The Business Council of Westchester

B U I L D I N G

BRIDGESThe BUSINESS COUNCIL

of WESTCHESTER

BUSINESS INC.

Bridge to a Bright Economic Future – pg 3

The Business Council of Westchester

First Quarter 2013 First Quarter 2014

B U I L D I N G

BRIDGESThe BUSINESS COUNCIL

of WESTCHESTER

BUSINESS INC.

Bridge to a Bright Economic Future – pg 3

The Business Council of Westchester

First Quarter 2013

In the Forefront of Economic Development

See story on page 3

The Business Council of Westchesterwestchesterny.org

The Business Council of Westchester is ready, willing and able to fulfill its mission in 2013: to make Westchester the very best place to live and work.

Members will find within the BCW the professional and vendor networks needed to grow. Our membership includes many of the world’s leading brands who call Westchester home and hundreds of mid size and small businesses sparking innovation and creating well-compensated jobs in this local economy.

Membership is expected to grow in 2013 creating a greater intellectual ferment and ability for you to get things done. Members will learn and stay current through BCW programs as they participate in our vibrant councils. They will connect directly to government at the highest level and have a legislative advocate in the BCW.

Our members heard directly from U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Members of Congress and New York’s elected officials. Our President Marsha Gordon, as well

as a number of our members, serve on the Governor’s Regional Council, directing economic benefits to our area including 23 projects for Westchester just announced. And our Dr. Gordon serves on the Mass Transit Task Force for the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the largest public works project we are likely to see in our lifetime in this County. We are plugged in and contributing for the betterment of all the people of Westchester.

So please do make your list of personal and business goals for the coming year. Organize now to play a role in the Business Council of Westchester and to make sure that you are contributing and gaining the full value of your membership in Westchester’s leading business organization. Let’s all have a great year!

The Business Council of Westchester is pleased to announce the election of four prominent business leaders to its Board of Directors – William Marsillo,

Ralph Martinelli, Andrew Tung and Laura Woznitski.

Marsillo is a partner with the Armonk-based law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. He has represented clients in federal and state courts in a variety of matters involving business torts, contract disputes, RICO, securities fraud and other fraud allegations, criminal investigations, intellectual property, and partnership disputes.

Martinelli, Vice President of Today Media Inc., is publisher of Westchester Magazine and 914 Inc. He is also the publisher of Hudson Valley Magazine, Westchester Home, and Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. He serves on the board of directors of ArtsWestchester and Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.

Tung, a partner in the multidisciplinary land-planning firm Divney Tung Schwalbe, LLP based in White Plains, has more than 30 years of experience in environmental planning, regulatory processing and project management for institutional, corporate and developer clients. He is a registered landscape architect, lawyer, and a LEED-accredited professional.

Woznitski is a senior director of leasing and development for BioMed Realty Trust, the owner of the Landmark Eastview complex. Prior to taking her current position in 2011, she had completed 1.2 million square feet of development projects, 2.5 million square feet of Class-A office improvements, and participated in more than $1 billion of commercial real estate capital transactions.

Stephen J. JonesChairman of the BoardThe Business Council of Westchester

One of the largest public infrastructure projects in the nation will soon get underway

with construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, a $3.1 billion project that is crucial to the continued economic vitality of our region. The Business Council of Westchester has been a leading advocate for the fast-tracked plan that will create 45,000 construction jobs.

After more than a decade of delays and $88 million spent on studies, Gov. Andrew Cuomo defied the skeptics and in just 14 months obtained all the necessary approvals and awarded the contract to the joint venture Tappan Zee Constructors to design and build the new mass transit-ready bridge. Construction of the three-mile long bridge is the single largest bridge project in New York’s history.

The $3.142 billion best value proposal, which was approved by the New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors on December 17, was significantly less than the $5.2 billion estimate state and federal transportation agencies had projected for the project. The winning proposal also included a shortened construction timeframe and less dredging of the Hudson River as compared to the two other proposals.

“This historic vote by the Thruway Authority is great news for the families and businesses of Westchester County. Not only does this proposal offer the lowest price for our toll payers, but it also means tens of thousands of new jobs for our families. Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, this project is finally becoming a reality and giving our region’s economy a critical boost,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. Dr. Gordon served as President of the BuildtheBridgeNowNY.org coalition that helped garner public support for the project. She was also recently named to the Mass Transit Committee for the new bridge.

Thruway Authority officials have estimated that the state will incur another $500 million to $800 million in costs related to project management, environmental

mitigation, financing and stipend reimbursement to the two non-winning proposal firms. The stipend reimbursement will allow the state to own the proposal submittals and, therefore, incorporate ideas in those design-build bids in the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge if necessary. The state has applied for federal financing under the United States Department of Transportation’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program.

