Good Things

COLLEGE’S NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM ACCREDITED

GARRISON ARTS’ NEW LEADER

Highland Falls Native Serves Aboard Navy Warship In Japan

Amber Toupe joined the Navy three years ago and serves as a sonar technician aboard USS Shoup.

Growing up in Highland Falls, Toupe attended James I. O'Neill High School and graduated in 2013. “Having tough skin and flexibility have helped me succeed in the Navy,” said Toupe.

As a member of the Navy, Toupe is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and

Wjcs Chief Psychologist Presents At National Conference

The National Council for Behavioral Health Conference, NatCon, is the largest mental health and substance use conference in the world. Dr. Liane Nelson, chief psychologist at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) and director of the WJCS Trager Lemp Center for Treating Trauma and Promoting Resilience, and Rev. Daphne Swinton, LMHC, MPA, gave a presentation on “Implementing Trauma-Informed Supervision to Respond to the Collective Trauma of Covid-19 and Racism” at the NatCon conference in Los Angeles in May.

“Our goal was to emphasize the importance of providing trauma-informed supervision to a broad array of human service workers, especially at a time sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy. when the traumas of racism and the Covid pandemic have skyrocketed,” said Nelson, who trains agencies throughout Westchester County and New York state about the risks of vicarious trauma. The goal of helping people with trauma is to restore their sense of safety, control and predictability.

“The Navy is always going to have adversaries, so we need to be ready when they try to do something aggressive,” said Toupe.

Toupe serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

Being aware of the signs of trauma and taking steps to practice self-care and connect with others are essential to ensuring a life of wellness and balance.

WJCS-Westchester Jewish Community Services has been serving those most vulnerable in Westchester County since its founding in 1943. It is a nonsectarian, not-for-profit, trauma-informed human service agency and its mission is to help people of all ages and backgrounds cope with emotional, cognitive, environmental, physical, interpersonal, social and educational challenges.

The Garrison Art Center (GAC) has appointed Kit Burke-Smith as education director, effective immediately. She joined Garrison Art Center in 2017 as education coordinator before being promoted to a full-time position as education manager in 2022. A champion of art education and educational opportunities, Burke-Smith has played a key role in growing the education department. Since she joined GAC, she has created year-round classes for teens, increased enrollment in classes and programs and created workshops with exhibiting artists. By bringing in new teachers and supporting perennial favorite teaching artists, she has broadened the variety of classes GAC offers and created August a la Carte, a flexible summer program for kids now in its second year. She is most proud of the art center making art accessible for all, includ- ing offering financial assistance, outreach and creating an inclusive environment.

Located in Garrison, New York , GAC is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit arts and education organization founded in 1964 and is committed to making a difference by providing access to the visual arts to a diverse audience of learners, professional artists, community members, collectors, families and friends from varied ethnic, cultural, geographic and economic backgrounds.

Professional Services Firm Just Gets Bigger

Citrin Cooperman, one of the nation's largest professional services firms, which built its business serving a diverse and loyal clientele, has announced joining FMT Consultants (FMT), a California-based consulting firm specializing in enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), cloud productivity, business intelligence and integration solutions for mid-market manufacturing, distribution and other commercial businesses throughout the United States. Founded in 1995, FMT will join Citrin Cooperman with more than $29 million in revenue and add over 80 individuals to the firm’s expansive West Coast presence.

“We were intentional in joining a firm that shares our core values of service excellence, integrity, passion and innovation. We see this move as the perfect way to grow our team and benefit our clients through combining our business process and technical expertise with Citrin Cooperman’s vast advisory services and deep industry knowledge,” said Eric Casa-

The Manhattanville College School of Nursing and Health Sciences recently announced that its Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program has received accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

“The five-year approval of the Manhattanville FNP program is an affirmation of both the program’s high academic standards and its emphasis on the professional preparation of Family Nurse Practitioners,” said Debra Simons, Ph.D., N.P., dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

“The CCNE accreditation of the Manhattanville Family Nurse Practitioner Program is a testament to our dedication to excellence in nursing education, preparing our graduates to meet the needs of their communities,” said Manhattanville Provost Christine Dehne, M.F.A.

Karen V. Bourgeois, Ph.D., F.N.P.-B.C., director of the SNHS FNP Program said, “We are proud to offer this next level of nursing education to students seeking career advancement. This was made possible through the partnership of our administration, faculty and staff who worked diligently to achieve this recognition.” zza, CEO of FMT.

Similar sentiments were shared by Citrin Cooperman Advisory Services President Richard DeRienzo, “…The team at FMT has been a natural fit since the day we were introduced as our cultures are a perfect match and with business intelligence and enterprise resource planning even more critical to any business’ success….”

FMT has over 25 years of helping mid-market manufacturers, distributors, and other commercial businesses take advantage of practical enterprise resource planning, make better use of data and information through business intelligence solutions and gain competitive advantage through comprehensive ERP and CRM implementations.

Citrin Cooperman is one of the fastest-growing first-generation professional services firms in the United States. Its clients span an array of industry and business sectors and leverage a complete menu of service offerings. The firm includes more than 400 partners and over 2,400 employees across the U.S.

According to The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), FNPs, who have a wide scope of practice and can provide care to patients of any age, are considered the cornerstone of health care with 70% delivering primary care in the United States.

Manhattanville College serves close to 1,500 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the College offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study.

Wca And Law School Convene Sustainable Management Business Conference

Business, nonprofit and government leaders attended the WCA’s second annual Sustainable Business Conference hosted in partnership with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. The event, held June 1 at the law school, focused on new opportunities in sustainable investing and real estate, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape and the connection between sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. New this year, a “Sustainability Bootcamp” workshop served as a primer for businesses of all sizes to get started with practical tools to develop a sustainability program.

