The Founding Four
The Great Guys Event was created in 2016 to honor four “Great Guys”, who were profoundly instrumental in helping launch Hudson Valley Cancer Resource Center (HVCRC). The initial and more importantly, continuing, contributions of Joe Belsito, Jimmy Smith, Ed Devitt and Pete Mathieu have enabled the HVCRC to make the cancer journey easier for over 1,300 patients and their families to date.
This year, we have selected four outstanding “Great Guys” who have demonstrated their commitment to our mission and the cancer community in the Hudson Valley. Please join us in celebration, as we honor these four amazing men.
EVENT DETAILS
HUDSON VALLEY BLUES ROCK
LIVE MUSIC – DAN BROTHER BAND
BRILLIANT PRIZES FOR MEN
SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
LOCAL BREWERIES LOCAL DISTILLERIES LOCAL CIDERIES
LOCAL CRAFT BEER & SPIRITS
GOURMET FOOD STATIONS
ARTISANAL FARE
2020 HONOREES
2019 HONOREES
PAST HONOREES
THE VENUE
Join us at one of the finest golf and recreational venues in the region. Nestled along the majestic Wallkill River, this venue is perfect for our 5th annual Great Guys Event.
West Hills Country Club
Hudson Valley, NY
Event Time: 5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
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Kick off your summer at the premier MEN ONLY networking event of 2020۔
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OUR 2019 ALCOHOL VENDORS
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PAST PARTICIPANTS
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OUR 2019 SPONSORS
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INTEGRITY SPONSORS
LOYALTY SPONSORS
TENACITY SPONSORS
COMMITMENT SPONSORS
Persistence Sponsors
OUR 2018 SPONSORS
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Tenacity Sponsors
Commitment Sponsors
Persistence Sponsors
Media Sponsor
OUR 2017 SPONSORS
We are very grateful to the following sponsors
Integrity Sponsor
Loyalty Sponsors
Tenacity Sponsors
Commitment Sponsors
Persistence Sponsors
Media Sponsor
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Beginning as a Laborer, Mr. Farsetta soon graduated to Superintendent, Assistant Project Manager, and Senior Project Manager. As the current Project Executive assigned to our Goshen Office, Mr. Farsetta has been known to foster an environment of collaborative teamwork within his vast network of Laborers, Project Managers and Superintendents. Mr. Farsetta ensures that each project is designated an effective and high-performance strategy and oversees all matters of operation to maintain performance and morale. Possessing strong communication skills and maintaining client service, Mr. Farsetta has been an exemplary representation of one’s development resulting from an extensive and diverse history at Holt Construction.
In addition, he was Orange County’s Rising Star in 2012, a graduate of Leadership Orange Legendary Class of 2014 where he received the Leadership Commitment Award, First Vice Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, a member on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Inspire Foundation, member of the International Intellectual Property Society in New York City, Past Chairman of the Orange County Young Professionals committee, past co-chair for the Orange County Chambers Annual Gala committee, past co-chair for the Orange Open committee.
Eric is also the creator of NU-V®, a United States patented design men’s premium low-cut undershirt. Eric is a community guy, a family man and enjoys spending time with his wife Lauren and son Blake.
Prior to joining HVEDC, Oates was the Managing Partner for Bellefield Development Partners LLC, the developer of Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park in Dutchess County and an affiliate of T-Rex Capital Group, LLC. Bellefield is a $500 million culinary campus located directly across the street from The Culinary Institute of America.
Before joining Bellefield, Oates was the former CEO of Hudson River Ventures, a small business investment fund focused on Food & Beverage, Tourism, Hospitality, 3D Printing and Innovative Technology with investment projects located in the Hudson Valley.
Oates also served as President and CEO of HVEDC from 2009 to 2013. Before his initial work with HVEDC, he was Vice President/Regional Director at Empire State Development Corporation. In that position, he was responsible for managing New York State’s economic development initiatives in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam counties – the same counties represented by HVEDC.
An active member of the community, Oates serves on the board of the Walkway Over the Hudson (Chairman), Scenic Hudson, Council of Industry, Abilities First, Pattern for Progress and Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce.
