News items

Orange and Sullivan County YMCA  signs with AJ Ross Creative Media

CHESTER (January 27) - YMCA of Middletown, South Orange and Sullivan County has named AJ Ross their advertising and marketing agency of record.  Through the agency the YMCA will be promoting their Strong Kids Campaign, meant to offer the empowering services to all, regardless of financial circumstances.

AJ Ross says it is thrilled to work with such a celebrated organization, giving them an opportunity to support their own community.  As a major sponsor of the Strong Kids Campaign, the agency will be reinforcing the brand and educating the public about all the wonderful things the YMCA does.  This will include creating promotional brochures and posters, wall art at the Monroe facility, and even a custom Facebook Application. 

“The YMCA is such an amazing organization and has so much to offer to the community.  AJ Ross is so pleased to be working with Ira Besdansky and all of his people,” says Allan Ross, President and CEO of AJ Ross Creative Media.

“The organization is incredibly fortunate to partner with AJ Ross,” states Ira Besdansky CEO of the YMCA. ”We now have the tools, the expertise and the passion of a high level creative team to help us tell the story of how impactful the Y is on the quality of life in Orange and Southern Sullivan Counties.”

To learn more about AJ Ross Creative Media, visit www.ajross.com

Croce

Richard Croce named Chairman of the Board of Rondout Savings Bank

KINGSTON (January 23) - Richard Croce has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors at Rondout Savings Bank. Croce, the owner of Viking Industries in New Paltz, has served on the Rondout board for the past ten years.

“The senior management team and all the employees at Rondout Savings Bank are thrilled that Rich Croce has been named the Chairman of our Board of Trustees,” Rondout president James Davenport said. “He is a veteran member of our board and is very familiar with the many opportunities that strong community banks can offer.”

In addition to owning Viking Industries, Croce has been an active leader in the Ulster County Legislature and the Hudson Valley Council of Industry. He has also been active with the Ulster County Community College Foundation and the Ulster County Development Corporation.

He succeeds Frank Reis, who retired in December as head of the board.

Croce explained how the leadership team at Rondout has worked hard to develop a robust plan for the bank’s future in Ulster County, adding that Rondout Savings today is one of the strongest banks in Ulster County.

“I am fortunate to serve on a board that consists of individuals that are recognized in the community as accomplished leaders in their organizations and their industries and who help guide the bank through their hard work and sound thinking,” said Croce.

He also praised the bank’s senior management team of Jim Davenport and vice presidents, Cheryl Bowers and Scott Jordan, for their contributions to Rondout Savings Bank’s success.

Myers

Ronald Myers joins Ulster Savings Bank as senior vice president and CFO

KINGSTON (January 23) - Ronald Myers has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Ulster Savings Bank, President and CEO Lisa Cathie announced today.

Myers joins Ulster Savings Bank after serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Rondout Savings Bank since 2006.  He also spent fifteen (15) years at the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, where he ascended to Vice President of Finance / Controller.

“Ron brings an outstanding combination of financial acumen, leadership and executive management in banking to Ulster Savings,” said Cathie.  “Our senior management team and I look forward to working with him to develop strategies and long-term planning designed to continue the bank’s long history of financial strength and stability.”

A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Siena College and Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Myers is also an Honors Graduate of the American Bankers Association’s National Graduate School of Banking. 

He remains active as a volunteer with several local organizations, including service as Board President of the Saugerties Boys and Girls Club, Board Membership with the Kingston Hospital Board of Directors, Finance Committee membership with the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley and membership with the Children’s Home of Kingston’s Audit Committee.

Local CPA promoted to audit manager

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 23) - Kirshon & Company, P.C. announces that Mark DeGiacomo has been promoted to Audit Manager. Before joining Kirshon and Company, P.C., Mark had over six years of experience with a Big 4 firm as a Senior Auditor providing assurance services to Fortune 500 companies.

Bharat Thakkar, a firm partner, commented, “Mark is a proven asset in our audit department. He has taken leading role and we are proud to have him on the Kirshon team.”

Kirshon & Company, P.C., is a full-service CPA firm located in Poughkeepsie and serving the Hudson Valley since 1970.  Visit www.kirshoncpa.com

Walden Savings Bank continues contribution to Food Bank

MONTGOMERY (January 23) – Walden Savings Bank continues support of local nonprofit organizations with this year’s Ornament Campaign donation of $4,000 to Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.

More details on our Community Page

Aguilar

Paola Aguilar named Affiliate Member of the Year by Women's Council of Realtors

MONTGOMERY (January 12) – The Greater Hudson Valley chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors has named Walden Savings Bank Mortgage Consultant Paola Aguilar as its Affiliate Member of the Year for 2011.

Aguilar received the award at the Women's Council of Realtors' Holiday and Installation of Officers Meeting. She has been a member of the organization for the past three years, and has been recognized for her dedication and service to the council and the real estate industry as a whole.

