Young Professionals TAKE ONE FREE
‘FEATURING 21 UP AND COMERS IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY’
A special section of the
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
April 26, 2019 • Section Y • Callicoon, NY
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL 2019
Congrats, Rae! You are a wonderful wife, mother, & friend! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished! Love Nick & Jilly
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Helena-Rae Mootz
Helena-Rae Mootz STORY AND PHOTO BY AUTUMN SCHANIL
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wenty-six year old Helena-Rae Mootz has been learning the ins and outs of her family's business since she could walk, often spending time in the offices of Verona Oil Company Inc, being inspired by the hard work of her family, who have kept the business
thriving for more than seven decades. "My parents and grandparents for more than 73 years have kept the business alive and growing in a very competitive industry, creating jobs for people in Sullivan and the surrounding counties," said Mootz. "My grandfather’s and father’s work ethics are unparalleled by any I’ve ever seen before, and so I strive to
Young Professionals ‘Featuring 21 Up and Comers’ Published by
Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the
(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 April 26, 2019 • Vol. CXXVIII, No. 91
have the same work ethic as them. I feel like that’s a big part of their success." Always hoping to be a key part of the business, Mootz, who is now a mother herself, is the Chief Operating Officer of Verona Oil Company dba Verona Country Stores & Kitchens in Roscoe as well as the Executive Director of the Verona Country Stores Youth Foundation,
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which donates thousands of dollars annually to local kids’ organizations and clubs. The Verona Oil Co. offices in Roscoe are the headquarters for many of the Convenience and Country Stores throughout the county and beyond where people from all walks of life stop to fill up their gas tanks, grab a coffee, bet on that lottery ticket, or buy snacks for the car ride. "I majored in business in college, and I’ve been learning on the job which has been both challenging and rewarding," she expressed. Mootz has spent a lot of time working alongside the employees in all of their 25 locations, which she feels has given her a broader perspective on all the positions and types of work in the company. "My father, Craig, always led by example and instilled in us a strong sense of humility, teaching us that we cannot expect our employees to do things we wouldn’t do ourselves," Mootz said. "Rolling up my sleeves from time to time on the front lines allows me to understand what our employees need to not only get the job done, but enjoy their work." Mootz aims to continue utilizing technology and branding to foster growth within the business and hopefully open more Verona Country Stores & Kitchens in the future, while staying true to family traditions and making improvements to their existing stores. What keeps me moving forward is that fact that I now get to work with my siblings, Bayley and Kade," she smiled. "Now it’s our turn to keep this family business alive and thriving. I am so excited to grow in the years ahead."
Fred W. Stabbert III Joseph Abraham and Matt Shortall Isabel Braverman, Margaret Bruetsch, Kathy Daley, Patricio Robayo, Richard Ross, Jeanne Sager, Ed Townsend Rosalie Mycka Liz Tucker Barbara Matos Susan Panella Lillian Ferber Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger Michelle Reynolds Margaret Bruetsch Janet Will Elizabeth Finnegan, Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Peter Melnick, Jessica Roda Linda Davis, Larissa Bennett, Anthony Bertholf, Phil Grisafe
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Congratulations to all Young Professionals on your Well-Deserved Honors SULLIVAN COUNTY
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Amber Novikov
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Amber Novikov STORY AND PHOTO BY ISABEL BRAVERMAN
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t can be said that it’s rare for someone to truly work their way up the job ladder; starting from the bottom and achieving success. But that is the case for Amber Novikov. The 35-year-old started at Jeff Bank 12 years ago as a switchboard operator and is now the Branch Manager. After studying to become an esthetician and living in Boston, she and her husband, Anthon, moved back to the area. Her mom had worked in banking for most of her career, and even though she didn’t know anything about it, she decided to apply for the job. Over the years she’s held various positions at the company, including teller, senior teller, head teller, financial service representative and assistant branch manager. In her current role she has many duties including
overseeing the staff of about eight people, opening bank accounts and is a loan officer. Her favorite part of the job, she says, is helping people. Customer interaction is important to her and she enjoys talking with them and guiding them through any issues. She also likes seeing the staff grow. She was born and raised in Cochecton and graduated from Sullivan West High School. She and her husband now live in her childhood home, where she spends her spare time gardening. They also like outdoor activities, like going to the
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river. When they lived in Boston, they lived in an apartment complex with no yard, and were eager to move back to Sullivan County. “We don’t know
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how lucky we are to live here,” she said. Her hobbies include photography and she is a Western Sullivan Public Library board trustee.
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
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Richard Rogers STORY AND PHOTO BY MATT SHORTALL
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s the old saying goes, choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
Roscoe Beer Company’s Head Brewmaster Richard Rogers works plenty hard, but there’s no doubt it’s a labor of love. Born in Cooperstown, Rogers moved with his family to Conway,
CONGRATULATIONS
Richard Rogers From all of us at
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Richard “The Beard” Rogers
South Carolina around age four. They moved back to Delaware County when Rogers was a teenager. After graduating high school he attended Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua for Music Recording and for three years after college spent his time traveling up and down the east coast working as a live sound engineer for Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns. It was during these travels that he was introduced to craft beer. Like
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music, homebrewing quickly became a passion that he knew he would explore. Rogers became brewmaster back in April, having worked as assistant brewer for three years before that. While being brewmaster involves a bit more paperwork than he was doing before, being involved with the process from start to finish makes the final product all the more fulfilling. Sitting on a leather couch in the Roscoe Beer Company’s 400-squarefoot tasting room, Rogers said his favorite part of the job was “when you can sit in here and see people taste something that you made and watch the enjoyment on their faces It’s gratifying and also humbling,” he said. Rogers comes in early each day to keep up on emails and other business correspondence. They often have to prepare the brewing or canning process the night before so they can hit the ground running the next morning. There’s schedules to keep and shipments to deliver. Rogers is the man at the helm of an operation that’s responsible for distributing local beer in 26 counties throughout New York State. “Every week we have distributor pickups,”
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Rogers explained. “That means you have to get that beer out the door.” Whenever anything breaks, Rogers and his team work to problem solve and troubleshoot to make sure production gets back up and running. It’s hard for Rogers to name just one favorite Roscoe beer. “Of our core beers that we do all year round … the Rainbow Red is an excellent one. It’s got a really nice hop character that’s coupled well with some sweeter caramel malt. Our Stout has really great milk chocolate and roasted characters. The Brown Ale is good if you want some of that chocolate roasted character without as high an ABV (Alcohol by Volume) as our Stout.” Most of all, Rogers values the opportunity to experiment with new flavors and ideas. “The beer i’ve had on my kegerator for the past month has been the Winter Bluesberry. Sour beers are kind of a new thing for us and so far they’ve been very well received.” In his talks with headbrewers from other places, Rogers sees a little bit of his own story. “I don’t think anyone sets out to be a headbrewer somewhere. They usually end up there coming from one path or another. It’s
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interesting to see.” While making a successful career out of something that began as a hobby, Rogers has found the time and means to keep his passion for music alive. He recently bought a new house and plans to build his own home studio. He’s been doing amplifier and guitar repairs since he was in high school, which was a good way of making some extra pocket money. Rogers credits the Walton Central School District for their woodshop and metalwork program, which also featured a unit on electronics and speaker design, for originally sparking his interest in electronics repair. Rogers also says Gary LiCalzi, his band teacher at South Kortright, was monumental as a role model in his path with music. “When something peaks my interest I have a tendency to dive into it,” Rogers said. Rogers said he looks forward to expanding the already great reputation of the award-winning Roscoe Beer Company. Join him and the rest of the crew on May 4 for Roscoe Beer Company’s upcoming Ramp Festival, where craft beers are paired with local dishes.