Born in Monticello, NY, and raised in South Fallsburg, NY, Ira Gold has spent his life in Sullivan County. He is the President and Owner of Sullivan Fire Protection Corporation, which was previously owned by his father, Morris. In 1992, Ira took over management of the company.
Ira and his wife, Ruby, have been happily married for 32 years and have raised two children, Adam and Ilana, together in South Fallsburg. Their son Adam works with Ira at Sullivan Fire, and their daughter Ilana is a Public Relations Specialist across a variety of industries. Adam and his wife, Courtney, reside close by in Liberty, NY, and Ilana and her husband, Todd, reside in Beacon, NY. In Ira and Ruby’s spare time, they enjoy traveling to their second home in Jupiter, FL and spending time on White Lake, NY, with their friends and family.
Ira is a well-known and active member of the Sullivan County community. He served on the New Hope Community Board of Directors for a number of years, and was on the board of the American Red Cross, among others. Additionally, he has been a part of the community Soup & Sandwich program which serves food, in partnership with New Hope, to local churches. An active member in his own South Fallsburg community, Ira was a member of South Fallsburg in Bloom, a local beautification project. Currently, he serves on the Auxiliary Board to Catskill Regional Medical Center, as well as on the board of the Construction Contractors Association.
real estate developer and is actively committed to community involvement. Mike is a founding partner of
Bonura Hospitality Group and created a brand to unite all hospitality outlets across the Hudson Valley operated
by the Bonura family along with Joseph Bonura Sr. and Joseph Bonura Jr. Current BHG ventures include
Anthony’s Pier 9, The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, The Grandview, Shadows on the Hudson, West Hills
Country Club, Blu Pointe, and Water Club Luxury Living. Mike is Developer/Owner of Water Club Luxury
Living. Along with brother Joseph Bonura, Jr., Mike transformed a NYS Brownfield Contaminated site into a
beautiful 136-unit apartment building just east of the Metro North train tracks in the City of Poughkeepsie. This
169,000+ square-foot building has changed the skyline of Poughkeepsie and helped continue its positive
progress.
Mike is the concept development/operations director of the Blu Pointe Restaurant, developer/proprietor of
West Hills Country Club, concept development/opening operations director for Billy Joe’s Ribworks, proprietor
of Shadows on the Hudson and The Grandview and a member of Poughkeepsie Waterfront Development, LLC.
As an active participant in planning and execution of a complete revitalization project for the southern Hudson
River waterfront in the City of Poughkeepsie, NY, a polluted former sewage treatment plant was transformed
into a 40,000 square foot restaurant and catering facility now known as Shadows on the Hudson and The
Grandview. A second parcel was recently reborn as Water Club Luxury Living. This was actually the first
development project in New York that was certified completed under the Brownfield Cleanup Program. Spin-
offs from this project that have also been completed include Shadows Marina, a 50-slip seasonal rental and
transient marina adjacent to Shadows on the Hudson and Shadows One, a high-speed water taxi connecting the
waterfronts of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.
The final piece of the complete revitalization project will be the development of 14 riverfront acres on the
former DeLaval Separating Company site. This project was recently awarded a grant through the New York
State CFA process that will jump start its success.
Mike is also very community minded. He is the vice chair of the Community Foundation of Orange and
Sullivan, former director of Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress and former Director of the Hudson Valley EDC
Mike has also been the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors, including the Vision of Hope from
Access Supports for Living Foundation, the Leadership Orange Rising Star, the Next Generation Award from
the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce as well as the Pillar of the Community honor of the
Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center. Above all, Mike is a proud Eagle Scout.
He is married to Jennifer Bonura, Comptroller for Bonura Hospitality and dad to sons, Michael Jr. and
Matthew.
Matt, his wife Sarah, and their 4 children currently live in Montgomery where the children
attend Valley Central Schools.
Matt was still in High School when he started working part-time at a family steel business. Matt
learned skills such as welding, reading blueprints and fabricating both structural and
miscellaneous steel.
Upon graduation from high school, Matt worked full-time in the steel business perfecting his
fabrication skills. At the end of 2001, he moved from the fabrication shop to the office and
started to learn as much as he could about all facets of the business.
