Young Professionals 2018

YoungProfessionals TAKE ONE FREE

‘FEATURING 12 UP AND COMERS IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY’

A special section of the

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

April 20, 2018 • Section Y • Callicoon, NY

2Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Kyle Salvatore STORY AND PHOTO

BY MARGARET BRUETSCH

K

yle Salvatore does a little bit of everything as Delaware Valley Farm and Garden’s (DVFG) General Manager. From loading customers to finding or ordering their needed items, he’s there to help and will continue to be there to help since he and his wife Kaelin will be taking over the business, but he’s no stranger to DVFG in Callicoon. His mother Patti Sobolak was the reason Salvatore began working at DVFG as a teenager.

“My mom started working here in the early 2000s, so I started working here when I was 14 until I was 17,” Salvatore said. “I was just in the warehouse load-

s n o i t a l u t

Kyle Salvatore

a r g n Co

to all of the 2018 Young Professionals!

(845) 482-4000 www.jeffbank.com www.facebook.com/jeffersonvillebank

59574

Still Banking Strong!

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

ing and stuff.”

Salvatore, now 31, has since received his degree from the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando, FL, and spent the past 12 years as a mechanic at Rusty Palmer over in Honesdale, PA. But for the past year, he’s been learning the business at DVFG. “Learning this business is the biggest thing on my plate,” Salvatore said. “Rich has been doing this for 30 years so I have a lot of catching up to do.”

Salvatore grew up in Milanville, Pa. on his family’s dairy farm SobSal Acres, run by his dad John. The family would visit DVFG when they needed supplies. His older brother Greg is still a dairy farmer in Pa. “My favorite part of the job is making customers happy. If you find what they need or have something they really want,” Salvatore explained, but the hardest part of the job is not having everything people need. “It’s also a lot of hours and a lot of physical work, but I like it.”

In his spare time Salvatore works on his truck, hangs out with his childhood group of friends, and raises his family with his wife Kaelin, who is working in DVFG’s office.

“I have two little boys and they take up a lot of time,” Salvatore said of his children Carson and Abraham.

“We get to the beach every year with the kids.”

Salvatore and his wife also like to hike and he’d like to hike the five parks in Utah at some point, but his focus right now is on continuing to

3Y

provide local, friendly service at DVFG in Callicoon.

“I worked in Honesdale for so long, and Honesdale is a small town, but Callicoon is much smaller,” Salvatore said. “Everybody knows everybody and the community push to keep it that way is nice. In Honesdale and Wallenpaupack there’s Dunkin’ Donuts and so much commercial business there, and you don’t see that here. And nobody really wants it is the general consensus I get. And that’s inspiring in a way.”

Who would of thought?!

Congratulations To All The Young Professionals

Congratulations Kyle on a job well done!

www.newhopecommunity .newhopecommunity y..org

tŽƌƚŚ ƚŚĞ ƚƌŝƉ ĨƌŽŵ ĂŶLJǁŚĞƌĞ͊ 60899

Young Professionals ‘Featuring 12 Up and Comers in our Business Community’ Published by

Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the

(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 April 20, 2018 • Vol. CXXVII, No. 89

ϯϬ sŝĂĚƵĐƚ ZŽĂĚ͕ ĂůůŝĐŽŽŶ͕ Ez KƉĞŶ ϳ ĂLJƐ DŽŶͲ^Ăƚ ϴĂŵ Ͳ ϲƉŵ ^ƵŶ ϴĂŵ Ͳ ϱƉŵ

Publisher: Co- Editors: Editorial Assistants: Advertising Director: Assistant Advertising Director: Advertising Representative: Advertising Coordinator: Special Sections Coordinator: Business Manager: Assistant Business Manager: Telemarketing Coordinator: Monticello Office Manager: Classified Manager: Production Associates: Circulation & Distribution:

THE “I DIDN’T KNOW YOU HAD THAT TOO...” STORE!

845-887-5100

Honesdale Farm & Garden, Inc. ,ŽŶĞƐĚĂůĞ ŐǁĂLJ͕ ϯϱ ƌŽǁŶ ^ƚ͕͘ ,ŽŶĞƐĚĂůĞ͕ W ϭϴϰϯϭ ͻ ϱϳϬͲϮϱϯͲϯϴϵϬ ^ƚŽƌĞ ,ƌƐ͗ DŽŶ Ͳ &ƌŝ ϴĂŵͲϱ͗ϯϬƉŵ ͻ ^Ăƚ ϴĂŵͲϱƉŵ ͻ ^ƵŶ ϵĂŵͲϰƉŵ

Fred W. Stabbert III Joseph Abraham and Matt Shortall Margaret Bruetsch, Kathy Daley, Rich Klein, Richard Ross, Patricio Robayo, Jeanne Sager, Autumn Schanil, Ed Townsend, Mike Vreeland Liz Tucker Barbara Matos Lainie Yennie Lillian Ferber Susan Panella Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger Michelle Reynolds Margaret Bruetsch Janet Will Ruth Huggler, Rosalie Mycka, Elizabeth Finnegan, Petra Duffy, Nyssa Calkin, Claire Humbert, Peter Melnick, Jessica Roda Linda Davis, Kohloa Zaitsha, Billy Smith, Phil Grisafe

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

Catskill Mountain Sugar House, LLC 10 Sugarhouse Lane Grahamsville, New York, 12740

47690

Producers of maple syrup, maple cream & sugar Supplying local vendors year-round Available locally at the Grahamsville Deli, Monticello Farmer’s Market, Peck’s Markets throughout Sullivan County, Neversink General Store, and GMart in Wurtsboro

APRIL, 2018

We’re proud of you, John!

