Sullivan County Pride Journal 2016

25th Anniversary

Sullivan County 1992-2016 Pride Celebrating 25 years of Great Accomplishments

A Special Section of the Sullivan County Democrat May 2016

EDITORIAL

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In the blink of an eye: Chamber awards turn 25 wenty-five years. The Sullivan County Pride Awards is celebrating its Silver Anniversary this month by honoring five special Sullivan County businesspeople.

By our count, a little more than 400 businesses and organizations have been honored during the past twoand-a-half decades, starting with Business Person of the Year Alan Gerry in 1992.

Our coverage of that historic day seems to sum up the real meaning of the awards, which was originally called the “Magic of Sullivan County Champagne Gala.”

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It was a standing-room-only crowd of 272 people at the Villa Roma Clubhouse in Callicoon that bright April day in 1992 when Assemblyman Richard I. Coombe introduced Alan Gerry as the first Businessperson of the Year to a standing ovation.

“Alan Gerry has learned the value of hard work,” Assemblyman Coombe said. “He has hoped and dreamed about the future and his hard work has paid off.

“Not only has Gerry gone to the Apex of business in Sullivan County, New York, but in the United States and the world. He never forgot his roots

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and he wants to provide hopes and dreams to our children.”

Gerry responded, “The harder you work, the luckier you get. People ask me if I had a big picture, a great plan. It was nothing like that. Good fortune of many, many friends and doing things right, treating everyone fairly, and doing a quality job (was important to the success of Cablevision).

“You also have to gather good people around you,” Gerry continued. “I thank you for the recognition. I’m indeed a very fortunate man to know all of you and have your support.”

It was a wonderful event that first year which showcased Sullivan County’s business community in a different light – a light of unity and success.

That torch has been passed on through the years to many businesses and hard-working men and women along the way. May this year’s award winners continue in the spirit and cooperation of the award and help make Sullivan County an even better place to live, work and play.

CONTENTS Page 4 Les Kristt 25th Silver Anniversary Award Page 8 Franklin Trapp Business Person of the Year Award Page 12 Dr. Gerard Galarneau

Distinguished Achievement Award Page 15 Jeff Siegel 25th Silver Anniversary Award Page 17 Evan & Brynn Allees

Young Emerging Leaders Award Page 19 Honorees Through

the Years Page 22 Chamber Spotlight

Still Banking Strong!

Congratulations to all

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Sullivan Pride Awards Honorees 2016

(845) 482-4000 • www.je ank.com www.facebook.com/jeffersonvillebank P R I D E AWA R D S 3

BY AUTUMN SCHANIL

L

es Kristt, of Kristt Kelly Office Systems in Monticello, is a man of the community.

Kristt first joined the Monticello Rotary Club in 1975 when the club consisted of 60 or so individuals; people who Kristt looked up to and was inspired to emulate.

In 1979 he became President of that same Rotary Club.

He is the voice of the Annual

Awards Gala.

“I’ve always been involved in two, three or four projects,” said Kristt, “and I’m still very much involved.”

Born and raised in Monticello, Kristt was greatly inspired by his father and the community in which he grew up.

“In High School, I had a lot of friends but I never really put myself

Inspiring Community Activism 25th Silver Anniversary Award Les Kristt, Kristt Kelly Office Systems

WSUL/WVOS Heart-athon and former Vice President of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. He is on the Executive Committee of the Boys and Girls Club Celebrity Dinner and the Chairperson of the Monticello Hall of Distinction Committee.

Kristt is also the Chairman of the Monticello Rotary Monster Race, which this year, will be benefiting the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition.

He is a husband to Amy, a father, and excitingly, soon to be a grandfather.

So it comes as no surprise that Kristt is receiving the 25th Silver Anniversary Award from the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce at the 25th Anniversary Pride 4 P R I D E AWA R D S

out there. I kept to myself a lot,” said Kristt. “As I got older, I started doing more things in and for the community. I felt fulfilled doing that.”

After graduating from Monticello High School in 1964, Kristt attended Cornell University for Electrical Engineering, during the time of the Vietnam War. He decided to come back to Monticello in March of 1969, and went into business with his parents at Kristt Co., which, at the time, had just four employees. In 1975, after incorporating, that number increased to seven.

“Coming back to Monticello was important to me. Being a part of 2016

contributed photo

years.

Kristt eventually partnered with Gene Kelly, who had joined the company as a driver back in 1984. In 2002, they renamed the original business as Kristt Kelly Office Systems. Kelly took on the role of Corporate Secretary while Kristt remained as Corporate President.

That same year, Kristt was proudly named the Business Person of the Year for Sullivan County.

In 2005, Kristt served as Chairman of the Sullivan Hospitality Committee, focusing on public awareness and “Sullivan Smiles.” It was a worthy campaign that included ads, hospitality awards, “good behavior” handbooks, reaching out in the schools to the children who are the future work force of Sullivan County to promote kindness, helpfulness, smiles and patience when dealing with customers and tourists.