Matt’s first job responsibilities in the office were in the estimating and project management
departments. By mid-2003, Matt was in charge of his 1 st project from start to finish. He took
the project from estimating phase, through shop drawings, fabrication and erection, and finally
close-out. By 2006, Matt was supervising 2 Project Managers on multiple jobs. He was also in
charge of the field operations of the affiliated company, Gabriel Steel Erectors, Inc.
Fast forward to 2018, and Matt is now Sr. Vice President of Operations of both Orange County
Ironworks, LLC and Gabriel Steel Erectors, Inc. He supervises 7 project managers and up to 200
men per week in the field. In addition to those duties, Matt also supervises the miscellaneous
steel department where they fabricate metal stairs and rails. He particularly enjoys the more
challenging aspects of the projects and interacts regularly with the engineers. Matt frequently
helps develop plans and strategies to efficiently and safely fabricate and erect the steel on
unusual and complex projects.
Matt spends a majority of his time outside of work coaching sports his children are involved in.
He has been a coach in the Valley Central Youth Football Program for 6 years and is also a
member of the Youth Football Program board. Matt has been head coach of several levels of
the Youth Football organization coaching all three of his sons over the past several years. He
has also been a coach in the Montgomery Little League for 8 years coaching all four of his
children and is currently Head Coach of the T-ball team his youngest son plays on.
In addition to his hectic work schedule and coaching responsibilities, Matt is also a member of
Allied Building Metal Industries in NYC.
the website recordonline.com and Orange Magazine. He is honored and humbled knowing he comes to
work each day with the great responsibility of overseeing a community newspaper that informs,
entertains and enlightens, as well as provides a vital voice to residents in the Hudson Valley and
Catskills.
Barry began his journalism career as a reporter in television and radio and later editor roles at
newspapers in New York and Connecticut. He came to the Record in 1999, having been hired by his
friend and mentor Mike Levine as the Sullivan County editor and was asked to write a weekly column.
Since 2000, he has penned nearly 900 columns, many about his family, friends and pets, growing up in
the city and trying to survive in the Catskills. He has been told the columns bring smiles to readers and
total embarrassment to those close to him. Barry is the author of “From Brooklyn to Bucolic,” a
collection of those award-winning columns. He is working on a second book about life as a waiter in
classic Catskill resorts where he began his collection of borscht-stained shirts and a deep knowledge of
buttermilk, Sanka and stewed prunes.
Barry was born and raised in Brooklyn, but was fortunate enough to spend his summers in the Catskills
where his father was among the last of the tummlers. In 1977, his family moved to Sullivan County and
the following spring he graduated from Liberty High School. Barry attended Herkimer County
Community College, earning his Associate Degree in Radio-TV Broadcasting and Marist College for his
Bachelor Degree in Communication.
During his time at the Record the newspaper has received numerous state and national honors including
multiple Associated Press Newspaper of Distinction awards.
Barry believes that as the paper’s editor he not only has a responsibility to lead a newsroom but to also
play an active role in bettering his community. He has advanced that relationship holding town hall
meetings throughout the region. Barry speaks to numerous civic and educational groups and is involved
in several non-profit organizations. He is on the board of directors for the Community Foundation of
Orange and Sullivan County, the People for People Fund, Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, the
steering committee for Sullivan Renaissance, Mount Saint Mary College Career Advisory Committee and
is vice president of the board of directors for the Time and the Valleys Museum in Grahamsville.
In his free time Barry competes in community races that help raise money and awareness for various
causes including cancer research, educational scholarships and civic organizations.
He lives in the Sullivan County Town of Neversink with his wife Bonnie and his dogs Boo Boo and Bitsy.
He has three sons, Sean and twins Daniel and Dustin who have successfully launched into adult life.
Barry is also proud grandfather to Catherine, his first grandchild.
Serving in roles ranging from field operations, logistics and administration, Kevin presently serves as
Director of Client Relations.
With over 30 years of providing patient care whether hands on or in a support role, Kevin has believed in
treating others as if they were his own family, a philosophy imbedded in Mobile Life Support Services.
A graduate of Valley Central High School and Orange County Community College, Kevin began his career
in pre-hospital emergency medicine with the Coldenham Fire Department and joined Mobile Life
Support Services in July of 1987. Throughout the years, he has served on numerous county and
governmental advisory boards and is currently the Chairman of the Orange County Board of Health and
is Deputy Coordinator of the Orange County Division of Emergency Services, EMS.