Walter Garigliano Barbara A. Garigliano

60800

4Y

845-985-7815

Garigliano Contracting LLC 211 Hastings Court Grahamsville, NY 12740 845.985.7514 gariglianocontractingllc@yahoo.com

60371

James T Garigliano Custom Homes - Additions - Renovations

Investment Advisors Creating and Preserving Wealth Philip Coombe III, CFP® • Catherine M. Coombe, CFP® • Lynn McDonald

Office locations: 55852

Main Office: P.O. Box 333 / 6872 Route 209 Wawarsing, NY 12489

548 Broadway Monticello, NY 12701 Call for appointment

Phone (845) 647-4800 • (800) 4 COOMBE • www.coombebender.com • Email: pcoombe@coombefinancial.com

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

John Garigliano STORY AND PHOTO

BY PATRICIO ROBAYO

ohn Garigliano, a Sullivan County native, has started something sweet in Grahamsville.

He’s been the owner of the Catskill Mountain Sugar House - which is on an 800-acre farm that has been in the family for generations - for the past 10 years.

Soon after graduating from Tri-Valley High School, Garigliano made the jump down south to Alabama to attend Auburn University, where he studied economics.

After graduation, his family started building onto the farm and soon thereafter, Catskill Mountain Sugar House was born.

The maple trees that provided the necessary sap to make maple syrup are all throughout the Neversink area and feed into the various collection houses, then eventually to the main sugar house.

“We work very hard during the sugar season, from putting the taps in and dealing with mother nature (weather),” Garigliano said. “I can work 100 days straight without a break.”

The start of the tap season, as long as it’s cold, is around the first of the year and can last until late March or early April. Up to 60,000 trees are tapped, with sap flowing into the collection houses.

The sugar house not only sells locally throughout the county and New York, but also as far away as California and countries like Dubai, Thailand, Japan and China.

“It's a booming industry as an alternative to sugar and other sweeteners,” Garigliano said.

“We want to increase our sales and want to expand our market,”Garigliano added. “We have global customers that want the quality of the maple syrup that we produce.”

When Garigliano is not at the farm sugaring, he spends his free time hunting and fishing, not only in the county but also across many states.

On owning a business Garigliano said, “It’s

J

incredibly hard work.” One piece of advice he has for future business leaders is, “Don’t expect results fast.”

“I’m the first one here and the last one to leave, not just some days, every day. That’s what owning a business is,” he said. “Every product has my name on it and my phone number on it and my phone rarely rings with an upset customer. You have to provide great service to your customers every day.”

John Garigliano

5Y

6Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

60694

Congratulations Melissa!

Joseph Herbert Proprietor

5065 State Rte 52, PO Box 441, Jeffersonville, NY 12748 • 845-482-4460 • fax 845-482-5516

CLEAN USED CARS & TRUCKS • FULL REPAIR & SERVICE • NYS INSPECTION STATION

Congratulations to Melissa from All of Us at

Off Route 97, 3 Miles from Hankins Mileses, NY 845-887-6808

60858

s ’ n i r r u G Mc Pub Congratulations Melissa!!

We’re very proud of you.

As my longtime friend, forever hairdresser, and fellow young professional... :( 75($7 <28 /,.( $ 3(5621 Congratulations Melissa!

NOT A POLICY. You have built an amazing business!

For aFor free coverage review a free coverage reviewand and no-obligation quote, contactme me today. today. no-obligation quote, contact

Love, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Lynne, Dakota and Jesse

Katrina Graby Katrina Graby

90 Crystal Run Rd, Suite 300

60904

90 Crystal Run Rd, Suite 300 Middletown, NY 10941 Middletown , NY 10941 845-394-6146 845-394-6146 katrina.graby@libertymutual.com katrina.graby@libertymutual.com Licensed NY-NJ-PA Licensed NY-NJ-PA

Congratulations to all the Young Professionals of Sullivan County.

You are an inspiration to us all!

60934

S U L L I VA N C O U N T Y

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Melissa Hahl STORY AND PHOTO

BY PATRICIO ROBAYO

M

elissa Hahl’s roots are embedded in Sullivan County and she has no plans on leaving. After graduating from Sullivan West she attended Herkimer County Community College, studying small business management.

