2015-03-21

Nisa Lee Events and Hammond Museum partner

Nisa Lee Events, a Pelham-based full-service wedding event planning, design and catering company, has entered into a partnership agreement with the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem.

Nisa Lee has plans to design and cater weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and other celebrations as well as corporate events and retreats at the museum.

She will also bring her creativity to some of the Hammond’s existing annual events, including the Mother’s Day brunch, Dinner and Movie Theme Nights and Moon Viewing.

“We look forward to her vision and expertise in planning extraordinary parties and weddings at the Hammond as well as elevating annual Hammond events to new levels,” board President Bernard Gordon said.

“I am so excited to be working with the Hammond Museum as their preferred caterer. It is a hidden gem and one of the most beautiful venues I have worked with. There is a feeling of sophistication and beauty here, as well as peace and tranquility that fills you when you walk the grounds,” Lee said.

Flickinger joins law firm

Kenneth J. Flickinger has joined the national law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC as a member in its White Plains office. He focuses his practice in the area of financial services litigation. He has counseled mortgage servicers and asset management companies on compliance issues, including consumer financial protection bureau regulations, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and New York foreclosure and consumer protection statutes.

“Kenneth brings a wealth of experience in financial services litigation and is a strong addition to this growing practice,” said Steven R. Kramer, member in charge of the White Plains office and chairman of the White Plains commercial litigation group.

Flickinger is a member of the American Bar Association and New Jersey Mortgage Bankers Association and has participated with the National Mortgage Bankers Association and American Legal Financial Network for years. He received his J.D. from St. John’s School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Albany, State University of New York.

Golf Classic co-chairmen named

Orange Regional Medical Center (ORMC) Foundation announced that Raymond P. VanVoorhis and Jake Kriney are the co-chairmen of Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation 2015 annual Golf Classic, which will take place June 22. The 24th annual tournament will benefit expanding cancer care services at ORMC and help to develop a comprehensive cancer center.

The tournament will be held at West Hills Country Club and Wallkill Golf Course, both in Middletown. It will conclude with a dinner and awards ceremony at West Hills Country Club.

VanVoorhis is a partner with Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis LLP, a design-oriented architectural firm in Poughkeepsie.

Kriney specializes in real estate development and is a partner in JCA Hotels.

To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities, call the foundation at 845-333-2333 or visit ormc.org/golf.

Agent team at ERA Insite

Lynn and David Zachos of Pleasantville have joined the White Plains office of ERA Insite Realty Services as licensed salespersons, according to Louis Budetti, principal broker and owner of the firm with three offices in Westchester now celebrating its 30th year in business.

David and Lynn are an award-winning husband and wife real estate team practicing since 2007. Formerly of Paddington Stone and Rand Realty in White Plains, the Zachos offer clients a unique knowledge in residential properties; together they have successfully renovated single-family homes and have served as consultants in new residential construction. In addition to their teamwork in the field, Lynn previously made her mark as a leading luxury swimming pool designer and sales executive at a top firm.

Health Quest donates first aid kits

Health Quest Urgent Care in LaGrangeville has donated 10 first-aid kits to Rebuilding Together Dutchess County, an organization that repairs and revitalizes homes in the county, donating services and materials for low-income and elderly homeowners.

“We’re thankful for our volunteers at Rebuilding Together and their safety is a top priority. We hope there isn’t ever a need for urgent care at any of our sites, but it is comforting to know that Health Quest Urgent Care has our back,” said Christina Boryk, Rebuilding Together executive director.

Faulkner joins Power Authority

Jennifer Faulkner, formerly an executive at Pfizer, has joined the New York Power Authority (NYPA) as senior vice president of internal audits.

She will direct the internal audits program for NYPA and will oversee the preparation of the annual internal audit plan and direct the execution of internal audits that regularly evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of financial, information technology and operating controls.

In addition, she will plan and direct all fraud prevention and detection for internal audit activities at NYPA, including the execution of special investigations involving cases and instances of fraud, waste, abuse and ethical and regulatory complaints.