“We’re at the threshold of a fundamental transformation of businesses toward a more sustainable future. Sustainability is not a far-away concept — it’s here and now,” said Michael N. Romita, president and CEO of the Westchester County Association (WCA).

Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean, Elisa- beth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, said, “This partnership allows us to leverage our combined knowledge, networks and expertise in addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of our business community with creative solutions. Sustainability is core to our mission as evinced by the successful launch of our Sustainable Business Law Hub.”

“Businesses need to think about ESG risks and opportunities as business risks and opportunities,” said Christina E. Gunnell, keynote speaker and senior manager, Sustainability & ESG Services, Deloitte & Touche LLP. She emphasized new regulations coming down the pike that will impact all businesses — not just major corporations, but those further down the supply chain.

“Sustainability is no longer a siloed initiative; it has become part of the core strategy for most businesses. There’s a role for organizations of all sizes and employees at every level. That starts with getting C-suite buy in and involves employees, customers and other stakeholders to develop initiatives that are most impactful for your business, the environment, and the community, said Gillian Griffin, sustainable supply chain program manager, senior P2 engineer, New York State Pollution Prevention Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Conference speakers included a who’s who of corporate and political leaders, said Romita. “The caliber of discourse at this conference was very high-level. There is so much static with this concept that it’s important to convene real authorities working on practical solutions….”

The conference was made possible with major support from sponsors Bank of America, Brightcore, Chase, Con Edison, Dandelion Geothermal, Harrison Edwards, Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, PKF O’Connor Davies, Skanska, Webster Bank and The Catalyst/Westchester County Economic Development.

Out Of This World

Upstate Films, now celebrating its 51st year bringing independent, classic and foreign films to the Hudson Valley, is presenting an “Otherworldly” film series this summer in its two locations – Upstate Cinema’s Starr Theatre in Rhinebeck and the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties.

Ironically, the nonprofit’s film series debuts just as an independent panel of scientists and experts assembled by NASA in 2022 determined last month that there is no convincing evidence of extraterrestrial activ-

New Cfo In Home Treatment

Aware Recovery Care in Wallingford, Connecticut, a pioneer in the in-home mental health and substance use disorder treatment industry, has appointed George Merhi as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO). He will work closely with Aware’s CEO Brian Holzer, M.D., to oversee and scale the company’s financial operations during a period of significant growth as Aware brings its in-home addiction treatment model to new markets nationwide.

Merhi has more than 30 years of financial leadership experience in both public and private corporations spanning a variety of industries, including health care. Most recently, he was CFO of Excel Physical Therapy, where he oversaw finance while helping the company grow from 13 to 25 locations.

In previous roles, Merhi was CFO at Lakeview Health, a provider and manager of behavioral health care, primarily in the space of addiction and recovery. Prior to that, he was CFO at IvyRehab Physical Therapy.

“With his broad experience in health care and a reputation for unwavering accuracy, credibility and integrity, George Merhi is a perfect fit to lead our corporate finance function,” said Holzer. ity. NASA has also given “unidentified flying objects”—better known as UFOs –– a new name: unexplained anomalous phenomena UAPs – to cover a broader spectrum of unexplainable sightings. Whether they’re real or just a figment of the imagination, sci-fi classics, including “The Man Who Fell to Earth” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” will surely give moviegoers who wonder if there’s life on other planets something to discuss. For a complete listing of movies and locations, visit upstatefilms.org. westchester county

“…With its in-home addiction treatment model, Aware Recovery Care has a revolutionary approach, and I couldn’t be more excited to help the company scale and grow while realizing its compassionate and paradigm-shifting vision,” said Merhi.

Aware Recovery Care helps people affected by addiction “Recover Where You Live,” transforming the home into a treatment center and delivering innovative addiction services to those in need. Aware’s groundbreaking and evidence-based approaches treat addiction differently by bringing collaborative care with lived experience to the home, empowering individuals and their loved ones to thrive and make sustainable recovery possible. The program helps clients learn new skills and daily habits required to maintain abstinence while remaining in their community, thereby avoiding the often-difficult return home seen from traditional treatment options.

Westchester Court Cases

U.S. Bankruptcy Court

White Plains & Poughkeepsie

Local business cases, May 31 - June 6

Tanning and More Inc., Valley Cottage, Theresa A. Arancio, president, 23-22412SHL: Chapter 7, assets $1,118, liabilities $62,380.

Attorney: Michael A. Koplen.

Pilar Lopez, Sleepy Hollow, re. investment properties, 23-22416-SHL: Chapter 11, assets

$2,501,150, liabilities $4,442,188.

Attorney: Julie C. Curley.

Hello Livingston Extended LLC, Monsey, single asset real estate in Brooklyn, David Goldwasser, chief restructuring officer, 23-22422- SHL: Chapter 11, assets $29.5 million, liabilities $37,034,733.

Attorney: Robert L. Rattet.

Michael C. Domenici, Pelham, re. JMA Holding of New York Inc., 23-22424-SHL: Chapter 7, assets

$690,549, liabilities $951,106.

Attorney: Nathan Horowitz.

John Trentacosta, Pine Bush, business not identified, 23-35463-CGM: Chapter 7, assets

$582,577, liabilities $2,172,878.

Attorney: Scott D. Simon.

Gordon T. LaPlante, Central Valley, re. gCreate LLC, Brooklyn, 23-35466-CGM: Chapter 7, assets

$234,586, liabilities $822,750.

Attorney: Michael D. Pinsky.

Pine Bush Capital LLC, Monticello, Pinkus Schmeltzer, member, 23-35468-CGM: Chapter 7, assets and liabilities $0 to $50,000.

Attorney: pro se.