Kevin grew up in the village of Montgomery and is passionate about Orange County. He presently lives
in Newburgh with his wife, Dr. Carol Ann Malizia and daughters, Victoria and Alana.
Giving aid to and putting others first has always been one of Kevin’s strongest traits. When critical care
was needed in his own family, it made him truly appreciate help from others and thus even more eager
to be of service in return.
James P. Smith, Jr., president and founder of Advance Testing Company, Inc., was raised in Pearl River, New York. Following high school, Jim earned his AAS in Civil Engineering from Alfred State College in 1977, followed by a BS in Civil Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1982. He then started his career at Ward Pavements in Haverstraw, NY, as a materials technician. Jim would later take the position of Chief Quality Control Technician for Plaza Materials Co., a subsidiary of Yonkers Contracting, prior to founding Advance Testing in 1984.
Since that time, Advance Testing has grown to be an established, respected mid-size business with over 100 employees. Advance Testing operates a state-of-the-art, accredited materials testing laboratory in Campbell Hall, NY, with additional facilities in Central New York, Massachusetts and Florida, which allows the firm to service projects across the Eastern seaboard, as well as in parts of Canada.
In 1995, Jim founded Atech Center, Inc., specializing in construction materials testing training course development and instruction. Atech Center has become the primary course development firm for the Northeast Transportation Technician Certification Program, an eight state training organization that covers New England, New York and Ohio. The firm most recently completed a training manual in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation and Alfred State College. Atech Center has developed additional training programs and manuals for the New York State Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the State University of New York and many private sector clients.
Outside of business ventures, he has also been active in the community and has served on the board of directors for a number of organizations, some of which include Newburgh Rotary (past president), Orange County Chamber of Commerce (past chairman), Orange County Partnership (past chairman), Orange County Workforce Investment Board (past chairman), Orange County Citizens Foundation, Mount Saint Mary College, SUNY Orange, Hudson Valley Boy Scout Council (past Chairman), Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Patterns for Progress, New York State Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and the Construction Contractors Association. One of the firms’ major achievements is holding membership in over eighty community and professional organizations.
Over the years, Jim has been fortunate to be honored by a number of organizations, receiving awards such as the Medium-Size Business of the Year from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Hudson Valley Council Distinguished Citizen, Board Member of the Year – Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Orange Award, Orange County Youth Awards Outstanding Business Community Partner Award, the Dr. Milton Ash Corporate Inspiration Award, Orange County Community College Leadership and Business Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows, Inc. Recently, Advance Testing was proud to be a recipient of the American Council of Independent Laboratories Seal of Excellence Award. While serving as president of the Newburgh Rotary, they had a motto of “Real happiness is helping others.” Since that time, Jim has adopted that as his personal philosophy and has strived to live by those words.
Jim has been blessed with a wonderful wife, Nancy Smith. Together they have six children and nine grandchildren. Hence, one of his hobbies is traveling to visit their grandchildren who reside in Arizona, South Carolina and Florida. Jim and Nancy live in beautiful Orange County, but spend most weekends at their cabin in upstate NY. Together they enjoy gardening, hiking, fishing, photography, traveling and watching sunsets.
Surprisingly, Charlie began his work as a creative in music, at a young age. He grew up in Orange County and after graduating from Valley Central, he wrote, produced, recorded and mixed albums for independent and platinum recording artists alike, for nearly a decade. His work with performing artists afforded him the opportunity to tour the world exploring almost every US state, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe.
Inspired by his travels, Charlie decided to leave his career as a music producer to explore other avenues of creativity. Some highlights from these formative years include living in the Amazon, where he was asked to write for National Geographic Traveler. Having his photography published on the cover and inside the inaugural issue of West Point Magazine. And working on graphic design projects for artists like Prince, Sade and John Legend. Through exploring various outlets for his creativity, he eventually landed in the world of web design; where his love for creativity, technology and strategy could thrive.
In 2011, he returned to Orange County, working as a freelance designer until the birth of his daughter, Solstice in 2013. It was at that point, that Volum8 Creative was also born. Not only to provide for his growing family, but to build a company and a culture that could create innovative solutions for a brave new technological world. All while bringing it home to the Hudson Valley.