CONGRATULATIONS RICHARD ROGERS Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club
607-498-5000
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100 Fairway View Drive, Roscoe, NY 12776
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Congratulations to all the young professionals and thank you for your dedication to enhancing Sullivan County’s business community
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther
b eer g a r d e n - f ood - e v e n ts 61301
18 Anawana Lake Road, Monticello, NY 12701 845-794-5807 gunthera@nyassembly.gov
aw wa ard w winning brewer rY Y 145 ROCKLAND ROAD D - ROSCOE, NY - ROSCOEBEERCOMPANY. A .COM
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
John Diehl STORY AND PHOTO BY MARGARET BRUETSCH
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eeting John Diehl on River Road in Callicoon on a Saturday, it’s easy to see the hard work and dedication he puts into his job. Rather than get the chance to sleep in, he had just finished pouring concrete and finished up a project in the basement of the house, and still had stains from the concrete on his hands. “We do pretty much everything,” Diehl says of his business John Diehl Masonry where he pours foundations and floors, just like Saturday’s job. “We actually just poured a floor up at the Arnold.” Diehl, 39, is a local boy, having grown up in Callicoon and Jeffersonville and currently living in Callicoon near The Barn on Hubbard, a wedding venue he and his wife Sara own. Diehl and his wife were married in 2006 and have
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two children, Emma, age 8, and Nathan who is almost 6. Diehl has 20 years of experience in masonry, and started his career work-
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ing for Wagner Masonry where he spent 10 years. He also helped out around the family farm before starting his own masonry business. Additionally, he and Sara’s Barn on Hubbard provides a rustic wedding venue to couples, and even hosts large events like The Farmhouse Project’s Makers Market last September. “You get to meet a lot of different people, and you’re not always at the same place,” Diehl says of John Diehl Masonry. While he enjoys each day bringing new faces and places, he says his least favorite part of his job is the paperwork. “You can do the work, but at the end of the day you have to collect the money.” A graduate of JeffersonvilleYoungsville Central School, Diehl’s
CONGRATS JOHN DIEHL Jr.!
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hobbies include collecting guns as well as a few hobbies that link up with work. He also owns a sawmill which allows him to provide his own lumber for his jobs, and used to make Maple Syrup full-time. “This year I put out 500 buckets, and I made about 125 buckets of syrup,” Diehl said. His wife Sara urged him to make maple syrup again because of their children. “My goal was 25 buckets since I haven’t done it in 4 years.” When he gets spare time, Diehl prefers to spend it at home with his family. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love also bringing his family to work with him. “My favorite on the job moment is having my kids come to work with me,” Diehl said.
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
JOHN
CONGRATULATIONS! We are so proud of you!
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Jason Barnes STORY AND PHOTO BY AUTUMN SCHANIL
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Jason Barnes
daughter and dogs in tow, they made the move from Oregon back to the Catskills. With a lot of work, heart, and help from family and friends, River Family Wellness was born shortly after. "I've dreamed of getting to do what I do for many years, and this business has been a vision of ours for quite some time," expressed Barnes. "I've always been confident and optimistic that we could achieve it. I've worked really hard to get where I'm at but I still sometimes can't believe that it has become a reality. I'm in awe and so grateful for everything." River Family Wellness has become a place of healing for many people in and around the Callicoon area, as well as for visitors on the weekends. They
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offer a variety of classes and alternative medicines for all types of needs and desires such as gong meditation, yoga, pole fitness and crystal healing. But of course, Barnes' specialty is in massage and acupuncture, and for those not looking for a private session, he offers community acupuncture on a sliding scale two days a week. "I enjoy so much my day to day work," Barnes smiled. "My favorite part is just interacting with my patients. I love hearing everyone's story and figuring out how I'm able to help them. Knowing that what I'm doing and what all the other amazing people that work at River Family Wellness are doing is making an impact means the world to me. Getting to see people
leave with a smile on their face is a joy." And Barnes doesn't plan on stopping there. He continuously strives to learn and grow in his field, finding courses and new techniques that allow him to better his practice and better the way he can serve people in need, including his hopes to enroll in a doctoral program within the next few years. "My patients are what drive me the most. They motivate me to do the absolute best job that I can," stated Barnes. "When someone tells me that they're feeling better, it makes me so happy and pushes me to keep going. It inspires me to continue improving and reminds me that I'm doing a job that I love."
