The 2022 Westchester Power 100 - City & State
1. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
State Senate Majority Leader
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins had a busy spring, negotiating the state's first budget with the Hochul administration. But the Yonkers Democrat kept the energy up even into the summer, as state legislators returned to Albany in July to pass bills solidifying abortion rights and enabling new gun restriction in response to decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court. In August, she supported calls for the state Independent Redistricting Commission to reconvene to draw new Assembly districts after the district lines were struck down earlier this year.
2. George Latimer
Westchester County Executive
As inflation continues to lighten Westchester residents' wallets, Westchester County Executive George Latimer created a plan to ease the financial burden. In June, he outlined a proposal that would increase funding to food pantries, remove a sales tax on residential energy costs during the winter and allow Metro-North riders to save on the cost of parking near certain train stations. Latimer has also been busy overseeing the county's response to the growing number of monkeypox cases in the region.
3. Shelley Mayer
Chair, State Senate Education Committee
Since joining the state Senate in 2018, Shelley Mayer has made education a policy priority. As head of the state Senate Education Committee, Mayer played a role in discussions about renewing mayoral control of public schools in New York City this year. The Westchester Democrat has also made abortion access a priority this year: In August, she released a letter urging federal officials to loosen regulations and increase access to the abortion pill mifepristone.
4. Mike Spano
Yonkers Mayor
Over the past year, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano floated the possibility of running to become governor. But so far, he's been content to remain the chief executive of the state's third-largest city, a role he has held for the past decade. With two years left in his final term, Spano remains busy advancing several priorities. One of them was securing a full gaming license for MGM Empire City in Yonkers, which could bring thousands of jobs to the city.
5. Jamaal Bowman
Member of Congress
Two years ago, Rep. Jamaal Bowman made headlines for successfully unseating a longtime incumbent as a political novice. Now, the left-leaning freshman legislator is the incumbent fending off more moderate challengers. In August, he beat two Westchester County legislators – Vedat Gashi and Catherine Parker – to win the Democratic primary to represent the newly redrawn 16th Congressional District.
6. Amy Paulin
Assembly Member
Throughout the past two decades, Assembly Member Amy Paulin has earned a reputation as one of the legislative body's most prolific legislators. The lawmaker – who represents Scarsdale, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville and Pelham, among other Westchester neighborhoods – has introduced more than 1,700 bills during her time in office. In the past year, she directed that legislative energy toward reproductive health bills and legislation legalizing eco-friendly burials in the state.
7. Sean Patrick Maloney
Member of Congress
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is in the thick of the Democrats' bid to retain its narrow majority, both as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and as a vulnerable incumbent. The Hudson Valley lawmaker fended off progressive primary rival state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi this summer for the 17th Congressional District. He's now set to face Assembly Member Mike Lawler this fall. His aggressive maneuvers, including running in a redrawn district that overlapped with Rep. Mondaire Jones, a fellow Democrat, and the DCCC's elevation of far-right Republican candidates, have drawn criticism – but the tactics haven't backfired so far.
8. Mimi Rocah
Westchester County District Attorney
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York's law limiting the concealed carry of firearms in July, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah slammed the ruling, warning that it would limit prosecutors' ability to respond to gun violence. In the aftermath of the decision, Rocah hosted an event on gun safety legislation in New York. Meanwhile, the former federal prosecutor has been investigating the property tax records of former President Donald Trump's golf club in Westchester.
9. Marsha Gordon & John Ravitz
President and CEO; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Business Council of Westchester
The Business Council of Westchester is the county's premier association representing the interest of the companies, businesses and nonprofits that call the county home. Under Marsha Gordon's leadership, the association launched a new initiative this year aimed at driving even more economic development to the region. Known as the Westchester Innovation Network, this new program pairs innovative companies with established industry partners in Westchester. It's already received backing from institutions such as Regeneron, Montefiore and the Robert Martin Co. The association's success can also be attributed to John Ravitz, whose experience as a former Assembly member gives him the know-how to get government officials' backing on policy priorities. One major push this year: securing a full casino license for Empire City Casino.
