Westchester Business Council Sets Record As It Honors State Delegation, Marks Leadership Shift

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Longtime leaders of one of the region's most influential organizations will depart on a high note.

More than 500 business, civic and community leaders gathered Tuesday night in New Rochelle as the Business Council of Westchester held what it described as the most successful annual dinner in its history. The event at VIP Country Club honored members of Westchester’s New York State legislative delegation, recognized retiring Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Ravitz, and introduced incoming Board Chair Joe McCoy.

According to the Business Council of Westchester, the annual dinner supported the Hudson Valley’s largest business advocacy and membership organization. BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon and BCW Executive Vice President Noam Bramson moderated an on-stage panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and committee chairs J. Gary Pretlow, Amy Paulin, Steve Otis and Nathalia Fernandez.

The lawmakers outlined their key priorities for 2027.

The event also honored Senators Shelley Mayer, Peter Harckham and Jamaal Bailey, along with Assemblymembers Chris Burdick, Dana Levenberg, Nader J. Sayegh, MaryJane Shimsky and Matt Slater.

"Westchester’s powerhouse legislative team is uniquely positioned to shape statewide policy, and we are very fortunate to benefit from their outstanding leadership," Gordon said. "The BCW is committed to building on our strong partnership with the delegation and continuing to serve as the eyes, ears, and voice of the business community."

The dinner marked two leadership transitions inside the organization. Ravitz, a former six-term state assemblyman, will retire at the end of this year after 15 years as the BCW’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. According to the BCW, he helped guide the group’s government advocacy, launched coalitions focused on economic development and clean energy, and built relationships across public, private and nonprofit sectors.

BCW Board Chair Jamie Schutzer praised Ravitz during the event.

"John Ravitz is a great colleague, an invaluable asset, and, above all, a stellar human being, who has earned the admiration and friendship of our entire board and staff," Schutzer said. “"The positive legacy of John’s accomplishments will continue to shape the BCW and the business community as a whole for many years to come."

Schutzer, who also will step down at the end of this year, introduced McCoy as incoming board chair. The BCW said McCoy leads commercial banking at Valley Bank and brings more than 25 years of financial services experience and community involvement in Westchester County.

Looking ahead, the organization also offered what it called an exclusive sneak peek of Choose Westchester, an economic development platform set to launch in 2027. According to the BCW, the initiative will include an app, website and AI-enabled concierge designed to highlight Westchester’s strengths, attract growth and promote investment-readiness across the county’s municipalities.