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Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Massage Therapist and most recently, CoCreator/Co-Owner of River Family Wellness in Callicoon, Sullivan County native Jason Barnes knew from an early age that he wanted to work as a healthcare practitioner of some kind, and it's safe to say he's done just that. After receiving his massage therapy license in 2010, Barnes jumped right in and began working full time for a number of years alongside Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Acupuncturists and other professionals in the field. Still, he felt he wanted to expand the ways in which he could help people. "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine resonated with me the most," Barnes said, "so I decided to further my education and study it. I received my Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland." Through acupuncture and herbals, Barnes is able to treat a variety of conditions ranging from musculoskeletal pain, mental-emotional issues and digestive issues to addiction/recovery, pediatrics and more. It was he and his partner Dawn Hyde's vision to create an accessible holistic healing center back in their home community, so with their
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4895 St. Rt. 52, Jeffersonville, NY 12748 • www.EyesOnMainSt.com Sun. & Mon. Closed • Tues. & Thurs. - 10 am - 7 pm • Wed. & Fri. - 10 am - 5 pm • Sat. - 10 am - 1 pm
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Tanyia Vannatta
whether it be a commercial loan or deposit relationship, and then watching their dream become a reality is truly rewarding. Most oftentimes, these relationships lead to friendships that will remain with me outside of these walls, and for that I am grateful.” Vannatta grew up on a farm in Hunlock Creek, Pa., where she developed a strong work ethic and learned responsibilities at a young age. She is the oldest of seven, with three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Lake Lehman High School in 2004 before going to Luzerne County Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in general studies in 2006. After college, she managed multiple restaurants, and in late 2013, moved to Damascus, Pa. to live with her now husband Zach. At that present time, Vannatta was still commuting over an hour for work. That’s when she made the switch to banking and the rest was history. Tanyia and Zach have been married for three years now and have two fur babies, a yellow lab named Jager and an American bulldog/lab mix Kodah. They love to travel, often spending time in the Finger Lakes, Florida and
Tanyia Vannatta STORY AND PHOTO BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM
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anyia Vannatta, Community Office Manager of Wayne Bank’s Callicoon branch lives by author Jennifer Dukes Lee’s quote, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” With that motto it’s no surprise she has an exceptional track record when it comes to customer service. Vannatta, 32, got into the banking industry in 2014. She had recently moved to the area and saw a teller position was open at Bank of America in Callicoon. In September 2014, Bank of America sold to the National Bank of Delaware County (NBDC). That’s when Vannatta became a customer service representative and was also one of the bank’s trainers for new hires. In September 2016, the bank was sold again, this time to Wayne Bank and Vannatta was offered a manager position at the Narrowsburg location. She’s since been a
manager there, Assistant Manager in the Honesdale office, and in 2018 returned to the Callicoon office as Manager. “Where do I begin,” Vannatta said when asked about her favorite thing about Wayne Bank. “I feel as though I am part of a family rather than being an employee. I can call any of the 200plus individuals who work for Wayne Bank and every single one of them would be happy to lend a helping hand. My executive management team has always supported me and my career advancement and they truly show their appreciation for my role within the company.” Vannatta has always wanted to work for a company where she could do something meaningful for individuals and her career alike, and she’s found that at Wayne Bank. “Wayne Bank’s motto is helping the community grow,” she explained. “Being able to provide local people with a bank product or service,
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recently returned from a lovely cruise to St. Thomas, Turks and Caicos Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico Vannatta loves anything that pertains to the outdoors –– kayaking snowmobile watercross (racing snowmobiles on ponds during the summer which she’s since retired from), fourwheeling, floating on the Delaware etc. Her hobbies include photography work (especially newborn sessions landscapes and wildlife), playing pool, selling crafts and spending time on Pinterest which she jokingly says “Will be the death of me.” Vannatta is also heavily involved in the community. Once a month, she and another Wayne Bank employee teach the basics of banking and the importance of credit courses at Delaware Valley Job Corp. She’s a Callicoon Business Association board member, a co-chair of the event committee and active volunteer in the hamlet’s beautification efforts Vannatta is also a member of the Callicoon Kiwanis. “I’m very passionate about having a presence in our community, and I hope to inspire individuals to become more involved.”
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Ellyane Hutchinson STORY AND PHOTO BY PATRICIO ROBAYO
“D
on't be afraid to explore and ask questions—talk to people,” said Ellyane Hutchinson, 38, who lives in Mountaindale when she was asked, “What was crucial to her success?” Born in Staten Island but raised in Mountaindale, her parents kept a home in the Catskills and made the final move to live full-time soon after Hutchinson was born. She attended the Fallsburg Central School District where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1998. Soon after graduation, Hutchinson moved to New York City to attend New York University (NYU) and earned her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in East Asian Studies. She then attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Ellyane Hutchinson
GA ALLERY ALLER ER RY Y 222 22 2 22
to our verry own
Ellyane Hu utchinson
on your extraordinary y accomplishm accomplishments ments 71867
WE CELEBRA CE TE YOU O TO OD DAY AND EVE ERYD DAY! hurley eyvilleartscentre.co om
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gallery222 22 .org
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
She began working with the public and residents on textile and rapid fabrication projects and also later began working part-time at the Hurleyville Arts Centre. During that time, Gallery 222 opened its doors, and Hutchinson hosted two Maker’s Lab exhibits in the space. After the Maker’s Lab closed their public face of the facility, Hutchinson moved full-time to be the coordinator for the gallery. She is also the Web Administrator for Gallery 222 and the Hurleyville Arts Centre. Furthermore, she handles special events at the Arts Centre and she says, “It’s a dream space.” Being with family in Sullivan County Hutchinson felt made a difference and helped her make the decision to move back full-time. Hutchinson recently bought a home in Mountaindale and is looking to expand her creativity in the fiber arts. “I don’t really feel stuck here since it’s so convenient to travel to other states. We are two hours away from anywhere,” said Hutchinson. “I didn’t really fall in love with any other cities like I’ve done here in Sullivan
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County.” Hutchinson has become more involved in fiber arts since living in the area. She serves as the President of Woodland Weavers’ & Spinners’ Guild in Damascus, Pa. “We meet once a month, from April to November, and have at least 40 members. We do educational programming and demonstrations,” said Hutchinson. “The weaving and lace community is global, but it is also a small community.” She is also a part of the Lace Guild in Brooklyn and the Liberty Lacers in Philadelphia. “It’s fun, but it also involves problem-solving,” said Hutchinson. “The benefit of being in a guild is the comradery, problem-solving, access to knowledge and they are a huge resource,” said Hutchinson. “I want to continue to develop my skills in fiber arts.” Hutchinson is also very active with her community and has served on the Fallsburg Comprehensive Plan Committee. “We focused a lot on zoning and dealing with things like access for locals. I think it made a difference and I hope things get implemented,” said Hutchinson. “You can't complain if
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you are not at least paying attention. It was a positive experience for me.” She also is part of the Mountaindale Action Committee. This committee helps with the Sullivan Renaissance projects which involve the beautification of the town. “I help out with the tech side of things and provide photos,” said Hutchinson. Growing up and traveling, Hutchinson was exposed to a lot of different artists and people and wanted to bring that feeling to the county. “It has made a difference in my life,” said Hutchinson. “Not having a chance to see art is sad. So we have a chance to bring artwork here. I feel what I do is making an impact in the community, and it's nice to bring an urban and global perspective to Sullivan County.” Hutchinson said she is honored to be part of Young Professionals and said, “Truly do what you love and focus on that, and everything will fall into place. I was doing fiber arts when I came up, and doing that and being involved in that community led me to be at the job I have now.” “Don't be afraid to explore and ask questions—talk to people,” said Hutchinson.
