Happy New Year from the TBR News Media team! We wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy 2025!
Happy New Year from TBR News Media!
Home Village Beacon Record
People of the Year: Ann Pellegrino — Cultivating hope, feeding souls
By Sabrina Artusa
Ann Pellegrino is a busy woman. Between the Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, a nonprofit farm she built herself and describes as “more than a full-time job,” and her appointments speaking at local hospitals about the life-changing effects of organ donation, it was difficult to schedule a time to talk. However, she made sure to make time to talk to me about what she describes as her calling.
In 2007, Pellegrino was in her car and noticed people in the woods hungry and homeless. The unfortunate sight ignited a passion she didn’t know she had — a passion that would be tested by the skepticism of others and the practical challenges of developing a farm without experience.
She became certain what she was meant to be doing, that the vacant lot of loose, barren dirt — a collection ground for the unwanted and disposed — could become something nourishing and productive with the proper care.
It started with a fence
After first ripping up her own lawn, intending to farm fresh vegetables to use in her own home (much to her husband’s dismay), Pellegrino had the idea to renovate the Bethel Hobbs land. For decades the land was farmed by the Hobbs family before ultimately falling into unuse after the death of Alfred Hobbs.
Pellegrino received permission from the Bethel African American Episcopal Church to work on 50 x 50 acres, which then became 50 x 100. Her unwavering confidence in the project was intriguing, and as she began the work, increasing numbers of community members began offering support.
“There was something inside of me that was giving me the drive to do it. If you didn’t do it you couldn’t sleep. They still think I’m crazy but they come and help now,” Pellegrino said.
Once a single mother herself, Pellegrino knew that food pantries have a hard time finding good produce. Most of the produce that was donated was damaged, over-ripe or rotten. The plot of neglected land was the perfect opportunity to change that.
Her father offered fencing, which piqued the interest of nearby residents who then asked Pellegrino about her plan. One neighbor offered his hose, another offered sprinklers. Previously, Pellegrino had been transporting water in her car. “This little vacant land with a fence going around it and a hose leading from across the street” was becoming something real.
Pellegrino’s contagious enthusiasm for helping others inspired their own generosity, just as their generosity inspired Pellegrino. “I feel blessed to be even a small part of our community,” she said.
And the community has shown that they feel the same way about the farm. Bethel Hobbs Community Farm hosts a plethora of events such as the annual “Run the Farm,” dances and breakfasts, not to mention, volunteers enjoy serving others as well as gardening on a beautiful day.
“It is a great area for people to get together as far as a community hub is concerned,” said Lenore Paprocky, president of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce.
“Her nature is such that she is a servant to her community and that comes naturally to her. For all these reasons you can’t help but become endeared to her,” said Paprocky, who has collaborated with Pellegrino in the past. “She is kind, giving, sincere, and genuine. We need more people like her.”
The late Peter Castorano, was invaluable in the development of the farm. Pellegrino describes him as her best friend. “My granddaughter was his granddaughter,” she said, emphasizing his importance to her and her family.
Castorano died last year and always described himself as “Ann’s right hand man.”
Organ donation
In addition to the farm, Pellegrino speaks regularly at hospitals, offering encouragement to exhausted nurses and speaking on the life-changing effects of organ donation. She starts speaking during winter months while the farm is closed.
At 19, Pellegrino’s son Christopher was paralyzed in a car accident. For seven years afterward, Christopher would speak at schools about the importance of wearing seatbelts; he would pursue his college degree in the hopes of getting involved with alcohol and drug rehabilitation; and he would try to change lives, like his mother.
“His attitude was that if he could help save one life it is worth it,” Pellegrino said of her son, who passed on Christmas Eve in 2018.
Pellegrino decided to honor his memory by pursuing his goal of helping save lives. She goes to hospitals and shares her son’s statement, something that she enjoys. “I get to celebrate him,” she said. Three men live on because of the gifts Pellegrino’s son made through organ donations.
Moreover, she extends support to the staff. “This time of year I don’t want them to feel like they were forgotten and it’s not a thankless job. Letting them know what they do matters and it really counts,” she said.
Paprocky describes Ann as quiet, thoughtful and eager to befriend anyone who shows an interest in service; a woman who exemplifies what it means to be a community leader; a true person of the year. It is for all of these accomplishments that Ann Pellegrino is a 2024 TBR New Media Person of the Year.
People of the Year: Lenore Paprocky, a champion for Long Island’s business community
By Jennifer Donatelli
Lenore Paprocky, president of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce has been named Person of the Year for 2024 by TBR News Media for her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening the local business landscape.
