WCA in the News

A major new infrastructure project called Clean Path NY, currently seeking Public Service Commission approval, will change our current trajectory, improve our economy, and move us towards climate neutrality. It deserves our support.

"There's going to be a tremendous need for more talent in the clean-energy sector. And there's going to have to be re-skilling and up-skilling in order to service the new energy economy." -- Michael Romita, President and CEO, Westchester County Association

"Every time we fill a job, it not only benefits the individual but also their family, the community, and the employer. Plus it boosts economic development in the region." - Jason Chapin, Director of Workforce Development, Westchester County Association

“If you are attending a local college, it’s great to get exposure with local employers,” notes Chapin. “Internships help students develop skills and learn whether or not they like an organization and the kind of work they do.”

Business, nonprofit and government lead­ers attended the WCA's second annual Sustainable Business Conference hosted in partnership with Pace University's Elis­abeth Haub School of Law in White Plains.

When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the details of her plan to build 800,000 new homes in New York over the next decade, the crux of which would have been state requirements for the suburbs to increase production, pro-development groups in the area were thrilled to see the housing shortage finally get the attention they thought it deserved.

In the end, Albany’s failure to address New York’s housing crisis in this year’s budget should not come as a surprise.  Localism is deeply entrenched in our political system. 

Our health care providers continue to face difficult financial challenges for reasons magnified but not created by the pandemic.

When she announced in January a plan to kick off a building boom of housing across New York — 800,000 units in the next decade, even if it means going over the heads of reluctant zoning boards — Gov. Kathy Hochul had more than a few people wondering: What is she thinking?

“Our local communities have to understand that in many cases there’s a NIMBYism that’s a tremendous barrier to get the housing that we need,” Romita said. “We need to find the ways to break the logjams. But where the governor’s proposal starts out, it’s not the zombie apocalypse that a lot of people make it out to be. It’s not telling local communities what to do; it’s telling them to please do something.”

(November 21, 2024) …. Four exceptional Westchester leaders, cited for their outstanding contributions to Westchester’s robust economy, benefiting its people and businesses, were honored at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Annual Leadership Event, “Impact in Action,” held on November 20th at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

White Plains, New York - (November 10, 2023)….Over 450 members of Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 9th for the Westchester County Association’s 73rd annual leadership event.

White Plains (October 12, 2023) More than 300 job seekers lined up to meet with over 40 employers and resource providers at a regional career fair October 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Connect Westchester is Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development’s new initiative to bridge the digital divide through providing essential digital resources, education and affordable internet access to low-income residents.

White Plains, New York - (September 22, 2023)…In his keynote address at WCA’s “Toasting to a Healthy Westchester,” Michael J. Dowling, CEO, Northwell Health appealed to 250 key leaders in healthcare and business attending this annual dinner to try to solve what he called the social determinants of health, such as gun violence, poverty, obesity, and drugs and alchohol abuse. “If we don’t solve theses issues, we will never improve the health status of Americans,”he said, citing the pressures facing the industry today.

White Plains, New York -- (June 5, 2023) Close to 200 business, nonprofit, and government leaders attended the WCA’s 2nd Annual Sustainable Business Conference hosted in partnership with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The event, held June 1 at the law school, focused on new opportunities in sustainable investing and real estate, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, and the connection between sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. New this year, a “Sustainability Bootcamp” workshop served as a primer for businesses of all sizes to get started with practical tools to develop a sustainability program.

White Plains, New York - (December 8, 2022) Susan Fox, WCA Board Chair, President & CEO, White Plains Hospital, and Michael N. Romita, President, and CEO of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced this week that the WCA, the county’s premier business membership organization, will welcome eight new board members representing important industry sectors to bolster the WCA’s economic development and advocacy work.

White Plains, New York - (November 21, 2022)…. Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 17th for the Westchester County Association’s annual leadership dinner to honor Westchester’s most influential leaders and celebrate another year of impactful work by the WCA, the region’s premiere business advocacy and economic development organization.

White Plains, N.Y. (February 25, 2022) During the Annual County Executive’s Breakfast hosted by The Westchester County Association (WCA) on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, New York, County Executive George Latimer and WCA President & CEO Michael N. Romita jointly announced the launch of the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTPP).

The Westchester County Association (WCA) joined community leaders from Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), the Building and Realty Institute of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region (BRI), the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley (CIC), and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) to put forth an advocacy letter urging government officials to find statewide solutions to Westchester’s housing crisis.

Congratulations to all the WCA members honored by 914INC. as 2024 influential Women in Business: Jiyon Chung, White Plains Hospital; Grace Ferri, United Hebrew; Cindy Kanusher, Pace University; Blanca Lopez, Westchester County; Nicole M. Lucas, Westchester Medical Center; Marissa Madonia, Corporate Audio Visual Services; and Mooyeon Oh-Park, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital.

Westchester business owners, are you prepared for what’s next? Join the Westchester County Office of Economic Development at New York Power Authority in White Plains on January 16 for a panel discussion on preparing to step away while preserving your legacy. Following the panel, attendees can network and meet with resource providers.

PKF O’Connor Davies announced a strategic growth investment from Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP Investments”), one of Canada's largest pension investment managers. These investments will help fuel growth and expand service offerings to enhance the overall client experience.

Christopher B. Fisher, Partner at Cuddy & Feder, shared his expertise at the National Business Institute's CLE program. His session, “Dealing with Special Zoning Issues,” addressed zoning for religious, educational, energy, and broadband uses in New York, highlighting protections under federal and state law.

Join industry experts at the Con Edison Community Resource Virtual Conference on December 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Gain insights into winter preparedness during expert panel discussions, connect with community leaders, and enhance your understanding of local initiatives.

Join Westchester County, Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator, and Builds Bio+ for insights into Westchester’s biotech and innovation ecosystem, on December 3. Life science tenants, academic institutions, economic development experts, startups and accelerators, and other key decision-makers will be in attendance for this can’t-miss event.

Sustainable Westchester is accepting applications for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant Program. Eligible nonprofits across New York State can apply for funding to help them implement energy efficiency upgrades, such as envelope, HVAC, lighting and more. Watch the virtual info session on December 4th.

Congratulations to WCA members awarded Crain's Notable Leaders in Health Care for 2024! Kudos to Michael Dowling, Northwell; Susan Fox, White Plains Hospital; Christopher Hillyer, New York Blood Center; Michael Israel, WMCHealth; Philip Ozuah, Montefiore Medicine; and Judith Watson, Westchester Community Health Center.

EPIC Healthcare Management’s Waterview Hills Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has been named one of America's Best Nursing Homes for 2025 by Newsweek. Administrator Joshua Halpern credits the dedication of the entire staff for this achievement which recognizes Waterview Hills' exceptional performance, reputation, accreditation, and resident satisfaction.

Burke Rehabilitation announces the addition of Andrew D. Cohen, Ph.D., Partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, and Kevin McCarthy, Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, to its Board of Trustees. Their expertise will guide the hospital's commitment to leading compassionate and effective rehabilitation care.