At present, Charlie is active in the local community as a Board of Director for the Orange County Partnership, a leader of the Hudson Valley Tech Meetup, a fellow of Etsy.com’s Good Work Institute and a supporter of local non-profits, like the Hudson Valley Cancer Resource Center. There is much “good work” still to be done in the world and Charlie hopes to leave a legacy doing just that.
Prior to joining Walden Savings Bank, Mr. Wynkoop was with Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union (HVFCU), from 2004 to 2011. He was Vice President of Retail Delivery & Marketing, where he was responsible for 21 branch locations, the Contact Center, HVFCU Financial Services, Insurance Agency of Hudson Valley, Business Development and Marketing. He was Chief Financial Officer from 2004 to 2007.
Prior to his work with HVFCU, Mr. Wynkoop was the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Marketing of Walden Federal S&L, from 1990 to 2004. He also served as President of the bank’s Ever-Green Financial Services. While at Walden Federal, Derrik hosted a radio show called “Financial Talk”.
Mr. Wynkoop served as an Adjunct Lecturer of Business in the undergraduate and MBA programs at Marist College (1996-2003) and as an Adjunct Professor of Business in the undergraduate program at Mount Saint Mary College (1992-1999). Wynkoop currently serves as a member of Marist College’s Hudson Valley Scholars program that awards scholarships to area graduates. In 2015, he collaborated with MSMC to create a 10 year endowed WSB / Medici Scholar’s Program.
In the community, Mr. Wynkoop is currently the Immediate Past Chairman for the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan County, and has served on the board since 2001. Also, he is the Chair-Elect for the SUNY Orange Foundation and has been on the board since 2010; and became a Board Member of the Orange County Partnership in 2016. Mr. Wynkoop was Co-President and Founder of the Walden Community Council from 1996 to 1999, an organization celebrating its 20th year in 2016. He also served as Vice President of the Walden Local Development Corporation from 1998 to 2004 and was one of the community leaders responsible for the 4 day construction of the Walden Community Park in 2001 at Wooster’s Grove in Walden.
In 1991, Mr. Wynkoop was one of the original Board of Directors for the Wallkill Valley Health Center (WVHC) in Walden; where he still serves as Vice President. He later joined the board of the Hudson River HealthCare (HRH) in Peekskill when WVHC became a satellite of HRH.
While at the credit union, Mr. Wynkoop was one of sixteen individuals nationwide selected to participate in the prestigious Filene’s Research Institute. He is currently the Hudson Valley Bank Representative for NYBA PAC and hosted a “Take Your Lawmaker to Work Day” with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney in 2015.
In November 2015, Wynkoop received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Cornerstone Family Healthcare at the Annual Pillar’s of the Community Gala. In January 2017, Wynkoop served as the keynote speaker for the 7th Annual Village of Walden Leadership Awards.
Cancer awareness, prevention and education are a personal passion for Mr. Wynkoop. Under his leadership, Walden Savings Bank received the Corporate Community Partner award in 2014 from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Annually the bank participates in Relays for Life in Pine Bush and Newburgh and in 2013 an employee cookbook was produced with 100% of the proceeds going to the ACS. In 2016, Wynkoop was one of 15 Orange County men who dressed in pink everyday in October as part of the Real Men Wear Pink Initiative and over $50,000 was raised. Wynkoop and the bank have supported The Cancer Resource Center of the Hudson Valley with mini-grants and employee dress down days with all proceeds going to the Center.
Five generations of the Wynkoop family have lived in Walden and Mr. Wynkoop currently resides there with his wife Allison. He has three children, Sara, Christopher and Matthew. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Marist College. Mr. Wynkoop also possesses his securities (Series 6, 7 and 63) and life insurance licenses.
Sheriff DuBois leads by example. His criminal justice education and information systems experience brought with him prior to taking office in 2003 is comprehensive and extensive. He has participated in crime sweeps, special operations, marine patrol on the Hudson River, bike patrol on the Heritage Trail, and other details covered by the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office also includes a 400,000 square foot, 803 bed correctional facility, as well as investigations, K-9, Narcotics Task Force, and joint operations with Federal agencies. He has twice served as Co-Chair and Chair of the Zone 4 Counter-Terrorism Task Force. He attended the 219th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA from September 2004 – December 2004, and also attended the 89th Session National Sheriff’s Institute in Longmont, CO, sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections and the National Sheriff’s Association. Sheriff DuBois has been very visible in all parts of Orange County, participating in many community and various organizational events.
