News items

RBA Recognizes local Businesses with Green Awards Reception

PEARL RIVER (February 2) - The Rockland Business Association’s 1st Annual Green Awards will be held at the IBM Palisades/Dolce Conference Center Palisades, NY on February 25, from 6 to 9 pm.  The honorees are being recognized for their commitment to improve the quality of life for their customers, employees and communities through their use of Green principles and practices.  The award recipients include large and small businesses, not-for profit, government and educational entities.  

The winners are…

• Instrumentation Laboratory — Large Business
• Decorating With Fabric — Small Business
• Rockland BOCES — Education
• Orangetown Environmental Committee,Town of Orangetown — Government
• Camp Venture — Not-for-Profit

“Our first group of winners shows us it's easy and cost effective to reduce energy and water use, recycle materials, and operate our buildings and sites in a more environmentally friendly manner,” said Michael Shilale, Architect and RBA Green Council Chair.  “All of our winners have expanded beyond their organization's boundaries and helped educate RBA members and the larger community about the benefits of adopting green principles."

Gregory

Orange County Business Accelerator hires enterprise development director

NEW WINDSOR (January 26) - Orange County Business Accelerator (OCBA) Managing Director Michael J. DiTullo today announced the hiring of Peter J. Gregory as Enterprise Development Director.

A venture business expert, Gregory has provided his expertise as a seasoned business leader to CEO’s, presidents, and business owners across the nation for more than 25 years. Gregory has spent the last 10 years working exclusively as a business development advisor to high-growth startup ventures, delivering compelling market solutions to diverse industries.

Before joining the Accelerator team, Gregory helped guide high-growth businesses in the New York State solar economic ecosystem, engaged as a third party resource by The Solar Energy Consortium. He also founded BrightGarden Strategies, a business plan and marketing strategy firm.

"We are pleased and privileged to have Peter as a member of our team,” DiTullo said. “His expertise in entrepreneurial development, venture capital and business evaluation adds currency and proficiency to our mission."

Gregory is active in developing local seed investment networks, including the Dutchess County Angel Network. He has extensively coached CEO’s in the art of raising capital, having engaged dozens of client companies from Boston to Miami over the last nine years, advising and implementing methods of improving capital and marketing position.

OCBA, located at 4 London Avenue in New Windsor at Stewart International Airport, is a business incubator program launched by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The incubator, 10,000 square feet of class-A high-tech research and development space, is designed to attract new entrepreneurial investment by providing businesses with below market occupancy costs, a menu of mentoring programs and a high-tech plug-and-play office environment.     

First Columbia joins HVEDC Board of Directors

NEW WINDSOR (January 26) – Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) announced here today that it has added another private-sector company to its Board of Directors.  First Columbia, a real estate development company headquartered in Latham, NY, has invested in the regional economic development organization and will be represented on the board by its President and CEO Kevin Bette.

“With its development of New York International Plaza and numerous other commercial projects throughout the region, First Columbia has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the Hudson Valley,” said Mike Oates, HVEDC’s President and CEO.  “We know that we will benefit immensely from Kevin Bette being on our board, and we are excited about the momentum that is already building for our organization in 2010.”

HVEDC represents seven counties in the Hudson Valley: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam Counties.  The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers around the globe.  In addition, HVEDC’s mission includes aggressive advocacy in Albany to secure state support for economic development projects in the Hudson Valley.

For more information on the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, visit www.hvedc.com or call 845-220-2244.

For more information on First Columbia, visit www.firstcolumbia.com.

Mallet

DCRCC names 2010 board members  

Poughkeepsie (January 20) - The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce announces that Gaye Mallet, Adams Fairacre Farms is the organization’s new board chair. Mallet succeeds the two-year term of Stephen E. Diamond of Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis, and Diamond, LLP.  Mallet is the Human Resource Director for Adams Fairacre Farms.