She has always been interested in cosmetology and her passion started at eight years old by playing with Barbie dolls, fixing and coloring their hair.

While in high school, she also attended BOCES and completed all her hours required in all aspects of styling, color and nails and was certified by the time she graduated.

“After I received my certification, I started doing hair and have been doing it for nine years,” said Hahl. She said BOCES helped in her chosen career as a stylist. “I learned a lot of stuff and some things you don’t normally learn in beauty school,” said Hahl.

“You also don't have the cost associated with a beauty school. I only paid $250 for a beauty kit where some can cost up to $2,500. And I felt BOCES gave me a jump start in my career, and I was able to meet a lot of students from other schools.”

Her business, Stunning Styles, is in its fourth year and is located on State Route 52 in Jeffersonville. “Everyone here has been so supportive, from the local people and even some old classmates come in to do their hair,” Hahl said. “And I definitely keep busy.”

When she is not busy at the salon, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, going to the movies with friends and traveling.

“I see Jeffersonville growing and I see a lot of new businesses that are coming up,” Hahl added. “I see myself staying here and building my business.”

She also donates her time by participating in the annual St. Baldrick’s event in Jeff, which helps fight childhood cancer. And in the month of October, she hosts Pinktober, where customers can come in and get a pink streak in their hair. The money she

raises from that event goes to Ride2Survive, which raises money to help cancer patients.

Hahl remains very active in learning her craft and is currently going back to school to learn the new techniques for hair color, as well as learning about new products that she can offer her customers.

“Things are always changing... I always want to keep learning and getting better,” she said. “It’s not easy being your own boss but it’s rewarding,” Hahl said. “But there is not a day that goes by that I don’t like coming to work, I love my customers.”

Melissa Hahl

7Y

8Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Nicole Gorr STORY AND PHOTO BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM ommunity involvement is a must for Nicole Gorr. By day, the 29-year-old Neversink resident and certified public accountant works in the tax department of Liberty-based Granite Associates, L.P. The Tri-Valley alum has worked at Granite Associates since her graduation from SUNY Oneonta in 2010, where she majored in professional accounting.

According to Gorr, since tax laws are always changing, work is always interesting.

When not showing off her tax skills, Gorr is extremely active in the Neversink community. She serves as treasurer of the Neversink Agricultural Society, which hosts the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair. Gorr assists with booking entertainment, advertising, securing vendors and more!

Her love of the outdoors began at a young age as she was involved in 4-H. Gorr is also a member of the Neversink Chamber of Commerce and Neversink Renaissance.

C

“These organizations are the foundation of the Neversink community, and I contribute as much as possible – along with the other residents who love the town as much as I do.”

Gorr’s hobbies include playing on the Bum & Kels softball team in the Sullivan County Women’s Softball League each summer. The team has won back-to-back ‘B’ division championships. She also enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, fishing and spending time with her dog Dakota and two cats.

Her favorite quote comes from a well-known book and movie, Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”

Gorr, the youngest of six, attributes her success to her parents, Karen and Ed, who encouraged her to be active.

“Being so involved in different activities growing up, 4-H, FFA, being active in school, community service... that’s how you learn to love your community and give back when you’re older,” Gorr said.

Congratulations NICOLE GORR and JOHN GARIGLIANO! From The Neversink Agricultural Society Board of Directors

Nicole Gorr

Love, Mom & Dad Rene, Eddie, John, Jimmy & Danny

60847

Nicole!

We’re very proud of you.

60805

Congratulations

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

9Y

CONGRATULATIONS

KIDS! From all of us at

YOUR

Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Suunday & Monday

V

I

N

G

COMMUNITY

ROLLING V BUS CORPORATION

Motor Coaches • School Buses 60727

4887 Ma ain Street Jeffersonville, NY 12748

(845) 48 82-2283

R

Locally Owned & Family Operated ROUTE 42 SOUTH FALLSBURG

34251

E

49943 34252

S

845-434-0511

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

— E.E. Cummings

Congratulations to our own

Nicole Gorr Your friends and colleagues at Granite Associates

60615

and all this year’s young professionals.

10Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Joe Fox STORY AND PHOTO

BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM

W

Joe Fox

It’s Your Home... Have It Done Right

845-292-2686

Residential & Commercial

Celebrating 30 Years!

New Homes Log Homes Total Renovations Additions Custom Kitchens %DWKV 'HFNV :LQGRZV 'RRUV 6LGLQJ 6WUXFWXUDO 5HSDLUV *DUDJHV 'U\ZDOO 0HWDO 6WXGV Acoustical Ceilings -DFNLQJ /HYHOLQJ

Willowemoc River from Livingston Manor Central School.

Fox absorbed a lot of information from his grandmother, following the Dette tradition of offering quality products, as well as developing a knowledge of the fishing conditions, which are updated daily on the business' website, detteflies.com, so people know what it’s like on the water each day.

While Fox takes great pride in helping customers find what they're looking for, his main hobby includes spending time fly-fishing himself.

