By Michael Ryan
ASHLAND - The mountaintop-based Windham Manor served as host for the 2024 Greene County Chamber of Commerce Recognition Gala, on September 25, honoring businesses and individuals.
Awards were presented for Businessman of the Year (Joseph M. Pilatich), Businesswoman of the Year (Kitty Kelly) and Not-For-Profit of the Year (Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society).
Honorees also included Distinguished Service, (Greene County sheriff Pete Kusminsky), Small Business of the Year, (Willa’s) and Large Business of the Year (Tip Top Tent Rentals), featured in our September 27 issue.
BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
Dr. Joseph M Pilatich III was born to the late Joseph M Pilatich II and Rita Pilatich. He Joe attended St. Patrick’s elementary through 7th grade until switching to Catskill High School where he graduated in 1984.
He then attended Siena college, graduating in 1988 with a BS in Biology. He obtained his dental degree in 1992 from the University of Maryland and completed a general practice residency at the Albany VA in 1993.
Joe has coached Catskill youth baseball and basketball. He has been a member of the Catskill Elks Lodge for 25 years and a lifelong member of the Catskill St. Patrick’s Parish.
Joe donates to many local charities and sponsors many events. He has spoken at his high school Alma Mater on three separate occasions; twice as the Commencement Speaker in 1992 and 2020 and also in 1998, during National Honor Society inductions.
He has also been a Guest Speaker at Career Day at Columbia Greene Community College for many years.
Joe’s impressive resume began with his first paid job at 12 years old where he put on a cat costume and ran around Main Street for Old Catskill Days. Unfortunately we don’t have any photos to share with you tonight.
Joe opened his dental practice on July 15, 1993. It was 100 yards from where he was born. Over the last 31 years he has employed numerous lGreene County residents. He now has 13 employees and one Associate.
Joe married his wife Anna on July 12, 1997. They went on to have two children, Hunter and Alexa.
BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Kitty Kelly was born Katherine Kelly, the youngest of 3 to Ralph and Mary K. Kelly (whom she calls “the best parents ever”).
She graduated high school from Academy of the Holy Names and received her Bachelor’s from Boston College, entering the corporate world.
Kitty later left the corporate world to obtain a Masters degree in Educational Psychology at The College of St. Rose where she taught in the School of Education over a period of 15 years (a job she loved).
Her maternal grandmother owned The Shamrock House; a year-round resort in East Durham and her paternal grandparents owned the seasonal “Kelly’s Brookside,” also in East Durham.
Kitty started working at age 13 at The Shamrock House and later in East Durham met her future husband, Donal Gallagher who, 44 years ago, opened the Guaranteed Irish Shop.
Donal helped create the non-profit MJQ Irish Cultural and Sports Centre in East Durham, passing 20 months ago.
Kitty and her band, “Catskill Fever,” for more than 20 years have donated their time to various fundraisers. Kitty also donates her time organizing funeral services for family and friends including arranging the program, the music and performing.
In addition, she has worked for 20 years in animal rescue and advocacy and has worked behind the scenes for decades promoting East Durham and the Catskill area.
As a small business owner Kitty says “the most important thing we can do is support each other, lift each other up, do our best and stay positive even when times are challenging. When we work together, we can achieve great things in Greene County.”
NOT-FOR-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society is solely responsible for the restoration, preservation and maintenance of the lighthouse and receives no ongoing governmental or private financial support.
The lighted beacon remains the responsibility of the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse, a New York State chartered museum, is celebrating 150 Years in 2024.
Located in the middle of the majestic Hudson River, between the City of Hudson and the Village of Athens, the lighthouse was built in 1874 to prevent shipwrecks.
HALPS’ mission is to preserve and provide access to the iconic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and to educate people of all ages about the glorious history of the Hudson River Valley.
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