For Immediate Release
For more information:
Stuart Shinske
Focus Media, Inc.
(845) 576-2216
sshinske@focusmediausa.com
Orange County Chamber of Commerce to Honor
Local Organizations and Entrepreneurs at Golf Outing
SERVPRO, Garnet Health and Focus Media CEO Josh Sommers
Recognized for Valuable Contributions to the Community
GOSHEN, N.Y. (July 30, 2021) – The Orange County Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor three local organizations and entrepreneurs during this year’s Orange Re-Opened Golf Tournament & More, which will be held at Otterkill Golf and Country Club on Aug. 20.
The 2021 honorees, who were nominated by fellow Chamber members, are SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan and S. Ulster as Business of the Year, Garnet Health as Non-Profit of the Year and Focus Media President & CEO Josh Sommers as the inaugural Champion of the Chamber award winner. The Business of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year awards typically are honored at the Chamber’s annual Snow Ball, which was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Next year’s Snow Ball will take place in February and will honor a corporate entity, a nonprofit organization and a small business selected as the Best Place to Work in Orange County.
The Business of the Year award will be presented to SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan and S. Ulster, which provides cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO helps Orange County thrive by supporting organizations such as American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, local Little Leagues, Big Brother Big Sister and more.
“We’re very honored to be recognized as the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for 2020,” said SERVPRO co-owner Brittany Johnson. “In a year full of challenges for so many, we’re so proud of our team and all of their hard work. We have some true SERVPRO heroes among us, and in a time where there was so much unknown, we were able to step up and help keep essential people safe. We have been members of the Chamber for so many years now, and it is wonderful to receive this designation. We’re happy to help our community when the need arises, as well as support our fellow businesses as we all continue to grow and improve our local communities.”
The Non-Profit of the Year award winner, Garnet Health, quickly galvanized a multi-tiered response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and implemented numerous innovative care regimens to advance community well-being and safety. Efforts on these fronts continue today, including providing specialized care and administering vaccinations to the community. In addition, Garnet Health Medical Center became the only hospital in Orange County to receive the elite Magnet® Redesignation for exceptional nursing care from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and it was recognized with the Healthgrades 2021 America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award™.
“We are extremely proud to be honored as Non-Profit of the Year,” said Garnet Health President & CEO Scott Batulis. “It’s tremendous that the Chamber has recognized our dedicated and compassionate healthcare professionals who work so hard to provide exceptional care to our community.”
The first Champion of the Chamber award winner, Josh Sommers, President & CEO of Focus Media, is a prominent, respected voice in jobs creation and economic growth in Orange County. He served on the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over 10 years, and his multi-faceted community and philanthropic commitment includes service on other Boards of Directors, including the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. His marketing, public relations and advertising expertise were key components in securing approvals for historic economic-development projects such as Woodbury Common Premium Outlets’ expansion, LEGOLAND NY’s construction and the birth of Resorts World Catskills. His advocacy on behalf of the Orange Chamber of Commerce always has been integral in his business practices.
“It’s a special honor to receive the Champion of the Chamber award,” said Sommers, a previous Business Person of the Year winner. “Helping nurture the growth of the region I’ve always called home is special to me, and I share this award with all who seek to advance quality of life in Orange County.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Golf Tournament are available. To register or learn more, visit web.orangeny.com/events or contact Joanna Signorelli at joannas@orangeny.com.
About the Orange County Chamber of Commerce
The Orange County Chamber of Commerce is proud to cultivate an environment in which all businesses succeed. As the leading supporter of business in the county, legislative advocates, connectors, and with exclusive member benefits, networking and marketing opportunities, seminars and more, the Orange County Chamber is one of the best investments a business can make in its development. Created in 1997 by the consolidation of the two largest chambers of commerce in Orange County, both predecessor chambers had a 100-year history of service to the business community. More information is available by calling 845-294-1700 or visiting orangeny.com.