John Ravitz, executive vice president and COO of the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) plans to retire effective Dec. 31, after fifteen years with the organization. The BCW has named Noam Bramson, the former mayor of New Rochelle, as executive vice president for government affairs and economic development. Bramson will join the BCW effective July 1.
Prior to joining the BCW, Ravitz served six terms as a New York state assemblyman representing the East Side of Manhattan. During his twelve years in the legislature, he served as assistant minority leader and assistant minority whip, was the ranking member of the Health Committee, and served on the Higher Education, Education, Mental Health, and Children and Families committees.
Ravitz also served as CEO of the American Red Cross in Westchester County and COO of the American Red Cross’ Greater New York Region.
Bramson served as mayor of New Rochelle from Jan. 2006 through Dec. 2023. During his tenure, the city experienced dramatic changes through extensive downtown development. He also was at the helm when New Rochelle experienced the first Covid outbreak in the eastern U. S.
From Jan. 2024 through March 2026, Bramson served as executive director of Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit intermunicipal consortium focused on providing clean energy. In this capacity, he worked closely with BCW’s Clean Energy Action Coalition and with state, county, and local leaders across the region.
“We will all miss John deeply,” said Dr. Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the BCW. “He has been a role model not only for our organization but for business associations throughout the state and beyond, setting the gold standard for how to represent members effectively at every level of government. He has developed countless initiatives that have defined the BCW and made us what we are today. He will be greatly missed. At the same time, we could not be more enthusiastic about welcoming Noam Bramson to our team. His experience as mayor of one of Westchester County’s most dynamic cities, and his first-hand role in overseeing its extraordinary economic transformation, makes him an outstanding choice to fill John’s very big shoes. We are so proud and pleased to have him join us.”
According to Jamie Schutzer, chairman of BCW’s Board of Directors, “Under John’s leadership, the BCW emerged as the region’s most effective advocate for business. We are confident that Noam’s distinguished record of leadership, strategic acumen, and government expertise will build meaningfully upon this strong foundation and further elevate the BCW to new heights.”