He’s taken trips across the country and notes that, “It's fun to catch dif-

ferent species on a fly rod.” On what appeals to him about fly fishing, Fox said, “it’s a combination of being connected to nature and the technical nature of the sport. You can make it as simple or complicated as you want in terms of how you fish and what you do.”

Fox also enjoys the people and friends he meets who share his life of the sport. He started fly-fishing when he was around 15 or 16 years old and has been fly-tying even longer. In addition to running his business, Fox serves on the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum Executive Committee.

CONGRATULATIONS JOE FROM ALL OF US AT COURTYARD BAR

60763

when customers from out of the area fall in love with the products offered, they can still purchase what they need from the convenience of their homes.

The shop’s been in Roscoe 90 years, and recently, Dette Flies opened a second location in Livingston Manor! The new location's main room stands at 2,000 square feet. On the decision to expand, Fox said, “I outgrew the space [Roscoe location] so much that I had to either find a bigger space or shrink the operation to fit what I had.”

The new shop is located on 13 Main Street, directly across the

45084

hen it comes to 32-yearold Roscoe resident Joe Fox, fly-fishing is in his blood. His great grandparents, Walt and Winnie Dette, started Dette Flies in 1928. Now celebrating its 90th year, the business is going as strong as ever.

Eventually, Walt and Winnie’s daughter, Mary, took over the business. Fox, who grew up in Long Island, moved to Sullivan County 11 years ago to attend SUNY Sullivan.

He started working at the shop, and four years ago, Mary (his grandmother) retired and he took over ownership. Providing good customer service and building relationships with them are two contributing factors to both Fox and Dette Flies’ success.

Since he began working at the shop, Fox had steadily grown the online side of the business, so now

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

was doing hospital based care and lascic refractic surgery care.”

After three years in NYC, Dr. Sauer returned home to fulfill something she knew was lacking, and the focus on her final thesis as a resident: Rural healthcare and eye care accessibility.

“One of the reasons I came back was to bring eye care to the area,” she explained. In some areas of Sullivan County, patients have to drive upwards of half an hour to go to an optometrist. “It’s important people come back and bring specialized resources to the area.”

Sauer, who cites her mother Lisa Sauer as her inspiration, wants her patients and Sullivan County residents to understand the importance of getting a yearly eye exam, and hopes to provide people with more opportunities to do so.

“People think if you don’t have glasses or wear contacts you don’t have to go to an eye doctor, but it is important that you get your eyes checked annually. Not only for your eye health, but for your systemic health as well,” she explained.

Optometrists can sometimes be the first to detect additional medical

11Y

problems like high blood pressure and diabetes all during a simple eye checkup.

“For kids too, it’s really important at younger ages especially in elementary school. Often kids might not need glasses but have eye teaming or tracking issues that can be picked up on eye exams.”

During optometry school, Sauer was involved with the Vision Walk Foundation’s annual Central Park event, but in her downtime she now focuses on family, exercise and getting outdoors. She cycles with her parents, crochets in the winter, spends time with family including her brother Austin Sauer, his wife Natalie, and Dr. Sauer’s one-and-ahalf-year-old niece Lily, and hikes.

While she would love to go to Alaska someday, her plans to go are on hold until her practice, which will open in Jeffersonville, is up and running in late summer/early fall of this year. Until then, Sauer is loving what she does.

“My favorite part of the job is giving glasses to a child who’s never worn them before and seeing their face light up, knowing they’re really seeing for the first time,” she said.

Dr. Maegan Sauer

Dr. Maegan Sauer T

wenty-eight-year-old Dr. Maegan Sauer has a busy summer coming up. The optometrist and Sullivan County native who currently works in Monticello and Honesdale, Pa., is in the midst of opening her own practice while also planning for a July wedding with her fiancé Austin Erlwein.

“It’s a busy summer to say the least,” Dr. Sauer said, “But we’re going to make it happen.”

Dr. Sauer grew up in Cochecton with her parents Steve and Lisa Sauer, and her siblings Austin and Cassidy. She went to Delaware Valley School in Callicoon until eighth grade, and was a member of the first

Sullivan West High School class to spend all four years in the new building in Lake Huntington. After graduating from Sullivan West in 2007, Dr. Sauer attended Siena College and received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology before attending the SUNY College of Optometry where she received her Doctorate of Optometry.

“An optometrist does all primary eye care from glasses and contacts to treatment and management of dry eye, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diseases, eye emergencies and foreign bodies in eyes,” Dr. Sauer explained. Sauer also spent a year working in NYC after optometry school as a Primary Eye Care Resident. “I worked at Woodhall Hospital in Brooklyn and TLC Laser Center. I

Individual Taxati a ion Estates & Trustts Not-ffor-P o rofit Accoounting Financial Statemeents

Corpoorate, Partnership & LLC Taaxation Governm ment & Fire District Auditing

892 State Route 17B M ngaup Vaalley, NY 127622 Mo 845-796-1800 845 796 1800 2527 Routte 17 Goshen,, NY 10924 845-343-22215

133 Route 304 Bardoonia,, NY 10954 8445-623-0300

Ceertified Public Accountantts www w.cooper . arias.com

56069

STORY AND PHOTO

BY MARGARET BRUETSCH

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

d 60799

d d

d

12Y

Amy Davidoff

60989

57898

CONGRATULATIONS AMY DAVIDOFF! “You’re the best!”