10. Ed Domingo
President and Chief Operating Officer, Empire City Casino
Now that the state has opened up opportunities for downstate casinos to seek full-fledged commercial licenses, Empire City Casino is working hard to obtain one. Ed Domingo has argued that bringing live table games to the Yonkers-based casino would bring economic benefits to the area. Though it's too early to say for sure, Empire City Casino is expected to succeed in its efforts to become a full-scale casino – and having the support of local elected officials and business leaders certainly helps its case.
11. Leonard Schleifer
Founder, President and CEO, Regeneron
For years, Regeneron's Tarrytown campus has been a major economic hub in Westchester. And the biotechnology giant led by Dr. Leonard Schleifer recently doubled down on its presence in the region, committing $1.8 billion to expand its research, manufacturing and support facilities. In June, Regeneron broke ground on the expansion project, which is projected to create 1,000 new jobs over the next five years. Meanwhile, Schleifer's company developed a COVID-19 antibody drug, though it has proved less effective against more recent variants of the virus.
12. Noam Bramson
New Rochelle Mayor
Throughout New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson's tenure, he has focused on revitalizing the city's downtown area. He continues to oversee new projects in the region, and the New Rochelle City Council signed off earlier this year on a proposal to develop another 3,000 housing units in the city. Alongside private developers, the city also began construction this summer on a project to create a renovated plaza and open space for pedestrians and businesses.
13. Catherine Borgia
Chair, Westchester County Board of Legislators
After a decade serving on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Catherine Borgia was unanimously elected as chair of the legislative body at the start of this year. She hit the ground running, pushing forward legislation that would protect abortion health care workers and patients seeking abortions from harassment. She and other lawmakers also supported a bill that would require employers to publicly disclose salary range information in any job postings that they promote in the county.
14. J. Gary Pretlow
Assembly Member
The past year has brought major casino developments to the state, thanks in part to Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow. The chair of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, Pretlow pushed to legalize mobile sports betting, which has resulted in nearly $2 billion in wagers placed and more than $70 million in tax revenue for New York. This year, he also successfully advanced efforts to allow downstate casinos – such as Empire City Casino in Yonkers – to access full-scale gaming licenses.
15. Thomas Roach
White Plains Mayor
Over the past two decades, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach has overseen a rapidly growing city. Recent developments include a new mixed-use project near the White Plains train station and nine solar projects that will triple the amount of solar energy produced in the county. This year, Roach got support from White Plains Common Council members for a 1.86% tax increase, as part of the city's $210.3 million annual budget.
16. Arvind Krishna
Chair and CEO, IBM
Plenty of major companies call Westchester home. The technology giant IBM is one of the most well known. Arvind Krishna has led the Armonk-based company since 2020, advancing in work across areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the blockchain. One of Krishna's most significant accomplishments in his 30-year career at IBM was leading the company's $34 billion acquisition of the software firm Red Hat. In May, he also joined the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
17. Catherine Rinaldi
President, Metro-North Railroad
The onset of COVID-19 caused Metro-North ridership to nose-dive – but this summer saw a rebound, including a pandemic record in September of 180,200 riders. Catherine Rinaldi, who has been running both the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road since February, knows commuter rail has a long road back to pre-pandemic levels. Finishing the East Side Access project will help, as will long-term plans to give Westchester passengers access to Penn Station and construction of four new Metro-North stops in the East Bronx by 2026.
18. Ken Jenkins
Deputy Westchester County Executive
Now in his second term as deputy Westchester County executive, Ken Jenkins continues to play a key role in county government operations and decisions. When he was sworn in this past January, Jenkins touted the Latimer administration's work advancing infrastructure projects across the county and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jenkins is a veteran of local politics, having previously served as chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators and as head of the Yonkers Democratic Committee.