“I enjoy working with everyone at my business, and I enjoy working with the people in the community,” continued Kristt. “One of the most enjoyable aspects to me is creating a project and then watching it come to fruition. To look back and see how well we’ve communicated with the community. To see all the smiling faces.

“That’s my motivation. Some people get high on this or that. I get high on life.”

Les Kristt my community,” explained Kristt, “That’s what it is to live, to be a part of the people that are around you.”

In 1977, when his father passed away, Kristt became president of the corporation.

Since then, Kristt Co. has grown significantly under his watchful eye, eventually opening The Art Shoppe and Frame Game right next door to the original business in a beautiful 1890s Victorian house. In 1985, Kristt had the two company buildings connected, creating a 4,500 square-foot showroom for furniture, office equipment and more.

The Art Shoppe has now been in operation for a little more than 25 2016

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Congratulations to Franklin Trapp, Dr. Gerard Galarneau, Jeff Siegel & Evan & Brynn Allees!

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Thank you to All who make Sullivan County a wonderful place to live!

Les Kristt

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Congratulations To All Sullivan Pride Award Winners!

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BY AUTUMN SCHANIL

ranklin Trapp grew up in Ohio and first came to Sullivan County in 2001, when hired for the summer season at the Forestburgh Playhouse as a resident company actor.

Considering his many accomplishments since then, it’s not surprising Trapp will be receiving the Business Person of the Year award from the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.

Trapp has an extensive career in the acting business, freelancing for several years as a professional actor

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where he practiced for five years.

“At a certain point in my acting career, I was tired of being a freelancer,” explained Trapp, “you’re going from job to job, constantly auditioning and there’s a lot of uncertainty. Of course, it’s a wonderful career path and I encourage it, but it’s not for everybody.

“I decided I wanted to combine the different things that I’ve done in my life, and law school felt like a natural next step for me.”

While practicing in Atlanta, Trapp received a phone call from the for-

Theater entrepreneur advances the arts Business Person of the Year Award Franklin Trapp, Forestburgh Playhouse

in New York City.

After his first summer in the Catskills, Trapp ended up spending three additional summers with the Forestburgh Playhouse, getting the chance to not only perform but also direct playhouse shows, eventually receiving membership in Actor’s Equity Association.

Ironically, Trapp left the northeast to attend Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee, and landed a job at a firm in Atlanta, Georgia, shortly after graduation, 8 P R I D E AWA R D S

mer owner of the Forestburgh Playhouse asking if Trapp would be interested in coming back to the playhouse and officially taking over.

“I said, ‘absolutely not,’” stated Trapp, “I was really enjoying what I was doing. A year later I had time to really think about my future path and the playhouse kept calling, so I decided to jump on the opportunity and here I am today. This is my third year.”

The former owner stayed with Trapp that first summer, to help him 2016

AUTUMN SCHANIL | DEMOCRAT

theater thanks to support from the community, built a brand new outdoor patio at the Forestburgh Tavern, created an Alumni Association for the Playhouse which dates back to the 1970s and improved upon the production quality of the shows, bringing in new exciting talent; the list goes on and on.

Most importantly, Trapp has been engaging more with the community, creating the Forestburgh Gives Back Program, which donates tickets to shows, enabling more people from the community to attend.

“We want people to know we’re here. Something really devastating for me to hear, “ continued Trapp, “is when someone who doesn’t live very far away says that they’ve never been to the Playhouse. I want that to change.”

Trapp is changing the Forestburgh Tavern as well, encouraging benefits, weddings, graduations, cabarets and other events to be held there, creating it as its own brand.

“I hope to eventually not only offer what we already do,” added Trapp, “but to develop and offer new works.

“I wouldn’t have made this huge leap and be where I am at the moment if it wasn’t for the push from my partner, John, who said, ‘just do it, don’t miss this opportunity.’”

Franklin Trapp transition into his role as the new owner of the Forestburgh Playhouse.

“It was a marvelous first summer,” said Trapp. “During the second year I felt that I really created the brand that I wanted to create in order to keep the playhouse growing. I’m really excited about the future and the possibilities.”

Since taking over the playhouse Trapp has overhauled the website, created a huge social media presence, replaced all the seats in the 2016

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STORY BY DAN HUST

D

r. Gerard Galarneau traces his interest in medicine back to his boyhood in downstate Blauvelt.

“I broke my thumb when I was eight years old playing baseball,” he remembers.

He was taken to the emergency room by a high-schooler, a medically savvy older friend who instantly became a mentor.

“I wanted to be like him – and he went to medical school,” says the man now affectionately known as “Dr. G.”

Award, the latest in a slew of accolades.

Characteristically, he’s not one to keep the spotlight solely on him.

“Me being recognized also recognizes the hard work our 750 employees do every day,” he relates. “I have a great group of people I work with!”

Indeed, he’s cultivated a leadership team he knows has been key to CRMC’s revival.

“We were able to right the ship,” he explains.