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and studied Television Production with a focus on Animation. Hutchinson remained in the city for 12 years working at various digital animation studios. “I worked in animation for companies like A&E, Nickelodeon, and a few other pilots,” said Hutchinson. Moreover, she worked on “Disney's Little Einsteins” animated series at Curious Pictures before making a move back to Sullivan County. “What made me come back was not only family, but the cost of living was good, and it was easy to access major airports and the city,” said Hutchinson. While settling back into her hometown, Hutchinson continued to freelance, which allowed her to explore her art passion ... the fiber arts. “I worked on websites like Textile Society of America and a few more,” said Hutchinson. “Because of the web, I was able to work from home most of the time.” While exploring her passion in the arts, she was recommended by Annie Cadden of Fiber on Main and was hired for a new space that was going to open up soon, The Hurleyville Maker’s Lab.
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Congratulations to all the Young Professionals Including
Meagan Galligan
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Chief Assistant District Attorney
District Attorney Jim Farrell
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On behalf of the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office 72383
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APRIL, 2019
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
15Y
Meagan Galligan STORY AND PHOTO BY PATRICIO ROBAYO
M
eagan Galligan, 37, was raised in Liberty before her family moved to Oakland Valley in Forestburgh and after studying and living in New York City, she returned home to Sullivan County because of family and the strong will to give back to the community. She graduated from Port Jervis High School in 1999, and soon after, moved to the city to attend New York University to study Political Science. “I was always interested in law, and in high school, I participated a lot in mock court,” said Galligan. While attending NYU, she worked as a paralegal in the city before moving on to law school in Washington D.C. There, she attended Georgetown University and graduated in 2006 with her law degree. Galligan then returned to the city, where she was involved with corporate law but soon discovered she didn’t find that type of work fulfilling. Looking to return back to Sullivan County, she found out that a position became available at the District Attorney’s office and she applied. Former District Attorney Steve Lungen hired her in July 2009. As an Assistant District Attorney, she quickly rose through the ranks at the office to where she is now, Chief Assistant District Attorney. “I started in the justice courts, prosecuting violations and misdemeanors primarily,” said Galligan. As Galligan grew professionally, she began to take on more responsibility at the office. “As a felony prosecutor, I helped with special investigations and took on some administrative roles and helped make sure the office was running,” said Galligan. As Chief Assistant District Attorney, Galligan is in charge of all prosecutions, search warrants, special investigations, and appeals. In addition to prosecuting violent drug and gun crimes, “we have also taken some cases
Meagan Galligan
to the court of appeals—the highest court in the NY state—and I am in charge of filing those cases,” she said. The Galligan family has a long history of public service in Sullivan County. Her grandfather, Vincent C. Galligan Sr. was the Forestburgh Town Supervisor for close to 30 years. Her father, John Galligan has also been town supervisor and now sits on the town board as a councilman. Her uncle, Jim Galligan has served on the Forestburgh Town Board and was once the head of the County Office for the Aging. “Community service was definitely stressed to me as a child,” said Galligan. “We try to do that; my brother served in the Marines in Afghanistan after 9/11, and my sister is also an attorney. She practices corporate and real estate law but also works with those who are seeking asylum.” When Galligan was growing up, her father John was a land surveyor for many years in the Village of Monticello. “He dealt with a lot of real estate and land transactions,” said Galligan. It was during those times that Meagan met family friend, Ted Drew, from Drew,
Davidoff, and Edwards at the time. “He was such a big presence in our life when I was a child. We thought it must be amazing to be a lawyer—to be like Ted. My sister and I followed that path,” said Galligan. Meagan is the youngest in her family; she also has four siblings, Edward, Tracey, Kelly, and John. “Criminal prosecution is a way for me to give back to the community and I have come to find that this is my passion and calling,” said Galligan. “That's the wonderful thing about Sullivan County. We are kept so safe by our local law enforcement. Most people don't know what goes on in the criminal justice system and how serious some offenses are,” she added. Galligan remembers a time when she used to ride her bike with her brother, up and down Broadway in the Village of Monticello while her father worked. “We would spend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all across the village, and we were fine. We can't let our children do that anymore and that’s a horrible loss. I believe it’s because of the rise of gang and drug-related violence,” said Galligan.
“I may not know what the long-term answer is, but I know the short-term answer is rooting out the violence before it occurs,” said Galligan. “When we see convictions that come out of the office about criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree—that's a shooting we prevented,” said Galligan. Galligan said one of her main reasons for returning home to Sullivan County was the support from her family. “I live in an area where my family, which is a huge support, surrounds me,” said Galligan who lives in Forestburgh with her 10-year-old son Thomas. “This is not a 9 to 5 job ... this is 24/7 job. You are up writing search warrants at 2 a.m.—talking to law enforcement at all hours of the night. To have the support of the community and my family was the only way I could have succeeded in my career,” said Galligan. “I appreciate the nomination in the Young Professionals publication,” said Galligan. “It represents to me much more than just the work I am doing, but also the work and support of everyone who has helped me get to this place.”
