Westchester County Newsmakers, 12.1.2014
Miller joins IVI International
Matthew K. Miller has been hired as a senior project manager at IVI International Inc., a construction risk management and due diligence consultancy headquartered in White Plains.
Miller will serve as a liaison between IVI”™s roster of architects and engineers and the firm”™s clients, while providing quality control and quality assurance. He will also consult with IVI”™s clients on due diligence services being provided and work to ensure that any architectural or engineering concerns are addressed.
With more than 25 years of industry experience as a registered architect and professional planner Miller also has more than 12 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate. In the last five years, he has been directly involved with forensic investigations and inspections for building damage causation analysis, providing technical expertise and working closely with insurance carriers and attorneys regarding conflict resolution.
He will be based in the southern New Jersey region, where he will support IVI”™s debt and equity platforms.
Diaper bank officially opens
County Executive Robert P. Astorino joined with the Junior League of Central Westchester to officially open the Westchester County Diaper Bank. Since first announced Sept. 11, the Diaper Bank has since been collecting all sizes, types and brands of disposable diapers and wipes and is now ready to assist families struggling to afford clean diapers in Westchester.
“Diapers are a basic need for children ”“ as essential as food and shelter,” said Astorino. “I want to thank the Junior League of Central Westchester for this tremendous partnership. Along with the county”™s Department of Social Services, together we are working to keep babies clean, safe and healthy.”
The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Junior League of Central Westchester headquarters at Wayside Cottage in Scarsdale.
The Diaper Bank will give families an opportunity to apply for a package containing a week”™s supply of diapers and wipes up to three times a year per child.
Leason Ellis adds two attorneys
Leason Ellis LLP in White Plains, an intellectual property law firm, has added two attorneys.
Matthew Kaufmann and Lori Cooper will counsel clients in the areas of patent prosecution and litigation, trademark oppositions and transactional engagements. David Leason, co-founder and managing partner said, “Matt and Lori offer vast intellectual property experience and a deep-seated, client-centered philosophy fundamental to our firm. Their contributions will enrich our ability to provide the best IP counsel to our clients.”
Kaufman has extensive experience in all facets of patent acquisition and, as a seasoned patent prosecutor, has advised many high-tech companies on portfolio development and patent mining, working with management and engineering to facilitate the identification and protection of key technical assets. He regularly represents clients in enforcing their exclusive rights against competitors and was part of the litigation team that successfully enforced check-imaging patents against the national banking industry in DataTreasury Corp. v. Bank of America Corp., et al.
Cooper”™s practice involves all aspects of intellectual property prosecution and litigation, representing individuals and large corporations. She brings proficiency in patent, trademark and copyright litigation matters and has represented clients in trademark opposition proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is particularly proficient at drafting and prosecuting patent applications in a variety of scientific and technical fields, including chemical compositions, mechanical and medical devices. Cooper is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she earned a certificate in intellectual property.
Iona names alumni relations director
Elizabeth Faia Orgera has been appointed director of alumni relations by Iona College in New Rochelle.
Orgera”™s relationship with Iona spans several years and began with an internship in the college athletics department. She spent five years with Iona athletics working on marketing, sponsorship and ticket operations. During that time, Orgera cultivated relationships with many alumni and became an alumna herself, earning an MBA.
In 2012, Orgera transitioned her skills to working in the college advancement and presidential events. During the last two years she has gained experience in helping plan and execute several events for Iona alumni ”” from golf outings to galas. Now, she will take the helm in leading and engaging Iona”™s alumni base of more than 40,000.
“Lizzie has gained impressive experience at Iona working in athletics and in advancement and external affairs,” said Paul J. Sutera, senior vice president for advancement and external affairs. “She knows our alumni well and as an Iona graduate herself, she will help us take our alumni relations efforts to new levels.”
Moskow to leave Sheldrake post
After five years of leadership and service to Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont, Holly Moskow is stepping down as executive director to pursue other interests. The center is engaged in a search for her successor and Moskow will play a major role in the selection process.
Millie Magraw, president of the center said, “We are so grateful to have had the pleasure of working with Holly. With her calm and professional leadership style, Holly has made an enormous impact on Sheldrake over the years.”
Lesser to lead Girls Inc.
After a nationwide search, the board of directors of Girls Inc. Westchester has selected Nicole Lesser to be its new executive director as of Dec. 1.
