New Stewart Airport leader to speak at ‘Pattern for Progress' event

Port Authority’s Shorris to address Annual Awards Reception Nov. 1 NEWBURGH - On the same day he is scheduled to take the reins as the new head of Stewart Airport, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Anthony Shorris will address several hundred of the Hudson Valley’s business, government and nonprofit leaders at Pattern for Progress’ annual awards reception. “There is great anticipation among Pattern’s members at the prospects for Stewart Airport to become a catalyst for the Hudson Valley economy,” said Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO of Pattern for Progress. “This will be a great opportunity to hear Mr. Shorris share his vision for our regional airport.” The reception will also feature the presentation of Pattern’s annual awards to seven organizations and one individual for their work to improve the quality of life in the Hudson Valley. The recipients include: •Economic Development -- Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, for their remarkable regional efforts to market the Valley. •Regional Achievement: Columbia-Greene Community College, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Greene County Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Greene and Columbia counties, who have successfully “bridged” the Hudson River to demonstrate the power of regional cooperation. •Quality of Life: In keeping with Pattern’s efforts to focus on housing, two organizations with distinguished records in this area will be honored: Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation and Community Preservation Corporation. •Lifetime Achievement: Awarded to a former board member who has remained active in improvements to the quality of life in the Hudson Valley: Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff “Two themes for this year’s awards are cross-region cooperation and the importance of affordable housing to quality of life in the region,” said Carl Meyer, President of Central Hudson, who chairs Pattern’s Board of Directors. “These award winners inspire us with their leadership on issues that really matter to the Hudson Valley.” Sponsors for the event include Riverside Bank, Advance Testing Company, Leyland Alliance, Westage Companies, All Bright Electric, Con Edison, Frontier Communications, JMC Marketing Communications & PR, Laborers Local 17, M&T Bank, N&S Supply, Orange Regional Medical Center, and Ulster Savings Bank. Prior to his appointment as head of the Port Authority in January, Mr. Shorris was a faculty member at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and the Director of the Policy Research Institute for the region. In the nonprofit sector, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of a billion dollar health care organization operating in New York and Pennsylvania. He has also served as Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Policy at the New York City Board of Education, the nation’s largest school system, and he served as New York City’s Commissioner of Finance under then-Mayor Edward I. Koch. Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residents through regional solutions. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, NY, Pattern serves nine counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. The event takes place at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. For more information concerning reservations or sponsorship opportunities contact Pattern for Progress at 845-565-4900, or online at www.pattern-for-progress.org.