The Mission of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program is to promote member engagement, commitment, and retention by:

• Raising awareness of chamber events and benefits,
• Informing and involving new chamber members to continue stable membership,
• Encouraging participation in the chamber’s programs
• Serving as a liaison between the chamber staff and members,
• And much more!

Ambassadors consist of volunteers from the Chamber membership who donate their time to assist the chamber in various activities. Their dedication and efforts are appreciated and highly valued by the board of directors, chamber staff, and members. They are the backbone of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce, the front-line representative, and assist in promotion, volunteer support and development of various chamber events. Would you like to apply to be an Ambassador? Contact the Chamber at (518)456-6611 or info@guilderlandchamber.com or download the application here (PDF).

Leslie Horn Trosset, CEO, Leslie Horn Marketing, LLC.

Getting to know and support the small business owners who help make Guilderland such a great place to visit and shop is my favorite part of being a Guilderland Chamber Ambassador. With all the challenges businesses are facing, we want them to know that we’re here to help make owning a business in Guilderland easier, especially when it comes to spreading the word. 

As a small business owner, your attention is pulled in many different directions, and often marketing and strategic business planning is pushed to the next day – and the next. Imagine how much easier things would be if you had a plan. For over twenty years, I’ve been helping small business owners find clarity in their messaging, marketing, and social media through proven marketing strategies and business coaching. 

Stephen Hout, Branch Manager – Keybank

Steve Hout has been an Ambassador of the Guilderland Chamber since June of 2017. Steve is currently the Branch Manager of the Guilderland KeyBank in Star Plaza, right next door to the Chamber. Steve has been at this location since April 2017 and managed the Altamont KeyBank office prior to coming to Guilderland.  Steve has been with KeyBank for over 5 years now and was in retail management for 4 years prior to taking on a career in banking. Steve graduated from SUNY Brockport in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management. Throughout his professional career Steve has realized how crucial it is to network and bring other professionals together to help each other succeed in their individual career paths by utilizing individual’s unique skill sets and resources. The chamber is one of the strongest networks of professionals, business owners and centers of influence in the community that come together for a common cause: The continued growth of our local business, economy and community traditions.

Amanda LaForte, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, EXIT Realty Empire Associates

Hello, my name is Amanda LaForte. I have been a resident of the Guilderland area my entire life. I have a lot of family roots in this area. My grandmother grew up on Western Avenue where Dunkin Donuts is today, and right in front of the chamber office. I graduated from Guilderland High School in 2008. I spent many years working in the childcare field for the Guilderland & Duanesburg YMCA Childcare programs and have worked in private daycare/preschool settings. I made a transition to a different career in 2019. I began working in the office field completing basic tasks for a friend’s construction business. I also have self-taught myself the social media and website world. In  2019, I interned with the Guilderland Chamber, assisting with planning events, updating the chamber’s website and Facebook page. All a wonderful experience that I am truly thankful for. The chamber environment introduced me to my current career, Real Estate. I received my license in September of 2019. In May 2020, I joined EXIT Realty Empire Associates. By the fall I had become the office’s administrator and soon a valuable member of the EXIT Family. I am truly grateful to have an amazing real estate broker, teacher, and friend Jennifer Vucetic.

In my personal life, I love camping in the Adirondacks with my family each summer. I love arts & crafts and do it yourself type of projects.  I am an active member of the Hudson Mohawk Chapter Pioneer Gas Engine Association, Inc. aka “Gas Up” in Schoharie, NY. Each year the second and third weekends of June we host an event showcasing all forms of antique machinery from the Industrial Revolution time. Each year we have thousands of people attend from all over to witness history in action. For more information about “Gas Up” www.facebook.com/gasup.

Nancy Levis, Chamber Ambassador and Former Town of Guilderland Employee

I am currently retired from the Town of Guilderland, working at the time for the Town Supervisor. This is when I first became involved with the Chamber when attending many of the events offered to business members. As a longtime Guilderland resident, I wanted to remain active in the community and the Ambassador position allows me to stay involved as a social networking opportunity with staff and members.  I support the growth of local business, and I like to be part of a team encouraging businesses to retain their membership with the Chamber, and promoting new membership opportunities to existing businesses!

Pat Slavick, Chamber Ambassador, Former Guilderland Town Board Member

I have lived in Guilderland for many years and served on the Guilderland Town Board for 21 years (2000-2021).  During this time, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet many Guilderland business owners.  I just recently joined the Guilderland Chamber Ambassadors as a way to remain connected with the Town and local businesses, as well as to provide support to our local businesses, which are an important and vital part of our community.  I always say “shop local”.

I also volunteer for Community Caregivers, St. Madeleine Sophie Church and am a member of the Guilderland Traffic Safety Community. 

Rhonda Stansfield-Krutz, Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager – NBT Bank – Guilderland

Rhonda began her banking career as a teller in 1985.  Then attained a degree through S.U.N.Y. Empire State College in Economics and Business.  Rhonda has held many different types of banking positions over the course of her career. They include the Legal and Recovery Dept., Operations, Business Banking, and Retail.  Rhonda is currently the Branch Manager of the Guilderland Office at NBT Bank. Rhonda also serves on the Board of Directors for the Warren, Washington, Albany ARC and on the Travers Wine Tasting Committee which is the largest fund-raiser for LifePath (previously known as Senior Services of Albany).  Rhonda is currently in her second term as the Chairman of the Board for the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce. Rhonda is honored to be given this task and look forward to working with the other board members and the staff at the Chamber.

Cindy Wadach, Chamber Ambassador

Cindy Wadach has been a Guilderland Chamber Ambassador and volunteer for over seven years. My full-time “business” is socializing, and I’ve been the Social Butterfly of Guilderland ever since retiring from my position as director of senior services for the Town of Guilderland.  I became a Chamber ambassador as a way to honor and support our local businesses, but a fringe benefit has been meeting so many wonderful people.  Besides the Chamber, I volunteer for Community Caregivers, Guilderland Library Foundation, Guilderland Fire Department Auxiliary, and Christ’s Church.  A fun fact about me is that I love wishing people a Happy Birthday, and my list currently includes over 300 names – so please let me know if you want to be added!