Special honorees at a May benefit of The Greyston Foundation–the country’s leading social enterprise–were Joe Armentano, CEO and Board Chairman, Paraco Gas Corporation, and Chappaqua’s John M. Tolomer, President and CEO, The Westchester Bank. Additionally, Lucy Moreno-Casanova, Greyston’s Community Gardens Coordinator, will be the recipient of the 2014 Bernie Glassman PathMaking Award.
This annual award is given in honor of founder Bernie Glassman and is grounded in the philosophy of “PathMaking,” the foundation’s belief that individuals can be supported to move forward on a path to self-sufficiency.
Through Armentano’s vision and leadership, Paraco Gas Corporation has experienced considerable growth and has transitioned from an industrial gas business to a leading propane energy company. Armentano is active on several boards and is the founding member of The Executive Association of Westchester, a business networking association of entrepreneurs with a philanthropic heart.
Tolomer has more than 20 years of retail and commercial banking experience in Westchester, including executive positions with Citibank and The Bank of New York, where he served as a senior vice president. He was named President and CEO of The Westchester Bank in November 2008, focused on providing highly personalized service to businesses in Westchester and the surrounding area.
Armentano and Tolomer have demonstrated a life-long commitment to supporting local charities and are especially proud of their work with the Greyston Foundation. Paraco Gas Corporation recently hired a Greyston Bakery employee as part of Greyston’s Next Steps program, and The Westchester Bank was a critical part of Greyston’s recent restructuring.
Moreno-Casanova, recipient of this year’s Bernie Glassman PathMaking Award, began her journey with Greyston as countless individuals do: as a member of the community. Participating as a volunteer in the Community Gardens Program for five years, her love of gardening, paired with her natural leadership and mentorship ability, positioned her to join the Greyston staff as coordinator of the program in 2000.
For more information, visit: www.greyston.org.
