A 1997 Albany High School graduate, Andre Goodbee established a successful Capital Region business by combining an entrepreneurial drive he first learned at home, a professional foundation he experienced as a high school student, and a curious, committed and collaborative approach to achieving his dream.

Goodbee first began to envision himself as an entrepreneur through watching his mother operate her own business. As a student at Albany High, he participated in the Construction Technology program at the high school’s former Abrookin Vocational and Technical Center, now part of the school’s extensive career and technical education programming.

That’s where he began developing an interest in electrical work, and he went on to earn an associate’s degree at Hudson Valley Community College. Soon after, he took a job in telecommunications for the New York State Assembly. A neighbor “sparked” his interest in electrical work, and he began researching the field and the foundational steps of creating his own business.

In 2014, he earned certification as an electrical journeyman through the New York State Department of Laor and then embarked on a five-year apprenticeship through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. During that time, he earned his master electrician license from the City of Troy, and also spent nearly a year working as an electrician on the massive rebuilding project at his alma mater, Albany High.

Following those experiences, and ready to go out on his own, he founded Goodbee Controls and Electrical Contracting Inc. in 2020. The company provides residential and commercial electrical services in the Capital Region and beyond. Goodbee Controls is proficient in all aspects of electrical work, specializing in low-voltage systems such as fire alarms and control systems.

Now his own boss as the company’s CEO, Goodbee stresses the critical importance of being thorough in researching the array of resources available to anyone interested in starting their own business. He also emphasizes networking, building relationships and getting comfortable asking for help.

His best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? 

“Be courageous enough to go after what you want,” he said in a 2022 interview with Spectrum News. 

LaQuetta Alexander is a visionary entrepreneur, educator and workforce development leader dedicated to transforming lives through education and opportunity. A proud 2007 graduate of Albany High School, she has become one of the Capital Region's most influential advocates for healthcare workforce development.

As the founder, CEO, and executive director of Practice 2 Perfect Training Center, Alexander made history by establishing the Capital Region's first Black-owned private healthcare training center. Launching the organization in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned adversity into opportunity, building an institution that has become a trusted pipeline for aspiring healthcare professionals.

Under her leadership, Practice 2 Perfect has trained and nationally certified hundreds of students through comprehensive programs in Phlebotomy, EKG, CPR, First Aid, AED and allied health education. By combining rigorous hands-on training with strategic partnerships across hospitals, medical practices and healthcare organizations, she has helped countless individuals secure meaningful careers while strengthening the region's healthcare workforce.

Alexander's innovation, leadership and commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as an Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree, a News10 ABC Remarkable Woman finalist and multiple community leadership awards celebrating her impact on education, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Beyond the classroom, Alexander is passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her. She regularly provides life-saving CPR instruction, mentors aspiring professionals and champions initiatives that expand access to education and career opportunities for underserved populations.

As a trailblazer and changemaker, Alexander continues to redefine what is possible through education, empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals while creating lasting pathways to economic mobility and community success.

Born and raised in Albany’s South End and educated in the city’s public schools, John Antonio dedicated 33 years to the school district that helped raise him, instilling a lifelong love of, and appreciation for, music in hundreds of the city’s young people.

A 1967 Albany High School graduate, Antonio attended the former College of St. Rose and had his first student-teaching experience at his high school alma mater. He was hooked. 

After graduating from St. Rose in 1971, Antonio began his career as a music teacher at Giffen Memorial Elementary School. He transferred three years later to William S. Hackett Middle School (then a junior high school) and spent the majority of his career there, with additional experience at Albany School of Humanities (then School 23) and the former Philip Livingston Junior High School. 

Antonio also was committed to nurturing music in the community. He led the City School District of Albany’s summer music program for 21 years, and also taught percussion for more than a decade with the Empire State Youth Orchestra. 

A talented percussionist in his own right, Antonio inspired numerous students to excel at, and find joy in, that section of the orchestra. His students ranged from Grammy-nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris – himself a member of the school district’s Hall of Fame! – to future music educators and hundreds of students who found a love for music under his tutelage.

