On this episode of Capital Connect, we sit down with brothers Nick and Garrett Bernardo, co-founders of Albany’s own NOVUS. What began as a college side-hustle printing tank tops for their university baseball teammates has evolved into a premier custom sportswear brand that outfits athletic programs, local businesses, and professional athletes nationwide.

Nick and Garrett share the inspiring story behind their brand’s driving mantra, “Claim Your Crown,” and how living with passion, conviction, and perseverance fueled their entrepreneurial journey. Because our mission at GTM HR & Payroll is to help organizations build thriving, engaged workforces, we take a special deep dive into the internal culture at NOVUS. The brothers discuss the principles of servant leadership, how they maintain a tight-knit "family feel" while rapidly scaling their operations, and the intentional strategies they use to build a truly great place to work right here in the Capital Region.

Whether you're a local business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just a fan of community-driven success stories, tune in to discover how to empower your team to chase their dreams both on and off the field!

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about NOVUS: novuscustom.com
• Discover how GTM HR & Payroll can help elevate your workplace culture.

Welcome to another episode of Capital Connect! This week, recorded from our newly built video studio here in Clifton Park, we're diving into what it takes to cultivate a thriving, employee-first culture right here in the Capital Region. We are thrilled to sit down with Andy Heck, President and co-owner of Alpin Haus, an outdoor recreation powerhouse that has been a local staple since 1964.

Andy shares the incredible story of his start in the family business—founded by his father, Bud Heck, as a single ski shop in Amsterdam, NY—and how it evolved into a massive, multi-location operation. Beyond the impressive growth, Andy reveals the specific leadership strategies, HR practices, and core values that have consistently earned Alpin Haus the title of one of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region.

Whether you are looking to elevate your company's hiring and retention strategies, or simply want to learn how a historic local business scales without losing its family feel, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

In this episode of Capital Connect, we cover:

• From Ski Shop to Super Center: Andy’s early exposure to the business, working his way up, and his journey to becoming President.
• Scaling Company Culture: The intentional systems, training playbooks, and leadership tactics Alpin Haus uses to maintain a close-knit environment across its 250+ employees and seven locations.
• The HR Perspective: Actionable advice on employee engagement, recognizing talent, and why prioritizing your team's well-being is the ultimate driver of business success.

About Our Guest:

Andy Heck is the President of Alpin Haus, a premier outdoor recreation retailer specializing in RVs, boats, skis, and pools across upstate New York and New Jersey. A Siena College graduate and dedicated community leader, Andy runs the business alongside his family, continuing a multi-generational legacy of outstanding workplace culture.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Alpin Haus
• Connect with Andy Heck
• Connect with Kito Delgado
• Learn More about GTM

Make sure to subscribe to Capital Connect so you never miss an episode, and stay tuned for more conversations with the leaders shaping our local business community!

What does it actually take to build a company culture that wins awards year after year? In this episode of Capital Connect, we sit down with Darrin Jahnel, CEO and Co-Founder of the Schenectady-based software development firm, Jahnel Group. Known throughout the Capital Region and beyond for their high-energy environment and exceptional employee retention, Jahnel Group consistently ranks as a "Best Place to Work."

Darrin takes us back to the early days, sharing the origin story of how they built the company from the ground up. We dive deep into the intentional strategies, leadership philosophies, and HR practices that drive their incredible workplace culture today. Whether you are a founder scaling a startup, an HR professional looking to boost engagement, or a leader wanting to inspire your team, Darrin’s insights offer a masterclass in putting people first.

• The Origin Story: How Jahnel Group started and the early challenges Darrin faced while scaling a tech firm in the Capital Region.
• Defining Culture: Why a "great place to work" is about more than just office perks and ping-pong tables.
• Hiring for Fit: The specific traits Jahnel Group looks for to protect and enhance their team dynamic.
• Engagement & Retention: Actionable strategies to keep high-performing talent motivated, loyal, and excited to come to work.
• Leadership’s Role: How founders and HR teams can partner to ensure the company's core values are actually lived out daily.

• Learn more about Jahnel Group
• Connect with Darrin Jahnel on LinkedIn
• Discover how GTM HR & Payroll can help elevate your workplace culture

Don't forget to subscribe to Capital Connect on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review!