Since taking the helm of GMCCC in 2020, Paprocky has been a driving force behind the chamber’s initiatives. Her leadership has not only propelled the chamber to new heights, but has also made it a vital resource for local businesses.
The GMCCC, which serves the Middle Country area, including the towns of Centereach, Selden, Lake Grove and surrounding communities, represents a broad spectrum of industries. Under Paprocky’s stewardship, the chamber has expanded its services, increased its outreach and has become a central figure in the area’s economic development.
By championing initiatives that support workforce development, business growth and entrepreneurship, Paprocky has helped create a more robust and resilient ecosystem in the local community. She has also worked closely with local municipalities and organizations to ensure the Middle Country businesses have access to resources and opportunities that can help them expand and thrive.
Karen Roth, REMAX agent and chamber board member, first met Paprocky when she started attending the board meetings, and felt an immediate connection. “I love her,” says Roth, “because she listens to the board members’ ideas and makes things happen.”
One of those ideas was to have the chamber host an annual music festival. Working closely with elected officials, Paprocky managed to get a grant that covered the expenses for putting the festival together. Last year, the music festival was host to over 1,000 attendees, making it the largest turnout for events the chamber has ever had. This year’s festival was held in April.
Since 2008, she has been on the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board and works with Smithtown High School students in a mentoring program she started that gets students ready for college and the working world. She says, “I love to mentor and help people succeed.”
Seeing a need to continue mentoring the youth in her community, Paprocky formed a partnership with the Holiday Inn and initiated a hospitality-driven internship program for college students, showing them how each department in an organization needs to work together in order for the company to grow, thrive and run effectively and efficiently.
This commitment to community engagement and mentoring has helped raise the profile of the GMCCC as not just a business entity, but also a pillar of the greater Middle Country area.
Paprocky’s leadership has not only benefitted the Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, but has also inspired others to take an active role in supporting their local communities. Under Paprocky’s leadership, there is no doubt that the work she has done to date will continue to shape the regions’ economic future.
In addition to her job at the chamber, Paprocky is also the director of business development at Synergy Wealth Strategies in Smithtown, and recently co-founded Spheres of Influence, a nonprofit organization that helps business professionals grow their business, while supporting local nonprofits at the same time. Through this initiative, she helps grassroots organizations raise their visibility and secure the funds needed to continue making a positive impact in the community.
Doreen Newman, a co-worker at GMCCC says, “Lenore brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to every endeavor. Her unstoppable spirit and ever-present smile are a testament to her commitment. She gives 110% to every project she undertakes, and she does it all with warmth and resilience.”
Seeing a need in the community for women business owners, Paprocky created a Women’s Power Hour series where once a month, women meet local professionals in the area to make new connections and discuss important topics affecting them.
Roth says Paprocky is known for her relentless dedication. “Lenore seeks out new prospects, elevates brand awareness and manages all events with her signature enthusiasm and professionalism. Her passion for fostering meaningful connections is evident in everything she does.”
Paprocky was recognized for her efforts by being awarded Employee of the Year from Suffolk County Community College Education Advancement Center, as well as Volunteer of the Year and Member of the Year, consecutively. As an influential business leader, she was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business on Long Island, as well as being awarded Long Island Business News Corporate Citizen of the Year.
In naming Lenore Paprocky as Person of the Year, the recognition not only celebrates her past accomplishments, but also her vision for the future. Her tireless advocacy, leadership and dedication to the community, make her a true champion for local businesses and residents. She is a role model for others in the community, inspiring growth, innovation and unity for years to come.
When asked what her biggest accomplishment is to date, Paprocky smiles and proudly says, “raising my daughter.”
People of the Year: Meals on Wheels brings healthy meals to those in need
By Julianne Mosher
While helping to feed Long Islanders, two local Meals on Wheels groups are also the eyes, ears and friends of those in need of assistance.
Comprised of 5,000 community-based programs, Meals on Wheels is a national network that is dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation.
Smithtown
The Smithtown Meals on Wheels program, located within the Senior Center in the Smithtown township, provides a daily hot meal delivered directly to the homes of residents age 60 and over.
According to Tina Pfennig, supervising community service aide with the Senior Center’s Meal on Wheels program, more than 40 volunteers help deliver hot meals to 90 clients weekly. Every day, volunteers will pick up the food, donated by a local Lake Grove deli, and deliver to the client’s home. Each entrée comes with milk, juice, fruit, bread and sometimes dessert.
“We have some people who have been with the program long-term and some occasionally come on for a short period,” she added.
This year, the group celebrated its 45th anniversary.
