The Westchester County Association will present the third annual APEX (Awards for Professional Excellence) awards Nov. 12 at a reception in White Plains.
The honorees were selected by the association”™s Executive Committee.
“The WCA is proud to honor and thank the winners for their exemplary leadership in making a significant contribution to the future of Westchester”™s economic vitality through their expertise, vision and strong commitment to the communities,” said WCA President William M. Mooney.
The APEX recipients are:
Award for Advocacy ”“ TD Bank
TD Bank, which has its regional headquarters in Westchester with 14 branches and more than 200 employees, was last year”™s recipient of the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award by the Association of Development Officers of Westchester.
“TD Bank is honored to receive the APEX Award for Advocacy,” said Mark Sicinski, regional vice president of TD Bank. “We believe in becoming part of the fabric of the community where we do business. TD is committed to making meaningful and positive contributions to individuals, families and businesses, and we proudly support organizations that strive to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the communities we serve.”
Award for Connections ”“ Mitch Taube
Taube is president and CEO of Elmsford-based Digiscribe International, which has been providing paperless office solutions with cost-effective document scanning and document services to businesses since 2001.
“I am honored that the WCA has chosen to present me with this award,” Taube said. “It is a privilege to be associated with the circle of current and past APEX award winners. Digiscribe is committed to improving the profitability and efficiency of Westchester County businesses with paperless office solutions. During these challenging economic times, our cost-effective services help companies of all sizes reduce costs and strengthen their competitive positioning, which benefits the county as a whole.”
Award for Young Professionals ”“ Jason Friedland
Friedland is president and co-owner of Shleppers Moving and Storage. He acquired the company in 2007 and is credited with doubling its revenues and expanding its market in Westchester. In 2004, he and his father built the real estate company Westlock Development into a substantial holding company with retail, industrial and office space.
“I am very proud of the way that Shleppers operates in terms of customer satisfaction and corporate responsibility,”™ Friedland said. “Since we acquired the company in 2007, our corporate emphasis on operating the right way has translated into massive revenue growth in New York City and Westchester and particularly in commercial relocations, which the company did not emphasize prior to our ownership. Our goal is to create a full service, national company and we think we”™re on the right track.”
Award for International Business ”“ Louise Martin-Valiquette
Martin-Valiquette has been providing international legal services for more than 30 years and has been president of the World Trade Council of Westchester since 2006.
“As the world economies are increasingly interconnected and interdependent, international trade becomes more and more important,” Martin-Valiquette said. “I found in Westchester County a very receptive environment to locate my international legal practice, and the World Trade Council of Westchester has been an important forum to foster interest in international trade.”