19. Joan McDonald, Andrew Ferris & Terrance Raynor
Director of Operations; Chief of Staff; Acting Public Safety Commissioner, Westchester County
These three government officials hold vital responsibilities in Westchester. As director of operations, Joan McDonald oversees each county department and the county's $2 billion budget. She also played a key role in leading Westchester's response to COVID-19, including its vaccination effort. Andrew Ferris is chief of staff to Westchester County Executive George Latimer, tracking policy and operational issues as they arise, and also serving as his political brain. And since June, Terrance Raynor has been in charge of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, where he draws on his past experience as commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department.
20. Pete Harckham
State Senator
State Sen. Pete Harckham never shied away from a challenge. Four years ago, the county legislator upset Republican then-state Sen. Terrence Murphy, helping Democrats take control of the chamber. In 2020, Harckham fended off former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in the race for state Senate District 40 by about 6,000 votes. Harckham has since sought to strengthen privacy rights for kidnapping victims and help localities protect wetlands from pesticides. In May, he helped pass legislation that will create a new state agency focusing on addiction and mental health services, and embarked on a listening tour that discussed issues surrounding addiction and drug abuse.
21. Edwin Quezada & Steve López
Schools Superintendent; Board President, Yonkers Public Schools
Yonkers is home to the fourth-largest school district in the state, which educates about 27,000 students, and Edwin Quezada and the Rev. Steve López are the two key figures responsible for shaping the city's public school system. This year, lawmakers set aside an additional $360 million in school aid to Yonkers in this year's budget, and the city saw its graduation rate jump to 90% – the highest it has been in decades.
22. Nick Spano
Founder and President, Empire Strategic Planning
A veteran of state and local politics, Nick Spano is a valuable ally for clients navigating government in Westchester and in Albany. He brings with him decades of experience as a former state legislator, having served in both the Assembly and state Senate. His lobbying firm, Empire Strategic Planning, has assisted groups such as the Greater New York Hospital Association, Montefiore Hospital and the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.
23. Lakisha Collins-Bellamy
President, Yonkers City Council
Lakisha Collins-Bellamy's successful bid for Yonkers City Council president was notable in more ways than one. She defeated the incumbent in last year's Democratic primary and then edged out her Republican opponent to become the first Black woman to lead the City Council. This year, Collins-Bellamy completed her first budget process as City Council president, passing a budget that increased funding to the city's public schools.
24. Mike Lawler
Assembly Member
Assembly Member Mike Lawler is aiming to move up a rung on the political ladder, taking on Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in a bid for Congress. The Rockland County lawmaker has an uphill battle to get to Washington, D.C., but the Hudson Valley matchup is widely viewed as a competitive race. The political consultant ousted incumbent Democrat Ellen Jaffee two years ago to win his seat in the Assembly and easily won the Republican nomination for the 17th Congressional District seat this year.
25. Ramon Laguarta
Chair and CEO, PepsiCo
PepsiCo is known worldwide for its expansive array of snacks and beverages. But the global company has its roots in Westchester, with its headquarters in Purchase. Since being named CEO of the food giant in 2018, Ramon Laguarta has skillfully navigated PepsiCo through the pandemic and ongoing inflation. The company reported revenue growth earlier this year, bolstered by increased prices for its products, though higher commodity and transportation prices remain an obstacle.
26. Suzanne Berger
Chair, Westchester County Democratic Committee
Westchester Democrats have had plenty to celebrate over the past few years, as they've maintained a staunch hold on local, state and federal politics. But Westchester County Democratic Committee Chair Suzanne Berger has had to navigate more contested primaries as well. That includes this year's face-off between incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, who unsuccessfully challenged Maloney in the Democratic congressional primary for the 17th District. Berger backed Maloney, even penning an op-ed arguing his victory would be vital to protecting abortion access.
