The Business Council of Westchester announced it has hired John Ravitz, former state assemblyman and American Red Cross executive, as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the council”™s 2011 Annual Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 6, in Rye.
Ravitz, who brings with him 12 years of experience as a New York state assemblyman representing the East Side of Manhattan, will oversee the Business Council”™s legislative, government affairs and community relations efforts.
His appointment takes effect Oct. 31. Ravitz replaces Paul Vitale, former vice president of government and community relations at the Business Council, who stepped down in August to pursue work in a business owned by his family.
“John brings to us his great leadership,” said Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council, at Thursday”™s dinner. “His leadership will allow your business organization to be bold, innovative, and creative.”
A resident of Pelham, Ravitz is a former chief operating officer of the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross and CEO of the American Red Cross in Westchester County, in addition to time spent as executive director of the New York City Board of Elections.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Business Council,” Ravitz said in a statement. “As someone who has dedicated my career to public service and addressing critical issues, I look forward to being directly involved in addressing one of the most crucial issues facing our community today.”
The dinner, which was held at the Hilton Rye Town, also featured as keynote speakers Pat Buchanan, a senior adviser to presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan; and Eleanor Clift, a liberal television pundit and author and contributing editor for Newsweek.