Making lives better is his life’s mission Distinguished Achievement Indeed, the effect was lasting and profound. In 1991, Dr. Galarneau graduated SUNY Binghamton with a B.S. in Biology, then received his MD from New York Medical College in 1995.He held residencies in General Surgery and Urology at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York from 1997-2000 and recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master’s degree in Medical Management.

Throughout this time he built his skills not only as a physician but as a man of care, compassion and charm.

Those talents have served him well over the past two decades, and now they are making a substantial impact on Sullivan County, where he’s served as Catskill Regional Medical Center’s (CRMC’s) Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer since 2013.

“The county has really embraced me,” Dr. Galarneau shares, delighted by the Distinguished Achievement 12 P R I D E AWA R D S

Award Dr. Gerard Galarneau, CRMC For example, when Dr. Galarneau arrived, CRMC had just 17 days of cash on hand and was in deep debt to its various vendors.

Today, bills are paid on time, and CRMC has well over 70 days of cash available.

Look, too, at the employee engagement scores (a measure of workers’ involvement, productivity and satisfaction), which are at the highest levels they’ve ever been.

“We have five engaged employees for every one that is disengaged,” Dr. G proudly notes.

He sets the tone by setting the example.

“I don’t think there is an employee in this organization who would say I don’t work hard,” he nods.

And he focuses on supporting every 2016

contributed photo

Dr. Gerard Galarneau employee via his leadership team, from those at the Grover M. Hermann Division in Callicoon to the Rose & Sam Seelig Division in Harris to the Middletown-based Greater Hudson Valley Health System, which in addition to CRMC includes Orange Regional Medical Center and Orange Regional Medical Group.

Patient satisfaction rates have risen, as well – and since that affects insurance reimbursement levels, CRMC is operating in the black.

That’s freed up funding for new offerings, from the just-opened Bariatric and Metabolic Surgical Services program to the much-appreciated covered entranceway in Harris.

“I think we’ve been successful where other hospitals have not in the past few years,” Dr. Galarneau observes.

Next up is an urgent care/medical office complex off Route 42 north of Monticello, not far from where the new casino is being built. It’s expected 2016

to open in the summer of 2017.

There, too, the focus will be on satisfying patients and staff – an increasingly important consideration for insurers and the state and federal agencies which fund CRMC. “We want to create a hospital people are proud of, one that offers a healing experience,” Dr. G affirms.

Meanwhile, he continues not only leading CRMC but raising two daughters, Madison and Taylor, with wife Jennifer.

And he’s still practicing medicine in his chosen field of urology. Indeed, he performs surgery at least once a week.

“I still see patients,” the doctor explains. “It allows me to have a real insight into what’s going on” – not just in their lives but in the world of healthcare.

Dr. Galarneau is board-certified in urology and has been an active Orange Regional medical staff member since March 2000.

Having served as the vice chair of Orange Regional’s Department of Urology from 2002-2004 and Chairman from 2005-2006, he was the Chairman of Staff from 2007-2008 and has held the position of Chief of Staff since January 2009.

His leadership responsibilities continue to squeeze his time to just be “Dr. G,” but he’s not complaining. He is, after all, helping guide the health and wellness of thousands.

“As CEO of CRMC,” he explains, “I have a greater impact on the lives of people in this community than as an individual physician.”

And that is why he’s so gratified to be recognized as the Pride of Sullivan County Distinguished Achievment Award winner.

“I am honored,” he admits.

P R I D E AWA R D S 1 3

Congratulations to all the 2016 Pride Award Honorees Including Distinguished Achievement Award Recipient, Dr. Gerard Galarneau, CEO, Catskill Regional Medical Center At Catskill Regional Medical Center, we’re committed to a healthier community. This commitment starts at the top. Our CEO, Dr. Gerard Galarneau, known to his colleagues and patients as “Dr. G.,” is a practicing Urologist at our hospital and makes time to connect with local organizations. Sincere congratulations to Dr. G on this well-deserved honor!

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2016

STORY BY DAN HUST

ervice equals success for Jeff Siegel. Indeed, it’s defined his entire life.

Born and raised in Monticello, he grew up in his dad’s dry cleaning business, where he learned how to meet customers’ exacting demands.

He took that service-oriented skill to Partymaster, where he spent 19 years as a DJ. “Perry Gips [the owner] was a great mentor,” he remembers.

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Where Siegel and company offer their expertise is in decorations, entertainment, setup, location, insurance and making sure everyone has a memorable time.

“So you can give me a hug and a kiss afterwards,” he laughs.

But it’s truly serious business, and a role Siegel approaches quite seriously – whether he’s producing a bar mitzvah in Sullivan County or a casino party at the Masters Tourna-

Builds business - and life on service Distinguished Service Siegel subsequently went into business for himself, starting IM4Fun which, like Partymaster, focused on creating memorable events.

After one corporate function, however, he was advised to aim for a “more marketable” name – thus the Spencer Daniels Agency (SDA) was born.