Love, Mom and Dad; Kate, Jake and Andrew Leo Barron; Carrie, Charlton, Elizabeth and William Stucken

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Amy Davidoff STORY AND PHOTO

BY PATRICIO ROBAYO

A

my Davidoff, who was born in Middletown but raised in Rock Hill, has strong family roots in Sullivan County and she wants to continue that tradition.

Davidoff went to Monticello High School and soon after headed to Cornell University in Ithaca to study public policy. She made the move to New York City and started her career after attending New York Law School and was soon hired by many firms to handle litigation cases.

After spending time working at AGI, Davidoff made the decision to come back to the county. “I wanted to give back to the community I grew up in,” Davidoff said. She was able to find a position at the Greater Hudson Valley Health System and has been with the hospital for four years as Director of Enterprise Risk Management and

Assistant General Counsel.

“It was always in the back of my mind that I would come back and now I’m a part of the GHVHS family,” Davidoff.

Davidoff’s mother was involved with seeing how much money was needed to build the original Catskill Regional Medical Center in the late 70s with the United Way. “It means a lot to me to be here [CRMC],” said Davidoff. “To be part of an organization that can actually make a difference.”

Davidoff credits her family, her mother, father and two sisters for supporting her and giving her the tools she needed to succeed in life.

She also credited her coworkers.

“I can’t overlook the working team I have now. Without them I couldn’t do what I do,” she added.

Some of her job duties include handling and overseeing the insurance

policies of the hospital and reducing their negative exposure by educating the health system employees.

“I might not have direct exposure to the patients but I support the ones who do and I feel that’s a big responsibility,” said Davidoff. “The job is not only seeing that patients are taken care of but also the people who work here.”

According to Davidoff, this is an excellent time to be in Sullivan County, with the current renaissance going on, and she feels the hospital is on the forefront of that change.

“Seeing the change in the atmosphere of the hospital... seeing what the hospital has gone through is good and to see the people come back,” she said.

The GHVHS system is moving more towards being an academic hospital and have a residency program in order to train doctors here, so they not only learn but also stay and work in the county.

For future young professionals she had this advice, “Try to get the best education you can and find some-

13Y

‘I might not have direct exposure to the patients but I support the ones who do and I feel that’s a big responsibility.

The job is not only seeing that patients are taken care of but also the people who work here.’

Amy Davidoff Director of Enterprise Risk Management and Assistant General Counsel |

thing that you are passionate about.

Also, remember to do good in the world even when no one is looking.”

She further added, “There are plenty of opportunities here in the county, but you have to go out and find it, it's not going to come to you.”

C CONGRATULATIONS ONGRATULATIONS

AMY AMY DAVIDOFF DAVIDOFF OF CATSKILL CA ATSKILL TSKIL REGIONAL T REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

We are proud of Sullivan County native, Amy Davidoff ff,, Assistant General Counsel and Director of Risk Management at Catskill Regional Medical Center, for being recognized as one of the 2018 Sullivan County Democrat Young Professionals. Throughout her five years at Catskill Regional, she has exemplified leadership and commitment to building a healthier Sullivan County.

We are proud to have team members who continuously lead by example and work together to provide exceptional patient care experiences. It’s just one more example of how Catskill Regional Medical Center is contributing to creating a healthier community.

“ World’s Mos t Ethic al Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and mark s are regis tered tr ademark s of Ethisphere LLC.

59852

cr crmcny.org mcny.org

A Member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies.

14Y

I

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Darrin Raynor STORY AND PHOTO

BY MATT SHORTALL

n Darrin Raynor’s office at the County Government Center in Monticello, opposite the wall covered with diplomas, commendations and pictures of family, hangs a framed cartoon. It shows Snoopy

standing at the summit of a mountain. A rope tied around his waist connects to half a dozen Woodstocks following behind him. “Teamwork,” is the single word levitating in the clouds above them.

That word defines Raynor’s job more than any other. He’s been the deputy commissioner of manage-

ment and budget for the Sullivan County Legislature for over a year now.

“The most fulfilling part of the job Is working with the team in the County Manager’s Office,” Raynor said. “People are very encouraging and supportive. I think that always makes any job a lot easier.”

He arrived at the county with many years of experience working for nonprofit groups, including Sullivan ARC, New Hope Community and the Delaware Valley Job Corps.

Darrin says it’s been a great learning opportunity to transition from non-profit work to government administration. “It’s been a learning curve, but the opportunity to learn something new is what keeps me engaged every day,” Raynor said.

