Business Council of Westchester Presents Hall of Fame Awards
The Business Council of Westchester, the premier business organization dedicated to economic development and advocacy in Westchester County, presented its prestigious Business Hall of Fame Awards Tuesday night during a virtual ceremony, recognizing Westchester’s top business leaders. Six top companies were honored as part of the 2020 Business Hall of Fame Awards.
“The quality of this year’s inductees is truly outstanding. They represent the very best of Westchester businesses and represent a wide range of industry sectors,’’ said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “They include a leader in the conversion of renewable waste fuels into clean energy; the nation’s largest family owned and operated healthcare laundry company; a leading provider of energy products and services for consumers and businesses; a major American source for eyewear, sunglasses and optical accessories; two highly successful women in the commercial real estate field and the largest private not‑for‑profit arts council in New York State. Congratulations to this year’s honorees and welcome to the BCW Hall of Fame.
The 2020 honorees join a roster of more than 95 businesses who have been inducted in the BCW Hall of Fame. The awards recognize visionaries who have grown their businesses through innovation and inspired leadership and whose commitment to excellence has added to the economic vitality of Westchester’s economy.
The Winners in their respective categories:
Chairman’s Recognition Reward
ArtsWestchester
For over 50 years ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest private not‑for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision and support to ensure the availability, accessibility and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester works in the spirit of an entrepreneur to provide arts programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester. It helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; supports public art; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the neo‑classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi‑use resource for artists, cultural organizations and the community. During CEO Janet Langsam’s time at the helm of ArtsWestchester, the organization has grown from a $1 million to a $4.5 million agency.
Women in Business Success
Patricia Simone and Joanna Simone, Simone Development Companies
Patricia Simone and Joanna Simone are principals of Simone Development Companies—a full service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of office, retail, industrial and healthcare properties in the Tristate Area. Patricia is Principal and President of Simone Management Group, the management and operations arm of Simone Development Companies. With over 10 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Patricia has gained in-depth experience in leasing various commercial property types, property management operations, site selection/acquisitions, ground‑up development and re-development projects. Joanna currently serves as a Principal and Vice President of Leasing and Property Management Operations for Simone Development Companies. Joanna has specialized in lease negotiations, property management operations, and value‑added asset repositioning. Joanna, who executes over 100 lease transactions per year, was named one of CoStar’s Power Brokers of the Year and a Rising Star in Real Estate by Crain’s New York Business.
Corporate Citizenship
Wheelabrator Technologies
Wheelabrator is an industry leader in the safe and environmentally sound conversion of residential and business waste and other renewable waste fuels into clean energy. Since 1984, it has been converting post‑recycled waste to clean, renewable energy for the Hudson Valley. Its goal is to reduce waste and reliance on fossil fuels while creating renewable energy to power homes, schools and town centers. For over 35 years, the company has been creating jobs and supporting businesses throughout the region. Since it began operations it has provided the benefits of stable, long-term, well-paying jobs, economic stimulus in the form of capital investments and the purchase of local goods and services. Wheelabrator supports and invests in civic and charitable organizations, schools and environmental causes throughout New York.
Entrepreneurial Success
Unitex
Robison is the leading provider of energy products and services in the Westchester area. Headquartered in Port Chester, it supplies natural gas and electricity; delivers home heating oil and clean‑burning biofuel; services and installs heating and air conditioning systems; provides plumbing services 24/7, and delivers indoor air quality solutions. Celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, Robison has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving the changing needs of its customers. The company has remained a family owned enterprise through several generations. Saul Singer’s father founded the company in coal delivery. It transitioned to oil service and delivery and Saul Singer took command followed by his sons David and Dan. In 1984, important changes were set in motion when the Singer family acquired Robison.
Family Owned Business Success
Robison Oil
Robison is the leading provider of energy products and services in the Westchester area. Headquartered in Port Chester, it supplies natural gas and electricity; delivers home heating oil and clean‑burning biofuel; services and installs heating and air conditioning systems; provides plumbing services 24/7, and delivers indoor air quality solutions. Celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, Robison has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving the changing needs of its customers. The company has remained a family owned enterprise through several generations. Saul Singer’s father founded the company in coal delivery. It transitioned to oil service and delivery and Saul Singer took command followed by his sons David and Dan. In 1984, important changes were set in motion when the Singer family acquired Robison.
Small Business Success
Zyloware Eyewear
Zyloware Eyewear was founded in 1923 by Joseph Shyer as an eyeglass frame manufacturing facility in Long Island City. Proud to have styled generations of families, Zyloware is dedicated to providing classic, fashionable and quality eyewear to men and women around the world. Operated by the third generation of Shyer’s and currently in their 97th year of business, Zyloware continues its heritage of fine craftsmanship and impeccable style along with dedication to the community. After several expansions and its evolution into the global supplier it is today, Zyloware moved to its new corporate headquarters to Port Chester in 2010, increasing its square footage by 50%. Zyloware believes everyone should have access to quality eyewear and is proud to partner with several optical charities to help bring vision care to those in need. Eyewear brands include Leon Max, Maxstudio.com, Via Spiga, Randy Jackson, Sophia Loren, Daisy Fuentes, Project Runway, Stetson, Shaquille O’Neal and more!
