Andrew Pavloff and Thomas Weddell to be Honored by Community Foundation Awards to be Bestowed During November 14 Annual Reception

MONTGOMERY, NY – Andrew Pavloff and Thomas Weddell, outstanding business and civic leaders, will be honored by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan during their Annual Reception from 5:30-8:30 pm, on Wednesday, November 14, at Anthony’s Pier 9, in New Windsor. More than 400 community and key business leaders are expected to attend, where honorees will be presented with the 2018 David T. Cocks Award for Commitment to Community, an annual recognition bestowed upon those who make significant contributions to enrich the lives of others in Orange and Sullivan counties. This year’s event is generously sponsored by Crystal Run Health, Presenting Philanthropy Sponsor; The Kaplan Family Private Foundations, Platinum Event Sponsor; and Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc., Networking Reception Sponsors, among others.

Andrew Pavloff, of Newburgh, is a devoted and esteemed member of the Sullivan County business and civic communities. A successful Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the American Institute of CPAs as well as the New York State Society of CPAs for more than 36 years, he has dedicated much of his time to growing an accounting firm while giving back to his local community. Mr. Pavloff’s career has focused on professional accounting, audit, tax and consulting services for people, businesses, local governments and nonprofit entities throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. He served as a Trustee for the Village of Woodridge (1992-94), a Board Member of the United Way of Orange County (2008-2011), and also as the first Chairman of the Woodridge Fire District (1998-2007) while also serving as an active volunteer firefighter (1976-2007). In 2009 he joined the Professional Advisors Council of the Community Foundation (CFOS), and soon after, he joined the Board of Directors in the same year. During his tenure on the CFOS Board of Directors, he chaired the Audit Committee, during which time the Foundation completed four clean financial audits. Mr. Pavloff also serves on the Boards of Catskill Regional Medical Center (2009-present) and Hudson Valley Health System (2011-Present), where he serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.

Thomas Weddell, of Newburgh, has spent much of his active accounting career focused on giving back to his community. He began his profession as a CPA in 1978 and became Partner at the firm RBT CPAs (formerly known as Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovani & Weddell, LLP), just six short years after he was hired. His resume boasts more than 30 years of auditing, accounting, tax and business development experience in addition to experience in transportation, manufacturing, nonprofit, wholesale, retail and distribution. Mr. Weddell served as the Managing Partner at RBT CPAs until his retirement earlier this year – planning to spend more time with his growing family. He has served on numerous boards and committees throughout his career including the SUNY New Paltz School of Business Advisory Board; Orange County Citizens Foundation; Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce; Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress; Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan; The Dutchess Chamber Foundation; The Powelton Club; Town of Newburgh Volunteer Ambulance Corp.; Mid-Hudson Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs; New York State Society of CPAs; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Dutchess County Economic Development Corp.; Leadership Dutchess; United Way of Dutchess and Orange County; National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc.; Newburgh Armory Community Center; and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The recipients of the Make A Difference Grant, a grant established by the Foundation to provide funding to local organizations that provide services and programs to children of low-income, disadvantaged or distressed families, as well as the 2018 Innovation Awards, unrestricted monetary awards intended to recognize nonprofit organizations that demonstrate innovation in the areas of collaboration, marketing, organizational operations, and programs, will also be announced at this year’s Annual Reception.

The evening will begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and networking at 5:30 p.m. The awards program, with plated desserts and table seating, will follow. As the Community Foundation’s one and only major fundraiser of the year, all proceeds support the Foundation’s work in providing trusted expertise and administrative support for hundreds of charitable funds that distribute grants and scholarships – now and forever. Since 1999, the Foundation has distributed more than $11.4 million to support animal welfare, arts & culture, community initiatives, education & scholarships, the environment, health & human services, recreation, veterans, and youth. Tickets, journal ads and sponsorship information can be found at www.cfosny.org. For more information, please call the Community Foundation at (845) 769-9393.

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan enables charitable individuals and organizations to become meaningful donors by providing trusted support and expertise for their contributions to make a difference in our community, now and forever.

www.CFOSNY.org