But Pfennig said that the program would not run if it weren’t for the people who help out every morning and afternoon.
“Annually, we have a volunteer appreciation luncheon to show how much we appreciate them,” Pfennig said.
She said that out of the roughly 40 volunteers, a few have been with the group for more than 20 years. Some have been volunteering for 10 years and others 15. They’re still receiving applications for new drivers to come on board.
“Thankfully people are always applying and we’re very grateful,” she said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have a program.”
Kim Cunningham, senior neighborhood aide, said that while the main role of the Meals on Wheels volunteers is to drive the food to each client’s house, they’re also looking out for them.
“If a client isn’t feeling well or there are other concerns, we make sure we follow through with their emergency contact,” Cunningham said. “They’ll have conversations with them and often become their friends.”
Along with the drivers, Cunningham and Pfennig noted that other volunteers who make this program possible are the kitchen staff who help package the food to give to the drivers.
Like an assembly line, the tasks are “done efficiently, organized and in a timely fashion.”
Pfennig added that some former volunteers have now become clients, themselves.
“We’re returning the favor and making sure they get healthy food, too,” she said.
Three Village
While not directly affiliated with the national brand of Meals on Wheels, the Three Village organization is similar in that it provides healthy food to people of any age as long as they’re homebound due to medical concerns.
According to their website, clients are the elderly or disabled who, due to immobility and isolation, are unable to prepare their own meals and referrals are made by doctors, social service agencies, hospitals, neighbors, family members or the clients themselves.
Ruth Spear, office manager of the Three Village Meals on Wheels, said that they charge $7.50 a day for two meals, one hot and one cold. If a client has concerns about payment, they can apply for a subsidy and that’s funded by a big fundraiser and donations throughout the year.
Similar to other Meals on Wheels programs, food is prepared at Mather Hospital and St. Charles in Port Jefferson. Then, 130 volunteers pick up the meals and deliver to clients all over Northern Brookhaven — Stony Brook, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Miller Place, Mount Sinai, northern parts of Coram and Selden. In 2023, 28,000 meals were delivered.
“We are so appreciative of the staff at St. Charles and Mather because if it weren’t for them, we’d have to figure something else out,” Spear said.
Each driver also creates that friendship with the client and acts as the eyes and ears of family who can’t be there to check in on their loved ones.
“If the driver gets to the door and a client doesn’t pick up the phone or answer, we’re going to call the emergency contact,” she said. “There are so many people who don’t see one human being all day or all week, so our drivers are the only people they’re seeing and being lonely is a terrible thing.”
Spear said that the beauty of the organization is that friendships are formed and people often become attached to one another.
“That’s what I’m most proud of … The drivers really care about the clients,” she said. “If everyone can just help people in the community just a little bit, it can go a long way. It’s so gratifying and it’s a great feeling.”
For their volunteerism and dedication, all the volunteers of the local Meals on Wheels groups have been named TBR News Media 2024 People of the Year.
Local hero honored for daring ice rescue in Mastic
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and County Clerk Vincent Puleo joined the Mastic Fire Department and Mastic Volunteer Ambulance to recognize 28-year-old Kayla Masotto of Mastic Beach, who saved a man that fell through the ice on the Poospatuck Creek in Mastic.
On Thursday, December 26 at 12:30 p.m., Kayla heard the commotion behind her home. She retrieved a paddle board and immediately headed out onto the icy creek. Kayla risked her own life and effectively paddled across where she was able to approach the victim and pull him up onto her paddle board. They were then thrown a rope from three good samaritans, Joseph Wahl, Tony Orsi and Alyssa Treadwell, and pulled safely to the shore.
To see a video of the rescue: https://we.tl/t-jif5XtFP20
People of the Year: Paul Braile brings light to his community
By Peter Sloniewsky
Paul Braile’s volunteer commitments keep him constantly busy exemplifying his dedication to his community. Whether running Santa Claus Central at the First Methodist Church or managing work for the Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival, Braile’s packed schedule reflects his extraordinary commitment to volunteerism and his gift for bringing people together.
Braile has worked in theatrical stage lighting since 1995 on projects for television, movies, theater and corporations including the Super Bowl, Glee and the CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2001, he moved from New York City to Port Jefferson Village and founded Paul Braile Creative, a company specializing in innovative lighting design.
His volunteer work began in 2005 with the Greater Port Jefferson/Northern Brookhaven Arts Council where he provided lighting for the Charles Dickens Festival. Each year since (with the exception of 2020), Braile has illuminated 16 locations across the village creating magical displays for the community. Today, he serves as the vice-chair of the Arts Council.