Lesser will bring experience in organizational leadership, community partnership, youth development and girl advocacy to Girls Inc. Westchester. She has received many honors and awards during her career, including a “Moving the Work Forward” award from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, which noted her vision, collaboration, creativity and commitment to justice.
Girls Inc. founder Sally Baker is stepping down as executive director after 10 years, but will be available to Lesser and the organization to help facilitate the transition. Baker said she is “excited to pass the torch to Nicole, whose passion for educating and empowering girls reflect the commitment and values at the core of our Girls Inc. mission.”
Lesser holds a B.A. from George Washington University and an MSW from Boston University School of Social Work.
Radiologist joins White Plains Hospital
Radiologist Stephanie Sims has been welcomed by White Plains Hospital to its group of integrated physician practices. Sims joins Pamela Weber, director of the outpatient imaging center at1296 North Ave. in New Rochelle.
Sims received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she also completed her radiology residency and fellowship in breast and body imaging. She is board-certified in radiology and brings 15 years of experience in breast and body imaging to New Rochelle as well as expertise in breast interventional radiology. In addition to standard radiology procedures, Sims has experience with newer technology, including radioactive seed placement for surgical localizations.
Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation awards grant
The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation, based in Kingston, recently awarded a $2,500 grant to the Good Shepherd Christian School to assist with repairs on the roof of the school”™s gymnasium, a multipurpose room that accommodates school activities, as well as events for the Morning Star Christian Fellowship parish and other community organizations.
“In addition to meeting the needs of its growing student population over the past few years, the Good Shepherd Christian School also serves a multitude of community needs throughout the course of each year,” said MaryRose Warcholak, executive director of the Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation. “We”™re happy to provide funds to assist them with these important capital improvements.”
For more information about the Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation, call Warcholak at 845-338-6322, ext. 3626.
Winning photo chosen
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.”™s second annual Fall Foliage Photo Contest has a winner. The utility”™s Facebook followers voted on a photograph submitted by Saugerties resident Keith Kopycinski, taken at the Rip Van Winkle Country Club in Palenville.
“As our photo contest winner, Keith wins a $100 Central Hudson Gift Certificate,” said Denise D. VanBuren, vice president of public relations. “But we were so pleased with customer response to the contest, we decided to offer a second-place award to another photo that was nearly as popular.” Of the 2,300 votes cast, Kopycinski”™s photo garnered 392, while a photo taken from the Ferncliff Forest in Rhinebeck by Margaret Phelan of Port Ewen received a close second with 389 votes.
“Because the voting was so close, we are also awarding Margaret with a $50 Central Hudson Gift Certificate,” said VanBuren. “Congratulations to both Keith and Margaret on their awards and for their beautiful images of the Mid-Hudson Valley depicting autumn”™s spectacular colors.”
To view the images of all 15 finalists, visit Facebook.com/CentralHudson or visit CentralHudson.com.
Goshen firm recognized for best custom home and residential alteration
The Ruby Group, a Goshen-based project management, general contracting and consulting firm, was honored with two Pinnacle Awards from the Hudson Valley Builders and Remodelers Association for its projects throughout the Hudson Valley during the association’s 2014 ceremony held Nov. 20.
The Hudson Valley Builders and Remodelers Association is a not-for-profit trade association representing the interests and needs of the building industry in Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties since 1952. The annual award selections feature eight separate categories and recognize outstanding performances by Hudson Valley building industry professionals during 2014.
The Ruby Group”™s first award for Residential Alteration of the Year was for work on its High Ridge Road project in Monroe, transforming a bi-level house and constructing a two-story addition.
The second award for Best Custom Home featured its work on the Brola Road project in Mount Hope. The firm designed and built a modern Victorian home set on seven acres.
“The Ruby Group is privileged to be recognized for our accomplishments within the Hudson Valley. We are appreciative to not only our team for their exemplary work, but to our clients who present us with such opportunities,” said Pete Berman, CEO of The Ruby Group.
Astor takes part in program reducing adolescent substance abuse
Rhinebeck-based Astor Services outpatient clinics and its adolescent day treatment programs were selected from a national group of provider applicants to participate with 29 other agencies in the National Council for Behavioral Health”™s Reducing Adolescent Substance Abuse Initiative.
As part of this learning and implementation initiative, funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, a core team of leaders from Astor”™s Hudson Valley outpatient clinics, the Highbridge Outpatient Clinic in the Bronx and the Adolescent and Middle School Day Treatment programs in the Hudson Valley, have begun participating in statewide work groups, national web-based training and social media communication initiatives.
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