County Executive Robert P. Astorino named 10 business leaders to his newly formed Westchester Economic Development Council, which will provide independent advice and recommendations to the county executive and his Office of Economic Development on the policies and priorities for retaining, attracting and growing business in Westchester.
Appointed were:
- Charles Brown, president, C.W. Brown Inc.;
- Robin L. Douglas, president and CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties Inc.;
- Marsha Gordon, president and CEO, The Business Council of Westchester;
- Thomas Lalla, general counsel, Pernod Ricard USA;
- Fannie Lansch, President, Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
- Rita Mabli, CEO, United Hebrew;
- Frank McCullough Jr., senior partner, McCullough, Goldberger & Staudt L.L.P;
- William M. Mooney Jr., president, Westchester County Association;
- Ross J. Pepe, president, Construction Industry Council; and
- Andrew Tung, founding partner, Divney Tung Schwalbe L.L.P.
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Westchester County Economic Development Director Laurence Gottlieb will serve as president of the newly formed council.
“This group is truly representative of Westchester business and reflects my administration”™s belief that only through a diversity of opinion will we successfully overcome the challenges facing area business owners,” said Astorino. “Ultimately, the council”™s goal is accelerating economic growth in Westchester by establishing the county as a world-class place to do business, and with the selection of this advisory group, we are well under way towards reaching this goal.”
County officials said the council”™s responsibilities will include:
- presenting thorough and timely economic analysis by drawing upon research that reflects a macro view of the New York state and Westchester economy or a micro view of vital existing and burgeoning business sectors;
- supporting the communication of the county”™s economic development goals and policies by reaching out to a wide variety of audiences and constituencies; and
- assisting the Office of Economic Development with networking and collaborating with key partners in support of economic growth in all critical Westchester business sectors.
Gottlieb said the council “will be a powerful tool in our efforts to generate economic growth in Westchester. We need to send a clear message to all business leaders here, across the country and around the world that Westchester is open for business.”
