RYE BROOK, NY (June 5, 2026) — The Business Council of Westchester announced Friday that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Ravitz will retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, and that former New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson has been named Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Economic Development.
The organization said Bramson will begin his new role on July 1, 2026, and will work alongside Ravitz through the end of the year as part of a transition period intended to ensure continuity of the Business Council of Westchester’s programs, advocacy initiatives and member services.
Ravitz has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Business Council of Westchester for 15 years. According to the organization, he helped establish and lead several advocacy initiatives, including the LEAP Program, the Coalition for Smart Development, the Coalition for Westchester County Airport and the Clean Energy Action Coalition.
Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon praised Ravitz’s tenure and welcomed Bramson to the organization.
“We will all miss John deeply. He has been a role model not only for our organization but for business associations throughout the state and beyond, setting the gold standard for how to represent members effectively at every level of government,” Gordon said. “He has developed countless initiatives that have defined the BCW and made us what we are today. He will be greatly missed.”
“At the same time, we could not be more enthusiastic about welcoming Noam Bramson to our team,” Gordon added. “His experience as mayor of one of Westchester County’s most dynamic cities, and his first-hand role in overseeing its extraordinary economic transformation, makes him an outstanding choice to fill John’s very big shoes.”
Jamie Schutzer, chairman of the Business Council of Westchester Board of Directors, said Ravitz’s leadership helped establish the organization as a leading business advocate in the region.
“Under John’s leadership, the BCW emerged as the region’s most effective advocate for business—establishing a lasting legacy that will endure for years to come,” Schutzer said. “We are confident that Noam’s distinguished record of leadership, strategic acumen, and government expertise will build meaningfully upon this strong foundation and further elevate the BCW to new heights.”
Ravitz said he was proud of the advocacy program developed during his tenure.
“Fifteen years ago, Marsha asked me to take the advocacy program and make it my own—to raise its visibility and grow it in scope,” Ravitz said. “I’m proud of what we built together. I know that Noam will do the same, bringing his vast experience as mayor of one of our largest cities to advocate for our members at every level of government.”
Before joining the Business Council of Westchester, Ravitz served six terms in the New York State Assembly representing Manhattan’s East Side. He also served as chief executive officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County, chief operating officer of the American Red Cross Greater New York Region and executive director of the New York City Board of Elections.
Bramson served as mayor of New Rochelle from January 2006 through December 2023. The Business Council of Westchester said he led a public-private housing and economic development framework in the city and helped secure the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge for New Rochelle.
From January 2024 through March 2026, Bramson served as executive director of Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit intermunicipal consortium focused on climate and clean energy initiatives.
Bramson said he was honored to join the organization.
“As a creative thought leader, effective advocate, and strategic bridge-builder, the BCW has been indispensable to Westchester County and New York State,” Bramson said. “I am thrilled to join the incomparable Marsha Gordon in this essential mission, and especially grateful to have the opportunity to learn from John Ravitz, as he concludes his exceptional service.”
The Business Council of Westchester said the transition period will run from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, with Ravitz and Bramson serving in parallel.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.