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US Ceiling Corp President Melissa Geska to be inducted into Circle of Excellence on May 25, 2021

Rochester, N.Y., April 2, 2021 — Rochester Business Journal has selected Melissa Geska, president of US Ceiling Corp as a Circle of Excellence honoree.

Established in 2018, the Women of Excellence awards recognize high-achieving women for their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to mentoring. Forty winners were selected by a panel of judges comprised of previous Women of Excellence and Circle of Excellence honorees.

In addition, 10 women will be inducted into the Circle of Excellence. The Circle of Excellence recognizes women of longstanding, notable success in the community who are leading the way for other women. These honorees were selected by Rochester Business Journal editors from among previous Women of Excellence winners.

“The 2021 Women of Excellence honorees are blazing trails professionally and personally. Their leadership, accomplishments and commitment to mentoring are extraordinary,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, group publisher of the Rochester Business Journal. “These high-achieving women are breaking barriers and lifting up the Greater Rochester community. We at the Rochester Business Journal are pleased to honor them.”

The Women of Excellence awards will be presented at an online celebration at 5:30 p.m. May 25. Each of the winners will be celebrated for their achievements through video storytelling. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations and cheers using social media platforms from their homes or offices. For tickets, visit https://rbj.net/events/women-of-excellence/. The event hashtag is #RBJevents.

Winners will be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the May 28 issue of Rochester Business Journal and will be available online at rbj.net.

For information about sponsorships and tickets for the Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence awards, visit http://www.rbj.net or email Suzanne Fischer-Huettner at opens in a new windowshuettner@bridgetowermedia.comcreate new email.

About the Rochester Business Journal

For 34 years, the Rochester Business Journal has served as the leading source of business news and information in Rochester, N.Y. In addition to its website,  opens in a new windowrbj.net, and weekly print publication, the Rochester Business Journal publishes more than 25 special products a year including Book of Lists, Explore Greater Rochester, RBJ 75 and Schools Report Card. The Rochester Business Journal also honors leading Rochesterians through 11 annual awards events including Forty Under 40, Icon Honors, Women of Excellence and Reader Rankings. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing and more. Rochester Business Journal is part of BridgeTower Media, one of the country’s leading business-to-business media companies with more than 40 print and digital publications in more than 25 U.S. markets.

2021 Circle of Excellence Honorees

Mary Walsh Boatfield, Ability Partners

Marisa Geitner, Heritage Christian Services

Melissa Geska, US Ceiling Corp

Cindy Langston, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Colleen Matteson, Bank of America

Diane Cooney Miner, St. John Fisher College

Lesli Myers-Small, Rochester City School District

Deana Porterfield, Roberts Wesleyan College

Karen Zandi, Mary Cariola Center

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, Rochester Downtown Development Center

2021 Women of Excellence Honorees

Anne Babcock-Stiner, PathStone Corporation

Yolanda Benitez, Wegmans Food Markets

Jennyrae Brongo, Homesteads for Hope, Inc.

Myra Brown, Spiritus Christi Church

Lisa Butt, Society for the Protection and Care of Children (SPCC)

Laura M. Cooney, Bergmann

Providence Crowder, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

Terri Cubiotti, Mason Marketing, LLC

Annika D’Andrea, Tender Loving Family Care, Inc

Nadine General, Dixon Schwabl

Tracie Glazer, Hillel Community Day School

Edith Grannum, Family Medicine Practice of Edith Grannum MD

Christina Gullo, Villa of Hope

Erica Harper, Harper Danesh LLC

Lisa Harris, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Kimberly Jones, Butler/Till

Diana Kurty, Wayside Technology Group

Lorisa LaRocca, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Cait Loury, Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts

Kimberly McKinsey-Mabry, Monroe Community College

Linda Moroney, Low to the Ground Productions

Carolyn G. Nussbaum, Nixon Peabody LLP

Tina Paradiso, Ampie Enterprises Inc dba Imprintable Solutions Ink

Lindsay Prichard-Fox, Tiver Built LLC

Laura Purcell, Harris Beach PLLC

Sujatha Ramanujan, Luminate Accelerator

Jennifer Rodriguez, Livingston County

Natalie Rogers-Cropper, Garth Fagan Dance

Jennifer Schwartzott, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

Carrie Starr, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College

Kaye Stone-Gansz, LaGasse Machine & Fabrication and Stone Goose Enterprises

Cicely Strickland-Ruiz, United Way of Greater Rochester

Julia Tedesco, Foodlink

Elizabeth Thorley, Thorley Wealth Management

Michelle Trott, CPL

Ellen Wayne, Wayne County Department of Social Services

Karen Webber, Webber CPA, PLLC

Stephanie Wells, Person Centered Services

Anne Wilder, Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI)

Maureen Wolfe, ESL Federal Credit Union

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Company founder steps down after 20 years

WEBSTER, N.Y., March 30, 2021— US Ceiling Corp, an award-winning commercial, multifamily and residential interior subcontracting firm, today announced the retirement of chief operations officer, Ed Geska.

