ROCKLAND: REDC Awards Luncheon Set for Nov. 20

SUFFERN—The Crowne Plaza in Suffern will be the venue for the Rockland Economic Development Corp.’s 21st Annual Economic Development Awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 20.

The highly popular event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a networking reception. The program will be highlighted by the official recognition of the REDC’s 2015 award winners.

Award of Distinction: veteran real estate executive Alan Yassky has been named the winner of the 2015 REDC Award of Distinction. Yassky, a Rockland County native, founded Rockland Realty in 1964. The firm began in the residential real estate business but grew into the commercial arena with the growth of Rockland County.

Yassky served as treasurer and chair of the National Association of Realtors Finance Committee from 1998 until 2000. He also served as vice president and liaison to committees in 1996, chair of the Housing Needs Committee in 1992, vice chair of the Education Committee in 1988 and 1990, and served on the Strategic Planning Committee for six years. He has been on the NAR Board of Directors for more than 10 years.

At the state level, he was president of the New York State Association of Realtors in 1987, president-elect in 1986, vice president in 1985, and secretary-treasurer in 1984. At NYSAR, he was chair of the Budget and Finance Committee in 1984 and chair of the Executive Committee in 1988. He has been a member of the NYSAR Board of Directors since 1980. In 1987, he was named Realtor of the Year by NYSAR.

On the local level, Yassky served as president of the Rockland County Board of Realtors (now the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors) in 1976, having previously held all of the elected seats of that organization. He also served as chair of the board’s Membership, Legislative, Education, and Nominating Committees. He was an officer and director of the Rockland County Multiple Listing System.

He was twice-named Realtor of the Year by Rockland County, in 1980 and again in 1987. In 1983, he was named Rockland County Business Man of the Year. After many years of service on the board of the Rockland Economic Development Agency, REDC elected him Director Emeritus in 2001.

Service Provider of the Year: Childcare Resources of Rockland, Inc. works with a range of constituent groups to ensure that all children in Rockland County receive a strong start in school and in life. It’s a simple biological fact: the human brain grows to 85% of its adult size between conception and age three. That’s why investing in early care and learning makes sense and why guiding the way for that investment in Rockland County is at the heart of the agency’s work.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Skae Power Solutions, established in 1998, is one of the nation’s leading engineering services providers, with subject matter expertise in mission critical infrastructure. Headquartered in Palisades, the firm has completed major installation and expansion projects for a wide variety of commercial, financial, institutional, medical and government clients across the nation. From concept to commissioning, from site selection to total facility-managed services, Skae assists clients with a full range of services, such as design and build, equipment procurement, project management, installation, facilities management and service contracts & logistical support.

Manufacturer of the Year: Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is at the forefront of developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative and cost-effective generic pharmaceuticals. Par is a global company with 1,900 employees in North America, Europe and Asia. This year the firm added 100,000 square feet to its Chestnut Ridge Campus, investing more than $25 million and relocating 140-200 employees from New Jersey to Chestnut Ridge, which will serve as Par’s global headquarters as well as Research & Development operations. The expansion and investment will bring total employment to approximately 600 in Rockland County in four buildings. More than 90% of Par’s $1.3 billion revenues are derived from products manufactured at their flagship manufacturing facility in Chestnut Ridge.

REDC PTAC Hall of Fame Recipient: OC Lugo Company Inc. is a second-generation family run business. Richard Lugo, president, has grown the company from a chemical supplier into a manufacturing operation for the production of emergency chemical oxygen candles while continuing to meet the needs of the military, petrochemical and marine markets through its chemical distribution unit.