The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development held its 30th annual meeting and awards dinner at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello on Thursday with nearly 300 people in attendance. The evening was celebrated at the “30th Pearl Anniversary” which symbolizes the purity, honesty and wisdom of a three-decade-long relationship.

“Everyone of you in this room is like a pearl,” said outgoing Partnership Chair Karen Fisher in her opening comments. “We all undergo the transformative process and just like the oyster under stress, over time we build up our businesses, patiently and consistently towards innovation, adaptation and resilience. Perseverance has brought our county some extraordinary results.”

Sullivan County Democrat Publisher and Chair of the Partnership Marketing Committee, Fred Stabbert III, began the program with a welcome and recognition of the event’s sponsors. 

Incoming Chair and current Chair of the Membership Committee, Michael Zalkin also gave some remarks. Zalkin oversees real estate and other investments held in his sub-chapter S corp, Birchwood Lodge, Inc.

“My goal is to support an economic development effort that is producing results,” said Zalkin. “I welcome cooperation with our fellow organizations and local and county governments. Let’s work together to improve Sullivan County. Sullivan County is very good for business and the Partnership is here to contribute to economic development and help your business succeed.”

Partnership President and CEO Marc Baez then gave his report and annual presentation. 

“The Partnership began thirty years ago when a small group of business owners got together and studied organizations to begin the process of putting together the foundation of what this organization has become today,” Baez said. “It was 1993 and the hotel industry, the predominate economic force in Sullivan County, was on its last breath.” 

Baez concluded his presentation by honoring founding member Gary Schmidt with a Legacy Award. Schmidt was the 2002 winner of the Walter A. Rhulen Award. 

“[Schmidt] has been a valued member of our community, has been on the board [of the Partnership] since its inception and has invested in many organizations,” Baez said. “He’s very quiet, but when he speaks it is meaningful, profound and has a lot of merit.”

Schmidt thanked the Partnership for recognizing him for his part in the organization. 

“It has been my pleasure and honor for the past thirty years to serve with business leaders, the board and the staff that have helped this Partnership grow and prosper. The thanks should really be to them, Schmidt said.”

This year’s Walter A. Rhulen Award recipient was Steve Dubrovsky, founder of The Chapin Estate and President of Chapin Construction, LLC, and award-winning planner, designer and builder. A video highlighting first-hand stories from community members on Dubrovsky’s impact was shown. Steve’s wife, Anne Dubrovsky, presented him with the award which recognizes an individual or individuals for business excellence, community commitment and service to humanity. 

“Long ago, I met and fell in love with a cowboy,” Anne said of her husband, who is also a champion of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. “This cowboy is the love of my life. His vision was to help turn Sullivan County into a pearl and his work has been instrumental in pioneering Sullivan Catskills as a high-end travel destination and a location for luxury living.”

Dubrovsky has 36 years of experience specializing in Adirondack and Northwestern-style custom homes in many states. 

Fisher presented the Distinguished Service Award to George Kinne, the President and CEO of Jeff Bank and a member of the board of directors and President of Jeffersonville Bancorp. Kinne has served on the Partnership’s board of directors for 18 years and is an active member of the Finance and Revolving Loan Committee.  

“Congratulations to the Partnership for Economic Development on their 30-year anniversary,” said Kinne. “Congratulations to the Partnership for Economic Development on their thirty-year anniversary.

“I’ve been a board member for 18 years and I remember the first board meeting that I attended. It was an honor for me to be on board and among business leaders who I admired and looked up to,” Kinne said.