Work on the new bridge will begin in early 2013 with major dredging work getting underway in August. When completed in 2018, it will be the world’s widest bridge. The road deck of the new bridge will be thicker than the current bridge which opened in December 1955, making it sturdier and safer. The bridge will also feature an unusual design with towers tilted outward for added strength.

Business Council of Westchester Elects New Board Members

A Message fromthe Chairman

A Big Boost to Region’s Economy

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Business Council Helped Pave the Way for New TZ Bridge

Rendering of New Tappan Zee Bridge Project.


























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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION


The Business Council of Westches-ter’s Annual Business Expo, the largest and most anticipated trade show in the Hudson Valley, is gear-ing up for another record year this spring with a new name and new focus.

Formerly called the Mega Mixer, the 2014 Westchester Business Expo is being expanded to include a host of new activities designed to create an exciting interactive business experience. Scheduled for March 20th at the Hilton West-chester, the Expo will feature 180 booths and interactive presentations. One of the new activities will be the Experience Exchanges. The Experience Exchanges will run throughout the duration of the Expo and provide you with the opportunity to interact

with an industry expert, share suc-cess stories and ideas with other participants and walk away with fantastic new information to incor-porate into your business.

The Westchester Business Expo will also be a tremendous network-ing opportunity for members and attendees to engage in a dialogue about the issues that matter most to the business community. Last year’s Expo drew nearly 2,000 busi-ness people from Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

For more information about par-ticipating in this year’s Westchester Business Expo including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Allison Calvert at 914-948-2110.

Business Expo to Feature Interactive Experiences


























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We enter 2014 well positioned in Westchester County to grow Westchester as a leader in our

country in innovation, support for busi-ness and quality of life. That is the vision of The Business Council of Westchester. Our Mission: To enhance profitability, wealth and economic opportunity for all in Westchester. At the heart of our mes-sage: Economic Development.

Political leadership will be critical. We look forward to working closely with the second term administration of County Executive Rob Astorino to promote busi-ness growth in Westchester. Local elected officials will be critical in approving projects that will make our communities more attractive and liveable and provide construction and permanent jobs. We will work with Governor Cuomo and other State leaders to make New York competi-tive and to improve State finances.

Massive investment in infrastructure is taking place in the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge. Mixed-used

development must be encouraged to ad-dress the changing ways people want to live. Construction in the healthcare sector continues to be a bright spot and trend. Joe Simone and WESTMED are in the ground in Harrison with new construction. Joe Cotter’s iPark in Yonkers is tenant ready.

MasterCard, PepsiCo, Regeneron and ITT and other major employers have re-newed their commitment to Westchester. MasterCard is adding 270 jobs with an av-erage annual salary of $141,000. Small in-novative businesses like IT firm Axispoint are locating here – and that business headed by Frank Scanga will own and occupy the former Ossining Police Station building, vacant because of an intelligent, taxpayer friendly, consolidation of policing services with Westchester County. We are fortunate in Westchester to be powered by Entergy, a national leader in energy and a significant contributor to our quality of life in the county.

Leaders must be realistic and work with

the facts but successful business leaders seek opportunity and advantage. They want to be surrounded by forward-look-ing people and good ideas. They want to eliminate being stuck in a muddy rut of negativity and focus relentlessly on the best ideas and profitable business. Join The Business Council of Westchester in 2014 in capitalizing on what is best in Westchester. Identify your large, medium and small goals for the year and partner with us in making it happen.

Last year¹s Expo drew more than 2,000 people.


























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When Marsha Gor-don recently pre-sented Regeneron

with a Business Champion Award, she noted that the Westchester-based biophar-maceutical giant started in a Manhattan apartment in the 1980s. Now the Tarrytown-based company is one of Westchester County’s great business success stories: It employs hundreds of peo-ple working in world-class facilities who help develop and manufacture important medicines for eye diseases, colorectal cancer, and other serious illnesses.

“Not only is Regeneron expanding their space, but they are projecting over 400 new jobs,” said Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, speaking to an audience of some 100 business lead-ers who were at a Business Council luncheon in December held at Tap-pan Hill in Tarrytown. “Their growth is amazing.”

Growth. Jobs. Expansion. Invest-ment. These aren’t mere buzzwords so much as qualities and characteris-tics that exemplify what the Business Council of Westchester seeks to encourage, promote and celebrate.

The Business Council is kicking off a new economic development initia-tive aimed at showcasing Westches-ter as great place to do business. It’s a one-two punch that includes honoring businesses that are relocat-ing, recommitting or expanding in the county while reviewing and high-lighting others, such as large-scale development proposals.

In creating the Economic Leader-ship Development Council (ELDC), the Business Council expects to support smart and sustainable projects that contribute to the county’s economic vitality. The ELDC will be comprised of experts in development, land use, law, banking, architec-ture, not-for-profit, real estate and education to help determine benefits to the community, county and region and the contribution to building Westchester’s future. It will be chaired by Tim Jones, Managing Director and Partner of Robert Martin Company. “The goal is to try and identify good development that achieves social and economic objectives,” says Jones.