Faulkner, a resident of Manhattan, previously held multiple positions at Pfizer, culminating with her role as director of the global risk, compliance and control group, where she worked with colleagues from more than 100 markets to ensure that the monitoring activities and special projects under the global Foreign Corrupt Practice Act were executed. She had previously been an internal audit regulatory compliance manager at KPMG.

NYWEA honors three from Westchester

The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), a statewide nonprofit organization of leaders in water quality management based in Syracuse, announced that Nat J. Federici of Hartsdale, Nicholas Benevento and Shane W. Holmes, both of New Rochelle, were honored at the 87th NYWEA recent annual meeting held in New York City.

Federici was awarded the 2014 Kenneth Allen Memorial Award given to a member for a paper describing work of a research or engineering nature. Federici is a professional engineer and a manager for New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Engineering, Design and Construction and has been involved in improving the design of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Benevento was given the Uhl T. Mann Award for excellence in treatment plant operations and maintenance. He is plant superintendent of the County of Westchester Mamaroneck Wastewater Treatment Plant and has been instrumental in bringing the new total nitrogen upgrade project online successfully.

Holmes was presented the Student Chapter Service Award. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College with a minor in environmental engineering and was actively involved in the college’s NYWEA Student Chapter.

Cymogen Dx graduates from accelerator

Cymogen Dx, which develops products for the health care industry, has graduated from the Orange County Business Accelerator (OCBA) after it was bought by Concord, Calif.-based Biocare Medical LLC.

Known for its state-of-the-art cytomolecular genetics diagnostic research products, Cymogen Dx provides tools for identifying genomic aberrations in cancer cells found in tissue and bone marrow specimens. Its Net-Gen product line includes four-color fluorescent in situ hybridization probes that leverage deletion detection probe technology to detect genomic changes better than any other solution currently available.

Cymogen Dx had been a resident company of the OCBA, a low-cost, high-tech research and development space that helps startups reduce costs and grow their operations through services, resources and programs provided by the incubator before heading out on their own.

“We would like to thank the team at Cymogen Dx and congratulate the company on this tremendous step forward,” said Brian Gates, senior vice president of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., which manages the accelerator. “This is a company that has achieved some impressive milestones since beginning operations at OCBA almost five years ago. We wish everyone at Cymogen Dx well as they move on to the next stage.”

Hospital named fit-friendly

White Plains Hospital has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat healthier and move more. Platinum is the highest level of fit-friendly recognition from the American Heart Association.

“The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and well-being a priority,” according to Jennifer Gelick, regional director of Westchester and Putnam counties for the American Heart Association. “White Plains Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to and investment in its employee’s health in several impressive ways.”

Budenz joins Phelps

Cameron Budenz of Elmsford, has joined Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow as medical director of the Balance Center. Budenz is a neurotologist and a skull-base surgeon. She has expertise in the treatment and management of imbalance and dizziness, acute and chronic ear disease, hearing loss and facial nerve disorders. As a skull-base surgeon, she is able to remove growths or abnormalities that may be associated with dizziness and hearing loss.

Budenz is an assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology at New York Medical College and has served as an instructor for courses that are attended by surgeons from around the world. She received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, followed by a surgical internship and otolaryngology residency at New York University. After residency training, she completed both a National Institutes of Health-funded research fellowship and a clinical fellowship in otology, neurotology and skull-base surgery at the University of Michigan.

Peters named a top financial adviser

Morgan Stanley recently announced that Kevin Peters, a managing director, wealth management and financial advisor in its Purchase office has been named to Barron’s list of “America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: 2015 State-by-State.”

“I am extremely proud that Kevin is representing Morgan Stanley Wealth Management on this list,” commented Robert Peyreigne, complex manager of Morgan Stanley’s Purchase office. “Competition is steep to be selected for this list and those who make the cut represent a very high level of achievement in serving their clients’ wealth management needs.”

Giordano receives Caritas Award

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County (CCCSOC) has honored Frank Giordano Jr. with its 2015 Caritas Award.

Giordano, of the accounting firm Judelson, Giordano & Siegel (JGS) in Middletown, received the award in recognition of his dedication to helping and providing hope to people across the local community.

