Penn South’s Walter Mankoff Inducted into New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame

Albany, NY – Each year, the New York State Senate selects nominees to the New York State Veterans’ Hall of Fame to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. This year, State Senator Brad Hoylman selected Army veteran and Penn South resident Walter Mankoff, who has made tremendous contributions to his community as a longtime member of the Penn South board of directors, Manhattan Community Board 4 and Penn South Social Services board.

Walter traveled to Albany on May 20, 2014 for the official celebration, at which he and veterans from New York State's other 62 Senate Districts were recognized for their service to their country and communities.

Christine Berthet, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 4, said: “Walter Mankoff has a deep sense of service to his city, state and nation and I couldn’t be more pleased that Senator Hoylman has designated him for the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Throughout his 24 years on Community Board 4, including two terms as chair and four terms as vice chair, Walter has served the people of Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen with extraordinary distinction and has bettered the lives of all who live and work here. As a Board Member of the Alumni and Friends of La Guardia High School, where scores of New York artists study music, he worked tirelessly after Hurricane Sandy to bring relief to our neighbors in Chelsea. His loyalty, frankness, sharp mind and strategic thinking are second to none and continue to make him a guiding light for new generations of board members.”

Brendan Keany, General Manager of Penn South, said: “Walter Mankoff is a pillar of the Penn South community. As a member of the co-op board for the past 34 years, a member of the Penn South Social Services board for the past 28 years, and as treasurer of both, Walter has played an enormous role in maintaining Penn South as a bastion of low- and moderate-income housing in Chelsea, and a safe, supportive environment for seniors and families alike. From his time in the Army, to his leadership on Community Board 4, to his continuing service as a Director of the NYC Business Relocation Assistance Corporation, Walter has distinguished himself as an outstanding citizen worthy of his place in the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”

Senator Hoylman submitted the following essay about Walter for the program distributed at the event and a poster displayed in a special exhibit at the Legislative Office Building:

Walter Mankoff was called to serve his country in the United States Army in July 1953 and he did so with honor and distinction. He was given Scientific and Professional Classification as a Personnel Management Specialist, and served two years in a Quartermaster Company in Fort Lee, Virginia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He played a key role in company administration and relations with higher headquarters, and was ultimately promoted to Corporal. He was honorably discharged in June 1955 and received a Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

A Master of Business Administration, Walter has leveraged the same strong management skills, good judgment, and sense of duty that served him so well in the Army in his long civilian career with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (now UNITE HERE), and in his extensive community service.

Walter has been a member of Manhattan Community Board 4 since 1990, served as Vice Chair from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2002-2003, and was Chair from 2003 to 2005. A resident of Mutual Redevelopment Houses, Inc. (Penn South), the storied 2,820 unit affordable co-op in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1980, and Treasurer since 1990. He has also been Director and Treasurer of Penn South Social Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) serving the co-op’s residents, since 1986. Among many other civic contributions, he was a member and Co-Chair of the NYS Governor’s Advisory Council on Unemployment Insurance and Employment from 1990 to 2000.

For his dedication and service to his country and community, Walter Mankoff is richly deserving of his place in the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.