“It can help the business community and the overall community.”

Jones says the Council’s work is multifaceted: It will recognize projects that bring jobs to Westchester while raising awareness about the pluses, or minuses, of proposals as it relates to environmental sustainability, mixed-used de-velopment, infrastructure and property taxes. Review will be thorough and all encompassing, and by no means will the ELDC be a rubber-stamp for development. “It will be a success if we are viewed as relevant, educational and

impartial,” Jones says. At a recent luncheon,

Business Council presented three companies with The Westchester Busi-ness Champion Awards: In addition to Regeneron, Life Time Athletic in Har-rison and Yonkers Brewing Co. received awards. Life Time Athletic is opening a 201,000-square-foot fitness, recreation and spa resort this spring at 1 Gannett Drive in Harrison. It is the company’s first facility in Westchester. Yonkers Brew-ing Co. started making its beers in 2010, but has big plans to open a brewery in downtown Yonkers -- at 92 Main Street in the last remaining Trolley Barns in Westchester. In 2013, Regeneron started its $100 million expansion at The

Landmark at Eastview complex, adding two buildings with 300,000 square feet of laboratory and office space.

In each instance, the award winners have shown that they are committed to growing, hiring and expanding their operations while calling the county home, according to Gordon.

The Business Council’s commit-ment to economic development runs deep. Last year, the Business Council played a major role in securing $92.8 million in economic development project funding to the Hudson Valley through the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, of which Marsha Gordon is a member. The Business Council is also helping to develop the Opportunity Agenda for Peekskill and Brewster, which will bring important planning, education and economic resources to those communities.

A Bold Initiative for Economic Growth

From left, Tim Jones, Chair of the newly formed Economic Development Leadership Council; Joanne Deyo of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; John Rubbo and Nick Califano of Yonkers Brewing Company; BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon, and Joe Connolly of WCBS Newsradio 880.

Governor Andrew Cuomo congratulates Business Council President and CEO Marsha Gordon at Regional Economic Development Council Awards ceremony held Dec. 11 in Albany

Cover Photo: Pictured at the REDC Awards Ceremony in Albany are, from left, Assembly

Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator John De-Francisco, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Newburgh

Mayor Judy Kennedy, Fox Business Network Anchor Maria Bartiromo, State Senator Cecillia Tkaczyk, Business Council President and CEO Marsha Gordon, White Plains Mayor Thomas

Roach, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.


Gordon Named to Mass Transit Taskforce

Business Council President and CEO Marsha Gordon was named by New York State Thruway Authority Board Chairman Howard P. Milstein as one the 29 members of the Mass Transit Task Force to look at transit options for the new bridge to replace the Tappan Zee. The Mass Transit Task Force will work to identify short, medium and long term transit solutions for the bridge and the

I-287 corridor in Westchester and Rockland counties; develop funding strategies to implement and sustain transit operations; and create a corridor management plan to ensure a viable transit program.

Advocacy at-a-glance

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County Executive Discusses Playlands Future

County Executive Robert Astorino and Kim Morque, President of Sustainable Playland Inc. (SPI), spoke at the Business Council’s Board of Directors meeting about the future of Playland and its positive impact on Westchester’s economy. Astorino previously announced he would sign a Letter of Intent with SPI to manage the amusement park. Astorino and SPI

outlined the plan for the new Playland, which will include not only an amusement park and renovated ice casino but also an aqua zone, Great Lawn, restaurants, conference space and more.

BCW Tackles Health Care Issue

As part of its continuing series of programs on the impact of the Affordable Care Act and the New York Health Exchange, The Business Council of Westchester held a forum in November at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains on how implementation in 2014 of the New York State Health Benefit Exchange will affect

business’ bottom line. In December, the BCW arranged for a presentation at the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board in White Plains. BCW member James Schutzer of J.D. Moschitto & Associates outlined employer responsibilities regarding the health benefit exchanges and other important compliance issues. Attending the presentation program along with members of the Workforce Investment Board were BCW’s Marsha Gordon, who was named earlier this year to Gov. Cuomo’s Metro New York City Regional Advisory Committee for the New York State Health Benefit Exchange, and John Ravitz.

BCW Introduces Newly Elected OfficialsAssemblyman-Elect David Buchwald, who will represent the State’s 93rd Assembly District, met with the Business Council’s Government Action Council to discuss issues and goals that affect BCW members and their businesses. Meetings with other newly elected officials will be announced as they are scheduled.

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Repurposing I-287 Corridor

The future of commercial development along the I-287 corridor was the focus of a planning program held by the New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities Consortium and the Urban Land Institute. Robert Weinberg, chairman of Robert Martin Company and chair of the BCW’s Coalition for Business Development’s subcommittee on mixed-use development, pointed out that the availability of mass transit as a result of the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project is critical for the region.