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Sister Special:
Joelee and Jenna Motichka STORY AND PHOTO BY ISABEL BRAVERMAN
Joelee Motichka Joelee Motichka is probably the only person you know who has perfectly manicured nails but has no qualms about scrubbing down a delivery truck with a toothbrush. As the Manager of Rent-EVent, she does everything from research and design of prospective new inventory to event consultation. The 34-year-old got into the family business 15 years ago and worked her way up to now basically running the entire operation. Owned by her father, Steve Motichka, Rent-E-Vent was created in 1996 and is a division of Rent-E-Quip, Inc. No stranger to hard work, as a student in Honesdale High School Joelee worked at Upper Delaware Campground in Callicoon during the summers, as well as waitressing at the Western Hotel and was a ski instructor at the Villa Roma. After graduating she attended SUNY New Paltz and Marist College and earned her degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She came home after college and was about to pursue a PhD. The last summer after college she planned on working at the campground once again, but it closed down. She called her dad and said, “I need a job” so she started working at Rent-E-Vent. That summer she was “the grunt,” as she called it, doing cleaning of rental equipment in the warehouse and, yes, scrubbing the rental trucks. But as the summer ended she felt a responsibility to the clients that she got to know and work with, so she deferred her PhD program and joined Rent-E-Vent full time. Now after many years of success she can barely find any free time. During their busy season, which is the summer, they do around 30 to 40 events every weekend. Joelee oversees a large staff and makes sure they carry out events to the client’s satisfaction.
Rent-E-Vent has grown from one tent to now offering equipment for any event, from intimate backyard luncheons to large weddings, carnivals to business events. They own tens of thousands of pieces of inventory, and everything is stored right in Honesdale at their 16,000square foot warehouse. When she does find some spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, especially at the Delaware River. She lives with her boyfriend, TJ, and their dog Bug. She also likes going to concerts and reading academic articles on psychology. She is a board member of the Greater Honesdale Partnership and a member of the American Rental Association and Industrial Fabrics Association International.
Jenna Motichka Jenna Motichka probably knows more about antiques than your average 29year-old. That’s because she has eight years of experience as the manager of A Picker’s Find in Honesdale, where hundreds of antiques pass through the doors every day. Owned by her father, Steve, A Picker’s Find has become a popular destination for antique collectors and novices alike. Jenna and her father scout for unique items as well as take consignments. If a person comes in with something to sell, Jenna must use her keen eye and maybe do a little research to see what it’s worth. And the people are her favorite part of the job: getting to know the customers and helping them with projects. “You get close with people because they’re passionate,” Jenna remarked. “You hear tons of stories.” Indeed it seems any antique holds lots of history; how many generations has it passed through, how many stories does it hold. One of her favorite on-the-job memories was being able to help find homes for some items belonging to a local estate that had a full-sized locomotive train and an at-home circus, as well
Jenna Motichka on the lower steps and Joelee is above. as a 2,800-pound anchor that now resides at the store. “Every single day is different,” Jenna says. Many people who come in are not just homeowners looking for décor, but artists who are looking for just the right item for an art project. Before working at the shop, Jenna was attending the Art Institute of New York City for fashion design, and also worked at The Dime Bank and Guenther’s Ski
Haus and was a ski instructor at the Villa Roma. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially going to the Delaware River, and also going to concerts. She lives in Honesdale with her boyfriend, Sam, and their dog. Her schedule is pretty much always busy, as she likes to be involved in the community, and is a board member for the Wayne County Arts Alliance.
APRIL, 2019
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
Jonathan Shakelton-Ivans
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
17Y
Congratulations
Jonathan
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amily values are a driving force for both the business practices and the life choices of Jonathan Shakelton-Ivans, co-owner of the Shakelton’s franchise. The chain provides auto parts and automotive advice for customers, and Jonathan’s 18 years of banking experience are an asset to the company. Jonathan’s father started the business 35 years ago, and Jonathan came back at the perfect time, as his father is ready to retire. Jonathan got his start at his father’s business by delivering parts by bike from the store in Roscoe. He graduated from Hancock Central School in 1997, before attending college and graduating in 2003. Working in a corporate job away from home increased Jonathan’s appreciation for the small town communities that encompass our area. Jonathan, his husband and their three children returned to the area to work at the family business and enjoy all that the rural landscapes have to offer. “When I was younger, I valued the
efficiency of my commute to work, but now I’m glad that I traded efficiency for a beautiful drive.” Having close relationships with employees and customers was one of the primary factors that brought Jonathan back to the family business. His mother baked cookies for the various shops, and he hopes to keep those traditions going. Shakelton donates fluorescent shirts to various road crews, including Rockland and Hancock. They sponsor car shows and donate to local fire districts. “My parents did a great job running the business, and I hope to continue in their footsteps. This type of business affords different relationships and accentuates personal successes.” Jonathan’s main goal for the business is to keep the quality up while keeping the prices similar. His personal goal is to make sure all three of his children graduate from high school and spend time with them. “My kids love coming to work with me, and although I work more hours now than in the past, it is easier to work around my family.”