In 2003, Sheriff DuBois promised to bring the Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century and has delivered. The Sheriff’s Office has gone through major reorganization and restructuring on all levels, culminating in December 2005, with New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. In May 2007, the Corrections Division received accreditation by the New York State Sheriff’s Association and the American Correctional Association, and subsequently achieved accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare. In 2015, the office received another accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, in addition to the prestigious Triple Crown Award from the National Sheriff’s Association, recognizing the Sheriff’s Office as being one of 40 nationwide to hold 3 national accreditations. In 2014, he planned and oversaw construction of an outdoor firearms training facility for agency staff as well as civilian firearms training programs. Sheriff DuBois encourages his staff to be innovative and adapt to constant change within all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. He is an advocate for municipalities sharing resources and constant training to stay current. The Sheriff’s Office works together with all Orange County agencies and countywide elected officials.
Sheriff DuBois oversees a budget of approximately $70 million, and manages a revenue stream of about $8 million yearly, mostly through boarding US Immigration & Customs detainees. There is also revenue from the Civil Division, and additional revenue through various firearms training programs.
Orange County has a population of approximately 372,000 people and an area of 835 square miles, located approximately 50 miles northwest of New York City.
Dan started working part-time in the family steel business while in high school. He learned how to weld and fabricate structural and miscellaneous steel. After high school, Dan worked full-time in the field, first working under a foreman erecting structural and miscellaneous steel, and was then promoted to foreman of his own crew.
In 2003, Dan formed a steel erection company, Gabriel Steel Erectors, Inc. The following year, Dan started his own steel fabrication business, Orange County Ironworks, LLC. Dan oversees the day to day operations of both companies, focusing heavily on estimating and client development.
In 2009, with the continued success of both companies, Dan was able to purchase a piece of property on Maybrook Road in Montgomery and start construction of his state of the art fabrication facility. The building was completed in 2010, and Dan moved his staff into the new facility.
Most of the steel fabricated at the Montgomery facility is shipped to jobsites in NYC for erection by Gabriel Steel Erectors. Both Orange County Ironworks and Gabriel Steel Erectors have been highlighted in several trade magazines for their excellent work on various projects.
In addition to his duties for his businesses, Dan has also been involved in a number of industry-related organizations. Dan is a former board member of Construction Contractors Association.
He is currently a board member of the Journeyman and Apprentice Committee for Ironworkers Local 417 as well as a trustee of the Ironworkers Locals 40/361/417. Dan is a member of Allied Building Metal Industries, Inc., as well as the Fabricators, Erectors & Reinforcing Contractors Association.
After military service, Pete attended the University of Washington in Seattle on the G.I. Bill majoring in Economics and English. After college, he joined his father, mother and two brothers in Montreal where, with his father’s encouragement, he sought and got a job in advertising as a (very, very) junior copywriter/trainee in the Montreal office of J. Walter Thompson Canada. (At the time, JWT was the world’s largest advertising agency.)
JWT and advertising turned out to be a perfect fit for Pete. He moved up through the ranks in J. Walter Thompson-Montreal and then JWT-New York (1956-1969). On the way, he learned and excelled in his craft as a marketing and “branding” strategist. In Montreal, he held several positions, including V.P. Creative Director, V.P. General Manager and, at 26, became the youngest General Manager in JWT. Next step was a transfer to JWT-NY as a V.P. Creative Supervisor and creative trouble-shooter with a team tasked to tackle and solve difficult problems on major accounts.
In 1973, Pete set out on his own and was the founding partner of what became one of New York’s hottest, most successful advertising agencies – Mathieu, Gerfen & Bresner of New York (1973 -1981), a full service advertising agency & marketing communications company expert in positioning and differentiating premium brands and services. Perhaps MGB’s most notable success was the introduction of Perrier Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water to the USA and the resulting creation of the bottled water category industry.
In time, MGB was acquired by the Bloom Agency of New York & Dallas (1981-1984) where Pete became Vice-Chairman with overall creative and new business responsibility in both New York and Dallas. (During that period, the agency landed an Anheuser-Busch brand and grew from $90 to S200 million.)