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Regional Economic Council

Twenty-one Westchester County projects were among the recipients of the largest grants

recently announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo through the State Regional Economic Council.

On December 19th state officials announced a total of $738 million funding for projects across the state as part of round two of the state’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council received the third largest funding award among the 10 regional councils. Westchester County and the surrounding Mid-Hudson region secured nearly $93 million in state economic development grant awards, a 30-perent increase from last year’s funding for the area.

Projects, such as the biotechnology incubator at New York Medical College in Valhalla, which broke ground last month, and a major waterfront redevelopment initiative in New Rochelle are among the Westchester County projects that will receive approximately $23 million in grant funding.

Westchester Wins $23M in Economic Development Grants

The iBio Incubator at New York Medical College in Valhalla received an additional $1 million in funding. The new facility will offer laboratory and office space, services for entrepreneurs and start-up biotechnology companies. It will also provide specialized workforce training for established biotechnology companies in the region. In July, the state announced it was providing a $4 million capital grant to help NYMC under-take renovations to a 129,800 square-foot facility on its campus to build the biopharmaceutical incubator.

The Echo Bay waterfront project in New Rochelle received $1.5 million to reclaim commercial and industrial land and provide access to the water’s edge. The project also includes new market rate and affordable rental housing with neighborhood retail opportunities, as well as more than five acres of public open space. Also in the City of New Rochelle, an initiative at Sound Shore Medical Center to build a new medical office and ambulatory

services building and parking garage received $1 million in funding. Northern Westchester Hospital’s plan to double its emergency room space will receive a $1-million boost from the state as well. The proposed $200-million redevelopment of the 1904 Glenwood Power Plant on the Hudson River in Yonkers received $1 million.

Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester and a member of the Regional Economic Council Executive Committee, said, “This is a tremendous endorsement of the quality and economic impact of the projects in Westchester that were proposed for funding. My goal as a member of the Regional Council has not only been to make sure that these very important Westchester projects are on the list for consideration but to shepherd them through the review process to a successful end. It is very rewarding to see these efforts paid off.“

Rendering of Sound Shore Medical Center’s new medical office and ambulatory services building and parking garage.

The Business Council of Westchester at work for you






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KeyBank Speaker Series

Three business leaders with a wealth of experience in business, law, government relations and cultural affairs have joined the Board of Directors of The Business Council of Westchester. George Lence, Douglas Singer and Jeffrey Haydon were elected at the BCW Board meeting in December.

George Lence is President of Nicholas & Lence Communications, a New York-based strategic communications firm specializing in media relations, destination marketing, corporate positioning, crisis management, and government and community relations. Lence, who has more than 25 years of legal and government affairs experi-ence, also serves on the Business Council’s Governmental Action Council. He is a resident of Sleepy Hollow.

Jeffrey Haydon is Chief Executive Officer of Caramoor Center for

Music and the Arts in Katonah. Mr. Haydon, who joined the Car-amoor staff in September 2012, has nearly 20 years of arts man-agement experience and a lifelong love of music as both an avid audience member and musician. He previously served as Executive Director of the Ojai Music Festival in Southern California. He resides in Katonah.

Doug Singer is a partner in the law firm of Falcon & Singer P.C. with offices in Scarsdale and Montvale, NJ. His primary focus is busi-ness law, working with privately held companies and their owners. He has particular niches working with women and minority owned companies and with for-profit companies. A resident of Stamford, Singer currently serves on the BCW’s Small Business Council and Governmental Action Council.

BCW Welcomes Three New Board Members

Joe Connolly, the well-known voice behind WCBS 880 News-radio’s Small Business Report, has learned many valuable les-sons meeting with executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders from all over the region. And in the faced-paced infor-mation age, where the world is seemingly flying by 140 char-acters at a time, Connolly says Twitter and other social media are powerful tools.

But don’t be fooled -- you can’t forget the substance, he says. “The audience wants us to go deeper,” says Connolly, who in addition to his morning radio segments is a reporter at The Wall Street Journal.

Connolly was the keynote speaker on Dec. 10 at the Busi-ness Council of Westchester’s KeyBank Speaker Series at Tap-pan Hill in Tarrytown. During the roughly 90-minute program, Connolly shared many real-life stories about networking, mar-keting and boosting sales that he’s learned covering his beat. He touched on the economy and the importance of re-invent-ing oneself.

While Connolly embraces so-cial media (he Tweeted a picture

of the phenomenal view from Tappan Hill and teased his ra-dio reports about the Business Champion Award-winners on Twitter) – during his speech he also shared his own story about distinguishing himself from so many other financial reporters.