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL, 2019
Vanessa and Will Reeves
"I
failed math," said Vanessa Reeves with a smirk on her face. "Clarence was in the grade below me, and I failed math class. That's how we met each other." Clarence William Reeves, who prefers to be called Will, and wife Vanessa have a long history now with three daughters and building, not just one, but four businesses while constantly supporting each other. Will's first job right out of High School was construction. It was never a family business, it was just something that interested him, something he wanted to do. "Our fathers were both farmers. Will's dad was a chicken farmer when Gorzynski's used to be a chicken farm," explained Vanessa, "and my dad owned a dairy farm in Bethel. Construction wasn't in our blood or anything." So Will decided to start up Reeves Mountain Construction in May 2011, while Vanessa was working for the school as a bus driver. She would help him out when she could by making phone calls or doing paperwork in the middle of the day. "When I started out, I really thought it was just going to be me. I never planned on having employees,"
explained Will. "I'm happy with how much we've grown, but it's also stressful having people working for you. I need and want to make sure they always have work. "Any given day we're doing a different task," he continued. "We move around a lot as we have jobs all over the place, and of course I prefer to be outside. We get a lot of roofing jobs, siding, flooring, bathrooms, reconstruction as well as building a house Owners Will and Vanessa Reeves stand with their twin daughters Niccole (right) and Elizabeth. from the ground up." And as the construction business grew, other opportunities ago, in 2015 to focus solely on their employees, full-time as well as seasonbegan to present themselves. Vanessa growing businesses. Together, she and al employees that return during the was unable to drive bus due to a knee Will established Reeves Mountain summer months. injury and DOT physicals, so when Holdings LLC in March of last year that "We'd still be doing handyman jobs one of Will's clients asked her to clean holds their 10 rentals, which consist of if it weren't for them," Vanessa smiled her house, she gave it a go. homes, apartment buildings and as she looked towards the team. "Will "She was a very private person and commercial rentals in the and I may be the first impression our didn't want anyone else to clean her Narrowsburg and Cochecton areas. clients get but my crew is often the house so I started and I liked it," "That is more me than Will, although lasting one." Vanessa said. "That one client led to he supports me completely. I see so And their newest embarkment? other of Will's clients asking, and it many weekend homes and houses Reeves Mountain Properties LLC was great. I could make my own hours, being turned into Airbnb's," Vanessa established just last month that they never miss school events and I was stated. "There isn't a lot out there for hope will one day be Reeves Mountain able to be with the kids." young couples like us that's affordable Custom Built Homes. Shortly after, Vanessa's Cleaning and because everyone wants the weekend "We don't do wall paper and we Home Management was born. house. So I like providing rentals for don't clean chimneys," Vanessa said Vanessa eventually left her job as a bus people." laughing, "but we do pretty much driver at the school just a few years Vanessa and Will now have about 13 everything else."
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STORY AND PHOTO BY AUTUMN SCHANIL
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL 2019
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
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Maura Caycho
Maura Caycho time with her family and doing outdoor activities together like going to the river, riding bikes, and boating. She also loves
the Narrowsburg community and often brings her kids to Tusten Youth Commission events.
Congratulationss To All The Young Professionals
www.newhopecommunity y.org 68944
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aura Caycho is a Sullivan County girl through and through. Born and raised in Jeffersonville, she now lives in Narrowsburg with her husband, Brian, and their two children Cian, six-years-old, and Saive, four-years-old. Although Caycho is her married name, most people would recognize her maiden name—Mullally. Her family owns Mullally Tractor Sales and used to own Mullally’s Pub. Her father was born and raised in the county and she is the youngest of six kids. A graduate of Sullivan West High School, Caycho went on to attend SUNY Sullivan and Binghamton University. She came back to the area and after working at The Center for Discovery her journey has come full circle and she is currently the Executive Assistant to the President at SUNY Sullivan. Her job duties are varied and she’s constantly working on different things, from
coordinating schedules to managing the president and board budget, as well as attending board meetings and working on special projects. The variety is what she loves about the job, especially because she says she would rather be busy. “I love that my job is different every day,” Caycho remarked. “Different things come through the door.” She also enjoys doing research for projects and solving problems. As a student at SUNY Sullivan she liked the small class sizes and that the professors knew your name. It’s something that she says she didn’t fully appreciate until she transferred to Binghamton, where you feel like a small fish in a big pond. And now working at the college, it still has that small, tight-knit community feel. One of her favorite moments was seeing the graduation ceremony last year. “I appreciated seeing the pride in students and their families, and the faculty that helped them get there,” she said. In her spare time she loves spending
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STORY AND PHOTO BY ISABEL BRAVERMAN
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
Democrat ushers in new era
A
s illustrated in this publication, Sullivan County is full of talented and hard-working young professionals, and that’s especially true at our 128-year-old newspaper. These are their stories (dun dun)...
JOSEPH ABRAHAM
Moving 10 hours up the east coast from North Carolina, Joseph Abraham, 26, started at the Sullivan County Democrat in May 2016. He joined the staff as sports editor, and in October 2017 was promoted to coeditor alongside Matt Shortall. Abraham still oversees the sports section, as well as the life section, and half of the paper’s annual special publications. He also assists with news coverage and is the editor of Catskills Confidential –– a Sullivan County Visitors Guide produced eight times a year. When he isn’t working hard, Abraham spends time lightening the mood as deadline days can be stressful. Before working at the Democrat, Abraham attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies, and minors in history and communication studies. While at UNCG, Abraham worked for the school newspaper for the entirety of his college years, beginning as a sports writer, then sports editor and finally, editor-in-chief in his senior year. He also interned at the Utica Observer-Dispatch. Abraham has always been fascinated with people. When he went trick or treating as a child, those giving him candy were often subjected to an unplanned interview about their lives. He also had a love of sports, which remains today. Growing up he dreamed of working for ESPN, but as he began writing, his focus evolved. “While my passion for journalism began with sports, it’s now undoubtedly centered around telling people’s stories,” he said. “This profession and specifically this paper –– with the diversity of coverage and special sections we produce –– allows me to do just that.”
“I’ve always loved writing, and I also have a natural curiosity and like to ask people questions so it seemed like a good fit,” Democrat Staff Writer Isabel Braverman said of choosing journalism. Braverman covers Sullivan County Legislature, and the Towns of Delaware, Highland and Tusten for the Democrat. The 28-year-old Ithaca College journalism grad celebrates her oneyear anniversary at the paper next month. She began her journalism career at Honesdale High School. And later wrote for multiple-time New York Press Association College Newspaper of the Year, the Ithacan, and Buzzsaw Magazine. During her college years, she interned at GRITtv with Laura Flanders and StyleCaster Media Group in New York City and University Link Magazine in Los Angeles. After graduating she worked at The River Reporter. When she isn’t writing, Braverman spends her time dancing, cooking, swimming in the Delaware River, and most importantly ... pretending she can sing. Catch her belting out tunes from the Strokes, Spice Girls and Blink 182. Her love of dance stems from her mother, Sarah, who owns The Dance Center in Port Jervis where Braverman teaches on Thursday nights. She began learning ballet at age three and later fell in love with contemporary dance. She also loves to write personal non-fiction. Shy and soft spoken, Braverman uses writing to express who she is and what she believes. Her work has been published in DV8 Magazine, Thought Catalog and American Theatre Magazine. As for what she loves most about writing, Braverman says, “It allows me to tell people’s stories and show a creative side of myself.”
