WCA in the News

The newly passed federal Inflation Reduction Act, also known as the Climate, Health, and Tax Bill, brings an end to decades of national legislative inaction on climate change.

The Harvard Business School defines sustainability in business as doing business without negatively impacting the environment, community or society as a whole. For the Westchester County Association (WCA), sustainability no longer is something its members can afford to keep off their radar screens and deal with only when unavoidable.

Members of the public expressed both support and criticism for proposed amendments to White Plains’ zoning ordinance during a public hearing at the White Plains Common Council meeting on June 6. Michael Romita, President and CEO of the Westchester County Association, voiced his support for the proposed amendments to the ordinance, citing their forward-looking nature.

With clean energy in the spotlight more and more, job opportunities in this sector look promising in Westchester and beyond.

It may come as no surprise, but county executives in Westchester and the Hudson Valley have upbeat views of where their counties stand financially, in the recovery from Covid, as hosts to businesses and in helping residents enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

When Hurricane Ida smashed into Mamaroneck in September 2021, businesses across the town faced some of the worst flooding in living memory. "We had six feet of water in our two front buildings and four feet of water in our shop building," recalls Michael Murphy of Murphy Brothers Contracting, a 50-year-old, family-owned and Mamaroneck-based general contracting firm. "That storm was a monster."

Leslie Hollingsworth has 16 years of experience teaching third grade in New York City. She enjoyed the position — it’s easier to mold their minds in third grade, she said of teaching young children versus teenagers — but circumstances have led her back to the job market.

Last November, the number of people who voluntarily left their jobs spiked to a record 4.5 million — and that was in just one month according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. What’s that about? Reasons for those walking out are unreasonably low wages, poor working conditions, no career path, and no benefits. The message from workers: we want better jobs with decent pay and jobs that have a future.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital bought a piece of the Platinum Mile in White Plains and plans to open an outpatient care facility on Westchester Avenue, the hospital announced Tuesday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul removed two controversial pieces of housing-related legislation from her proposed Executive Budget last week, both of which drew harsh criticisms from most municipal officials throughout Westchester and the state.

(November 20, 2025 – New Rochelle, NY) — More than 450 business, nonprofit, and government leaders gathered at Glen Island Harbour Club on November 19 for the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) “Impact in Action” Annual Leadership Event—the capstone celebration of the organization’s 75th anniversary.

(October 13, 2025) … Westchester County leaders, healthcare executives, and policymakers gathered at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) annual Toasting to a Healthy Westchester: An Evening to Celebrate WCA’s Legacy of Healthcare Advocacy & Initiatives.

Westchester County, NY — [July 24, 2025] — The Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester County, and The STEM Alliance today hosted the second annual CONVERGE: Hudson Valley Digital Innovation Conference, bringing together business, government, nonprofit, and education leaders to explore how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digital inclusion can power the region’s economy and create a more equitable, resilient future.

WHITE PLAINS, NY (May 22, 2025) — As cranes rise and hospital campuses expand across Westchester County, new findings unveiled at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Annual Real Estate Summit reveal a critical imbalance—Westchester’s housing supply is not keeping up, and the cost of inaction could reach tens of billions of dollars.

White Plains, NY (January 23, 2025) — The Westchester County Association (WCA) launched its 75th anniversary year with newly appointed County Executive Ken Jenkins’ first address to the Westchester business community, where he outlined his vision for the county’s growth and vitality – subjects that drive WCA’s mission.

(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.

WCA’s Christopher B. Fisher of Cuddy & Feder LLP has been named to The Tech Capital’s Legal 50: Class of 2025. This honor recognizes his leadership in digital infrastructure, broadband, and economic development, and his impactful service as the incoming Chair of the Westchester County Association.

Pace University has appointed Alison Carr-Chellman, Ph.D., as provost and executive vice president beginning January 2026. A nationally recognized scholar and academic leader, she brings extensive experience in innovation, student success, and institutional transformation, previously leading major growth and equity initiatives at the University of Dayton and other institutions.

Congratulations to our WCA members recognized by 914INC. in the 2025 Women in Business Awards. We proudly celebrate Jennifer Bello of White Plains Hospital/Montefiore, Andrea Cefarelli of New York Blood Center Enterprises, and Tara Ritchie of NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester for their exceptional leadership and achievements.

ENT & Allergy Associates is entering Texas through a new partnership with Houston ENT & Allergy, forming ENTA–TX. This strategic expansion brings ENTA’s physician-led model to a fourth state, enhancing access to comprehensive ENT, allergy, and audiology care while supporting independent practices with national-scale resources

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of NYBC, opened a new state-of-the-art donor center in Freehold, expanding New Jersey’s access to both whole blood and platelet donation. This milestone strengthens the region’s blood supply, thanks to the support of local officials, healthcare leaders, and community partners committed to saving lives.

Westchester County's partnership with RPI is delivering world-class STEM education straight to our residents and giving local employers the technical talent they've been asking for. It accelerates a key County priority: bringing premier engineering and applied science programs right here to Westchester

United Hebrew is helping to protect seniors from financial scams and fraud by hosting an educational panel on December 10, with experts from law enforcement, banking, and eldercare, who will share the latest tactics used by scammers and practical steps that families can take to safeguard loved ones.

Connect with the local tech startup community on December 2, when 10 of the County’s innovative tech founders will pitch their ventures at the Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by QUAY Acceleration’s Fall 2025 Demo Day.

Burke Rehabilitation’s Dr. Sharon Bushi has been awarded the prestigious Tactile Medical Cancer Rehabilitation Research Award. The $10,000 grant supports her research to improve rehabilitation outcomes for people facing cancer-related disabilities, especially individuals living longer with metastatic cancer.

Iona University’s M.S. in Healthcare Leadership & Innovation prepares students to thrive in today’s dynamic healthcare environment. The program blends leadership, design thinking, and technology with ethical innovation. A capstone project allows students to apply knowledge and creativity to design solutions for real-world healthcare challenges.