“I decided I was going to talk to everybody but Wall Street,” he says of his practical and easy-to-understand news segments that are appreciated by both those working with the small businesses of Main Street and the big banks of Wall Street.

When it comes to business dif-ferentiation, Connolly empha-sizes providing important and in-depth information to custom-ers. “You have to do something differently,” Connolly says. “Be authentic.”

Authenticity is a great way for businesses to “cut through the clutter,” as he put it, in this Inter-net era. For example, a business ought to consider expressing its uniqueness on its Website. “Don’t worry about the home page as much as the second page, or the ‘about us’ page … it’s a great place to express the personality of a business.”

Joe Connolly’s Advice to Business: Be Authentic

From left, BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon; Joe Connolly; Ruth Mahoney of KeyBank and BCW Executive VP John Ravitz.

Keynote speaker Joe Connolly of WCBS Newsradio 880






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4Q08 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 2Q10 3Q10 4Q10 1Q11 2Q11 3Q11 4Q11 1Q12 2Q12 3Q12 4Q12 2Q13 3Q13 4Q13DK BCI 27 30.1 42.4 41.2 52 47.2 52.2 54.3 56.9 62.3 66.3 41.6 54.2 64.8 65.9 59.2 65.8 58.5 58.8 66

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Hyper-Growth Company of the Quarter: Candela Systems In the past year, Candela Systems has increased revenue by 60+%, and added close to 20 new employees and contract workers. The Company: B2B Energy Efficient Lighting provider with major projects across the United States and The Caribbean. We attribute our rapid growth to: hard work and continued dedication from our employees. Advice for companies wanting to grow: You cannot do this alone, surround yourself with independent professional resources from the Business Council of Westchester. For more information: James Bernardo, CEO – [email protected] 914 248-8900

The 4Q-2013 Westchester Business Confidence Index reading of 66 (on a scale of 1 to 100) indicates that local businesses are becoming more optimistic about the business climate. A local business owner commented, “It is tough going out there, but we are slowly gaining ground. Business levels and investment are picking up, if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with higher business taxes, we think 2014 has reasonable growth potential for our firm and our industry.”

The Westchester unemployment rate of 5.9% in October continues to consistently run below the national (7.3%, per Bloomberg) and state (7.7%, per NYS Department of Labor) rates of unemployment, but businesses are fairly cautious about the near future due to concerns about the higher cost of living and local regulatory environments. As one Business Council of Westchester member commented, “Employment in Westchester is still fractured. High skill/wage is better but middle and low skill/wage is struggling.”

Westchester Business Confidence Index

Westchester Business Confidence Index is sponsored by the Business Council of Westchester and designed/conducted by DataKey Consulting®. The Index focuses on key business metrics, such as trends in staffing levels, top line revenues, bottom line profits, capital spending budgets, and other industry performance data. Critical data was captured and analyzed against comparison points of one quarter and one year ago.

DataKey Consulting, LLC –- (914) 945-8808 www.datakeyconsulting.com

The Westchester Business Confidence Index is sponsored by the Business Council of Westchester. Designed and conducted by DataKey Consulting.

Highlights: NY State and Federal Health Exchanges • The vast majority of responding companies describe that

they are already offering insurance to their employees. Just 4% of Westchester companies with less than 50 employees report that their company has already enrolled in the NY State of Health Exchange, and only 13% are planning to do so in 2014.

• Of the people who visited the NY State of Health Exchange website, about 2/3rds claimed it was relatively easy to navigate the site, but most were not fully satisfied with the healthcare offerings.

• Of the people who visited the Federal Affordable Care Act website, just 15% responded that it was easy to extremely easy to navigate the site.

• More than 30% of the respondents had attended a free Business Council of Westchester healthcare workshop, and nearly 7 out of 10 attendees found the workshops to be very informative and well-organized to extremely informative and well-organized.


The BCW Welcomes New Members

Advant Edge ConsultantsZena Sternbach Langer advantedgeconsultants.com H.R. Consultants_____

