Dr. Marsha Gordon

President/CEO

mgordon@westchesterny.org

As leader of the county's largest and fastest-growing business organization, Marsha Gordon brings more than 25 years of community, commerce and leadership experience to The Business Council. Since taking the helm in 2001, she and her team have increased the organization's membership from 500 to close to 1,300, many of whom credit Marsha's skill at forging intra-membership relationships for helping their businesses grow.

A sought-after speaker, panelist and media expert, Marsha is widely considered the authority on the business climate in Westchester and has spoken on legislative and regulatory issues at events throughout the Hudson Valley. She also enjoys outstanding relationships with business and political leaders throughout the County, meeting frequently with legislators in Westchester, Albany and Washington.

Among Marsha's proudest accomplishments is the increased roster of new programs and initiatives she has introduced to enhance the economic vitality of Westchester. The nearly 75 events scheduled annually include the Westchester County Business Hall of Fame, Westchester's Rising Stars program, and a Mega Mixer business-to-business expo that brings more than 2,000 buyers and sellers of products and services together. In addition, two economic impact reports have been conducted under her leadership: a study of the economic impact of not-for-profit organizations in Westchester in partnership with Pace University; and an assessment of the energy needs in Westchester County – a report of the economic impact of rising energy prices and shortages in supplies.

Marsha also works closely with the Business Council's Board of Directors and member-drive councils to promote a pro-business agenda on the county, state and federal levels. Marsha is the Westchester Chair of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I287 Futures Task Force, serves on the board of the Business Council of New York State, United Way of Westchester/Putnam, the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and the Workforce Investment Board, where she chairs the one-stop committee. She chaired the WIRED initiative for Regional Workforce Development and was the first Chairman of the Board of the Chamber Alliance of New York State. Prior to joining The Business Council of Westchester, Marsha was President/CEO of MetroPool, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that addresses commuter issues in Fairfield County and the Hudson Valley. From 1991 to 1999 she led the 1,000-member Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, where she inaugurated programs in international trade and workforce development, and attracted a minor league baseball team to the region. She has also served as Membership Director for the Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Director of Corporate and Professional Education for Marist College.

Included among the awards she has received in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the quality of life in the Hudson Valley are the Community Service Award from Westchester Medical Center, The Recognition Award from the Westchester Library Association, Westco Productions Award for Service to the Arts, Hudson Valley Branch Arthritis Foundation Founder's Award, WESTCOP Community Service Award, YWCA Salute to Women and Racial Justice's Outstanding Achievement Award for Business, Whitney Radio Award for Public Relations, and The Institute of Applied Human Dynamics/St. Jude Habilitation Institute Corporate Excellence Award.

Marsha has a BA from Brooklyn College, an MBA from Marist College and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Pace University.

Paul Vitale

Vice President, Government and Community Relations

pvitale@westchesterny.org

Paul Vitale has managed and expanded the Business Council's public policy advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local levels since joining the organization in 2004. He works closely with our Governmental Action Council and political action committee, Golden Apple Business Action Council (GABAC) to advance our legislative agenda and provide guidance on government spending and budgets. He also oversees our Business Council Benefits Group and is involved with the area and economic development councils, collaborating with community officials on projects that enhance economic opportunities in Westchester.

Paul's career spans more than 25 years of management experience in the media, entertainment and sports industries, having served as VP and CFO of the SFX Sports Group; VP, Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; and VP, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, Sony Music Entertainment Inc. and its predecessor, CBS Records Group. He was an integral part of the management team that grew SFX Sports from its inception into a leading sports management and marketing firm. SFX's client roster included such superstars as Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Greg Norman and Jerry Rice. At CBS Records Group and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. he played a key role in expanding the company's interests in music publishing and direct marketing and entering the live entertainment business.

Prior to joining The Business Council of Westchester, Paul served as the executive director of the Service Station Dealers of Greater New York, a trade association representing 1,000 independent service stations, auto repair shops and related businesses in New York City and its northern suburbs. Among his accomplishments were developing and executing a turnaround strategy that successfully repositioned and rebranded the organization while significantly increasing non-dues income.

Paul was awarded his BA degree, cum laude, from Fordham University and earned his M.B.A. from Columbia University. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Housing Action Council.

Patricia Nicolais

Director of Membership and Special Events

pnicolais@westchesterny.org

Pat Nicolais joined the Business Council as a freelance event planner in 2001, helping to create the Business Hall of Fame. As director of special events, she's also responsible for Rising Stars and the Annual Dinner. In addition, Pat oversees all membership sales and services, including the Ambassadors' Club.

Her background is in resource development and fundraising; she was the first director of the Putnam office at United Way of Westchester and Putnam and spent 16 years with United Way in a variety of capacities. She was also the regional director of development at Lighthouse International for four years.

Hillary Millman

Director of Communications

hmillman@westchesterny.org

Hillary Millman is responsible for all of the Business Council's communications, including EXCHANGE. She also manages the programs and events of the Marketing Communications, Small Business and Human Resources councils.

Prior to joining the Business Council in 2006, Hillary was the Associate Editor at Guide Communications. She has a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego and an M.S. in Publishing from Pace University in Manhattan.

Ebony White

Information Development Specialist

ewhite@westchesterny.org

Ebony White joined The Business Council of Westchester in 2007 as the Office Coordinator and later became the Information Development Specialist. In this role Ebony is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Business Council's membership database as well as the coordination and support of BCW events.

Ebony graduated from Berkeley College in 2001 with an A.A.S in Marketing and later with a B.A in Communications from Howard University.

Meg Curtin

Coordinator, Membership Services

mcurtin@westchesterny.org

Meg Curtin joined the Business Council of Westchester team in early 2009 as the Membership Services Coordinator. In this role, Meg is responsible for increasing the value of the Business Council to each one of the Business Council's 1,200 members by ensuring the many benefits of membership are fully leveraged by each participating company.

Prior to joining the Business Council, Meg worked in the higher education sector and real estate industry providing administrative and legislative support. She is also a licensed New York State Real Estate Salesperson since 2007. Curtin received her B.A. in European Cultural Studies from the University of New Hampshire and has begun her Masters of Public Administration at Pace University's Westchester Campus.

Maria Smith

Office Coordinator

msmith@westchesterny.org

Maria Smith has been the Office Coordinator at The Business Council of Westchester since mid-2008. She manages the day-to-day operations of the office, handles event registration, billing, and assists members with various matters.

She received her B.A. in Business Administration from Berkeley College. She also has experience in Customer Service from working at various retail stores over the years.