"This is a tremendous honor for Paola, and we are very proud of her and the hard work she has put forth for both the Women's Council of Realtors and the bank," said Walden Savings Bank President & CEO Derrik Wynkoop. "Paola is another example of the great team we have in place, and her excellent work reflects the culture and service we have become recognized for throughout the Hudson Valley region."

At Walden Savings Bank, Aguilar provides a number of mortgage products to clients, including construction mortgages, vacant land loans, first-time homebuyer programs, no-income verification loans, investment properties, second home mortgages, reverse mortgages, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and second mortgages. She has worked for the bank for the past five years.

The Women's Council of Realtors is a network of successful realtors who empower women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and leaders in the industry.

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce announces 2012 corporate sponsors

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 12) - The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their 2012 corporate sponsors, a group comprised of 24 local business leaders ranging from multimillion dollar organizations to family-owned and operated small businesses.  Health Quest and KeyBank have both chosen to return as corporate leaders, while Complete Benefit Solutions, Inc. (COBESO) has faithfully raised their support to the corporate leader level for the first time.  A corporate leader is the highest level of sponsorship the Chamber offers, and shows a unique commitment to helping business and growing the local economy.

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce corporate sponsors help finance and promote many of business and community-focused events on the Chamber calendar each year, gatherings like the Market Place trade show, Breakfast of Champions and Balloon Festival.

Founded in 1907, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to the growth and development of local businesses and the economy.  For more information about Chamber happenings, the complete events calendar, or to find out how they might best serve as an advocate for you and your business, please visit www.dcrcoc.org. 

Chazen Companies support Regional Food Bank’s Backpack Program

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 12) - The Chazen Companies  donated $250 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s BackPack Program.

More details on our People & Places Page

Mantello

Former Director of Canal Corporation, Joins Barton & Loguidice, P.C.

NEWBURGH (January 5) - Barton & Loguidice, P.C. (B&L) announces that Carmella R. Mantello has joined the firm as a Regional Business Development Representative for Eastern New York. She was previously Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, where she ran an office of 500 staff members with an $80 million budget and advanced economic development initiatives benefitting the entire canal corridor. 

“Carmella has the experience working with communities across the state enhancing community revitalization and infrastructure needs,” said Richard A. Straut, P.E., a Principal of B&L and manager of the firm’s Albany and Hudson Valley offices.   “Her experience creating community partnerships and advancing regional planning will be an asset to B&L’s clientele in the Capital District, the Hudson Valley, and throughout the state.”

About her decision to join B&L, Carmella said, “This move is a great fit for me because it allows me to maintain contact with all the municipalities I’ve worked with over the years.  Now I’ll be able to have a hand in delivering B&L’s quality consulting services to help local communities.”  She also stated that this position gives her the opportunity to assist in a wider variety of community efforts than those that could be progressed through the Canal Corporation.

As Director of the Canal Corporation, Carmella worked closely with the Thruway Authority on staffing considerations, and developed and implemented a canal system capital funding program to address long-term needs. She was the spokesperson for all programs and activities undertaken by the Canal Corporation, and she developed a dual marketing strategy to attract tourists, patrons, and investors to the canal system.

Carmella also previously served as Executive Director, Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc., as well as Director, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. 

River Management announces local client additions

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 5) - River Management, an Associa company, announces the addition of three new communities to its local client portfolio.

River Management will now provide full management services, including financial, property management, communications, recordkeeping and administrative management services to Harriman Hill, Barnett Hills and White Gate.

“We are excited to begin working with three wonderful associations,” said Mark Raphael, River Management President and CEO. “The communities were impressed with our superior services and natural resources and we look forward to serving them for years to come.”

• Harriman Hill is an 80-unit condominium complex located in a wooded setting in Orange County, NY, which includes a pool and tennis court.
• Barnett Hills is a 67-unit garden apartment condominium complex located in Monroe, NY.  Conveniently located to the Village of Monroe it also has a pool for the residents.
• White Gate is a 220-unit garden apartment condominium complex in Wappingers Falls, NY.  Amenities include a pool, tennis court, laundry facilities and on-site maintenance.

River Management provides community association management and developer services to the Hudson Valley area. Since 1985, its sole focus has been to deliver performance that enriches communities and enhances the lives of the people it serves. For more information, please visit http://www.rivermgmt.com or find them on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/Associa and searching for River Management.

Blood drive at Orange County Chamber brings in much-needed donations

MONTGOMERY (January 5) - Sixty units of blood and four platelet donations were brought in as a result of the David T. Cocks Memorial Blood Drive

More details on our Health Page

Three new computer graphic design programs on tap in Newburgh

MIDDLETOWN (January 5) - Through its Continuing and Professional Education programming, SUNY Orange will offer three new Adobe-related introductory computer graphic design classes at its Newburgh campus in 2012

More details on our Education Page