Senator Murphy Presents Hudson Valley Chamber Executive with 2018 Woman of Distinction Award

Albany, NY - Deb Milone knows everybody's business - and that's a good thing. Ms. Milone is the Executive Director for the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce in Peekskill, an organization that serves to encourage and support new businesses, facilitate new partnerships and promotes the growth of current businesses in local communities.
 
On May 1, Senator Terrence Murphy honored Ms. Milone's efforts to improve the Hudson Valley's economic growth by presenting her with the New York State Senate 2018 Woman of Distinction Award. The award is given to outstanding women living and working in New York State whose contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in their communities.
 
"Deb has always been about representing and serving our community in a positive way. She has been a leader in bringing businesses together to work toward the common goal of economic prosperity, which benefits everyone in the 40th Senate District," said Senator Murphy. "I'm proud to recognize Deb as our 2018 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. She joins an exalted group of dynamic and forward-thinking women who through their success have come to represent the finest in business that New York State has to offer."
 
Ms. Milone said, "It is a great honor to be recognized by Senator Murphy as a Woman of Distinction. It is and has been my great joy to be able to give back and contribute, even if only in small ways, to help make my community a better place. I'm a huge believer in giving back."
 
Ms. Milone joined the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce in 2010. With Ms. Milone at the helm, it's never business as usual at the Chamber. Ms. Milone defines the phrase "multi-tasking," managing the day-to-day operations of the 475-member chamber, arranging workshops, seminars, networking events, new membership drives and community events, as well as overseeing the operation of the Tourism and Visitor Center.
 
Prior to accepting the Executive Director position at the Chamber, Ms. Milone was on the Board of Directors for 18 years and was Chairman of the Board from 2004-2007. She was also the first woman President of the Peekskill Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Ms. Milone has served as a Foundation Board Member for the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, been a Peekskill Business Improvement District Board Member, and served on the Executive Committee, Peekskill Celebration Festival, as Volunteer Coordinator.
 
She currently serves on the Government Action Committee of the Business Council of Westchester, the Advisory Board of New York Area Energy Alliance, is on the Budget Advisory Task Force for the City of Peekskill, and is Vice Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Peekskill.
 
Before joining the Chamber, Ms. Milone was a District Sales Manager at Yellowbook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Guide Communications, and Publisher of the Peekskill/Cortlandt Herald. She graduated magna cum laude from New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
 
Established in 1915, the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce is comprised of business and civic members who work together to foster and promote opportunities for its members by exchanging ideas, educating and advocating on behalf of businesses. Located in the heart of historic Downtown Peekskill, the Chamber office also serves as a Regional Tourism Information Center for the thousands of visitors who come to the Hudson Valley Gateway region each year.