REVOLVING DOOR
PEOPLE
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– Robb Patterson, business development manager at Westchester- and Manhattan-based Progressive Computing, Inc. (PCI), will donate a prize for the 24-Hour Small Biz MakeoverContest during the New York BusinessExpo and Conference (NYXPO) at the Javits Center on October 17. Patterson is on the steering committee for the NYXPO, which will feature 200 exhibitors and 40 seminars, and is expected to draw more than 10,000 executives. A leading technology consultant and advisor to businesses and community organizations, Patterson will provide the Makeover winner with a one-hour Microsoft Partner Consultation as part of the overall contest prize. |
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– The DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown has appointed Peter Jiser its new director of sales and marketing. In his new role, Jiser will be responsible for all aspects of sales and marketing, as well as revenue management, forecasting, budgeting, and business development. Jiser previously held senior-level sales positions at the Hilton Westchester Hotel in Rye Brook, as well as the Intercontinental Hotels Group and the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, both in Stamford, Connecticut. During his tenure at the Hilton Westchester, Jiser was responsible for managing key corporate accounts and was consistently recognized for his leadership and sales excellence. - Advertisement -
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NEW BUSINESSES, RELOCATIONS, OPERATIONS
– A new Purchase College survey found that the job market for its grads is improving. According to the survey, more than 90 percent of the college’s recent graduates are either employed, in graduate or professional school, or both. The survey of the class of 2011 was conducted one year following graduation. Of all respondents, 84.4 percent are employed full- or part-time—a three-percent increase over last year’s graduating class. And for the first time since the survey began seven years ago, men and women are earning roughly equal pay, with women actually earning fractionally higher (at $35,928.79 vs. men earning $35,646.49) one year out of college.
– In late September, Andrus launched a new Early Learning Center in Tuckahoe’s Village Hall. The 16,000-square-foot facility can accommodate up to 120 children, ranging in age from six weeks to kindergarten age. The AELC is the only early-childhood service in the Town of Eastchester and Villages of Tuckahoe and Bronxville to provide full-day infant care.
– On October 11, Yonkers Partners in Education celebrated five years of improving outcomes for students at its annual gala, attended by more than 400 people, at a luxury tent on the rooftop of the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was honored, and several students shared their stories of pursuing their college dream with YPIE’s support. Guests also enjoyed the cuisine of renowned chef and Yonkers native Peter Kelly, owner of The Xaviars Restaurant Group, and musical entertainment provided by The Amish Outlaws.
– After opening restaurants in Philadelphia, New York City, Las Vegas, and Stamford, Connecticut, John Gazzola and Ralph Battista return home to Westchester to open Butterfield8, their second restaurant in White Plains this year. Butterfield8, at the corner of East Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue, is an American gastropub whose menu, created by Executive Chef Matt Safarowic, formerly of The Cookery, features new twists on classic pub food.
– Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM), a nationwide chain of upscale athletic clubs, plans to open its newest facility in Harrison in summer 2014.The company’s second location in New York, Life Time Athletic Harrison, will offer fitness training, weight loss and nutrition classes, cycling, swimming, basketball,yoga, Pilates, and other programs.
– New York’s first Legoland Discovery Center will open in the first quarter of 2013 at Westchester’s Ridge Hill. The $12 million development stands to bring hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to the shopping center. An October 17 groundbreaking ceremony for the center will feature children unleashing a cascade of toy bricks onto Mayor Mike Spano and company officials.The 33,000-square-foot indoor space will feature play areas, party rooms, rides, and more than 3 million Lego pieces.
– Due to a $300,000 budget deficit, Peekskill’s Paramount Center for the Arts has suspended operations as the Center explores reorganization.
– CBRE announced a 32,000-square-foot office and industrial lease on behalf of building owner Lighthouse Real Estate Ventures at 203 Ridgewood Drive in Elmsford. SolarCity, a national leader in clean energy services, inked a five-year lease for the entire property in an effort to bolster its Northeast operations, with its grand opening taking place this month. CBRE’s Kevin Langtry and William V. Cuddy, Jr., represented Lighthouse Real Estate Ventures in the lease negotiations, while Cushman & Wakefield’s John Grady acted on behalf of SolarCity.
– White Plains Hospital is leading businesses throughout White Plains in a month-long breast cancer awareness campaign by hosting a series of educational and advocacy events and fundraisers, most of them in conjunction with other White Plains establishments.
KUDOS
– Robin Leedy & Associates in Mount Kisco won two Gold Mercury Awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for 2011.The first win, in the Creative Tactics category, was for the campaign “How Do You Say Oscillococcinum?” The campaign was executed for a flu medicine solely via social media. The second gold award, in the category Non-Traditional Communications, was for the Cystex Better Bladder Challenge (a supplement for recurrent urinary-tract infections). .
– Roger Burton, new program manager at Andrus’s Griffith Hall, has been nominated for the Spirit of the Alliance Award. Given by the Alliance for Children & Families, the award honors a non-profit professional’s service to his or her organization’s clients, commitment to his or her organization, and dedication to serving children and families. The winner will be announced and honored later this month in a ceremony in Orlando, Florida.
– HEINEKEN USA has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its White Plains headquarters..
– First Niagara Bank Foundation donated $20,000 to help support three of Historic Hudson Valley’s major Halloween-themed events — Horseman’s Hollow, Irving’s ‘Legend,’ and Legend Celebration.
BIZ BUZZ: OUR BUSINESS BLOG
According to a Siena College poll conducted in September and released earlier this month, New York consumers are more optimistic about the future than they have been in five years. Respondents’ optimism increased by almost six points since August to 80.3, the highest rate since March 2007 and almost seven points higher than the nation’s, at 73.5. State consumers’ overall confidence hovers at the same level as the country’s overall: New York’s index is 78.2 points, while the US is 78.3.Democrats, apparently, also are more optimistic than Republicans.
