jeff has been an invaluable member of the Imaging Services Team for nearly 11 years. Since his hire date he as demonstrated many leadership skills and received multiple certifications in an effort for improvement within the Service Industry.