“Spencer and Daniel are my two boys,” Siegel relates with a grin.

“And the phone rang immediately.

It was very ‘corporate-sounding’.”

But don’t call SDA an “event planner.”

“People need Jeff Siegel and the Spencer Daniels Agency to produce and execute their event or function,” he explains. “They don’t need me to plan their event. You already have the idea, and you’re planning it.”

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Award Jeff Siegel, Spencer Daniel’s Agency

ment in Georgia.

“You need to build a relationship,” he says. “I do that every day.”

That’s led to ongoing work with Circle Line Cruises in New York City (around 200 events a year), fundraisers for Crouse Hospital in Syracuse and the American Cancer Society, collaborations with local nonprofit initiatives like the Allyson Whitney Foundation and Rhulen Rock Hill Run and Ramble, and corporate events around the country.

Many locals, of course, know Siegel from his various Village of Monticello gatherings – especially the Bagel Festival, which arose from his and other Monticello Business

P R I D E AWA R D S 1 5

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Jeff Siegel Association members’ desire to reignite downtown commerce.

He’d been thinking about the many discussions he’d had with Dr. Peter Tarlow, a tourism expert brought to the county by Sullivan Renaissance.

“Peter said to me, ‘You have to get your group to focus on whatever the theme is going to be for your town’,” Siegel recalls, using as an example the transformation of the lackluster North Tarrytown into the popular Sleepy Hollow.

The idea hit him inside the Monticello Bagel Bakery.

“Bagels were not invented in Monticello,” Siegel acknowledges.

“However, the guy who created the bagel-making machine – he lived in Sullivan County!”

16 P R I D E AWA R D S

And just like Siegel, that littleknown inventor loved making something work against all odds.

“People thought I was out of my mind, but they played along,” he chuckles.

The first Bagel Festival attracted 5,000 people and a few dozen vendors. With the second, 12,000 people and 130 vendors arrived. At the third, 15,000 folks ambled past nearly 200 vendors.

“That’s a great day in any festival’s book,” Siegel boasts.

The fourth incarnation is coming this August, even though Siegel says he hasn’t made a profit yet.

“I didn’t do it for me,” he explains. “I always hope the best for Monticello and Sullivan County, no matter what I do.”

It’s where he’s raised his nowgrown children, the aforementioned Spencer and Daniel and daughter Brianna. It’s where he still lives with wife Kathy Roebuck (with whom he has a stepson, John, and three grandchildren: Jonathan, Joshua and Jordan).

“Because I was born and raised here, I will always have a connection,” he admits. “It’s always going to be the place where I’m from.”

To be recognized as that place’s Distinguished Service Awardee is immensely gratifying to him.

“I was surprised and flattered,” he says.

And it dovetails perfectly with Siegel’s motto.

“If I can help you be successful,” he advises, “then I will be too.”

2016

BY KAITLIN CARNEY

S

ullivan County is many things for Brynn and Evan Allees: a home they’ve created for their two (with a third due in September) children, a place for their flourishing restaurant and careers, family, and a supportive community. It is also where it all began for the honorees.

Brynn, (nee Rausch), was born and raised in Hurleyville, and started her

Gastropub, Evan and Brynn’s longtime dream, opened for business.

The Pickled Owl is a labor of love and a source of pride for the two.

A cornerstone in Hurleyville’s Renaissance, the family-friendly Main Street eatery combines many important things for the couple: Sullivan County, great food, a variety of beer, and dining as an experience. They espouse a belief that “good food takes

Living their dream in Emerging Leaders Award Hurleyville Young Evan and Brynn Allees, education at Sullivan County The Pickled Owl Community College. After completing her education at SUNY New Paltz and receiving a Master’s time” and to that end, everything is Degree in Education from LIU, she made from scratch (from the biscuits started a career in education in Sulliaccompanying the now famous brined van County, teaching middle school fried chicken to the desserts).

English at Livingston Manor.

Brynn worked on decorating the Evan, from Liberty, also studied at dining room, sitting area and bar Sullivan County Community College, maintaining original features and trained in local restaurants, and gradu- adding personal touches, creating a ated from the Culinary Institute of “casual yet refined setting.”

America in 2008. He would also start Evan developed a menu that is a his career in Sullivan County, most renod to the blue collar and farm roots cently running the kitchen at the forof Sullivan County, featuring produce mer Albert’s Liberty House. With his sourced from The Center for Discovtenure there ending, Patrick H. Dolery and local farms, locally sourced lard of The Center for Discovery, appoultry from Snowdance Farms in Livproached the couple with the ingston Manor, maple syrup from the opportunity to add a restaurant to Catskill Mountain Sugar House, coffee Main Street and be part of Hurleyville’s from Java Love in White Lake and a awakening, the timing was right and rotating beer selection including fathe couple jumped at the chance. vorites from the Catskill Brewery.

