PRINT 2010 Archives

Friendly Honda earns Honda’s top dealership award

Eric Kahn, owner of Friendly Honda has been named by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as a recipient of the 2008 Honda President’s Award. The award is presented to top ranking Honda dealerships across the country and recognizes excellence in all areas of operation – customer service, sales, training, and facility operation.

"Being honored by Honda validates Friendly Honda’s commitment to providing a unique car buying and ownership experience in which we strive to deliver unparalleled value and customer satisfaction. I want to thank my exceptional and hard-working staff as well as our loyal customers for making 2008 a record breaking year despite a struggling economy," said Kahn.

More than 1,000 Honda automobile dealerships participate in the President’s Award program annually. Each year, award objectives are established to inspire dealerships to achieve even higher levels of customer satisfaction. This year, 157 dealerships achieved these objectives and ranked to merit Honda’s highest honor. Friendly Honda was the only dealership in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Ulster counties to receive the award.

"Earning the Honda President’s Award takes a team of dedicated professionals unwavering in its pursuit of superb customer care," says Richard Colliver, executive vice president, Automotive Sales at American Honda Motor Co. "We are proud to recognize Friendly Honda as one of our Honda elite. See for yourself what a difference working with a Honda award-winning dealership can make to your automotive experience."

Kahn purchased Friendly Honda, located on Route 44 in Poughkeepsie, in October 2007. He is also the owner of Capital Volvo of Albany in Colonie, New York.

Anne E. Pitter has joined Hartman & Craven LLP, a Manhattan-based law firm established in 1921 that represents domestic and international clients in various practice areas, as partner. Pitter brings significant legal expertise in corporate/business services, creditors’ rights, workouts and restructuring, and real estate law, clearly bolstering the firm’s respective practices in these areas.

Prior to joining Hartman & Craven, Pitter was a partner in the New York office of law firm Thelen LLP. Pitter became a partner at Thelen LLP as a result of its merger with another prominent New York firm, Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP. Pitter joined Brown Raysman as a partner when it acquired several practice groups formerly at Baer Marks & Upham LLP.

In the corporate/business services area, she has worked in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, equity investments in joint ventures, partnerships and limited liability companies, employment agreements, licensing and distributorship agreements, and intellectual property issues, among many others. Her industries of focus have included media and communications (cable television, out of home media and print), apparel and sporting goods, insurance and real estate brokerage, liquor and cigarette distributors, manufacturing, as well as private equity and venture capital funds.

In bankruptcy/creditors’ rights, she has acted as a trustee and has represented both debtors and secured and unsecured creditors in connection with work outs, restructures, reorganizations, liquidations, and auctions as well as other asset sales.

In real estate, Pitter has expertise in the areas of transactional real estate, including the acquisition, sale and financing (construction, permanent and mezzanine) of commercial and residential projects. She also has significant experience representing hotels, real estate investors, developers and management companies in numerous types of real estate and commercial transactions throughout the United States.

Pitter is admitted to the New York State Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester and her J.D. degree at Albany Law School.

Fran Zoske, MSN, RN has joined CDPHP as director, health promotion and wellness programs. Zoske brings more than 30 years of nursing and management experience to her new post.

Most recently, Zoske served as associate professor and curriculum coordinator for Empire State College Nursing Program. Prior to that, she was the founder and director of faith community nursing, a nationally acclaimed nursing network for Seton Health/St Mary's Hospital. The program introduced the concept of parish nursing to the Capital District and achieved national "Best Practice" status for health and wellness promotion. Zoske developed an extensive network of collaborative community health programs, service organizations, and academic institutions during her tenure with Seton Health/St Mary's Hospital.

In addition, Zoske has held nursing positions in New York hospitals: Samaritan/Albany Memorial Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital, and St. Barnabas Hospital, as well as University of Chicago Hospital and Clinics.

Zoske holds a master’s of science degree in nursing/organizational development from Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz, and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Winona State University, Winona, Minn. She is a published author and national speaker on topics ranging from health promotion and wellness to faith community nursing.

Robert A. Holtz MA, MBA, LMHC, has Joined CDPHP as vice president, behavioral health services. In his new position, Holtz will oversee, modify, and administer behavioral health operations at CDPHP.

"It is a pleasure to announce Bob has joined our growing team," said John D. Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP. "He brings nearly 30 years behavioral health experience to his new post, and will be an important asset in maintaining the quality of mental health benefits CDPHP offers to its membership."

Most recently, Bob served as behavioral health director, MVP Healthcare. He also held behavioral health management capacities for Conifer Park, Kaiser Permanente, and Community Health Plan (CHP).

He holds a master’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Albany; a master’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh; and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University College of Liberal Arts. Bob is licensed as a NYS Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Specialist.

John Patrick Jackson, Senior Project Manager for Arris Contracting Co., Inc. Of Poughkeepsie has earned the U.S.Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) Accredited Professional Status. The LEED Green Building Rating system is designed to encourage energy and resource conservation in the construction and operation of buildings.

"Arris Contracting has recognized the growth of green building and sustainable development in the construction industry" said Paul Tozzi Principle of ACCI. "John’s accomplishment supports our firms commitment to energy efficiency, resource recovery and sustainable building. "

Jackson has been working at Arris Contracting for the past 12 years. He received his bachelors degree from Pace University and earned his Master degree in 2000.