27. Michael Israel
President and CEO, Westchester Medical Center Health Network
Michael Israel has led the Westchester Medical Center Health Network since 2005, overseeing 10 hospitals and more than 13,000 employees in the Hudson Valley. The hospital system played a vital role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic locally, connecting residents to vaccines and launching a program to help people with ongoing symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. Now, as the monkeypox virus begins to spread across the state, the hospital network is helping people access monkeypox vaccines as well.
28. Susan Fox
President and CEO, White Plains Hospital
Over the course of more than 30 years, Susan Fox rose through the ranks to lead one of Westchester's premier health care providers. Since 2015, she has served as president and CEO of the 292-bed White Plains Hospital, overseeing award-winning health care services at the Hudson Valley hub for the Montefiore Health System. In addition to her work at the hospital, Fox chairs the Westchester County Association, one of the region's top business advocacy organizations.
29. Ross Pepe
President, Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley
Led by Ross Pepe, the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley represents more than 600 businesses that fuel construction in the region, advocating for the interests of contractors, suppliers and other construction professionals. Luckily for its members, the past year has brought good news, including President Joe Biden signing off on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and the progress of major projects such as Regeneron's expansion in Tarrytown.
30. George Lence & Cristyne Nicholas
President; CEO, Nicholas & Lence Communications
This duo of communications professionals advises clients across Westchester, New York City and beyond. Cristyne Nicholas, who once worked as then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's communications director, leads Nicholas & Lence Communications as CEO, while George Lence handles the firm's work on behalf of government and community affairs clients like Times Square Alliance and NYC Ferry. The firm's Westchester clients include the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Westchester Community Foundation.
31. Shawyn Patterson-Howard & Darren Morton
Mayor; Comptroller, Mount Vernon
Throughout the past two years, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has kept busy. In July, she announced the beginning of the city's new guaranteed income pilot program, which will provide monthly payments of $500 each to 200 low-income households for a year. Patterson-Howard is also overseeing efforts to update Mount Vernon's aging wastewater infrastructure, using $6 million from the state to make it happen. Meanwhile, Mount Vernon Comptroller Darren Morton has taken steps to make Mount Vernon's finances more transparent, revealing in a recent report the city is carrying more than $60 million in debt.
32. Jamaal Bailey & Nathalia Fernandez
State Senator; Assembly Member
When Westchester state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi announced she would challenge Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney for a seat in the 17th Congressional District, Nathalia Fernandez jumped at the chance to run for her state Senate seat. The Bronx Assembly member blew out her competitors in the Democratic primary in August and will represent New Rochelle assuming she wins the general election in November. Her district neighbor, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who represents Mount Vernon and the Bronx, leads the Bronx Democratic Party, which has faced division since it backed a primary challenger who lost to incumbent Democratic state Sen. Gustavo Rivera.
33. Sandy Galef
Assembly Member
Assembly Member Sandy Galef's time in office is winding down. After three decades in politics, the 82-year-old legislator is finishing her final term at the end of the year. The lawmaker, who represents northern portions of Westchester County, has focused most of her attention on the issue of the Indian Point nuclear power plant, which was finally decommissioned in 2020. Galef's hand-picked successor, Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg, successfully won the Democratic Party to take over the seat once Galef leaves.
34. MaryJane Shimsky
Assembly Nominee
Last December, Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky decided to challenge Assembly Member Thomas Abinanti for his Assembly seat, claiming that he has sponsored bills that either limited the use of or provided exemptions for vaccines and that he failed to get recovery resources for the district after Hurricane Ida. Six months later, she upset the six-term incumbent in the June Democratic primary by about 1,000 votes. Now, Shimsky faces Republican Carlo Valente in a solidly Democratic district where she is heavily favored to win.
35. Mark Weingarten
Partner, DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr
Mark Weingarten has a keen understanding of land use and zoning in Westchester, making him the go-to attorney for developers and property owners in the region. A partner at the law firm DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, he is also a registered state lobbyist. He was previously a partner at Weingarten & Weingarten and special counsel at Robinson Brog Leinwand Reich Genovese & Gluck.
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