WCA in the News

Westchester’s business community is confronting its biggest challenge in recent history: a grueling pandemic that’s slowed the economy to a crawl. That means Michael Romita — the new president/CEO of the WCA — has a Herculean task ahead of him. "We need to think more strategically about how our regional economy fits into the broader national conversation."

Many in the business community believe the county’s economy has the fundamentals in place to stage a strong recovery as vaccines become more available and schools transition back to normal operations. “We are pretty resilient,” says Michael Romita, president and CEO of the White Plains-based Westchester County Association. “We have a pretty diverse economic ecosystem. It is not dependent on any single sector of the economy.”

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. Considered a marker for the modern environmental movement, it was born of a bipartisan effort between a Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, a Republican Congressman from California and a small cohort of student activists. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not yet exist. Neither did any of the laws or international treaties that now make up the canon of environmental protection.

The Westchester County Association (WCA) is one of seven organizations that have been selected to participate in Project OVERCOME, designed to speed up the delivery of broadband services to underserved communities across the United States.

Hundreds of households in downtown Yonkers will soon have access to free or affordable internet due to a grant from U.S. Ignite spearheaded by the Westchester County Association.

The New Rochelle City Council scrapped a zoning clause originally intended to attract more senior housing to the city. Westchester County Association President and CEO Michael Romita said with the county's population is "greying," municipalities should have a plan to welcome more senior housing communities. You can’t have a healthy and equitable community if older residents are forced to move because they are squeezed out of viable housing options.

"What 5G means in practical terms is data speeds that will be up to 100 times faster than what we have today. Latency or lag periods are being halved now, and in the future will be even faster, with connection density vastly increased, meaning more devices that can function in a given area." Michael N. Romita

The optimist looks beyond the current socioeconomic and political environment and calls out a light at the end of the tunnel. The pessimist might acknowledge that despite the distant light, we are still in the tunnel. And the fatalist might view that distant light as belonging to an oncoming train. As president and CEO of the Westchester County Association, Michael Romita is neither the optimist, pessimist or fatalist. But he is a realist about the state of the country's economy.

Westchester County Association President and CEO Michael Romita said it's not unusual for a property to be flipped after the site receives approvals, but before a shovel hits the ground. The planning board approved the plan on Jan. 28, 2020. "Assuming that New Rochelle continues to develop, it's a pretty valuable lot," Romita said. Cities like New Rochelle, he noted, put a limit on the number of residential units to ensure a good mix of retail, commercial and housing.

Westchester County Association President and CEO Michael Romita said generally the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a "softening" of commercial real estate across the county. Meanwhile, residential real estate is "very hot," Romita said, including multi-unit developments. Specific to Briarcliff, Romita said the village has a number of older office complexes that are functionally obsolete. Repurposing those buildings into residential and mixed-use development "is important for the vitality of the region," he said.

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.

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.

Iona University’s on-campus MBA program has once again earned national recognition in The Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools for 2025.” Known for its personalized attention and career preparation, the LaPenta School of Business continues to grow its reputation as a premier destination for future business leaders. Two new MBA concentrations, HealthCare Management and Human Resource Management, have recently been launched to meet rising demand.

Blythedale Children’s Hospital has appointed Dr. Nathaniel Beers as its next President and CEO, succeeding Larry Levine, who is retiring after 26 years. A respected pediatrician and healthcare executive, Dr. Beers will begin November 17. His leadership background includes roles at Children’s National Hospital and the Washington D.C. Department of Health.

Open Door Family Medical Center is now Open Door Care Network, reflecting its expanded services and regional reach. The rebrand coincides with the organization's 50th anniversary and the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility at 2 Church Street in Ossining, enhancing access to integrated medical and behavioral health care

Newmark welcomes back industry veteran Brian Carcaterra as Executive Managing Director in the Stamford office. With over 20 years of brokerage and ownership experience, he will focus on office tenant and landlord representation in Fairfield and Westchester counties, bringing trusted expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative approach to today’s evolving office market.

M&T Bank proudly announces the promotion of Lisa Gubernick, Director of Branch Banking; Mark Hutton, Head of Business Banking; and Chris Nichols, Head of Retail Banking. Their leadership will continue driving collaboration, strengthening teams, and creating meaningful impact for clients and communities.

Join the Westchester County Office of Economic Development for ConXpo: The Next Generation on Wednesday, September 10, at the Westchester County Center. This dynamic networking and business development event will empower small businesses and connect them with vital resources and contracting opportunities.

Join The Guidance Center of Westchester on Tuesday, September 9 at GlenArbor Golf Club for a day of golf in support of critical mental health, education, and workforce programs. Sponsorships and player spots available. Your participation helps empower lives across Westchester.

Do you know an innovative, Westchester-based tech venture? Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator by QUAY Acceleration is accepting applications for its 10th cohort beginning in September. A virtual info session for interested founders will take place on Monday, August 11. Help spread the word!

We’re proud to celebrate WCA members Derek Anderson, (Northern Westchester Hospital), Corrine Lurry-Mabin (Andrus), Dr. Philip Ozuah (Montefiore Medicine), and J.D. Summa (Kings Capital Construction) for being named among Westchester Magazine’s 2025 Top CEOs & Business Leaders of the Year. Your leadership and impact inspire us all.

SUNY has appointed Dr. Michael Steiper as the seventh president of Purchase College, effective August 11. A seasoned academic and administrator, Dr. Steiper brings over two decades of experience and a deep commitment to higher education, creativity, and access.