Chair of the Council Allan Varela described Braile’s “creative sense and tireless work ethic” as unparalleled, citing his reconstruction of the Roe House Santa’s Workshop. Renamed ElfWorks, the project has become a beloved attraction delighting children and adults alike.
Beyond the Dickens Festival, Braile extends his talents to other community events. He creates lighting for the Port Jefferson High School prom where he also served as president in 2024. Introduced to the prom in 2005, Braile continues to help transform parents’ ideas into reality saying, “It’s all about community and what one can do that can make a difference.”
Braile’s influence goes beyond his artistry. Jon Famularo, a lighting designer who credits Braile with inspiring his career, described him as a mentor since middle school. Famularo praised Braile’s high-quality work and dedication saying, “Regardless if you know him or not, most everyone who sees the product he delivers is blown away.”
Port Jefferson Village Trustee Kyle Hill remarked that Braile’s imagination and creativity “know no limit” while Renee Lemmerman, director of recreation in Port Jefferson, described him as “kind, generous, creative, funny” and a “problem solver.” Co-worker Cindy Pipia added that Braile is a “visionary who strives to make all he brings to his volunteer activities better and better every year.”
Braile’s commitment to volunteerism stems from his love for his community. He describes Port Jefferson as “a community where strong friendships are born and continue to develop.” As for the future, Braile plans to continue volunteering, mentoring and contributing to the village he loves.
People of the Year: Crime Victims Center’s Laura Ahearn, a tireless advocate and supporter for the abused
By Daniel Dunaief
An advocate, defender, educator, legislative partner, social worker and attorney, Laura Ahearn is prepared to help during periods of extreme duress whenever needed.
Executive Director of the Crime Victims Center, Ahearn has secured orders of protection for abused women, accompanied victims to court, counseled high school students about inappropriate relationships and helped victims receive funds for survival.
For her work this year and every year for nearly three decades, Ahearn is one of TBR News Media’s People of the Year for 2024.
“I love Laura Ahearn,” said Kara Hahn, a former legislator who met Ahearn in 1999, and crafted legislation in 2015 requiring domestic violence agencies in the county to use the Jacquelyn Campbell risk assessment, to help victims understand the level of danger from abuse.
Hahn, who is currently the Deputy Regional Director for the Long Island region of New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, added that Ahearn is “one of the fiercest and most dedicated champions for the protection of children [among others] in this advocacy space and any advocacy space.”
Indeed, recently, Ahearn and the Crime Victims Center have been working with a particularly troubling case with children in a family that have endured trauma in their former home.
“When you’re dealing with child victims who are directly or physically impacted, or have witnessed it, a lot of planning goes into counseling and advocacy,” said Ahearn. “This case has impacted me more than any other case in my entire career, which is pushing 30 years.”
Most of the 40 people involved in the Crime Victims Center, which originally started out in a room in Ahearn’s home and was called Parents of Megan’s Law, have been affected by the case.
The team is working on behalf of these children, helping them with educational and counseling programs, as well as working with law enforcement.
Ahearn has brought her advocacy, messaging and support to people in numerous contexts.
“The thing you might say about [Ahearn] is that [her help] is not just from a social work position,” said Kathleen Monahan, Associate Professor in the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University. “She’s attacking this from all different levels, from the health care perspective, from law and policy issues, treatment and from the mental health perspective.”
Ahearn not only received a Master’s in Social Work from SUNY Stony Brook, but she also earned a Juris Doctor from Touro Law, where she graduated at the top of her class.
Educational messaging
After discussing relationship violence with students, the Crime Victims Center has fielded phone calls from attendees.
“We had a call from a teenager in high school, who was unhappy with a forced kiss. She saw our program and wanted to know if that’s okay,” said Ahearn.
The CVC has also worked with students and school administrators to help recognize efforts to lure girls into prostitution.
These children “were being groomed by a person running a human trafficking ring,” said Ahearn. They came to school with expensive purses and shoes they couldn’t otherwise afford.
“If we have our eyes wide open, educating kids as young as middle schoolers, administrators and parents can protect these potential victims,” she continued.
Financial help
The Crime Victims Center has helped victims of sexual assault and domestic violence recover funds from the Office of Victim Services, which is the payer of last resort.
Victims who are cooperating with law enforcement and who have eligible expenses, which can include out of pocket medical and counseling costs or even funerals, can receive funds to pay for some of those expenses.
In an assault, if someone has their clothing damaged or their clothing is taken into evidence, the survivor provides the center with receipts for a replacement for the damaged property.