“To receive this type of recognition from this organization is truly something special and it gives me a great deal of pride,” he said.

Giordano specializes in mergers and acquisitions, the restructuring of troubled businesses and refinancing and reorganization at JGS.

Westchester Jewish Council honors outstanding volunteers

The Westchester Jewish Council (WJC) in White Plains paid tribute to 19 community volunteers at the recent 2015 Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony.

The 2015 recipients and their nominating organizations were:

• Scarsdale residents Elliot Rose AJC Westchester/Fairfield, and Peggy Garfunkel, Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York;

• New Rochelle residents Gregg Mashberg, Anti-Defamation League, and David Simhon, Congregation Anshe Shalom;

• White Plains resident Susan Hope Davis, Congregation Kol Ami;

• Armonk residents Richard Koh, Hillels of Westchester, and Jessica Morganthal, Rosenthal JCC;

• Dobbs Ferry resident Michael Maron, JCC on the Hudson;

• Rye resident Robert Miller, Jewish Community Center of Harrison;

• Mamaroneck residents Sarene Shanus, Jewish Education Project, and Richard Alter, Temple Israel of New Rochelle;

• Brewster resident Michael Salpeter, Jewish Family Congregation;

• Bedford Hills resident Vivian Cohn, Temple Shaaray Tefila;

• Bronx resident Trudy Cummings, The Mollie and Jack Zicklin Jewish Hospice Residence of MJHS;

• Larchmont resident Susan Miller, Westchester Jewish Center;

• Harrison resident Robert Mensch, Westchester Jewish Community Services;

• Carmel resident Ruth Greenfield, Temple Beth Elohim;

• New York City resident Lisa Rosenshein Todes, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center; and

• Lanesborough, Mass., resident David Rolle, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.

Dorf & Nelson opens LA office

With the opening of its Los Angeles office, which is managed by Jessica Kastner, Rye-based Dorf & Nelson LLP will provide service to new and existing clients in a range of practice areas while continuing to serve its clients in this region.

“The presence of Dorf & Nelson in Los Angeles allows us to provide our national clients, many of whom are active in both the New York and California markets, with a broader range of representation,” said Jon A. Dorf, managing partner.

“The opening of the Los Angeles office is an important milestone for us and we are proud and honored to be able to service our clients from coast to coast,” said Jonathan B. Nelson, partner and chairman of the litigation department.

Orange County Sports Club names director, coach

Dylan Gaucher has been hired as park director and coach at Orange County Sports Club (OCSC) on Route 17A in Florida. He will be leading the development of programming for OCSC’s newest initiative, an outdoor sports park on fields behind the 41,000-square-foot facility. The park will feature programming for all ages and abilities. Kevin Byrket, director of operations at OCSC said, “Dylan has an energetic and passionate attitude about providing quality programming and first-class coaching. He has assembled a great team of coaches who are each dedicated to spending the time necessary with each participant. We look forward to watching the program flourish under Dylan’s care.”

New members of WEDC board of directors

The Women’s Enterprise Development Center Inc. (WEDC) in White Plains has announced the election of Sheila Appel of Poughkeepsie and Toni Ann Rufeh of Armonk to its board of directors.

Appel, U.S. regional director of corporate citizenship for IBM, is responsible for overseeing a range of programs helping to establish IBM as a leader in a new breed of corporate philanthropy. This approach promotes systemic social improvement largely through investments of technology, services, employee skills and volunteerism. She is a recognized leader in New York and is an active volunteer in the community. She currently serves as an executive board member of the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board CEO, a board trustee for The Public Policy Institute of New York State, board member of The Business Council of Westchester and co-chairperson of the steering committee of the WEDC’s Business and Professional Women’s Network. She was recently acknowledged as one of the Top 100 Women in the Hudson Valley.

Rufeh is the founder and president of Rufeh Associates, an executive recruitment firm specializing in the defense industry. She began her career within the defense industry at Loral Electronic Systems, as well as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. As a project administrator, she managed a multimillion dollar internal IR&D budget. Her numerous volunteer interests include the Institute for Student Achievement, St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison and the North Castle Beautification Foundation.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.

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