Anthony G. EppsAnthony Epps ageppsfinancial.com Financial Services_____

AT&TEdward Bergstraesser Telecommunications_____

Camp NabbyJoe Bertino campnabby.com Recreation_____

ColumbiaDoctors Medical GroupDina DiDio Medical Services_____

The Community Builders, Inc.Jan Brodie tcbinc.org Not-for-Profit_____

ContraFect CorporationNancy Dong contrafect.com Bio Medical_____

Dennis Dooley/House PaintingDennis Dooley Painter

Elements Therapeutic MassagePatty Franco elementsmassage.com Day Spas_____

Eye Designs of WestchesterSharon Decker eyedesignsofwestchester.com Retail_____

Famous Goldberg’s BagelsRonald Koff Restaurants_____

First Niagara BankSara Tucker firstniagara.com Bank_____

Garvey Tirelli & CushnerLawrence Garvey theGTCFirm.com Attorney_____

Geri Friedman LCSWGeri Friedman Psychotherapist_____

Graham Stanley AdvertisingLarry Woodard Grahamstan.com Advertising Agency_____

Kaja Gam Design, Inc.Kaja Gam Construction

Dr. Samantha KnowltonDr. Samantha Knowlton Psychiatrist_____

Lavelle Phillips Associates PLLCMary Lavelle Accountant, CPA_____

Leopolis Inc. Taras Hankewycz Consultants_____

Marketing SenseBruce Segall Marketing_____

McGladrey & PullenAmy Fischer Mcgladrey.com Accountants, CPAs_____

Michael Patrick Consulting, LLCKatharyn Hiebert michaelpatrickllc.com Consultants_____

New York School for the DeafMary Rahe nysd.net Educational Programs_____

Nu Era BenefitsLouis Deluca NuEraBenefits.com Benefits

Office Depot, BSDChadd E. Hunt officedepot.com Retail_____

Paychex paychex.com Payroll Services_____

Rockland BouldersShawn Reilly rocklandboulders.com Entertainment_____

Savignano Accountants & AdvisorsJohn Savignano savignano-CPA.com Accountants, CPAs_____

Seedco Financial Services, Inc.Aisha Benson seedcofinancial.org Financial Services_____

Serendipity LabsTracey DiBrino serendipitylabs.com Office Space & Services_____

Westchester Hypnosis GroupRobert Pargament Hypnotherapist_____

XAND CorporationAarti Comstock Colocation, Cloud, Managed Services

Member SpotlightAs new members join The Business Council of Westchester, our members have

more opportunities to meet and do business with each other as part of Westchester County’s largest and most influential business membership organization.

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Serendipity Labs, which recently opened a new office facility in Rye, is transforming the way

people work with high performance workspaces geared to today’s ever changing workplace.

The company, founded by Rye resident and commercial real estate veteran John Arenas, converted the former Biltmore Jeep dealership at 80 Theodore Fremd Avenue into a 7,000-square-foot premium members-only office workplace facility.

Unlike other workspace models that are geared to signing leases with tenants, Serendipity Labs is a members-only facility. “Memberships vary based on the intensity of use. You may have a (non-resident) membership that provides you with five days a month access or a (resident) membership at the other extreme that provides you with 24-hour access with a dedicated workspace or office that is only used by you,” Arenas explained.

Serendipity LabsGrowing its Portfolio of High

Performance Workspaces

The Rye Serendipity Labs facility offers members

and guests private enclave spaces, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, collaboration studios, and workbars. A Lab-café and a lounge area are also part of the new facility.

Arenas, who serves as the company’s CEO, has plans to open Serendipity Labs facilities in major markets across the country. In fact, the company will be opening a Serendipity Labs location in midtown Manhattan near Grand Central Station soon. The company has stated that it is currently in discussions with franchise candidates in seven states, including potential locations in Boston and Washington.

Arenas said that the company is looking to open 20 franchise locations in the greater New York region in the next five years. “We have some franchise candidates for some of those locations already. We will be opening fairly regularly in Westchester County over the next 18 months,” he said.

Arenas said that the Rye location, which is managed by Tracey DiBrino, has been well received. Its grand opening drew more than 150 attendees.

In addition, in collaboration with partner Steelcase Inc., the company has opened the WorkSpring Meeting and Collaboration Center in Chicago, with a second location in the Windy City to begin operations in early 2013.

Prior to founding Serendipity Labs last year, Arenas spent 20 years in the office suites industry working for such firms as Stratis Business Centers, Regus, and Worktopia Inc..

Arenas said the company’s services are geared to fulfilling the needs of today’s workforce. He noted that many corporations offer workers flexible schedules and the ability to work wherever they choose. Arenas said that Serendipity Labs offers these workers “a high performance premium club that allows them to have a great and inspirational place to work away from home, that avoids a commute and working out of hotel lobbies and coffee shops.”

Office spaces at Serendipity Labs feature a “huddle” area for meetings.





































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Member SpotlightComputer Crime Fighters Find a Home in Westchester

In a world loaded with cyber-sleuths, “hacktivists,” and seemingly endless amounts of data and threats, the truth

will set you free.

Not a believer? Just ask Eric Friedberg, Executive Chairman and one of the founders of Stroz Friedberg, a global leader in digital intelligence, investigations and risk management with offices in 13 locations – including Westchester County – on three continents.

“Seek truth” is the guiding principle for a firm that boasts having the brightest minds in digital forensics, forensic accounting, security and other facets of what can best be described as “computer crime.”

The truth, as Friedberg sees it, can expose any number of vulnerabilities to an organization including cyber threats and criminal behavior – from outside or from within a company. Identifying them can protect and fortify a company.