The Crime Victims Center has helped facilitate the return of nearly $8 million since it first started working on behalf of victims from the Crime Victim’s Fund, in the Office of Victim Services.
The center has helped families recover thousands of dollars in lost wages after the primary breadwinner in a household was hit in a driving while intoxicated incident.
Leading
In addition to helping victims, Ahearn leads virtual meetings during sexual assault awareness month and domestic violence awareness month.
This past October, Ahearn had just introduced Dr. Hirsch Handmaker, CEO of The CACTIS Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona during the third-annual, virtual domestic violence awareness month conference.
Handmaker was in a hospital where a fire alarm blared so loudly that he couldn’t hear the other attendees, much less focus on his discussion about traumatic brain injuries.
“She was so fabulous,” recalled Monahan about Ahearn’s response. “She handled that like water rolling off a duck’s back,” as Ahearn suggested an unscheduled break to allow Handmaker to clear the area.
Ahearn is a “beacon of light throughout the U.S. in highlighting the issue of sexual assault and domestic violence, and is one of the few individuals leading entities in collaborating and engaging law enforcement, social workers and healthcare providers,” Handmaker explained.
As an example of the awareness advocacy groups brought to law enforcement, Handmaker highlighted a change in the way police officers think about women who are wearing sunglasses.
Previously, officers might have suspected women were hiding their eyes because of drugs or other issues.
Instead, women with concussions often wear sunglasses to protect their eyes to avoid headaches caused by bright sunlight.
Handmaker started working with Ahearn this year. Ahearn has been coordinating with Monahan and Handmaker to create a concussion program with law enforcement. Ahearn is a “real champion in making that happen,” Handmaker said.
SAFE support
In addition to advocating for victims, supporting various legislation and running virtual conferences, Ahearn remains primarily focused on one task.
Ahearn “cares deeply about the outcomes for survivors,” said Wendy Linsalata, Executive Director of LI Against Domestic Violence, and a frequent collaborator with Ahearn.
Starting in Nov. of 2023, CVC partnered with Stony Brook University Hospital to have Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners ready to respond to any reports of a sexual assault.
Called SAFEs, these professionals are New York certified nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or resident nurses.
Ahearn hopes that effort expands to ensure that these trained staff are available at every emergency department throughout Long Island.
From protecting Maggie to protecting herself
Ahearn’s reflex to protect others may have started when she was as young as 10 years old.
The owner of a dog named Maggie, Ahearn and her friend brought their two dogs near one another. When her friend’s territorial dog snapped at Maggie, Ahearn intervened and, to this day, has a scar on her arm.
Ahearn, whose current dog Jack comes to work as a companion and instant pet therapist, suggested that the advocacy field is rewarding, demanding and exhausting.
“Sometimes, there are cases that take a little part of you, and a piece of your soul withers,” said Ahearn, such as the recent case with the abused children. “You must take action to replenish that area.”
To do her best for the staff and those she supports, Ahearn relies on the encouragement of her family, the love of her dog, and the opportunity to travel.
Ahearn loves animals, including birds, and enjoys fishing. This year, she took a trip to Alaska, where she had a chance to pet sled dogs.
Ahearn, Linsalata and others in the victim advocacy world urge people to reach out to any of their organizations, or to authority figures, if they are abused.
“If in your gut, you have that feeling that something is wrong, don’t underestimate what you’re feeling or thinking,” said Linsalata.
People of the Year: Kristen Reynolds — A leader shaping Long Island’s future
By Jennifer Donatelli
Long Islanders know they’re lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in New York state and across the globe. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a new or recurring visitor, there’s always something to discover on Long Island.
Kristen Reynolds, CEO and president of Discover Long Island, is at the helm of this nonprofit organization that markets the region as a world-class tourist destination.
Reynolds has been named a TBR News Media Person of the Year for her transformative leadership, exceptional community involvement and unwavering commitment to advancing tourism and economic development on Long Island.
Reynolds and her team at Discover Long Island work to promote a positive perception of Long Island across the globe, which draws lucrative visitors, stirs business attraction — and drives economic development throughout the region — all for the purpose of improving the quality of life for Long Island residents.
Her appointment as CEO in 2018 marked the beginning of a new era for Discover Long Island, the region’s premier destination marketing organization. Under her stewardship, the organization has seen unprecedented growth in tourism, regional partnerships and community engagements, elevating Long Island’s profile as a world-class destination, attracting 41.8 million visitors each year and significantly boosting the local economy by generating over $5.8 billion in revenue for the Island in 2021.
