PUTNAM POSTING: Let’s Showcase, Highlight and Celebrate Putnam County Businesses
Jennifer Maher | March 12, 2018
Today begins the call for nominations for the “Women in Leadership” Trailblazer awards. The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing business excellence and non-profit achievement since 2011. Honoring professional achievement and civic contributions in the Putnam County community, the Trailblazer Awards represent the highest acknowledgment from professional peer judges across the county.
Over the years, the Trailblazer Awards has drawn thousands of attendees to network and celebrate the best and brightest in Putnam County, making this event the largest business networking event in the county. The annual gala has celebrated special categories, including “Entrepreneurial Spirit,” “The 40 Under 40” and “Trailblazer Alumni” and last Year’s “Best in Business” was a huge success.
Hosted at Villa Barone in Mahopac, this year’s Trailblazer Awards event will honor women for their leadership skills and high levels of achievement on June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a business networking lunch. We will be announcing a keynote speaker as the event draws closer, meanwhile the search is on for nominees, and sponsorships are available!
Leading businesswomen are often those who serve as mentors to others, who strive to find ways to accommodate the needs of a more diverse workforce (including flexible scheduling and other programs), help provide opportunities for advancement of women into high positions, and speak out regarding the business effectiveness of having more women in leadership positions in the workforce.
The mission of the Women in Leadership Trailblazer Awards is to showcase, highlight and celebrate Putnam County businesses, and for this your help is greatly needed. Please join us in making this event a huge success for our business community. We will be using social media to get the word out and to collect nominations! Nominate someone who exemplifies the title, “Women in Leadership” by emailing us at info@putnamchamberny.org
Putnam Financial Institutions Add Personal Touch
In a county often considered to be at an economic disadvantage to larger locales, it is important to recognize significant pluses when we find them. When it comes to “small town” lending institutions, we have four good examples in Tompkins Mahopac Bank, Putnam County Savings, Putnam County National Bank and Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union.
Tompkins Mahopac Bank is super supportive of chambers of commerce. John Kraus and Jerry Klein were our biggest supporters, sounding boards (and critics when needed) in starting the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. They offer guidance and support to area business organizations and it is greatly appreciated. On a personal level, I would never have made it through the market crash without the support and guidance of Sue Nunziata and Beth Lewis. They have shepherded many small businesses through economic twists and turns. Their commercial and residential lenders are top notch.
Putnam County Savings Bank, has been a “go to” for many commercial real estate clients. The extra mile that Mary Irish and Rob Farrier go in both lending to and supporting the business community has been steadfast, and they have kept that small town service level through their latest expansion and rebranding.
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union has local representatives such as Vince D’Ambroso and Patrick Donovan adding a personal touch to everything they do, plus the support they give the community make them a great alternative to the big lending institutions for car, home and commercial loans.
Putnam County National Bank is the only private, family owned bank in town. When you need special attention to details in underwriting they can often help. Wayne Ryder is a true Putnam County staple, still running things hands on with the help of people like Patty Chaffee.
Good banks provide opportunities to finance our dreams and invest in projects. These fine institutions and others position Putnam County well for a great future.
Jennifer Maher is a partner of J. Philip Real Estate and Founding Chairwoman of the Putnam County Business Council.