Orange County Partnership to Honor Three Women Whose Leadership Has Helped Shape Orange County's Cities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 10, 2026

First-ever joint recipients honored for decades of collaborative leadership advancing the revitalization and economic growth of the Cities of Middletown, Port Jervis, and Newburgh.

The Orange County Partnership will make history this fall by recognizing three recipients of its 2026 Women of Achievement in Economic Development Award, marking the first time since the award's inception that the honor will be presented jointly.

The award will be presented during the Orange County Partnership's 2026 Investor Breakfast on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown.

While Orange County's major economic development projects often make headlines, the Orange County Partnership has embraced a broader theme throughout 2026: recognizing the unsung heroes whose dedication, persistence, and leadership make those successes possible. The roads rebuilt, downtowns revitalized, grants secured, businesses attracted, and neighborhoods renewed rarely happen overnight, or because of one person. More often, they are the result of years of steady work by public servants who quietly navigate complex projects, build partnerships, and champion their communities behind the scenes.

The Orange County Partnership Board of Directors unanimously supported the recognition of Maria Bruni, Director of Economic & Community Development for the City of Middletown; Valerie Maginsky, Executive Director of the City of Port Jervis Community Development Agency; and Cherisse Vickers, Executive Director of the City of Newburgh Industrial Development Agency.

Traditionally, the Woman of Achievement Award honors one woman whose leadership has made a lasting impact on economic development in Orange County. This year, however, the organization concluded that the continued revitalization of Orange County's three cities could not be represented by a single individual.

Collectively, Bruni, Maginsky and Vickers have dedicated more than five decades to advancing economic and community development in Orange County. Their leadership, with the support of their respective elected leadership, has helped secure tens of millions of dollars in state investment, transform downtown business districts, revitalize neighborhoods, preserve historic assets, expand housing opportunities, and attract significant private investment and job creation that continues to strengthen the county's economy.

"One of the greatest strengths of Orange County is that economic development isn't accomplished by any one organization, it's built through partnerships. We've had the privilege of working alongside Maria, Valerie, and Cherisse on projects that have grown local communities and strengthened our regional economy," said Conor Eckert, President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership. “Economic development is often measured by new buildings and investment announcements, but those milestones are only possible because of dedicated professionals who spend years working behind the scenes to move projects forward.  Maria, Valerie, and Cherisse represent the very best of that work. They have championed downtown revitalization, supported local businesses, advanced housing and infrastructure, and helped create the conditions for long-term private investment and job creation. Their leadership has elevated the Cities of Middletown, Port Jervis, and Newburgh, while making Orange County stronger and more competitive as a whole.”

“I congratulate these three exceptional Women of Achievement on their well-deserved recognition by the Orange County Partnership,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. “Maria, Valerie, and Cherisse exemplify what it means to invest in and support their communities through their dedicated efforts to secure grants and funding for revitalization projects, promote economic development, and improve quality of life for their families and neighbors. I’m proud of these strong County leaders. Middletown, Port Jervis, and Newburgh are lucky to have them, and I commend the Partnership for acknowledging all three of them for their initiative and commitment.”

 

Three Leaders. Three Cities. One Shared Legacy.

Since joining the City of Middletown in 1994, Maria Bruni has contributed to many of the city's most significant redevelopment initiatives. Her accomplishments include helping secure and implement Middletown's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award, advancing the Rail Trail Commons redevelopment, leading extensive downtown streetscape improvements, assisting with the launch of the successful Race 4 Space initiative that helped fill long-vacant storefronts, and guiding redevelopment planning for the former Middletown Psychiatric Center campus, one of the largest redevelopment opportunities in the city's history.

Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano praised Bruni's contributions, saying, "Maria's ability to build partnerships, navigate complex development initiatives, and champion innovative solutions has made her one of Orange County's most effective economic development professionals. Her dedication to improving the quality of life for residents while fostering sustainable growth makes her an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Orange County Partnership's Woman of Achievement Award."

Since 2014, Valerie Maginsky has helped guide Port Jervis through a period of sustained revitalization. She played a leading role in securing the city's $10 million Round VI Hudson Valley DRI award and now oversees its implementation while continuing to advance downtown redevelopment, business recruitment, housing rehabilitation and the restoration of the historic Erie Turntable.

Mayor Dominic Cicalese said, "Valerie’s fingerprints are on many of the major redevelopment successes Port Jervis has experienced over the past decade. She has worked tirelessly to attract investment while preserving the history and sense of place that make our city so special. Her dedication has created lasting opportunities for our residents and businesses, and this recognition is a well-deserved tribute to her years of service. I look forward to continuing our work together to advance investment, revitalization, and job creation in Port Jervis alongside valued partners like Valerie and the Orange County Partnership."

Since 2018, Cherisse Vickers has helped lead many of Newburgh's most transformative redevelopment initiatives. Under her leadership, Brookfield’s 700 South Street Industrial project has broken ground, the Liberty Street Corridor has been positioned for new mixed-income housing, plans continue to advance for a redeveloped waterfront and public pier, and the city is seeing a substantial uptick in job creation opportunities.

Mayor Torrance Harvey said, " Cherisse has been instrumental in Newburgh's continued resurgence. She understands that successful economic development is about creating opportunity while strengthening the neighborhoods and character that make our city unique. Through her leadership and our collaboration, Newburgh has attracted and supported transformative investments in industry, housing, and community revitalization that will benefit residents for generations. We are grateful for her partnership and for the collaboration we've built with organizations like the Orange County Partnership to advance our shared vision for the city's future. This recognition is a fitting tribute to her dedication, vision, and lasting impact on our city."

The Orange County Partnership's Women of Achievement Award recognizes women whose leadership, vision and commitment have made lasting contributions to economic development and the vitality of Orange County's communities.

This year's historic decision to recognize three recipients reflects the Partnership's belief that the story of Orange County's continued growth is, in many ways, the story of the visionary women who have helped lead its cities through decades of transformation.