He says there’s a lot more attention to detail when working on a government budget as opposed to nonprofit work. “A not-for-profit is basically just handling money that comes in from the state or the federal government to help the people that organization serves,” Raynor said. “In the county, the money comes from a lot of different areas.”

When Raynor started at the county he quickly learned about its Wellness Committee. Not long after he had risen to the role of employee coordinator for the Wellness Committee, working with his team to encourage others to lead healthier, and ultimately more productive lifestyles.

They’ve partnered with local organizations such as Cornell Cooperative Extension to organize walking groups and other events on the weekends.

“Know your Numbers,” is a program Raynor helped organize with the American Heart Association to offer basic testing services to county employees. It offers them a way to learn their cholesterol, weight and blood sugar levels. “The turnout has been great and the staff has been very receptive to it,” Raynor said.

Even though he wears the hat of the office of budget, “encouraging the workforce to keep healthy has been a great experience.”

Raynor enjoys keeping busy when he’s out of the office, whether that’s enjoying family time with his wife and three sons, coaching AYSO soccer, little league baseball or playing in a golf league. Raynor also volunteers with youth sports in the Village of Monticello. “The great thing about that is making a positive impact on the youth,” Raynor said.

“Unfortunately, kids today don’t

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

15Y

have enough mentors in their lives.â&#x20AC;?

He believes the ability to be a positive role model not just to his own kids, but to the community at large, is not only a privilege but an obligation.

Raynor knows personally about the value coaches and mentors can have in a young personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dan Berkowitz was my AYSO soccer coach when I was seven or eight years old. Then I ended up working for him at New Hope Community 25 years later,â&#x20AC;? Raynor said.

A native to the area and an alumnus of Monticello High School, Raynor said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s optimistic about the progress happening in the county as a whole. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the job growth and opportunities weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re creating for families has been great,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d still like to see more youth programs for the county though. It would be nice to see a YMCA thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open 365 days a year and fully staffed with great programs. Once you give kids some kind of structure - whether thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art, music or athletics - it will help shape their future.â&#x20AC;?

Darrin Raynor

EFFECTIVE, NATUR RAL RELIEF FOR: t )FBEBDIFT %J[[JOFTT t /FDL 1BJO 5JHIU .VTDMFT t 4IPVMEFS "SN 1BJO t -PX #BDL )JQ -FH 1BJO

Thank you for all the hard work you do!

.PTU JOTVSBODF ).0T BDDFQUFE

t #PBSE $FSUJĂŤFE $IJSPQSBDUJD /FVSPMPHJTU t :FBST PG &YQFSJFODF t .FNCFS PG UIF 4VMMJWBO BOE -JCFSUZ $IBNCFST

0ME 'BTIJPOFE %PDUPS 1BUJFOU 3FMBUJPOTIJQ JO XBSN DPNGPSUBCMF BUNPTQIFSF -BOBIBO 3PBE BOE .POUJDFMMP /:

)BOPGFF %SJWF -JCFSUZ /:

to all the 2018 Young Professionals

(845) 29 92-3455 XXX TQJOFJOPSEFS DPN

and a special Congratulations to our own Sullivan County Management & Budget Deputy Commissioner Darrin Raynor.

On behalf of your friends and coworkers in the Sullivan County Division of Management and Budget, the Sullivan County Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OďŹ&#x192;ce and the Sullivan County Legislature.

48 8685

Pro ovidiing Peerssonalized Chiropra actic caree fo or the entiree fa amily in thiis community fo or oveer 22 yearss.

60242

Dr. Jorge R . Delgado

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Pete DeVantier Jr.

BY AUTUMN SCHANIL

ince the age of 14, Pete DeVantier Jr., who is more commonly known as JR, has been working beside his father Peter Sr., and grandmother Dot, at their local, family-run business, the Roscoe Lumber Yard.

A 1995 graduate of Roscoe Central School, DeVantier has been with Roscoe Lumber for 24 years and is now the business’ co-owner and President, alongside co-owner and

mother, Patty DeVantier.

“The Roscoe Lumber Yard is family owned and has been for three generations,” said DeVantier. “My inspiration every day is to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandparents to continue the business, and to teach my own children how to do the same.”

The Roscoe Lumber Yard not only provides customers each day with home improvement and building products such as hardware, siding and decking, but also flooring,

painting supplies, plumbing, cleaning supplies, decorative interiors and much more, both for the construction as well as the maintenance of your home or office.

“We work closely with excellent contractors on a daily basis,” DeVantier stated, “and we also work with them on our Country Living Homes. Our most popular home is

‘My inspiration every day is to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandparents to continue the business, and to teach my own children how to do the same.’

Pete DeVantier Jr.

the Beaverkill Chalet.”

Country Living Homes is set up so customers can receive quotes on house plans, materials and the actual construction of a new home right on site with the Roscoe Lumber Yard. And with long-term, knowledgeable employees like Merlin Brock, who has been with the business for 33 years, and DeVantier for 24, you’ll be in good hands for anything you decide on.