If the Village of Pleasantville approves it, a large vacant commercial office complex may become a 73-unit residential community constructed by developer Toll Brothers. The homebuilder has agreed with Benenson Capital Partners, LLC, to buy an abandoned office park at 485 Washington Avenue, which has been vacant for two years.
SML Acquisition, LLC, a financial holding firm in Elmsford, will cease its operations between December 31, 2012, and January 31, 2013. All 188 of its employees will be laid off, according to a filing with the State Department of Labor.
HOT PROPERTIES – 914INC.’S COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE
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Property: 383 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco |
914 DATEBOOK – UPCOMING BUSINESS EVENTS
THURSDAY, 10/18/12
Running Your Business In A Mobile World
DoubleTree by Hilton, Tarrytown, 11:30 am – 2 pm. The WCA will present Running Your Business in a Mobile World as part of its popular “Lunch & Learn” series. This Lunch & Learn event is sponsored by Mahopac National Bank and Mercy College and is open to the public, although pre-registration is required. The session will begin with networking at 11:30 am, followed by a panel discussion over lunch at 12:15 pm. $50 per person (non-members); $40 per person (WCA members). To register, visit westchester.org/article.php?a=295 before October 18. For inquires after October 18, contact Laura Montopoli at events@westchester.org or (914) 948-6444.
The African American Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner
Westchester Manor, Hastings-on-Hudson
At the African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties’ 15th Anniversary Awards Dinner, local political and business leaders in six categories will be honored for their contributions to the African American small business community. This year, Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, will receive the Political Leader of the Year ward. The AACCWR, Inc, was established in 1996 as an independent, not-for-profit agency to aid, counsel, and protect the interest of African American businesses. To learn more, and to purchase dinner tickets, visit www.AACCNYS.org.
Packaging and Presenting Yourself and Your Art
The Arts Exchange, White Plains, 8:15 pm. ArtsWestchester, in collaboration with Purchase College, presents Fine Tune Your Skills— a professional development workshop series for artists. Made possible with a grant from NYSCA’s Arts in Education program, all workshops are affordable and aim to strengthen artists’ core skills such as knowledge of social media, knowledge of pertinent legal issues, and how to most effectively represent themselves and their work. All classes will be held at the Arts Exchange, ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains. For more information and to register online, visit www.artsw.org/finetune or contact Jessy Mendez at (914) 428-4220, ext. 313.
TUESDAY, 10/23/12
WEDC Small Business and Economic Development Forum & Breakfast
White Plains Public Library, 9:30 – 11:30 am.. New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and WEDC cordially invite you to the annual Small Business and Economic Development Forum & Breakfast. The keynote speaker will be Kris Ruby, CEO of Ruby Media Group. The forum will explore the state of social media and small business in today’s digital revolution. This practical, interactive presentation will cover how to get more Facebook followers, the 411 on Pinterest, the art of the re-tweet, and more.
New York State agency representatives will be on hand to provide an overview of government resources to assist small businesses and, along with members of other business organizations, will be present to answer questions and provide one-on-one assistance. The forum and breakfast are free, but preregistration is required. To register, please e-mail mschaefe@nysenate.gov or call (914)948-6098.
WEDNESDAY, 10/24/2012
914INC.’s Power Breakfast Series: Social Media Panel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Tarrytown, 7:30 – 9 am. 914INC. hosts a social media breakfast panel as part of its ongoing Power Breakfast Series. Network with fellow business professionals over breakfast, and find out how to best use social media for your business. Attendance is free, but prior registration is required. To register, please email pr@westchestermagazine.com.
THURSDAY, 11/8/12
The Power of QR Codes with Maurene Caplan Grey of Grey Consulting
W@tercooler, 21 N Broadway, Tarrytown, 7 – 9 pm.. It’s hard to miss them—those increasingly common square designs that contain information decipherable only to those with QR (Quick Response) readers. QR Codes were invented in Japan and reached peak use in the mid 1990s. This workshop explores how to put these codes to work for marketing purposes. $50 (non-members); $40 (members). Register at poweroftheqrcode.eventbrite.com
THURSDAY, 11/15/12
Using Social Media to Advance Your Career in the Arts
The Arts Exchange, White Plains, 8:15 pm. This event is the second in a series of four workshops presented by ArtsWestchester, in collaboration with Purchase College. Made possible with a grant from NYSCA’s Arts in Education program, all workshops are affordable and aim to strengthen artists’ core skills such as knowledge of social media, knowledge of pertinent legal issues, and how to most effectively represent themselves and their work. All classes will be held in The Arts Exchange, ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains. For more information and to register online, visit artsw.org/finetune or contact Jessy Mendez at (914) 428-4220, ext. 313.
THURSDAY, 11/29/2012
914INC.’s Second Annual Women in Business Luncheon
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Tarryown, 11:30 am – 2 pm. Join the editors of 914INC. as they honor the most influential women in Westchester, as featured in the cover story of the magazine’s Q4 issue. Single tickets are $85, and tables of 10 are $800. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cvent.com/events/914inc-magazine-s-women-in-business-luncheon/event-summary-af5735c6815f42a3a478fbfef571cfc0.aspx
Do you have tips, scoop, or gossip concerning business in Westchester? If so, our INComing blogger, Lisa Cesarano, is all ears. Please e-mail her with a short pitch to 914incoming@gmail.com.
Upcoming events should be submitted no later than Sunday, October 21, to be considered for the October 30 edition. Please submit business-related events only; no fundraisers or consumer events.
