CELEBRATE FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • WESTCHESTER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 26, 2021
WALLAUER CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY
W
allauer Paint & Decorating Centers have been serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam since 1921. The fourth-generation family-owned business, headquartered in White Plains, offers the finest selection of paints from Benjamin Moore, specialty products and accessories from Ace Hardware, window treatments from Hunter Douglas, designer fabrics and wall coverings, area rugs and home design services in its 15 stores across the region. One hundred years ago, Co-founder Clarence Wallauer gave up his job as a paint salesman and opened the very first Wallauer store. Today, two great granddaughters are still involved with the day-to-day operations. The company philosophy has always been ‘Good old-fashioned family values, a team approach, and integrity.’ It is these principles that have enabled the organization to reach a milestone of 100 years in business, achieved by only the best of American companies. The secret to Wallauer’s success isn’t a secret at all according to company COO
Edward Klein. “It really comes down to having a knowledgeable group of people who know their craft and provide excellent customer service.” To celebrate the 100th anniversary, a $100 gift certificate will be awarded to one shopper in every store every month through December. To register visit wallauer.com/100. In addition, Wallauer will offer a “buy-one paint sample, get a second one at ‘100%’ off” throughout the year. Visit wallauer.com/specials/ for details. Wallauer offers interior and exterior paints and stains, including low-odor paints, washable finishes and more from Benjamin Moore and is the largest Benjamin Moore paint, hardware and decorating retailer in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. Wallauer offers home design services in six locations and offers Ace Hardware Departments in five. Wallauer supports home and commercial contractors with a variety of services, including estimates, job specs and submittals. It has dedicated sales reps who will visit the job site with the
Celebrating
The first Wallauer location was in White Plains and it remains the headquarters today. contractor to assist with job estimates, write commercial specs and prepare color drawdowns. They also assist with enrollment in the Benjamin Moore Contractor Rewards program. Wallauer is the only dealer to offer auto submission of receipts for contractors. Wallauer locations include White
Plains, Bedford Hills, Carmel, Mohegan Lake, Ossining, Pelham, Port Chester, Scarsdale, Yonkers, Yorktown Heights, New Rochelle, Ardsley, Lewisboro/Cross River, Nanuet and Mahopac. Shop online and pick-up in store at www.shop.wallauer.com For more information visit wallauer.com/ or call 914-948-4000.
of Fix Ups, Touch Ups, Freshen Ups and More We go beyond paint too. In Store or Virtual color and design consultations are available. Ask our professional window design experts about window coverings including blinds, shades, shutters and draperies. Sign up for a chance to
WIN A $100 GIFT CARD
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
Text “WALLAUER100” to 914.416.5353
Benjamin Moore Paint Sample Sku: BJMBOGOWBJ
Every month, every Wallauer location will give away a $100 gift card to a lucky winner!
Sign Up To Win
shop.wallauer.com Shop Online Pick Up In Store
Locations in Westchester, Putnam & Rockland Counties visit wallauer.com
Offer valid for one (1) free Benjamin Moore© Color Sample when you purchase one (1) Benjamin Moore© Color Sample from participating retailer. Excludes Aura© and Century©. Must present this coupon to redeem – no copies will be allowed. Products may vary from store to store. Subject to availability. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions, or applied toward prior purchase. Retailer reserves the right to terminate, cancel or modify the offer at any time without notice. Offer expires 12/31/2021. Benjamin Moore & Co., Aura, Benjamin Moore Century and the Triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licenses to Benjamin Moore & Co. 11/20
S2 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • APRIL 26, 2021
CE LE B
ING OUR 30T T H RA
AR YE
We believe every marketing challenge has a creative solution and that success lies in compelling story telling.
Let us tell your story. Want to know more? Google 'GMG Public Relations' and read what some of our clients have to say.
Public Relations Ad Campaigns Marketing Support Social Media Event Management Graphic Design Risa B. Hoag President risa@gmgpr.com
NYS & NYC Certified Women’s Business Enterprise
Westchester: 914-996-8100 Rockland: 845-627-3000
www.gmgpr.com Member: BCW | RBA | RBWN | PRSA
APRIL 26, 2021 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • S3
Founding Partners: Geoffrey Thompson, Elizabeth Bracken‑Thompson, and Dean Bender
35 years
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS AS WESTCHESTER’S PREMIER COMMUNICATIONS, PR AND ADVERTISING AGENCY Thompson & Bender is the unrivaled leader in delivering strategic PR, advertising, social media, event marketing, messaging, and integrated communications that help their clients succeed. They utilize the latest media platforms for digital campaigns, with lead generation, search engine optimization, ad words, content creation, and deep-dive analytics to maximize clients’ ROI. The acclaimed agency’s continued recognition includes the Business Hall of Fame Award, the 2017 Small Business Award, and in 2019 and 2020 they were voted Best PR and Advertising Agency, Best in Graphic Design, and Best Social Media Agency. For 35 years, the full-service agency’s talented team has created strategic marketing plans and award-winning work for the “who’s who” of regional Fortune 500 corporations, healthcare, higher education, real estate, retail, hospitality, media, government, and not‑for‑profit organizations.