“I would like to extend my thanks to each and every member of the service team for their hard work and dedication. Each day we provide sales, quotes and deliveries of home improvement and building products,” said DeVantier. “Our hopes and aspirations for the future are to ensure that all of our customers get the best quality services and products. And to assist in continuing to keep our communities growing strong.”

CONGRATULATIONS PETE JR Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club 100 Fairway View Drive, Roscoe, NY 12776

607-498-5000

60834

S

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

CONGRATULATIONS PETER JR. FROM ALL OF US AT COURTYARD BAR

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pete DeVantier Jr.

60764

16Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

17Y

41270

APRIL, 2018

Congratu lati to all th ons honoree e s!

Kristt Company featuring Kyocera TASKalfa & Ecosys color

Talya Shlang

21945

Talya Schlang STORY AND PHOTO

BY PATRICIO ROBAYO

T

alya Shlangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family grew up around Kiamesha Lake but when she was going to attend high school her family moved to New

York City where she attended Dwight High School. After high school she went on to Syracuse University, where she majored in Public Relations with minors in Hospitality and Sociology.

PLEASE SEE SHLANG, PAGE 20Y.

845-794-6639 Ask for Les or Gene

18Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

Julio Garaicoechea

BY AUTUMN SCHANIL

A

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Julio Garaicoechea

53908

child of Glen Spey and graduate of Eldred Central School, Julio Garaicoechea, is now the Project Manager for the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) by day and President on the Board of the North American Cultural Laboratory (NACL) Theatre by night.

“After I graduated from Eldred, I moved to NYC to study at Hunter College (in New York City),” explained Garaicoechea. “I graduated from Hunter in 2012 with a Masters Degree in Economics.”

Garaicoechea’s interest and love of economics was inspired by his grandfather, who was a PhD Economist and, according to Garaicoechea, had devoted his entire career to macroeconomic theory.

“Economics was my grandfather’s way to relate to the world, and through conversations we’ve had, I realized we shared that in common.

Plus I think I was born an old man in a way,” Garaicoechea said laughing, “to have such an interest in it.

So when I went to university, I took a few courses on macro-economic theory and I found it really engaging,” he further explained, “it helped me frame my mind with tools to understand better the world that we live in.”

Garaicoechea spent a total of six years living in New York City while attending Hunter College, but soon after graduating he decided to make the move back to his home in the Catskills.

“I had found that on the weekends I really just wanted to be upstate more and more. I wanted to be here fulltime,” Garaicoechea said. “I loved living in and near NYC, but I hadn’t found a community in the city that I fit into as well as the community here. I feel like the community here ... we all need each other. We all live in our own neck of the woods and when we come out we just need to commune in order to survive here,” he continued, laughing, “where in NYC you’re anonymous. Which has its pros and cons, but NY doesn’t need

you.”

Upon moving back to the area where he was born and raised, Garaicoechea began working with the NACL Theatre that is based out of Highland Lake.

“I had attended an NACL event a long time ago when I was younger, and they’re a very experimental theatre company, so the show I saw was very abstract and had a particular style that I didn’t realize I enjoyed until I moved to the city and started going to see some experimental offoff Broadway shows,” Garaicoechea recalled. “So upon moving back upstate I just knew that I really wanted to be a part of NACL, not as an actor but maybe as a business manager. They all responded as if I was like this angel that fell from God,” he said ending in laughter.

Fast forward a few years later and Garaicoechea not only does business management for NACL, such as writing grants, but also serves as President of the NACL Board, working with the rest of the board to help develop programming and overall themes for the theatre.

But that’s just something he does for enjoyment and personal interest.

Garaicoechea’s weekly day job is working as Project Manager for the IDA. “We are a really small office so we do a little bit of everything, from development to grant applications to acquiring titles. So it’s very busy,” Garaicoechea explained. “Sullivan County is booming right now so we have a lot of interest and a lot of people that we’re working with, both from outside and inside the area.

People that want to expand businesses, to people that want to start businesses. I enjoy being a resource for people, and being a part of the policy making,” he continued, “and having a direct impact on what policies we should be making that end up shaping our area.

For both of my roles, each year is different. I’m constantly working on new projects. Things are always fresh and these positions keep me engaged and curious, I’m always learning about new and different things.”

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018

19Y

Devin Brust

BY REBECA C. RIVERA

D

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Devin Brust

on their lives, families, and friends.

“More than 70 percent of them play some type of live gaming game where they can be talking to anyone from the world,” stated Brust. “I always have issues where kids would give out [their] information. So how to be safe with the internet is a big part of the D.A.R.E. Program.” Additionally, he spends time talking about the lifelong effects of drug and substance addiction, especially considering that the county is presently facing a significant rise in opioid addictions.

Brust is honest about the work that he does and admits that not every student he meets heeds his advice.

