WCA in the News

“New York’s housing shortage is decades-long in the making and continues to be a serious impediment to economic growth and community vitality,” said Michael Romita, president and CEO of the WCA. “It is choking off upward mobility for our residents and is hurting our businesses.”

Says Michael Romita, WCA president and CEO, from healthcare workers to staff accountants to the people who make your morning latte, affordable housing “pretty much touches every single industry out there.”

WCA President & CEO Michael N. Romita said: “This is a solid and thoughtful budget. It includes a decrease in property taxes while boosting reserves.”

It was a night to reflect on leadership and legacies as the Westchester County Association held its 72nd annual dinner Nov. 17 in the ballroom of the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.

Dear County Executive Latimer, Commissioner Drummond, Budget Director Soule, and Chair Borgia: Westchester’s housing shortage is decades-long in the making and continues to be a serious impediment to economic growth and community vitality. It remains a shared challenge for our businesses, nonprofits, workers, residents, and local municipalities.

Long Island and Westchester build housing at some of the lowest rates of any suburban area in the country, fueling high rents and home prices across the region.

The newly passed federal Inflation Reduction Act, a climate, health and tax measure, will bolster New York's efforts to aggressively reduce carbon emissions under the state's own landmark 2019 Climate Act. Some in the business community have been slow to embrace the pathway to a clean-energy economy. They view New York's ambitious road map as impractical, unrealistic and threatening to the state's economic future. However, indictments of the council's work coupled with calls to amend the underlying state statute are shortsighted and misdirected. Either we face the economic realities of climate change and address them head-on or we pay an even greater price in the long run.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic took root in 2020, Bona Fide Masks has provided national distribution of masks direct from manufacturers Powecom, DemeTECH, Chengde and Harley.

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.

(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.

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.

Dr. Roger Chirurgi, a longtime NYMC faculty leader and director of its Emergency Medicine Residency Program, has been named chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. A dedicated educator and nationally recognized mentor, he brings 15 years of leadership at Metropolitan Hospital.

Westfair honored leading execs in Westchester and Fairfield, from several WCA member organizations: Harry, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Burke Rehabilitation, WMCHealth, RM Friedland, ArtsWestchester, Orange Bank & Trust Company, White Plains Hospital, Feeding Westchester. Congrats to all!

United Hebrew has been recognized by Newsweek once again, as one of America’s Best Nursing Homes for 2026! This recognition confirms United Hebrew’s commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care and dignity to seniors.

Several WCA members are featured in City & State’s 2025 Top Workplaces list, recognizing organizations that foster leadership, collaboration, and inclusiveness. These employers set the standard for creating inspiring, people-focused workplaces. Congrats to Blythedale Children's Hospital, Burke Rehabilitation, New York Power Authority, White Plains Hospital, and Yonkers Partners in Education.

Mercy University has earned Seal of Excelencia recertification, reaffirming its commitment to advancing Latino and all student success. One of only 18 institutions nationwide recognized in 2025, Mercy continues to lead as New York’s largest private Hispanic-Serving Institution, fostering inclusive excellence and improving student outcomes through intentional, data-driven strategies.

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Regina Spektor will headline ArtsWestchester’s 60th Anniversary Benefit Concert, Raise Your Voice for the Arts, on November 21 at The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College. Proceeds will support local arts organizations facing federal funding cuts. Concert-only tickets are on sale for the 8pm benefit concert.