1192 PLEASANTVILLE ROAD, BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY | (914) 762-1900
THOMPSON‑BENDER.COM S4 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • APRIL 26, 2021
COMMUNITY-FOCUSED
BUSINESS-MINDED A century ago, a small group of local leaders formed what would become Ridgewood Savings Bank. They worked tirelessly to get their business off the ground, growing the bank from a staff of three to 35 branch locations throughout New York. We’re proud of our legacy as a local business, and we’ll work just as hard for our community’s next success story: your business.
Let’s Get Down to Business | RSB100.com © 2021 Ridgewood Savings Bank | Member FDIC
APRIL 26, 2021 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • S5
A 30-YEAR CAREER IN PUBLIC RELATIONS BEGAN WITH A PHONE CALL TO THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
I
t took 15 phone calls but Risa Bell finally got Mills Korte to pick up the phone and hear her out. As a result, Mills wrote an article about Risa and her business, The Corporate Stork, which she started with her mom as her assistant. That was 35 years ago, and Risa Bell is now Risa Hoag and Mills Korte was the editor of the Westchester Business Journal back in 1986. It was a direct result of that interaction and the article placement that led Risa, now Risa Hoag, to start GMG Public Relations in 1991. With three decades of experience under her belt, Risa feels like she has seen it all, from working with celebrities, handling the PR for Scotland, and mitigating minor disasters, and she says she has loved every minute of it. One story she recalls from early on involved a local inventor. “I had booked a client for an interview with Women’s Day magazine. The interview was set for 9:00 am on a Friday morning. Of course I thought the client would be thrilled and instead she responded, ‘9am! You expect me to be up that early? Make it later in the day! I was shocked and of course we parted ways,” Hoag quips. Over the years she has attended many trade shows with clients to assist with onsite media relations. From toy fair at Javitz to CES in Vegas, and she had the sore feet to prove it. At one CES show she was working with a small electronics firm launching 3D TV. At the end of the first night the team was heading back to their cars to go to the hotel. Risa was supposed to get a ride from the president; when they got to the lot, it was closed and the car was there, but no one else and he didn’t have the key. “It was desolate, so we nervously walked until we found an open bar, well, not quite a bar, if you know what I mean. We asked for the number for a taxi, yes this was before cell phones. Eventually a car pulled up. I was being dropped at a hotel that had the only available room in the area. I had to navigate my way to the room, through a dark hallway. When I opened the door I thought it was a storage closet. It had boxes, one small bed and a sink...... yup, that’s it! No bathroom, no shower! I was terrified to stay but thoroughly exhausted from the previous ordeal, so I managed to fall asleep. I was up at 5 am the next morning and informed the president that if he didn’t find me an-
other room in a hotel with a name I could recognize, I was taking the first flight back to NY! A room was found and the show was successful,” states Hoag. One of Risa’s fondest memories was handling the Public Relations for the Scottish Tourism Board. Having honeymooned there, she was well-versed in the country and all the reasons to promote travel. When the Tartan Day parade was scheduled to be held in NYC in 2000, Risa reached out to CBS Sunday Morning and pitched a story on the history of the kilt. “The producer said she would do the piece if I could get Sean Connery who was leading the largest pipe and drum parade in history in NYC during Tartan Week. I had access to his assistant who said that Sir Sean would love to be included in the spot. The interview would take place during the Tartan Ball. There was an enormous fire near our hotel that night which forced me and the kilt maker to take a rikshaw to the Waldorf Astoria, he in his pin stripe kilt and me in my ball gown. We managed to get to the hotel in time to coordinate the interview. And perhaps the most memorable moment of my career was having Sean Connery walk up to me that evening and say, “Risa, it’s so nice to meet you.” The segment aired and was seen by millions but of course that predated selfies!” Another favorite story was when Risa worked for Morton’s The Steakhouse “I was asked to be the photographer for the grand opening of the Brooklyn Morton’s. I arrived early to find the perfect spot for the ribbon cutting, set up my tripod, cleaned my lens and I was all set to go. As the restaurant filled up with VIPs and Morton’s staff, I got excited knowing that I would have an opportunity to photograph New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg. By the time he arrived, the restaurant was packed, not only with guests and VIPs but with photographers from various newspapers and other media. Fortunately, since I was the official Morton’s photographer, I was able to go to the front door to get isolated shots with Morton’s CEO and the new GM without interference. When it was time for the official ribbon cutting, I returned to my “perfect spot” only to find it was obliterated by all the other photographers and everyone else who had crowded in for the momentous occasion. Being short, I knew there was no way I was going to
S6 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • APRIL 26, 2021
David Hochberg and Risa Hoag.