Healthcare Construction Company, Simone Health, Shares Tips for Healthcare Construction in Prefabricated Buildings
With more than one hundred properties spanning across five million square feet, Healthcare Construction Company, Simone Health, uses their vast knowledge specializing in healthcare properties to share four helpful tips for healthcare construction in prefabricated buildings.
- Begin collaboration early. Early collaboration and decision making promotes creativity and confidence in designers when it comes to the project at hand. Prefabricated buildings offer an increased level of convenience due to the elements already established and in place at the beginning of the construction process.
- Water test bathroom pods. It’s simple for developers to design mock pods for client review, but a water test is the essential step that is routinely skipped. Don’t take the easy way out. Conducting water tests can shed light on unforeseen issues before any additional construction begins, saving you both time and money.
- Get designing — be prepared to make design decisions earlier than usual. Every little detail counts but when it comes to designing a prefabricated building, it’s easy to overlook the small details such as paint color or lighting hues. Start with the basics and then dive into a higher level of attention to detail even before project designers lay eyes on the work. This approach will set your team up for success down the line.
- Be cautious of connection locations of prefab components. Keep an eye out for the connection locations of prefabricated components as your team begins installation. When determining the prefabrication space, make sure there is room to accommodate every aspect of every component. Potentially tight working spaces can lead to possible construction challenges and delays. Staying aware of measurements and maintaining a close eye on how the project will unfold is essential when managing a construction project for a prefabricated building.
“The advantages of prefabricated buildings are tremendous from lowered building costs to higher efficiency in construction. Following these four steps will help you and your business stay ahead of the game and avoid some commonly made mistakes,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
Healthcare Real Estate Development Firm, Simone Health, Shares How Cloud Computing Helps Internal Hospital Communications
Aimed to empower healthcare providers achieve world-class outcomes in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, healthcare real estate development firm, Simone Health, uses their knowledge share how cloud computing helps internal hospital communications.
Cloud computing uses a network of remote servers through the internet to store, manage and process data. As opposed to the previously used method of storing data and information on a local server, this approach for internal hospital communication provides more flexibility, security, and streamline connection.
- Flexibility. Cloud computing provides full access to vital information anywhere and anytime. The flexibility of instant access, as well as an unlimited capacity for data allows for healthcare providers to be able to accurately address patient needs in a shorter amount of time.
- Security. Security concerns are without a doubt raised when it comes to the storage of confidential patient information within a healthcare facility. Where hospitals choose to store their information is essential to keeping important patient details safe and secure from outside sources. Cloud computing is a HIPAA business associate and has advanced security measures put in place to monitor and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare data. Designed to protect any health information or medical records healthcare providers choose to store within the cloud, cloud computing provides a better level of security than ever before.
- Streamline Collaboration. Streamlining collaboration is another benefit of utilizing cloud computing. By using cloud software, healthcare professionals can now edit, collaborate, and comment on the same documents, at the same time regardless of location. This advanced level of collaboration cuts out any confusion between doctors and nurses in order to achieve a seamless healthcare experience from start to finish.
“Cloud computing provides numerous tools to improve internal communications within healthcare facilities. Increased security measures and extreme flexibility for holding and sharing information, as well as more advanced ways for healthcare teams to communicate will undoubtedly reshape the healthcare industry for years to come,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
Mixed-Use Development Company, Simone Health, Explains Why 5G Matters for Healthcare Industry
For the healthcare industry, staying up to date with the latest generation of network technology is essential for providing top patient care. A 5G network brings flexibility, accessibility and most importantly, has the ability to revolutionize healthcare. New York based mixed-use development company, Simone Health, explains three reasons why 5G matters for the healthcare industry.
5G Is Scalable.
The fifth generation of wireless technology, 5G, presents the capacity to handle high volumes of healthcare information. The scalability of 5G is able to support an increased size that surpasses the capabilities of the previously used 4G network. The 5G network operates at frequencies approximately one thousand times faster than 4G allowing for mixed-use medical facilities to effectively handle process more or less information when necessary. With this advancement, healthcare is going to be taken to new heights.
5G Increases Patient Accessibility.
Patient accessibility has become fundamental to proper healthcare. 5G offers the latest generation of network technology engineered to have the highest speed of data available, while simultaneously connecting patients directly to their own healthcare. Telemedicine and online tools will now grant patients the ability to take control of their healthcare files and information with internet speeds guaranteeing connection anytime and anywhere.
5G Allows Doctors to Treat Patients in Remote Locations.
5G has the ability to revolutionize healthcare by taking it farther than just the hospital walls. Introducing an entirely new approach to home healthcare, 5G has the capability to record activity and vital levels of patients outside of any healthcare facility. For those in rural areas, 5G technology also has the potential to eliminate the need for time-consuming travel. With the advancement of remote home and health monitoring systems, healthcare professionals can now provide excellent patient care with the same technology and tools in remote locations.
