Montgomery Supervisor Brian Maher Named MVP by Orange County Partnership

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications and Membership

TOWN OF WALLKILL, NY - The Orange County Partnership has named Town of Montgomery Supervisor Brian Maher the organization’s 2022 Most Valuable Partner, citing the significant economic development that has occurred under his watch.

The Partnership lauded Maher for his efforts in striking the necessary balance between maintaining his town’s bucolic identity while fostering an environment that will attract well-paying jobs and significant tax revenue to Montgomery. About 350 business, civic and political leaders were on hand for the June 7 event, which was held at the Barn at Villa Venezia.

“If you are worried about where our next generation of leaders is coming from, stop worrying,” said Orange County Partnership President and CEO Maureen Halahan. “Brian simply gets things done.”

Maher’s political career began in 2009 when, at age 23, he was elected mayor of Walden, the largest of three villages in the Town of Montgomery. He served three consecutive terms while also serving as chief aide to State Senator Bill Larkin.

In 2019 Maher saw a divided Montgomery engage in a bitter battle over its economic future and decided to run for supervisor. His

Montgomery Supervisor Brian Maher, center, and members of the Orange County Partnership Board of Directors

successful bid for the post - which followed a primary and a three-way race in the general election - was built on his promise to engage the entire community in the drafting of a Comprehensive Plan to precisely define how and where economic development would take place.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus praised Maher’s ability to unite Montgomery behind the Comprehensive Plan, which, when completed, provided the neighborhood protections residents wanted while also enabling the town to grow its tax base.

“There is no one more deserving of the MVP award than Brian,” Neuhaus said.

Thanks in part to Maher’s efforts, Medline Industries, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, expanded its Orange County presence into Montgomery with a new 1.3-million-square-foot distribution facility. Amazon, too, built a 1-million-square-foot distribution center in the town.

In accepting the award, Maher credited the town’s administrative team with helping him secure support for the Comprehensive Plan. He also praised their efforts and assistance in establishing programs for residents and businesses struggling with the impacts of COVID-19.

The key to promoting economic development, Maher said, is to present the public with facts, adding, “The more people are involved in their government, the more honest the government is.”

The Orange County Partnership is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets the county to companies interested in expanding their locations or opening new facilities. For more information visit www.ocpartnership.org or call 845-294-2323.