get a good shot without moving around. So I got a few good ribbon cutting shots by ducking down into to the crowd and looking up! And when it came time for the bigger group shot it was time for drastic measures! I couldn’t see anything! So I whipped off my heels and jumped on one of the brand new Morton’s booth seats and was able to get a fabulous shot of Mayor Bloomberg who took the opportunity to look directly at me while everyone else was looking the other way! I had the shot framed along with the date and Morton’s grand opening information and sent it to him, thanking him for looking in my direction at just the right moment. When I called to confirm he had received
it, his assistant told me it was hanging on his wall in Gracie Manson.” While Hoag’s work often focuses on pitching stories for her clients and traditional public relations, GMG also provides support for advertising campaigns, branding, graphic design, social media, and event management. Current clients include a mix of for profit and nonprofit organizations; Rockland Community College, SUEZ, Wallauer Home Design, Coupe Theatre Studio, Down to Earth Living, Trion Real Estate Management, M1 Capital, Statewide Abstract, and Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland, to name a few. For more information visit www.gmgpr.com
Celebrating 130 Years of Helping Our Clients Succeed!
Bruce Blasnik, Partner 203.705.4120 bblasnik@pkfod.com
George Whitehead, Partner 914.341.7086 gwhitehead@pkfod.com
pkfod.com
APRIL 26, 2021 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • S7
E
ROBISON: 100 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY
ver since Eben Robison founded the company in 1921 from a small office in Hartsdale to today, Robison has worked to give its customers personalized service. The premiere, fullservice home comfort company, turns 100 this year. Robison is a family-run organization led by brothers David and Daniel Singer, and supported by an experienced management team. Dedicated to customer satisfaction, its service center is staffed by highly trained customer service representatives and technicians who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to its customers’ needs, quickly and efficiently. In celebrating its special anniversary, Robison has looked back at its long history in Westchester and Putnam, one that reflects important changes in society that have shaped the entire home energy industry. “Today people are looking for a company to provide all their home needs,’’ said David Singer, co-president of Robison. “Being comfortable and safe is more important than ever these days when people are spending more time than ever in their homes.’’ Operating out of its headquarters in Port Chester, New York, Robison supplies home heating oil and clean-burning biofuel, natural gas, electricity; installs and services heating and air conditioning systems; provides quality plumbing services 24/7; and delivers solutions for indoor air quality. Dan Singer, co-president of Robison, said that Robison has succeeded over the years because of its ability to read consumer trends and to change with the times. “It’s really all about whatever the customers need for their home. Now a days people are concerned with carbon footprint, so we offer environmentally friendly products, bio-fuels, electricity, and more and with Covid-19, people are concerned with air quality in their homes and businesses, and we can help with that too,’’ he said.
TWO COMPANIES COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A NEW BUSINESS MODEL
Robison is the result of two successful heating oil companies coming together and evolving into a home service company. Lee Silano, a customer for more than 50 years, said she remembers seeing
Eben Robison, the founder of Robison, walking around downtown Hartsdale greeting residents with a smile. The architectural engineer opened the company’s first office in downtown Hartsdale in 1921. Living above his shop, he and his wife ran the company. Around the same time, 1928, Dan and David’s grandfather, Harry Singer, founded Original Oil, which served the five Boroughs of New York. The two companies merged in the 1980s, starting a more than three-decade expansion, which revitalized the company and consolidated all four corners of Westchester and Putnam into one company. Through training, purchase of new equipment and technologies, the company transitioned from an oil company to full-service business providing for all homeowners’ needs. David Seicol, who has worked for Robison for more than 30 years, said that Robison’s success has been tied to customer service and offering products that people need. “I’ve seen a lot of companies come and go in the time that I’ve been working here. The fact that they are a family-owned company and really care about their customers’ experience has really helped them grow within the market, which is very important.”
