Westchester County Newsmakers, 11.25.2013
DESIGN HONORS
THE CAROL KURTH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS of Bedford design team received two 2013 Design Awards from AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter for Cloverhill Farm and a New York City apartment, Skyscape37, at the chapter”™s Celebration of Architecture Awards held at the Rye Country Day School. The awards program recognizes projects, designed by chapter members, “which made a positive aesthetic and social contribution to the built environment.”
Cloverhill Farm received an Honor Award for Architecture for its dramatic architectural and interior design renovation to an existing traditional “builder” home. Significant structural changes were made to open the living space and to create a higher ceiling height.
Skyscape37 received a design award citation for interior design renovation to a high-rise apartment near Lincoln Center in Manhattan. The project, which began as a puzzle-like assemblage of three apartments, was transformed into a flowing backdrop for a family of four.
“It is an honor to have Cloverhill Farm and Skyscape37 projects recognized by the Chapter. The AIA Design Awards program is an opportunity to see the amazing design talent in Westchester and my team is proud to be part of this professional community, which adds beauty and value to everyday life,” said project architect, Carol J.W. Kurth.
A WINNING DUO
EMPIRE CITY CASINO AT YONKERS RACEWAY PRESIDENT TIMOTHY J. ROONEY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES have teamed up to make the holiday season happier for the less fortunate. Empire City is hosting the “Christmas Spirit Coat and Toy Drive” from now through Dec. 6 and will be accepting donations every day throughout the drive at the Gotham Palace promotions booth.
Patrons are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys and/or new or gently used coats anytime during that period. The items will be delivered to Catholic Charities-supported agencies for the Christmas holidays. The toy and coat drive has become a holiday tradition at Empire City Casino with thousands of toys and coats donated since 2007 when the campaign was launched.
“There are no greater deeds than charity and service,” Rooney said.
For more information, visit yonkersraceway.com or email info@YonkersRaceway.com or call (914) 968-4200.
NEW DIRECTOR AT CHILD CARE CENTER
DAWN MEYERSKI has been selected by the board of directors of the Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) as its new executive director, effective Jan. 1. Meyerski presently holds the position of program director at the center. Dottie Jordan, current executive director, will retire Dec. 31, after leading the center for almost 30 years.
“Dawn”™s proven history at MKCCC coupled with her enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the future success of the center are a winning combination,” Jordan said.
Meyerski began her career with MKCCC in 1983 when she was head teacher for the preschool program. She left in 1988 to become lead teacher for the Astor Early Childhood Programs/Head Start in Poughkeepsie and in 1996, she was named assistant director/teacher at the Precious People Early Learning Center in Westfield, N.J. Meyerski returned to Mount Kisco Child Care Center in 1998 as the program director and has held this position since.
“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” said David M. Griff, president of the board of directors. “Dawn”™s contributions to Mount Kisco Child Care Center over the past 15 years are immeasurable. While we are saddened to see Dottie retire, we will continue to celebrate her accomplishments.”
A graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Meyerski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She received a Master of Science, Elementary Education degree, specializing in early childhood education from SUNY New Paltz.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
S. KLOOS COMMUNICATIONS INC. of Ardsley recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with family and friends at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook. Starting in North White Plains in 1988, the firm moved to Ardsley in 1992.
A B-to-B firm that helps clients build their businesses and memberships through marketing and education, S. Kloos produces newsletters, magazines and print and web advertising for health care-related groups, including doctors, companies marketing to doctors, publishers and nonprofit health care associations. The company also provides database management and survey writing, tabulation and analysis. It has won several Big W awards over the years from the Advertising Club of Westchester for its newsletters and supplements.
NEW ASSOCIATEÂ AT WHITE PLAINS LAW FIRM
ALAN MURAIDEKH has joined Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott L.L.C. in White Plains, a national law firm, as an associate in the litigation division.
Muraidekh focuses his practice on a variety of commercial litigation disputes, including Federal Employers”™ Liability Act matters and other railroad matters. He also has experience in product liability litigation of toxic materials such as asbestos and personal injury defense matters, including construction, motor vehicle and slip and fall accidents.
He earned his Juris Doctorate from the New York Law School and his undergraduate degree from the City University of New York, Queens College.
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott has more than 375 attorneys in 14 offices throughout the U.S. providing a broad range of legal services in the areas of litigation.
BRISTAL NAMESÂ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JOHN GIORDANO has been appointed executive director of The Bristal at White Plains, an assisted living community.
Prior to joining The Bristal, Giordano was the executive director at Arcadia Management for The Arbors Assisted Living Communities in Long Island. He graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelor of Business Administration after receiving his Associate of Applied Science degree at Kingsborough Community College.
Giordano enjoys hiking, fishing and the outdoors and resides in Holbrook with his wife Lorraine and son Phillip.
He has been a member of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for the past seven years, for the Boy Scouts of America for the past 15 years and has volunteered with the Alzheimer”™s Association for six years.
In August 2002, Giordano was honored by the Boys Scouts of America for his leadership in training and development. In May 2008, he received the Matthew Schure Award for helping youth with developmental disabilities. He has also been a member of the Senior Umbrella Network of Suffolk for seven years.
REALTOR WELCOMES NEW REP
MARGARET “PEGGY” BERRETTA has joined Houlihan Lawrence”™s Scarsdale office as a licensed salesperson. Specializing in advising buyers, sellers and renters in the Scarsdale community and surrounding areas, Berretta has a unique professional background that provides her with a well-rounded skill set ideal for the real estate industry.
“I had been accompanying my friends in their buying and selling processes for years before I realized it was my passion and I wanted to do it full time,” Berretta said. “Having worked with Houlihan Lawrence for my own real estate needs, I was impressed with the team”™s professionalism, service and the level of support afforded to all agents and their clients.”
Most recently holding the position of business engagement lead with National Grid, an international electric and gas company. While there she was responsible for preparing more than 17,000 employees across the country for a major systems transformation, delivering individualized training sessions and running workshops for business leaders.
“Peggy brings a unique viewpoint to the real estate market through her diverse professional background,” said Lewis Arlt, brokerage manager of the Scarsdale office.
BUSINESS OWNER WINS AWARD
ROCHELLE CARRINGTON, president and CEO of Sandler Training was honored with a Ruby Award at the Sandler Global Conference held in Baltimore, MD. The award signifies Carrington”™s outstanding sales performance during the previous four-month period.
With Offices based in both Mount Kisco and Stamford, Conn., Carrington has advised, trained and coached both large and small enterprises on developing stronger sales teams, creating better hiring practices and leading organizations more effectively. Her company helps businesses reach critical goals so they can drive increased revenue, sell more efficiently and more effectively manage their human capital.
Sandler Training is an international training organization dedicated to improving sales, management and customer service skills. Founded in 1967, it now has more than 250 consultants globally.
NEW DOC AT WESTMED
LISA YOUKELES M.D., of Rye Brook, board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine, has joined WESTMED Medical Group.
After earning her medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine followed by a residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center, Youkeles completed three fellowships: a research fellowship and a pulmonary fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a critical care fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center.
Prior to joining WESTMED, Youkeles practiced internal, pulmonary and critical care medicine at Maple Medical of White Plains. Previously, she was an attending physician at The Lung Center, North Shore University Hospital. Affiliated with White Plains Hospital and Greenwich Hospital, Youkeles is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Thoracic Society.