However her creations when pen hits paper are anything but boring. “I started writing stories as a little kid and fell in love with creating new tales,” she explains. “When I got older I was interested in journalists and loved old newspapers. So I guess my love for writing and history made me want to pursue a career in this field.” The 2012 Sullivan West grad attended Marist College, where she was a double major, studying English (Writing) and communication (Journalism). She also was a creative writing minor. While in school she interned at the Democrat. Selfdescribed as a proud introvert, Bruetsch soon had to break out of her shell, especially when then editor Frank Rizzo would send her out to do reporter on the street interviews. This past January was her two-year anniversary as a full-time employee. Her duties include selling ads for special sections in the paper and for one of our biggest special publications –– Graduation. Otherwise, she works at our Monticello office three days a week answering phones, helping customers, etc. “I’m so grateful to have wonderful coworkers,” Bruetsch says, “My supervisor Michelle is wonderful to work with, and our crew at the Democrat always find a way to have some fun everyday.” However, Bruetsch still flexes her writing muscles, taking photos and recapping various events for the paper. Her hobbies include writing, hiking, yoga, crafting (sewing, knitting, etc.), line dancing, singing and playing guitar. Bruetsch also loves to travel. She’s proud of her family’s Irish heritage and always enjoys spending time in the Emerald Isle. Another place you’ll frequently find her is the local book store or in a cozy corner getting lost in a spell (she’s a big Harry Potter fan) and escaping from the real world.
MARGARET BRUETSCH
NYSSA CALKIN
ISABEL BRAVERMAN
Ad Sales Rep/Monticello Officer Manager Margaret Bruetsch, 25, describes herself as pretty boring.
Photo Editor Nyssa Calkin, 33, recently celebrated her five-year anniversary at the Democrat, where
APRIL, 2019
she digitally processes images for newsprint and does much of the website article uploads and maintenance. She also takes her photography skills out of the office and on assignment acting as an occasional photojournalist. When she’s not making our photos look great, Calkin is an entrepreneur. She owns photography business Diamond Cut Images and Mayari Movement Arts teaching pole fitness and dance classes at River Family Wellness. She is also a volunteer for various animal rescues working mostly with NYC organizations that send their rescues to foster homes in the Upper Delaware River Valley. Calkin is the doting mother of William and Lily –– two of the best kids around –– and, as she describes herself, “An animal lover that oversees the life-sustaining needs of so, so many other creatures.” She attended Delaware Valley (bleeds purple and gold) and graduated in 2004 from the first class at Sullivan West High School. From there, she attended SUNY Sullivan to study photography and has recently returned to college to study biology and psychology. So what drew her to photography? “I had limited vision, light sensitivity, and a neurological movement disorder that caused blepharospasms which effects the muscles around the eyes. It made me love the stillness of photographs,” she says. “Also, my interests were always heavy in science and the arts and back when I went to school, photography was both art and science. Initially, my choice to pursue it had to do with my love of animals and nature. Like many other photographers that grew up reading National Geographic and watching Animal Planet, I had this fanciful idea that I could be a wildlife photographer.” “I would photograph pets and our local wildlife, spend hours upon hours in the darkroom mixing chemicals and processing photos, and in the end I was rewarded with a still image that didn’t strain my eyes as real everyday motion did. I don’t think people can really appreciate how amazing it is that humans are able to stop moments like that unless
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL 2019
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
21Y
they’ve really struggled with vision.”
PETRA CRONK
As a graphic designer at the Democrat for over six years, Petra Duffy-Cronk, 35, is a jack of all trades. She’s part of the production team, creates and designs advertisements, lays out pages of the paper’s different sections, designs inserts, and singlehandedly designs the Hurleyville Sentinel. “I like building a design from scratch, and giving customers a design that will help their business,” she said. When she isn’t designing, Petra enjoys reading, taking photos, playing video games and game nights with the family. She is also a movie buff, with a preference of action, horror, fantasy and crime genres. Growing up, Petra always loved the arts from theatre to photography, drawing, painting, piecing paper together to create images ... you name it. She also likes doing puzzles. She graduated from Liberty High School in 2001 knowing she was going to get a degree related to art, but wasn’t sure what kind. “I knew I was creative, but also analytical,” she said. Petra graduated with an associate’s degree in graphic design from SUNY Sullivan in 2005. About five years later she signed up for online courses through International Design and Technology Academy (based in Florida) and completed her Bachelor's degree. Petra has been with her husband, Rocky Cronk, for over 16 years (married for 2 years). “My son Cyrus, 15 years old, is the reason I originally switched to graphic design,” she said. “He was a wonderful surprise that pretty much knocked some serious responsibility into my head. I loved photography with an intense passion but I knew that it was more of a hobby than a secure business plan for me. I wanted a bit more stability for the future while I didn't completely compromise my own desires of staying in the creative field.” She now has 12 years of experience in the graphic design field. “I ended up loving every aspect of graphic design,” she said. “There’s so much creativity involved as well as a technical side that fits my personality. I try to learn new things every day about anything related to graphic
FRED STABBERT III | DEMOCRAT
The Sullivan County Democrat Young Professionals, from left, front row: Nyssa Calkin and Margaret Bruetsch. Middle row, from left, Isabel Braverman, Petra Cronk and Jessica Roda. Back row, Matt Shortall, Peter Melnick, Joseph Abraham and Patricio Robayo.
design. There are so many new and exciting techniques available that I’m constantly jumping online to see what other people are doing and then I try to incorporate those new techniques into the projects I'm working on.”
PETER MELNICK
“Shut Up Peter Melnick.” To some that would be an insult, but for Fallsburg High School and 2013 SUNY Oswego grad, Peter Melnick, it’s simply a way of life ... not to men-
tion, the name of his latest one-man podcast. At Oswego, he was a Graphic Design major and creative writing minor. Melnick, 30, joined the Democrat staff two years ago as a layout designer. “My favorite part of design is being able to create art and assist with the creation of publications, and giving the gift of literacy, which is what we do,” he said. “My favorite part of working at the Democrat is seeing the creation of a page and it being as perfect as humanly possible,” he said.