“From the start, John’s unflagging enthusiasm and support have made our daughter want to work hard and be a good percussionist,” one parent wrote in nominating Antonio for the Hall of Fame. “Because of his teaching, her skills have increased dramatically. So has her confidence – confidence that goes far beyond the walls of a concert hall. It is for that gift that we are most grateful.”

A former student who went on to study music in college described Antonio as “a man of seemingly endless enthusiasm for music and education (as well as life!), noting that his commitment to his craft “was an integral part of creating a precedent and higher standard for other music teachers in the district.”

A former student-teacher who went on to his own career in music education after working with Antonio reflected that “the experience of working with John changed my outlook on teaching entirely.”

A former student who went on to become a colleague perhaps summed up Antonio’s impact the best.

“We owe this deep debt of gratitude to John Antonio for seeing in us something we may not have seen in ourselves – for planting a seed that he helped nourish, encourage and coax along to eventually create something beautiful and enduring, that which perpetually permeates our very souls – music.”

Before Jahkeen Hoke was building businesses, he was a lineman for the Albany High School football program, learning a lesson from coach Nelce Givens that would outlast every game he played. 

Old school and unrelenting, coach Givens pushed his players to the edge of their limits and taught them what to do with what they found there. Channel it. Direct it. Build with it. "I wouldn't be here without him," Hoke said.

A 2006 Albany High graduate, Hoke’s roots in Albany run generations deep — the grandson of one of the first Black New York state troopers, a descendant of a Civil War veteran, business owners, and documented enslaved relatives. He grew up in the South End with a stable home, a family that showed up and a football field where discipline was instilled early. Wearing "Albany" across his chest meant something: belonging, tied to a hometown with a long history of triumph worth honoring.

Not every lesson came from a win. 

In high school, a guidance counselor told Hoke plainly that his shot at Division I football was gone — not for lack of talent, but because he'd let his academics slide. Hoke left that meeting and cleaned out his locker while teammates who'd earned their own opportunities looked on. It was the moment that changed everything. Since that day, Hoke has committed himself to excellence — no shortcuts — an energy he still reaches back for whenever the work gets hard.

That discipline carried him to Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in finance, graduating with honors. While working full-time through school, he began sketching the vision for 4th Family. In 2011, he brought it home.

Since then, Hoke has served as CEO and co-founder of 4th Family Inc., now reaching roughly 4,500 students annually through mentoring, STEM programming and wellness initiatives delivered in partnership with school districts, the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, and national partners that include SC Johnson and Microsoft. 4th Family’s reach extends into major sports and entertainment platforms and relationships, including the PGA and Bridgestone, the Junior NBA, NBA and WNBA All-Star Weekend, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, NFL great Larry Fitzgerald and numerous professional athletes — proof that where a kid comes from doesn't define where they can go.

That same instinct carried Hoke into real estate. From 2021-23 as CEO of Business for Good, he managed a $30 million foundation fund for venture philanthropy in the Capital Region, helping to develop the city along the way. That included redevelopment of the former University Club into the new Albany Black Chamber of Commerce headquarters, the building at 134 Central Ave. (now Wallace Turner Law Firm), and the former Lombardo’s Restaurant on Madison Avenue (now Hattie’s Culinary Lab). 

As founder and principal of Hoke Development, he has led more than $20 million in additional acquisitions and renovations. Those projects include the former Mason Hall on Madison Avenue, which is being converted into housing and retail through a Restore NY grant, and the former Sunshine School in Lincoln Park, which will become 4th Family’s new home. His path into development was built on earlier roles with GE Global Research, the City of Albany and KeyBank.

Hoke currently serves as a governor-appointed member on the Empire State Development Regional Economic Development Council, and as vice chair of the Albany Convention Center Authority. He serves on the Bethlehem IDA, the board of the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce and the Beacon Bank Regional Advisory Council. His honors include the 2023 Beacon of Light Award, Albany Business Review “Power 50” honors in 2022 and 2023, the 2018 Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service, two City of Albany "Jahkeen Hoke Day" proclamations, and recognition on the Business Review “40 Under 40” and Saratoga Living “10 Under 40 in Philanthropy.”

“This induction crystallizes my time, dedication and the sacrifices committed to see a better hometown," Hoke said. “Being recognized shows that our efforts matter — and lets the next generation see a path blazed by someone who comes from where they're from.”