In August of 2015, the Pickled Owl The Allees’ believe in “thinking local, 2016

P R I D E AWA R D S 1 7

contributed photo

Evan and Brynn Allees buying local, and being local” which is dish or to sample something different. evident in Evan’s sourcing for the Brynn and Evan have been supported restaurant. He uses these quality ingrein their venture by their families, with dients to craft familiar recipes with a Brynn’s mother completing the restoraspin. Evan explains, “This is such a blue tion of the original plasters and paintcollar area, we wanted to do something ings of the restaurant. great food-wise but nothing too extravaAs they near their one-year annivergant. We also wanted to have fun cook- sary this summer, Brynn and Evan ing.” The 24-hour brined fried chicken marvel at the evolution of the Pickled has taken the culinary scene by storm, Owl, from an idea to a neighborhood and many have tried decadent offerings staple. They’re excited to be a part of like bone marrow and fried chicken the rebirth of Hurleyville, and to be a skins for appetizers. The menu and beer destination for food, fun, and compairings are designed to create a dining pany for their friends and neighbors. experience where laughter, chatter, and Familiar faces for live music on the taste testing occur. weekends, good natured rivalries on Entering the restaurant scene on their Trivia Night, and families and friends own has been an adventure for the cou- enjoying a leisurely brunch are all asple, but the outcome is worth the work. pects of the restaurant and the comThey’ve recently added a new chef, munity that Brynn and Evan were Brooklyn’s Jared Lozupone works with hoping to develop.

Evan in the kitchen, while Brynn helps Being named as Young Emerging out with the front of house duties and Leaders is exciting for Brynn and Evan planning of special events like Trivia Allees, “We are just incredibly honored Night, Sip and Paint, and live music fea- to be so received by the community. turing seasoned and breakout local We look forward to continuing to artists on the weekends. They’ve engrow and bring an enjoyable experijoyed meeting new people and greeting ence to all who come through our regulars that come in for their favorite door!”

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2016

PRIDE AWARDS 2016

Honorees through the years This list reflects the most accurate information available to the chamber.

1992

Businessperson of the Year Alan Gerry Town of Callicoon Dr. Joseph Nebzydoski Town of Fallsburg The Gold Family, Ray Gold Town of Forestburgh Mr. Willy’s Restaurant Town of Fremont Lohr Lumber, Ed Lohr Town of Lumberland Nolan Restaurant Town of Mamakating Canal Towne Emporium Town of Thompson Bruce Reynolds 1993

Businessperson of the Year Walter Rhulen Bethel Sutphen East Callicoon The Doll House, Ricky Graham Cochecton The Heritage Alliance Delaware Diehl’s Farm Market Fallsburg Bob Stults Forestburgh Forestburgh Playhouse Fremont Jill Pinder Highland Eldred Preserve Liberty Paul Lounsbury Lumberland Supervisor Tom Hilll Mamakating O’Toole’s Harley-Davidson Neversink Thomas Passaro Rockland F. Richard Verona Thompson Apollo Plaza Tusten Peters Pharmacy

1998 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Bill Reynolds Distinguished Achievement Robert Dadras Bethel Rachel Keebler Callicoon Gus Kabacki Cochecton Lillian Krauss Delaware Jim & Barbara Kayton Fallsburg Robert Scheinman Forestburgh Robert Liebman Fremont Ivan Weinger Highland DeCumber Family Liberty Eugene Blabey Lumberland Bicentennial Committee Mamakating Pat Lanza Neversink Peter Offringa Rockland Carolyn Bivins Thompson Fred & Florence Edelman Tusten Ned Lang 1999 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year

Joyce Salimeno

Businessperson of the Year Paul Carlucci Distinguished Service Brian Fitzpatrick Bethel Gary Corts & Seth Pulver Callicoon The Shandelee Music Festival Cochecton Katherine Jean McCoach Delaware Charlie Mills Fallsburg Ruth Holmes Forestburgh Andrew Kozachuck Fremont East Ridge Cemetery Highland Jim Guekunst Liberty Diane Brady Lumberland Ukranian Youth Festival

Businessperson of the Year

Bruce Reynolds

continued on page 20

1994

Businessperson of the Year

Steve Drobysh

Businessperson of the Year

Ray Walter

1995 1996 1997

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PRIDE AWARDS PRIDE AWARDS

continued from page 19

2005 Honorees

2000 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Distinguished Achievement Distinguished Service Bethel Callicoon Cochecton Delaware Fallsburg

Fred Stabbert III Selma Field Jonathan Drapkin Ed & Edith Boyd WJFF Radio Dr. Paul Salzberg Herbert Bauernfeind Chris & Kim Sutton

2001 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Distinguished Service Distinguished Achievement Bethel Callicoon Cochecton Delaware Fallsburg Forestburgh Fremont Highland Liberty Lumberland Mamakating Neversink Rockland Thompson Tusten

Helen Kutsher Sandra Gerry David Kaufman Chris Bilick Frank Haskell Bruce Meyer Leota Hermann Phil Vallone Michael LeRoy Evelyn Parks Pietro Merendino Norman Kerr Frank Schwartz Melissa Lanza Phil Coombe, Jr. Manor 200 Corp.

