MONTICELLO, N.Y. (Aug. 23, 2012) – The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development today named Josh Sommers, President and CEO of Focus Media, Inc., as the 2012 recipient of the Walter A. Rhulen Award. The Partnership also recognized Darlene Fedun, CEO, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, as Distinguished Service Award winner. Both Sommers and Fedun will be honored at The Partnership’s annual meeting on October 4 at The Sullivan in Rock Hill.
The Partnership Board of Directors selected Sommers for the Walter A. Rhulen Award from several worthy nominations submitted by the organization’s membership. Fedun was picked for the Distinguished Service Award by The Partnership staff for her leadership in fostering economic development.
“Josh has been chosen as the winner of this year’s Rhulen Award for his dedicated service to the Partnership, economic development and philanthropic activities,” said Fred Stabbert III, Partnership Board Chairman. “Darlene is being honored for her tremendous commitment to economic development and for bettering the lives of so many residents in Sullivan County. We are extremely proud of both award recipients.”
The Rhulen Award, which is presented annually, recognizes an individual for “business excellence, community commitment and service to humanity.” Sommers, Immediate Past Chairman of The Partnership, received the award in recognition of his passion and tireless efforts toward supporting economic development in Sullivan County. Sommers is the founder of Focus Media, a leading marketing and public relations firm. According to PR Week magazine, the agency is the largest of its kind in the state, outside of New York City. Additionally, Focus Media is the marketing partner of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC). Sommers’ civic involvement includes serving on the boards of several regional organizations, and he is currently the Vice President of Development for the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties.
Focus Media has grown significantly since its founding in 2002 in a small, 300-square-foot Bridgeville office. Recently, Focus Media was named to Inc. magazine’s 5000 list of fastest growing companies, ranking 1,049th out of all companies in the United States. PR Week named the company the fastest-growing public relations firm in the Eastern United States in 2011.
Fedun oversees all divisions including programming, marketing, operations and facilities, development and the museum of Bethel Woods, an organization whose goal is to preserve the unique legacy of the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair for generations to come. The organization has created hundreds of jobs in Sullivan County and its economic impact in 2010 alone was $20.84 million. Fedun continues to build upon Alan Gerry’s vision of establishing Bethel Woods as a premier performing arts institution and destination, as well as a catalyst for the economic development of Sullivan County. Under Darlene’s guidance, the region’s residents and visitors are provided exciting cultural opportunities that engage them in the arts and civic life. Bethel Woods has attracted more than 1.14 million people to their nearly 300 different performances at Bethel Woods. Along with the Bethel Woods management team, she has led the organization to receive multiple awards, including, being ranked #15 on Pollstar’s 2011 Top 100 Worldwide Amphitheater Venues (up from #73 in 2006) and nominations from Pollstar for Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue (2010) and Best New Major Concert Venue (2006).
Fedun devotes her time to a variety of youth and community projects. She has served as a member of the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Planning Board, Liberty Little League Board, President of the Liberty Youth Center Board, and founded Angels for Youth, a non-profit organization supporting projects to benefit youth at risk. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Liberty Properties, the Sullivan County Visitor’s Association and the Liberty Community Development Corporation, serves on the Governor’s “Path Through History” Committee and is a member of the Sullivan County Economic Development Council. She is also a contributor to the Boys & Girls Club.
Allan Scott, President and CEO of the Partnership, said: “Both Josh and Darlene are excellent honorees of these prestigious awards. They have both done excellent work for the people of Sullivan County and have shown an unwavering commitment to economic development.”
The Sullivan County Partnership is an organization made up of both private and public entities that work together to serve the needs of new and expanding businesses throughout the county. Founded in 1994, The Partnership offers a number of effective programs and services that help companies get started, relocate and grow.
To learn more about the organization, visit www.scpartnership.com.
About Sullivan County Partnership:
The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, founded in 1994, is a non-profit organization focused on the marketing of Sullivan County, leading to job creation and investment in the county. Over the years, The Partnership has worked to solidify its organizational structure, develop and strengthen relationships with its partners, the County of Sullivan, the Sullivan County Industrial Development Association, the business community and other service organizations. Through leadership in both the government and private sector, successful strategies were developed that worked to create an environment that makes investing in Sullivan County viable. Due to its balanced approach to assisting small and large business, The Partnership plays a pivotal role in providing facilitative services and carrying the message of a positive outlook for the future of Sullivan County.