Looking ahead, Hoke’s five-year vision is to take 4th Family, Hoke Development and his other ventures to national scale, carrying what he’s built and proven in Albany to communities where the same investment can produce the same lasting impact.

From a football field where a coach taught him to channel pressure into purpose, to boardrooms and construction sites across the Capital Region, Hoke has spent 20 years proving that home is worth building for.

Professionally and personally, Ta-Sean Murdock has poured his energy into creating safe, enriching spaces for young people in Albany.

Since 2007, he has been a permanent fixture in the Albany community, making a lasting impact as the unit director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, a program assistant at Albany PAL, and a devoted volunteer at Giffen Memorial Elementary School. 

Educated in the City School District of Albany until his family moved before his senior year at Albany High School, Murdock understands first-hand the vital importance of positive role models and guidance for local youth. He founded One Team One Dream of the Capital District, a dynamic organization that serves families throughout Albany and the Capital Region by providing foundational programs in arts, education, mentorship and community engagement. 

Today, One Team One Dream bridges vital resource gaps for families through academic tutoring, financial literacy workshops and youth basketball leadership programs. The heart of this operation is its neighborhood headquarters, The Dream Center, which serves both as a beacon for youth development and an affordable co-working space for local entrepreneurs. 

Murdock has championed programs and projects that expand his organization’s ability to serve students and families. In 2023, Murdock, through Grand Street Community Arts, started the redeveloped the former St. Anthony’s Church at the corner of Grand Street and Madison Avenue into a Media Arts and Community Hub. 

In 2025, The Center for Law and Justice, long a leading voice for criminal justice reform, civil rights and community empowerment in Albany, appointed Murdock as its executive director, carrying forward the mission of its late founder, Dr. Alice P. Green, to advance equity and justice across the Capital Region and beyond.

In addition to his community programs and leadership, Murdock is a passionate children’s author dedicated to instilling a positive, resilient mindset in young readers. Channeling his commitment to youth empowerment into literature, he authored the inspiring books "I Am Brave and Right" and "I Can and I Will." Through his writing, Murdock provides children with the daily affirmations and confidence they need to overcome challenges and realize their full potential.  

Murdock’s dedication to our community doesn't stop at the professional level. He remains a familiar face at schools and community events, and in neighborhoods, ensuring that his initiatives are rooted in the people he aims to serve. Community leaders like him make our schools and community a better place.

Richard Ostroff exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a graduate of Albany High School – achievement, leadership and service. A 1978 graduate, he has demonstrated excellence in his career and an unwavering commitment to the community where he grew up and still calls home.

Throughout his professional life, Ostroff has established himself as a respected leader in government affairs and public policy. He is widely regarded as a trusted thought leader, known for his insight, integrity and ability to navigate complex challenges with clarity and purpose. His professional accomplishments reflect not only success, but well-earned respect in shaping policy conversations and driving meaningful outcomes. 

After a distinguished career in New York state government, he founded Ostroff Associates in 1995. A leading government relations and lobbying firm with clients throughout the state and in Washington, D.C., Ostroff Associates is consistently ranked in the top five lobbying firms in New York.

Ostroff’s commitment to public service is equally noteworthy and demonstrates compassion, resilience and a dedication to causes greater than himself. His leadership in raising awareness of, and support for, the former Leukemia Lymphoma Society brought invaluable advocacy and fundraising toward fighting deadly blood cancers. He has helped to educate and inspire, making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Ostroff also is a strong and consistent advocate for athletics as a vehicle to build community and foster school pride. He is a supporter of Capital Region colleges and collegiate athletics, helping student-athletes achieve academic and personal success, and working to strengthen connections between local institutions and the community.

Ostroff is an enthusiastic supporter of local non-profits that make a difference in Albany, underscoring his belief in equity, empowerment and community-driven progress in his hometown. This includes his work with the South End Children’s Café and the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce. 

Through all of his personal and professional efforts, Ostroff continues to advocate for transformational projects and organizations in Albany and the region, with a goal to create opportunities for future generations to thrive.