MEETING THE CHANGING NEED OF THE CUSTOMER
Robison has stayed committed to evolving in order to meet the changing needs of its customers. That meant embracing the latest technology and becoming a “one-stop shop” for all energy needs. When deregulation came to New York state in the 1990s, Robison was one of the first companies to start providing customers with electric service. At the same time, Robison began offering natural gas customers the same reliable at-home service as oil customers. “We developed the full-service model for natural gas,’’ said David Robison. Volatility in pricing during the 1990s created upheaval in the oil business, giving Robison the opportunity to acquire some of its largest competitors. Robison purchased 15 or more local/regional companies, consolidating its base from Mount Vernon to Brewster. “The acquisitions quadrupled the size of our company and created the necessary density in our service area to maxi-
S8 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • APRIL 26, 2021
David Singer and Dan Singer, co presidents of the energy company. mize efficiency,’’ said Dan Singer. “We had to reevaluate all our operations and bring in new technologies in routing, communications, inventory control and sales. All of which was accomplished while still delivering best-in-class service to the customers.” The story did not end there, Robison continued to expand, purchasing one of the largest HVAC companies and adding air conditioning services, followed by plumbing and green energy. Dan Singer said that Robison offers nonsulfur, biofuel oil products that are closest to natu-
ral gas in carbon output. The company also purchases Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) so they know that the energy contributed to the grid is sourced 100% green. Robison’s latest additions: Rug cleaning and chimney service. And it’s not likely to stop there, according to David Singer. “We will be keeping our ears to the ground for the latest developments,’’ he said. “We will always be there for our customers, providing them with the latest technology to meet their needs.’’
HOW ARE YOU
STAYING COOL THIS SUMMER?
SERVICE, TUNE-UP, REPAIR OR REPLACE....
ROBISON IS HERE TO HELP!
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Get up to $500 OFF1 New Cooling Equipment
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WAIT THERE’S MORE
Get $75 OFF4 Air Duct Cleaning
AIR DUCTS SHOULD BE CLEANED EVERY 2-3 YEARS FOR OPTIMAL AIR QUALITY
Proudly Offering:
• • • • • • • • •
Biofuel Heating Oil Natural Gas Supply Electricity Supply Indoor Air Quality Remote Fuel Monitoring Gauge Heating Service & Installation Cooling Service & Installation Plumbing Repair & Installation* Chimney Cleaning & Inspection
24/7 Emergency Services *Mechanical Legion Corp (dba Robison Plumbing) License #1514
1Offer expires 5/31/2021. Valid with the purchase and installation of a new heating or cooling unit. Not valid on prior purchases. Installation must be scheduled prior to expiration date. Limit one per household. Cannot be combined with any other equipment offer. Restrictions apply. Call for details. 2Pricing dependent on brand. Financing subject to credit approval. Payment terms may require a deposit. Call for details. 3Offer expires 5/31/2021. Valid with the purchase of indoor air quality system component. Not valid on prior purchases. Installation must be scheduled prior to expiration date. Limit one per household. Cannot be combined. Restrictions apply. Call for details. 4Offer expires 5/31/2021. Valid with the purchase of air duct cleaning. Cannot be combined with other air duct cleaning offers. Restrictions apply. Call for details.
CALL TODAY 914.386.2898
@RobisonEnergy RobisonOil.com APRIL 26, 2021 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • S9
Westchester 445 Hamilton Avenue 14th Floor White Plains, NY 10601 New York City 500 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10110 Hudson Valley 300 Westage Business Center Fishkill, NY 12524 Connecticut 733 Summer Street Stamford, CT 06901
T 914 761 1300 | F 914 761 5372 cuddyfeder.com
S10 • ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • APRIL 26, 2021
50 Years of Serving the Community. 50 years ago, Cuddy & Feder was founded by a simple handshake between two preeminent attorneys who set up shop and started practicing law together in a colonial home on Maple Avenue in White Plains, New York. Today, we’re a group of more than 60 professionals in four offices that have proudly played a part in the transformation of skylines and the emergence of Westchester, Fairfield and the Hudson River Valley as major economic centers. It’s our connection to the communities and people we serve that we most celebrate and honor as part of our firm’s 50th anniversary. Cuddy & Feder’s core values of excellence, service, respect, support, commitment and community in service to others extend beyond just the practice of law. It’s what makes our firm unique. To mark our anniversary, we are leaning in deeply, expanding our donations, our time and efforts, and rededicating ourselves to the community through pro bono legal and not for profit work. Please join us in that commitment to one another as we celebrate 50 years in the community.