Michael Dollard Laurie Stuart

Businessperson of the Year Distinguished Service Distinguished Achievement Mamakating Neversink Rockland

Les Kristt Tim Mullally David Kaufmann Susan & John Lavelle Mike & Lori Mickelson Miriam Stone

2002 Honorees

2003 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Steve Dubrovsky Distinguished Service Tim Mullally Distinguished Achievement SCCC Dormitory Corp.

Bethel Gay Donofrio Callicoon Chris Pfanstiel Cochecton Joseph Meyer Delaware Mickey & Reese Roche Fallsburg Veronica & Anthony Perito Forestburgh Donald Elliott Highland Kittatinny Canoes, Ruth Jones Liberty Sal & Mary Morana Lumberland Michael F. Werneke, Jr. Mamakating Dali Roosa Neversink Bob & Beth Mickelson Rockland Gerard Ilaria & Steve Wilkinson Thompson Sherri & Jim Barnicle 2004 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Gary Schmidt Distinguished Service Robert Ernst Distinguished Achievement Tony Cellini Bethel Gibson McKean Callicoon John Pilny Cochecton John Gorzynski Delaware Richard Wulff Fallsburg Perry Gips Forestburgh Lucille Horton Fremont Kerri Lee Sensiba Highland Lynn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Liberty Karen Van Craenbroeck Lumberland Dorothy Amey Mamakating Charles Mangini Neversink Meigan Dean Rockland Patricia & Jack Yelle Thompson Steven Brahinaj Tusten Klu Padu

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Businessperson of the Year Rick Lander Distinguished Service Andrew Kreiger Distinguished Achievement Maurice Gerry Bethel Denise Frangipane Callicoon Sue Bodenstein Cochecton Vincent Luciani Delaware Ruth Brustman Fallsburg Ellen & Murray Bresky Forestburgh Paul Rausch Fremont Vincent Highland George & Tony Kawalsi Liberty Allan Berube Lumberland Ann Danuff Mamakating Veronica Heller Neversink Charles & Justine Blume Rockland Craig Sherwood Thompson Paula Kay Tusten John & Yoke DiGiorgio 2006 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Craig Passante Distinguished Service Robert Scheinman Distinguished Achievement Dianne Brady Bethel James & Mary Ellen DiCarlo Callicoon Mike & Colleen Barber Cochecton John Maas Delaware Rosemari DiCristofaro Fallsburg Helen Burock Forestburgh Robert D. Norris Fremont Leonard Bauer Highland Patricia Freiich Liberty Sue Garizas Lumberland Roger Bisland Mamakating Lori Rubinstein-Fleck Neversink Pam & Keith Zanetti Rockland Spiro Mantzoratos Thompson Roslyn Sharoff Tusten Ned Lang 2007 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Bill Sipos Distinguished Service Carolyn Massey Distinguished Achievement Stuard Hirsch Young Emerging Leader Darlene Fedun Bethel Blanche Miller Callicoon Steve Schmidt Cochecton Jerold Yavarkovsky Delaware Jim Kayton Fallsburg Phil Vallone Forestburgh Richard Feller Fremont Walter Sipple Highland Keith Friederich Liberty Nancy Levine Lumberland Bill Sterling Mamakating Pat Morris Neversink Michael & Donna Brooks Rockland Barbara Gref & Van Morrow Thompson Janet Klein Tusten Nancy Yoder 2008 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year M & M Auto Group Distinguished Service Josephine Finn Distinguished Achievement Joan Farrow Bethel John & Rosemarty Bogaert Callicoon Anna LeRoy Cochecton Charles A. Smith Delaware Gerald Euker Fallsburg John, Mary & Frank Nardi Forestburgh Alan Kesten Fremont Randy Lohr Highland Elizabeth Frazier Liberty Paul & Annette Kosofsky Lumberland Judy Sterm Mamakating Wurtsboro Arts Alliance Neversink Medi and Linda Beluli Rockland Lisa Chesny & Karrie Jara

