First Board Meeting
Held at Reader’s Digest, establishing the foundation for decades of advocacy and leadership.

“The Westchester County Association is formed primarily to be of service to our County, to our neighbors, to our commercial and cultural groups.” – Edward P. Prezzaro, first Chair of the WCA.
Founded 75 years ago as the voice of Westchester’s top companies, its original members include Reader’s Digest, Consolidated Edison, Bleakley, Platt & Schmidt LLP, JP Morgan, Verizon, Sarah Lawrence College, and The Journal News. While some organizations have evolved, many remain active, contributing to Westchester’s vibrancy. Today, the WCA unites businesses, nonprofits, higher education, and government entities, all driven by innovation, action, and impact amidst three quarters of a century of growth, we remain dedicated to service.
Held at Reader’s Digest, establishing the foundation for decades of advocacy and leadership.
Supported the completion of I-287 and the opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Promoted significant infrastructure improvements, including enhancements to Westchester Airport, highway transportation systems, and the development of a centralized U.S. Mail Service.
Championed General Motor’s expansion in North Tarrytown.
Played an instrumental role in expanding higher education in Westchester, including projects with Manhattanville College, SUNY Purchase, and New York Medical College.
Advocated for improvements to I-287, Hutchinson Parkway, Route 9, Saw Mill River Parkway, and I-684.
Advocated for the creation of a centralized U.S. mail handling facility for the County.
Partnered with organizations like the Long Island Association and Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association (NORMET).
Collaborated with the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish the World Trade Council to bolster international trade.
Conducted detailed analyses and recommended strategies to optimize both county budgets and operational efficiencies.
Secured funding to protect the Croton Watershed.
Advocated for consolidating the Parkway Police and Sheriff’s Department to streamline law enforcement.
Petitioned President Nixon to resolve the mail strike.
Partnered with the County Government to assess challenges and trends as the county approached the 21st century.
Supported initiatives like the Westchester Airport Master Plan, creation of a county-wide solid waste facility, recycling programs, and the expansion of Tappan Zee Bridge capacity.
Hosted forward-thinking seminars on topics such as employee discrimination, computer security, and women in the workforce.
Collaborated with the Westchester County Government to form the Westchester Partnership for Economic Development.
Launched the Westchester Venture Group, “Westchester Future” Cable TV Series, and an Annual WCA Breakfast with the Westchester County Executive.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force led to historic healthcare legislative reforms, including strengthening health insurer transparency and consumer protection rights (2006–2009).
Collaborated with the NY Attorney General to secure a $50 million refund for overcharged small businesses.
Partnered with Normet to create the state’s first federally designated patient safety organization (PSO).
Addressed Westchester’s high property tax burden through the Property Tax Commission, which directly contributed to the adoption of the state’s 2 percent tax cap.
Formed alliances with organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Long Island Association to drive state government reform.
Managed the U.S. Department of Labor’s $10 million Jobs Waiting program, recognized as one of the top 23 nationwide.
Established the Higher Education Committee to develop programs aligning business needs with academic institutions.
Facilitated Westchester’s engagement in global trade and positioned the county as a destination for international investment.
Engaged business, academic, real estate, and urban sectors to reduce or repurpose six million square feet of unoccupied Class A office space.
Partnered with local mayors on a $750M Smart Cities project to introduce 1-gigabit broadband, aimed at enhancing healthcare, education, and economic development.
Continued advocacy through the evolved Call-to-Action Campaign, which successfully addressed the anti-business climate in the region.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force successfully advocated for and achieved the passage of crucial legislation, restoring prior approval authority to the state insurance department. This legislation also increased the medical loss ratio from 75% to 82% for small businesses and from 80% for individuals, marking a significant step forward in improving insurance oversight and fairness.
Westchester County Association managed the successful Ready to Work program for Westchester County (2014-2019). The U.S. Dept. of Labor recognized Jobs Waiting as among the best of 23 Ready to Work programs in the nation.
Launched Y-Zone and Connect Westchester, in partnership with the county and STEM Alliance, to improve digital equity and access.
Hosted the region’s first sustainable business conference in partnership with Pace University’s Elizabeth Haub School of Law.
Created the Clean Energy Portal to help businesses access and utilize federal programs and incentives.
Collaborated with Fordham University to provide an online course focused on organizational sustainability and strategic innovation.
Through initiatives like the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program, filled over 200 local jobs and addressed critical employment shortages.
Designed jobseeker guides and regional job fairs to connect professionals, businesses, and students.
Developed the Real Estate Policy Playbook with actionable zoning strategies for local governments.
Co-founded “Welcome Home Westchester” and “5 in 2025 agenda,” a housing initiative addressing regional shortages.
Launched the Municipal Climate Education Project to align development strategies with climate action.
From digital equity to healthcare to housing innovation to sustainability, the WCA remains committed to driving economic growth and fostering a thriving, connected community.
Career Pathways:
Enhancing the regional talent ecosystem by
guiding high school and college students in career development, skill-building, and networking to
prepare the next generation for diverse industries
while addressing workforce gaps.
Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTPP):
Continuing to align the curriculum, expand clinical training, and build resources for sustaining the healthcare workforce.
Housing Initiatives:
Progressing under the “5 in 2025” banner to combat housing shortages with innovative solutions.
Clean Energy Portal:
Ongoing efforts to provide accessible resources that help businesses transition to sustainable and energy-efficient practices.
Connect Westchester and Beyond:
Connect Westchester was created to empower communities to thrive in the digital economy. WCA research shows that digital skills significantly enhance access to telehealth, financial literacy, education, and job training opportunities. Together with the STEM Alliance, WCA will continue hosting regular webinars and virtual events to bring the community together and foster meaningful discussions on key issues.
“The WCA brings community and business leaders together to focus on the issues that are important to the continued growth and strength of Westchester County and the region. And, as members, we really take that to heart. It truly is about pursuing the greater good for our community.”
“WCA is a critical partner in how the county does economic and workforce development. Our priorities are the same: to ensure that Westchester has a workforce prepared to serve the needs of employers and our communities.”
“You can count on WCA to bring the right people to the table. We identify our common challenges, roll up our sleeves, and work together to create solutions.”
“Digital connectivity is not just about infrastructure; it’s about creating opportunity. WCA’s initiatives help underserved populations access workforce training, telehealth, and the digital economy, driving long-term economic growth and equity across the region.”
“We need to address housing affordability and smart development to attract talent and business to Westchester. The WCA finds ways to get to ‘yes’ — for economic opportunities and a high quality of life.”
“Climate change is a challenge we can’t afford to ignore — it impacts every sector of our economy. Embracing clean energy and resilient practices positions businesses for long-term success while driving growth and protecting our communities.”
“In Westchester, digital connectivity is an urban/ suburban issue. From Yorktown to Yonkers, we must solve affordability and access. Our digital conference united federal, state, and local partners, showcasing a ready coalition.”
“The WCA’s Policy Playbook with its real-world examples of successful, climate-resilient, energy-efficient projects, is an invaluable tool for the public and private sector. It’s my go-to resource.”
“As a banker, lender, and local resident, I’m invested in Westcheser’s economic betterment. The professionals I work with through the WCA are among the most influential — people who drive change and overcome challenges.”
“The WCA has brought about unity by fostering collaboration among some of the best minds in Westchester County and the surrounding area to rise to the challenges and the needs of our region.”
“WCA offers me the opportunity to exchange ideas and information about the most pressing issues facing the business community and local residents. Most importantly, WCA is then able to bring the tools and advocacy that makes Westchester and the region the best place to live, work, and play.”
“Westchester Community College is proud to partner with WCA in developing a strong, diverse workforce that fuels the engines of our county’s businesses. WCA serves as a vital conduit for informing the College of workforce development needs and promotes the high quality of workers who attain their skills and credentials through the College.”
“The HTTP program gave me hope. My confidence has skyrocketed. It’s a program that will positively impact anyone, regardless of background.”
“I’ve moved from White Plains Hospital to Northwell Health/Northern Westchester Hospital, where I support a cardiology office with 28 providers across subspecialties. I’m currently the primary assistant for two pulmonary physicians, Dr. Ishikawa and Dr. Li, and occasionally cover the Emergency Department on weekends. I now earn $29.50/hr, with opportunities for growth as I near the end of my nursing program. Feel free to reach out for more details to support the program’s success.”
“The WCA sees our region as the leading destination for hospitals, healthcare providers, and healthcare workers. In 2025, our goals are to build on our successful advocacy efforts, help our providers meet their hiring needs by growing strong regional talent pipelines, and focus on the importance of health equity and social determinants of health.”
“Clearly, there’s been a need to retool for changes in technology, demographic shifts, and regulatory pressures, but with WCA’s help, we’ve consistently partnered with educational institutions to build new and needed programs that are starved for talent today.”
“Because the WCA is leading the affordable conversation statewide and locally, we’re seeing real movement that goes beyond strategy.”
“There’s a big gap in the community. Our team’s priority is to make connectivity possible so people can leverage opportunity and participate in the new economy.”
“We’re not just centered on digital equity; we look at how digital equity translates into economic and business development in Westchester County… “We connect the unconnected to better healthcare, education, and employment, and provide a digital pipeline to our county’s biggest employers, service providers, and the internet economy.”
“It’s all about creating a local talent ecosystem and pushing for regulatory changes that will ease the shortage…We’re focused on employer needs, which means we need to start that pipeline earlier, even as early as high school.”
“All these efforts are helping us to reach the right candidates, who are vested and familiar with the community, instead of our having to compete with New York City.”
“We advanced our education and advocacy goals by successfully hosting the Profit and Purpose conference and by revising the Policy Playbook to be leveraged by local officials and real estate developers in coming up with sustainable building standards for the region.”
“The impact of climate change is top of mind for all of us, as resilience is not optimal anymore … ESG is here to stay. The WCA is ahead of the curve in preparing everyone for a more sustainable economy.”