“We really predicate our whole approach on the science and business ethics of what the facts are and responding to those facts,” Friedberg says. “We find that we can provide assurances to all parties ... Eventually, the truth is going to come out.”

Their roster of clients includes Google, Facebook, top tier U.S. law firms and Fortune 100 companies, but they also

work with government agencies, including attorneys general from all over the country.

Friedberg founded the company in 2000 with business partner Edward Stroz. Stroz built a career as Special Agent for the FBI, while Friedberg was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York where he was a lead computer crimes prosecutor. The two saw the proverbial

coding on the hard drive: They knew there was a growing need for this type of service.

The need has exploded with the proliferation of data and digital storage, particularly when you consider that a “cyber-attack” – from organized crime, foreign governments or competitors -- can affect markets, siphon millions from bank accounts or steal valuable patents and

trade secrets from companies.

“We got in early and we were able to develop a set of skills and business ethics ahead of its time,” Friedberg says. “When the wave hit, we were ready for it.”

Stroz Friedberg offers solutions and services that involve both technical assistance and strategic advice, while

navigating the complexities of law, technology, compliance, investigations and behavioral science.

Whether it’s investigating Medicare fraud, rooting out corporate espionage or uncovering an international money-laundering operation and improper trading practices by rogue subsidiaries, Stroz Friedberg really does it all.

The company, headquartered in Manhattan, in 2012 opened up state-of-the-art electronic discovery, or “eDiscovery,” operations in Purchase. There,

dozens of employees review, manage and analyze vast amounts of electronic data that is used for litigations, regulatory actions and internal investigations.

Why Westchester? “Westchester is known as a technology hub,” says Barbara Dunn, Managing Director of eDiscovery. “It’s in close proximity to our corporate headquarters.”

Pictured are members of Stroz Friedberg’s eDiscovery group located in Purchase, N.Y. From left, Ron Essig, Technical Director; Barbara Dunn, Managing Director; Ericka Browne, Assistant Director; Matthew McAuley, Project Manager; and Jacek Taper, Technical Project Manager.





































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AFLAC Laura SpicehandlerLaura SpicehandlerInsuranceTarrytown, NYwww.aflac.com____________________________________

Align.com Marc GelineauTechnology ServicesNew York, NYwww.align.com____________________________________

“American Classic Ice Cream” D/B/A Coyle’s ClassicsJohn CoyleFood ProductsTappan, NYwww.americanclassicicecream.com____________________________________

Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, IncBill FlooksFuneral Homes/ Funeral DirectorsPleasantville, NYwww.beecherflooksfh.com____________________________________

C2G Environmental Consul-tants, LLCToni HokansonEnvironmental ConsultantsHawthorne, NYWWW.C2G.US____________________________________

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Inc.Jeffrey HaydonNot For ProfitKatonah, NYwww.caramoor.org____________________________________

Center for Career Freedom,Inc.Donald Fitch,MSNot For ProfitWhite Plains, NYwww.freecenter.org____________________________________

Combe IncorporatedTony SantiniConsumer ProductsWhite Plains, NYwww.combe.com

Concordia CollegeNereida QuilesColleges/UniversitiesBronxville, NYwww.concordia ny.edu____________________________________

ConServ ConstructionDavid HeinrichConstructionHillburn, NYwww.ConServConstruction.com____________________________________

CP CommunicationsKurt HeitmannAudio/ Visual Productions & Ser-vicesElmsford, NYwww.cpcomms.com____________________________________

Creative Habitat CorpJacqueline HoegerEcological Restoration ConsultantsWhite Plains, NY____________________________________

DesignWorks NY, LLCMiriam Paska MarketingMiddletown, NYwww.DesignWorksNY.com____________________________________

eDocNYLinda WarnerNot For ProfitWhite Plains, NY____________________________________

Education Reform NowElizabeth LingNot-For-ProfitNew York, NY____________________________________

Flooring LiquidatorsJohn PosimatoRetailElmsford, NYwww.flooringliquidators.com____________________________________

Go To Press Printing & Promo-tionsBrian PastorePromotional ProductsSouth Salem, NYwww.gotopressprinting.com

Go Visible!Harriet Ketive LernerPublic RelationsHartsdale, NYwww.govisiblepr.com____________________________________

GraduationsourceMatthew GordonRetailPort Chester, NYwww.graduationsource.com____________________________________

Houlihan Lawrence Amy ViaReal EstateWhite Plains, NY____________________________________

iRealty, LLCSy MujovicReal EstateHawthorne, NYwww.irealtywestchester.com____________________________________

LCNS2ROM, INC.M.H. FryburgPromotional ProductsCroton on Hudson, NYwww.LCNS2ROM.com____________________________________

L William Fishman, Esq.Bill FishmanAttorneys & Legal ServicesWhite Plains, NY____________________________________