2016

Kristine & Ed Gallet George Krause

2009 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Phil Vallone Distinguished Service Steve White Distinguished Achievement Darrell Supak Young Emerging Leader Tim Havas Bethel Jean Brucher Callicoon Dawn & Peter Erlwein Cochecton Dorothy Schlegel Delaware Delaware Valley Job Corps Fallsburg PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program Forestburgh David & Kim Patterson Fremont Joe Niero Highland Richard Quinn Liberty Jeffrey & Carol Miller Lumberland Phyllis Knapp Mamakating Barbara Gutekunst Neversink Paul & Carol Lagueux Rockland Lisa Lyons Thompson Eric & Bernadette Adler Tusten Will Geisler 2010 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Howard Siegel Distinguished Service Charles H. Myers Distinguished Achievement Philip Coombe, Jr. Young Emerging Leader Sara Ingber Bethel Patricia & William Burns Callicoon Deming Krum - Krum & Sons Exc. Cochecton Sal Indelicato Delaware Tanya and Ken Cohen - Jance Center Fallsburg Fallsburg Lumber Forestburgh Eileen & Ronald Geyson Fremont Loreen Gebelein - Jeff Bank Highland Frederick Reber - Cedar Rapids Liberty Hillside Greenhouse Lumberland Mack B. & Susan B. Morley Mamakating Michael Spiegl - Eagle’s Nest Neversink Denman Agency Rockland Pete DeVantier - Roscoe Lumber Thompson Cooper & Nieman Tusten Jill Padua - Jill’s Kitchen 2011 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Sonny Patel Distinguished Service Thunder 102 Distinguished Achievement Norman Duttweiler Young Emerging Leader Jared Kaufman Bethel Stacy Cohen & Monte Sachs Callicoon Dr. Joseph Nebzydoski Cochecton Jeff & Mary Jane Nober Delaware Robin Mailey Fallsburg Charles “Bummy” Morman Forestburgh James Steinberg, Sr. Fremont Burton & Lovey Handelsman Highland David L. Bush & Luiz Aragon Liberty Ellen Marino and Louie Petraglia Lumberland Joe and Rosemarie Carr Mamakating JoAnn M. Salamone Neversink Barbara Purcell Rockland Barry & Diane Foster Thompson Ari Straus & Bill McMichael Tusten Jane Luchsinger 2012 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Alan Kesten Distinguished Service Gary Siegel Distinguished Achievement Elaine M. Fettig Young Emerging Leader Nuby Deleon Bethel Carol Malek Callicoon Joseph & Mary Nosek Cochecton Eileen Hennessy Delaware Tom Freda Fallsburg Sally J. Gladden Forestburgh Chuck Vassalo Fremont Matthew J. Hubert Highland Attila Benke & Agnes Makay

2016

Liberty Lumberland Mamakating Neversink Rockland Thompson Tusten

Nick Tsicalos Peter & Marsha Comstock Tom Verdiglione, Dan Tandy Dave Forshay, John Clark Thomas & Marea Roseo Corrinne & David Dunlap Anthony B. Ritter

2013 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Mike & Walter Taylor Distinguished Service Jeff Bank Distinguished Achievement WSUL/WVOS & Watermark Communications Young Emerging Leader John Garigliano Bethel Dan and Nancy Brey Callicoon Walter and Ela Ambrozewicz Cochecton Robert and Dennis Nearing Delaware Giuseppe “Joe” Lentini Fallsburg New Hope Community Forestburgh Mike & Matt Jahn Fremont Kenneth Redard Highland Elyse, Greg & John Bouloukis Liberty Bob Lavelle Lumberland Alex Grech Mamakating Vinny Rampe Neversink Betty Shaver Rockland Kirk & Sarah Madison Thompson Randy, Butch & Billy Resnick Tusten Gerard Manzi 2014 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Greg J. Goldstein Distinguished Service Elain Giguere Distinguished Achievement Alexis L. Eggleton Young Emerging Leader Brad Rutledge Bethel Michael & Sandi Cassaro Callicoon Scott & Juliete Gaebel Cochecton Lloyd & Roger Brucher Delaware Matthew Lanes & Dominique Jenkins Fallsburg Ira & Nathan Stiengart & Cindy Perlmutter Forestburgh Kelvin Gorr Fremont Philip Hillriegel, Jr. Highland Lou Monteleone Liberty Joel & Kenneth Ross Lumberland Richard Codichini Mamakating Dr. Linda & Dean Tintle Neversink James R. & Susan Sheeley Rockland Dr. Mary Johnston Austin Thompson Bryce & Jamy Flynn Tusten Patrick & Peggy Harrison 2015 Honorees

Businessperson of the Year Van Etten Family Distinguished Service Glenn Pontier Distinguished Achievement Charlie Degliomini Young Emerging Leader Melinda Meddaugh Bethel Dr. Jamie Noeth Callicoon George & Tammy Shakelton Cochecton Peter & Norma Pierce Delaware Henry & Eric Kubenik Fallsburg Robert Wong (Zane Morganstein) Forestburgh The Hartwood Club Fremont Fred Sherman & Debbie Kazmark Highland NACL Theater Liberty Don & Jeanne Tulp Lumberland Christine Smetaniuk Mamakating Paul Deninno Neversink Ben Knight Rockland Sims & Kirsten Foster Thompson Alan Madnick Tusten Paul Nanni & Marla Puccetti 2016 Honorees

25th Anniversary Award Businessperson of the Year Distinguished Service Distinguished Achievement Young Emerging Leader

Les Kristt Franklin Trapp Jeff Siegel Dr. Gerard Galarneau Evan & Bryn Allees

P R I D E AWA R D S 2 1

PRIDE AWARDS PRIDE AWARDS

Thompson Tusten

Proud Chamber casts spotlight on firms that work hard and care deeply

BY KATHY DALEY

wenty-five years ago, Jacquie Leventoff got tired of hearing people grumble about the loss of the bygone era when resorts boomed and business bustled.