Unfortunately, throughout his

Devin,

career, there have been moments in which Brust has had to arrest individuals whom he has spent time within the classroom, and now as adults, they have made choices that have led them down treacherous paths. But for Brust, this is all a part of a job that he thoroughly enjoys. He is quite passionate about being a positive influence on the community’s next generation of residents. As for the future, Brust sees himself still working with students and the community. “I really enjoy the juvenile aspect of law enforcement and probably for the rest of my career will be involved in juvenile law.”

Being around family is vital for

Brust, and he strives to spend as much time with them as possible. Brust’s wife is an ESL teacher in the Liberty CSD, and he has two young children, a four-year-old son, and a two-year-old daughter. Being a father motivates Brust to help juveniles in the area and pushes him to be a role model, for both his children and the students he works with each year.

Outside of his D.A.R.E. role, Brust works alongside his family managing the Bethel Market Café, which they purchased nearly two years ago. During his free time, Brust enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, the NY Knicks, and NY Giants, and exploring the outdoors on his ATV.

Congratulations to all the young professionals and thank you for your dedication to enhancing Sullivan County’s business community!

ŽŶŐƌĂƚƵůĂƟŽŶƐ͊ <ĞĞƉ ĚŽŝŶŐ ǁŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĚŽŝŶŐ͕ ŝƚ ŵĂƩĞƌƐ͘

Love, Mom

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther

2020 State, Route 17B, Bethel, NY 12720

845/583-3130

60797

ǁǁǁ͘ďĞƚŚĞůŵĂƌŬĞƚĐĂĨĞ͘ĐŽŵ ͻ email: bethelmarketcafe@live.com facebook/Bethel Market Cafe

18 Anawana Lake Road, Monticello, NY 12701 845-794-5807 gunthera@nyassembly.gov

56313

evin Brust is a local hero and protector. At the age of five, Brust moved to Bethel and has been an active member of the community and surrounding areas since then. In 2008, Brust began working as a Police Officer for the Village of Liberty; however, this what not his original goal.

As a young student, Brust wanted to work in the hospitality industry and studied at a university in Las Vegas. As an undergraduate student, Brust also minored in Criminal Justice. But after a few semesters, he missed home and decided to return to Sullivan County.

In 2007, after returning home, he worked as a corrections officer and attended the police academy in 2008.

He is well-known in the community for his involvement in the county’s D.A.R.E. Program, a school-based program that is meant to provide young students with invaluable tools to be successful citizens. Brust currently teaches the D.A.R.E cirrculum to fifthgrade students at Liberty CSD, where he serves as the school resource officer. His goal is to discuss an array of topics that are meant to teach students how to make positive life choices. However, Brust admits that the challenges students face today is a polar opposite to what he dealt with when he was their age. The young students are taught how to manage their social media accounts safely and the impact that harmful habits can have

20Y

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

SHLANG:

Continued from 17Y

‘Everyday here is different, there always something new and exciting going on. It’s really interesting to be a part of a lot of things here, one day I can be involved with advertising, the next can be guiding the media. I think the experiences have helped me grow in this industry.’

Talya Shlang

get.”

When she is not busy running around the casino, her passion outside is in the kitchen cooking.

“When I am not working, I am at home cooking,” Shlang said, who does some catering work and has even appeared on Masterchef and the Chew on television.

Every year, Shlang runs many charitable 5k races, while also serving on the committee for the annual Thunder 102 St. Jude Radiothon.

Shlang’s future is bright as she continues to grow within the company, while witnessing the change the county hopefully goes through first hand.

“I have a really good set of friends here and this is where I want to raise my family,” she said. “This is a great place to live.”

On advice for other young professionals, she said, “It is always good to explore all your options so you can make an informed decision and see what the world has for you.

Don’t question yourself too much, even if people are calling you crazy.

You have to be confident in the

60270

She knew she wanted to start her career by returning to Sullivan County. “Everyone thought I was crazy, but I wanted to come back,” she said.

Her parents currently live in Florida and her brother and sister live in New Jersey.

Shlang started as an intern at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts which turned into a full-time position as Development Coordinator before she moved on to Frost Valley YMCA as an Associate in Public Relations.

The casino was always on the horizon and Shlang always knew she would end up at Resorts World Catskills.

“I am seeing more and more young people living here or coming back and have a connection to the area,” Shlang said.

She knew that the casino would be part of the future of the area, “So that's when I knew it will play a role in my future too since I have always been committed to the area myself,” Shlang said.

“This was a great move in my career personally and it's really exciting to be a part of the renaissance that's happening here and the rebirth of our area,” Shlang added.

She enjoys the variety of experiences at the casino.

“Everyday here is different, there always something new and exciting going on,” Shlang said. “It's really interesting to be apart of a lot of things here, one day I can be involved with advertising, the next can be guiding the media. I think the experiences have helped me grow in this industry.”

One of her fondest memories was the soft opening of the casino. “It’s a moment that won’t happen again, to see everyone rushing through the doors, to the ribbon cutting and everything leading up to that moment, is something I won't for-

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

APRIL, 2018