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Governor Hochul Appoints Ernst Valery to RCC Board of Trustees
Ernst Valery, a real estate development executive, investor and educator, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for Rockland Community College (RCC) by Governor Kathy Hochul. Valery was appointed pursuant to New York State Education Law Section 6306 and will serve a term expiring June 30, 2029.
He succeeds Susan Oelkers-Ramos, who recently resigned from the Board.
Dr. William P. Mullaney, President of Rockland Community College, said “Ernst Valery brings extensive experience in leadership, education, real estate development and community-focused investment. His commitment to expanding opportunity and fostering economic mobility strongly aligns with RCC’s mission.”
Valery is President of EVI, where he oversees daily operations, project execution and strategic relationships. Throughout his more than 25-year career, he has successfully developed and invested in a diverse range of real estate projects across eight states and Washington, D.C., including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit new construction, large-scale rehabilitation projects, mixed-use properties and condominium conversions.
In addition to his work in real estate development and investment, Valery has extensive experience in higher education. He serves as an adjunct professor of strategic management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and as a course professor at Cornell University, teaching courses focused on equitable real estate development and strategies to prevent displacement in low-income communities.
“Ernst Valery’s expertise in strategic development, urban planning and creating opportunities for underserved communities will bring an important perspective to the RCC Board of Trustees,” said Board Chair L’Tanya M. Watkins, Esq. “His experience leading complex initiatives and building partnerships across sectors will be an asset as the college continues working to expand access to education, support student achievement and serve the evolving needs of our diverse community.”
Valery holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, a Master of Public Administration and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies from Cornell University. He is also a Mel King Community Fellow with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Innovators Lab.
“Rockland Community College is foundational to the continued success of the dynamic and diverse people in our County,” Valery said. “I am excited to join my fellow Trustees and College leadership and contribute my passion for expanding educational opportunities and access to upward mobility for all of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.”
The Arc Rockland Awarded $ 22,650 in Grants from NYSARC Trust Services
The Arc Rockland, a not-for-profit organization supporting people with disabilities in Rockland County, has been awarded $ 22,650 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support The Arc Rockland’s guardianship and recreation programs.
NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts that make dramatic improvements to the lives of people with disabilities by enabling individuals to maintain financial eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs. For 2026, NYSARC Trust Services is proud to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding a total of $ 2.7 Million to The Arc New York Chapters statewide.
This year, The Arc Rockland received $22,650 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and community volunteers, The Arc Rockland’s Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship supports and services to three people and is ready to assist four more as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian.
NYSARC Trust Services also awarded The Arc Rockland $17,247.00 to support new recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of the more than 180 individuals it serves. The Arc Rockland plans to use the recreation grant funds to provide a large variety of recreational activities including dancing, glee club, karaoke, baseball games, musical entertainment, fun filled outdoor BBQs with games, bingo, sports, Zumba and bowling.
To learn more about The Arc Rockland, visit www.TheArcRockland.org.
Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance Unveils Partnership with M&T Bank
The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education (HMCTE) and M&T Bank last week introduced an innovative partnership that serves as a model for how corporations, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations can work together to strengthen communities through education, understanding, and shared purpose.
The event introduced “Superheroes and the Holocaust,” an educational initiative designed to teach young people about moral courage, resilience, and the responsibility individuals play to stand up against hatred and injustice.
The program will be introduced to schools throughout New York State, with plans for broader national expansion.
In the partnership, M&T Bank is bringing members of its executive leadership team to participate in a professional development experience at the Museum. Their visit reflects a growing recognition that understanding history, confronting prejudice, and fostering inclusive leadership are essential skills for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s communities, the museum said.
While the Holocaust represents one of history’s darkest chapters, the Museum’s mission reaches far beyond remembrance. Through education, dialogue, and community engagement, HMCTE equips students, educators, businesses, and civic leaders with practical tools to recognize bias, promote acceptance, and inspire moral courage in everyday life.
“This partnership illustrates what is possible when organizations choose collaboration over division,” said Andrea Myer, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education. “Our greatest challenges cannot be solved in isolation. When corporations, educators, nonprofits, and community leaders come together with a shared commitment to human dignity, we create stronger communities and a more hopeful future.”
Rockland County Receives AAA Rating from Fitch
Rockland County received a “AAA” general obligation bond rating from Fitch Ratings, an upgrade from “AA+”. The rating is the highest grade Fitch assigns and is tied to the county’s creditworthiness when it borrows money.
Bond ratings assess the creditworthiness of government entities. The county said the top rating signals to lenders and investors that Rockland County presents minimal credit risk, which can help the county secure lower interest rates when borrowing and save taxpayer money.
County Executive Ed Day said the rating followed years of budget decisions and financial oversight.
Fitch said in its report that “the ‘AAA’ ratings reflect improved financial performance, supported by stronger unrestricted reserves and improved demographic and economic metrics. Strong budget management in recent years has increased reserves to 50 percent of fiscal 2024 spending, supporting the county’s ‘aaa’ financial resilience assessment; based on unaudited results, reserves will improve further in fiscal 2025.”
Commissioner of Finance Stephen DeGroat said the county has now received another top-tier mark from a major ratings agency.
“After years of hard work, we have achieved our second top rating from a premier credit rating agency,” DeGroat said. “This upgrade is the result of prudent financial planning and conservative budgeting practices.”
The county said Rockland is one of two counties in New York with a “AAA” rating from Fitch. It also said the county achieved an “Aaa” top credit rating in 2025 from Moody’s, and that Rockland was the only county in New York to do so.