Gloria Rocchio, president of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, witnessed this firsthand, having been on the board that hired Reynolds. Describing her as “a creative person who thinks out of the box,” Rocchio says Reynolds is a visionary who inspires and empowers those around her and says hiring her was “the best decision we ever made.”
Under Reynolds’ helm, the nonprofit has undergone a complete overhaul and refocused its internal strategy, including rebranding and social media. “When I first got here,” Reynolds explains, “we had one Facebook page and no social media.” She continues, “We focused on communications, content creation and rebranding.” Currently, the organization employs 25 full-time employees, including an entire in-house social media and video production team that maintains and grows the company’s 11 social media accounts, You Tube channels, a weekly podcast called Long Island Tea and most recently an AI chatbot on their website named LILI. Reynolds describes her team as “eating, sleeping and breathing our brand,” and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Kristen has completely transformed the way Long Island is perceived, both in the U.S. and internationally,” says Rocchio. “Her ability to connect with people, build partnerships and elevate Long Island’s offerings has been nothing short of remarkable.”
Originally from Midland, Texas, Reynolds graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in public relations and began her career as a coordinator for the Arizona Tourism Bureau. She spent six years there, eventually becoming the youngest tourism director in the state of Arizona.
Claiming she’s “always up for a challenge,” Reynolds has rebranded and marketed countless organizations, resorts and tourism bureaus, including turning the Sheridan Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in Chandler, Arizona, into the only five-star, five-diamond resort on Native American land in the entire state.
As a single mom of two young girls at the time, Reynolds admits it was a tough decision to uproot them and move across the country to “the middle of nowhere” as her friends say, but she did it and has never looked back. “I love Long Island, the beaches, the close proximity to New York City and the four seasons,” she says with a smile.
Championing a blend of marketing innovation, strategic partnerships and sustainable tourism development to ensure Long Island remains a top-tier destination, Discover Long Island has expanded its reach with digital marketing campaigns that spotlight the Island’s diverse attractions — from its world-renowned wineries and beaches to its rich cultural heritage and vibrant culinary scene.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Reynolds is a staunch advocate for Long Island’s community. She believes that true progress can only be achieved when communities work together, and her tenure has been defined by a focus on collaboration.
Dede Gotthelf, experienced this firsthand. Owner of the Southampton Inn, Gotthelf said the need to attract visitors in the fall and winter months has always been a must for the local business communities “With Kristen’s innovative marketing ideas, she has transformed the East End into a year-long destination vacation spot.”
In addition to her work with the community, Reynolds works closely with local governments, civic organizations and nonprofit groups to ensure that Long Island’s tourism growth is sustainable and beneficial to all. Her efforts have fostered a spirit of inclusivity, ensuring that Long Island’s future remains bright for everyone, from residents to tourists.
Crediting much of her success to a philosophy rooted in empathy, transparency and empowerment, Reynolds believes in leading by example, working closely with her team to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that all ideas are considered. This approach has earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and fellow Long Islanders.
Reynolds says she is fortunate to have the support and hard work of her driven team who understand the mission and purpose of Discover Long Island. “They’re passionate about what they do. We make it look fun and glamorous, but the expectations are high and I run a tight ship.”
Sharon Wyman, chief operating officer at Discover Long Island, and a native of Bay Shore, has been with the company for 23 years and has seen firsthand the changes that Reynolds has made. “Before she came there, we needed a major overhaul and to rebuild relationships within the Long Island community,” Wyman credits Reynolds with the success of Discover Long Island and says, “She is always the first to know what we need and makes things happen.”
Wyman says Reynolds takes the team under her wing and is a great mentor to the staff.
“Her best quality as a leader,” explains Wyman, “is that she is an innovator who likes to take risks, and bring new ideas to life.” Reynolds’ co-workers describe her as a “fun, humble and warm hearted” leader who is a great mentor and is not afraid to take risks.
Ed Carr, director of sales and advocacy and stewardship for Discover Long Island, has worked with Reynolds for three years and describes his boss as being “exceedingly competent and an iconoclast.” He explained that her legislative knowledge, marketing and tourism experience and the fact that she’s not from Long Island, allows her to be able to bring an outside perspective on what needs to be done.
Carr says, “Kristen is very cutting edge. She’s always looking to do something that hasn’t been done. She has a desire to try new things. As a result, we are trendsetters in the tourism industry.” Carr explains that it is refreshing to have someone who understands the big picture of politics, cause and effect, and who is always looking for new ways to fund or streamline the processes.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited for what’s next as we continue to shape the future of this amazing destination,” Reynolds says with a smile.
