In addition to his position as CEO & president at CMS Bancorp, Ritacco also served as an executive advisor to the New York and Connecticut Middle Market Lending Groups at Wells Fargo Bank, and most recently, was a special projects consultant to the WCA. Earlier in his career, he held executive positions at First Union National Bank in White Plains. A warm affable person, Ritacco was a natural fit for community outreach, and contributed his time and treasure to: the American Diabetes Association (“Father of the Year” Honoree in 2010), March of Dimes-Westchester Division (“Signature Chef” Honoree, 2015), Junior Achievement-Hudson Valley (Board of Directors, 1994-1998), and the Westchester County Association (Board of Directors, 2011-2015). He holds an Honoree Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University; and a BA from University of Rhode Island.
Amy is Vice President of the Westchester County Association (WCA), where her main focus is on areas that are critical to the economic viability of the region such as health care, workforce development and public policy advocacy. She also serves as the Executive Director of the WCA Workforce Academy which focuses on training the area workforce in the skills for the jobs of today.
Under Amy’s leadership, the WCA was awarded the project management role of a $9.8 million dollar federal USDOL grant, administered by Westchester County’s Workforce Development Board, which is designed to fill key positions in the healthcare and life sciences sector throughout the Hudson Valley.
Amy holds an MBA degree in International Business from American University in Washington D.C. and a BA in Spanish from the University of New Hampshire and University of Valencia, Spain.
Julia is the Managing Director of Operations and Events. Julia has been with the organization for over 10 years and has been responsible for strategic planning, member/investor relations, day-to-day operations and overseeing all events and programming. Under Julia’s leadership, the WCA’s Smart Growth initiatives were launched, including Gigabit Westchester and the Real Estate and Housing Task Force. Prior to working at the WCA, Julia worked extensively in the hospitality industry in Westchester and New York City.
Julia is also a board member for Volunteer New York!, the region’s largest volunteer matchmaking organization. Julia became a board member after completing Leadership Westchester, an intensive 9-month leadership program.
Julia holds a BS in Hospitality Management from New York University and earned a professionals MBA certificate from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.
Jason has more than 20 years of workforce development experience working for CUNY, SUNY, The WorkPlace and WCA on federal, state and foundation grant projects that have benefited more than 25,000 job seekers. He currently manages a nearly $10 million federal grant that has trained 450 individuals to fill hundreds of open positions with healthcare employers in the Hudson Valley. Previously, he has served on the New Castle Town Council and Child Care Council of Westchester and NYSACRA boards. Currently, he is on the Harry Chapin Foundation Board.
Cathy joined the WCA team in 2017 as Bookkeeper and Finance Manager. Cathy is responsible for managing the day to day finances of the organization, as well as providing support for the major initiatives.
Previously, Cathy spent 20 years working with Rally for the Cure, a cause marketing program sponsored by Conde Nast Publications. Rally for the Cure is a grassroots program raising funds and awareness through Golf & Fitness events, benefiting Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. There she functioned as the Operations and Accounting Manager.
Cathy holds a BS in Chemistry from The State University of New York at Oswego.
Christina has been with the Westchester County Association since 2017. She is a detail-oriented professional with strengths in event creation, planning, and execution.
Throughout her career, Christina has worked in the public relations industry with experience in entertainment, sports, and events. Prior to working at the WCA, she was the Public Affairs Coordinator at Empire City Casino, one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast.
Christina is a dedicated meeting and event planner with experience in planning high-level meetings as well as large-scale corporate conferences and dinners. Christina holds a degree in public relations and communications from Iona College.
For more than 50 years, William M. Mooney, Jr. has been a prominent force in the metropolitan region’s business and banking community. Bill currently serves as President and CEO of The Westchester County Association, the county’s premier business advocacy and membership organization. Under Bill’s leadership, the Association has tacked some of the most pressing community and economic development issues, including healthcare reform, real estate policy, enhancing the region’s digital infrastructure, and much more.
Bill was elected to head The Westchester County Association in 2004 after having served as Acting President of the organization for a year. Bill has had a long and distinguished career in the banking industry, including serving as a Senior Vice President of Independence Community Bank where he was responsible for all business activities in Westchester County and Connecticut. Prior to that, he held the position of Executive Vice President of Union State Bank, where he managed retail banking activities and business development. Earlier in his career Bill worked for Chase Manhattan Bank and Chemical Bank with responsibility for all retail and small business activities in the New York Metropolitan area.
Bill began his banking career with Citibank and at the age of 19 received the “Most Creative and Best Idea Award” in the corporation which led to a Citibank Academic Foundation Award to attend college. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY.
Beyond his many skills as a business leader, Bill is deeply committed to giving back to the community. His philanthropic efforts extend to many not-for-profit and educational organizations. He has been chairman of the board of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, St. Thomas Aquinas College, The Westchester County Association, American Heart Walk, Westchester Partnership for Economic Development, CYO Rockland County, Red Cross Rockland County and Rockland Center for the Arts.
Bill has been honored with numerous civic and leadership awards, including the Mary Walsh Dominican Sisters Award, YMCA Outstanding Citizen Award, St. Thomas Aquinas College President’s Award, United Way Distinguished Citizen Award, Pace Law School Distinguished Service Award, Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley Corporate Community Service Award, Mercy College Presidential Award, Visiting Nurses Assoc. of Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Hospital Corporate Leadership Award, Westchester Medical Society Corporate Leadership Award, St. John Riverside Hospital Corporate Leadership Award, Westchester Medical Center Corporate Leadership Award. In 2004, Bill was honored with The Ellis Island Medal of Honor that recognizes individuals for their exceptional humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to the nation.
Bill received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY. He resides in White Plains with his wife of 55 years, Joan. They have four children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