Geska, whose construction career spans more than four decades, served as COO since founding US Ceiling Corp in 2001. The company celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and Geska leaves the firm in tenacious shape, as his experience and leadership played a crucial role in its success. Throughout his tenure, Geska was instrumental in achieving unprecedented growth and client retention while improving operational efficiency and promoting innovation.

“US Ceiling has benefited enormously from Ed’s contributions and impressive leadership,” says company president, Melissa Geska. “His expertise, enthusiasm and drive have helped get us where we are today, and I am infinitely appreciative for the lessons and knowledge I gained from working alongside him the past 20 years. Together with the rest of the US Ceiling team, I would like to thank Ed and wish him our best during his retirement.”

“Although I am retiring, I am confident as US Ceiling moves forward under Melissa’s leadership, it will continue being an award-winning and successful company for many years to come,” says Geska. “My memories are full of many beautiful moments that are a source of great pride and I feel blessed to have witnessed the passion and teamwork of a company of ladies and gentlemen that are unrivaled.”

About US Ceiling Corp

Founded in 2001, US Ceiling Corp (usceiling.com) is a NYS Certified M/WDBE subcontracting firm that offers extensive experience in commercial, multifamily and residential construction, including acoustical ceilings and drywall; insulation and air barrier systems; metal stud and wood framing; finished carpentry and general trades; and construction management. The Webster, N.Y.-based firm’s consistent stability and growth stem from the hard work and dedication demonstrated across its expanding footprint, allowing a broad reach of services for local and out-of-town projects. With an unwavering commitment to diversify the construction industry, US Ceiling Corp aims to empower the Rochester community and partners with like-minded organizations, including the Urban League of Rochester’s YouthBuild Program, to provide skilled trades training and employment opportunities.

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February 16, 2021

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of Happiness House Phase II Apartments, a $9.7 million affordable and supportive housing development in the town of Canandaigua, Ontario County. The complex provides 30 affordable homes for individuals, families and seniors, with nine apartments reserved for individuals who have previously experienced homelessness. Happiness House Phase II Apartments is part of Governor Cuomo’s unprecedented $20 billion, five-year affordable housing plan to provide all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing. The development also builds on the Governor’s overall strategy to revitalize communities and grow the economy across the state. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested $639 million in the Finger Lakes region to create or preserve nearly 7,700 affordable homes.

Read NYS’ full press release hereopens PDF file .

The tragic events in Minneapolis and countless other incidents of police brutality and injustice across the U.S. have left so many of us feeling outraged and vulnerable. We share your anguish and are devastated that these incidents remain part of an ugly, long-standing history tracing back centuries, where black people in our country have been oppressed, marginalized, discriminated against and murdered because of the color of their skin.

At US Ceiling Corp, we condemn and denounce acts of violence against the black community and believe we must find effective ways to hold law enforcement accountable, so that peace and healing can envelope our communities. We support all people who experience hatred and violence based solely on who they are or what they look like. And while we’ve always worked to foster and promote diversity and celebrate the power of inclusion, we believe that social justice isn’t the responsibility of any one person or company.

We aren’t suggesting we have all the answers; however, as dialogue and demonstrations intensify, we are acutely fixed on renewing our commitment to justice and thinking critically about who we are as members of the Rochester community and beyond.

Please join us on this journey as we work to affect positive change across our footprint and bolster our company’s vision: Empowering communities where we live and work, where safety, quality of life and opportunities are equitable and shared by all.

Now more than ever, we are reminded about our purpose and why pursuit of this anti-racism ideal should be embraced by everyone. Those with power, platform and agency must make room for those who have been socially excluded or marginalized, and allow their voices and influence to help redesign the systems that will result in a noticeable change within our communities. We have much to do. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work—together.

-US Ceiling Corp President Melissa James-Geska

Williams aims to motivate and inspire US Ceiling Corp’s inaugural class of USC Academy foremen, along with students from his Champion Academy

Access or download the full press release hereopens PDF file :

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the completion of a newly constructed $12 million affordable housing development in downtown Rochester. Charlotte Square on the Loop is the first residential development in Rochester’s Inner Loop East Transformation project, the city’s effort to convert the 1950s era below-grade Inner Loop highway into a vibrant, walkable, safe and at-grade residential and commercial community. The development has 50 affordable and supportive apartments.

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Click the link to read NYS’ full press release: https://usceiling.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Cuomo-Press-Release_Charlotte-Square-Completion_9_24_19.pdf

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WEBSTER, N.Y., June 3, 2019—US Ceiling Corp is pleased to announce the promotions of Gary Black to executive vice president and Michael Johnston to vice president of operations.

Black joined US Ceiling in 2016 as vice president of operations. His contributions to the company have been substantive, as he’s successfully delivered construction projects in all of the markets US Ceiling serves. Black has more than 34 years of experience in all phases of the construction process and will continue utilizing his skills to further enhance the company’s client-service capabilities, concentrating on operations and growth in Western New York. Additionally, he will be available to support projects in other regions when the fit for his talents arises.

