MONTICELLO — The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development has announced that Mike Taylor will be honored as the 2025 Walter A. Rhulen Award recipient at this year’s Annual Meeting on October 9 at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, NY.

The prestigious Rhulen Award recognizes an individual or individuals for business excellence, community commitment, and service to humanity.

Taylor has taken over his family business, Combined Energy Services (CES), founded by his parents Walt and Patricia Taylor and grown it into a multi-disciplinary company that serves the tristate area with oil & propane, specialty gas, carbonation service, storage, and pool supplies. Under Taylor’s leadership CES has become a powerhouse in the energy sector, investing and creating jobs throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. Since 1968 CES has invested, expanded, provided energy products and services, and has grown to serve eight locations throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey from central offices right here in Sullivan County.

Additionally, the Partnership will recognize Kevin McLaren as its Distinguished Service Award winner.

McLaren, the Commercial Banking Market President for Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, has been a proud board member of the Sullivan County Partnership for approximately 15 years. McLaren’s tenure on the board was predominantly held when he represented Catskill Hudson Bank as president and has helped throughout the merger of the two financial institutions. “Kevin has been a dedicated and outstanding board member, offering his expertise and volunteer involvement with a personal touch that shows that he truly cares about the work of the Partnership,” said Marc Baez, President and CEO.

The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9 at Resorts World Catskills from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. To RSVP or to become a sponsor, call 845-794-1110 or email Jen Cassaro at cassaro.jen@scpartnership.com.