In his free time, Melnick enjoys reading comic books and podcasting. Speaking of which, move over Avengers, X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy, because in 2018 a new superhero team was formed –– the Marvelists. The weekly podcast featuring Melnick and radio personality Eddie Wilson has flown up, up and away! In just a year they’ve interviewed Mark Ruffalo, Rob Van Dam, Rob Liefeld, Chip Zdarsky, and in May, Melnick is hosting a panel at PLEASE SEE DEMOCRAT, 22Y
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East Coast Comicon in Seacaucus, New Jersey about the history of Black Panther with legendary Marvel writer Don McGregor. The Marvelists has been cited at many media outlets such as the Hollywood Reporter, Nerdist, Collider and SlashFilm. “Podcasting is a wonderful means of a person being able to express themselves,� Melnick says. “It’s helped me become a better and much more confident human being. I don’t know what I’d do without it.�
MATT SHORTALL
“Who says you can’t go home.� The Bon Jovi lyrics could apply to Sullivan County Democrat Co-Editor Matt Shortall, who came back home to Sullivan County not once, but twice. The 27-year-old Liberty High School grad majored in journalism at SUNY Albany, and then began working at
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
the Democrat in 2015 as a staff writer. “I gravitated toward journalism because I always liked meeting new people and asking questions about things I was interested in,� Shortall said. “History was always my favorite subject in school, and I thought about how exciting it was for journalists who get to document history.� Shortall, whose passion for journalism continued to grow, told Publisher Fred Stabbert III that he loved working at the paper so much he wanted to get his master’s degree. He then moved to Babylon and attended the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where he graduated in 2017 with a master’s degree. He then returned to the Democrat, once again as a staff writer covering hard news and county government. In October 2017, he was promoted to co-editor, where he oversees half of the paper’s special publications and the news section. “What I like the most about working at the Democrat is that each day has the potential to be different than the one before,� he said. “One day I might
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go to a naturalization ceremony where immigrants become American citizens and the next day I’m watching inmates get their college diplomas during a graduation ceremony inside prison. There's opportunities to go places that not everyone in the public gets to go. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and getting paid to do so feels pretty good.�
PATRICIO ROBAYO For Democrat Staff Writer Patricio Robayo, 39, his journalism career began behind a lens. Robayo went to Art and Design High School in NYC and majored in computer graphics. He then went to SUNY Purchase where he got his bachelor’s degree in photography. “I have always been into the arts, I started drawing at a young age,� he said. “I finally found photography as my medium and used those skills for many years in the Bronx as a photojournalist for the Bronx Times.� His two-year anniversary with the Democrat is August 28. Currently, Robayo covers the Towns of Bethel, Forestburgh and Thompson, as well as SUNY Sullivan and the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency. When he isn’t on those beats, Robayo assists with event coverage, writes features, sports and special section articles. “Making the jump to full reporting has allowed me to not only expand on my skills but to learn new skills and to grow as a professional,� he said. Robayo recently won his first ever New York State Press Association award for his series on homelessness. His hobbies include playing chess, reading, bird watching, photography, hiking and gardening. And in June, Robayo and his wife, Rebeca, are expecting their first child. Robayo is also on the Wurtsboro Art Alliance (WAA) board and serves as treasurer. He hosts an artist talk series, Catskill Talks, for WAA, which will be embarking their third season this year. Their first talk is June 15 at 5 p.m. He also helps manage WJFF Radio Catskill’s social media. He’s also on the Sullivan Renaissance Multicultural Advisory Committee. “I’ve lived in Sullivan County for four years, and as I’ve gotten to know people –– in both my work with the Democrat and local arts communi-
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ty –– I feel like I can finally call it my home,� Robayo said. “Rebeca and I are excited to start our family here.�
JESSICA RODA
A lifelong fan of art and design, Jessica Roda, a 2008 Sullivan West graduate chose to study graphic design at Sullivan BOCES while in high school, and also enjoyed the basic photography class at Sullivan West the same year. As much as she loved design work, photography became ever more exciting and she wanted to explore it more, citing the National Geographic magazine as an inspiration. She attended the New England Institute of Art in Brookline, Massachusetts where she graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s of science in digital photography. “I love capturing people’s joy, essence, their precious memories and beautiful moments,� she said. Roda spent some time as a senior photographer at Lifetouch post college, and has her own company, Jessica Lynn Photography –– specializing in weddings and lifestyle portraits. Other hobbies include gardening, hiking, video games, spending time with her husband Adam by the river, and improving her cooking skills. Her story at the Democrat began a year ago when she began as a legal admin/editorial production assistant. Her duties range from processing legals, organizing coming ups, meetings and the sports calendar, obituaries, formatting all columns/send-in articles, Down the Decades, special sections work, school contact list, Catskill-Delaware, format/retype articles, create/export pages for publication, and importing ads for the paper and special pubs. So basically ... everything and anything. “I really enjoy seeing all the events that come in and to see all that the community is doing. I love managing the calendar and informing the community of all there is to do. As a young adult who chose to return home and make a life here, it’s good to see so much going on, and I also want others to be aware,� Roda said. “I find it inspiring to work with a group of young individuals who are passionate about journalism and that really care about making our community a better and more positive place.�
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Congratulations to the Sullivan County Democrat's
“Mod Squad” Your enthusiasm, energy and hard work are an inspiration to all your ‘experienced’ co-workers!
KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB! And to all the Young Professionals...
Congratulations on a well-deserved honor. Call 845-887-5200 to advertise or subscribe today "Sullivan County's Hometown Newspaper for 128 Years"
www.SCDEMOCRATONLINE.com
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
APRIL 2019
Congratulaates H leena Hel naa--Rae Moooottz
On Bei Being Se Selected As As a 2019 19
Suullivan County Y Yooung Pr Prrof of offeeesssional! Thank You fo for your endless dedication, proffeessionalism, and spirit! We cRXOGQ·t think of a more deserving recipient!
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