“If we don’t brag about Sullivan County, how can we expect anybody to appreciate what we have?” Leventoff asked back in 1992.

The county, she said then and she emphasizes now, “has a sense of community, a sense of pride, a sense of place: natural beauty, culture, and, yes, a rich history in the resorts with (comedians) Totie Fields, Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks.

“We have a strong community sense,”

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Leventoff continued, “where businesses are service-oriented, with mom and pop shops that help you. Here, it’s not unusual for a local restaurant to send a platter of food to a grieving family. It happens all the time.

That’s what you have in Sullivan County.”

So, a quarter of a century ago, as new president of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Leventoff launched the Chamber’s annual Pride Awards.

PRIDE AS A VIRTUE Leventoff was clear about what the awards should represent.

“A lot of companies are run by people with great business acumen who stay unto themselves, and that’s fine,” she said. “But there are other businesses that want to make a difference. The Pride Awards are about them – those who are doing more, who are paying it forward.”

In 1992, the award went to Alan Gerry, the TV repair business owner turned Cablevision magnate who has invested millions in the county through Bethel Woods and the Gerry Foundation, and by funding key projects at Catskill Regional Medical Center.

This year’s Sunday, May 15 Pride Awards ceremony at the Villa Roma continues the mission of honoring the best and brightest.

Set to accept a special Silver Anniversary Award is Les Kristt of Kristt Kelly Office Systems in Monticello and Honesdale.

“Les served on my board while I was with the Chamber,” recounted Terri Ward, who succeeded Leventoff as Chamber CEO. “I can honestly say that his commitment to making Sullivan County a better place was second to none. Not once did Les ever take off those rose-colored glasses, and his unwavering commitment 2016

Mike Bloom

NEW ERA IN THE MAKING One of the Chamber’s young leaders is its current CEO Cathy Paty. She’s hard at work on the event's minutia, including a filmed series of interviews with past Business Persons of the Year, to be screened on May 15.

“It’s a look back and a look forward,” said Paty. “I'm thrilled to be part of the 25th anniversary, Cathy Paty to spotlight the busi2016

nesses that are hands-on in the trenches of making the county a good place to live.”

Over the years, the Chamber typically tapped town supervisors for names of potential award winners. For the past three years the outreach include accepting nominations from the general public as a way to be more inclusive.

In addition to Kristt, those honored will be Franklin Trapp of the Forestburgh Playhouse, Dr. Gerard Galarneau of Catskill Regional Medical Center, Jeff Siegel of Spencer Daniels Agency, and Evan and Brynn Allees of the Picked Owl, a pub in Hurleyville.

“I am happy to say that each year it is a difficult process for winner selection,” Paty said. “That is a grand problem to have. We have so Terri Ward many individuals and businesses who continuously set the bar high with exemplary standards of involvement and community outreach.

“We are at a pivotal time in Sullivan County. An incredible time for businesses and dedicated community members who have waited patiently for a resurgence of positive energy and growth, Paty said.

“We have numerous projects developing simultaneously in Sullivan County – each unique and crucial to our business community.

“The networking of the Chamber membership is key in providing knowledge and synergy across our 15 townships in understanding and knowing every product and service available in your backyard, Paty said. “It is a way of encouraging and fostering volunteerism and supporting young professionals as they seek their place in society and within their own communities.

“We ask that Sullivan County businesses and residents put their best foot forward in making the Sullivan Catskills the jewel it has always been and is meant to truly be, Paty said. “It is no longer what Sullivan County ‘was’ it is about what we are going to ‘be’.

Contributed photo

Kathy Daley/Democrat

to raising funds for battling heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Terri Ward, now a county legislator, recalled how popular the Pride Awards gala Jacquie Leventoff quickly became.

“We had a tremendous turnout at Pride, year after year,” she remembered, “with a waiting list of attendees all hopeful for a last-minute cancellation. It was amazing but overwhelming for seating purposes, so I had to discontinue the assigned seating for all attendees and just give each winner their own table.”

It was under Ward that the Chamber instituted the Young Emerging Leader (YEL!) Award.

“I founded YEL! with a couple other board members, and we decided it would be a great way to recognize young professionals... and give them a sense of purpose and pride as well,” she said.

“Pride was always a very emotional time for me,” Ward continued. “Both my parents were small business owners while I was growing up, so I know and have lived the life these amazing people live. They are our unsung heroes. They are the lifeblood of our community and they had never gotten the recognition they deserve until Pride Awards.”

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WE’RE BEAMING WITH PRIDE!

CONGRATULATIONS Les Kristt, Franklin Trapp, Dr. Gerard Galarneau, Jeff Siegel, and Evan & Brynn Allees!

Your commitment to community sets the standard for excellence.

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