“Gary’s contributions to our organization have been invaluable,” says Melissa Geska, president. “His dedication and commitment to our clients, partners and colleagues have played a significant role in US Ceiling’s evolution and as we continue to grow, we will rely on proven professionals like him to support our mission and company objectives.”

Black served in the U.S. Air Force and coaches high school/travel softball in his spare time. He resides in the Ontario, N.Y. area.

A respected leader, Johnston’s construction career spans nearly 20 years and multiple market sectors, including health care, education, commercial and multifamily/mixed-use development. He joined US Ceiling in 2014 as an estimator/project manager and was promoted to chief estimator in 2017.

“During his nearly five-year tenure with US Ceiling, Mike has brought the highest levels of integrity and professionalism to his work, says Ed Geska, chief operations officer. He is a true steward of our company culture and I am confident he will continue playing an integral role in our future growth and success.”

Johnston holds a B.S. in management/finance from St. John Fisher College and is an Ironman Triathlon finisher. He resides in the Webster, N.Y. area.

About US Ceiling Corp

Founded in 2001, US Ceiling Corp (usceiling.com) is a NYS Certified M/WDBE subcontracting firm that offers extensive experience in commercial, multifamily and residential construction, including acoustical ceilings and drywall; insulation and air barrier systems; metal stud and wood framing; finished carpentry and general trades; and construction management. The Webster, N.Y.-based firm’s consistent stability and growth stem from the hard work and dedication demonstrated across its expanding footprint, allowing a broad reach of services for local and out-of-town projects. With an unwavering commitment to diversify the construction industry, US Ceiling Corp is committed to empowering the Rochester community and partners with like-minded organizations, including the Urban League of Rochester’s YouthBuild Program, to provide skilled training and employment opportunities.

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Partnership between Rochester Urban League’s YouthBuild program and US Ceiling Corp aims to bolster and diversify construction community, and help at-risk young adults and priority populations transition to workforce and fill demand for skilled tradespeople

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 16, 2019 – On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) will tour a skilled trades training and workforce development center dedicated to serving at-risk young adults and priority populations in the Greater Rochester area. The 4,000 SF space located at 439 Central Avenue is shared by the Urban League of Rochester’s YouthBuild program and Webster-based subcontractor, US Ceiling Corp, whose joint mission is to foster and promote diversity in construction, and empower lives.

“The training center is a vital contribution that continues to bolster the community and cultivate a new generation of skilled trades workers,” says Morelle. “The only way New York State can secure its building future is by enhancing the skill sets of our existing construction workforce and having highly motivated and qualified workers in the pipeline.”

“The nation’s ability to reconnect unemployed and undereducated young adults is essential for economic productivity,” says John Valverde, CEO of YouthBuild USA. “YouthBuild is a movement of young leaders working to make a change in their lives and their communities, and it wouldn’t be possible without continued bipartisan support for the Department of Labor YouthBuild grant program. Thank you, Congressman Joseph Morelle, for demonstrated support of YouthBuild and for believing in the power of our young people.”

“I want to thank Congressman Morelle for his continued commitment to the Rochester community and staunch support of our organization and its programs,” says William G. Clark, outgoing president and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester. We are encouraged by his leadership as we work to help at-risk and underrepresented individuals gain access to hands-on, in-demand training that can transform their lives.”

“Our company’s success is due in large part to the support and opportunities provided us by the Urban League of Rochester’s Small Business Expansion Program and Economic Development Corporation,” says US Ceiling Corp President Melissa Geska. As such, I am deeply committed to not only enhancing the skills and capacity of our diverse workforce through our USC Academy, but also reaching back to help others in our community who want to build a better future for themselves through the skilled trades.”

YouthBuild Rochester serves disadvantaged and at-risk young adults aged 18 to 24. Using a dual-program model that combines academic instruction and skills training, participants work toward the completion of a high school diploma or GED and earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand construction trades while gaining hands-on experience.

To date, the shared training space has accommodated two YouthBuild cohorts and continues to serve individuals who take part in the Urban League of Rochester’s Urban Apprentice Jobs Training and Reentry programs, as well as US Ceiling Corp employees enrolled in the company’s USC Academy.

About the Urban League of Rochester

The Urban League of Rochester (ULR) was founded in 1965 as an affiliate of the National Urban League and has run the YouthBuild program since 1996. ULR is also an affiliate of the nationally recognized YouthBuild USA Network, which provides support and a learning network for YouthBuild program staff across the country.

About US Ceiling Corp

Founded in 2001, US Ceiling Corp is a NYS Certified M/WDBE subcontracting firm that offers extensive experience in commercial, multifamily and residential construction, including acoustical ceilings and drywall; insulation and air barrier systems; metal stud and wood framing; finished carpentry and general trades; and construction management. The Webster, N.Y.-based firm’s consistent stability and growth stem from the hard work and dedication demonstrated across its expanding footprint, allowing a broad reach of services for local and out-of-town projects. With an unwavering commitment to diversify the construction industry, US Ceiling Corp is committed to empowering the Rochester community and partners with like-minded organizations in the area, including Rochester Urban League’s YouthBuild Program, to provide skilled training and employment opportunities.

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