As Discover Long Island continues to innovate and shape the future of tourism on the Island, Reynolds remains focused on ensuring that the region’s growth benefits everyone. Her leadership style, her unwavering commitment to the community and her vision for the future have solidified her place as a true leader, not just in tourism, but in Long Island’s overall development.
People of the Year: ‘A leader among leaders,’ SBM’s Dr. William Wertheim excels as officer in charge, doctor, baker
By Daniel Dunaief
When Dr. William Wertheim visited Mozambique, where Stony Brook University has created the Global Health Institute, he was on a boat that got stranded in low tide.
The convivial and supportive Wertheim, who is Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine, immediately climbed out of the boat and helped push it closer to shore, waiting for the tide to come in.
“When he was out on the Indian Ocean with some fisherman, myself and my eight-year-old son, he was very quick to roll up his sleeves and start pushing the boat ashore,” said Dr. Sierra Washington, the director of the Stony Brook Center for Global Health Equity.
Indeed, Washington suggested that pushing the boat forward became a theme for Wertheim’s visit.
TBR News Media is pleased to recognize Wertheim as a person of the year for his leadership, his deep listening skills and his ongoing commitment to the university and the surrounding communities.
For a few weeks in the spring, Wertheim’s roles and titles changed, even if the manner and his focus did not.
In June, former SBU President Maurie McInnis named Wertheim executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine, as he shed the interim label he had taken on starting the previous October.
A few weeks later, Wertheim effectively took over for McInnis, who resigned after four years to become president of her alma mater, Yale University, when he became officer-in-charge at Stony Brook University.
“Having Wertheim named as officer-in-charge gave everybody a sigh of relief,” said Dr. Todd Griffin, vice dean for clinical affairs and vice president for clinical services.
Justin Fincher, interim chief deputy to the president and senior vice president of government and community relations, said that Wertheim, who has been at Stony Brook for 28 years, “is the epitome of the university citizen. He’s the person we all think about as a leader among leaders.”
While Wertheim was in charge of the university for about six weeks until current Interim President Richard McCormick arrived in August, he supported leadership across the campus, offering to listen or provide advice.
“He was trusting the team in place to lead,” said Fincher. “He takes his ethic of care from his training as a medical doctor and applies that in every setting and in every decision.”
Indeed, first and foremost among Wertheim’s many responsibilities and roles, he continues to serve as a practicing physician with several hundred patients.
Finding the time to see patients requires taking some extra hours. He also relies on support from other physicians and nurse practitioners who work as a team whenever he is unavailable to see his patients.
“Seeing patients is at the core of what I do,” said Wertheim. “I did go to medical school for a reason.”
A graduate of Harvard University, Wertheim earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine.
Through his medical practice, Wertheim not only helps the patients who come see him, but also recognizes and can offer solutions to challenges patients or doctors face.
“It’s one thing to hear about a problem, but another thing to have that sense that this really does affect what happens, when you’re going through the care of patients,” Wertheim said.
This year, doctors had trouble setting up appointments in one particular department, and Wertheim struggled to schedule appointments for his patients. Griffin, one of the senior leaders on Wertheim’s team, was able to assess the challenges for doctors in seeing new and follow-up patients. Under the guidance, nurse practitioners now see follow-up patients. This change cut the delay time in half in under a year.
Pulling in the same direction
Griffin has known Wertheim for 25 years and appreciates the way Wertheim has brought various efforts and initiatives together.
“We are a number of different entities: the hospital, the school, physician practices,” said Griffin, suggesting that Wertheim helps all those people “pull the oars in the same direction.”
One of Wertheim’s directives that has been particularly effective involved developing a new governance structure for Stony Brook Medicine. Whereas groups had been creating strategic plans for one year, Wertheim asked them to develop a three- and five-year plan.
Wertheim also unified service lines, combining such areas as ambulatory care and hospital expertise.
By understanding how patients transition from ambulatory to hospital care, Stony Brook Medicine can ensure a smoother and more patient-centric experience.
As a leader, Wertheim makes a concerted and ongoing effort to interact with staff throughout the system, including medical assistants, front-desk representatives and janitors, to name a few.
“All those people in those services get to see him and know him,” said Griffin. “He’s not some leader in an ivory tower.”
Role reversal
Wertheim was a vice dean of the medical school a few years ago when Dr. Peter Igarashi, dean of the Renaissance School of Medicine, first arrived.
“He worked for me,” Igarashi said. “I now work for him. There’s a lesson there about be careful how you treat people who work for you.”
Igarashi is delighted that Wertheim supports the work he and others do throughout Stony Brook Medicine.
