Archive: Business & Technology

The Tompkins Trust Company Awards for Excellence, which annually recognizes outstanding volunteers and community organizations, has been renamed the James J. Byrnes Award for Excellence in honor of the Ithaca resident and leader of Tompkins Financial Corporation.  Greg Hartz, President and CEO of Tompkins Trust Company, made the announcement during the 29th presentation of the Awards for Excellence, on Monday (May 19).

Tompkins Financial Corporation is contributing $100,000 in Mr. Byrnes’s name.  Byrnes became the President and CEO of the Tompkins Trust Company in 1989, and became the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Tompkins Financial in 1992.  In 2006 Byrnes retired as the President and CEO of Tompkins Trust Company, but continued his position as Chairman of the Board of Tompkins Financial until this month.

“We are proud and delighted to provide further funding for these awards in Jim's name, as he retires from Tompkins Financial.  For 25 years, he has been an outstanding leader in both our company and our community,” said Steve Romaine, President and CEO of Tompkins Financial Corporation.

The Awards for Excellence program recognizes individuals and groups who generously volunteer time and effort on an ongoing basis to help others in Tompkins County.  These individuals also make a significant contribution towards improving the quality of life for others either as a major component of a non-profit organization or through individual philanthropic efforts.  Each winner is recognized with a financial contribution to a charity of the recipient’s choice.

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