“In the healthcare industry, remaining up to date with the latest technology is integral for delivering quality healthcare. Implementing 5G technology has the potential to improve the way we deliver healthcare and transform patient lives,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
Medical Real Estate Developers, Simone Health, Discuss How Medical Facility Design Promote Employee Satisfaction
There are a lot of factors that go into a good design: light and noise considerations, prime spatial awareness, easy wayfinding, logical lay-outs… the list goes on. Designing healthcare facilities comes with its own challenges and considerations that many other buildings do not, making the design of medical buildings all the more important when it comes to the details and process-design.
However, designing the right medical building can reap a huge number of benefits, not only for patients, but for staff members. Medical real estate developers, Simone Health, discuss how medical facility design can promote employee satisfaction down below.
Staff-Only Outdoor Space: Incorporating outdoor space into healthcare facilities is an up and coming design trend, but there’s a way to take its benefits to the next level: providing a separate outdoor space for employees. Outdoor spaces are already proven to reduce stress-levels and improve work performance, but there is often one communal outdoor space for all visitors, patients, and staff to relax in. It would be highly beneficial to your staff well-being if there was a section for only staff members, where they can escape from the eyes of patients and their visitors. It’ll provide even more stress-reduction, and allow them to go back to caring for patients with a smile on their face.
Reduced Noise Levels: The noise level of a healthcare center, especially hospitals, if often too loud of a decibel level to be relaxing. Healthcare workers are in a high-stress and noisy environment every hour they’re working, those of which are typically very long. A design consideration that can benefit staff and patients alike is proper soundproofing throughout the entire medical facility. This will bring down the decibel level and provide a less stressful and comfortable environment for everyone, allowing employees to improve their focus and service.
Improved Patient Wayfinding: You may think that improving patient wayfinding only benefits patients and their visitors. Well, there’s a huge benefit in this design consideration for employees as well: not having to deal with lost, wandering patients meandering around the hallways. Ensuring there’s a system in place that allows patients and their visitors to find their way around the facility unassisted allows staff to focus on their tasks and avoid unauthorized folks from entering hallways they’re not supposed to.
Standardization of Medical Tools: One final design consideration is the standardization of medical tools. This is especially helpful in high-volume clinics and emergency departments, where staff members need to act urgently. Having a standard set-up in every patient room ensures that medical staff always know where something is, no matter what room they’re in or what kind of patient issue they’re dealing with. This can reduce stress in these often life-or-death situations, improving the overall employee experience.
“Happy staff make for happy patients. If you want your patient satisfaction levels consistently high, it’s essential to pay attention to the concerns of your staff members who are caring for them. Incorporate some of the suggestions above to give your medical staff the work environment they deserve so they can provide the best service to your patients in return,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
Fresh & Co. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Location at Simone Development’s Boyce Thompson Center
Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, joined with Yonkers City officials and executives from Fresh & Co. to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Fresh & Co. location at the Boyce Thompson Center in Yonkers, NY.
“The grand opening of Fresh & Co. further enhances the excellent roster of top-quality tenants we offer at the Boyce Thompson Center. We’re particularly pleased that Fresh & Co. chose the Boyce Thompson Center for its first location in Westchester and the first outside of New York City,” said Mr. Simone, the owner and developer of the Boyce Thompson Center.
Fresh & Co., a healthy food chain offering chef-inspired organic seasonal food, is occupying 2,160 square feet in the innovative 85,000-square-foot mixed-use center in Northwest Yonkers. This is the company’s first location outside of New York City where it has 18 locations.
The Boyce Thompson Center features a wide array of healthcare tenants including St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Westmed Medical Group, ColumbiaDoctors, Riverside Dental Health, Westchester Gastroenterology, Juvanni Med Spa, ENT & Allergy Associates, Metro Vein Centers and Motion PT Group.
Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, Transforming Pediatric Care in Westchester
Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, is transforming the way pediatric specialty care is delivered throughout Westchester County with the development of a state-of-art pediatric specialty care center in the Town of Harrison, NY. Mr. Simone is renovating a vacant four-story office building at 104 Corporate Park Drive in Harrison into a 115,000-square-foot facility that will be leased to Montefiore Health System.
“This is a very exciting day for Simone Healthcare Development as we begin our work to transform this building into a pediatric specialty care center for Montefiore Health System. Over the past few years healthcare has become a prominent feature in the Westchester Avenue corridor. We are proud to have Montefiore’s expertise in pediatric care in our building,” said Mr. Simone. “This pediatric specialty care center will be a first of its kind in the region, offering comprehensive ambulatory pediatric specialty care in one state-of the art building. It will provide a comfort zone for children and families in the entire region,” said Mr. Simone.
“The redevelopment of this new center continues the major transformation underway along Westchester’s I-287 corridor where vacant office parks are being repurposed into new uses including outpatient care facilities, rental housing, retail stores and a fitness center,” said Mr. Simone.