DoubleTree wins award
Rich Friedman, who has been general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown since its reopening in 2007, recently won the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Stars of the Industry Award for General Manager of the Year, Medium Property.
Friedman and other award winners were honored for their outstanding accomplishments, service and leadership in the lodging industry at a special ceremony held in Washington, D.C.
It was the second major hospitality industry award that Friedman has won this year. In March, he was honored with the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association”™s “Outstanding GM of the Year” Award.
In winning the AH&LA award, Friedman was cited for leading his team from the grand reopening of the hotel seven years ago to becoming one of the most successful full-service hotels in Westchester.
His philanthropic achievements were also underscored as follows: “In 2011, tragedy struck the DoubleTree family with the sudden death of team member Bryan Johnson. As his mentor, Rich encouraged Bryan to pursue his hospitality management degree, so in honor of his memory Rich started the Bryan Johnson Hospitality Scholarship, which was recently awarded to its second recipient. In addition, examples of Friedman”™s philanthropic work range from hosting a yearly free September 11th barbeque for all first responders to helping a local elementary school by organizing the back-to-school supply drive and donating Kindle Fires to top students to encourage academic achievement.”
Kantor to head long-running PBS series
WNET announced the appointment of Michael Kantor as executive producer of its “American Masters” series.
“We did a thoughtful and exhaustive search to find the right person for this position,” said Stephen Segaller, vice president of programming at WNET. “And Michael has the talent and vision to continue the great legacy of American Masters. He has a deep knowledge of American culture ”“ as his many award-winning films have demonstrated ”“ and the ability to get projects funded and filmed. We are pleased and fortunate to welcome him to WNET.” Kantor will begin his new duties April 30.
A longtime producer and filmmaker for PBS who has also worked on programs for HBO and other cable networks, Kantor has created a number of award-winning programs with WNET.
“This is an amazing opportunity,” said Kantor, “I can”™t imagine a more interesting and creatively challenging series to work on than American Masters. I”™ve been inspired by the remarkable films and the extraordinary filmmakers that the series has brought to a broad national audience. I”™m honored to carry on this tradition as we plan for the exciting evolution of the series.”
Launched in 1986, “American Masters” has earned 26 Emmy Awards, 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys and two Producers Guild Awards.
Child Care Council Joey Award recipients
The Child Care Council of Westchester has announced the 2014 recipients of its Joey Awards.
The awardees are:
After School Program: Annie Villacres, lead youth educator, Port Chester Carver Center;
Family Provider: Susan Matos, owner and provider, Imagination Day Care;
Child Care Center: Mary Ann Becker, lead teacher and curriculum, Mamaroneck Community Nursery School;
General: Basia Kinglake, coordinator of children”™s mental health services, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health; and
General: Michael Kaplowitz, chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators.
The honorees will be recognized at the annual awards breakfast June 6 from 8 to10 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tarrytown.
Each year since 2003, the Child Care Council presents the Joey Awards to professional care providers and community leaders who make outstanding contributions to childcare and quality of life for children and working parents. At the same event, the council recognizes Champions for Children, individuals and organizations who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to bright futures for children by creating or funding life-changing programs and initiatives.
Villacres began working at the Carver Center”™s after-school program in 2006, and in the eight years since, has worked with students in kindergarten through 6th grade.
Matos opened the doors to Imagination Family Daycare in 1987, operating the business out of the apartment the she family lived in until the fall of 1993 when she moved into a multifamily house.
Becker began her career working at child care programs in Brooklyn and Yonkers, after earning her bachelor”™s and master”™s degrees in early childhood education.
Kinglake has been the coordinator of children”™s mental health services for the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health for 10 years.
Kaplowitz, chairman of the Westchester County Board, has actively supported and helped fund Westchester”™s Care Coordination Program.
“The Child Care Council looks forward to recognizing the individuals in our community who go above and beyond to make sure Westchester”™s children have the best start possible through exceptional early care,” said Child Care Council of Westchester Executive Director Kathy Halas.
For more information about the annual awards breakfast, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket prices, contact Dana Lawless at 914-761-3456, ext.127, or danal@cccwny.org or visit childcarewestchester.org.
Bank appoints vice president
The Westchester Bank appointed Tracey K. Zimmerman vice president, chief compliance officer. She will be working at the bank”™s headquarters on Central Park Avenue in Yonkers and will be responsible for the development and maintenance of compliance policies as well as creating and implementing procedures that are in line with overall bank goals.
A longtime Westchester County resident, Zimmerman brings in-depth experience to the position with more than 20 years in the banking industry.
“It”™s a pleasure to be part of an organization with so many outstanding professionals working toward a common goal. The Westchester Bank has the utmost respect for people, whether customers or staff and that”™s what makes this bank so different,” Zimmerman said.
John M. Tolomer, president and CEO, said, “Tracey is an individual who has demonstrated the dedication, knowledge and commitment necessary for the position. We look for good people who fit into a positive, cohesive culture here at the bank and knew she”™d be a great fit for us. We”™re fortunate to have someone of Tracey”™s caliber and look forward to her continued growth within the organization.”
Parks group names chairwoman
Joanne Fernandez, manager of government affairs at Entergy, has been elected chairwoman of the board of directors of Friends of Westchester County Parks. Fernandez”™s appointment comes after Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson”™s announcement to step down as chairperson after six years.
“As a longtime member of the Friends board (four years), I have seen impressive work that has been accomplished by the organization and its members,” Fernandez said. “I look forward to building upon Friends”™ successes as we continue to collaborate with our members and communities to keep our 18,000 acres of open space green and growing.”
She has been recognized for achievement and outstanding corporate citizenship by numerous organizations, including an Outstanding Women Business Leader by the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Rising Star by The Business Council of Westchester, a Visionary Leader by Kids Xpress magazine and the Green Friend of the Year award from the Volunteer Center of the United Way. In addition, she serves as an executive board member of the Greater New York American Red Cross.
A native New Yorker, Fernandez graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany with a bachelor”™s degree in political science, Latin American studies, a minor in economics and a master”™s degree in public policy.
Phelps names HR exec
Jake Maijala of Hopewell Junction, has been appointed vice president of human resources at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center.
Maijala has more than 20 years of human resources experience in strategic planning, recruitment, employee relations and compensation and benefits administration.
Most recently, he served as vice president, human resources at Cortland Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Cortland, with responsibility for human resources, education, employee health, volunteers, environmental services, food and nutrition services, safety and security.
Prior to his role at CRMC, Maijala was the director of human resources, compensation, benefits and human resource information system at Bassett Healthcare Network, a health care system based in Cooperstown.
Maijala holds a master”™s degree in psychology from the University of Jyvaskyla in his native Finland and an MBA from SUNY-Empire State College. His professional achievements include a senior professional in human resources certification and a pending fellow designation from the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Director appointed at Paraco
Christina Armentano has joined the Paraco Gas Corp. as director of employee relations reporting to Mike DeVoe, executive vice president of operations.
Paraco Gas is a family-owned and operated propane company, which serves the Northeast region of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Previously Armentano served as a director at Cook Associates where she managed client relationships and supervised the execution of recruitment programs for Fortune 500 companies.
Armentano holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from James Madison University and an MBA from Babson College, F.W. Olin Graduation School of Business.
Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.
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