The following have been elected to the Chamber’s board of directors: Michael Sweeney, Director of Planning, Health Quest; Quinn Shaw, Banking Officer, M & T Bank; Sean Kemp, Associate, McCabe & Mack LLP; and Pierrette Ruhland, owner of Red Cap Cleaners.

The Chamber’s 2010 executive committee members are Chair-Gaye Mallet, Adams Fairacre Farms; 1st Vice Chair- Frank Castella, Jr., Harmon & Castella Printing; 2nd Vice Chair-Karen Hansen, Sedore & Co.; Treasurer-Jill Sammon, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.; Secretary -Joseph Bonura, Jr.; and Immediate Past Chair -Stephen E. Diamond.

“ I am pleased to be working with our new executive team and board of directors, and I’m looking forward to 2010,” said Charles S. North, president and CEO.

Outgoing board members include Patrick Borek, Health Quest; Joseph Castaldo, Poughkeepsie Galleria; Stephen E. Diamond, Vergilis, Stenger Roberts, Davis & Diamond; and Michael Graham, M & T Bank.

The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors is the Chamber’s governing body and is comprised of representatives of all aspects of the business community.

To learn more about the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce go to www.dcrcoc.org.

Ulster County IDA names 2010 board

KINGSTON (January 20) - The Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (UCIDA) today announced its 2010 Board of Directors and named David O’Halloran, owner of the Pinegrove Ranch in Kerhonkson, president.

Current UCIDA Board members are:

• David O’Halloran, Owner, Pinegrove Ranch
• Stephen Finkle, Director, City of Kingston Dept. of Economic Development
• Daniel Hauspurg, Owner, Inn at Stone Ridge
• James Malcolm, Council Representative, Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters
• John Morrow, President, Safeco Alarm Systems
• Steve Perfit, Managing Director, Pyramid Brokers
• John Pezzo, CPA

The IDA also elected Morrow as secretary and Perfit as treasurer.  Committees re-established were Governance on which sit Finkle, Morrow and Malcom, and Audit, made up of Hausburg, Perfit and Pezzo. 

“While the national economy still challenges us locally,” said O’Halloran, “the Ulster County IDA will aggressively pursue opportunities to bring new jobs to the County while helping companies already here maintain and grow their businesses.  We have a strong board that is looking forward to achieving results and seeing Ulster County thrive.”

In other business, The Ulster County Development Corporation (UCDC) was again named the agency to administer the IDA and UCDC President Lance Matteson re-appointed as the UCIDA Chief Executive Officer.

Regularly monthly meetings, open to the public, have been scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the SUNY Ulster/Business Resource Center, Conference Room 108, 1 Development Court in Kingston.   

For more information about the Ulster County IDA, please visit: www.ulstercountyida.com/

Heimbach joins HVEDC Board to support regional economic development effort

NEW WINDSOR (January 20) - Louis Heimbach, Chairman, President and CEO of Sterling Forest Corporation, based in Tuxedo, NY, has joined the Board of Directors of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC), it was announced here today.  Mr. Heimbach was one of the charter members of the HVEDC Management Council that helped launched the regional economic development organization in 2003.

“Lou Heimbach is one of the pillars of the Hudson Valley business community and we are delighted to have him actively engaged in our organization once again,” said Mike Oates, HVEDC’s President and CEO.  “His business acumen and vision will be insightful in guiding our initiatives to position the Hudson Valley as one of the world’s best locations for companies to prosper.”

HVEDC represents seven counties in the Hudson Valley: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam Counties.  The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers around the globe.  In addition, HVEDC’s mission includes aggressive advocacy in Albany to secure state support for economic development projects in the Hudson Valley.

For more information on the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, visit www.hvedc.com.  