In 1981, in search of a weekend get-away, Pete landed in Orange County’s Town of Montgomery where he purchased a 104 acre farm with a circa 1800 farm house desperately in need of restoration … White Tail Springs Farm. In the 90’s, as the Internet became “mainstream” and more and more business could be done on-line, Pete became a permanent resident when he moved his business and home to the Village and the Town of Montgomery. Local clients served at this time included: United Way of Orange County, Orange County Tourism, Frontier Communications, Horton Medical Center, ORMC – Orange Regional Medical Center, Reebok, Rockport, Calistoga Spring Water (CA), Celestial Seasonings Ice Teas, General Foods, Frank Shorter Sports, Dewers, etc.
Now, in semi-retirement, he volunteers to put his skills to work supporting Orange County causes and activities such as: Hudson Valley Cancer Resource Center, Orange County Veterans’ Association, OC Veterans’ Discount Program, United Way of Orange County, Montgomery Memorial Day Parade, Annual General Montgomery Day 8K, Memorial Day parades, the St. Pat’s Ramble, Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Museum, etc.
166 Benedict Road, Montgomery, NY 12549
Born and raised in the Village of Montgomery. Graduated from Montgomery High School and attended Orange County Community College. Majored in business and real estate.
Founder and Broker of Devitt Real Estate, with extensive experience in land subdivisions, the development of single-family dwellings, commercial businesses and apartment complexes to contribute to the growth of the Village of Montgomery.
Founder and President of numerous corporations including Super 8 Motels Northeast, Super 8 Management East, Winding Hills Golf Course, The Barge Inn/Super 8 Motel of Ithaca, Devitt Management & Associates, Inc., Springhouse Apartments Ltd. and others.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
New York State Business Development Corporation; Director
Orange County Firefighters Museum and Education Center, Founder, Past President, Board Member
Orange County Firefighters Association, Lifetime Member
Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Emeritus Board Member
Orange County Foreign Trade Zone; Member
Orange County Partnership; Director
Orange County Citizens Foundation; Past Director, Past President and Recipient of Ottaway Medal Award
Orange County Water Authority; Past Director
Orange County Legislator; 18th District 1978-1986
Orange County Democrat of the Year 2005
Orange County Board of Realtors, Past Member
Town of Montgomery Chamber of Commerce; Director and Past President
Town of Montgomery IDA; President
Stewart Advisory Commission, Member
Montgomery Fire Department, Wallkill Engine & Hose Company; Past Captain, 1st and 2nd Lieutenant and Past President
Town of Montgomery Planning Board, Past Member
Town of Montgomery Board of Assessors, Past Member
Village of Montgomery Historical Society, Founder and Past President
Senator Art Gray’s Land Use Committee for Stewart Airport, Past Member
Walden Rotary Club; Past President and Past Member
Super 8 Motel Presidents Advisory Council; Past Member
National Democratic Delegate
For the last 19 years, Joe and wife Marie, who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year, have made their home and raised their children in Cornwall, New York as well as spending time at their second home in Dana Point, California. Three of their children, Nicholas, Joseph and Hailey, are in college this year and Joe’s oldest daughter, Michelle, works with him at his company.
Joe lost his father, Paul, to Leukemia when he was 18. So when Casey MacDonald approached him with the concept to launch the Hudson Valley Cancer Resource Center, he encouraged her and jumped in to help her bring it to life. Joe wanted to honor his father’s memory and also try to help others who are facing the same devastating emotional and financial struggles his family experienced during his dad’s battle with cancer.
Joe founded Belsito Communications Inc. from his dining room table in 1993 and grew from a one-man show to a multi-million-dollar business with dozens of employees throughout the United States, including both coasts. The corporation was recently honored by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation.
Belsito Communications Inc. is diverse. In addition to publishing a variety of niche newspapers in 26 states, the company has launched strategic marketing, branding and custom software/website projects and business spin-offs into a wide variety of industries from banking and real estate to insurance and travel. Its strategic partners and customer base ranges from many local businesses, to national companies such as CNN, The Associated Press, MetLife, AFLAC, Peoples Bank, Skyline Financial, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.