Yonkers has its share of stars — Ella Fitzgerald, Jon Voight, Steven Tyler, DMX, Mary J. Blige and Lady Gaga (depending on who you listen to.)
The list is long and actually pretty cool when you think about who has come from the City of Gracious Living, or The Y-O as some of my contemporaries call it.
But for my money, it’s the lesser known folks that make Yonkers the place that is: a genuine mix of city, suburban, hip and happening — a city on the move.
That’s the underlying message of our Generation Yonkers campaign. It builds on the momentum of many new businesses (like Yonkers Brewery, Alamo Draft House and others) and exciting development happening throughout the city — particularly along the scenic Hudson River waterfront.
The campaign speaks to Millennials, or Generation Y, loosely defined as those born between 1983 and the early 2000’s that represent the next big wave of the nation’s workforce and the group that –priced out of places like Brooklyn and Hoboken — likes what they’re seeing in Yonkers.
It respects the city’s history, and looks to its future.
To that point, nearly 25 percent of The Business Council of Westchester’s Rising Stars winners work, live or are affiliated with Yonkers. The winners come from a variety of backgrounds and represent the diversity and breadth of the city’s economy and its workforce. Media, medical, public safety, brewing, technology and education to name a few.
The Yonkers winners are:
• Amit Rajani, CEO, General Dentist, Yonkers Avenue Dental
• John Rubbo, Founder and “Brew-EO,” Yonkers Brewing Company
• John White III, Firefighter, City of Yonkers Fire Department
• Jaime McGill, Executive Director, Yonkers Industrial Development Agency
• Richard Giacovas, Producer/on air talent, News 12
• Donvil Collins, Founder & President, VeeKast
• Christopher Phillips Senior Vice President, Product Platform and Technology, Mindspark Interactive.
• Jamell Scott, Dean of Scholars and Families/Athletic Director Amani Public Charter School.
• Jennifer Bannan, Director of Marketing and Advertising for Thompson & Bender, the marketing, advertising and communications firm that created the Generation Yonkers campaign.
Mayor Mike Spano recently congratulated the winners for the honors — and understands they are a good representation of the GenY campaign.
“We’ve always known that Yonkers has great people and great businesses, so I’m pleased to see many of our current and future leaders recognized for their contributions,” Mayor Spano said. “Yonkers is a great city to live and work and that’s clear from our Rising Stars winners.”
The Business Council of Westchester’s Rising Stars program is modeled after the national business recognition program “Forty under Forty” and Rising Stars is specifically designed to recognize individuals under the age of 40 who exemplify leadership, foresight and a vision for the future of Westchester County. Winners were selected based on professional and/or entrepreneurial accomplishments, demonstrated leadership qualities and professional and/or business affiliations.
It’s no surprise to me that Yonkers is well represented among the 40 winners. The city is attracting many Rising Stars. Be part of it at @Generation Yonkers.
