CALLICOON  — The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce held its 49th annual meeting and Pride Awards Gala on Thursday evening, November 9 in the The Clubhouse at Villa Roma. Following a dinner and opening remarks from Chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce, Dawn Ciorciari, and the President & CEO, Jaime Schmeiser, the 10 Pride Award recipients were honored. 

This year’s honorees were the Businessperson of the Year: Joseph D’Abbraccio; Distinguished Achievement Award: Mike Taylor; Distinguished Service Awards: Julian Dawson and Al Frangipane; Emerging Leader Award: Bradlyn Matican; Township Awards: Doug Doetsch & Susan Manning (Seminary Hill), Denise & Rob Lombardi (Hurleyville General Store), Nick & Kate Rusin (Parksville Priorities & Liberty Rising), Joel Weinberger (Mountain Mall) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Workplace Excellence Award: Joan Patterson. 

“The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce brings strength to our members,” Schmeiser said. “The strength to start businesses, the strength to grow our economy and the strength to lead and advocate. But the real power comes in how members connect and collaborate through the Chamber.”

The Chamber’s President  and CEO noted that everyone has come together to support each other and the Chamber over the last year. She described that Sullivan County rolls up its sleeves, collaborates and innovates while being resilient in the face of challenges. 

“We cannot emphasize enough the strength of us working together, networking and fostering relationships between different communities, enterprises and government, by utilizing the strength of the Commerce,” said Schmeiser. “The Chamber aims to bridge the divide and promote unity.”

Joan Patterson, of Crystal Run Healthcare and recipient of the DEI Workplace Excellence Award, referenced in her speech that it’s not easy being an immigrant - which she is, but that the strength and perseverance shown by her now-98 year old mother was passed onto her. She said that her mother instilled in her, at times, unattainable boldness and self-confidence as well as a sense of faith in God. 

“Today, I am extremely honored to be in the company of pioneers, visionaries, humanitarians and people who just plain love the community,” Patterson said.  

Chamber of Commerce Board Member Brad Rutledge presented the first Township Award to Doug Doetsch and Susan Manning of Seminary Hill Cidery in the Town of Delaware. 

“Doug has roots in Callicoon that go back five generations,” said Rutledge. “For his grandparents, making cider and living off the land was simply a way of life.”

Rutledge said that Doug met his wife Susan while he practiced international and finance law in New York and Chicago. While he was “courting” Susan, the eventual co-founder of Seminary Hill, he took her on visits to the family homestead in Callicoon. 

“She grew a love of the area and together with Doug, saw an opportunity to revive sustainable agriculture and hospitality in the Catskills,” said Rutledge. “The result is the incredible Seminary Hill Cidery.”

Denise & Rob Lombardi of the Hurleyville General Store started their business four years ago in honor of their disabled son, RJ. Denise said that their mission was to create social and vocational opportunities for RJ, as well as other people with disabilities. 

“We stock ourselves with as many products as we can find that were made by disabled adults,” Denise Lombardi said. “The world turned upside down a few months after we opened in 2019 and we have faced numerous challenges. However, those challenges have been outweighed by the joy of working with multiple individuals with disabilities and the acceptance of the community at large who have embraced them.”

Nick & Kate Rusin, of Parksville Priorities & Liberty Rising, were introduced by Kate’s father, Frank DeMayo, the Town of Liberty Supervisor. 

“Nick and Kate’s union in marriage has carried over in their efforts to unify our community,” said DeMayo. “We all look forward to seeing what other blueprints they have in mind to enrich not just the youth, but all folks in our town.”

Joel Weinberger of Mountain Mall in Monticello was presented his Township Award by Les Kristt, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Kristt spoke of how Weinberger took over the mall in the Town of Thompson and began a major renovation. 

“Today the Mountain Mall is doing super,” Kristt said. “All 20 stores are filled and the other two buildings have productive tenants as well. The mall looks super and is attracting a lot of business and producing sales tax for the county with a great future now ahead of it.”

Bradyln Matican earned the Emerging Leader Award thanks to his work in his own accounting firm that he started in 2019 and giving back to the community through the Monticello Rotary. 

“I am honored to be named this year’s emerging leader,” Matican said. “I am very happy to be part of this community and to be able to help out and provide an influence while helping to see the change that I want to make in the community.”

Julian Dawson has been a Chief Professional Officer for the United Way of Sullivan County for over a decade and said it is a great acknowledgement.

“It shows that people see and appreciate what I do,” Dawson said.

Al Frangipane got the loudest cheers and longest standing ovation, as the “Heart Man” walked up to the stage and told stories of his difference making. Ciorciari introduced Frangipane as she held back tears talking about the massive difference he has made in the community. 

“You have touched everybody’s lives in this room and you are very deserving of this award,” Ciorciari said. “It’s an honor to know you as the heart man.”

Frangipane referenced what he had told the Democrat for the Pride Awards Magazine, saying, “I never view anything I do as an obligation, it’s an opportunity and that opportunity allows me to experience special moments.”

Mike Taylor was honored with the Distinguished Achievement Award for all of his work in Sullivan County, which is highlighted by taking on reinvigorating Holiday Mountain this year. 

“Give us the next couple of years and we’re going to make it into something great that we’re all going to be proud of,” Taylor said. 

The final award to be presented on Thursday evening was the Business Person of the Year to Joseph D’Abbraccio of Catskill Veterinary Services. 

“This recognition is not just a testament to my efforts, but also a reflection of the incredible team and support network that has fueled my team’s success,” D’Abbraccio said. “I don’t do this alone; the team includes my work family, my family, my colleagues around the state and the country. Then the community entrepreneurs like yourselves help support our practice to grow to what it is today.”