After Wertheim became interim executive vice president, he visited several clinical sites and met personally with providers.
Through these interactions, Wertheim has built “authentic personal relationships,” Igarashi said.
As a primary-care physician, Wertheim has also communicated effectively to residents and students about the importance of having a fundamental foundation of excellence.
Igarashi, who is a physician researcher, values the complementary nature of Wertheim’s strength as a clinician and educator.
Wertheim “makes it easier for us to bring the benefits from a research discovery or research program to the clinical setting so patients have access to the latest expertise,” Igarashi added.
Carol Gomes, chief executive officer/chief operating officer of Stony Brook University Hospital, has worked with Wertheim for over 20 years. She never feels like “I’m reporting to him. He always says I’m his partner.”
Dr. Bill
In addition to connecting with medical professionals, Wertheim has an ability to connect with people of different ages and in different stages of life.
When he was in Mozambique, Wertheim lived with Washington and her son Malachi, who called him “Dr. Bill.”
Wertheim was “like one of the family,” said Washington. “He’s very down to Earth and was just as easily able to have a stimulating conversation with my son as with hospital directors.”
During his visit, Wertheim and Malachi both shared their passion for the Mets.
Wertheim has been a “great ally” to the Center for Global Health Equity, Washington said, and is always available to discuss core strategic planning.
Wertheim recognized that the limitations on health care workers in Mozambique had less to do with their knowledge and skills than with supplies.
“What they lack are resources,” said Wertheim.
A talented baker
At Harvard, where he was a history and literature major, Wertheim wrote his thesis on the influence of the philosophy of William James on the literature of Robert Penn Warren, author of “All the King’s Men.”
The first time Wertheim read the book, he was on a plane flying to St. Louis. He recalls reading the first chapter, which described the governor’s driver maneuvering down a highway.
“The description is so brilliant, I paused and looked out the window and realized that I was flying over the country that was not dissimilar from what he was describing. It was an incredibly powerful moment,” he said.
As if all of his skills weren’t enough, Wertheim, who is the fifth of five brothers, is also a passionate baker.
“I’m of an age where the kitchen might have been thought of as a place for girls or women,” Wertheim said. “That wasn’t the case in my house.”
He made several mistakes, particularly with his sourdough bread, but has learned from those earlier experiences.
“It’s fun and relaxing,” Wertheim said. “When you spend a lot of time thinking about very serious things, it can be gratifying to focus in on a small task” such as kneading dough.
Gomes recalled recently receiving a croissant. She loved the “very buttery” taste.
Griffin sees overlaps between Wertheim’s medical duties and his baking abilities.
“The precision needed, following recipes being detail oriented, having the patience to bake and make it come out the way you want” is also evidence in how “careful and precise [Wertheim] is in how he engages with others. Big complicated things don’t happen overnight. He’s methodically and carefully putting down the ingredients.
Eye on the Street: People of the Year 2024
By Jennifer Donatelli
As the year comes to a close, it’s a time to reflect on the individuals who have had a profound impact on our lives. Whether through their kindness, wisdom or unwavering support, people leave an indelible mark, shaping us in ways both big and small.
To round out 2024, TBR News Media took to the streets, asking locals to nominate their Person of the Year. Here are their responses
Dorinda Haberfield, Smithtown
Haberfield nominated her mother, 97-year-old Genevieve Antonucci, as her Person of the Year, because of “everything she has been through in her life.” “She lived through the Great Depression, the loss of her father at a young age, homelessness and having to work to help support the family,” said Haberfield.
“Her perseverance and resilience has been a true inspiration and example of integrity and strong character,” she added.
Lisa Goldfeder, Babylon
When asked to nominate someone as Person of the Year, Goldfeder immediately said Caitlin Clark, the WNBA basketball athlete.
“She single-handedly changed the landscape of women’s basketball, with TV viewership rising over 300%,” Goldfeder said.
Michael Joseph, Halesite
Joseph nominated Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for his dedication to his country and for “having the courage to put it all in a public memoir.”
Margaret Munsch, Huntington
Munsch nominated her son “because he is my heart, and gives me a purpose for living.”
Gladys Brandow, Oceanside
Brandow’s nomination for Person of the Year is her son Steven, “for being brave, accomplishing his goals and pursuing his dreams,” despite the death of his father as a teenager.
Michelle Mulderrig, Syracuse and Huntington
Mulderrig said she would nominate “anyone who has faced the diagnosis of cancer.:
These people have had to navigate waters they might find themselves drowning in. So for anyone battling cancer and the people it affects around them, you are all heroes to me,” said Mulderrig.
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