GOSHEN, N.Y. (December 26, 2018) – Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) has announced the selection of five Board Members to its Executive Committee. Appointees include Robert J. Levine of Corrigan, Baker & Levine, LLC; Josh Sommers of Focus Media; Erin Loosen of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; Mark Kastner of The Chazen Companies; Anthony B. Gioffre, III of Cuddy and Feder LLP.
Mr. Robert J. Levine, Esq., will continue to serve in his role as Board Chair. Levine is a founding member, Partner and Chairman of Corrigan, Baker & Levine, LLC. He practices in the areas of corporate and real estate law, representing both large and small entities. He has extensive experience counseling and advising clients on corporate formations, structuring and restructuring, business sales and acquisitions, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, employment and severance agreements, and general commercial litigation. His real estate practice covers property sales and acquisitions, leasing, financing, development and litigation, and he has represented both buyers and sellers regarding the transfer and development of large commercial properties. Levine has served on the HVEDC Board of Directors since 2011.
Mr. Josh Sommers has been appointed to the role of First Vice Chair. Sommers is President and CEO of Focus Media in Goshen, N.Y., one of the largest public relations and marketing firms in the state outside of Manhattan, and recognized by PR Week as one of the fastest growing agencies in the nation in recent years. Under Sommers’ leadership, Focus Media has won more than 200 national awards for marketing in health care, tourism and economic development. The agency has played key roles for major regional properties including Resorts World Catskills, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, LEGOLAND New York and Greater Hudson Valley Health System, to name a few. Sommers is a past recipient of the Walter A. Rhulen Award from the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development and the Pillar of the Community Award from Cornerstone Family Healthcare. Focus Media is the agency of record for HVEDC, and Sommers has served on its Board of Directors since 2010.
Ms. Erin Loosen has been appointed to the role of Second Vice Chair. Loosen handles Government Affairs and Public Policy for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. She currently has primary responsibility for Regeneron’s New York State government affairs, while also supporting the company’s public policy team located in Washington, D.C. Prior to her arrival at Regeneron, Loosen was the director of business development and marketing for C.W. Brown Inc. She had also been business development manager for The Chazen Companies and spent a portion of her career in the political arena working for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Congresswoman Sue Kelly.
Mr. Mark Kastner has been appointed to the role of Treasurer. Kastner is President and Principal with The Chazen Companies, a Poughkeepsie-based firm that is a regional leader in providing professional services including civil engineering, planning, environmental and safety consulting, code services, construction services, transportation planning, traffic engineering and more to clients in the public and private sectors. A licensed professional engineer himself, Kastner has more than 30 years of professional experience. Under his leadership, The Chazen Companies have amassed numerous awards, including 2018 recognition by the Albany Business Review as Top Engineering Firm and Top Landscape Architecture Firm, as well as being named a Top Work Place by the Times Union. Kastner has served on the HVEDC Board of Directors since 2011.
Mr. Anthony B. Gioffre III, has been appointed to the role of Secretary. Gioffre is a Partner at Cuddy and Feder LLP., which has offices in White Plains and Fishkill. He is the chairman of the firm’s Land Use, Zoning & Development Group. He practices in real estate development, zoning, environmental law and related litigation. Gioffre also serves as a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He regularly represents national developers, retailers, religious institutions, individuals and the telecommunications industry before municipal and state land use, zoning and environmental agencies. Gioffre assists clients with all aspects of the land use permitting and regulatory compliance process, including compliance with New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act. He regularly publishes articles and lectures across the country at continuing legal education seminars on current land use and zoning issues. He is also a New York State approved real estate instructor.
“These five individuals have a collective finger on the pulse of what makes the Hudson Valley go and what makes it grow,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC. “They have all been involved with our organization for a number of years, and their contributions have helped shape the vision our organization and its constituents have shared, and the successes that have come of it. I look forward to continuing our long-standing relationships and working with them at the helm of our newly energized Board of Directors.”
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com.
