White Plains, NY - The Business Council of Westchester has announced the 2012 inductees into the Westchester County Business Hall of Fame, a program that recognizes the lifetime achievements of Westchester County businesses.

The winners will be inducted at the Business Council’s 11th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, chaired by Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson of Thompson & Bender and Thomas R. Lalla Jr. of Pernod Ricard, on April 19, 2012 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

The 2012 Business Hall of Fame inductees are:
Corporate Citizenship: Pernod Ricard USA
Entrepreneurial Success: Robert Martin Company
Small Business Success: Community Mutual Savings Bank
Women in Business Success: Lenore Minerva, Empress Emergency Medical Services
Family Business Success: Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.

“The Business Council is proud to recognize the accomplishments of these five companies that exemplify the best in business practices and community involvement.  As we enter our second decade of this prestigious award, we look forward to honoring the newest inductees and supporting previous winners, who continue to make their mark on Westchester County and beyond,” said Business Council President/CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon.

"This year's entire roster of Hall of Fame nominees represents some of the best and brightest of Westchester's business community. While diverse in terms of size and industry, all have a common thread: deep roots in the Westchester community and a concentration of brilliance and strategic thinking.  They are all winners and serve as models of Westchester County's new economic gardening philosophy, which promotes and provides the tools to cultivate existing Westchester businesses to flourish and grow,” Bracken-Thompson commented.

Pernod Ricard USA’s, contributions to Westchester County reflect its parent company’s global commitment to corporate social responsibility. One of the country’s leading distributors of premium liquors, Pernod Ricard USA’s charitable contributions—including cash grants, product donations and employee volunteer efforts—exceeded $1 million in 2011.

Founded in 1957 by Robert Weinberg and the late Martin Berger, Robert Martin Company, LLC is widely regarded as a pioneer in multi-family residential, suburban, office park and mixed use urban renewal projects. By the time of the company’s merger with Mack-Cali Realty Corp. in 1997, Robert Martin had become Westchester’s largest diversified land developer and builder.

Community Mutual Savings Bank, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2012, is the oldest locally-owned bank in Westchester County.  In 2005 Community Mutual embarked on a vision to change its direction, culture, operations and business strategy, strengthening its competitive edge while remaining a true community bank, deeply committed to giving back on the local level.

As CEO of Empress Emergency Medical Services, Lenore Minerva has worked tirelessly for more than 25 years to provide emergency medical services and aftercare transportation services throughout southern Westchester County.  Founded by Minerva and her late husband Daniel, Empress is the sole provider of 9-1-1 emergency medical response for the City of Yonkers and offers mutual aid to New York City and several Westchester communities.

Yonkers Raceway was founded in 1899, and was home to the Westchester County Fair for many years after being acquired by the Rooney family in 1972. Established as Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in 2006, the property now features more than 5,300 slot machines, electronic roulette, baccarat and video craps, along with several dining options.

Presented by MasterCard Worldwide and Entergy, the Westchester County Business Hall of Fame Dinner draws nearly 500 people annually. For registration and/or additional information, visit www.westchesterny.org or contact Denise Woodin at 914-948-2110.

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