Law Office of Richard St. Paul, Esq.,PLLC Richard St PaulAttorney White Plains, NYwww.thestpaullawfirm.com____________________________________

Lighthouse InternationalJanet WeinsteinNot-For-ProfitWhite Plains, NYwww.lighthouse.org____________________________________

Marathon Financial GroupBarry ButlienFinancial AdvisorsElmsford, NYwww.marathonfg.com____________________________________

New York City Recruiting BattalionCaptain Jeffrey DonahueGovernmentFort Hamilton, NY

Paradigm Shift Associates LLCSudip DeyBusiness CoachingScarsdale, NYwww.paradigmshiftassociates.com____________________________________

PCTVShane McGaffeyPublic Access TV Station Pleasantville, NYwww.PCTV76.org____________________________________

Steffi Nossen Dance FoundationKaylen Ratto GianniniDance InstructionWhite Plains, NYwww.steffinossen.org____________________________________

Studio Bice Architecture PLLCBice WilsonArchitectsWhite Plains,, NYwww.studiobice.com____________________________________

Talking AlternativesGail GoodmanMediators New York, NY____________________________________

Think to Lead LLCMarian GryzloLeadership DevelopmentOrangeburg, NYwww.thinktolead.com____________________________________

VeekastDonvil CollinsDigital DisplaysYonkers, NYwww.veekast.com____________________________________

Video SEO Pro, IncDavid VogelVideo ProductionBaldwin Place, New Yorkwww.videoSEOPro.com____________________________________

WestchesterCountyJobs.comMike WistonEmployment OpportunitiesNorwalk, CTwww.WestchesterCountyJobs.com

Welcome New MembersAs new members join The Business Council of Westchester, our members have more opportunites to meet and do business

with each other as part of Westchester County’s largest and most influential business membership organization.


Business in Action

8

Annual Dinner – October 23, Hilton Rye Town

Annual Holiday Blast – December 6, Westchester Marriott

(1) U.S. Army Captain Jonathan Swierat and wife, Keynote Speaker Tucker Carlson and Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett (2) Annual Dinner drew a record turnout (3) Ronald Poe of Ronald Poe & Associates, BCW President Marsha Gordon and Robert Weinberg of Robert Martin Company (4) BCW Chairman Stephen Jones of Jones Morrison LLP, BCW President Marsha Gordon, Tucker Carlson and Jim O’Toole of Jim O’Toole Consulting(5) County Executive Rob Astorino, Cindy Rubino of Berkley College and County Legislator Michael Smith

(1) BCW Chairman Stephen Jones, State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Westchester Marriott GM Dan Conte(2) More than 300 members and future members of the Business Council of Westchester celebrated at the 2012 Holiday Blast (3) BCW Chairman Stephen Jones, Michael Schiliro of CMS Bank, Doug Singer of Falcon & Singer PC and BCW President Marsha Gordon(4) Tom Lalla of Pernod Ricard USA, Tony Lembeck of NAI Friedland and Laurence Gottlieb, Director, Westchester County Office of Economic Development(5) BCW Executive VP John Ravitz; State Senator David Carlucci, and Jean Marie Connolly of BNY Mellon Wealth Management

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Business in ActionSPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Annual Holiday BlastDec. 17, Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown

1) From left, Stewart Strauss of Strauss Paper Company; Fred Schwam of American Christ-mas Inc.; and Mike Durante of Select Telecom Inc. American Christmas of Mount Vernon pro-vided the holiday decorations for the party.

2) From left, BCW Chairman Stephen Jones of Jones Morrison, LLP; Business Council Ambas-sador of the Year honoree Jill Singer of Jill Singer Graphics; Michael Schiliro of CMS Bank; BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon; James Schutzer of J.D. Moschitto & Associates; and Joseph Moschitto of J.D. Moschitto & As-sociates.

3) From left, Douglas Singer of Falcon & Sing-er; Business Council Director of Membership Sara James and David Goldwasser of Barnum Financial Group

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Business After Business Nov. 21,

Texas de Brazil, Yonkers

From left, Laura Damiano of Laura Damiano Designs; Heather Pellegrino of A Perfect Plan; and

Jennifer Colonna of Tasteful Treats & Treasures

5) Willa Brody of New York Presbyterian Hospital with her husband Jack Hughes and daughter Della

6) From left, Michael Keating of Keating Electric; Sara Tucker of First Niagara; Tamara Underwood of New York Business Development Corp, and Spencer Barback of Citrin Cooperman Company

KeyBank Speaker SeriesDec. 10, Tappan Hill, Tarrytown

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Arc of Westchester eDocNY Grand Opening

Nov. 22, White PlainsFrom left, Arc of Westchester Executive

Director Richard Swierat, BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon and Arc of

Westchester President Anthony Assalone.

The Business Council of Westchester

Documents

business torts

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westchester home

people of westchester

prominent business leaders

economic benefits

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