Production company honored for animal cruelty PSA

MIDDLETOWN (January 20) - CAP Productions, a full service video production company in Middletown, received an award for their work in the creation of a Public Service Announcement

More details on our People and Places Page

New solar energy business opens

NEW PALTZ (January 13) - Jordan Mills and Jason Iahn both grew up in the Hudson Valley.  They elected to open a solar energy business in order to take advantage of a fast growing industry that allows entrepreneurs to do something good for the environment.  

“With New York’s astronomical energy prices and strong solar incentive programs along with Hudson Valley’s environmentally conscious residents, we feel that this is a perfect place to start our business.” Says Iahn.  

Mills, who grew up climbing in the Shawangunks, sees this as an opportunity to give back to the environment that inspired him.

“The Hudson Valley is so beautiful and I see this as a way to keep it like this for my kids.”

Their business, Lighthousesolar designs and installs solar electric and solar thermal systems for both residential and commercial clients. They have opened their office in New Paltz, and according to them, the future looks bright. “We have had an overwhelming response and look forward to having a very busy 2010.”
New Paltz is the company’s fourth location in the United States, with operations currently in Colorado and Texas.

SLCH encourages employees’ dreams

NEWBURGH (January 13) - St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and mid-Hudson-based HOGAR, Inc., an organization devoted to making affordable housing more accessible, recently honored graduates of HOGAR’s inaugural First Home Club program.

More details on our Health Page

Orange Regional names Focus Media as advertising agency

GOSHEN (January 13) - Focus Media, Inc., a Hudson Valley-based public relations and marketing firm, has been named advertising agency of record for Orange Regional Medical Center. 

As agency of record, Focus Media will serve as Orange Regional’s strategic marketing partner. This role includes providing message development and creative for advertising campaigns, Web and social media strategies, and public relations counsel.

“We selected Focus Media for its deep understanding of our market and full-service agency capabilities,” said Rob Lee, Orange Regional’s Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “It’s gratifying for us to have found such a great firm right here in Orange County.”

Orange Regional has engaged Focus Media as the hospital continues to enhance healthcare for the community including the construction of  a new, state-of-the-art 600,000-square-foot hospital on East Main Street in the Town of Wallkill.

“Orange Regional Medical Center is adding more and more healthcare services that Hudson Valley residents need to know about and Focus Media can help deliver those important messages. Certainly, the new hospital is going to change the quality of life for our entire region,” said Josh Sommers, Focus Media’s president and CEO. “We couldn’t be more excited to help position the hospital for future prosperity.”

O&R V.P. elected chairman of Northeast Gas Association

PEARL RIVER (January 9) - Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.’s Vice President of Operations James Tarpey has been elected chairman of the Northeast Gas Association (NGA).

NGA is a regional trade association that focuses on education and training, technology research and development, operations, planning and increasing public awareness of natural gas in the northeast United States. NGA represents natural gas distribution companies, transmission companies, liquefied natural gas importers and associate member companies. These companies provide natural gas to over 9.5 million customers in eight states, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.  

Tarpey assumes the NGA chairmanship in addition to his primary responsibilities in leading O&R’s electric and gas divisions, which represent the largest single organization in the company.  

O&R President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Longhi said, “Jim Tarpey’s managerial skills, broad operating experience and familiarity with so many aspects of the natural gas business make him a terrific choice to lead NGA.”  

Tarpey joined O&R as an assistant electrical engineer in 1972. He subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility in Engineering and Operations. He assumed his current position in September 2001. 

A registered professional engineer in New York and New Jersey, Tarpey earned his BS in Electrical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and MS in Electrical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), an international non-profit professional organization for the advancement of technology related to electricity, and has authored and presented technical and business papers. In the past two years as the Chief Volunteer Officer of the Middletown YMCA, he has led the expansion of the Y’s services into Sullivan County and to the soon-to-open Y branch in Monroe. He also is a member of the Rockland Community College Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Bridgeway FCU receives 2009 United Way Campaign Award

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 9)  -  Bridgeway Federal Credit Union was recently presented with the 2009 New Business Division Award from the United Way. 

More details on our People & Places Page