Rising Stars Event Recognizes Community Leaders

MIDDLETOWN – Twenty-three individuals who either live, work or volunteer in Orange County were honored at the 14th Annual Orange County’s Rising Stars event at The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown, NY, an event hosted by the Junior League of Orange County, NY, Inc. (JLOCNY).

“The Junior League is proud to be one of the founding organizations and continuing host of Orange County’s Rising Stars,” said Rachel Losee, President of the Junior League of Orange County, NY, Inc. “It gives us an opportunity to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming young leaders and honor them with this great recognition.”

Rising Stars recognizes men and women, between the ages of 21 and 40, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in their community, from the public, private, non-profit and or volunteer sectors. Their valuable contributions positively impact the county’s quality of life, as they build on the progress of others who have made Orange County an attractive region in the Hudson Valley for families and businesses. The individuals selected have helped their organizations thrive, whether by directly addressing new realities brought on by the pandemic or finding creative solutions for continued success. This year’s honorees deserve to be recognized for excelling in their professional and volunteer service.

“With so much uncertainty and divisiveness in our world, it was a joy to get together and celebrate the positivity and amazing accomplishments these 23 honorees bring into our community,” stated Barbara DeStafeno, 2021 Orange County’s Rising Stars Chairwoman. “I hope the momentum of this Rising Stars event will inspire everyone in attendance to keep doing GOOD and making Orange County, NY the desired location to live in the Hudson Valley.”

Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees:
• Ryan Arciero – JGS, CPA, PC
• Jessica Clary-Dubik – New York Air National Guard
• Tara Connell – Communication Station
• Zachary Constantine – Young Democrats of Orange County
• DarriganDeMattos – Garnett Health Foundation, New York Dance Center
• Conor Eckert – Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
• Vicki Hoffman – J. Hoffman Insurance
• William Ibberson – Acquisitions Marketing
• Michael Kelly – Liberty Street Bistro, Newburgh Flour Shop
• Eve Lincoln, Esq. – Children’s Rights Society, Women’s Bar Association of Orange & Sullivan Counties
• Rebecca Baldwin Mantello, Esq. – Jacobowits&Gubits, LLP, Women’s Bar Association of Orange & Sullivan Counties
• Maj. Robert McDonald – New York Air National Guard
• Kelsey McDonough – Orange County Sheriff’s Office
• Nichole Moretto – Walden Savings Bank
• Vinny Oppedisano – M&T Bank, Cancer Resource Center of the Hudson Valley, American Heart Association
• Randi Picarello – Business Council of Greater Montgomery, Eat This Bakery
• Damali Robinson – NYP Hudson Valley Hospital, Junior League of Orange County
• Andrew J. Romulo – Printeks Construction Documentation Services, A Day in the Life Photos
• Frank Snyder – San Miguel Academy of Newburgh
• Dr. Christine Stathes, PT – MOTIVATE Physical Therapy
• Melissa Stevens – Warwick Fire Department
• Maggie Sutter – Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.
• Michael Ventre- Orange County Department of Health, Town of Minisink

About the Orange County Rising Stars Award
Junior League of Orange County, Leadership Orange, and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce partnered in 2006 to create an opportunity to recognize those emerging leaders within our community that were making remarkable contributions in a public forum. Each year as many as 40 individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who are up-and-coming leaders in their professional and volunteer lives are recognized. Nominees must live, work, or volunteer in Orange County. In this time, 345 people have received this prestigious recognition. Selection is based on the individual’s professional and volunteer activities, demonstrated leadership, and the impact the nominee has had on their organization or community. An independent panel chooses the recipients from a diverse pool of candidates for this prestigious award. The founding organizations worked together to build up this important event to acknowledge the combined influence and accomplishments of the many young and vibrant “Rising Star” professionals for their work in the volunteer and business sectors and their potential to continue to do great things within and for our community for many years to come. This year’s event is being sponsored by the Junior League of Orange County.