ARC NAMES HR DIRECTOR
DEBORAH CARR of Pine Bush, has been appointed to the position of director of human resources for ARC of Rockland. She brings with her more than 25 years of experience in the field. Most recently, she served as vice president of human resources for the Greater Hudson Valley Health System where she led the HR function in support of the strategic goals of a two-hospital system with more than 3000 employees.
Carr said, “I am excited to be joining the dedicated leadership team of this mission-driven organization and I look forward to the challenge of wearing many hats.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Deborah into our extended ARC of Rockland family,” said ARC Executive Director Carmine Marchionda. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will surely benefit our organization.”
MED CENTER GAINS DISTINCTION
VASSAR BROTHERS MEDICAL CENTER in Poughkeepsie has received the 2014 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence, according to Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. The award winner for the fourth consecutive year makes Vassar Brothers Medical Center one of the top five percent of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide for its clinical performance.
“This honor is symbolic of our commitment to providing the highest caliber of care and most comprehensive and progressive programs, treatments and services to our Hudson Valley region. We are delighted to be placed among the most prestigious health care centers in the United States and feel inspired to continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our patients and community,” stated Robert Friedberg, president of Vassar Brothers Medical Center.
From 2010 through 2012, Healthgrades Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence as a group had an overall 26.4 percent lower risk adjusted mortality rate across 19 procedures and conditions where in-hospital mortality was the clinical outcome, compared to all other hospitals.
“Recipients of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence have demonstrated better than expected quality care. For patients undergoing treatment for select common conditions and procedures at these hospitals, this translates to a statistically significant lower likelihood of death or experiencing complications when compared to the rest of American hospitals,” said Evan Marks, executive vice president, informatics and strategy, Healthgrades.
CH ENERGY GROUP SELLS ENERGY UNIT
CH ENERGY GROUP INC., a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement under which subsidiary GRIFFITH ENERGY SERVICES INC. will be acquired by STAR GAS PARTNERS L.P.
Under the terms of the agreement, Star Gas will acquire the equity of Griffith for $69.9 million plus working capital, which will be determined at closing. The acquisition is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2014, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.
Star Gas is the nation”™s largest retail distributor of home heating oil, based upon sales volume, operating throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with sales of more than $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2013.
Griffith is a leading energy services provider in the Mid-Atlantic region, distributing heating oil, motor fuels and propane and providing HVAC services to both residential and commercial customers. Griffith has operations in Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
“Griffith is a success story, capably expanding its customer base and services since first joining us in 2000,” said Steven V. Lant, CEO of CH Energy Group and Central Hudson Enterprises Corp. holding companies for Griffith. “We are proud of Griffith”™s growth and accomplishments and believe Star Gas to be the right partner for the company. CH Energy Group has exited this business sector so that we can concentrate on the management of our utility holdings. We wish both Griffith and Star Gas much success in the future, as we focus on our core operations as a New York regulated utility company.”
Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.
NEW HEAD AT REALTOR ASSOCIATION
JOSEPH PETTINELLA, real estate broker at Century 21 Alliance Realty Group, is the new president of the DUTCHESS COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (DCAR). Officiating and administering the oath to Pettinella and the newly elected officers was Dutchess County Court Judge Peter M. Forman.
Held at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, the event attracted 150 real estate professionals and local business affiliates. Taking an oath with Pettinella, other 2014 DCAR officers and directors assuming their new positions include President-elect Donald Maher, Past President Kelly Campbell, Secretary Diane Zani, Treasurer Frederic Cantor, and directors Steven Domber, Justin Phillips and Brian Woolsey.
CENTRAL HUDSON EMPLOYEESÂ RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATION
Twelve employee-finalists from a group of 40 participants were recognized by Central Hudson in January for six ideas implemented individually or as a team during 2013 as part of the sixth annual INNOVATION AWARDS PROGRAM.
“Innovation is about seeing a problem and getting inspired to solve that problem in a new or different way,” said Charles A. Freni, senior vice president of customer services, who also oversees the utility”™s innovation program. “Our employees have many years of combined experience, education and training, both in their jobs and within our industry. We encourage our employees to use this knowledge to creatively tackle problems, perform tasks more efficiently, or utilize technology in ways not thought of before to improve the way we work. Their ideas and solutions can be simple or high-tech, but they all show how imagination, thought and hard work can bring about benefits for Central Hudson and our customers,” he said.
Ideas are submitted by employees during the year, which are reviewed by an internal committee. “While all of the ideas are creative, the committee recognizes a group of finalists,” said Freni. Central Hudson employees and projects recognized for 2013 are:
Ӣ Director of Line Clearance MICHAEL GALLUCCI, Litigation and Claims Counsel ANDREA BALGA and Assistant GIS Analyst KEVIN BURTON converted electric pole maps to searchable GIS-based electronic maps, allowing more efficient utilization of critical information and saving time and associated costs.
Ӣ Director of Electric Transmission and Distribution Operations MICHAEL ENGLISHBY and Manager of Enterprise Support Services ERIC KISZKIEL developed a kit that bundles materials for visiting crews assisting Central Hudson during major storm events, expediting service restoration and ensuring crews are quickly provided with the appropriate amount of needed supplies.
Ӣ MGP Projects Manager MARK MCLEAN removed land-based contaminants in an environmentally sensitive area using a method normally used in water, allowing the timely completion of his project while saving costs for the benefit of customers.
Ӣ Gas Foreman ROBERT DUNDERDALE, Gas Foreman PAUL ELLIS, Chief Gas Mechanic Welder STEVEN MEAD and Gas Mechanic Welder 1/C SEAN TOKLE developed three separate ideas that collectively address the need to easily and efficiently replace certain outdated natural gas meters used on larger buildings.
Ӣ Supervisor of Meter Reading TOM SU developed a new method of determining meter reading schedules that ensures customers receive an accurate bill and eliminates most errors.
Ӣ Assistant Engineers FRANCO BRUNA and STEPHANIE GENESEE, using a small computer the size of a credit card, developed a system to enable and disable certain voltage adjustments at points along the local electric system and record load data of utility devices as well, saving time and improving data accuracy.
“Innovation is really the core to effective and efficient operations,” said Freni. “It”™s about finding a better way. We”™re proud of all our employees who developed and implemented their ideas, and recognize their achievements.”
PUBLISHING FIRM EXPANDS
LUMINARY PUBLISHING INC. has acquired “Experience the Hudson Valley,” a biannual Hudson Valley tourism publication; it will continue as a wholly owned property of Luminary.
An independent media company based in Kingston, Luminary Publishing began 20 years ago with Chronogram, a monthly arts and culture magazine, which was later joined by its quarterly real estate magazine, Upstate House, and online real estate blog Upstater.com to help bring the Hudson Valley lifestyle to New York City. In addition to its two flagship publications, Luminary Publishing creates custom publications for partner clients such as Ulster County Tourism, Dutchess County Tourism, Hudson Valley Tourism and Walkway Over the Hudson.
“Tourism is a growing industry,” said Amara Projansky, CEO of Luminary Publishing. “Last year the visitors to New York state increased by 8.8 million. We expect the number to continue to grow. Experience the Hudson Valley is a great addition to our growing family of Hudson Valley publications.”