When the Hollywood moguls took on their writers in a high-profile and contentious labor dispute back in 2023, they learned a valuable lesson: Don’t mess with an Albany High School graduate!

That would be Ellen Stutzman, in this case. She took over as the chief negotiator for the Writers Guild of America West on the eve of their highly publicized 148-day strike in early 2023, and she didn’t back down until Hollywood – officially, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers – caved.

A 1999 Albany High graduate, Stutzman won critically important concessions for her union’s 11,500 members through that negotiation, helping to turn our favorite shows back on and guaranteeing that the talent behind them would be treated fairly as AI continues to reshape our world, a particular point of emphasis in the talks.

Her leadership through the strike and concurrent negotiations also earned the writers increased pay, health and pension contributions, new foreign streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses. 

Variety500 dubbed Stutzman “one of the strike’s folk heroes,” noting that she “tied the studios in knots by sticking to her guns.”

A little more than a month after the strike settled, 97% of the guild’s voting members ratified her promotion to executive director, the position she holds today.

“The first, maybe most important, decision we all made in the course of our 2023 MBA fight was to trust Ellen,” a co-chair of the guild’s negotiating committee said upon her promotion in November 2023. 

Evidence that the producers learned their lesson? The contract was up for negotiation again in early 2026, with Stutzman once again serving as chief negotiator. A deal was done and ratified by more than 90% of the membership in a matter of weeks, without the threat of a strike. 

Negotiating with teachers and administrators wasn’t Stutzman’s MO during her time at Albany High. She was on the swim team and ran track, participated in the Chinese Club, wrote for the school newspaper and worked on the yearbook. 

While none of those extracurriculars directly led her to a career in labor organizing, she did enjoy the community aspect of the activities, and growing up in a city and state with high union enrollment also was formative for her.

Stutzman graduated from Albany High in three years. She then spent a year abroad in Hong Kong before earning a bachelor’s degree from the Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell University. 

Her first job was as a researcher for SEIU Local 399 in Los Angeles. In 2006, she moved to the writers guild as a research analyst, then research director and, in 2018, assistant executive director before her promotion to the guild’s top position in 2023.

Born and raised in Albany, Nancy Sutin has followed a proud family legacy of high achievement throughout her life, building an exceptional professional career in the law while also committing herself to serving her community.

A 1968 Albany High School graduate, Nancy excelled academically, graduating with honors. She was also deeply involved in the arts, co-founding the four-piece folk band Focus. The group found early success playing the historic Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, and was even offered a touring contract – though they ultimately chose to prioritize higher education. 

Nancy attended the University at Albany, graduating magna cum laude in 1972 with a degree in English. She earned a master’s from Brandeis University in 1976. During these early years, she devoted her time to various Jewish organizations and shared her lifelong love for swimming as a summer camp director in Maine. 

Driven by a desire to advocate for others, Nancy pursued legal studies at Albany Law School, graduating in 1984. Upon graduation, her specialized talent was recognized with the prestigious Lillian Friedman Award for Excellence in Family Law. 

Over the next nearly four decades, Nancy built a distinguished private family law practice, serving communities throughout the Capital Region. Her legal expertise and reputation for integrity led to her 2017 appointment as the state’s liaison in the 4th Judicial Department between family attorneys and the state administrator. 

Beyond her professional practice, Nancy has been a tireless champion for non-profit organizations. From 2002-08, she served as board president of the Saratoga Independent School. During her tenure, she demonstrated exceptional stewardship by spearheading a capital campaign that secured $1 million in funding for the development of its Route 29 campus. 

Beyond her legal practice, Nancy devoted 16 years to Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. In her capacity as president, she spearheaded the "Project Hope and Power" initiative, empowering women to overcome intricate legal hurdles. 

Her commitment to community enrichment continued in 2016 at the Home Made Theater in Saratoga Springs. There, she served two terms as board president, providing steady stewardship through significant periods of organizational transition. She also served on the board of the former Planned Parenthood of Northeastern New York.

Through her brilliant legal career, visionary non-profit leadership and an unwavering commitment to the greater good, she has left an indelible mark on the Capital Region.

Her induction into the City School District of Albany Hall of Fame also continues a family legacy – her father, Nate Sutin, was inducted as a member of the district’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2009!