WCA in the News

Welcome Home Westchester (WHW), a multi-stakeholder pro-housing advocacy effort, announced the release of its Housing Policy Scorecards for all 43 cities, towns, and villages in the county at Pelham Village Hall on Friday, December 12.

As the newly elected Westchester County Executive Kenneth B. Jenkins began to speak at the Westchester County Association’s “Impact in Action” annual leadership event – held Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle – WCA President and CEO Michael R. Romita handed him a note.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators celebrated Italian American Heritage Month on Monday night with a ceremony recognizing two exceptional honorees: Michael N. Romita, President and CEO of Westchester County Association, champion for Westchester’s economic development and environmental sustainability and Paula Miritello, founder and director of My Brother Vinny, a nonprofit organization that provides furnishings for formerly homeless U.S. veterans.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during an appearance at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Toasting to a Healthy Westchester event at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown called on health care providers to do more with artificial intelligence.

Want to grow your career or your presence in the industry? These business associations and job and apprenticeship banks are here to help.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester County, and The STEM Alliance recently 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.

“We are in the midst of a new era, one that promises to redefine how we work, live, and grow,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said when opening the conference titled CONVERGE: Hudson Valley Digital Innovation Conference.

A joint economic study produced by the Westchester County Association (WCA) and the Regional Plan Association (RPA) says that if Westchester fails to address its growing shortfall in housing it could lose from 8,400 to 12,000 jobs annually, lose from $333 million to $742 million in annual earnings and lose from $32 billion to $57 billion in Gross Domestic Product by 2040.

RYE -- Despite recent growth in housing developments, Westchester still faces a pressing need for more housing. A new study by the Westchester County Association and Regional Plan Association warns that the housing shortfall could lead to job losses — unless municipalities act to promote housing.

The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced a plan to slash about $700 billion from Medicaid over the next ten years. Not only would major cuts to Medicaid harm the health of New Yorkers, but they would also ravage healthcare providers and undermine the state’s economy.

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.

Yonkers, N.Y. – Today, the Westchester County Association joined community leaders, elected officials, and project partners in a press conference at the Yonkers Public Library to highlight the latest developments since the launch of the Y-Zone (Yonkers Zone), a broadband pilot program funded by US Ignite and Schmidt Futures as part of Project Overcome.

White Plains, N.Y. (December 2, 2021) – The Westchester County Association (WCA) hosted their Annual Fall Leadership Event: Driving Westchester Forward on November 30 at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown, New York. With over 400 people in attendance, the evening honored the achievements of organizations Skanska, Westhab, and WMCHealth, as well as outgoing WCA Chairman William P. Harrington Esq., Partner at Bleakley Platt & Schmidt who received the Alfred B. DelBello Visionary Award.

White Plains, N.Y. (September 23, 2021) –The Westchester County Association (WCA) is excited to announce that at today’s meeting of the Board of Directors, Susan Fox, CEO and President of White Plains Hospital, was selected to succeed Bill Harrington as the next Chairperson of the WCA.

White Plains, N.Y. (November 23, 2021) – The Westchester County Association (WCA), and Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), are hosting a free virtual event, An Open Conversation with US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. EST. This event will include an interactive dialogue, discussing the most pressing issues impacting businesses and the Hudson Valley community.

White Plains, N.Y. (October 21, 2021) – Today, the Westchester County Association in partnership with the City of Yonkers, STEM Alliance, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), Fordham University, and Westhab launched the much-anticipated Yonkers Zone (Y-Zone). This project is made possible through support from US Ignite, the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Award # CNS-2044448), and Schmidt Futures. By utilizing Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, the newly deployed, digital opportunity zone provides free internet access to approximately 250 to 400 need-based households in downtown Yonkers.

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.