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.

John Ravitz

Executive Vice President

jravitz@westchesterny.org

As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John oversees the Business Council's legislative, government affairs and community relations, and plays a key role in developing and expanding membership services.

Prior to joining the Business Council team, John, who is a former New York State Assemblyman, was Chief Operating Officer of the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross and Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County. He also once served as Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections.

John was elected six times to the State Assembly representing the East Side of Manhattan. In his 12 years as a state legislator, he was ranking member of the Health Committee, and served on the Higher Education, Education, Mental Health and Children and Families committees. As Assistant Minority Leader he coordinated key legislation before the Assembly and as Assistant Minority Whip he directed floor debate for the 52 members of the Assembly Minority Conference.

With the Red Cross, John oversaw core service delivery areas including disaster, health and safety and international services, as well as its services to the Armed Forces. In Westchester, the Red Cross annually trains more than 18,000 people in critical lifesaving courses, responds to more than 100 local disasters and provides services to more than 170 military families. He headed a staff of 10 and a core group of more than 500 volunteers.

As Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, John was responsible for overseeing all operations of the Board's five borough offices and its executive office and a staff of 350. He served as governmental liaison with federal, state and city agencies including the offices of the Mayor and Governor.

As a community advocate, John has organized more than 60 town hall meetings on a wide range of issues. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Mayor's Action Committee's Legislative Recognition Award, the New York City Council's Community Service Award, the New York State Conference of Mayor's Good Government Legislative Award and the Burden Center for Aging's Lifetime Recognition Award.

John lives in Pelham with his wife and their four children.

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.

Sara James

Director of Membership

sjames@westchesterny.org

Sara James leads the Business Council's membership acquisition and retention efforts with the goal to expand membership across targeted business sectors while partnering with members to enhance services.

Sara’s background that includes global advertising agency experience as well as client side partnership marketing provides her with an intuitive skill set to connect with our members’ needs. She is a 12-year resident of New Rochelle and active within the Westchester community, volunteering for Westchester Youth Soccer and New Rochelle Fund for Excellence in Education.

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.